bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cure monitoring of epoxy films by heatable in situ FTIR analysis: correlation to composite parts
Authors: Braun Ulrike , Brademann‐Jock Kerstin , Stark Wolfgang
Published: August 2013

The curing mechanism of an epoxy film containing dicyandiamide (DICY) and an epoxy formulation based on diglycidyl ether of Bisphenol A (DGEBA) polymer was studied as a function of various temperature programs. The investigation was performed in situ, using a thin film of the epoxy mixture on a silicon wafer substrate in a heatable transmission tool of a FTIR spectrometer. Based on these model‐curing experiments, a major curing mechanism was proposed, taking into account the appearance, the decrease, and the development of characteristic bands at various temperatures. The conclusions of the model curing were correlated to FTIR measurements on a real, 50‐mm‐thick glass fiber reinforced component composite part from a technical process. It could be shown that characteristic bands that develop at curing temperatures above 150°C appear especially in the center of the thick sample. From the chemical or molecular point of view, this demonstrates the established technician's understanding that temperature control inside a large‐scale fiber composite of, for example, aircraft, wind‐turbine, automotive applications component is of major importance. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39832.
MOLECULAR CLONING AND TRANSCRIPTION EXPRESSION OF 3‐DEHYDROECDYSONE 3α‐REDUCTASE (3DE 3α‐REDUCTASE) IN THE DIFFERENT TISSUES AND THE DEVELOPING STAGE FROM THE SILKWORM, Bombyx mori L
Authors: Yang Hua‐jun , Xin Hu‐hu , Lu Yan , Cai Zi‐zheng , Wang Mei‐xian , Chen Rui‐ting , Liang Shuang , Singh Chabungbam Orville , Kim Jong‐nam , Miao Yun‐gen
Published: August 2013

Molting in insects is regulated by molting hormones (ecdysteroids), which are also crucial to insect growth, development, and reproduction etc. The decreased ecdysteroid in titre results from enhanced ecdysteroid inactivation reactions including the formation of 3‐epiecdyson under ecdysone oxidase and 3‐dehydroecdysone 3α‐reductase (3DE 3α‐reductase). In this paper, we cloned and characterized 3‐dehydroecdysone 3α‐reductase (3DE 3α‐reductase) in different tissues and developing stage of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. The B. mori 3DE 3α‐reductase cDNA contains an ORF 783 bp and the deduced protein sequence containing 260 amino acid residues. Analysis showed the deduced 3DE 3α‐reductase belongs to SDR family, which has the NAD(P)‐binding domain. Using the Escherichia coli, a high level expression of a fusion polypeptide band of approx. 33 kDa was observed. High transcription of 3DE 3α‐reductase was mainly presented in the midgut and hemolymph in the third day of fifth instar larvae in silkworm. The expression of 3DE 3α‐reductase at different stages of larval showed that the activity in the early instar was high, and then reduced in late instar. This is parallel to the changes of molting hormone titer in larval. 3DE 3α‐reductase is key enzyme in inactivation path of ecdysteroid. The data elucidate the regulation of 3DE 3α‐reductase in ecdyteroid titer of its targeting organs and the relationship between the enzyme and metamorphosis.
“Safe Harbor”: Evaluation of a professionalism case discussion intervention for the gross anatomy course
Authors: Spampinato Christine M. , Wittich Christopher M. , Beckman Thomas J. , Cha Stephen S. , Pawlina Wojciech
Published: August 2013

Medical professionalism is a multifaceted paradigm and is an essential component of medical education. Gross anatomy is a laboratory to teach professionalism, and promoting critical reflection in medical students is a prerequisite to furthering professionalism. The aim of this study was to determine if professionalism case discussions during a Gross Anatomy course improve students' reflections using a validated reflection instrument (12 items; five‐point Likert scale where 1 = Disagree, 2 = Disagree with reservation, 3 = Neutral, 4 = Agree with reservation, 5 = Agree). Four facilitated reflection sessions were aimed at fostering reflective capacity through reflection on elements of professionalism. Results did not show a significant change between pre‐and postintervention reflection scores (3.45 ± 0.61 vs. 3.48 ± 0.51; P = 0.82). Historical control students were found to have significantly higher reflection scores when compared with postintervention students (3.91 ± 0.53 vs. 3.48 ± 0.51; P < 0.001). However, the historical control students were found to have significantly higher professionalism scores (P = 0.001) as compared with the intervention students. Student satisfaction was high, with 25 of 28 (89.2%) students reporting that the sessions should be included as a component of future anatomy courses. While reflection scores were not significantly increased as a result of the intervention, students expressed appreciation for the opportunity to discuss professionalism issues related to the dissection of cadavers. Additionally, the intervention students had both lower professionalism scores and lower reflection scores, which supports the idea that highly professional students are more capable of reflecting on professionalism. Future studies should determine whether this case discussion intervention improves objective measures of professionalism. Anat Sci Educ 7: 191–198. © 2013 American Association of Anatomists.
Effects of magnetic nanoparticle‐incorporated human bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells exposed to pulsed electromagnetic fields on injured rat spinal cord
Authors: Cho Hyunjin , Choi Yun‐Kyong , Lee Dong Heon , Park Hee Jung , Seo Young‐Kwon , Jung Hyun , Kim Soo‐Chan , Kim Sung‐Min , Park Jung‐Keug
Published: August 2013

