bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tomato fruit quality as influenced by the interactions between agricultural techniques and harvesting period
Authors: Hernández Marcos , Espinosa Francisco , Galindo Purificación
Published: April 2014

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill) is an important crop in terms of its economic and nutritional value. Many factors, including cultivar, climate, geography, geochemistry, and agricultural practice, can affect its nutrient concentrations. An HJ‐biplot study was performed to examine the effects of cultivar (Dorothy, Boludo, Dominique, Thomas, and Dunkan), agricultural practices, climatic factors, and their interactions. Significant differences were analyzed using a one‐way ANOVA. All samples were collected and assayed at the same degree of ripeness. In the conventional and organic tomato samples, those harvested from December to April had the highest concentrations of fructose, glucose, citric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, protein, Na, and Mg, while those harvested in October had the highest concentrations of lycopene and hydroxycinnamic acid. There were high concentrations of Ca, P, Zn, and Cu in the no‐soil tomatoes. Conventional and organic cultivation practices showed similar results with respect to the collection period, both presenting high organic compound concentrations, while high mineral concentrations seemed to correspond to the no‐soil practice. No clear pattern was observed among the different cultivars, perhaps due to all the samples having been collected at the same degree of ripeness.
Primary pulmonary classical Hodgkin lymphoma: A case report
Authors: Schild Michael H. , Wong William W. , Valdez Riccardo , Leis Jose F.
Published: April 2014

Primary pulmonary Hodgkin lymphoma (PPHL) is a rare entity. Most reported cases occurred before the availability of PET scan for accurate staging of the disease. We report a case of PPHL for which PET/CT scan was used and surgery was performed to confirm the diagnosis. A review of cases of PPHL since 1990 suggests that adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy after surgical resection of the lung lesions achieve better disease control than surgical resection alone. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 110:341–344. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification and characterization of the chemical constituents of Simiao Wan by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry coupled to an automated multiple data processing method
Authors: Zhang Aihua , Zou Di , Yan Guangli , Tan Yunlong , Sun Hui , Wang Xijun
Published: April 2014

The chemical constituents of Simiao Wan (SW), a traditional Chinese medicine preparation, are difficult to determine and remain unclear. To more efficiently detect ions, a multiple data processing approach has been used in the characterization of the compounds. In this study, a rapid and sensitive method based on ultra high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and the multiple data processing approach was established to characterize the chemical constituents of SW. Ultra high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry coupled with the multiple data processing approach could efficiently remove nonrelated ion signals from accurate mass data. We report the application of the multiple data processing approach for comprehensive detection and rapid identification of chemical constituents of SW. Of note, the total analysis time for separation was less than 20 min without losing any resolution. In the variable, importance in projection plot of orthogonal projection to latent structure‐discriminant analysis, a total of 72 ions of interest (37 ions in positive mode, 38 ions in negative mode and three ions in both mode) were extracted or tentatively characterized based on their retention times, exact mass measurement for each molecular ion and subsequent fragment ions. In summary, the methodology proposed in this study could be valuable for the structural characterization and identification of the multiple constituents in the traditional Chinese medicine formula SW.
Synthesis and surface engineering of magnetic nanoparticles for environmental cleanup and pesticide residue analysis: A review
Authors: Kaur Ranjeet , Hasan Abshar , Iqbal Nusrat , Alam Samsul , Saini Mahesh Kr , Raza Syed Kalbe
Published: April 2014

In recent years, water pollution and pesticide accumulation in the food chain have become a serious environmental and health hazard problem. Direct determination of these contaminants is a difficult task due to their low concentration level and the matrix interferences. Therefore, an efficient separation and preconcentration procedure is often required prior to the analysis. With the advancement in nanotechnology, various types of magnetic core–shell nanoparticles have successfully been synthesized and received considerable attention as sorbents for decontamination of diverse matrices. Magnetic core–shell nanoparticles with surface modifications have the advantages of large surface‐area‐to‐volume ratio, high number of surface active sites, no secondary pollutant, and high magnetic properties. Due to their physicochemical properties, surface‐modified magnetic core–shell nanoparticles exhibit high adsorption efficiency, high rate of removal of contaminants, and easy as well as rapid separation of adsorbent from solution via external magnetic field. Such facile separation is essential to improve the operation efficiency. In addition, reuse of nanoparticles would substantially reduce the treatment cost. In this review article, we have attempted to summarize recent studies that address the preconcentration methods of pesticide residue analysis and removal of toxic contaminants from aquatic systems using magnetic core–shell nanoparticles as adsorbents.
Multifunctional Poly(Vinyl Amine)s Bearing Azetidinium Groups: One Pot Preparation in Water and Antimicrobial Properties
Authors: Chattopadhyay Subrata , Heine Elisabeth Therese , Keul Helmut , Möller Martin
Published: April 2014

