bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of selected polychlorinated biphenyls in soil and earthworm (Eisenia fetida) using a QuEChERS‐based method and gas chromatography with tandem MS
Authors: He Zeying , Wang Lu , Peng Yi , Luo Ming , Wang Wenwen , Liu Xiaowei
Published: September 2015

Soil and earthworms are important objects in soil pollution assessment and environmental behavior and toxicity study for polychlorinated biphenyls. Accelerated solvent extraction and solid‐phase extraction are generally required for the extraction and clean‐up of polychlorinated biphenyls in soil and earthworm, which are tedious and time‐consuming. In this work, a modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) procedure combined with gas chromatography and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of 20 selected polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in soil and earthworm. Different extraction times, solvents, and clean‐up adsorbents were compared and optimized. The average recoveries from spiked soils ranged between 70 and 120% with satisfactory relative standard deviations for all the polychlorinated biphenyls. In earthworm, the recoveries of polychlorinated biphenyls 180, 183, and 189 were relatively low (< 70% in some spiking levels) compared to that of the other polychlorinated biphenyls. The limits of quantification were in the range of 0.01–0.05 ng/g. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of 66 agricultural soils. To our knowledge, a combined method based on QuEChERS for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in soil and earthworms has not been published before. The procedure proved to be simple, sensitive, efficient, and environmentally friendly.
One‐step preparation of magnetic imprinted nanoparticles adopting dopamine‐cupric ion as a co‐monomer for the specific recognition of bovine hemoglobin
Authors: Gao Ruixia , Zhang Lili , Hao Yi , Cui Xihui , Liu Dechun , Zhang Min , Tang Yuhai
Published: September 2015

A novel magnetic core–shell polydopamine–cupric ion complex imprinted polymer was prepared in one‐step through surface imprinting technology, which could specifically recognize bovine hemoglobin from the real blood samples. The polymerization conditions and adsorption performance of the resultant nanomaterials were investigated in detail. The results showed that the cupric ion played an important role in the recognition of template proteins. The saturating adsorption capacity of this kind of imprinted polymers was 2.23 times greater than those of imprinted polymers without cupric ion. The imprinting factor of the imprinted materials was as high as 4.23 for the template molecule. The selective separation bovine hemoglobin from the real blood sample is successfully applied. In addition, the prepared materials had excellent stability and no obvious deterioration after five adsorption–regeneration cycles. Easy preparation, rapid separation, high binding capacity and satisfactory selectivity for the template protein make this polymer attractive in the separation of high‐abundance proteins.
Soil Water Repellency Severity and its Spatio‐Temporal Variation in Burnt Eucalypt Plantations in North‐Central Portugal
Authors: Malvar Maruxa C. , Prats Sergio A. , Nunes João P. , Keizer Jan J.
Published: September 2015

Soil water repellency (SWR) is a dynamic soil property that influences soil hydrology. The main goal of this work was to determine in situ spatial and temporal variations in SWR in six recently burnt eucalypt stands with different pre‐ and post‐fire management. The severity of SWR was measured in the field using the “molarity of an ethanol droplet test” during 1–2 years, at intervals of 1–2 weeks. Measurements were taken for the ash layer, soil surface and three different soil depths (2–3, 7–8 and 14–16 cm). The volumetric soil moisture content (SMC) was measured at the three deepest layers. The results showed that ploughing operations carried out several years before the fire did not have major impacts on the severity of SWR. The ash layer was predominately wettable, whereas the other soil layers were dominated by strong to extreme severity SWR. Furthermore, and starting at a soil depth of 3 cm, the severity of repellency decreased with increasing depth. The spatial variability within a slope was significant on half of the sampling days, indicating that wettable patches were present under median severely repellent conditions, possibly increasing hydrological connectivity within the slopes. Temporal SWR patterns were inversely related to antecedent rainfall and SMC. The SWR patterns were similar between sites, as well as for the different sampling depths within each site. Major changes in the median levels of repellency were registered in periods as short as 1–2 weeks, but measured rainfall and/or soil moisture conditions were insufficient to explain these changes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Are There Arid Land Soilscapes in Southwestern Europe?
Authors: Ibáñez Juan José , Pérez‐Gómez Rufino , Oyonarte Cecilio , Brevik Eric C.
Published: September 2015

No studies have proven the existence of soil assemblages typical of arid lands in Europe. This study was carried out in a representative territory of the southeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula, Almería province, which is the driest part of Europe, to determine if soils characteristic of arid lands are present. In order to analyse the spatial distribution of soils, the authors made use of mathematical tools previously developed in biodiversity and pedodiversity analysis, such as richness, entropy indices, abundance distribution models, diversity‐area relationships and nested subset analysis. The study demonstrates that the soil types or pedotaxa are typical of mountainous arid lands. Shallow and weakly developed soils (e.g. Leptosols, Regosols and Arenosols), Calcisols, Gypsisols and Solonchaks, cover most of the study area, and pedodiversity analysis demonstrates that the pedotaxa spatial patterns follow the same regularities as in other areas, environments and scales. In view of the fact that the class of landscapes identified in this study is unique in Europe, the Tarbernas desert and other arid lands sites of the study area merit preservation as part of the European geological, geomorphological and pedological heritage. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RNA binding protein RBM3 increases β‐catenin signaling to increase stem cell characteristics in colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Venugopal Anand , Subramaniam Dharmalingam , Balmaceda Julia , Roy Badal , Dixon Dan A. , Umar Shahid , Weir Scott J. , Anant Shrikant
Published: September 2015

