bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gotthard Base Tunnel – Comparison of forecast and findings regarding engineering geology and tunnelling / Gotthard‐Basistunnel – Vergleich Prognose und Befund aus baugeologischer und tunnelbautechnischer Sicht
Authors: John Max , Matousek Federico , Dallapiazza Werner
Published: June 2016

For deep tunnels with restricted possibilities for site investigation, deviations from the forecast are usually to be expected. Deviations of geological and hydrogeological conditions have different effects on tunnelling. At the Gotthard Base Tunnel it was found that some areas considered as critical actually behaved most favourably, whereas other areas, such as fault zones and zones of high rock pressure, deviated unfavourably from the forecast with considerable effects on costs and the time schedule. Unfavourable deviations could not be compensated by favourable areas. It should be also noted that these deviations had not been included in risk analyses, because they were unknown, however the original cost prognosis of 1999 provided sufficient financial reserves. These deviations were mastered by intensive probing ahead of excavation and adaptation of design, construction programme and additional measures defined during construction. On the basis of the comparison of forecast and actual conditions, the positive and negative effects of the conditions encountered on tunnelling are described.

Bei einem tiefliegenden Tunnel mit beschränkten Möglichkeiten der Erkundung treten bei der Ausführung naturgemäß Abweichungen von der Prognose auf. Diese haben ihre Ursachen in den geologischen und hydrogeologischen Verhältnissen, die sich unterschiedlich auf den Vortrieb auswirken. Beim Gotthard‐Basistunnel hat sich gezeigt, dass sich in einzelnen als kritisch eingestuften Bereichen das Gebirge günstiger verhalten hat als prognostiziert. Von der Prognose abweichende ungünstigere Bereiche, insbesondere Störzonen und druckhaftes Gebirge, hatten erhebliche Auswirkungen auf Kosten und Termine, die durch die günstigeren Bereiche nicht aufgewogen werden konnten. Diese Abweichungen waren in den Risikoanalysen nicht enthalten, da diese nicht bekannt waren. Allerdings waren in der ursprünglichen Kostenprognose von 1999 entsprechende finanzielle Reserven vorgesehen. Die geänderten Verhältnisse wurden mit einer intensiven Vorauserkundung erfasst; mit einer Anpassung der Planung, des Bauablaufs und dem Einsatz zusätzlicher Maßnahmen wurde ihnen Rechnung getragen und damit konnten diese zielführend bewältigt werden. Auf Basis einer Gegenüberstellung von Prognose und Befund wird aus Sicht des SIOP‐Teams auf die positiven und negativen Auswirkungen der angetroffenen Verhältnisse auf den Vortrieb eingegangen.
TBM research project – Tolerances segmental lining / TVM‐Forschungsprojekt – Toleranzen Tübbingausbau
Authors: Vigl Alois , Walter Andreas , Lemmerer Johann , Atzl Georg , Handke Dieter
Published: June 2016

In infrastructure tunnelling projects with shielded TBMs, prefabricated segmental linings are used with various systems and requirements. The required degree of accuracy in segment production and ring assembly is a considerable factor in terms of equipment, time and costs. The required tolerances for segments and ring assembly depend significantly on the segment geometry, lining system and field of application. In order to provide a reasonable basis for allowable segment and installation tolerances, a new approach has been established as part of a research initiative of the ÖBB‐Infrastruktur AG with respect to the risks and consequences arising from geometrical tolerances. The paper explains the concept of “tolerance classes” with the approach for their developments, derivation and classification. A practical application example is shown in addition. With respect to the nomenclature of tolerances, a harmonization process has been performed in collaboration with the German committees for underground structures, ZTV‐ING and DAUB. The results of harmonizing and proposals of tolerance clarifications are presented within this paper.

Toleranzklassen, Harmonisierung der Toleranzbegriffe und Toleranzanforderungen Erfahrungsstand 2016

Bei maschinellen Schildvortrieben kommen Tübbingauskleidungen mit unterschiedlichen Systemen und Anforderungen zum Einsatz. Die erforderliche Genauigkeit in der Herstellung der Fertigteilsegmente sowie beim Ringbau gewinnt immer mehr an Bedeutung für eine wirtschaftliche Auslegung der Auskleidung, gekoppelt an die spezifischen Anforderungen des Projekts. Das erforderliche Maß an die Genauigkeit der Tübbinge und den Einbau im Tunnel hängt im Wesentlichen von der Tübbinggeometrie, vom Tübbingsystem und vom jeweiligen Anwendungsbereich ab. Im Arbeitskreis “TVM‐Forschungsprojekt Toleranzen”, einer Forschungsinitiative der ÖBB‐Infrastruktur AG, wurde ein neuer Ansatz für die Herleitung zulässiger Herstell‐ und Einbautoleranzen unter Einbeziehung einer Risikobetrachtung entwickelt. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird die Herangehensweise für die Entwicklung, Herleitung und Klassifizierung von Toleranzgruppen, die unter dem Namen “Toleranzklassen” geführt werden, beschrieben. Ergänzend wird auch ein Beispiel für die Anwendung des vorgestellten Konzepts gezeigt. Im Zusammenhang mit den Toleranzklassen erfolgte eine Harmonisierung von Toleranzbegriffen in Zusammenarbeit mit deutschen Ausschüssen wie der ZTV‐ING und des DAUB. Die wesentlichen Änderungen und Ergänzungen der Toleranzbegriffe sowie Erläuterungen werden im Anschluss an das erwähnte Konzept der Toleranzklassen vorgestellt.
Erfolgs‐, Baugrund‐ und Systemrisiko – Eine Beispielsammlung für den Spezialtiefbau
Authors: Entacher Martin , Fuchs Bastian
Published: June 2016