A simple, robust one pot procedure for the preparation of waterborne multifunctional poly(vinyl amine)s (PVAms) is presented. By post‐polymerization modification of PVAm with a bifunctional coupler and functional couplers cationic, reactive azetidinium groups, and alkyl chains are introduced in the side chains of PVAms. The structure‐activity relations (effect of hydrophobic and cationic modifications) of these antimicrobial polymers are studied; the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against both (Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria) of the library of multifunctional poly(vinyl amine)s are determined to identify the candidates with the highest efficacy. Furthermore, the hemolytic activity—the effective concentration at which 50 and 10% of red blood cells are killed (HC50 and HC10)—of selected polymers is determined. The ability of the polymers prepared to differentiate between microorganisms (Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria) and mammalian cells (red blood cells) is understood by comparing MIC and HC values. Finally, as an example, the best polymer is used to prepare an antimicrobial surface.
Photoinduced Bending Behavior of Cross‐linked Azobenzene Liquid‐Crystalline Polymer Films with a Poly(oxyethylene) Backbone
Authors: Lv Jiu‐an , Wang Weiru , Xu Jixiang , Ikeda Tomiki , Yu Yanlei
Published: April 2014

Cross‐linked azobenzene liquid‐crystalline polymer films with a poly(oxyethylene) backbone are synthesized by photoinitiated cationic copolymerization. Azobenzene moieties in the film surface toward the light source are simultaneously photoaligned during photopolymerization with unpolarized 436 nm light and thus form a splayed alignment in the whole film. The prepared films show reversible photoinduced bending behavior with opposite bending directions when different surfaces of one film face to ultraviolet light irradiation.

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Gender‐dependent association of body mass index and waist circumference with disability in the chinese oldest old
Authors: Yin Zhaoxue , Shi Xiaoming , Kraus Virginia B. , Brasher Melanie Sereny , Chen Huashuai , Liu Yuzhi , Lv Yuebin , Zeng Yi
Published: April 2014

Objectives

To explore associations of BMI and waist circumference (WC) with disability among the Chinese oldest old.

Methods

The 5,495 oldest old in the sixth wave of Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Study conducted in 2011 were included in this study. Disability was assessed by activities of daily living (ADL); height and weight for BMI and WC were measured; information including socio‐demographics, lifestyles, and health status was collected.

Results

Generalized additive models analysis showed that the association of BMI/WC with ADL disability was nonlinear. Among the males, logistic regression results supported a “J” shape association between ADL disability with BMI/WC‐the highest tertile group in BMI or WC was significantly associated with an increased risk of ADL disability: odds ratio 1.78 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26‐2.52) for BMI and 2.01 (95% CI: 1.44‐2.82) for WC. Among females, an inverse “J” shape association was found, only the lowest tertile group before the cutoff point had an increased risk of ADL disability: odds ratio 1.42 (95%CI: 1.02‐1.97) for BMI and 1.47 (95% CI:1.06‐2.04) for WC.

Conclusions

Associations of BMI and WC with ADL disability are significant even in the oldest old, but differ between the genders.
Early weight regain after gastric bypass does not affect insulin sensitivity but is associated with elevated ghrelin
Authors: Tamboli Robyn A. , Breitman Igal , Marks‐Shulman Pam A. , Jabbour Kareem , Melvin Willie , Williams Brandon , Clements Ronald H. , Feurer Irene D. , Abumrad Naji N.
Published: April 2014

Objectives

We sought to determine: (1) if early weight regain between 1 and 2 years after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is associated with worsened hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity, and (2) if preoperative levels of ghrelin and leptin are associated with early weight regain after RYGB.

Methods

Hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity and ghrelin and leptin plasma levels were assessed longitudinally in 45 subjects before RYGB and at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. Weight regain was defined as ≥5% increase in body weight between 1 and 2 years after RYGB.

Results

Weight regain occurred in 33% of subjects, with an average increase in body weight of 10 ± 5% (8.5 ± 3.3 kg). Weight regain was not associated with worsening of peripheral or hepatic insulin sensitivity. Subjects with weight regain after RYGB had higher preoperative and postoperative levels of ghrelin compared to those who maintained or lost weight during this time. Conversely, the trajectories of leptin levels corresponded with the trajectories of fat mass in both groups.

Conclusions

Early weight regain after RYGB is not associated with a reversal of improvements in insulin sensitivity. Higher preoperative ghrelin levels might identify patients that are more susceptible to weight regain after RYGB.
Synthesis and electrochemical properties of poly(2,3‐dimethylaniline)/polyaniline composites
Authors: Yan Jun , Yang Yawen , Ma Li , Gan Mengyu , Li Xiao
Published: April 2014

In this study, poly(2,3‐dimethylaniline)/polyaniline (P(2,3‐DMA)/PANI) composite was prepared by in situ polymerization of aniline on the surface of P(2,3‐DMA) particles in hydrochloric acid solution. Fourier transform infrared spectra and X‐ray diffraction results of the composites indicated that P(2,3‐DMA) was successfully modified by PANI. The electrochemical activity and electrical conductivity of the P(2,3‐DMA)/PANI composite were discussed by cyclic voltammetry and standard four‐probe tests, respectively. The results showed that the conductivity of the composite increased with the increasing aniline concentration, which can expand the potential applications of P(2,3‐DMA), such as use in anti‐static coatings or electronic devices. The P(2,3‐DMA)/PANI composite also showed better solubility and anticorrosive property than PANI. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1541–1545, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Comparative interactomes of SIRT6 and SIRT7: Implication of functional links to aging
Authors: Lee Namgyu , Kim Dae‐Kyum , Kim Eung‐Sam , Park Sung Jin , Kwon Jung‐Hee , Shin Jihye , Park Seon‐Min , Moon Young Ho , Wang Hee Jung , Gho Yong Song , Choi Kwan Yong
Published: April 2014