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. It arises from loss of intestinal epithelial homeostasis and hyperproliferation of the crypt epithelium. In order to further understand the pathogenesis of CRC it is important to further understand the factors regulating intestinal epithelial proliferation and more specifically, regulation of the intestinal epithelial stem cell compartment. Here, we investigated the role of the RNA binding protein RBM3 in stem cell homeostasis in colorectal cancers. Using a doxycycline (Dox) inducible RBM3 overexpressing cell lines HCT 116 and DLD‐1, we measured changes in side population (SP) cells that have high xenobiotic efflux capacity and increased capacity for self‐renewal. In both cell lines, RBM3 induction showed significant increases in the percentage of side population cells. Additionally, we observed increases in spheroid formation and in cells expressing DCLK1, LGR5 and CD44Hi. As the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway is important for both physiologic and cancer stem cells, we next investigated the effects of RBM3 overexpression on β‐catenin activity. RBM3 overexpression increased levels of nuclear β‐catenin as well as TCF/LEF transcriptional activity. In addition, there was inactivation of GSK3β leading to decreased β‐catenin phosphorylation. Pharmacologic inhibition of GSK3β using (2′Z,3′E)‐6‐Bromoindirubin‐3′‐oxime (BIO) also recapitulates the RBM3 induced β‐catenin activity. In conclusion, we see that RNA binding protein RBM3 induces stemness in colorectal cancer cells through a mechanism involving suppression of GSK3β activity thereby enhancing β‐catenin signaling. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CSE1L Links cAMP/PKA and Ras/ERK pathways and regulates the expressions and phosphorylations of ERK1/2, CREB, and MITF in melanoma cells
Authors: Lee Woan‐Ruoh , Shen Shing‐Chuan , Wu Pei‐Ru , Chou Chia‐Lun , Shih Yi‐Hsien , Yeh Chung‐Min , Yeh Kun‐Tu , Jiang Ming‐Chung
Published: September 2015

The Ras/ERK (extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase) and cAMP/PKA (protein kinase A) pathways are essential for the transcriptional activities of CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) and MITF (microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor) in melanogenesis and the progression of melanoma. However, the interaction between Ras/ERK and cAMP/PKA pathways in the melanogenesis and progression of melanoma is not fully known. Here, we report that CSE1L (chromosome segregation 1‐like protein) regulates cAMP/PKA‐induced CREB and MITF expressions as well as Ras‐induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. IBMX, a cAMP/PKA activator, treatment induced CSE1L phosphorylation and augmented Ras‐induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. CSE1L knockdown by CSE1L shRNA expression vectors inhibited Ras‐induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and melanogenesis in melanoma cells. CSE1L overexpression increased phospho‐CREB expression; CSE1L knockdown also inhibited Ras‐induced phospho‐CREB, MITF, and tyrosinase expressions, regardless of the presence of IBMX. This study identifies CSE1L links and controls the Ras/ERK and cAMP/PKA pathways in the melanogenesis of melanoma cells. Melanomas frequently develop drug resistance via paradoxical activation of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK or alternatively activated Ras/ERK and cAMP/PKA pathways. Thus CSE1L may be a potential target for treating melanomas that harbor Ras mutations or are resistant to drugs targeting Raf/MEK/ERK. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improving the performance of J‐modulated ADEQUATE experiments through homonuclear decoupling and non‐uniform sampling
Authors: Saurí Josep , Parella Teodor , Williamson R. Thomas , Martin Gary E.
Published: September 2015

Homonuclear 13C–13C couplings at natural abundance can be measured using the J‐modulated Adequate DoublE QUAntumTransfer Experiment (ADEQUATE) experiment. To somewhat ameliorate F1 digitization requirements, a scaling factor was incorporated into the original pulse sequence. Non‐uniform sampling provides an obvious avenue to further facilitate the acquisition of 1JCC and nJCC homonuclear coupling constant data. We introduce homonuclear decoupling (HD) analogous to that described for the 1,1‐HD‐ADEQUATE and 1,n‐HD‐ADEQUATE experiments and evaluate the combination of non‐uniform sampling and HD on the acquisition of both 1JCC and nJCC homonuclear 13C–13C coupling constants using ibuprofen as a model compound. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SENSE reconstruction for multiband EPI including slice‐dependent N/2 ghost correction
Authors: Hennel Franciszek , Buehrer Martin , von Deuster Constantin , Seuven Aline , Pruessmann Klaas P.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

Sensitivity encoding (SENSE) reconstruction of multiband echo planar imaging (EPI) may cause artifacts when simultaneously excited slices require different phase correction to remove the EPI‐specific ghost shifted by half of the matrix size (N). We propose a simplified solution of this problem that combines SENSE unfolding with the EPI phase correction in the image domain.

