bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuclear locus divergence at the early stages of speciation in the Orchard Oriole complex
Authors: Sturge Rachel J. , Cortés‐Rodríguez M. Nandadevi , Rojas‐Soto Octavio R. , Omland Kevin E.
Published: May 2016

As two lineages diverge from one another, mitochondrialDNAshould evolve fixed differences more rapidly than nuclearDNAdue to its smaller effective population size and faster mutation rate. As a consequence, molecular systematists have focused on the criteria of reciprocal monophyly in mitochondrialDNAfor delimiting species boundaries. However, mitochondrial gene trees do not necessarily reflect the evolutionary history of the taxa in question, and even mitochondrial loci are not expected to be reciprocally monophyletic when the speciation event happened very recently. The goal of this study was to examine mitochondrial paraphyly within the Orchard Oriole complex, which is composed ofIcterus spurius(Orchard Oriole) andIcterus fuertesi(Fuertes' Oriole). We increased the geographic sampling, added four nuclear loci, and used a range of population genetic and coalescent methods to examine the divergence between the taxa. With increased taxon sampling, we found evidence of clear structure between the taxa for mitochondrialDNA. However, nuclear loci showed little evidence of population structure, indicating a very recent divergence betweenI. spuriusandI. fuertesi. Another goal was to examine the genetic variation within each taxon to look for evidence of a past founder event within theI. fuertesilineage. Based on the high amounts of genetic variation for all nuclear loci, we found no evidence of such an event – thus, we found no support for the possible founding ofI. fuertesithrough a change in migratory behavior, followed by peripheral isolates speciation. Our results demonstrate that these two taxa are in the earliest stages of speciation, at a point when they have fixed differences in plumage color that are not reflected in monophyly of the mitochondrial or nuclearDNAmarkers in this study. This very recent divergence makes them ideal for continued studies of species boundaries and the earliest stages of speciation.
Estimating species richness using environmental DNA
Authors: Olds Brett P. , Jerde Christopher L. , Renshaw Mark A. , Li Yiyuan , Evans Nathan T. , Turner Cameron R. , Deiner Kristy , Mahon Andrew R. , Brueseke Michael A. , Shirey Patrick D. , Pfrender Michael E. , Lodge David M. , Lamberti Gary A.
Published: May 2016

The foundation for any ecological study and for the effective management of biodiversity in natural systems requires knowing what species are present in an ecosystem. We assessed fish communities in a stream using two methods, depletion‐based electrofishing and environmental DNA metabarcoding (eDNA) from water samples, to test the hypothesis that eDNA provides an alternative means of determining species richness and species identities for a natural ecosystem. In a northern Indiana stream, electrofishing yielded a direct estimate of 12 species and a mean estimated richness (Chao II estimator) of 16.6 species with a 95% confidence interval from 12.8 to 42.2. eDNA sampling detected an additional four species, congruent with the mean Chao II estimate from electrofishing. This increased detection rate for fish species between methods suggests that eDNA sampling can enhance estimation of fish fauna in flowing waters while having minimal sampling impacts on fish and their habitat. Modern genetic approaches therefore have the potential to transform our ability to build a more complete list of species for ecological investigations and inform management of aquatic ecosystems.
Consequences of elevated temperature and pCO2 on insect folivory at the ecosystem level: perspectives from the fossil record
Authors: Currano Ellen D. , Laker Rachel , Flynn Andrew G. , Fogt Kari K. , Stradtman Hillary , Wing Scott L.
Published: May 2016