Sirtuins are NAD+‐dependent deacetylases that regulate a range of cellular processes. Although diverse functions of sirtuins have been proposed, those functions of SIRT6 and SIRT7 that are mediated by their interacting proteins remain elusive. In the present study, we identified SIRT6‐ and SIRT7‐interacting proteins, and compared their interactomes to investigate functional links. Our interactomes revealed 136 interacting proteins for SIRT6 and 233 for SIRT7 while confirming seven and 111 proteins identified previously for SIRT6 and SIRT7, respectively. Comparison of SIRT6 and SIRT7 interactomes under the same experimental conditions disclosed 111 shared proteins, implying related functional links. The interaction networks of interactomes indicated biological processes associated with DNA repair, chromatin assembly, and aging. Interactions of two highly acetylated proteins, nucleophosmin (NPM1) and nucleolin, with SIRT6 and SIRT7 were confirmed by co‐immunoprecipitation. NPM1 was found to be deacetylated by both SIRT6 and SIRT7. In senescent cells, the acetylation level of NPM1 was increased in conjunction with decreased levels of SIRT6 and SIRT7, suggesting that the acetylation of NPM1 could be regulated by SIRT6 and SIRT7 in the aging process. Our comparative interactomic study of SIRT6 and SIRT7 implies important functional links to aging by their associations with interacting proteins. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifiers PXD000159 and PXD000850 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD000159, http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD000850).
Quantitative proteomics reveals differential biological processes in healthy neonatal cord neutrophils and adult neutrophils
Authors: Zhu Jiang , Zhang Huoming , Guo Tiannan , Li Wenying , Li Huiyu , Zhu Yi , Huang Shi'ang
Published: April 2014

Neonatal neutrophils are characterized by the immaturity of bactericidal mechanisms that contributes largely to neonatal mortality. However, underlying molecular mechanism associated with the immaturity remains incompletely understood. In this study, we performed comparative proteomic analysis on neonatal neutrophils derived from human cord blood and adult peripheral neutrophils. A total of 1332 proteins were identified and quantified, and 127 proteins were characterized as differentially expressed between adult and cord neutrophils. The differentially expressed proteins are mapped in KEGG pathways into five clusters and indicated impaired functions of neonatal neutrophils in proteasome, lysosome, phagosome, and leukocyte transendothelial migration. In particular, many proteins associated with NETosis, a critical mechanism for antimicrobial process and auto‐clearance, were also found to be downregulated in cord neutrophils. This study represents a first comparative proteome profiling of neonatal and adult neutrophils, and provides a global view of differentially expressed proteome for enhancing our understanding of their various functional difference.
Effects of donor unit and π‐bridge on photovoltaic properties of D–A copolymers based on benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐c']‐dithiophene‐4,8‐dione acceptor unit
Authors: Bin Haijun , Xiao Lu , Liu Yong , Shen Ping , Li Yongfang
Published: April 2014

A series of donor‐π‐acceptor (D‐π‐A) conjugated copolymers (PBDT‐AT, PDTS‐AT, PBDT‐TT, and PDTS‐TT), based on benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐c']dithiophene‐4,8‐dione (BDD) acceptor unit with benzodithiophene (BDT) or dithienosilole (DTS) as donor unit, alkylthiophene (AT) or thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (TT) as conjugated π‐bridge, were designed and synthesized for application as donor materials in polymer solar cells (PSCs). Effects of the donor unit and π‐bridge on the optical and electrochemical properties, hole mobilities, and photovoltaic performance of the D‐π‐A copolymers were investigated. PSCs with the polymers as donor and PC70BM as acceptor exhibit an initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.46% for PBDT‐AT, 2.62% for PDTS‐AT, 0.82% for PBDT‐TT, and 2.38% for PDTS‐TT. After methanol treatment, the PCE was increased up to 5.91%, 3.06%, 1.45%, and 2.45% for PBDT‐AT, PDTS‐AT, PBDT‐TT, and PDTS‐TT, respectively, with significantly increased FF. The effects of methanol treatment on the photovoltaic performance of the PSCs can be ascribed to the increased and balanced carrier transport and the formation of better nanoscaled interpenetrating network in the active layer. The results indicate that both donor unit and π‐bridge are crucial in designing a D‐π‐A copolymer for high‐performance photovoltaic materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 1929–1940
Tuning amphiphilicity/temperature‐induced self‐assembly and in‐situ disulfide crosslinking of reduction‐responsive block copolymers
Authors: Chan Nicky , Yee Nathan , An So Young , Oh Jung Kwon
Published: April 2014