Theory and Methods

Slice‐dependent phase correction was included in equations linking folded slice images reconstructed separately from even and odd echoes of all receivers with the true images of each slice. Compared with the previously proposed combination of ghost suppression with SENSE based on a direct image fit to echo data, our method reduces the problem complexity by N2/4. It was applied to reconstruct images of phantoms and human brain.

Results

The proposed method tolerates high differences of phase correction between slices, which may result, e.g., from anisotropic gradient delay. It suppresses artifacts better than standard SENSE even when the latter is repeated with the ghost correction targeting each of the slices and works significantly faster than the direct fit version of ghost‐correcting SENSE.

Conclusion

With the proposed modification SENSE allows a rapid separation of slices simultaneously acquired with EPI even when the phase correction needed for each slice is different. Magn Reson Med 76:873–879, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Natural history of muscle cramps in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Caress James B. , Ciarlone Stephanie L. , Sullivan Elizabeth A. , Griffin Leah P. , Cartwright Michael S.
Published: September 2015

Introduction: Muscle cramping is a common symptom in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that lacks efficacious treatment. The natural history of this symptom is unknown, which hampers efforts to design optimal clinical trials. Methods: We surveyed early stage ALS patients about their experience with cramps each month by phone for up to 21 months. Results: Cramps developed in 95% of patients over the course of their disease. The number of cramps experienced by an individual varied widely from month‐to‐month and trended lower after the first year of illness (P = 0.26). Those with limb‐onset and age >60 years had more cramps than bulbar‐onset (P < 0.0001) and younger patients (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The high variability of the number of cramps experienced suggests that clinical trials will need to use crossover designs or large numbers of participants, even when the treatment effect is substantial. Muscle Nerve 53: 513–517, 2016
The Use of Animal Bone as Fuel in the Third Millennium BC Walled Enclosure of Castanheiro do Vento (Northern Portugal)
Authors: Costa C.
Published: September 2015

Experiments on fire manipulation of bones as fuel demonstrated that animal bones are effective in the act of maintaining lasting combustion. These experiments are almost always applied to the studies in hunter–gather societies in prehistory, even though the use of bones as fuel is also known in historical times.

Based on data and models resulting from these recent experiments, both in laboratory and in real hearths, I tested the hypothesis of the use of animal bone as fuel in the third/second millennium BC walled enclosure of Castanheiro do Vento, in northern Portugal. The faunal assemblage shows some specific characteristics such as a very low percentage of identifiable material and close to 90% of charred bones with a very high index of fragmentation

I link the faunal analysis with the results of some experiments recently published. These experiments show the particularities of bone fuel combustion, specifically used in certain activities. Nevertheless, the interpretation of these activities in Castanheiro do Vento is difficult to achieve because of the preliminary state of the investigations. As an additional problem, the available interpretations in the literature concern mostly hunter–gather, and models do not take into account the complex societies of the third/second millennium BC. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predation risk modulates diet‐induced obesity in male C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Monarca Rita I. , da Luz Mathias Maria , Wang DeHua , Speakman John R.
Published: September 2015

Objective

In this study, the behavioral and physiological changes induced by experimentally varying the risk of predation in male mice fed a high‐fat diet were examined. In particular, the study aimed to assess whether the risk of being predated modulates the body weight gain, providing an ecological context for the obesity resistance observed in many species of small mammals.

Methods

Body weight, food intake, physical activity, and core body temperature of 35 male C57BL/6 mice were monitored for 20 days, while feeding a high‐fat diet. A third of the animals were exposed to elevated risk of predation through exposure to the sounds of nocturnal predatory birds, and these were compared to animals exposed to a neutral noise or silence.

Results

Male mice exposed to predation risk had significantly lower weight gain than the neutral or silent groups. Reduced food intake and increased physical activity were the main proximal factors explaining this effect. The risk of predation also induced changes in boldness.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence supporting the role of predation risk on body weight gain of small mammals.
Emotional eating is associated with increased brain responses to food‐cues and reduced sensitivity to GLP‐1 receptor activation
Authors: van Bloemendaal Liselotte , Veltman Dick J. , ten Kulve Jennifer S. , Drent Madeleine L. , Barkhof Frederik , Diamant Michaela , IJzerman Richard G.
Published: September 2015

Objective

The neural correlates and pathophysiology of emotional eating are insufficiently known. Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1), a postprandial hormone, plays a role in feeding behavior by signaling satiety to the brain. GLP‐1 receptor agonists, used for treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), promote weight loss. This study investigated the association between emotional eating and responses to food‐cues in brain areas involved in satiety and reward processing, as well as GLP‐1 receptor agonist‐induced effects on these brain responses.