Transplanting mesenchymal stem cells into injured lesions is currently under study as a therapeutic approach for spinal cord injury. In this study, the effects of a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) on injured rat spinal cord were investigated in magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)‐incorporated human bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM‐MSCs). A histological analysis revealed significant differences in MNP‐incorporated cell distribution near the injured site under the PEMF in comparison with that in the control group. We confirmed that MNP‐incorporated cells were widely distributed in the lesions under PEMF. The results suggest that MNP‐incorporated hBM‐MSCs were guided by the PEMF near the injured site, and that PEMF exposure for 8 H per day over 4 weeks promoted behavioral recovery in spinal cord injured rats. The results show that rats with MNP‐incorporated hBM‐MSCs under a PEMF were more effective on the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan behavioral test and suggest that the PEMF enhanced the action of transplanted cells for recovery of the injured lesion.
Changes in clearance, volume and bioavailability of immunosuppressants when given with HAART in HIV‐1 infected liver and kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Frassetto Lynda , Floren Leslie , Barin Burc , Browne Matthew , Wolfe Alan , Roland Michelle , Stock Peter , Carlson Laurie , Christians Uwe , Benet Leslie
Published: August 2013

Solid organ transplantation in human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV)‐infected individuals requiring the concomitant use of immunosuppressants (IS) [e.g. cyclosporine (CsA) or tacrolimus (TAC)] and antiretrovirals (ARVs) [e.g. protease inhibitors (PIs) and/or non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)] is complicated by significant drug interactions. This paper describes the pharmacokinetics of CsA and TAC in 52 patients on both IS and NNRTIs, PIs or combined NNRTIs + PIs, in studies conducted at 2 weeks, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after transplantation. Cyclosporine and TAC blood concentrations were measured by LC/MS/MS. This multisubject, varied ARV–IS drug combination, longitudinal observational patient study provided a unique opportunity to examine the effect of different ARV drugs on IS pharmacokinetics (PK) by comparing the ratios of parameters over time and between PK parameters. Subjects taking concomitant PIs exhibited increases in CsA and TAC exposure (AUC/dose) due to the increased apparent oral bioavailability and decreased apparent oral clearance. Those subjects taking CsA and concomitant efavirenz (EFV) showed time dependent increases in exposure due to ~30% increases in the apparent oral bioavailability over time as well as a decreased apparent oral clearance, while subjects on TAC and EFV showed time‐dependent changes in all PK parameters. The increased bioavailability was not observed in patients on CsA and nevirapine (NVP). These differences between IS drugs and the changes in PK parameters are not easily predicted, illustrating the importance of continued therapeutic drug monitoring in patients on these complex medication regimens. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Effects of Maternal Exposure to Imazalil on Behavioral Development in F1‐Generation Mice
Authors: Tanaka Toyohito , Ogata Akio , Inomata Akiko , Nakae Dai
Published: August 2013

Female mice were exposed maternally to imazalil through diet to provide levels of 0 (control), 0.0006, 0.0018, and 0.0054% during gestation and lactation periods, and selected reproductive and neurobehavioral parameters were measured in F1 generation. There was no adverse effect of imazalil on litter size, litter weight, or sex ratio at birth. With respect to behavioral developmental parameters, surface righting on postnatal day 4 of male offspring was delayed significantly in a dose‐related manner (p < 0.05). Regarding exploratory behavior in the F1 generation, movement time was significantly long (p = 0.0206) in the low‐dose group of males at 8 weeks of age. Spontaneous behavior examination in males indicated that movement time increased but in females decreased in the low‐dose groups in the F1 generation. The dose levels of imazalil in the present study produced some adverse effects in neurobehavioral parameters in mice.
Exploring Chemical Diversity of α‐Pyrone Antibiotics: Molecular Basis of Myxopyronin Biosynthesis
Authors: Sucipto Hilda , Wenzel Silke C. , Müller Rolf
Published: August 2013

Myxopyronins and corallopyronins are structurally related α‐pyrone antibiotics from myxobacteria. They are thought to represent a highly promising compound class for the development of broad‐spectrum antibacterial therapeutic agents, because of their ability to inhibit RNA polymerase through interaction with the “switch region”, a recently identified novel drug target. Here we describe the identification and characterization of the myxopyronin biosynthetic pathway from Myxococcus fulvus Mx f50. A detailed comparison with the recently identified corallopyronin biosynthetic pathway revealed the genetic and biochemical basis, thus explaining the observed structural differences between the two natural product families. Directed mutagenesis procedures for M. fulvus Mx f50 were developed to enable functional studies and pathway modifications. Our work provided new insights into myxopyronin biosynthesis and led to the production of a novel and unexpected myxopyronin derivative.
Long‐term cardiac safety and outcomes of dose‐dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel and trastuzumab with and without lapatinib in patients with early breast cancer
Authors: Morris Patrick G. , Iyengar Neil M. , Patil Sujata , Chen Carol , Abbruzzi Alyson , Lehman Robert , Steingart Richard , Oeffinger Kevin C. , Lin Nancy , Moy Beverley , Come Steven E. , Winer Eric P. , Norton Larry , Hudis Clifford A. , Dang Chau T.
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND

The authors have previously reported 2 consecutive phase 2 trials in patients with early breast cancer that overexpresses human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) to assess the feasibility of incorporating anti‐HER2 therapies into dose‐dense (dd) chemotherapy regimens. The incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) at a median follow‐up of 2 years was 1.4% and 3.2%, respectively.