New poly(ethylene oxide)‐based block copolymers (ssBCs) with a random copolymer block consisting of a reduction‐responsive disulfide‐labeled methacrylate (HMssEt) and a thermoresponsive di(ethylene glycol)‐containing methacrylate (MEO2MA) units were synthesized. The ratio of HMssEt/MEO2MA units in the random P(MEO2MA‐co‐HMssEt) copolymer block enables the characteristics of well‐defined ssBCs to be amphiphilic or thermoresponsive and double hydrophilic. Their amphiphilicity or temperature‐induced self‐assembly results in nanoaggregates with hydrophobic cores having different densities of pendant disulfide linkages. The effect of disulfide crosslinking density on morphological variation of disulfide‐crosslinked nanogels is investigated. In response to reductive reactions, the partial cleavage of pendant disulfide linkages in the hydrophobic cores converts the physically associated aggregates to disulfide‐crosslinked nanogels. The occurrence of in‐situ disulfide crosslinks provides colloidal stability upon dilution. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 2057–2067
Electrical conductivity, impedance, and percolation behavior of carbon nanofiber and carbon nanotube containing gellan gum hydrogels
Authors: Warren Holly , Gately Reece D. , O'Brien Patrick , Gorkin Robert , in het Panhuis Marc
Published: April 2014

The electrical impedance behavior of gellan gum (GG), GG–carbon nanotube, and GG–carbon nanofiber hydrogel composites is reported. It is demonstrated that the impedance behavior of these gels can be modeled using a Warburg element in series with a resistor. Sonolysis (required to disperse the carbon fillers) does not affect GG hydrogel electrical conductivity (1.2 ± 0.1 mS/cm), but has a detrimental effect on the gel's mechanical characteristics. It was found that the electrical conductivity (evaluated using impedance analysis) increases with increasing volume fraction of the carbon fillers and decreasing water content. For example, carbon nanotube containing hydrogels exhibited a six‐ to sevenfold increase in electrical conductivity (to 7 ± 2 mS/cm) at water content of 82%. It is demonstrated that at water content of 95 ± 2% the electrical behavior of multiwalled nanotube containing hydrogels transitions (percolates) from transport dominated by ions (owing to GG) to transport dominated by electrons (owing to the carbon nanotube network). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 864–871
Formation of polyketone particle structure by hexafluoroisopropanol solvent evaporation and effects of plasticizer addition
Authors: Xia Hong , Hashimoto Yoshio , Morita Toru , Hirai Toshihiro
Published: April 2014

Few solvents are capable of dissolving polyketones (PKs). 1,1,1,3,3,3‐Hexafluoro‐2‐propanol (hexafluoroisopropanol, HFIP) is a better solvent than trifluoroethanol and m‐cresol. When HFIP was evaporated from a PK/HFIP solution, a porous cast‐film with a microparticle structure was formed because the isotactic PKs adopted a helical conformation, and convection during evaporation of the high polarity and low‐boiling‐point HFIP caused aggregation and rolling of the polymer molecules. The addition of plasticizer suppressed particle formation, improving the surface structure and mechanical properties of the film. In particular, the dielectric properties of the film improved significantly. This will enable PKs, which are rigid insulating materials, to be used as dielectric materials, broadening their range of applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 887–892
Lack of adaptation to a new host in a generalist herbivore: implications for host plant resistance to twospotted spider mites in cotton
Authors: Miyazaki Junji , Wilson Lewis J , Stiller Warwick N
Published: April 2014

BACKGROUND

The twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) is an important pest of cotton. This pest has a broad host range, but when changing between hosts an initial decline in fitness often occurs. This is usually followed by an increase in fitness after rapid adaptation to the new host, usually within five generations.

RESULTS

The generality of this adaptive response was tested by assessing elements of fitness when mites were reared on a host to which they were adapted (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Sicot 71) or on a new host, Gossypium arboreum L. (accession BM13H). In a first experiment, mites reared on the new host for ten generations showed declining immature survival compared with those reared on the adapted host. In a second experiment, the intrinsic capacity for increase of mites cultured on the new host for six generations was significantly lower than that of mites cultured on the adapted host for six generations and then transferred to the new host. Hence, exposure to the new host for six or ten generations resulted in declining fitness.

CONCLUSION

This ‘negative adaptation’ indicates robust antibiosis traits in G. arboreum accession BM13H, which therefore have value in developing mite‐resistant G. hirsutum cultivars. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Microwave permittivity and permeability of magnetic wire composites
Authors: Panina Larissa , Makhnovskiy Dmitriy
Published: April 2014

This paper provides a comprehensive review on electromagnetic properties of composites with magnetic microwires. The analysis is made in terms of the effective parameters: permittivity and permeability. The use of magnetic components in wire media makes it possible to realize controllable or tunable materials. A variable magnetoimpedance controls the dispersion region resulting in broadband transmission modulation. The conditions of strong tuning including directional changes in the static magnetization, magnetoimpedance, stress impedance, and optimal skin effect are discussed. Diluted composites with magnetic wires having specific circumferential or helical anisotropy may also have large values of the effective permeability at high frequencies up to few GHz. This is important to design materials possessing the both effective parameters in the same frequency band. Considering the variation in the impedance due to internal stress/temperature distribution, the magnetic wire composites can be regarded as materials with distributed sensors. A range of potential applications for structural health monitoring is discussed.
New approach to the growth of SiO2 nanowires using Sn catalyst on Si substrate
Authors: Zamchiy Alexandr , Baranov Evgeniy , Khmel Sergey
Published: April 2014

