bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioaccumulation and effects of different-shaped copper oxide nanoparticles in the deposit-feeding snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum
Authors: Ramskov Tina , Selck Henriette , Banta Gary , Misra Superb K. , Berhanu Deborah , Valsami-Jones Eugenia , Forbes Valery E.
Published: May 2014

Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) are among the most widely used engineered NPs and are thus likely to end up in the environment, predominantly in sediments. Copper oxide NPs have been found to be toxic to a variety of (mainly pelagic) organisms, but to differing degrees. In the present study, the influence of CuO NP shape on bioavailability and toxicity in the sediment-dwelling freshwater gastropod Potamopyrgus antipodarum was examined. In 2 separate studies, snails were exposed to either clean sediment or sediment spiked with either aqueous Cu or CuO NPs of different shapes (rods, spheres, or platelets) at 240 µg Cu/g dry weight of sediment (nominal). In neither of the studies was survival found to be related to Cu form (i.e., free ion vs particle) or shape, whereas snail growth was severely influenced by both form and shape. Reproduction was affected (by CuO NP spheres and aqueous Cu) only when estimated as the total number (live plus dead) of juveniles produced per snail per week. Both the aqueous and particulate forms of Cu were available for uptake by snails when mixed into sediment. However, Cu body burden was not directly related to observed effects. The present study stresses the need for both a better understanding of uptake mechanisms and internal distribution pathways of NPs and an assessment of long-term consequences of NP exposure. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014; 33:1976–1987. © 2014 SETAC
Determination of soil–water sorption coefficients of volatile methylsiloxanes
Authors: Kozerski Gary E. , Xu Shihe , Miller Julie , Durham Jeremy
Published: May 2014

The sorption behaviors of 4 cyclic and linear volatile methyl siloxane (VMS) compounds between water and organic matter in 3 United Kingdom soils were studied by a batch equilibrium method using13C-enriched sorbates. Sorption and desorption kinetics and isotherms were determined for octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), octamethyltrisiloxane (L3), and decamethyltetrasiloxane (L4). Concentrations of [13C]-VMS in the soil and aqueous phases were measured directly by extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry techniques. All VMS compounds were sorbed rapidly, reaching constant distributions in all soils by 24 h. Desorption kinetics were very rapid, with reattainment of equilibrium within 1 h. In the main, linear isotherms were observed for aqueous concentrations at or below 4% of the solubility limits. The average sorption organic carbon partition coefficient (log KOC) values across soils were 4.23 for D4, 5.17 for D5, 4.32 for L3, and 5.13 for L4, with standard deviations of 0.09 to 0.34. Desorption KOC values were systematically greater by 0.1 log units to 0.3 log units. The linear isotherms and low variation in KOC values across soils suggested partitioning-dominated sorption of the VMS. Compared with traditional hydrophobic organic compounds, KOC values for the VMS compounds were significantly lower than expected on the basis of their octanol–water partition coefficients. A linear free energy relationship analysis showed that these differences could be rationalized quantitatively in terms of the inherent characteristics of the VMS compounds, combined with the differences in solvation properties of organic matter and octanol. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014; 33:1937–1945. © 2014 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
The use of assemblage models to describe trace element partitioning, speciation, and fate: A review
Authors: Groenenberg Jan E. , Lofts Stephen
Published: May 2014

The fate of trace elements in soils, sediments, and surface waters is largely determined by their binding to reactive components, of which organic matter, metal oxides, and clays are considered most important. Assemblage models, combining separate mechanistic complexation models for each of the reactive components, can be used to predict the solid-solution partitioning and speciation of trace elements in natural environments. In the present review, the authors provide a short overview of advanced ion-binding models for organic matter and oxides and of their application to artificial and natural assemblages. Modeling of artificial assemblages of mineral components and organic matter indicates that the interactions between organic and mineral components are important for trace element binding, particularly for oxyanions. The modeling of solid-solution partitioning in natural systems is generally adequate for metal cations but less so for oxyanions, probably because of the neglect of organic matter–oxide interactions in most assemblage models. The characterization of natural assemblages in terms of their components (active organic matter, reactive oxide surface) is key to successful model applications. Improved methods for characterization of reactive components in situ will enhance the applicability of assemblage models. Collection of compositional data for soil and water archetypes, or the development of relationships to estimate compositions from geospatially available data, will further facilitate assemblage model use for predictive purposes. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:2181–2196. © 2014 SETAC
Delineating ion-ion interactions by electrostatic modeling for predicting rhizotoxicity of metal mixtures to lettuce Lactuca sativa
Authors: Le T. T. Yen , Wang Peng , Vijver Martina G. , Kinraide Thomas B. , Hendriks A. Jan , Peijnenburg Willie J.G.M.
Published: May 2014