Methods

T2DM patients with obesity, normoglycemic individuals with obesity, and lean individuals (n = 48) were studied in a randomized placebo‐controlled crossover study. Using functional MRI, we determined the relation between emotional eating and regional brain responses to visual food stimuli and acute effects of intravenous administration of the GLP‐1 receptor agonist exenatide on these responses.

Results

Emotional eating scores positively correlated with responses to food‐cues in lean subjects in the insula, in normoglycemic subjects with obesity in the insula, and in T2DM patients in the amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex, and insula. Emotional eating scores negatively correlated with exenatide‐induced reductions in responses to food‐cues in normoglycemic subjects with obesity in the amygdala and in T2DM patients in the insula.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that emotional eaters have altered brain responses to food‐cues and are less sensitive to the central effects of GLP‐1 receptor activation.
Green composites based on thermoplastic starch and rubber wood sawdust
Authors: Saetun Varawuit , Chiachun Chaliga , Riyajan Sa‐Ad , Kaewtatip Kaewta
Published: September 2015

Rubber wood sawdust (RS) was used as a filler to improve the water absorption, mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties of thermoplastic starch (TPS). The TPS/RS composites were prepared using compression molding and glycerol as the plasticizer. Moreover, the effect of commercial cellulose (CC) on the properties of TPS was also studied for comparison. Scanning election microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to confirm that there were lignin, hemicelluloses, and extractive compounds such as wax substances and natural oils on the surface of rubber wood sawdust. Both fillers showed good adhesion with the TPS because they have similar chemical structures. However, RS showed the better efficiency for improve the water absorption, mechanical, and thermal properties of TPS than CC. The results indicated that the components on the fiber surface play important roles in improving the properties of TPS. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1063–1069, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Determination of silica content and its dispersion in NR‐PBR‐RR ternary blends/ nanocomposites by digital image analysis of SEM images
Authors: De Debapriya , Kundu Soumik , Jana Premananda , Bhunia Satyaban , Roy Madhusudan
Published: September 2015

To study the silica content and its dispersion behavior in natural rubber (NR)‐polybutadiene rubber (PBR)‐reclaim rubber (RR)/
nanocomposites, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images was used by image processing technique. A suitable algorithm was proposed to determine the silica percentage of the nanocomposites. Based on proposed algorithm, image analysis was carried out to present quantitative and qualitative measure of size distribution of silica (filler) agglomerates in the polymer nanocomposites. On the basis of stack based region detection algorithm, various sizes of silica particles was detected and 2D image was reconstructed through 10 different colors for 10 types of regions. This article also dealt with various aspects of the polymers such as filler‐filler interaction, agglomerate detection, and dispersion of filler agglomerates through image analysis of their SEM micrographs. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2080–2089, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Quantitation of phenylpropanoids and iridoids in insulin‐sensitising extracts of Leonurus sibiricus L. (Lamiaceae)
Authors: Pitschmann Anna , Zehl Martin , Heiss Elke , Purevsuren Sodnomtseren , Urban Ernst , Dirsch Verena M. , Glasl Sabine
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Leonurus sibiricus L. is regularly used in traditional Mongolian medicine including for the treatment of symptoms of diabetes mellitus.

Objectives

To provide a validated quantitation method for the quality control of Leonurus sibiricus and to prove in vitro insulin‐sensitisation, thereby supporting the traditional use of Leonurus sibiricus.

Methodology

Pulverised Leonurus sibiricus material was either extracted with methanol or methanol:water (25:75, v/v). HPLC‐CAD (charged aerosol detector) separations were performed on a Luna Phenyl‐Hexyl column with water and acetonitrile (both modified with 0.1% formic acid) as mobile phase. Gradient elution was employed using theophylline as internal standard. Tentative peak identification was facilitated by HPLC‐MS. Validation was carried out according to ICH (International Conference on Harmonisation) guidelines. Potential insulin‐sensitisation of accordant extracts was assessed in glucose uptake experiments in C2C12 myocytes and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) enzyme assays.

Results

Thirty‐six compounds were tentatively identified based on their retention times, UV spectra, MS fragments and data from literature. They comprise phenolcarboxylic acids, flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, and phenylpropanoids, among which acetylharpagide, ajugoside, lavandulifolioside, and verbascoside were selected for quantitation. The methanol extract contained 0.42% combined iridoids, and 1.58% combined phenylpropanoids. Validation showed good accuracy, intermediate precision and robustness. The methanol extract of Leonurus sibiricus led to a 1.5 fold increase in insulin‐stimulated cellular glucose uptake and inhibition of PTP1B by 40% at a concentration of 10 µg/mL.