Silica nanowires were synthesized from mixture monosilane with hydrogen by gas‐jet electron beam plasma chemical vapor deposition method for the first time. The synthesis was carried out on silicon substrate with up to micrometer‐sized particles of Sn catalyst. SEM observations show that this method provides different morphology of the nanowires and catalyst. Oriented arrays of silica nanowires bunches (microropes) were synthesized in the area corresponding to the mixture jet axis. Cocoons‐like, bamboo‐like, and jellyfish‐like morphology was observed in the area corresponding to periphery of the jet. Probably there was realised vapor‐liquid‐solid (VLS) growth mechanism, where multiple nanowires grow simultaneously from the surface of one catalyst drop. The growth rate of the microropes is about 25 nm/s at synthesis temperature 330 °C. Possible growth model has been suggested in order to explain the results. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Obtaining of II‐VI compound substrates with controlled electrical parameters and prospects of their application for nanoporous structures
Authors: Colibaba Gleb , Goncearenco Evghenii , Nedeoglo Dmitrii , Nedeoglo Natalia , Monaico Eduard , Tiginyanu Ion
Published: April 2014

Substrates of II‐VI semiconductor compounds may be widely used in fabrication of nanoporous matrices (NM), which give the possibility to obtain nanowires and nanotubes of various materials with good application prospects in various fields. The easiest and cost‐effective method to obtain nanoporous matrices is electrochemical etching (ECE), which, however, depends on conductive properties of the substrates. The conditions of growing homogeneous ZnSe, ZnS, ZnSSe, ZnO, and ZnCdS single crystals by physical and chemical vapour transport methods are discussed. Based on the results of investigation of electrical, optical, and photoluminescence properties of the samples with various doping levels, the prospect of examined technology for manufacturing the substrates of these compounds with large area and controlled n‐type electrical conductivity varied up to 20, 0.3, 0.3, 9, and 30 Ω–1cm–1, respectively, is estimated. Possible utilization of these substrates for preparation of NM by ECE is analyzed. The results of nanostructuring using various electrolytes are shown. The prospect of using ZnSe and ZnCdS compounds for manufacturing nanopore arrays with diameter down to 30 nm and nanopo‐rous structures with a specific morphology on ZnO substrates is demonstrated. Technological limitations for fabrication of the similar structures on the basis of ZnS and ZnSSe substrates are also analyzed. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Nanostructured Y‐doped ZrO2 powder: peculiarities of light emission under electron beam excitation
Authors: Korsunska N. , Papusha V. , Kolomys O. , Strelchuk V. , Kuchuk A. , Kladko V. , Bacherikov Yu. , Konstantinova T. , Khomenkova L.
Published: April 2014

Present work deals with the study of luminescence and structural properties of Y‐doped ZrO2 nanopowders sintered by co‐precipitation of Zr and Y nitrates. The structural and light emitting properties were controlled by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman scattering, photo‐ (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) methods. Generally, room temperature PL spectra showed several bands in UV‐orange range, whose shapes depend on the excitation light wavelength. Along with this, CL spectra demonstrate additional “red” emission, which intensity exceeds that of other CL bands. At lower temperatures, preferable enhancement of “red” CL band, its narrowing and peak position shift to the longer wavelengths were found. This behavior testifies to the non‐elementary nature of “red” CL band. Its nature and mechanism of its excitation are discussed. It is supposed that some impurities (such as Fe and/or Zn) or complex defects, containing oxygen vacancies and these impurities, are responsible for “red” emission appeared under electron beam excitation only. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Determination of heisenberg exchange coupling constants in clusters with magnetic sites: A local spin approach
Authors: Alcoba Diego R. , Torre Alicia , Lain Luis , Oña Ofelia B. , Oliva Josep M.
Published: April 2014

This work studies the ability of the two‐center local spin quantities, provided by the partitioning of the expectation value of the spin‐squared operator
corresponding to N‐electron systems, for determining spin‐exchange coupling constants within the Heisenberg spin Hamiltonian model. The spin‐exchange parameters, which characterize this Hamiltonian for a determined system, have been evaluated in the HeH2 aggregate and in several
clusters (n = 2, 3, 4) with different geometrical arrangements, using internuclear distances larger than the equilibrium ones (beyond the bonding regions). The results found have been analyzed and compared with those arising from other approaches, showing the feasibility of our methodology. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An approximate approach to sample size determination in bioequivalence testing with multiple pharmacokinetic responses
Authors: Tsai Chen‐An , Huang Chih‐Yang , Liu Jen‐pei
Published: April 2014

The approval of generic drugs requires the evidence of average bioequivalence (ABE) on both the area under the concentration–time curve and the peak concentration Cmax. The bioequivalence (BE) hypothesis can be decomposed into the non‐inferiority (NI) and non‐superiority (NS) hypothesis. Most of regulatory agencies employ the two one‐sided tests (TOST) procedure to test ABE between two formulations. As it is based on the intersection–union principle, the TOST procedure is conservative in terms of the type I error rate. However, the type II error rate is the sum of the type II error rates with respect to each null hypothesis of NI and NS hypotheses. When the difference in population means between two treatments is not 0, no close‐form solution for the sample size for the BE hypothesis is available. Current methods provide the sample sizes with either insufficient power or unnecessarily excessive power. We suggest an approximate method for sample size determination, which can also provide the type II rate for each of NI and NS hypotheses. In addition, the proposed method is flexible to allow extension from one pharmacokinetic (PK) response to determination of the sample size required for multiple PK responses. We report the results of a numerical study. An R code is provided to calculate the sample size for BE testing based on the proposed methods. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diesel exhaust particulates affect cell signaling, mucin profiles, and apoptosis in trachea explants of Balb/C mice
Authors: Seriani Robson , Junqueira Mara de Souza , de Toledo Alessandra Choqueta , Martins Milton Arruda , Seckler Marcelo , Alencar Adriano Mesquita , Negri Elnara Marcia , Silva Luiz Fernando Ferraz , Mauad Thaís , Saldiva Paulo Hilário Nascimento , Macchione Mariangela
Published: April 2014