Effects of ion–ion interactions on metal toxicity to lettuce Lactuca sativa were studied based on the electrical potential at the plasma membrane surface (ψ0). Surface interactions at the proximate outside of the membrane influenced ion activities at the plasma membrane surface ({Mn+}0). At a given free Cu2+ activity in the bulk medium ({Cu2+}b), additions of Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ resulted in substantial decreases in {Cu2+}0. Additions of Zn2+ led to declines in {Cu2+}0, but Cu2+ and Ag+ at the exposure levels tested had negligible effects on the plasma membrane surface activity of each other. Metal toxicity was expressed by the {Mn+}0–based strength coefficient, indicating a decrease of toxicity in the order: Ag+ > Cu2+ > Zn2+. Adsorbed Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ had significant and dose-dependent effects on Cu2+ toxicity in terms of osmolarity. Internal interactions between Cu2+ and Zn2+ and between Cu2+ and Ag+ were modeled by expanding the strength coefficients in concentration addition and response multiplication models. These extended models consistently indicated that Zn2+ significantly alleviated Cu2+ toxicity. According to the extended concentration addition model, Ag+ significantly enhanced Cu2+ toxicity whereas Cu2+ reduced Ag+ toxicity. By contrast, the response multiplication model predicted insignificant effects of adsorbed Cu2+ and Ag+ on the toxicity of each other. These interactions were interpreted using ψ0, demonstrating its influence on metal toxicity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014; 33:1988–1995. © 2014 SETAC
MOSAIC_SSD: A new web tool for species sensitivity distribution to include censored data by maximum likelihood
Authors: Kon Kam King Guillaume , Veber Philippe , Charles Sandrine , Delignette-Muller Marie Laure
Published: May 2014

Censored data are seldom taken into account in species sensitivity distribution (SSD) analysis. However, they are found in virtually every dataset and sometimes represent the better part of the data. Stringent recommendations on data quality often entail discarding a lot of these meaningful data, resulting in datasets of reduced size which lack representativeness of any realistic community. However, it is reasonably simple to include censored data in SSD by using an extension of the standard maximum likelihood method. The authors detail this approach based on the use of the R-package fitdistrplus, dedicated to the fit of parametric probability distributions. The authors present the new Web tool MOSAIC_SSD, that can fit an SSD on datasets containing any type of data, censored or not. The MOSAIC_SSD Web tool predicts any hazardous concentration and provides bootstrap confidence intervals on the predictions. Finally, the authors illustrate the added value of including censored data in SSD, taking examples from published data. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014; 33:2133–2139. © 2014 SETAC
Activity and ecological implications of maize-expressed transgenic endo-1,4-β-D-glucanase in agricultural soils
Authors: Kenny Adam J. , Wolt Jeffrey D.
Published: May 2014

Plant expression of thermostable endoglucanase (E1) has been proposed for improved conversion of lignocellulose to ethanol for fuel production. Residues of E1-expressing maize may affect ecological services (e.g., C mineralization and biogeochemical cycling) on soils where they occur. Therefore, the activity of residual E1 was investigated using soils amended with bacterial and plant-solubilized E1 compared with soil endogenous activity and residual activity from a mesostable cellulase (Aspergillus and Trichoderma spp.). An optimized analytical method involving a carboxymethyl cellulose substrate and dinitrosalicylic acid detection effectively assayed endoglucanase activity in amended and unamended soils and was used for determining E1 activity in 3 representative soils. The effect of E1 on soil carbon mineralization was determined by comparing CO2 evolution from soils amended with transgenic E1-expressing and wild-type maize tissue. Extraction and recovery of the mesostable comparator, bacterial E1, and plant-soluble E1 showed nearly complete loss of exogenous endoglucanase activity within a 24-h period. Carbon mineralization indicated no significant difference between soils amended with either the transgenic E1 or wild-type maize tissue. These results indicate that maize residues expressing up to 30 µg E1/g tissue negligibly affect soil endoglucanase activity and CO2 respiration for representative soils where transgenic E1 maize may be grown. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014; 33:1996–2003. © 2014 SETAC
Characteristic and potential sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in agricultural soils in Beijing, China
Authors: Li Wei , Li Chaoqin , Chen Zuosheng , Cai Zongwei
Published: May 2014

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were analyzed in 25 background and 80 agricultural soil samples collected from 21 sites in Beijing, China. The levels of PCDD/Fs in the north agricultural soils were low (0.15–0.58 ng international toxic equivalent quantity [I-TEQ]/kg), which were comparable with those of the background soils (0.091–0.35 ng I-TEQ/kg). In the southern agricultural soils, however, concentrations were several times higher (0.27–3.3 ng I-TEQ/kg). Comparison of PCDD/Fs congener compositions between possible sources and samples indicated that agricultural soils in Beijing had not been contaminated by the 3 main PCDD/F contamination sources in China—ferrous and nonferrous metal, waste incineration, and power generation. They had, however, been slightly contaminated by the impurities of some organochlorine pesticides, such as sodium pentachlorophenate, and by open burning of biomass, vehicle exhaust, atmospheric deposition, sediment, and sewage sludge. These results have been supported by the principal components analysis. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014; 33:2004–2012. © 2014 SETAC
Amygdala task‐evoked activity and task‐free connectivity independently contribute to feelings of arousal
Authors: Touroutoglou Alexandra , Bickart Kevin C. , Barrett Lisa Feldman , Dickerson Bradford C.
Published: May 2014