Der vorliegende Beitrag behandelt die rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen der Beziehung Auftragnehmer (AN, Baufirma) und Auftraggeber (AG, Bauherr) in Bezug auf die Frage, wer bestimmte Risiken zu tragen hat. Der Fokus liegt dabei auf dem geschuldeten Werkerfolg (Erfolgsrisiko) sowie dem Baugrund‐ und Systemrisiko. Nach einer Einführung werden sechs fiktive Beispiele aus dem Bereich des Spezialtiefbaus vorgestellt, die sowohl einfache als auch komplexe Fälle mit Sondervorschlägen und Risikoverschiebungen abdecken. Neben den fiktiven Beispielen wird anhand der aktuellen Rechtsprechungspraxis schließlich gezeigt, wie die Zuordnung von Baugrund‐ und Systemrisiken von den Gerichten gesehen wird.

Performance, geotechnical and systemic risks – Ground engineering case studies. This paper deals with the legal framework of the relationship between contractor (AN) and client (AG) with respect to the allocation of certain construction risks. It focuses on the risk of successful performance of the contractor as a result of service contracts as well as geotechnical and systemic risks. After the legal and practical definition of these risks, six ground engineering case studies are presented that range from straightforward to complex cases including variant design solutions and transfer of risk allocation. After that court rulings are presented to give insights into judicial practice.
Durable remission in a patient with leptomeningeal relapse of a MYC/BCL6‐positive double‐hit DLBCL treated with lenalidomide monotherapy
Authors: Salati Massimiliano , Tarantino Vittoria , Maiorana Antonino , Bettelli Stefania , Luminari Stefano
Published: June 2016

Secondary central nervous system involvement is an uncommon event that typically occurs early in the natural history of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and presents as leptomeningeal dissemination in two‐thirds of cases. The prognosis of this event is dismal, and treatment options are meagre. Although major validated risk factors for central nervous system dissemination are clinical, concomitant MYC/BCL2 rearrangements as well as MYC/BCL2 protein expression have been recently associated with an increased risk of this complication. Here we present the first case, to our knowledge, of a MYC/BCL6‐positive double‐hit diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma relapsing in the leptomeninges that achieved an outstanding durable remission with single‐agent lenalidomide following salvage chemotherapy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Overlapping with Jack Dunitz
Authors: Leiserowitz Leslie
Published: June 2016

The starting point was an overlap with Jack Dunitz in studies on the preferred conformation of the carboxyl group in saturated and unsaturated acids, esters and amides, orientational disorder of the hydrogen‐bonded carboxylic acid dimer in benzoic acid crystal structures, and intramolecular lone pair‐lone pair repulsion between oxygen atoms. The journey described here outlines a search to establish the existence of C−H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonds and engineering cocrystals that incorporate intermolecular lone pair‐lone pair repulsion between oxygen atoms.
Bio‐effect of nanoparticles in the cardiovascular system
Authors: Yu Xiaohong , Hong Fashui , Zhang Yu‐Qing
Published: June 2016

Nanoparticles (NPs; < 100 nm) are increasingly being applied in various fields due to their unique physicochemical properties. The increase in human exposure to NPs has raised concerns regarding their health and safety profiles. The potential correlation between NP exposure and several cardiovascular (CV) events has been demonstrated. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the current knowledge regarding the bio‐toxic impacts of titanium oxide, silver, silica, carbon black, carbon nanotube, and zinc oxide NPs exposure on the CV system in terms of in vivo and in vitro experiments, which is not fully understood presently. Moreover, the potential toxic mechanisms of NPs in the CV system that are still being questioned are elaborately discussed, and the underlying capacity of NPs used in medicine for CV events are summarized. It will be an important instrument to extrapolate relevant data for human CV risk evaluation and management. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 2881–2897, 2016.
Therapeutic apheresis using a mononuclear cell program to lower the microfilaria burden of a 23‐year‐old African woman with loiasis
Authors: Zhao Yong , Alexander Brian , Bailey Jeffrey A. , Welch Linda , Greene Mindy , Vauthrin Michelle , Mitchell Michael , Weinstein Robert
Published: June 2016

Apheresis has been used to lower the parasite burden of patients with Loa loa infection, but there are no reports regarding how to do this using modern, continuous flow equipment with a currently available program. A 23‐year‐old female refugee from Cameroon with known Loa loa infection presented to our Emergency Department with acute mental status changes and a picture of encephalitis. Lumbar puncture revealed Loa loa in her cerebrospinal fluid. Her midday blood microfilaria count was 15,000/mL. Because treatment with diethylcarbamazine was under consideration, we were asked to lower her parasite burden using apheresis. One single 2‐total blood volume apheresis using the mononuclear cell program (without hydroxyethyl starch) on a COBE® Spectra Apheresis System decreased the microfilarial load from 15,000/mL to 10,666/mL, a 29% reduction. J. Clin. Apheresis 32:200–202, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
SUSTAINING MOTIVATION AMONG COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS IN AIDS CARE IN KWAZULU‐NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS
Authors: Dageid Wenche , Akintola Olagoke , Sæberg Therese
Published: June 2016