Particulate matter from diesel exhaust (DEP) has toxic properties and can activate intracellular signaling pathways and induce metabolic changes. This study was conducted to evaluate the activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and to analyze the mucin profile (acid (AB+), neutral (PAS+), or mixed (AB/PAS+) mucus) and vacuolization (V) of tracheal explants after treatment with 50 or 100 μg/mL DEP for 30 or 60 min. Western blot analyses showed small increases in ERK1/2 and JNK phosphorylation after 30 min of 100 μg/mL DEP treatment compared with the control. An increase in JNK phosphorylation was observed after 60 min of treatment with 50 μg/mL DEP compared with the control. We did not observe any change in the level of ERK1/2 phosphorylation after treatment with 50 μg/mL DEP. Other groups of tracheas were subjected to histological sectioning and stained with periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) reagent and Alcian Blue (AB). The stained tissue sections were then subjected to morphometric analysis. The results obtained were compared using ANOVA. Treatment with 50 μg/mL DEP for 30 min or 60 min showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the amount of acid mucus, a reduction in neutral mucus, a significant reduction in mixed mucus, and greater vacuolization. Our results suggest that compounds found in DEPs are able to activate acid mucus production and enhance vacuolization and cell signaling pathways, which can lead to airway diseases. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 1297–1308, 2015.
One‐way mesoscale–microscale coupling for the simulation of atmospheric flows over complex terrain
Authors: Castro F.A. , Silva Santos C. , Lopes da Costa J.C.
Published: April 2014

The microscale model WINDIE, initially developed for the simulation of neutral atmospheric flows over complex topography, is here extended to the study of stratified atmospheric flows with Coriolis effects, with particular focus on its application to wind farm development projects. The code now uses E–l and E– ϵ–l turbulence models, which have shown to be more adequate than the standard E– ϵ model for the simulation of atmospheric flows. The validation tasks include 1D atmospheric boundary layers from the first two cases produced by the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment Atmospheric Boundary Layer Study: a stably stratified boundary layer and a diurnal‐cycle over land, respectively. To test the applicability of the new code to real situations, a series of simulations were performed of the time‐varying atmospheric flow (a 3‐month period between February and May 2012) over a moderately complex topography in the Portuguese mainland, using the Weather Research and Forecasting with Advanced Research WRF (WRF‐ARW) mesoscale code on a 3 km mesh to produce time‐varying boundary conditions for the microscale code, in a dynamic coupling fashion. Comparisons with sonic anemometer measurements at the hill top and with WRF‐ARW results from a finer horizontal resolution mesh ( Δx,y = 1 ∕ 3 km) showed that the code can adequately simulate real atmospheric flows over complex topography. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DEM of triaxial tests on crushable cemented sand
Authors: Bono J. P. de , McDowell G. R. , Wanatowski D.
Published: April 2014

Using the discrete element method, triaxial simulations of cemented sand consisting of crushable particles are presented. The triaxial model used features a flexible membrane, allowing realistic deformation to occur, and cementation is modelled using inter-particle bonds. The effects of particle crushing are explored, as is the influence of cementation on the behaviour of the soil. An insight to the effects that cementation has on the degree of crushing is presented.
Expression, characterization, and improvement of a newly cloned halohydrin dehalogenase fromAgrobacterium tumefaciensand its application in production of epichlorohydrin
Authors: Liu Zhi-Qiang , Gao Ai-Cun , Wang Ya-Jun , Zheng Yu-Guo , Shen Yin-Chu
Published: April 2014

A gene encoding halohydrin dehalogenase (HHDH) from Agrobacterium tumefaciens CCTCC M 87071 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. To increase activity and stability of HHDH, 14 amino acid residues around the active site and substrate-binding pocket based on the structural analysis and molecular docking were selected as targets for site-directed mutagenesis. The studies showed that the mutant HHDH (Mut-HHDH) enzyme had a more accessible substrate-binding pocket than the wild-type HHDH (Wt-HHDH). Molecular docking revealed that the distance between the substrate and active site was closer in mutant which improved the catalytic activity. The expressed Wt-HHDH and Mut-HHDH were purified and characterized using 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP) as substrates. The specific activity of the mutant was enhanced 26-fold and the value of k  cat was 18.4-fold as compared to the Wt-HHDH, respectively. The Mut-HHDH showed threefold extension of half-life at 45 °C than that of Wt-HHDH. Therefore it is possible to add 1,3-DCP concentration up to 100 mM and epichlorohydrin (ECH) was produced at a relatively high conversion and yield (59.6 %) using Mut-HHDH as catalyst. This Mut-HHDH could be a potential candidate for the upscale production of ECH.
Birds at the urban fringe: avian community shifts in different peri‐urban ecotones of a megacity
Authors: Puga‐Caballero Aura , MacGregor‐Fors Ian , Ortega‐Álvarez Rubén
Published: April 2014