Individual differences in the intensity of feelings of arousal while viewing emotional pictures have been associated with the magnitude of task‐evoked blood‐oxygen dependent (BOLD) response in the amygdala. Recently, we reported that individual differences in feelings of arousal are associated with task‐free (resting state) connectivity within the salience network. There has not yet been an investigation of whether these two types of functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures are redundant or independent in their relationships to behavior. Here we tested the hypothesis that a combination of task‐evoked amygdala activation and task‐free amygdala connectivity within the salience network relate to individual differences in feelings of arousal while viewing of negatively potent images. In 25 young adults, results revealed that greater task‐evoked amygdala activation and stronger task‐free amygdala connectivity within the salience network each contributed independently to feelings of arousal, predicting a total of 45% of its variance. Individuals who had both increased task‐evoked amygdala activation and stronger task‐free amygdala connectivity within the salience network had the most heightened levels of arousal. Task‐evoked amygdala activation and task‐free amygdala connectivity within the salience network were not related to each other, suggesting that resting‐state and task‐evoked dynamic brain imaging measures may provide independent and complementary information about affective experience, and likely other kinds of behaviors as well. Hum Brain Mapp 35:5316–5327, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Electronic Nature and Reactivity of the Larger Acenes
Authors: Thorley Karl J. , Anthony John E.
Published: May 2014

The astounding electronic performance of acenes such as tetracene and pentacene (and their heteroaromatic counterparts) stands to revolutionize the field of organic electronics, promising novel consumer electronics for power generation and information display in lightweight, flexible form factors. These results have rekindled interest in acenes larger than pentacene, to determine how electronic properties are further altered by extending conjugation. This research has had to encompass many fundamental studies, as even the simple nature of aromaticity in larger acenes is still a controversial topic. Further, the reactivity of acenes toward oligomerization or oxidation becomes significant in larger acenes, while the diminishing solubility complicates isolation and characterization. This article surveys recent works describing the nature of aromaticity and reactivity in larger acenes, methods used to prepare parent acenes larger than pentacene, and functionalization approaches to soluble, reasonably stable large acenes.
Regulation of apoptosis by heat shock proteins
Authors: Kennedy Donna , Jäger Richard , Mosser Dick D , Samali Afshin
Published: May 2014

Thermotolerance, the acquired resistance of cells to stress, is a well‐established phenomenon. Studies of the key mediators of this response, the heat shock proteins (HSPs), have led to the discovery of the important roles played by these proteins in the regulation of apoptotic cell death. Apoptosis is critical for normal tissue homeostasis and is involved in diverse processes including development and immune clearance. Apoptosis is tightly regulated by both proapoptotic and antiapoptotic factors, and dysregulation of apoptosis plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of many diseases. In the recent years, HSPs have been identified as key determinants of cell survival, which can modulate apoptosis by directly interacting with components of the apoptotic machinery. Therefore, manipulation of the HSPs could represent a viable strategy for the treatment of diseases. Here, we review the current knowledge with regard to the mechanisms of HSP‐mediated regulation of apoptosis. © 2014 IUBMB Life, 66(5):327–338, 2014
Effects of calcium‐modified titanium implant surfaces on platelet activation, clot formation, and osseointegration
Authors: Anitua Eduardo , Prado Roberto , Orive Gorka , Tejero Ricardo
Published: May 2014

The clinical success of load bearing dental and orthopedic implants relies on adequate osseointegration. Because of its favorable properties, titanium is generally considered as the material of choice. Following implant placement, titanium surfaces establish an ionic equilibrium with the surrounding tissues in which calcium plays major roles. Calcium is a cofactor of the coagulation cascade that mediates plasma protein adsorption and intervenes in a number of other intra and extracellular processes relevant for bone regeneration. In this study, titanium surfaces were modified with calcium ions (Ca2+surfaces) and their responses toin vitroandin vivomodels were analyzed. Unlike unmodified surfaces, Ca2+surfaces were superhydrophilic and induced surface clot formation, platelet adsorption and activation when exposed to blood plasma. Interestingly,in vivoosseointegration using a peri‐implant gap model in rabbit demonstrated that Ca2+surfaces significantly improved peri‐implant bone volume and density at 2 weeks and bone implant contact at 8 weeks as compared to the unmodified controls. The combination of Ca2+surfaces with plasma rich in growth factors produced significantly more bone contact already at 2 weeks of implantation. These findings suggest the importance of the provisional matrix formation on tissue integration and highlight the clinical potential of Ca2+titanium surfaces as efficient stimulators of implant osseointegration. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 969–980, 2015.
Supported Palladium Oxide Nanoparticles in SBA‐15 as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols
Authors: Atashin Hassan , Malakooti Reihaneh
Published: May 2014