A substantial part of community‐based AIDS care in South Africa is currently undertaken by poor, female volunteer community health workers (CHWs). Retention of volunteers over time is challenging, however. In this study, 12 female AIDS care volunteers in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa, were interviewed about their motivations for becoming volunteers, perceived challenges in care work, and reasons for sustained volunteering. All women reported altruism and empathy as their main motivation for volunteering. Motivations for sustained volunteering included supportive networks, hopes of future employment in the formal health care system, personal growth, and appreciation from patients and community members. Despite reporting several challenges, all women were motivated to continue volunteering. To encourage retention, policy makers should pay attention to personal and professional rewards gained from volunteering, create career paths and clarify CHWs' roles and rights in the health care sector, and provide various coordination and support measures, including remuneration and stigma reduction.
Scar formation in mice deafened with kanamycin and furosemide
Authors: Żak Magdalena , van der Linden Cynthia A. , Bezdjian Aren , Hendriksen Ferry G. , Klis Sjaak F.L. , Grolman Wilko
Published: June 2016

In mammals, hair cell loss is irreversible and leads to hearing loss. To develop and test the functioning of different strategies aiming at hair cell regeneration, animal models of sensorineural hearing loss are essential. Although cochleae of these animals should lack hair cells, supporting cells should be preserved forming an environment for the regenerated hair cells. In this study, we investigated how ototoxic treatment with kanamycin and furosemide changes the structure of cochlear sensory epithelium in mice. The study also compared different tissue preparation protocols for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cochleae were collected from deafened and nondeafened mice and further processed for plastic mid modiolar sections and SEM. For comparing SEM protocols, cochleae from nondeafened mice were processed using three protocols: osmium–thiocarbohydrazide–osmium (OTO), tannic acid–arginine–osmium, and the conventional method with gold‐coating. The OTO method demonstrated optimal cochlear tissue preservation. Histological investigation of cochleae of deafened mice revealed that the supporting cells enlarged and ultimately replaced the lost hair cells forming types 1 and 2 phalangeal scars in a base towards apex gradient. The type 3 epithelial scar, flattened epithelium, has not been seen in analysed cochleae. The study concluded that mice deafened with kanamycin and furosemide formed scars containing supporting cells, which renders this mouse model suitable for testing various hair cell regeneration approaches. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:766–772, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Novel Pyrazolyl Piperidine Derivatives as Effective Antiplatelet Agents
Authors: Soni Jigar Y. , Tamboli Riyaj S. , Giridhar Rajani , Yadav Mange Ram , Thakore Sonal
Published: June 2016

The synthesis and antiplatelet activity of substituted pyrazolyl piperidine derivatives (3a–n) are described. These compounds were synthesized by an improved ring opening reaction of 2‐arylidene quinuclidinone using hydrazine hydrate under mild conditions. They were characterized and screened for their in vitro antiplatelet profile in human platelet aggregation using adenosine diphosphate as agonist. Investigation of structure activity relation revealed interesting results. Among these synthesized derivatives (3a–n), compounds 3a, 3c, 3j, and 3l exhibited excellent activity, while 3c was the most potent one. Based on IC50 values, it was observed that most of the compounds possessed antiplatelet aggregation activity superior to the reference drug Aspirin.
Incorporating limited field operability and legacy soil samples in a hypercube sampling design for digital soil mapping
Authors: Stumpf Felix , Schmidt Karsten , Behrens Thorsten , Schönbrodt‐Stitt Sarah , Buzzo Giovanni , Dumperth Christian , Wadoux Alexandre , Xiang Wei , Scholten Thomas
Published: June 2016

Most calibration sampling designs for Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) demarcate spatially distinct sample sites. In practical applications major challenges are often limited field accessibility and the question on how to integrate legacy soil samples to cope with usually scarce resources for field sampling and laboratory analysis. The study focuses on the development and application of an efficiency improved DSM sampling design that (1) applies an optimized sample set size, (2) compensates for limited field accessibility, and (3) enables the integration of legacy soil samples. The proposed sampling design represents a modification of conditioned Latin Hypercube Sampling (cLHS), which originally returns distinct sample sites to optimally cover a soil related covariate space and to preserve the correlation of the covariates in the sample set. The sample set size was determined by comparing multiple sample set sizes of original cLHS sets according to their representation of the covariate space. Limited field accessibility and the integration of legacy samples were incorporated by providing alternative sample sites to replace the original cLHS sites. We applied the modified cLHS design (cLHSadapt) in a small catchment (4.2 km2) in Central China to model topsoil sand fractions using Random Forest regression (RF). For evaluating the proposed approach, we compared cLHSadapt with the original cLHS design (cLHSorig). With an optimized sample set size n = 30, the results show a similar representation of the cLHS covariate space between cLHSadapt and cLHSorig, while the correlation between the covariates is preserved (r = 0.40 vs. r = 0.39). Furthermore, we doubled the sample set size of cLHSadapt by adding available legacy samples (cLHSadapt+) and compared the prediction accuracies. Based on an external validation set cLHSval (n = 20), the coefficient of determination (R2) of the cLHSadapt predictions range between 0.59 and 0.71 for topsoil sand fractions. The R2‐values of the RF predictions based on cLHSadapt+, using additional legacy samples, are marginally increased on average by 5%.
Comparison of urease inhibitor N‐(n‐butyl) thiophosphoric triamide and oxidized charcoal for conserving urea‐N in soil
Authors: Guimarães Gelton G. F. , Mulvaney Richard L. , Khan Saeed A. , Cantarutti Reinaldo B. , Silva Antônio M.
Published: June 2016