Paleoecological studies document the net effects of atmospheric and climate change in a natural laboratory over timescales not accessible to laboratory or ecological studies. Insect feeding damage is visible on well‐preserved fossil leaves, and changes in leaf damage through time can be compared to environmental changes. We measured percent leaf area damaged on four fossil leaf assemblages from the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, that range in age from 56.1 to 52.65 million years (Ma). We also include similar published data from three US sites 49.4 to ~45 Ma in our analyses. Regional climate was subtropical or warmer throughout this period, and the second oldest assemblage (56 Ma) was deposited during the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a geologically abrupt global warming event caused by massive release of carbon into the atmosphere. Total and leaf‐chewing damage are highest during the PETM, whether considering percent area damaged on the bulk flora, the average of individual host plants, or a single plant host that occurs at multiple sites. Another fossil assemblage in our study, the 52.65 Ma Fifteenmile Creek paleoflora, also lived during a period of globally high temperature and pCO2, but does not have elevated herbivory. Comparison of these two sites, as well as regression analyses conducted on the entire dataset, demonstrates that, over long timescales, temperature and pCO2 are uncorrelated with total insect consumption at the ecosystem level. Rather, the most important factor affecting herbivory is the relative abundance of plants with nitrogen‐fixing symbionts. Legumes dominate the PETM site; their prevalence would have decreased nitrogen limitation across the ecosystem, buffering generalist herbivore populations against decreased leaf nutritional quality that commonly occurs at high pCO2. We hypothesize that nitrogen concentration regulates the opposing effects of elevated temperature and CO2 on insect abundance and thereby total insect consumption, which has important implications for agricultural practices in today's world of steadily increasing pCO2.
Terrestrial ecosystem health under long‐term metal inputs: modeling and risk assessment
Authors: Xu Li , Lofts Stephen , Lu Yonglong
Published: May 2016

Metal contamination of soils may pose long‐term risks to ecosystem health if not properly managed. Future projection of contamination trends, coupled with ecological assessment, is needed to assess such risks. This can be achieved by coupling dynamic models of soil metal accumulation and loss with risk assessment on the basis of projected metal levels. In this study, we modeled the long‐term dynamics of Cu, Zn, and Cd in agricultural topsoils of a northern Chinese catchment (Guanting reservoir) and related projected metal levels to 2060 to ecological risk. Past metal dynamics were simulated using historical metal inputs from atmospheric deposition, irrigation, fertilizers, and animal manures. Modeling future dynamics was done using scenarios of projected metal input rates. Ecological risk assessment was done using the Potentially Affected Fraction () approach to estimate the combined toxic pressure due to the three metals. Modeled labile soil metals agreed well with measurements from monitoring in 2009 following adjustment of the porewater dissolved organic concentration. Metals were predicted to be largely retained in the topsoil. Projections were sensitive to changes in imposed soil pH, organic matter, and porewater dissolved organic carbon. Modeling suggests that decreases in input rates to between 5% and 7.5% of 2009 levels are required to prevent further accumulation. Computed s suggest zinc makes the greatest contribution to ecological risk. Under the most conservative estimate of , the threshold of potential ecological risk was reached before 2060 in two of the three future input scenarios.
Spectroscopic ellipsometry as a complementary tool to characterize coatings on PDMS for CE applications
Authors: Benavidez Tomás E. , Garcia Carlos D.
Published: May 2016

This paper describes the use of spectroscopic ellipsometry to investigate the adsorption process of model polyelectrolytes (PDDAC and PSS) to thin‐films of PDMS. A description of the information collected by ellipsometry as well as complementary information obtained by atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurements is discussed. Upon identification of the driving forces and optimum experimental conditions required for the adsorption, multilayer constructs were fabricated (ranging from 1 to 20 nm in thickness) and used to evaluate their effect on the separation of phenolic compounds by capillary electrophoresis. According to the presented results, polyelectrolyte layers of approximately 10 nm thick provided the best conditions for the separation of the selected phenolic compounds.
Distributed satisfaction‐aware relay assignment: a novel matching‐game approach
Authors: Liu Dianxiong , Xu Yitao , Xu Yiwei , Ding Cheng , Xu Kun , Xu Yuhua
Published: May 2016

Based on matching game theory, this paper puts forward a novel‐distributed relay‐assignment approach to optimise the throughput satisfaction of source nodes, which is scarcely investigated in former works. The assignment problem is modelled as a matching market, where source nodes apply to relay nodes according to their throughput requirements, in the meantime, relay nodes obtain pay offs by assisting source nodes to transmit data. The proposed game appears in the category of matching games with both peer effects and dynamic quotas. The choice of each source node is related to not only the quality of channel gain but also the results of other source nodes choices. Dynamic quotas of matching game are considered because of the limited resource of relay nodes and dynamic requirements of source nodes, which adds difficulty of relay assignment. To address this issue, a novel self‐organising matching approach is proposed. Then, the proposed algorithm is proved to converge to a two‐sided stable matching between source nodes and relay nodes. Shown in the simulation results, the proposed distributed matching algorithm outperforms the existing schemes in terms of both global satisfaction and fairness within a reasonable convergence time. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of subduction components on magma composition in back‐arc basins: a comparison between the Mariana and Okinawa troughs
Authors: Zhao Guangtao , Luo Wenqiang , Lai Zhiqing , Tian Liyan , Xu Cuiling
Published: May 2016

New Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic data of seven basalt samples from the middle Mariana Trough were analysed together with existing geochemical data of basalts from the middle Mariana Trough (MMT), the northern Mariana Trough (NMT), the middle Okinawa Trough (MOT), and the southern Okinawa Trough (SOT). Basalts from the Mariana and Okinawa troughs have similarities to island arc lavas and are enriched in large ion lithophile elements but depleted in high field strength elements compared with normal mid‐ocean ridge basalt (N‐MORB). The Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic compositions of the back‐arc basin basalts maybe modelled by a mixing between end‐member components of N‐MORB‐like mantle and enriched mantle end‐member. Modelling results suggest that as the degree of back‐arc extension increases, the proportion of subduction components in the source magma decreases. The compositions of SOT basalts can be explained by the mixing of subduction components in the proportion 16%, followed by MOT at 14%, NMT at 7%, and MMT at 4%. This result indicates that the contribution of subduction components to the composition of source magmas for back‐arc basalts is closely related to the tectonic evolution of the entire back‐arc system. The proportions of subduction components in basaltic magma sources can be used as an indicator of the extent of evolution of a back‐arc basin or the development of a back‐arc spreading system. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Lure of Work‐Life Benefits: Perceived Person‐Organization Fit As A Mechanism Explaining Job Seeker Attraction To Organizations
Authors: Firfiray Shainaz , Mayo Margarita
Published: May 2016

Drawing from person‐organization (P‐O) fit theory, we explain how the provision of work‐life benefits (WLBs) increases job seeker attraction to organizations during the early recruitment stage because of a perceived value fit between job seekers and the organization. Our results from an experimental study using a sample of 189 MBA students who belonged to two generational groups (Millennials and Gen Xers) and were seeking employment during a period of economic recession support our expectations. We found that job seekers develop higher P‐O fit perceptions for organizations that supplement standard pay with WLBs in their recruitment materials compared with organizations that supplement standard pay with health care benefits or offer only standard pay. In turn, such organizations are assessed as more attractive prospective employers. We also found that generational group moderated the path between P‐O fit and job seeker attraction such that Millennial job seekers were more likely to be attracted toward organizations with which they had strong fit perceptions than their Gen X counterparts. Theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Concurrent radiotherapy and intrathecal methotrexate for treating leptomeningeal metastasis from solid tumors with adverse prognostic factors: A prospective and single‐arm study
Authors: Pan Zhenyu , Yang Guozi , He Hua , Zhao Gang , Yuan Tingting , Li Yu , Shi Weiyan , Gao Pengxiang , Dong Lihua , Li Yunqian
Published: May 2016

The prognosis of leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) from solid tumors is extremely poor, especially for patients with adverse prognostic factors. In this phase II clinical trial, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of intrathecal chemotherapy (IC) combined with concomitant involved‐field radiotherapy (IF‐RT) for treating LM from solid tumors with adverse prognostic factors. Fifty‐nine patients with LM from various solid tumors were enrolled between May 2010 and December 2014. Concurrent therapy consisted of concomitant IC (methotrexate 12.5–15 mg and dexamethasone 5 mg, weekly) and IF‐RT (whole brain and/or spinal canal RT, 40 Gy/20f). For patients with low Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score and radiotherapy intolerance, induction IC (1–3 times) was given before concurrent therapy. Thirty‐eight patients (64.4%) received subsequent treatments. All patients were followed up at least 6 months after LM diagnosis or until death. Primary endpoint evaluated was clinical response rate. Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and safety. The pathological types included lung cancer (n = 42), breast cancer (n = 11) and others (n = 6). Median KPS score was 40 (range 20–70). Fifty‐one patients (86.4%) completed concurrent therapy. The overall response rate was 86.4% (51/59). OS ranged from 0.4 to 36.7 months (median 6.5 months), and 1‐year‐survival rate was 21.3%. Treatment‐related adverse events mainly included acute meningitis, chronic‐delayed encephalopathy, radiculitis, myelosuppression and mucositis. Twelve patients (20.3%) had grade III–V toxic reactions. We concluded that IC combined with concomitant IF‐RT, with significant efficacy and acceptable toxicity, may be an optimal therapeutic option for treatment of LM from solid tumors with adverse prognostic factors. LM, in which cancer cells spread to membranes enveloping the brain and spinal cord, is a devastating complication of solid cancers. Existing LM therapies center on IC. In this prospective clinical study, the authors combined intrathecal methotrexate with involved‐field radiotherapy in a concomitant regimen, showing that the approach can potentially improve quality of life for patients with adverse prognostic factors. Concurrent radiotherapy‐bolstered IC by contributing to prolonged remission of neurological symptoms and increasing OS. The findings suggest that the concomitant regimen could be an optimal treatment option for LM.
Steroid Hormone Receptor Coregulators in Endocrine Cancers
Authors: Obeid Jean‐Pierre , Zafar Nawal , El Hokayem Jimmy
Published: May 2016