Palladium nanoparticles were first synthesized through the thermal decomposition method and subsequently immobilized on ordered mesoporous silica material, SBA‐15, to afford PdO/SBA‐15 catalyst. The synthesized catalyst was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption‐desorption measurement, transmission electron microscopy, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The catalytic activity was tested for the aerobic oxidation of alcohols. Easy recovery, high yeilds and relatively short reaction times were observed for the mentioned catalyst.
Distance‐dependent Enhancement in Raman Spectroscopy Probed by Conjugated Molecules with Different Molecular Lengths
Authors: Maggie Liou Yen‐Chen , Chen Jiann‐Yeu , Yang Jyisy
Published: May 2014

In this study, the distance‐dependent enhancement effect in surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) was explored with molecules bearing different lengths of conjugated double bonds. These conjugated molecules were synthesized utilizing the diazotization‐coupling reaction allowing a thio group on one end and a nitro group on the other end. The thiol group allows the probed molecule to chemisorb on the surface of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The opposite end of each molecule contains a nitro group, which gives an intense SERS signal to show a fair and accurate comparison of the effect of chain length. The obtained SERS intensities were correlated with the chain lengths of these synthesized molecules, which ranged from 0.6 to 2.0 nm between the nitro and thiol groups. Based on these results, the electromagnetic field effect was mainly responsible for the signal enhancements in SERS measurements. Also, the obtained signals were exponentially decayed due to the distances of the surface of AgNPs. Based on the SERS intensities of the conjugated molecules, the contribution of CT effect to SERS for these examined molecules were limited.
Concurrent performance as bouts of behavior
Authors: Smith Tracy T. , McLean Anthony P. , Shull Richard L. , Hughes Christine E. , Pitts Raymond C.
Published: May 2014

Log‐survivor analyses of interresponse times suggest that the behavior of rats responding under single variable‐interval schedules is organized into bouts (i.e., periods of engagement and disengagement). Attempts to generalize this analysis to the key pecking in pigeons, however, have failed to produce the characteristic broken‐stick appearance typically obtained with rats. This failure may be due to a relatively low rate of reinforcement for engaging in alternative behavior experienced by pigeons. The present study tested this hypothesis by exposing four pigeons to concurrent schedules of reinforcement for key pecking, first without a changeover delay (COD) and then with a COD. In this arrangement, one of the concurrent options was treated as the target response and the rate of reinforcement for that option was manipulated across conditions. The other option provided explicit reinforcement for engaging in an alternative response (i.e., explicit reinforcement for disengaging from the target response). In the absence of a COD, log‐survivor plots for three of the pigeons were approximately linear, thus providing no evidence that responding was organized into bouts. When a COD was present, plots were broken stick in appearance, indicating a bout structure had been generated in the pigeons' behavior. Both bout length and the rate of bout initiations were a function of differences in rate of reinforcement. These data suggest that behavior may become organized into bouts when contingencies create sufficiently long visits to both the target behavior and the extraneous behavior. Fits of a double‐exponential model deviated systematically from the actual plots due to the presence of a plateau between the two limbs. An alternative, double‐gamma, model was explored, and it provided a considerably better fit than did the double‐exponential.
XAV939, a small molecular inhibitor, provides neuroprotective effects on oligodentrocytes
Authors: Chen Jing , Li Jizhen , Miao Zhigang , Xu Xingshun , Liu Chun‐Feng
Published: May 2014

White matter tracts are composed of axons and myelinating oligodendrocytes. Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells in the central nervous system that allow formation of myelin and saltatory nerve conduction. Cerebral white matter is highly vulnerable to ischemic injury in adults and neonates. White matter injury in newborn brains results in cerebral palsy and cognitive disability. In this study, we found that XAV939, a small‐molecular inhibitor that stimulated β‐catenin degradation by stabilizing axin, protected against serum and glucose deprivation (SGD)‐induced cell death in oligodentrocyte cell line OLN‐93 cells in a concentration‐dependent manner. We further showed that XAV939 reduced caspase‐3 and caspase‐8 levels and increased the expression of phosphorylated Akt in SGD‐induced OLN‐93 cells. Our data demonstrate that XAV939 protects against neonatal hypoxic/ischemic injury. In summary, our results demonstrate that XAV939 confers neuroprotection against SGD‐induced injury in OLN‐93 cells via its antiapoptotic activity and the loss of oligodendrocytes and neurons in neonatal hypoxic/ischemic injury. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2009–2010
Authors: Harvey David J.
Published: May 2014

This review is the sixth update of the original article published in 1999 on the application of MALDI mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2010. General aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, matrices, derivatization, MALDI imaging, arrays and fragmentation are covered in the first part of the review and applications to various structural typed constitutes the remainder. The main groups of compound that are discussed in this section are oligo and polysaccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosides and biopharmaceuticals. Many of these applications are presented in tabular form. Also discussed are medical and industrial applications of the technique, studies of enzyme reactions and applications to chemical synthesis. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 34: 268–422, 2015.
Measuring Embeddedness and Its Effect on New Venture Creation—A Study of Farm Diversification
Authors: Ferguson Richard , Hansson Helena
Published: May 2014