Charcoal‐based amendments have a potential use in controlling NH3 volatilization from urea fertilization, owing to a high cation‐exchange capacity (CEC) that enhances the retention of NH
$ _4^+ $. An incubation study was conducted to evaluate the potential of oxidized charcoal (OCh) for controlling soil transformations of urea‐N, in comparison to urease inhibition by N‐(n‐butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT). Four soils, ranging widely in texture and CEC, were incubated aerobically for 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14 d after application of 15N‐labeled urea with or without OCh (150 g kg−1 fertilizer) or NBPT (0.5 g kg−1 fertilizer), and analyses were performed to determine residual urea and 15N recovery as volatilized NH3, mineral N (as exchangeable NH
$ _4^+ $, NO
$ _3^ - $, and NO
$ _2^ - $), and immobilized organic N. The OCh amendment reduced NH3 volatilization by up to 12% but had no effect on urea hydrolysis, NH
$ _4^+ $ and NO
$ _3^ - $ concentrations, NO
$ _2^ - $ accumulation, or immobilization. In contrast, the use of NBPT to inhibit urea hydrolysis was markedly effective for moderating the accumulation of NH
$ _4^+ $, which reduced immobilization and also controlled NH3 toxicity to nitrifying microorganisms that otherwise caused the accumulation of NO
$ _2^ - $ instead of NO
$ _3^ - $. Oxidized charcoal is not a viable alternative to NBPT for increasing the efficiency of urea fertilization.
Pre‐Columbian ring ditch construction and land use on a ‘chocolate forest island’ in the Bolivian Amazon
Authors: Carson John F. , Mayle Francis E. , Whitney Bronwen S. , Iriarte José , Soto J. Daniel
Published: June 2016

We present a palaeoecological investigation of pre‐Columbian land use in the savanna ‘forest island’ landscape of the north‐east Bolivian Amazon. A 5700‐year sediment core from La Luna Lake, located adjacent to the La Luna forest island site, was analysed for fossil pollen and charcoal. We aimed to determine the palaeoenvironmental context of pre‐Columbian occupation on the site and assess the environmental impact of land use in the forest island region. Evidence for anthropogenic burning and Zea mays L. cultivation began ∼2000 cal a BP, at a time when the island was covered by savanna, under drier‐than‐present climatic conditions. After ∼1240 cal a BP burning declined and afforestation occurred. We show that construction of the ring ditch, which encircles the island, did not involve substantial deforestation. Previous estimates of pre‐Columbian population size in this region, based upon labour required for forest clearance, should therefore be reconsidered. Despite the high density of economically useful plants, such as Theobroma cacao, in the modern forest, no direct pollen evidence for agroforestry was found. However, human occupation is shown to pre‐date and span forest expansion on this site, suggesting that here, and in the wider forest island region, there is no truly pre‐anthropogenic ‘pristine’ forest.
The inter‐relationship between processing‐induced molecular structure features and metabolic and digestive characteristics in hulled and hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare) grains with altered carbohydrate traits
Authors: Yan Xiaogang , Zhang Fangyu , Yu Peiqiang
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to determine the microwave irradiation (MIR)‐induced changes in protein molecular structures in barley (Hordeum vulgare) grains in relation to the truly absorbable protein nutrient supply to ruminant livestock systems. Samples from hulled and hulless cultivars of barley, harvested in consecutive years from four replicate plots, were evaluated. The samples were either kept raw or were irradiated with microwaves for 3 min (MIR3) or 5 min (MIR5). The truly absorbable protein nutrient supply to ruminant livestock systems was evaluated using the DVE/OEB system (DVE, truly absorbed protein in the small intestine; OEB, degraded protein balance). Molecular structure changes as a result of processing were revealed by vibrational molecular spectroscopy in the mid‐infrared electromagnetic radiation region.

RESULTS

Compared to the raw samples, MIR processing decreased (P < 0.05) the truly absorbable microbial crude protein and increased (P < 0.05) the truly absorbable rumen undegraded protein and endogenous protein supply without affecting the total truly absorbed protein supply to the small intestine (DVE) and degraded protein balance (OEB) in ruminant livestock systems. Changes in protein molecular structure (spectral intensities) were highly correlated with the changes in the truly absorbed protein nutrient supply to ruminant livestock systems.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study show that the changes in protein molecular structure as a result of MIR feed processing were associated with the truly absorbed protein supply to ruminant livestock systems. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Biological significance of genome‐wide DNA methylation profiles in keloids
Authors: Jones Lamont R. , Greene Joshua , Chen Kang Mei , Divine George , Chitale Dhananjay , Shah Veena , Datta Indrani , Worsham Maria J.
Published: June 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

To obtain biological insight into keloid pathogenesis and treatment using pathway analysis of genome‐wide differentially methylated gene profiles between keloid and normal skin.

Study Design

Prospective cohort.

Methods

Genome‐wide profiling was previously done, with institutional review board approval, on six fresh keloid and six fresh normal skin tissue samples, using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip kit. Statistically significant differentially methylated cytosine‐phosphodiester bond‐guanines (CpGs, n = 197) between keloid and normal tissue mapped to 152 genes. These genes were uploaded into Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software to identify biological functions or regulatory networks interacting. The pathways (or “network”) with an enrichment probability value ≤ .01 were subjected to a heuristic filter of keywords associated with keloid pathogenesis.