Coregulators span a broad and extensive domain in modulating cellular transcriptional activity. Studies have established a dynamic role for such coregulators in various endocrine cancers. Steroid hormone receptors (SHRs) play a pivotal role in such endocrine cancers, and interact abundantly with transcriptional coregulators in altering gene expression. Several families of coregulators have implications in propagating the development, progression and invasion of breast, prostate, and other hormone‐responsive cancers. This mini‐review aims to discuss different classes of coregulators involved in endocrine cancers and highlight unique information regarding each family with relevance to mechanism, intervention, and novel directions being investigated. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(7):504–515, 2016
Preclinical safety study of a recombinant Streptococcus pyogenes vaccine formulated with aluminum adjuvant
Authors: HogenEsch Harm , Dunham Anisa , Burlet Elodie , Lu Fangjia , Mosley Yung‐Yi C. , Morefield Garry
Published: May 2016

A recombinant vaccine composed of a fusion protein formulated with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant is under development for protection against diseases caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. The safety and local reactogenicity of the vaccine was assessed by a comprehensive series of clinical, pathologic and immunologic tests in preclinical experiments. Outbred mice received three intramuscular injections of 1/5th of the human dose (0.1 ml) and rabbits received two injections of the full human dose. Control groups received adjuvant or protein antigen. The vaccine did not cause clinical evidence of systemic toxicity in mice or rabbits. There was a transient increase of peripheral blood neutrophils after the third vaccination of mice. In addition, the concentration of acute phase proteins serum amyloid A and haptoglobin was significantly increased 1 day after injection of the vaccine in mice. There was mild transient swelling and erythema of the injection site in both mice and rabbits. Treatment‐related pathology was limited to inflammation at the injection site and accumulation of adjuvant‐containing macrophages in the draining lymph nodes. In conclusion, the absence of clinical toxicity in two animal species suggest that the vaccine is safe for use in a phase I human clinical trial. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of optical attenuation imaging using optical coherence tomography for monitoring of scars undergoing fractional laser treatment
Authors: Es'haghian Shaghayegh , Gong Peijun , Chin Lixin , Harms Karl‐Anton , Murray Alexandra , Rea Suzanne , Kennedy Brendan F. , Wood Fiona M. , Sampson David D. , McLaughlin Robert A.
Published: May 2016

We demonstrate the use of the near‐infrared attenuation coefficient, measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT), in longitudinal assessment of hypertrophic burn scars undergoing fractional laser treatment. The measurement method incorporates blood vessel detection by speckle decorrelation and masking, and a robust regression estimator to produce 2D en face parametric images of the attenuation coefficient of the dermis. Through reliable co‐location of the field of view across pre‐ and post‐treatment imaging sessions, the study was able to quantify changes in the attenuation coefficient of the dermis over a period of ∼20 weeks in seven patients. Minimal variation was observed in the mean attenuation coefficient of normal skin and control (untreated) mature scars, as expected. However, a significant decrease (13 ± 5%, mean ± standard deviation) was observed in the treated mature scars, resulting in a greater distinction from normal skin in response to localized damage from the laser treatment. By contrast, we observed an increase in the mean attenuation coefficient of treated (31 ± 27%) and control (27 ± 20%) immature scars, with numerical values incrementally approaching normal skin as the healing progressed. This pilot study supports conducting a more extensive investigation of OCT attenuation imaging for quantitative longitudinal monitoring of scars.