Social embeddedness has been found to influence the development of new ventures, providing a basis for the trust needed for economic exchange. This study takes a novel approach to measuring embeddedness, focusing on entrepreneurs' perceived value of advice from various network partners, and shows that different types of partners exercise different influences. Analysis of a survey of 670 farm businesses shows varied embeddedness in professional and social networks, where stronger embeddedness in social networks is more associated with the development of diversified enterprises, whereas stronger professional networks is more associated with a lower incidence of such development. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Elaidic acid (EA) generates dysfunctional high‐density lipoproteins and consumption of EA exacerbates hyperlipidemia and fatty liver change in zebrafish
Authors: Park Ki‐Hoon , Kim Jong‐Min , Cho Kyung‐Hyun
Published: May 2014

Scope

It is well known thattrans‐fatty acids have proatherogenic properties while HDL has antiatherogenic activities in plasma. However, there has been no report on the effects oftrans‐fat on the functional and structural properties of HDL.

Methods and results

To compare physiological properties, we synthesized reconstituted HDL (rHDL) containing stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1,cis), or elaidic acid (EA, 18:1,trans). An rHDL containing EA (EA‐rHDL) showed loss of antioxidant ability and induced the highest uptake of oxidized LDL into human macrophages. EA‐rHDL caused the strongest cellular senescence in human dermal fibroblast cells along with the highest production of inflammatory species in macrophages co‐treated with fructose. Injection of EA‐rHDL into zebrafish embryos resulted in acute embryonic toxicity with the lowest survivability. Consumption oftrans‐fat for 20 weeks resulted in remarkable hyperlipidemia, elevation of serum cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity, hepatic inflammation, and fatty liver changes.

Conclusion

Incorporation of EA impaired the beneficial effects of rHDL against atherogenesis. In zebrafish, EA‐rHDL resulted in acute embryonic toxicity, and consumption of EA caused remarkable hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and fatty liver changes.
Uniform convergence analysis of hybrid numerical scheme for singularly perturbed problems of mixed type
Authors: Mukherjee Kaushik , Natesan Srinivasan
Published: May 2014

In this article, we consider a class of singularly perturbed mixed parabolic‐elliptic problems whose solutions possess both boundary and interior layers. To solve these problems, a hybrid numerical scheme is proposed and it is constituted on a special rectangular mesh which consists of a layer resolving piecewise‐uniform Shishkin mesh in the spatial direction and a uniform mesh in the temporal direction. The domain under consideration is partitioned into two subdomains. For the spatial discretization, the proposed scheme is comprised of the classical central difference scheme in the first subdomain and a hybrid finite difference scheme in the second subdomain, whereas the time derivative in the given problem is discretized by the backward‐Euler method. We prove that the method converges uniformly with respect to the perturbation parameter with almost second‐order spatial accuracy in the discrete supremum norm. Numerical results are finally presented to validate the theoretical results.© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 30: 1931–1960, 2014
Thigh fat and muscle each contribute to excess cardiometabolic risk in SouthAsians, independent of visceral adipose tissue
Authors: Eastwood Sophie V. , Tillin Therese , Wright Andrew , Mayet Jamil , Godsland Ian , Forouhi Nita G. , Whincup Peter , Hughes Alun D , Chaturvedi Nishi
Published: May 2014

Objective

To compare fat distribution and associations between fat depots and cardiometabolic traits in South Asians and Europeans.

Methods

Five hundred and fourteen South Asians and 669 Europeans, aged 56‐86. Questionnaires, record review, blood testing, and coronary artery calcification scores provided diabetes and clinical plus subclinical coronary heart disease (CHD) diagnoses. Abdominal visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue, thigh subcutaneous adipose tissue (TSAT), intermuscular and intramuscular thigh fat and thigh muscle were measured by CT.

Results

Accounting for body size, South Asians had greater VAT and TSAT than Europeans, but less thigh muscle. Associations between depots and disease were stronger in South Asians than Europeans. In multivariable analyses in South Asians, VAT was positively associated with diabetes and CHD, while TSAT and thigh muscle were protective for diabetes, and thigh muscle for CHD. Differences in VAT and thigh muscle only partially explained the excess diabetes and CHD in South Asians versus Europeans. Insulin resistance did not account for the effects of TSAT or thigh muscle.

Conclusions

Greater VAT and TSAT and lesser thigh muscle in South Asians contributed to ethnic differences in cardiometabolic disease. Effects of TSAT and thigh muscle were independent of insulin resistance.
Effect of temperature and volume on the tensile and adhesive properties of photocurable resins
Authors: Harding David R. , Goodrich Holly , Caveglia Aaron , Anthamatten Mitchell
Published: May 2014

Knowing the mechanical properties of UV‐curable resins at cryogenic conditions is important to ongoing fusion‐energy research and to emerging aerospace applications. The tensile and interfacial shear strengths of two commercially available UV‐curable resins were measured at room‐temperature and cryogenic conditions for both bulk and reduced (subnanoliter) specimen volumes. The tensile properties of cured specimens are remarkably sensitive to both testing temperature and specimen size. For one type of resin, the cold (−150 °C) tensile strength of subnanoliter specimens is ∼9× larger (179 ± 19 MPa) than bulk values at room temperature. The interfacial shear strength between SiC fibers and small volumes of resin volumes is comparable to the bulk, room‐temperature tensile strength, but it varies over a wide range at −150 °C (15–53 MPa). All resins were fully cured, and an analysis of fractured surfaces revealed microstructural features. The enhanced strength in microscopic specimens may be related to inhomogeneous stress fields that develop during cure. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 936–945
Noble Metal Clusters: Applications in Energy, Environment, and Biology
Authors: Mathew Ammu , Pradeep Thalappil
Published: May 2014