METHODS

In trial A, patients received dd doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC)→paclitaxel (T) (each given every 2 weeks) × 4 with trastuzumab (H) given × 1 year. In trial B, weekly T (weekly × 12) was substituted for ddT and lapatinib × 1 year was added. Herein, the authors report the longer‐term incidence of CHF and distant disease‐free survival (DDFS).

RESULTS

From January 2005 to May 2008, 165 patients enrolled (median age, 46 years, with a median left ventricular ejection fraction of 68% [range, 52%‐81%]), 17%of whom had previous hypertension. With a median follow‐up of 84 months (trial A) and 57 months (trial B), 1 additional patient developed CHF. Therefore, the cumulative incidence of CHF was 1.4% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.36%‐7.7%) for trial A and 4.2% (95% CI, 4.2%‐10.4%) for trial B. The 5‐year DDFS for trials A and B was 92% (95% CI, 83%‐97%) and 89% (95% CI, 81%‐94%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Longer follow‐up of these 2 studies has demonstrated that ddAC→TH only or with lapatinib is associated with a low risk of CHF and promising DDFS in patients with early breast cancer. Cancer 2013;119:3943–3951. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
The National Lung Screening Trial: Results stratified by demographics, smoking history, and lung cancer histology
Authors: Pinsky Paul F. , Church Timothy R. , Izmirlian Grant , Kramer Barnett S.
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND

The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), which compared lung cancer screening with low‐dose computed tomography (LDCT) versus chest radiography (CXR), demonstrated a statistically significant mortality benefit of LDCT screening. In the current study, the authors performed a post hoc analysis to examine whether the benefit was affected by various baseline factors, including age, sex, and smoking status, and whether it differed by tumor histology.

METHODS

Lung cancer death rates were computed as events over person‐years of observation; the mortality risk ratio (RR) was defined as the lung cancer death rate in the LDCT versus CXR trial arms. Poisson regression was used to test for interactions of sex, age (< 65 years vs ≥ 65 years), and smoking status (current vs former) with trial arm. Mortality RRs were also computed for specific lung cancer histologies.

RESULTS

The overall mortality RR was 0.92 in men and 0.73 in women, with a P value for interaction of .08. RRs were similar for individuals aged < 65 years versus those aged ≥ 65 years (0.82 vs 0.87), and for current versus former smokers (0.81 vs 0.91). By tumor histology, mortality RRs were 0.75 for adenocarcinoma, 0.71 for all non‐small cell lung cancers except squamous, 1.23 for squamous cell carcinoma, and 0.90 for small cell carcinoma. RRs were similar for men and women for nonsquamous non‐small cell lung cancers (0.71 and 0.70, respectively); women were found to have lower RRs for small cell and squamous cell carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

A benefit of LDCT did not appear to vary substantially by age or smoking status; there was weak evidence of a differential benefit by sex. A differential benefit across lung cancer histologies may exist. Cancer 2013;119:3976–3983. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Evidence for increasing usage of low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, cannot exclude high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL‐H) Pap test interpretations
Authors: Walavalkar Vighnesh , Tommet Douglas , Fischer Andrew H. , Liu Yuxin , Papa Debra M. , Owens Christopher L.
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND

Pap test (PT) interpretations of low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), cannot exclude high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), or LSIL‐H, are used in many laboratories; however monitoring its usage for quality assurance purposes is understudied.

METHODS

PTs from 2005 to 2010 were collected, and yearly frequencies of LSIL, HSIL, LSIL‐H, and atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude HSIL (ASC‐H) as a function of total PTs and total squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) were calculated. Two‐year risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 (CIN2) or worse (CIN2+) and CIN 3 or worse (CIN3+) was calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 352,220 PTs were identified including 17,301 abnormal PTs. LSIL‐H usage increased from 2005 to 2010 (from 0.28% of total PTs in 2005 to 0.61% in 2010, P < .01; from 5.8% of total SILs in 2005 to 12% in 2010, P < .001). HSIL usage decreased significantly from 2005 to 2010 (from 0.7% of total PTs in 2005 to 0.48% in 2010, P = .048; from 14.5% of total SILs in 2005 to 9.5% in 2010, P < .01). Usage of LSIL and ASC‐H did not change. Two‐year risk of CIN2+ and CIN3+ for HSIL increased significantly from 2005 to 2010 (P < .01). Two‐year risk of CIN2+ and CIN3+ for LSIL‐H did not change significantly from 2005 to 2010.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of LSIL‐H interpretations is significantly increasing at our institution, with a significant decrease in HSIL interpretations over the same period. Two‐year risk of CIN2+ and CIN3+ for HSIL increased significantly as usage of LSIL‐H increased and that of HSIL decreased. Laboratories using LSIL‐H may benefit from monitoring its frequency to ensure its appropriate use. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2014;122:123–7. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Bone remodelling in the natural acetabulum is influenced by muscle force‐induced bone stress
Authors: Fernandez Justin , Sartori Massimo , Lloyd David , Munro Jacob , Shim Vickie
Published: August 2013