Conclusion

HPLC‐CAD analysis allowed sensitive quantitation of the selected marker compounds in Leonurus sibiricus, thereby providing a reliable tool for its quality control. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dewetting and microphase separation in symmetric polystyrene‐block‐polyisoprene diblock copolymer ultrathin films
Authors: Cheng Gang , Perahia Dvora
Published: September 2015

The kinetics of surface structure evolution in ultrathin films of low‐molecular‐weight polystyrene‐block‐polyisoprene (Mw: 7300 g mol−1–7300 g mol−1) diblock copolymer at temperatures below the bulk order‐to‐disorder transition temperature are presented. Films with two different thicknesses were studied as a function of annealing temperature using atomic force microscopy. These film thicknesses enabled the investigation of the competition between microphase separation and dewetting that resulted in two different morphologies: long‐range bicontinuous structures and random holes. Three distinctive stages of structure evolution were observed in bicontinuous structure, with the underlying mechanism compared with spinodal dewetting. Thicker films presented holes on their surfaces upon annealing at elevated temperatures, and kinetics of formation of the holes were discussed. We found that the molecular mobility determined the rates of dewetting, while the microphase separation hardly affected the dewetting process. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
A quantitative proteomics analysis of MCF7 breast cancer stem and progenitor cell populations
Authors: Nie Song , McDermott Sean P. , Deol Yadwinder , Tan Zhijing , Wicha Max S. , Lubman David M.
Published: September 2015

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that breast cancers are initiated and develop from a small population of stem‐like cells termed cancer stem cells (CSCs). These cells are hypothesized to mediate tumor metastasis and contribute to therapeutic resistance. However, the molecular regulatory networks responsible for maintaining CSCs in an undifferentiated state have yet to be elucidated. In this study, we used CSC markers to isolate pure breast CSCs fractions (ALDH+ and CD44+CD24‐ cell populations) and the mature luminal cells (CD49f‐EpCAM+) from the MCF7 cell line. Proteomic analysis was performed on these samples and a total of 3304 proteins were identified. A label‐free quantitative method was applied to analyze differentially expressed proteins. Using the criteria of greater than twofold changes and p value <0.05, 305, 322 and 98 proteins were identified as significantly different in three pairwise comparisons of ALDH+ versus CD44+CD24‐, ALDH+ versus CD49f‐EpCAM+ and CD44+CD24‐ versus CD49f‐EpCAM+, respectively. Pathway analysis of differentially expressed proteins by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) revealed potential molecular regulatory networks that may regulate CSCs. Selected differential proteins were validated by Western blot assay and immunohistochemical staining. The use of proteomics analysis may increase our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of breast CSCs. This may be of importance in the future development of anti‐CSC therapeutics.
Project Management Office Transformations: Direct and Moderating Effects that Enhance Performance and Maturity
Authors: Aubry Monique
Published: September 2015

This article aims at understanding organizational change through the study of project management office (PMO) transformations. This article suggests that performance resulting from a PMO transformation is moderated by the organizational context, change management, and by changes in coordination mechanisms—control or service orientation. This exploratory study adopted a quantitative methodology involving a sample of 184 PMO changes. It confirms the multifaceted nature of the context involved in a PMO transformation. External events play a key role in triggering change and improving performance. Key findings suggest that increasing the PMO's supportive role improves project performance, business performance, and project management maturity. Conversely, increasing the PMO's control role does not improve performance. This study's major contribution is to provide some empirical evidence concerning organizational change management.
The Impact of Online Social Networks on Health and Health Systems: A Scoping Review and Case Studies
Authors: Griffiths Frances , Dobermann Tim , Cave Jonathan A. K. , Thorogood Margaret , Johnson Samantha , Salamatian Kavé , Gomez Olive Francis X. , Goudge Jane
Published: September 2015

Interaction through online social networks potentially results in the contestation of prevailing ideas about health and health care, and to mass protest where health is put at risk or health care provision is wanting. Through a review of the academic literature and case studies of four social networking health sites (PatientsLikeMe, Mumsnet, Treatment Action Campaign, and My Pro Ana), we establish the extent to which this phenomenon is documented, seek evidence of the prevalence and character of health‐related networks, and explore their structure, function, participants, and impact, seeking to understand how they came into being and how they sustain themselves. Results indicate mass protest is not arising from these established health‐related networking platforms. There is evidence of changes in policy following campaigning activity prompted by experiences shared through social networking such as improved National Health Service care for miscarriage (a Mumsnet campaign). Platform owners and managers have considerable power to shape these campaigns. Social networking is also influencing health policy indirectly through increasing awareness and so demand for health care. Transient social networking about health on platforms such as Twitter were not included as case studies but may be where the most radical or destabilizing influence on health care policy might arise.
Continuous flow synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) via a light‐mediated controlled radical polymerization
Authors: Melker Anna , Fors Brett P. , Hawker Craig J. , Poelma Justin E.
Published: September 2015