Sub‐nanometer‐sized metal clusters, having dimensions between metal atoms and nanoparticles, have attracted tremendous attention in the recent past due to their unique physical and chemical properties. As properties of such materials depend strongly on size, development of synthetic routes that allows precise tuning of the cluster cores with high monodispersity and purity is an area of intense research. Such materials are also interesting owing to their wide variety of applications. Novel sensing strategies based on these materials are emerging. Owing to their extremely small size, low toxicity, and biocompatibility, they are widely studied for biomedical applications. Primary focus of this review is to provide an account of the recent advances in their applications in areas such as environment, energy, and biology. With further experimental and theoretical advances aimed at understanding their novel properties and solving challenges in their synthesis, an almost unlimited field of applications can be foreseen.
Burning Characteristics of Microcellular Combustible Objects Fabricated by a Confined Foaming Process
Authors: Yang Weitao , Li Yuxiang , Ying Sanjiu
Published: May 2014

Microcellular combustible objects for application of combustible case ammunition and caseless ammunition were fabricated by a confined pressure quenching foaming process using supercritical CO2 as foaming agent. The experimental results showed that the force constant (f) of objects obviously increased with an increasing RDX content and that the force constant of formulation with 55 % RDX is comparable to that of traditional felted case. Pressure histories, dp/dt‐t, and dynamic vivacity curves were investigated and compared by closed vessel tests. The influencing factors such as RDX content, expansion ratio, foaming temperature, sample size, and loading density were analysed. The results revealed that RDX content and expansion ratio significantly affected the burning properties, whereas the foaming temperature did not have obvious influence. Moreover, the burning behavior also changed with sample size and loading density.
Competency requirements for process safety auditors
Authors: Baybutt Paul
Published: May 2014

Auditing is a critical aspect of a process safety program which ensures the program is designed appropriately and implemented properly. The competency of process safety auditors is essential for quality audits. The nature of process safety auditing is described to clarify the responsibilities of auditors. Suitable criteria for selecting process safety auditors to ensure their competency are identified and discussed. Criteria for lead auditors, team auditors, and audit teams are addressed. Also, performance metrics that can be used to judge the performance of process safety auditors are described. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 34: 179–182, 2015
Are unconfined hydrogen vapor cloud explosions credible?
Authors: Thomas James Kelly , Eastwood Craig , Goodrich Martin
Published: May 2014

Owner/operators of chemical processing and petroleum refining sites often ask whether unconfined hydrogen vapor cloud explosions (VCEs) can actually occur. This question normally arises during the course of a consequence‐based facility siting study (FSS) or a quantitative risk assessment (QRA). While it is generally recognized that a hydrogen release within a process enclosure could lead to an explosion, the potential for an external hydrogen release to cause a VCE is not as widely recognized and is often questioned. This uncertainty appears to stem from the impression that a hydrogen release always ignites quickly and near the point of release such that a flammable cloud does not have time to develop prior to ignition and/or that a hydrogen release never produces a flammable cloud of any significant volume due to its positive buoyancy. Unfortunately, neither impression is correct. Hydrogen releases are actually susceptible to delayed ignition, and hydrogen releases can form significant flammable gas clouds near grade level. Unconfined hydrogen VCEs can and do occur. Furthermore, given the potential for rapid flame acceleration associated with hydrogen, the consequences of a hydrogen VCE can be severe. Consideration of such events in FSS and QRAs is, therefore, warranted.

Prior accidental hydrogen VCEs are reviewed to establish that such events do occur. Selected hydrogen VCE tests are also discussed to establish the potential severity of such events. Moosemiller and Galindo [10th Global Congress on Process Safety, 2014 Annual AIChE Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 30–April 2, 2014] reviewed the ignition characteristics of hydrogen relative to the potential for a delayed ignition, and only the conclusions from that article are presented here. Example dispersions, using both simplified dispersion and computational fluid dynamics methods, are presented to illustrate the flammable gas volumes that can be created by hydrogen release scenarios. Blast load predictions are presented to illustrate the range of loads that could result from a hydrogen VCE due to such a release. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 34: 36–43, 2015
Evaluation of in vitro properties of predicted kinases that phosphorylate serine residues within nuclear localization signal 1 of high mobility group box 1
Authors: Taira Junichi , Higashimoto Yuichiro
Published: May 2014