A modelling framework using the international Physiome Project is presented for evaluating the role of muscles on acetabular stress patterns in the natural hip. The novel developments include the following: (i) an efficient method for model generation with validation; (ii) the inclusion of electromyography‐estimated muscle forces from gait; and (iii) the role that muscles play in the hip stress pattern. The 3D finite element hip model includes anatomically based muscle area attachments, material properties derived from Hounsfield units and validation against an Instron compression test. The primary outcome from this study is that hip loading applied as anatomically accurate muscle forces redistributes the stress pattern and reduces peak stress throughout the pelvis and within the acetabulum compared with applying the same net hip force without muscles through the femur. Muscle forces also increased stress where large muscles have small insertion sites. This has implications for the hip where bone stress and strain are key excitation variables used to initiate bone remodelling based on the strain‐based bone remodelling theory. Inclusion of muscle forces reduces the predicted sites and degree of remodelling. The secondary outcome is that the key muscles that influenced remodelling in the acetabulum were the rectus femoris, adductor magnus and iliacus.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulation of nanoparticle transport in airways using Petrov–Galerkin finite element methods
Authors: Rajaraman Prathish , Heys Jeffrey J.
Published: August 2013

The transport and deposition properties of nanoparticles with a range of aerodynamic diameters ( 1 nm ⩽ d ⩽150 nm) were studied for the human airways. A finite element code was developed that solved both the Navier–Stokes and advection–diffusion equations monolithically. When modeling nanoparticle transport in the airways, the finite element method becomes unstable, and, in order resolve this issue, various stabilization methods were considered in terms of accuracy and computational cost. The stabilization methods considered here include the streamline upwind, streamline upwind Petrov–Galerkin, and Galerkin least squares approaches. In order to compare the various stabilization approaches, the approximate solution from each stabilization approach was compared to the analytical Graetz solution, which is a model for monodispersed, dilute particle transport in a straight cylinder. The optimal stabilization method, especially with regard to accuracy, was found to be the Galerkin least squares approach for the Graetz problem when the Péclet number was larger than 10 4. In the human airways geometry, the Galerkin least squares stabilization approach once more provided the most accurate approximate solution for particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 nm or larger, but mesh size had a much greater effect on accuracy than the choice of stabilization method. The choice of stabilization method had a greater impact than mesh size for particles with an aerodynamic diameter 10 nm or smaller, but the most accurate stabilization method was streamline upwind Petrov–Galerkin in these cases. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bioavailability, Pharmacokinetics, and Safety of Belimumab Administered Subcutaneously in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Cai Wendy W. , Fiscella Michele , Chen Cecil , Zhong Z. John , Freimuth William W. , Subich David C.
Published: August 2013

This Phase 1 study evaluated the absolute bioavailability, pharmacokinetics (PK), tolerability, and safety of belimumab 200 mg/mL administered subcutaneously (SC) to healthy subjects as a single dose and as multiple doses up to 240 mg. In all, 118 subjects (age range 18–55 years; body weight 51–115 kg) were enrolled. Seventy‐eight subjects received a single dose of belimumab 240 mg intravenously, or 2 × 120, 1 × 240, or 1 × 200 mg SC. Forty subjects received 4 weekly injections of belimumab 2 × 120 or 1 × 200 mg SC. Randomization was stratified by weight (<75 kg vs. ≥75 kg) and injection site (abdomen vs. thigh). Following single belimumab SC doses, bioavailability was 74–82%, indicating that belimumab SC was well absorbed, and bioavailability was similar among the three SC groups. Following 4 weekly belimumab SC doses, bioavailability was similar to that following single SC administration. Four subjects had persistent positive immune responses; neutralizing antibodies in these subjects were not detected and there was no apparent impact on PK. Belimumab was generally well tolerated after single and multiple SC dosing, and 200 mg SC weekly dosing is expected to provide an exposure similar to 10 mg/kg intravenously every 28 days.
A Potential Carcinogenic Pyrene Derivative under Förster Resonance Energy Transfer to Various Energy Acceptors in Nanoscopic Environments
Authors: Banerjee Soma , Goswami Nirmal , Pal Samir Kumar
Published: August 2013

Picosecond‐resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from various vibronic bands in benzo[a]pyrene (BP) shows a strong dependency on the spectral overlap of an energy acceptor in a confined environment. Our study on the dipolar interactions between BP and different acceptors, including ethidium (Et), acridine orange (AO), and crystal violet (CV), at the surface of a model anionic micelle revealed that the Förster distance (R0) and the rate of energy transfer is dependent on the individual spectral overlap of the vibronic bands of BP with the absorption spectra of the different energy acceptors. The differential behavior of the vibronic bands is compared with that of different dyes [quantum dots (QDs)] in a “dye‐blend” (mixture) under FRET to an energy acceptor. Comparison of the FRET of the QDs with that of BP confirmed the independent nature of the dipolar interaction of the vibronic bands with other organic molecules, and the use of deconvolution techniques in the interpretation of the donor–acceptor (D–A) distance was also justified. We also showed that the consideration of differential FRET from the vibronic bands of BP and from the QDs in the dye‐blend is equally acceptable in theoretical frameworks including the Infelta–Tachiya model and D–A distribution analysis in nanoenvironments.
Interaction between the Cesium Cation and Cesium Carboxylates: An Extended Cs+ Basicity Scale
Authors: Mayeux Charly , Tammiku‐Taul Jaana , Massi Lionel , Gal Jean‐François , Burk Peeter
Published: August 2013