Cities can be regionalized in intra‐urban and peri‐urban areas. The space between urban areas and adjacent systems represents an ecological transition that often acts as a semi‐permeable biological filter. In this study, we assessed changes in avian community species richness, density, and composition at different peri‐urban ecotones (i.e., urban‐croplands, urban‐grasslands, urban‐shrublands) of northeastern Mexico City. Species richness was lower in the urban component of urban‐grassland and urban‐shrubland ecotones, while bird densities were higher in the urban components of the urban‐grassland and urban‐shrubland peri‐urban ecotones, mainly due to the high number of urban exploiter species. However, the urban‐cropland peri‐urban ecotone exhibited a different pattern, with similar low bird species richness and density values between both components (urban and non‐urban). A species composition analysis revealed that urban bird communities were not influenced by adjacent non‐urban habitats, since the urban components of peri‐urban ecotones were more similar among them than in relation to the rest of non‐urban components. In summary, results of this study show that urbanization can represent an important biological filter for birds, often reducing species richness and homogenizing avian communities at local scales. As the environmental variables determining ecological processes related to the semi‐permeable filter effect that urban areas pose to biodiversity might depend on urban habitats, regions, and spatial scales, further studies are needed to fully understand this phenomenon.
Rosiglitazone, a PPAR‐γ Agonist, Fails to Attenuate CLA‐Induced Milk Fat Depression and Hepatic Lipid Accumulation in Lactating Mice
Authors: Vyas Diwakar , Teter Beverly B. , Delmonte Pierluigi , Erdman Richard A.
Published: April 2014

Our objective was to investigate the combination of rosiglitazone (ROSI) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on mammary and hepatic lipogenesis in lactating C57Bl/6 J mice. Twenty‐four lactating mice were randomly assigned to one of four treatments applied from postpartum day 6 to day 10. Treatments included: (1) control diet, (2) control plus 1.5 % dietary CLA (CLA) substituted for soybean oil, (3) control plus daily intra‐peritoneal (IP) rosiglitazone injections (10 mg/kg body weight) (ROSI), and (4) CLA plus ROSI (CLA‐ROSI). Dam food intake and milk fat concentration were depressed with CLA. However, no effects were observed with ROSI. The CLA‐induced milk fat depression was due to reduced expression for mammary lipogenic genes involved in de‐novo fatty acid (FA) synthesis, FA uptake and desaturation, and triacyglycerol synthesis. Liver weight (g/100 g body weight) was increased by CLA due to an increase in lipid accumulation triggering a compensatory reduction in mRNA abundance of hepatic lipogenic enzymes, including acetyl‐CoA carboxylase I and stearoyl‐CoA desaturase I. On the contrary, no effects were observed with ROSI on hepatic and mammary lipogenic gene and enzyme expression. Overall, feeding CLA to lactating mice induced milk fat depression and increased hepatic lipid accumulation, probably due to the presence of trans‐10, cis‐12 CLA isomer, while ROSI failed to significantly attenuate both hepatic steatosis and reduction in milk fat content.
Do Racial Disparities in Private Transfers Help Explain the Racial Wealth Gap? New Evidence From Longitudinal Data
Authors: McKernan Signe-Mary , Ratcliffe Caroline , Simms Margaret , Zhang Sisi
Published: April 2014

How do private transfers differ by race and ethnicity, and do such differences explain the racial and ethnic disparity in wealth? Using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, this study examines private transfers by race and ethnicity in the United States and explores a causal relationship between private transfers and wealth. Panel data and a family-level fixed-effect model are used to control for the endogeneity of private transfers. Private transfers in the form of financial support received and given from extended families and friends, as well as large gifts and inheritances, are examined. We find that African Americans and Hispanics (both immigrant and nonimmigrant) receive less in both types of private transfers than whites. Large gifts and inheritances, but not net financial support received, are related to wealth increases for African American and white families. Overall, we estimate that the African American shortfall in large gifts and inheritances accounts for 12 % of the white-black racial wealth gap.
Residential Mobility Across Local Areas in the United States and the Geographic Distribution of the Healthy Population
Authors: Geronimus Arline T. , Bound John , Ro Annie
Published: April 2014

Determining whether population dynamics provide competing explanations to place effects for observed geographic patterns of population health is critical for understanding health inequality. We focus on the working-age population—the period of adulthood when health disparities are greatest—and analyze detailed data on residential mobility collected for the first time in the 2000 U.S. census. Residential mobility over a five-year period is frequent and selective, with some variation by race and gender. Even so, we found little evidence that mobility biases cross-sectional snapshots of local population health. Areas undergoing large or rapid population growth or decline may be exceptions. Overall, place of residence is an important health indicator; yet, the frequency of residential mobility raises questions of interpretation from etiological or policy perspectives, complicating simple understandings that residential exposures alone explain the association between place and health. Psychosocial stressors related to contingencies of social identity associated with being black, urban, or poor in the United States may also have adverse health impacts that track with structural location even with movement across residential areas.
The Problem with Standardizing International Market Research: A Case Study from B2B Services
Authors: Khan M. Sajid , Naumann Earl , Haverila Matti J.
Published: April 2014