Controlled radical polymerizations have significantly impacted the field of polymer science by facilitating the synthesis of polymers with greater control over molecular weight, structure, and dispersity (Ð). As these synthetic techniques continue to evolve, more degrees of control can be realized via external regulation. Recent work has demonstrated external regulation of a controlled radical polymerization process with light using a photoredox Ir‐catalyst. While light offers many advantages as a stimulus for polymerization, scaling up presents unique challenges such as shallow and uneven penetration of light through the reaction medium, which negatively impacts the rate of polymerization. This work addresses some of the challenges associated with scaling up light‐mediated controlled radical polymerizations by employing a continuous flow microreactor and selecting appropriate reactor materials for oxygen sensitive reactions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 2693–2698
Morphology re‐entry in asymmetric PS‐PI‐PS' triblock copolymer and PS homopolymer blends
Authors: Shi Weichao , Li Wei , Delaney Kris T. , Fredrickson Glenn H. , Kramer Edward J. , Ntaras Christos , Avgeropoulos Apostolos , Lynd Nathaniel A.
Published: September 2015

Here, we report the morphology variation in a series of PS‐b‐PI‐b‐PS' asymmetric triblock copolymer and PS homopolymer (hPS) blends, where PS' and PS are polystyrene blocks with a molecular weight ratio of approximately 0.11 and PI is poly(isoprene). We find that adding a small amount of hPS results in significant order–order transition (OOT) boundary deflection toward higher PS volume fractions fPS, which is accompanied by morphology re‐entry. For example, the neat triblock copolymer with a PS + PS' volume fraction of fPS = 0.38 exhibits a lamellar microphase; adding a small amount of hPS reverts the morphology into a hexagonal phase with PS cylinders, while further increasing the hPS fraction leads to normal OOTs from PS cylinders to lamellae, to PI cylinders and finally to spheres. The morphology variation reported here is significantly different from that reported in binary blends of diblock or symmetric triblock copolymer with homopolymer. While the domain features of the LAM structure can be correctly reproduced by self‐consistent field theory (SCFT), the observed morphology re‐entry is absent in the theoretical SCFT phase diagram. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 169–179
Synergy Between Plasma‐Assisted ALD and Roll‐to‐Roll Atmospheric Pressure PE‐CVD Processing of Moisture Barrier Films on Polymers
Authors: Starostin Sergey A. , Keuning Wytze , Schalken Jean‐Paul , Creatore Mariadriana , Kessels Wilhelmus M. M. (Erwin) , Bouwstra Jan B. , (Richard) van de Sanden Mauritius C. M. , de Vries Hindrik W.
Published: September 2015

The synergy between fast (1600 nm · min−1), roll‐to‐roll plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposited (PE‐CVD) SiO2 layers and plasma‐assisted atomic layer deposited (PA‐ALD) ultra‐thin Al2O3 films has been investigated in terms of moisture permeation barrier properties. The effective and intrinsic water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) were studied as a function of the number of ALD cycles. It was demonstrated that a synergistic combination of a silica buffer layer deposited on polymer with an ultra‐thin (≤ 2 nm) alumina barrier film can provide excellent intrinsic (10−5–10−6 g · m−2 · day−1) and good effective (∼10−3 g · m−2 · day−1) WVTR values, whereas both single layers individually exhibit poor barrier performances with effective WVTR values of ≥ 1.0 g · m−2 · day−1.
Developing clinically relevant biomarkers in inflammatory arthritis: A multiplatform approach for serum candidate protein discovery
Authors: McArdle Angela , Qasim Butt Aisha , Szentpetery Agnes , de Jager Wilco , de Roock Sytze , FitzGerald Oliver , Pennington Stephen R.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To identify candidate biomarkers that have the potential to distinguish between patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and explore the value of combining different protein discovery platforms for the development of a multiplexed protein biomarker panel.

Experimental design

Serum samples from 32 patients (PsA; n = 16 and RA; n = 16) defined as active, early onset, and treatment naïve were analyzed using unbiased label‐free LC‐MS/MS, a microsphere bead‐based immunoassay (Luminex xMAP) and an aptamer‐based assay (SOMAscan).

Results

LC‐MS/MS was used to quantify 324 proteins, while the Luminex xMAP targeted 48 proteins and SOMAscan supported the measurement of 1129 proteins. The combined data from these techniques gave reproducible quantification of 1501 proteins in total. Of these, 42 (LC‐MS/MS), 3 (Luminex xMAP), and 127 (SOMAscan) proteins were found to be differentially expressed between PsA and RA (p < 0.05).