Phosphorylation of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is involved in the subcellular translocation of this protein and its subsequent secretion. Two nuclear localization signals (NLSs), NLS1 and NLS2, in this protein regulate its nucleocytoplasmic relocation, and phosphorylation of both NLSs strongly promotes HMGB1 mobilization. However, the phosphorylation properties of serine residues in NLS1 and the kinases involved are not well known. In the present study, we predicted kinases that phosphorylate serine residues in NLS1 and performed an in vitro kinase assay utilizing NLS1‐derived phosphopeptides. Among the predicted kinases, protein kinase C phosphorylated Ser46 of HMGB1‐derived peptides, and a mutagenesis experiment confirmed that phosphorylation at this site could induce the translocation of the N‐terminal region of NLS1‐containing HMGB1 into the cytosol. Copyright © 2014 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How is local material entropy production represented in a numerical model?
Authors: Gassmann Almut , Herzog Hans‐Joachim
Published: May 2014

Numerical models of the atmosphere should fulfil fundamental physical laws. The second law of thermodynamics is associated with positive local entropy production and dissipation of available energy. In order to guarantee this positivity in numerical simulations, subgrid‐scale turbulent fluxes of heat, water vapour and momentum are required to depend on numerically resolved gradients in a unique way. The task of parametrization remains to deliver phenomenological coefficients.

Inspecting commonly used parametrizations for subgrid fluxes, we find that some of them obey the second law of thermodynamics and some do not. The conforming approaches are Smagorinsky momentum diffusion, phase changes and sedimentation fluxes for hydrometeors. Conventional turbulent heat‐flux parametrizations do not conform with the second law. A new water‐vapour flux formulation is derived from the requirement of locally positive entropy production. The conventional and new water‐vapour fluxes are compared using high‐resolution radiosonde data. Conventional water‐vapour fluxes are wrong by up to 10% and exhibit a negative bias.

Two numerical tests (the Boulder windstorm test case and a convective boundary‐layer experiment) are performed with the Icosahedral Nonhydrostatic model at the Institute for Atmospheric Physics (ICON–IAP). The experiments compare conventional and entropy‐consistent heat‐flux parametrizations. Both test cases indicate that negative thermal dissipation can occur for the conventional heat flux. Obviously, the additional energy made available by this negative dissipation to the resolved turbulence is later on dissipated by friction, so that the total dissipation is again comparable, at least for the boundary‐layer experiment.
A New Mechanism for Hydroxyl Radical Production in Irradiated Nanoparticle Solutions
Authors: Sicard‐Roselli Cécile , Brun Emilie , Gilles Manon , Baldacchino Gérard , Kelsey Colin , McQuaid Harold , Polin Chris , Wardlow Nathan , Currell Frederick
Published: May 2014

The absolute yield of hydroxyl radicals per unit of deposited X‐ray energy is determined for the first time for irradiated aqueous solutions containing metal nanoparticles based on a “reference” protocol. Measurements are made as a function of dose rate and nanoparticle concentration. Possible mechanisms for hydroxyl radical production are considered in turn: energy deposition in the nanoparticles followed by its transport into the surrounding environment is unable to account for observed yield whereas energy deposition in the water followed by a catalytic‐like reaction at the water‐nanoparticle interface can account for the total yield and its dependence on dose rate and nanoparticle concentration. This finding is important because current models used to account for nanoparticle enhancement to radiobiological damage only consider the primary interaction with the nanoparticle, not with the surrounding media. Nothing about the new mechanism appears to be specific to gold, the main requirements being the formation of a structured water layer in the vicinity of the nanoparticle possibly through the interaction of its charge and the water dipoles. The massive hydroxyl radical production is relevant to a number of application fields, particularly nanomedicine since the hydroxyl radical is responsible for the majority of radiation‐induced DNA damage.
Seismic performance and cost‐effectiveness of high‐rise buildings with increasing concrete strength
Authors: Aman Mwafy , Nadeem Hussain , Khaled El‐Sawy
Published: May 2014

The relationship between the seismic performance and economics of high‐rise buildings when designed to different material strengths is investigated in this paper. To represent the modern high‐rise construction, five 60‐story reinforced concrete buildings with varying concrete strengths, ranging from 45 MPa to 110 MPa, are designed and detailed to fine accuracy keeping almost equal periods of vibration. Detailed fiber‐based simulation models are developed to assess the relative seismic performance of the reference structures using incremental dynamic analyses and fragility functions. It is concluded that a considerable saving in construction cost and gain in useable area are attained with increasing concrete strength. The safety margins of high‐strength concrete in tall structures may exceed those of normal‐strength concrete buildings, particularly at high ground motion intensity levels. The recommendations of this systematic study may help designers to arrive at cost‐effective designs for high‐rise buildings in earthquake‐prone regions without jeopardizing safety at different performance levels. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using Mentor Texts to Teach Writing in Science and Social Studies
Authors: Pytash Kristine E. , Morgan Denise N.
Published: May 2014

This article explores how the research‐based practice of using mentor texts can support students' writing within their subject areas. Specifically, this article examines the writing demands of the Common Core Writing Standards and how using mentor texts helps teachers meet these writing standards. We share guiding principles for using mentor texts and explore how to analyze mentor texts in terms of structure and ways with words. Using mentor texts may be a pedagogical practice that content area teachers can find beneficial as they teach writing. Specific examples from social studies and science are provided along with mentor text resources.
Aerofoil optimization for vertical‐axis wind turbines
Authors: Ferreira Carlos Simão , Geurts Ben
Published: May 2014