Results

Of the 197 CpGs, 191 were found in the IPA database and mapped to 152 unique genes. The top 10 hypermethylated genes were ACTR3C, LRRC61, PAQR4, C1orf109, SLCO2B1, CMKLR1, AHDC1, FYCO1, CCDC34, and CACNB2. The top 10 hypomethylated genes were GALNT3, SCML4, PPP1R13L, ANKRD11, WIPF1, MX2, IFFO1, DENND1C, CFH, and GHDC. IPA identified nine pathways with enrichment probability values ≤ .01, of which five (histidine degradation V1, phospholipase C signaling, colorectal cancer metastasis signaling, P2Y purinergic receptor signaling, and Gαi signaling) were associated with keloid keywords and contained “keloid genes” (P < .05).

Conclusions

Genes differentially methylated between keloid and normal skin reside in known bionetwork pathways involved in critical biological functioning and signaling events in the cell. This information could be used to refine screening processes for biological significance to better understand keloid pathogenesis and to develop molecular‐targeted therapy.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 127:70–78, 2017
Synthesis and Solution Self‐Assembly of Polyisoprene‐block‐poly(ferrocenylmethylsilane): A Diblock Copolymer with an Atactic but Semicrystalline Core‐Forming Metalloblock
Authors: Du Van An , Qiu Huibin , Winnik Mitchell A. , Whittell George R. , Manners Ian
Published: June 2016

Polyisoprene‐block‐poly(ferrocenylmethylsilane) (PI‐b‐PFMS) copolymers, containing the atactic but semicrystalline PFMS block, have been prepared by sequential anionic polymerization of isoprene and methyl[1]silaferrocenophane. The reaction to form the metalloblock is not living in nature, but still enabled three block copolymers to be prepared (PI35‐b‐PFMS5, PI200‐b‐PFMS10, and PI247‐b‐PFMS23) with relative narrow molar mass distributions (polydispersity < 1.3). The self‐assembly of all three materials was studied in PI selective n‐alkanes and found to afford lenticular platelets, tapered cylindrical micelles, and regular cylinders, as the length of the PFMS block increased. PI200‐b‐PFMS10 micelles could be increased in length by self‐seeding a sample of short micelles at temperatures of 90 °C and above; however, this process also resulted in an increase in width. Addition of a solution of PI247‐b‐PFMS23 copolymer to preformed seed micelles also resulted in an increase in length, although growth is not linearly related to the amount of copolymer added beyond ≈600 nm.

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Facile Determination of Molecular Structure Trends in Amphiphilic Core Corona Star Polymer Synthesis via Dielectric Property Measurement
Authors: Hild Frederic , Nguyen Nam T. , Deng Eileen , Katrib Juliano , Dimitrakis Georgios , Lau Phei‐Li , Irvine Derek J.
Published: June 2016

The use of dielectric property measurements to define specific trends in the molecular structures of poly(caprolactone) containing star polymers and/or the interbatch repeatability of the synthetic procedures used to generate them is demonstrated. The magnitude of the dielectric property value is shown to accurately reflect: (a) the number of functional groups within a series of materials with similar molecular size when no additional intermolecular order is present in the medium, (b) the polymer molecular size for a series of materials containing a fixed core material and so functional group number, and/or (c) the batch to batch repeatability of the synthesis method. The dielectric measurements are validated by comparison to spectroscopic/chromatographic data.

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Monopsony Power in the Labor Market of Nippon Professional Baseball
Authors: Leeds Eva Marikova , Leeds Michael A.
Published: June 2016

Although sports teams around the world can no longer use the reserve clause to bind their players forever, teams can still exert considerable monopsony power early in the players' careers. Institutional and cultural factors specific to Nippon Professional Baseball and to Japan suggest that this monopsony power is stronger and longer‐lasting in Japan than in other countries. We use techniques associated with the Oaxaca decomposition to simulate the impact of free agency on the pay of baseball players in Japan who have not yet reached free agency. We find that free agency in Japan has a large impact on pay but that this increase is quite small relative to the impact in Major League Baseball. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interleaved neuromuscular electrical stimulation reduces muscle fatigue
Authors: Lou Jenny W.H. , Bergquist Austin J. , Aldayel Abdulaziz , Czitron Jennifer , Collins David F.
Published: June 2016

Introduction: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can be delivered over a muscle belly (mNMES) or nerve trunk (nNMES). Both methods generate contractions that fatigue rapidly due, in part, to non‐physiologically high motor unit (MU) discharge frequencies. In this study we introduce interleaved NMES (iNMES), whereby stimulus pulses are alternated between mNMES and nNMES. iNMES was developed to recruit different MU populations with every other stimulus pulse, with a goal of reducing discharge frequencies and muscle fatigue. Methods: Torque and electromyography were recorded during fatigue protocols (12 min, 240 contractions) delivered using mNMES, nNMES, and iNMES. Results: Torque declined significantly 3 min into iNMES and 1 min into both mNMES and nNMES. Torque decreased by 39% during iNMES and by 67% and 58% during mNMES and nNMES, respectively. Conclusions: iNMES resulted in less muscle fatigue than mNMES and nNMES. Delivering NMES in ways that reduce MU discharge frequencies holds promise for reducing muscle fatigue during NMES‐based rehabilitation. Muscle Nerve, 2016 Muscle Nerve 55: 179–189, 2017
A quasi‐linear reproducing kernel particle method
Authors: Yreux Edouard , Chen Jiun‐Shyan
Published: June 2016