En face 2D OCT attenuation coefficient map of a treated immature scar derived from the pre‐treatment (top) and the post‐treatment (bottom) scans. (Vasculature (black) is masked out.) The scale bars are 0.5 mm.

magnified image

En face 2D OCT attenuation coefficient map of a treated immature scar derived from the pre‐treatment (top) and the post‐treatment (bottom) scans. (Vasculature (black) is masked out.) The scale bars are 0.5 mm.
Low‐level laser therapy stimulates the oxidative burst in human neutrophils and increases their fungicidal capacity
Authors: Cerdeira Cláudio Daniel , Lima Brigagão Maísa Ribeiro Pereira , Carli Marina Lara , de Souza Ferreira Cláudia , de Oliveira Isac Moraes Gabriel , Hadad Henrique , Costa Hanemann João Adolfo , Hamblin Michael R. , Sperandio Felipe Fornias
Published: May 2016

Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) is known to enhance mitochondrial electron transfer and ATP production; thus, this study asked whether LLLT could stimulate the oxidative burst in human neutrophils (PMN) and improve their ability to kill microorganisms. Blood from healthy human subjects was collected and PMN were isolated from the samples. PMN were treated in vitro with 660 nm or 780 nm CW laser light at 40 mW power and increasing energies up to 19.2 J and were subsequently incubated with Candida albicans cells. Generation of hydroxyl radicals, hypochlorite anions and superoxide anions by PMN were checked using fluorescent probes and chemiluminescence assays; a microbicidal activity assay against C. albicans was also performed. LLLT excited PMN to a higher functional profile, which was translated as superior production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased fungicidal capacity. The most efficacious energy was 19.2 J and, interestingly, the 660 nm light was even more efficacious than 780 nm at increasing the respiratory burst of PMN and the fungicidal capacity.

Human neutrophils (PMN) were stimulated in vitro with 660 nm or 780 nm CW laser light at 40 mW of power and a total energy of 19.2 J. Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) excited PMN to a higher functional profile, which was translated as a superior production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl radicals (HO•) and hypochlorite anions (ClO−) (Figure) and increased fungicidal capacity against Candida albicans cells.

magnified image

Human neutrophils (PMN) were stimulated in vitro with 660 nm or 780 nm CW laser light at 40 mW of power and a total energy of 19.2 J. Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) excited PMN to a higher functional profile, which was translated as a superior production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl radicals (HO•) and hypochlorite anions (ClO−) (Figure) and increased fungicidal capacity against Candida albicans cells.
2,6,8‐Triaryl‐3‐iodoquinolin‐4(1H)‐ones as Substrates for the Synthesis of 2,3,6,8‐Tetraarylquinolin‐4(1H)‐ones and the 2‐Substituted 4,6,8‐Triaryl‐1H‐furo[3,2‐c]quinolines
Authors: Mphahlele Malose J.
Published: May 2016

The 2,6,8‐triaryl‐3‐iodoquinolin‐4(1H)‐ones derived from the 2,6,8‐triarylquinolin‐4(1H)‐ones were found to undergo Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling with arylboronic acids to afford the corresponding 2,3,6,8‐tetraarylquinolin‐4(1H)‐ones. Sonogashira cross‐coupling of the 2,6,8‐triaryl‐3‐iodoquinolin‐4(1H)‐ones with terminal acetylene in DMF–water (4:1, v/v) in the presence of triethylamine, on the other hand, afforded the 2‐substituted 4,6,8‐triaryl‐1H‐furo[3,2‐c]quinolines in a single‐pot operation.
An Organocatalyzed Efficient One‐pot Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies of 4,4′‐(Arylmethylene)bis‐(3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐ols)
Authors: Mahajan Pravin S. , Nikam Mukesh D. , Khedkar Vijay , Jha Prakash , Badadhe Pravin V. , Gill Charansingh H.
Published: May 2016

The synthesis of 4,4′‐(arylmethylene)bis‐(3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐ol) derivatives catalyzed by ʟ‐proline is a simple, versatile, and efficient method. In vitro antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities of compounds 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j were studied. Furthermore, to rationalize the observed anti‐inflammatory activity data, molecular docking study has been performed against COX‐2 enzyme which revealed a good binding affinity for these molecules and could provide an insight into the various bonded and non‐bonded interactions guiding their binding affinity.
Acute pancreatitis: New developments and strategies for the hospitalist
Authors: Dick John F. , Gardner Timothy B. , Merrens Edward J.
Published: May 2016