Conclusion and clinical relevance

Using three different and potentially complementary proteomic platforms we identified a total of 172 proteins that are differentially expressed in patients with PsA compared to RA. These proteins collectively represent candidates for inclusion in a protein signature that could be developed as a diagnostic test to discriminate patients with PsA from RA and therefore be of clinical utility.
Experimental Investigation on High Strain Rate Tensile Behaviors of HTPB Propellant at Low Temperatures
Authors: Wang Zhejun , Qiang Hongfu , Wang Guang
Published: September 2015

To study the high strain rate tensile behaviors of hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) propellant at low temperatures, uniaxial tensile tests were conducted at different strain rates (0.4–42.86 s−1) and temperatures (233–298 K) using an INSTRON testing machine. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to observe the tensile fracture surfaces. Experimental results indicate that strain rate, temperature and test environment remarkably influence the tensile behaviors of HTPB propellant. The stress‐strain curves exhibit three different shapes. The elastic modulus and maximum tensile stress increase with decreasing temperature and increasing strain rate. However, the strain at maximum tensile stress decreases with increasing strain rate at low temperatures and there is a maximal value at 298 K and 14.29 s−1. The effects of strain rate, temperature and test environment on the tensile behaviors are closely related to the changes of properties and fracture mechanisms of HTPB propellant. The dominating fracture mechanism depends on not only temperature but also strain rate, and it changes from the dewetting and matrix tearing at room temperature and lower strain rate to the particle brittle fracture at low temperatures. Based on the time‐temperature superposition principle (TTSP), the master curves of mechanical parameters for HTPB propellant were obtained.
The loss of inhibitory C‐terminal conformations in disease associated P123H β‐synuclein
Authors: Janowska Maria K. , Baum Jean
Published: September 2015

β‐synuclein (βS) is a homologue of α‐synuclein (αS), the major protein component of Lewy bodies in patients with Parkinson's disease. In contrast to αS, βS does not form fibrils, mitigates αS toxicity in vivo and inhibits αS fibril formation in vitro. Previously a missense mutation of βS, P123H, was identified in patients with Dementia with Lewy Body disease. The single P123H mutation at the C‐terminus of βS is able to convert βS from a nontoxic to a toxic protein that is also able to accelerate formation of inclusions when it is in the presence of αS in vivo. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of these processes, we compare the conformational properties of the monomer forms of αS, βS and P123H‐βS, and the effects on fibril formation of coincubation of αS with βS, and with P123H‐βS. NMR residual dipolar couplings and secondary structure propensities show that the P123H mutation of βS renders it more flexible C‐terminal to the mutation site and more αS‐like. In vitro Thioflavin T fluorescence experiments show that P123H‐βS accelerates αS fibril formation upon coincubation, as opposed to wild type βS that acts as an inhibitor of αS aggregation. When P123H‐βS becomes more αS‐like it is unable to perform the protective function of βS, which suggests that the extended polyproline II motif of βS in the C‐terminus is critical to its nontoxic nature and to inhibition of αS upon coincubation. These studies may provide a basis for understanding which regions to target for therapeutic intervention in Parkinson's disease.
Optimizing GaN () hetero‐epitaxial templates grown on () sapphire
Authors: Pristovsek Markus , Frentrup Martin , Han Yisong , Humphreys Colin J.
Published: September 2015

The hetero‐epitaxy of () GaN on () sapphire was optimized in metal–organic vapor phase epitaxy. Best results were obtained from an AlN nucleation followed by AlN and AlGaN layers, and inserting low‐temperature AlN interlayers (ILs) as well as a SiNx IL. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) of scans of the symmetric () reflection yielded an FWHM along [] and along [] together with a m rms roughness below 10 nm as determined by atomic force microscopy. The lowest threading dislocation density achieved was cm while the basal plane stacking fault density was in the lower cm range as determined by transmission electron microscopy. The suppression of the unwanted () phase was lower than 1 in 10,000 as judged from XRD.
A kinetic Monte Carlo study of defect assisted transport in silicon heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Muralidharan Pradyumna , Vasileska Dragica , Goodnick Stephen M. , Bowden Stuart
Published: September 2015

The device performance of an amorphous silicon (a‐Si)/crystalline silicon (c‐Si) solar cell depends strongly on the interfacial transport properties of the device. The energy of the photogenerated carriers at the barrier strongly depends on the strength of the inversion at the heterointerface and their collection requires interaction with the defects present in the intrinsic amorphous silicon buffer layer. In this work we present a theoretical model to study the defect assisted transport of photogenerated carriers through the intrinsic amorphous silicon barrier. We implement the kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) method which allows us to simulate the interaction of discrete carriers with discrete defects. This method allows us to study defect transport which takes place on a time scale which is too long for traditional ensemble Monte Carlo's to analyze. We analyze the injection and extraction of carriers via defects by calculating transition rates, i.e. probability of transition to defect states within the intrinsic amorphous silicon barrier. The KMC results allow us to quantitatively study the properties of the heterointerface barrier in terms of how it affects transport. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical signal processing for data error detection and correction using a‐SiCH technology
Authors: Vieira M. A. , Vieira M. , Silva V. , Louro P. , Costa J.
Published: September 2015