Reproducing kernel particle method (RKPM) has been applied to many large deformation problems. RKPM relies on polynomial reproducing conditions to yield desired accuracy and convergence properties but requires appropriate kernel support coverage of neighboring nodes to ensure kernel stability. This kernel stability condition is difficult to achieve for problems with large particle motion such as the fragment‐impact processes that commonly exist in extreme events. A new reproducing kernel formulation with ‘quasi‐linear’ reproducing conditions is introduced. In this approach, the first‐order polynomial reproducing conditions are approximately enforced to yield a nonsingular moment matrix. With proper error control of the first‐order completeness, nearly second‐order convergence rate in L2 norm can be achieved while maintaining kernel stability. The effectiveness of this quasi‐linear RKPM formulation is demonstrated by modeling several extremely large deformation and fragment‐impact problems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic risk scores link body fat distribution with specific cardiometabolic profiles
Authors: Svendstrup Mathilde , Sandholt Camilla H. , Andersson Galijatovic Ehm Astrid , Linneberg Allan , Jørgensen Torben , Sørensen Thorkild I.A. , Pedersen Oluf , Grarup Niels , Hansen Torben , Vestergaard Henrik
Published: June 2016

Objective

Forty‐nine known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associating with body mass index (BMI)‐adjusted waist‐hip‐ratio (WHR) (WHRadjBMI) were recently suggested to cluster into three groups with different associations to cardiometabolic traits. Genetic risk scores of the clusters on the risk of incident diabetes and associations with detailed cardiometabolic phenotypes were tested.

Methods

In a prospective study of 6,121 Inter99 individuals, the risk of incident diabetes using Cox proportional hazards regression was evaluated. Using linear regession, the associations between genetic risk scores and anthropometry and blood samples at fasting and during an oral glucose tolerance test were tested. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, and BMI.

Results

Cluster 1 associated with an increased risk of diabetes (HR = 1.05, P = 2.74 × 10−4) and with a poor metabolic profile, including fasting serum triglyceride (β = 0.98% mmol/L, P = 3.33 × 10−8) and Matsuda index (β = −0.74%, P = 1.29 × 10−4). No similar associations for Clusters 2 and 3 were found. The three clusters showed different patterns of association with waist circumference, hip circumference, and height.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the 49 WHRadjBMI‐associated SNPs affect metabolic health differently depending on the cluster of SNPs. The clusters further associate differently with anthropometric measures.
Reduced expression of collagen VI alpha 3 (COL6A3) confers resistance to inflammation‐induced MCP1 expression in adipocytes
Authors: Gesta Stephane , Guntur Kalyani , Majumdar Ishita Deb , Akella Syamala , Vishnudas Vivek K. , Sarangarajan Rangaprasad , Narain Niven R.
Published: June 2016

Objective

Collagen VI alpha 3 (COL6A3) is associated with insulin resistance and adipose tissue inflammation. In this study, the role of COL6A3 in human adipocyte function was characterized.

Methods

Immortalized human preadipocyte cell lines stably expressing control or COL6A3 shRNA were used to study adipocyte function and inflammation.

Results

COL6A3 knockdown increased triglyceride content, lipolysis, insulin‐induced Akt phosphorylation, and mRNA expression of key adipogenic genes (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ, glucose transporter, adiponectin, and fatty acid binding protein), indicating increased adipocyte function and insulin sensitivity. However, COL6A3 knockdown decreased basal adipocyte chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 [CCL2, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP1)] mRNA expression, reduced secreted protein levels, and abrogated tumor necrosis factor‐α‐ and lipopolysaccharide‐induced MCP1 mRNA expression. In addition, while control adipocytes co‐cultured with THP1 macrophages showed a threefold increase in adipocyte MCP1 mRNA expression, in COL6A3 knockdown adipocytes MCP1 mRNA expression was unaltered by co‐culturing. Lastly, in normal differentiated adipocytes, matrix metalloproteinase‐11 treatment reduced expression of COL6A3 protein, MCP1 mRNA, MCP1 secretion, and abrogated tumor necrosis factor‐α‐ and lipopolysaccharide‐induced MCP1 mRNA expression and protein secretion.

Conclusions

COL6A3 knockdown in adipocytes leads to the development of a unique state of inflammatory resistance via suppression of MCP1 induction.
Thermal, mechanical, and viscoelastic properties of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber‐reinforced unsaturated polyester composites
Authors: Dehas Wided , Guessoum Melia , Douibi Abdelmalek , Jofre‐Reche José Antonio , Martin‐Martinez José Miguel
Published: June 2016

Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber has been used as reinforcing filler for unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) in order to obtain UPR/PET fiber composites. Different loadings of PET fibers (5–18 phr—parts per hundred parts of resin) of different average lengths (2–3 to 20 mm) were added to the UPR. The mechanical properties of the UPR/PET fiber composites increased up to 8 phr PET fiber loading with a length lower than 5 mm, because of the high affinity between the UPR and the PET fiber surface and the good dispersion of the fiber into the matrix. However, higher PET fiber loading caused a decrease in the mechanical properties of the composites because of the agglomeration of the fibers. The UPR/PET fiber composites presented higher storage moduli than the UPR, and an increase of the glass transition temperature in the composites reinforced with 5–8 phr of short PET fiber was found; further, higher degree of crosslinking was reached. The addition of 5–8 phr PET fiber of short length improved the thermal stability of the composites and the post‐curing was produced at higher temperature with much reduced enthalpy. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:1682–1693, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
A hybrid retention time alignment algorithm for SWATH‐MS data
Authors: Wu Long , Amon Sabine , Lam Henry
Published: June 2016