The interaction between the cesium cation and fulvic or humic acids is supposed to play a role in cesium mobility in the environment, which is of importance in the context of geographical dispersion or concentration of the corresponding radionuclides. Among the singly charged positive clusters generated by electrospray ionization of mixtures of carboxylic acids (AH) and cesium salts (nitrate, iodide, or trifluoroacetate), the cluster [A−Cs+]Cs+[A′−Cs+] was subjected to collision‐induced dissociation. The fragmentation into Cs+[A−Cs+] and Cs+[A′−Cs+] was treated using the kinetic method. A gas‐phase basicity ladder was built by a step‐by‐step addition of the relative basicity data. The relative basicity scale deduced from the kinetic method was calibrated using the affinity and basicity (the enthalpy and Gibbs energy scales, respectively) obtained from DFT calculations. The enhanced basicity of the polyacid salts, relative to their monoacid salts, as well as the substituent effects on aliphatic and aromatic structures, are discussed.
Crystal formation and stability: Physical principles and molecular simulation
Authors: Gavezzotti Angelo
Published: August 2013

The physical principles of chemical bonding are reviewed in the Feynman perspective. The Coulomb‐London‐Pauli model, which separates intermolecular interaction into Coulombic, dispersion and repulsion terms, is reviewed and its incorporation into empirical or semi‐empirical force fields is described in comparison withab initioquantum chemical computation. Quantitative assessments of pair‐wise intermolecular coupling energies are presented, and orders of magnitude are established for several types of crystal construction. The wide energetic separation between dispersive and ionic aggregation is quantitatively evaluated. Molecular dynamics (MD) and Monte Carlo (MC) simulation techniques are succinctly described. Key problems in molecular‐level pictures of crystal nucleation and growth are outlined, and possible applications of evolutionary (MC or MD) simulation are introduced and discussed. More generally, the significance and value of molecular simulation is criticized. A final section deals with the related phenomenon of crystal polymorphism, with its underpinnings in the kinetics of nucleation versus thermodynamics of crystal stability.
Origin of Photocatalytic Activity in Continuous Gas Phase CO2 Reduction over Pt/TiO2
Authors: Bazzo Antonio , Urakawa Atsushi
Published: August 2013

The dynamic nature of continuous photocatalytic reduction of gaseous CO2 in the presence of water vapor was studied by using Pt/TiO2 as catalyst under UV irradiation at 353 and 423 K in the absence of sacrificial electron donors. The reaction was studied with a good time resolution (order of seconds), to monitor product concentrations by means of mass spectrometry. Two distinct photocatalytic activities, namely steady‐state and transient, were identified. The former is active at the lower temperature and only for H2 production, whereas the latter dominates for CH4 production. The transient activity was recovered during dark time (i.e., the light is off) in the reaction mixture, with the magnitude of recovery proportionally increasing with the duration of the dark time. Higher temperature was found to be more effective for the recovery. Furthermore, insights into deactivation and reactivation mechanisms are explained by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy study.
Early postnatal growth in children with HLA‐conferred susceptibility to type 1 diabetes
Authors: Peet A. , Hämäläinen A.‐M. , Kool P. , Ilonen J. , Knip M. , Tillmann V. ,   for the DIABIMMUNE Study Group
Published: August 2013

Aims/Hypothesis

An association between increased length/height and weight gain and risk of type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been reported in children. We set out to investigate the potential contribution of T1D human leukocyte antigen (HLA) risk genotypes to this association in two countries with a contrasting disease incidence.

Methods

In Estonia and Finland, length and weight were monitored up to the age of 24 months in 688 subjects. According to their HLA genotypes, the children were divided into four groups, those with very high, high or moderate risk for T1D, as well as a neutral/control group. Relative length and weight (SDS) were assessed and compared at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months using World Health Organization (WHO) growth curves.

Results

The mean relative length at the age of 24 months was lower in the group with the very high risk HLA genotype compared to the controls (p < 0.05). The mean relative weight differed between those two groups at the age of 12, 18 and 24 months (p < 0.05). When Estonian and Finnish cohorts were analyzed separately, the relative length showed similar but non‐significant trends in both countries, while in Estonia the changes in weight at some time points still remained significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Children with the highest HLA‐conferred risk for T1D gained less weight and length during the first 24 months of life, and this feature was more pronounced in the Estonian children. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of Japanese knotweed on stream baseflow
Authors: Vanderklein D. W. , Galster J. , Scherr R.
Published: August 2013