One of the key issues for multinational corporations (MNCs) is whether to standardize their marketing approach across all countries or adapt their practices to fit each country. In order to make this decision, MNCs must determine if their marketing approach is cross-culturally appropriate and equivalent from country to country. Unfortunately, recent research indicates that the vast majority of academic studies do not adequately address the cross-cultural equivalence issue. The primary purpose of this article is to illustrate the problem of using a standardized, global, B2B research approach. The second goal is to show how cross-cultural equivalence can be identified and managed. The firm in this study is a Fortune 100 MNC that provides facilities management services in over 100 countries. This article compares the cross-cultural equivalence of customer satisfaction survey data from the US and from Japan. The results show that about half of the items typically used to measure dimensions of product and service quality as drivers of customer satisfaction lack cross-cultural equivalence. The implication is that the use of a fully standardized approach to global research must be questioned.
MiR‐489 regulates chemoresistance in breast cancer via epithelial mesenchymal transition pathway
Authors: Jiang Li , He Dongxu , Yang Dantong , Chen Zhen , Pan Qiongxi , Mao Aiqin , Cai Yanfei , Li Xiyuan , Xing Hui , Shi Mei , Chen Yun , Bruce Iain C. , Wang Teng , Jin Linfang , Qi Xiaowei , Hua Dong , Jin Jian , Ma Xin
Published: April 2014

To investigate the role of microRNAs in the development of chemoresistance and related epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), we examined the effect of miR‐489 in adriamycin (ADM)‐resistant human breast cancer cells (MCF‐7/ADM). MiR‐489 was significantly suppressed in MCF‐7/ADM cells compared with chemosensitive parental control MCF‐7/WT cells. Forced‐expression of miR‐489 reversed chemoresistance. Furthermore, Smad3 was identified as the target of miR‐489 and is highly expressed in MCF‐7/ADM cells. Forced expression of miR‐489 both inhibited Smad3 expression and Smad3 related EMT properties. Finally, the interactions between Smad3, miR‐489 and EMT were confirmed in chemoresistant tumor xenografts and clinical samples, indicating their potential implication for treatment of chemoresistance.
Consumer Brand Engagement in Social Media: Conceptualization, Scale Development and Validation
Authors: Hollebeek Linda D. , Glynn Mark S. , Brodie Roderick J.
Published: April 2014

In the last three decades, an influential research stream has emerged which highlights the dynamics of focal consumer/brand relationships. Specifically, more recently the ‘consumer brand engagement’ (CBE) concept has been postulated to more comprehensively reflect the nature of consumers’ particular interactive brand relationships, relative to traditional concepts, including ‘involvement.’ However, despite the growing scholarly interest regarding the undertaking of marketing research addressing ‘engagement,’ studies have been predominantly exploratory in nature, thus generating a lack of empirical research in this area to date. By developing and validating a CBE scale in specific social media settings, we address this identified literature gap. Specifically, we conceptualize CBE as a consumer's positively valenced brand-related cognitive, emotional and behavioral activity during or related to focal consumer/brand interactions. We derive three CBE dimensions, including cognitive processing, affection, and activation. Within three different social media contexts, we employ exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to develop a reliable, 10-item CBE scale, which we proceed to validate within a nomological net of conceptual relationships and a rival model. The findings suggest that while consumer brand ‘involvement’ acts as a CBE antecedent, consumer ‘self-brand connection’ and ‘brand usage intent’ represent key CBE consequences, thus providing a platform for further research in this emerging area. We conclude with an overview of key managerial and scholarly implications arising from this research.
Late onset interstitial pneumonia induced by bepridil: A case report
Authors: Matsumoto Manabu , Ohga Masanobu , Uemura Shumpo
Published: April 2014

A 63‐year‐old man was prescribed bepridil for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in May 2011. He was referred to our hospital with the chief complaint of slight dyspnea in October 2012. Radiography and computed tomography indicated diffuse bilateral peribronchial infiltration. Since an examination of the bronchial alveolar lavage fluid revealed inflammatory lymphocytes and a drug lymphocyte stimulation test was strongly positive for bepridil, he was diagnosed with bepridil‐induced interstitial pneumonia. In our case, the patient developed dyspnea 517 days after beginning bepridil treatment. Here, we describe an extremely rare case of late onset interstitial pneumonia induced by bepridil.
Healthcare, borders, and boundaries: Crossborder health markets and the entrepreneurial state
Authors: Jarman Holly
Published: April 2014

Responding to arguments that states are strongly constrained by global capital, this article uses the concept of the entrepreneurial state to analyze the ways states create crossborder health markets. The article, combined with the others in this special issue, provide three key findings. First, we find that the territorially bound nature of much domestic health policy is being challenged by international integration in a growing number of sectors. Second, we find that crossborder legal frameworks in place to govern markets are extensive but not sufficient to decide questions of global health. Finally, we conclude that states matter in crossborder health because they shape rules that govern markets. Although states are challenged by global capital mobility and global regulatory frameworks, they are still capable of shaping crossborder health markets and should be held accountable for protecting the public from the risks that to health that these markets can create.