Recently, data‐independent acquisition (DIA) MS has gained popularity as a qualitative–quantitative workflow for proteomics. One outstanding problem in the analysis of DIA‐MS data is alignment of chromatographic retention times across multiple samples, which facilitates peptide identification and accurate quantification. Here, we present a novel hybrid (profile‐based and feature‐based) algorithm for LC‐MS alignment and test it on sequential windowed acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion mass spectra (SWATH) (a type of DIA) data. Our algorithm uses a profile‐based dynamic time warping algorithm to obtain a coarse alignment and corrects large retention time shifts, and then uses a feature‐based bipartite matching algorithm to match feature to feature at a fine scale. We evaluated our method by comparing our aligned feature pairs to peptide identification results of pseudo‐MS2 spectra exported by DIA‐Umpire, a recently reported tool for deconvoluting DIA‐MS data. We proposed that our method can be used to align DIA‐MS data prior to identification, and the alignment can be used to delete noise peaks or screen for differentially changed features. We found that a simple alignment‐enabled denoising scheme can reduce the number of pseudo‐MS2 spectra exported by DIA‐Umpire by up to around 40%, while retaining a comparable number of identifications. Finally, we demonstrated the utility of our tool for accurate label‐free relative quantification across multiple SWATH runs.
Expression pattern and pharmacological characterisation of two novel alternative splice variants of the glutamate‐gated chloride channel in the small brown planthopper Laodelphax striatellus
Authors: Wu Shun‐Fan , Mu Xi‐Chao , Dong Yao‐Xue , Wang Li‐Xiang , Wei Qi , Gao Cong‐Fen
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

Glutamate‐gated chloride channels (GluCl) mediate fast inhibitory neurotransmission in invertebrate nervous systems. Although only one GluCl gene was presented in insects, it showed diverse alternative splicing that was speculated could affect channel function and pharmacology.

RESULTS

In this study, we isolated GluCl cDNAs from adults of the small brown planthopper (SBPH) Laodelphax striatellus and showed that six L. striatellus GluCl variants (LsGluCl‐AS, LsGluCl‐BS, LsGluCl‐CS, LsGluCl‐AL, LsGluCl‐BL, LsGluCl‐CL) were present in the SBPH. The expression patterns of six variants differed among developmental stages (egg, first‐ to fifth‐instar nymphs, male and female adults) and among the body parts (head, thorax, abdomen, leg) of the female adult SBPH. All the transcripts were abundant in the head of the adult. When expressed in African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, oocytes, the two functional variants (LsGluCl‐AS, LsGluCl‐AL) had similar EC50 and IC50 values for L‐glutamate and channel blockers picrotoxinin and fipronil.

CONCLUSION

This study represents a comprehensive molecular, expression and pharmacological characterisation of GluCl in the SBPH. These findings should be useful in providing more opportunities to discover novel insect control chemicals. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Thermoelectric characteristics of uniaxially deformed n‐Si in the temperature range 85–355 K
Authors: Gaidar Galyna , Baranskii Petro
Published: June 2016

The temperature dependences of thermoelectromotive force (thermo‐emf), tenso‐thermo‐emf (at , X = 1.2 GPa), thermo‐emf anisotropy , anisotropy parameter of drag thermo‐emf and thermoelectric figure of merit Za of n‐Si⟨P⟩ crystals with charge carrier concentration  cm−3 were investigated in the temperature range 85 K ≤ T ≤ 355 K. It was found that with increasing temperature the anisotropy parameter of drag thermo‐emf M decreases 2.4‐fold, and the anisotropy parameter of mobility K, 2.3‐fold. It is shown that the anisotropy parameter of drag thermo‐emf M decreases with temperature much slower than thermo‐emf anisotropy Δα. It is also shown that within the entire temperature range, the thermo‐emf anisotropy Δα exceeds the thermo‐emf anisotropy, typical for the conventional thermoelectric anisotropic materials in the absence of deformation.
Micro protocol engineering for unstructured carriers: on the embedding of steganographic control protocols into audio transmissions
Authors: Naumann Matthias , Wendzel Steffen , Mazurczyk Wojciech , Keller Joerg
Published: June 2016

Network steganography conceals the transfer of sensitive information within unobtrusive data in computer networks. So‐called micro protocols are communication protocols placed within the payload of a network steganographic transfer. They enrich this transfer with features such as reliability, dynamic overlay routing, or performance optimization — just to mention a few. We present different design approaches for the embedding of hidden channels with micro protocols in digitized audio signals under consideration of different requirements. On the basis of experimental results, our design approaches are compared and introduced into a protocol engineering approach for micro protocols. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A flexible cure rate model with dependent censoring and a known cure threshold
Authors: Bernhardt Paul W.
Published: June 2016

We propose a flexible cure rate model that accommodates different censoring distributions for the cured and uncured groups and also allows for some individuals to be observed as cured when their survival time exceeds a known threshold. We model the survival times for the uncured group using an accelerated failure time model with errors distributed according to the seminonparametric distribution, potentially truncated at a known threshold. We suggest a straightforward extension of the usual expectation–maximization algorithm approach for obtaining estimates in cure rate models to accommodate the cure threshold and dependent censoring. We additionally suggest a likelihood ratio test for testing for the presence of dependent censoring in the proposed cure rate model. We show through numerical studies that our model has desirable properties and leads to approximately unbiased parameter estimates in a variety of scenarios. To demonstrate how our method performs in practice, we analyze data from a bone marrow transplantation study and a liver transplant study. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Broadband‐Solubility Diketopyrrolopyrrole Derivative with Both Polar Cyano and Nonpolar Alkyl Groups for Stable Organic Photosensors and Diffusion‐Processed Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Lee Hyena , Han Hyemi , Jeong Jaehoon , Kim Hwajeong , Song Dong‐Ik , Kim Youngkyoo
Published: June 2016