The impact of invasive plants on stream baseflow has mostly focused on water‐limited areas such as South Africa and the southwestern region of the United States. However, there is evidence suggesting that rivers in areas traditionally considered to be water‐rich (e.g. the northeastern United States) will be facing water shortages in the foreseeable future. Consequently, it is imperative to understand what impact invasive plants in this region may have on river baseflows. In early June 2008, pressure sensors to monitor stream depth were placed upstream and within a stretch of river containing Japanese knotweed on the bank. Knotweed daily photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration patterns were recorded during the course of two day‐long periods at the end of July, 2008. At the beginning of August 2008, all of the knotweed plants in the study area were cut at the base and their leaves were harvested to determine total leaf area for the site. Pre‐harvest stream water levels were found to be significantly lower than post‐harvest stream levels within the stretch containing knotweed. In contrast, in the upstream location, baseflows decreased between pre‐harvest and post‐harvest. Furthermore, on the basis of the physiological measurements and total leaf area, it was estimated that the plants in the study area removed through transpiration about 1556 l or 10.4 mm of groundwater per day from the system. These findings suggest that the presence of knotweed within riparian habitats may have even more deleterious effects on water resources than previously considered and merit future research. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NiII‐Pyridyloximato Triangles with a Central μ3‐OH Ligand: Magnetostructural Correlations
Authors: Esteban Jordi , Font‐Bardia Mercè , Escuer Albert
Published: August 2013

New examples of unusual μ3‐OR/oximato‐Ni3 isolated triangles have been obtained by treatment of different nickel carboxylato salts with 2‐pyridylcyanoxime, pyC{CN}NOH. Depending on the precursor and reaction conditions, compounds [Ni3(MeOH)2(AcO)(OH)(pyC{CN}NO)4] (1), (NEt4)[Ni3(H2O)(3‐ClBzO)2(OH)(pyC{CN}NO)4] (2) and (NEt3H)[Ni3(H2O)3(OH)(Ph2CHCOO)3(pyC{CN}NO)3] (3) were characterized. Direct current magnetic measurements performed in the 2–300 K temperature range revealed antiferromagnetic interactions induced by the μ3‐OR/oximato superexchange pathway, quasi‐frustration for 1 and 2, and an S = 0 ground state for 3. Magnetostuctural correlations derived from the experimental data confirmed the previous DFT predictions relating the magnitude of the superexchange interaction with the Ni–O–Ni bond angle.
Formulation of sub‐micron emulsions containing docosahexaenoic acid esterified in triacylglycerols or phospholipids
Authors: Kabri Tin‐Hinan , Meynier Anne , Bontemps Delphine , Gaillard Cédric , Foucat Loic , Linder Michel , Genot Claude
Published: August 2013

In food applications, long‐chain PUFA can be carried by different lipid molecules, which can affect their end‐use properties. The objective of this study was to formulate emulsions containing DHA located exclusively in phospholipids (PL‐DHA) or in triacylglycerols (TAG‐DHA) and with similar fatty acid profiles and organization. Food grade oils and lecithins were blended on the basis of their fatty acid (FA) contents and submitted to high‐pressure homogenization with mineral water. The lecithin containing PL‐DHA allowed to stabilize oil‐in‐water emulsion with droplet average diameter around 240 nm thank to the interfacial molecular packing of the PL species comprising lyso and anionic phospholipids. Small particles around 40 nm were also highlighted by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). To stabilize TAG‐DHA emulsion with mainly soybean phosphatidylcholine, Tween‐80 was selected among other co‐emulsifiers. This TAG‐DHA emulsion presented an average droplet diameter of 203 nm and contained small particles (20 nm) viewed by TEM. It had less negative droplet charge and lower supramolecular diffusion coefficient than PL‐DHA emulsion. It was less physically stable than PL‐DHA emulsion whose droplet size distribution remained unchanged during at least 19 days at 37°C concomitantly with an increase of 1H NMR FA molecular diffusion coefficient.

Practical applications: The sub‐micron emulsions designed in this study were physically stable during storage. They were prepared with food‐grade oils and characterized by similar FA compositions and structures. They can be used as delivery systems with FA compositions responding to nutritional recommendations.
Debittering of black dry‐salted olives
Authors: Ramírez Eva , García‐García Pedro , de Castro Antonio , Romero Concepción , Brenes Manuel
Published: August 2013

The objective of this work was to investigate the debittering process of dry‐salted olives. Fruits of the Manzanilla cultivar were put into layers of coarse salt and their physicochemical and microbiological parameters were assessed during the dehydration step. A correlation between the content in salt of the olive juice and the ratio salt/olives was found: the lower the ratio, the higher the concentration of salt in the dry‐salted olives. The population of lactic acid bacteria on the olive surface was not significant while yeasts, molds and Enterobacteriaceae were the predominant microbiota. In addition, the analyses of phenolic compounds in the olive flesh revealed that most of them disappeared during the dehydration process, in particular the bitter glucoside oleuropein. Likewise, freshly harvested olives were pasteurized and submitted for dehydration but in this case the degradation of oleuropein and the rest of polyphenols did not occur. All these findings suggest that olive debitter during the dry‐salting process due to the enzymatic oxidation of oleuropein in the olive flesh resulting in no leaching of the phenolic glucoside in the generated brine.