In this paper, we explore the nonlinear properties of SiC multilayer devices under UV irradiation to design an optical processor for error detection and correction, that enables reliable delivery of spectral data of four‐wave mixing over unreliable communication channels. The SiC optical processor for error detection and correction is realized by using a SiC pin/pin photodetector with UV biased optical gating elements. The relationship between the optical inputs and the corresponding digital output levels is established. Data shows that the optical bias act as a selector that picks one or more states by splitting portions of the input multi optical signals across the front and back photodiodes. Boolean operations are demonstrated optically, additional parity logic operations are performed and checked for errors together. As an example we describe an all‐optical processor for error detection and correction and then, provide an experimental demonstration of this fault tolerant reversible system. An intuitive representation with a 4 bit original string coloured message and the transmitted 7 bit string, the parity matrix, the encoding and decoding processes and the design of SiC syndrome generators are presented. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The Improvement in Mechanical and Barrier Properties of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Graphene Oxide Packaging Films
Authors: Loryuenyong Vorrada , Saewong Charinrat , Aranchaiya Chaiyud , Buasri Achanai
Published: September 2015

In this study, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)‐graphite oxide and PVA‐graphene oxide (XGO) films were prepared by simple and environmentally friendly method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope revealed the strong hydrogen‐bonding interactions between XGO and PVA matrix and the layered structure of tensile fracture surfaces of exfoliated PVA‐XGO films. These resulted in a remarkable improvement on mechanical and barrier properties of XGO/PVA nanocomposite films. The addition of 0.3 and 2.0 wt.% XGO showed an increase in tensile strength (49%) and failure stain (13–22%), in comparison with the neat PVA films. The dramatic improvement of 144% in elastic modulus was observed in PVA/2.0 wt.% XGO. Both O2 and water vapour permeability coefficients of PVA film decreased by about 76% and 21% at an XGO loading of 2.0 wt.%, respectively. Preliminary test was performed to determine the use of nanocomposite films to extend the shelf life of bananas. It was found that bananas packaged in nanocomposite films were ripened slower than those unpackaged or packaged in PVA films. These results demonstrate that such films could dramatically promote the application of PVA‐based films in the packaging industry. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Near and dear? The role of location in CSR engagement
Authors: Husted Bryan W. , Jamali Dima , Saffar Walid
Published: September 2015

Research summary: Building on economic geography and institutional theory, we develop and test theory relating geographic variables to the strength of corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement and the cost of equity capital. For a large sample of U.S. firms over the period 1998–2009, we find strong and robust evidence that firms located in areas characterized by high levels of local CSR density score higher in CSR engagement. In addition, firms located close to major cities and financial centers exhibit higher CSR engagement compared to firms located in more remote areas. Moreover, the effect of CSR engagement on reducing equity financing costs is even greater for firms in high CSR density areas than for firms in low CSR density areas.

Managerial summary: Does the location of CSR engagement by firms affect the strength of CSR engagement by their neighbors? Does the geography of engagement have an impact on financial performance? Our findings show that a firm's CSR engagement increases in areas where there is dense CSR engagement and when it is located near large cities. In these areas, norms, values, and knowledge related to CSR are transmitted to firms through face‐to‐face meetings and frequent social interactions with groups such as peers, labor unions, news media, universities, and community organizations, which tend to be concentrated in large cities. Our findings further highlight that CSR engagement reduces equity financing costs for firms in areas where CSR is widely practiced. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Negotiation of Meaning Strategies in Child EFL Mainstream and CLIL Settings
Authors: Azkarai Agurtzane , Imaz Agirre Ainara
Published: September 2015

Research on child English as a second language (ESL) learners has shown the benefits of task‐based interaction for the use of different negotiation of meaning (NoM) strategies, which have been claimed to lead to second language learning. However, research on child interaction in foreign language settings is scarce, specifically research on a new prevalent methodology in Europe, content and language integrated learning (CLIL). The present study focuses on mainstream and CLIL English as a foreign language (EFL) learners' oral interaction while they completed a guessing game and a picture placement task. The researchers analysed the oral production of seventy‐two 9‐ to 12‐year‐old children (in age‐ and proficiency‐matched dyads) to examine the conversational strategies that were employed in both tasks. Findings indicated that younger learners negotiated for meaning more, and mainstream learners resorted to more conversational strategies than CLIL learners. Furthermore, task‐based differences in the NoM strategies seemed to depend on age and instructional setting. The results seem to indicate that age, instructional setting, and the tasks in which these EFL learners were engaged had an impact on the NoM strategies they employed in task‐based interaction.
Seeing the Forest, Not the Trees
Authors: Leu Donald J. , Forzani Elena , Timbrell Nicole , Maykel Cheryl
Published: September 2015

While countless new technologies are appearing in our lives and in school classrooms, we argue that we need to keep in mind our goals in reading before we use any of them. We suggest that a primary goal is to develop the ability to read in order to learn with online information. Technologies that support this goal, especially the Internet, and instructional practices that support the development of online reading should be our primary consideration for reading and literacy education, beginning in the primary grades.