A small‐molecular diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) derivative with cyano groups, (2E,2′E)‐diethyl‐3,3′‐((5,5′‐(2,5‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐3,6‐dioxo‐2,3,5,6‐tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐1,4‐diyl) bis(thiophene‐5,2‐diyl))bis(4,1‐phenylene)) bis (2‐cyanoacrylate) (EHTPPD‐ECPA), was synthesized via Suzuki‐coupling reaction. The synthesized EHTPPD‐ECPA exhibited a broadband solubility in both polar and nonpolar solvents due to the presence of both polar (cyano) and nonpolar (alkyl) groups. A bright pink photoluminescence (PL) was measured from EHTPPD‐ECPA solutions, whereas almost no PL was observed from the EHTPPD‐ECPA films because of high intermolecular stacking (band gap=1.7 eV). EHTPPD‐ECPA was found to act as an electron‐donating component in all‐small‐molecular bulk heterojunction layers for organic photosensors (photodetectors), while it played a critical role in improving the efficiency of diffusion‐processed polymer/fullerene solar cells with the mixed electron‐donating layers.
Ecocompatible Halloysite/Cucurbit[8]uril Hybrid as Efficient Nanosponge for Pollutants Removal
Authors: Massaro M. , Riela S. , Cavallaro G. , Colletti C. G. , Milioto S. , Noto R. , Lazzara. G.
Published: June 2016

Hybrid materials based on halloysite nanotubes (HNT) and cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) were prepared with the aim to obtain efficient nanosponges towards hydrocarbons both in liquid and vapor phases. The loading on both HNT surfaces and the hybrid morphology were evidenced by FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. In order to highlight the interactions in the hybrid 13C {1H} CP‐MAS NMR experiments were performed. The aqueous colloidal stability of HNT/CB[8] was highlighted through ζ potential and dynamic light scattering measurements. The HNT/CB[8] composite was employed as nanosponge to capture aromatic oils in aqueous phase as evidenced by fluorescence emission spectra of pyrene. These results were correlated with the adsorption capacity of the hybrid toward toluene in vapor phase. This paper provides an efficient way to prepare a biocompatible hybrid material that could be used as a potential multi‐pockets nano‐container for decontamination of polluted water and/or air.
An Expeditious Green Cascade Synthesis of 3‐Arylideneaminoquinazolin‐4(1H)‐one Derivatives via ‘Solvent Drop Grinding’ and Their Antioxidant and DNA Protective Studies
Authors: Kuntikana Sahana , Bhat Chinmay , Kongot Manasa , Bhat Subrahmanya I , Kumar Amit
Published: June 2016

An unprecedented, green protocol for the combinatorial synthesis of 3‐arylideneaminoquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones is explored by a ‘solvent assisted grinding’ reaction of o‐aminobenzhydrazide and aldehydes/ketones. The present methodology found special utility by overcoming the problems associated with commercial ‘ball milling’ and ‘solvent‐ free grindstone’ techniques. The operational simplicity, product selectivity, short reaction time, high yield, and wide functional group tolerance are the promising advantages of the current protocol. The antioxidant activity of the selected products was studied using 2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging technique and compounds which displayed considerable antioxidant activity were screened for their protective ability against Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage.
Organoplatinum(II) Complexes Featuring the 2‐Vinylpyridine Ligand
Authors: Niazi Maryam , Shahsavari Hamid R.
Published: June 2016

Room temperature reaction of 2‐vinylpyridine ligand (L, 2 equiv.) with the known dimethylplatinum(II) complex cis,cis‐[Me2Pt(µ‐SMe2)2PtMe2], A, provided a novel dimeric platinum(II) complex [PtMe2(µ2‐η1:η2‐2‐vpy)]2, 2, by displacement of the dimethyl sulfide (SMe2) ligands with the nitrogen atom and the olefinic double bond donors of 2‐vpy. The single crystal structure of complex 2 reveals a distorted square‐planar geometry around platinum centers. Two L groups in this complex act as bridging ligands between platinum centers, displaying a short Pt⋅⋅⋅Pt interaction with unique orientation in a head‐to‐tail (HT) arrangement. Complex 2 was not stable in dimethyl sulfoxide (dmso) solution, and through C‐H bond activation produced methane and cyclometalated complex [PtMe(η1:η1‐2‐vpy)(dmso)], 1.
Interaction–dependent native chemical ligation and protein trans–splicing (IDNCL‐PTS) for detection and visualization of ligand–protein interactions
Authors: Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Saito Akinori
Published: June 2016

We constructed a detection system to visualize ligand‐protein interactions by specific enzyme activity based on interaction‐dependent native chemical ligation and protein trans‐splicing (IDNCL‐PTS). We engineered β‐galactosidase (βGal) capable of generating enzyme activity through protein trans‐splicing (PTS) using a split intein derived from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 (Ssp) DnaB. Two short peptide reactive tags, each having the sequence of βGal(24–34) or DnaB(1–11), were incorporated into a ligand and a target protein, and the ligand‐protein interaction promoted the ligation between the peptide tags by a proximity effect. Combining IDNCL and PTS, interactions of carbohydrates with maltose binding protein (MBP) and phosphopeptides with peptidyl‐prolys cis/trans isomerase NIMA‐interacting 1 (Pin1) were clearly detected by βGal activity. Interestingly, phosphopeptide‐Pin1 interactions were visualized directly in crude periplasmic extracts.