Practical applications: This is the first report focusing on the debittering process of dry‐salted olives. An enzymatic pathway for oleuropein degradation has been found, and it opens up the possibility to optimize this reaction taking into consideration the variables involved such as phenolic compounds, oxidative enzyme, and oxygen. The ratio salt/olives must be as low as 0.4 to reach a high concentration of salt in the juice of dehydrated olives needed for the chemical and microbial stability of the product.
Cloning and molecular characterization of a class A lysophosphatidate acyltransferase gene (EpLPAT2) from Echium (Boraginaceae)
Authors: Mañas‐Fernández Aurora , Arroyo‐Caro José María , Alonso Diego López , García‐Maroto Federico
Published: August 2013

Lysophosphatidate acyltransferase (LPAT) catalyzes the incorporation of acyl groups into the sn‐2 position of lysophosphatidate (LPA) rendering phosphatidic acid (PA), a key intermediary in the synthesis of phospholipids (PLs) and triacylglycerols (TAGs). It is considered as a highly selective activity and a strong determinant of fatty acid (FA) composition of membranes and reserve glycerolipids in diverse plants. In this work, we have cloned a gene encoding the microsomal class A LPAT (LPAT2) from Echium pitardii (Boraginaceae), a species that accumulates high levels of long chain polyunsaturated FAs (LCPUFAs) in the seed oil. The Echium gene (EpLPAT2) is ubiquitously expressed in diverse organs of the plant, although the transcript level is increased in those tissues with a higher α‐linolenic acid (18:3n3) content. Functionality of EpLPAT2 was proven by complementation of a LPAT defective mutant of Escherichia coli (plsC), and by a biochemical assay of the expressed enzyme in membrane extracts. Acyl‐CoA specificity recorded for EpLPAT2, using oleoyl‐LPA (18:1‐LPA) as acyl‐acceptor, shows a clear preference for unsaturated acyl substrates, with 18:3n3‐CoA being used at similarly high rates as 18:1‐CoA. Overexpression of EpLPAT2 in yeast increased FA content, and modified the FA profile of membrane lipids in agreement to the in vitro specificity.

Practical applications: One can envisage that overexpression of EpLPAT2 in transgenic plants, either alone or in combination with other genes could increase seed oil content. Moreover, the observed specificity of EpLPAT2 might be a useful characteristic in tailoring of a plant engineered for LCPUFA‐enriched oil.
Emulsion copolymerization of styrene and acrylated methyl oleate
Authors: Jensen Alan T. , Sayer Claudia , Araújo Pedro H. H. , Machado Fabricio
Published: August 2013

In this work, the emulsion copolymerization of styrene and acrylated methyl oleate (AMO), a monomer derived from oleic acid (OA), has been evaluated. Reactions exhibiting high monomers conversions were successfully performed, leading to the formation of very stable polymer lattices, whose average particle size is kept unchanged for relatively high storage times. The average molar masses determined by gel permeation chromatography showed to be very dependent on the amount of AMO in the reaction medium, presenting experimental values within the range from 280 000 to 39 000 g mol−1 with molar mass dispersity ranging from 4 to 2 when the AMO fraction in the reaction medium was increased to 40 wt%. The nucleation rate was affected by AMO in such way that an increase in AMO concentration must be accompanied by an increase in initiator concentration, which leads to the reduction of the average molar masses of the copolymer. The thermal analyses of the polymer materials showed that the glass transition temperature decreased with increasing amount of AMO in the copolymer chains.

Practical applications: The use of vegetable oils and their derivatives as precursor monomers in polymerization reactions has increased each day due to their renewable origin. Among them, OA deserves special attention due to the high availability and ease of chemical modification, mainly when the double bounds are considered. Results showed that AMO could be incorporated at high ratios in emulsion polymerization reducing the glass transition temperatures of the copolymer. The polymer lattices also showed good storage stability.
Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of Carbocyclic and Heterocyclic Diazulenylethenes
Authors: Dragu Eugenia Andreea , Nica Simona , Tecuceanu Victorita , Bala Daniela , Mihailciuc Constantin , Hanganu Anamaria , Razus Alexandru C.
Published: August 2013

An efficient two‐step method was developed for the synthesis of 1,2‐di(azulen‐1‐yl)ethenes 15–17, having the double bond included in a five‐membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring. The method involves preparation of the appropriate diketone precursors through Vilsmeier–Haack or Friedel–Crafts reactions, followed by their McMurry cyclization. Alkenes 16 and 17 were quantitatively converted into the corresponding dehydro derivatives 24 and 25, respectively, by oxidation with 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ). The electrochemical properties of compounds 15–17, 24 and 25 were examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and the relationship between their structure and electrochemical behavior was established.
Effects of Antioxidants on the Cetane number, Viscosity, Oxidation Stability, and Thermal Properties of Biodiesel Produced from Nonedible Oils
Authors: Kivevele Thomas T. , Huan Zhongjie
Published: August 2013