An expression for the aerodynamic optimization of aerofoils for 2D lift driven vertical‐axis wind turbines is derived as a function of lift slope and drag. As lift slope is proportional to aerofoil thickness, the aerodynamic optimum is found in thick aerofoils, which are also structurally advantageous. Using a genetic optimization algorithm, the objective function is used to generate aerofoils whose performance in a vertical‐axis wind turbine is calculated using a potential flow solution of the induction field and 2D polars calculated with XFOIL. The results demonstrate power and structural gains. This approach can lead to reductions in rotor mass due to the thicker and thus stiffer aerofoils, without compromising aerodynamic performance. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validation of boundary layer parameterization schemes in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model under the aspect of offshore wind energy applications—part II: boundary layer height and atmospheric stability
Authors: Krogsæter O. , Reuder J.
Published: May 2014

Five different planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model have been tested with respect to their capability to model boundary layer parameters relevant for offshore wind deployments. For the year 2005, model simulations based on the YSU, ACM2, QNSE, MYJ and MYNN2 PBL schemes with WRF have been performed for the North Sea and validated against measurements from the FINO1 platform. In part I, the investigations had focused on the key parameters 100 m mean wind speed and wind shear in terms of the power‐law exponent. In part II, the focus is now set on the capability of the model to represent height and stability of the marine atmospheric boundary layer.Considerable differences are found among the PBL schemes in predicting the PBL height. A substantial part of this variation is explained by the use of different PBL‐height definitions in the schemes. The use of a standardized procedure in calculating the PBL height from common WRF output parameters, in particular the temperature gradient and the wind shear, leads to reduced differences between the different schemes and a closer correspondence with the FINO1 measurements. The study also reveals a very clear seasonal dependency of the atmospheric stability over Southern North Sea. During winter time, the marine atmospheric boundary layer is more or less neutral with several episodes of unstable periods. During spring and early summer, the occurrence of periods with very stable stratification becomes dominant with stable conditions up to 40–45% of the time when warm continental air is advected from the South. In general, the results of part II confirm again that the MYJ scheme performs slightly better than the others and can therefore be suggested as first choice for marine atmospheric boundary layer simulations without a priori information of atmospheric stability in the region of interest. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of a Second Cation (M = Ca2+, Mg2+) on the Phase Evolution of (BaxM1–x)F2 Starting from Amorphous Deposits
Authors: Mu Xiaoke , Sigle Wilfried , Bach Andreas , Fischer Dieter , Jansen Martin , van Aken Peter A.
Published: May 2014

A second type of cation (Mg2+, Ca2+) was introduced into BaF2 by low‐temperature atomic beam deposition. The structure evolution from low‐temperature (–150 °C) amorphous deposits to high‐temperature (< 1000 °C) annealed crystalline phases was studied by in‐situ transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Amorphous (Ba0.5, Ca0.5)F2 crystallizes in a first step to metastable solid solution phase (fluorite‐type), which then decomposes into the pure phases of CaF2 and BaF2 at higher temperature. The crystallization behavior of amorphous (BaxMg1–x)F2 is completely different. When the Mg/Ba atomic ratio is around 1:1, the mixture transforms to the ternary compound BaMgF4 at annealing, and no decomposition occurs by further heating up to 1000 °C. When the Ba concentration is below 15 % in atomic ratio (x < 0.15), the mixture forms a solid solution phase (rutile type) with the lattice expanded by +1 % compared to rutile type MgF2. The difference between the phase evolutions of the two mixture systems is discussed.
Three New Coordination Compounds with Neodymium Based on Tetrazole Containing Carboxylic Acid Ligands
Authors: Zou Jian‐Hua , Zhu Da‐Liang , Li Fei‐Fei , Li Fu‐Song , Wu He , Li Qiao‐Yun , Yang Gao‐Wen , Zhang Ping , Miao Yun‐Xia , Xie Jian
Published: May 2014

Reactions of three tetrazole containing carboxylic acid ligands, namely, Hpztza, Htzpya, and Hpytza [Hpztza = 5‐(2‐pyrazinyl)tetrazole‐2‐acetic acid, Htzpya = 3‐(5‐tetrazolyl)pyridine‐1‐acetic acid, Hpytza = 5‐(3‐pyridyl)tetrazole‐2‐acetic acid] with NdCl3·6H2O under hydrothermal conditions, afforded the complexes [Nd(pztza)2(H2O)6]·pztza·3H2O (1), [Nd2(tzpya)2(H2O)12]Cl4·2H2O (2), and [Nd(pytza)2Cl(H2O)2] (3). The compounds were structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that compound 1 displays a mononuclear structure, 2 shows a dinuclear structure, and 3 features a 1D polymeric chain structure via pytza as linker. Furthermore, the luminescent properties investigated at room temperature in the solid state show that compound 2 has an obvious decrease in its luminescence, when compared to the ligand.