Poor oxidation stability of biodiesel is the central problem associated with its commercial acceptance. To enhance the practical feasibility of biodiesel, antioxidants are added to increase its storage stability. It is quite possible that these additives may affect other basic fuel properties of biodiesel. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of antioxidants on the basic fuel properties of biodiesel produced from nonedible oils of African origin (Moringa oleifera, Jatropha curcus, and Croton megalocarpus). Four antioxidants: 1,2,3‐trihydroxybenzene (pyrogallol, PY), 3,4,5‐trihydroxybenzoic acid (propyl gallate, PG), 2‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methoxyphenol (butylated hydroxyanisole, BHA) and 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenol (Butylated Hydroxy Toluene, BHT) were investigated for their effectiveness in oxidation stability. The results showed that PY and PG were more effective than BHA and BHT. The most effective antioxidant (PY in this study) was was studied further for its effects on other basic fuel properties of biodiesels such as kinematic viscosity, cetane number, and thermal properties. It was observed that the kinematic viscosity was reduced at lower concentrations of antioxidant additives (500 ppm) and slightly increased at high concentrations (1000 ppm) but lower than that of pure biodiesel. The cetane number was slightly increased at both 500 and 1000 ppm of PY antioxidant content. The effects of the antioxidant on the thermal properties were not clearly observed. Therefore, it can be concluded that adding antioxidants to biodiesel lengthens increases the storage stability and also improves the kinematic viscosity, thermal properties, and cetane number as an added advantage.
LQR control with frequency‐dependent scheduled gain for a semi‐active floor isolation system
Authors: Shi Yundong , Becker Tracy C. , Furukawa Sachi , Sato Eiji , Nakashima Masayoshi
Published: August 2013

Floor isolation is an alternative to base isolation for protecting a specific group of equipment installed on a single floor or room in a fixed‐base structure. The acceleration of the isolated floor should be mitigated to protect the equipment, and the displacement needs to be suppressed, especially under long‐period motions, to save more space for the floor to place equipment. To design floor isolation systems that reduce acceleration and displacement for both short‐period and long‐period motions, semi‐active control with a newly proposed method using the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) control with frequency‐dependent scheduled gain (LQRSG) is adopted. The LQRSG method is developed to account for the frequency characteristics of the input motion. It updates the control gain calculated by the LQR control based on the relationship between the control gain and dominant frequency of the input motion. The dominant frequency is detected in real time using a window method. To verify the effectiveness of the LQRSG method, a series of shake table tests is performed for a semi‐active floor isolation system with rolling pendulum isolators and a magnetic‐rheological damper. The test results show that the LQRSG method is significantly more effective than the LQR control over a range of short‐period and long‐period motions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energy and spectral efficiencies trade‐off with filter optimisation in multiple access interference‐aware networks
Authors: Souza Álvaro R.C. , Abrão Taufik , Sampaio Lucas H. , Jeszensky Paul Jean E. , Pérez‐Romero Jordi , Casadevall Ferran
Published: August 2013

In this contribution, the optimised deployment of both spectrum and energy resources scarcely available in the mobile multiple access systems has been analysed, with special attention to the impact of the filter design on the energy efficiency (EE) of code division multiple access networks. Putting into perspective two conflicting metrics, namely throughput maximisation and power consumption minimisation, the distributed EE utility function is formulated. We also show that the best EE versus spectral efficiency trade‐off is achievable when each node allocates exactly the power necessary to attain the maximum EE. In order to demonstrate the validity of our analysis, a low‐complexity energy‐spectral‐efficient algorithm based on distributed instantaneous signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio level is developed, and the impact of single and multi‐user detection filters on the EE–spectral efficiency trade‐off is extensively analysed by numerical simulation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bis(phosphonate)‐Building Blocks Modified with Fluorescent Dyes
Authors: David Tomáš , Kotek Jan , Kubíček Vojtěch , Tošner Zdeněk , Hermann Petr , Lukeš Ivan
Published: August 2013

Preparation of two benzylic bis(phosphonic acids) modified with primary amine or carboxylic acid groups on the benzene ring is described. These compounds were prepared and characterized in the form of both bis(phosphonate) tetraesters and corresponding free acids. The phosphonic acid esters are suitable for further derivation, mainly for conjugation through the amide bond. Mild conversion of the bis(phosphonate) esters to free acids using trimethylsilylbromide allowed to work with functional groups sensitive to conditions of acidic and/or alkaline hydrolysis. Three bis(phosphonate)‐containing fluorescent probes were prepared from the building blocks, utilizing amide and sulfamide bonds as spacers. Dyes containing the dansyl group, rhodamine B, and fluorescein were chosen due to their common availability and low cost. The prepared bis(phosphonate)‐building blocks and modified fluorescent probes were used for adsorption studies with hydroxyapatite, the commonly used model of bone tissue. Sorption ability of the prepared bis(phosphonate) compounds was similar to that of pamidronate.
Polystyrene‐Gallium Trichloride Complex: A Mild, Highly Efficient, and Recyclable Polymeric Lewis Acid Catalyst for Chemoselective Silylation of Alcohols and Phenols with Hexamethyldisilazane
Authors: Rahmatpour Ali , Vakili Ali , Azizian Setare
Published: August 2013

Polystyrene‐supported gallium trichloride (PS/GaCl3) as a highly active and reusable heterogeneous Lewis acid effectively activates hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) for the efficient silylation of alcohols and phenols at room temperature. In this heterogeneous catalytic system, primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols as well as phenols were converted to their corresponding trimethylsilyl ethers with short reaction times and high yields under mild reaction conditions. The heterogenized catalyst is of high reusability and stability in the silylation reactions and was recovered several times with negligible loss in its activity or a negligible catalyst leaching, and also there is no need for regeneration. It is noteworthy that this method can be used for chemoselective silylation of different alcohols and phenols with high yields.