Acute pancreatitis (AP) remains the most common reason for hospital admission of all the gastrointestinal illnesses in the United States. Since the last narrative review in the Journal of Hospital Medicine in 2010, new developments in regard to diagnosis and classification, fluid resuscitation, antibiotic use, nutritional support, and management of complications have helped refine the approach and improve outcomes in this disease. Whereas there is still no proven pharmacologic therapy to specifically combat the inflammatory consequences of AP, recent interventions have led to increased survival, shorter length of stay, and more appropriate transfer criteria for pancreatitis patients. This case‐oriented review will highlight these developments and emphasize the primary role of the hospitalist in managing AP over the course of the admission. It will focus on when to coordinate with subspecialists, how to deliver effective yet efficient hospitalized care, and how to optimize appropriate discharge planning. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:724–729. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine
Spatio‐temporal variations of black carbon and optical properties in a regional climate model
Authors: Srivastava Rohit , Bran Sherin H.
Published: May 2016

The spatio‐temporal variation in black carbon (BC) mass concentration and total aerosol optical properties simulated from regional climate model RegCM Versions 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5 are investigated and compared with in situ and remote sensing measurements. Higher BC mass concentrations (>3 µg m−3) are found over the Indo‐Gangetic Basin (IGB) in all versions. BC mass in RegCM 4.4 and 4.5 are closer to observations. BC mass estimated from RegCM 4.4 and 4.5 is found to agree within 20% with respect to observation during pre‐monsoon and monsoon seasons. The differences in observed and simulated mass are >50% during winter over all locations and during winter and post‐monsoon over western India, which suggests the need of improvement in emission inventory over the region, as emissions from the biofuel and crop residue burning in agriculture are very low in the emission inventories. RegCM 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5‐simulated aerosol optical depths (AODs) are found to have more than 40% underestimation during winter and the post‐monsoon over Kanpur, while 4.3 overestimates AOD during the pre‐monsoon and monsoon seasons over Kanpur, and during all seasons except winter over Gandhi College. Single scattering albedo (SSA) values range from 0.75 to 0.95 in 4.4 and 4.5. Lower SSA values are found over the IGB where anthropogenic emissions dominate. SSA simulated by RegCM 4.4 and 4.5 are lowered by 2–10% with respect to aerosol robotic network (AERONET)‐derived SSA. Moreover, during winter such differences are higher (>10%). The RegCM 4.4 and 4.5‐simulated BC mass concentrations are nearer to observations, while for columnar optical properties, RegCM 4.3 is more close to measurement. BC mass is 10–30% closer to observations when model for ozone and related chemical tracers‐chemical transport model chemical boundary condition are utilized in addition to CAM + EC‐EARTH.
Is the photometric method using acetone extracts to determine chlorophyll concentrations applicable to Mg‐deficient plants?
Authors: Jung Stephan , Krippner Johanna , Schubert Sven
Published: May 2016

A conventional photometric method to determine chlorophyll concentrations in maize leaves was evaluated. It was tested whether in Mg‐deficient plant tissue the addition of MgCO3 during pigment extraction converts protoporphyrin IX into chlorophyll, falsifying concentration measurements. The non‐destructive N‐tester was used as a reference for the destructive chlorophyll determination. It is shown that both methods are valid for the determination of chlorophyll concentration in Mg‐deficient leaves.
Single‐Electron Transfer in σ‐Complexation Reactions of 2,6‐Dimethoxy‐3,5‐dinitropyridine with Para‐X‐phenoxide Anions in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Mahdhaoui Faouzi , Dhahri Nejeh , Boubaker Taoufik
Published: May 2016

Second‐order rate constants have been measured spectrophotometrically for reactions of 2,6‐dimethoxy‐3,5‐dinitropyridine 1 with 4‐X‐substituted phenoxide anions (X = OMe, Me, H, Cl, and CN) 2a–e in aqueous solution at various temperatures. The effect of phenoxide substituents on the reaction rate was examined quantitatively on the basis of kinetic measurements, leading to nonlinear correlations of Δ≠H and Δ≠S with Hammett's substituent constants (σ). Each Hammett plots exhibits two intersecting straight lines for the reactions of 1 with the phenoxide anions 2a–e, whereas the Yukawa–Tsuno plots for the same reactions are linear. The large negative ρ values (−4.03 to −3.80) obtained for the reactions of 1 with the phenoxide anions possessing an electron‐donating group supports the proposal that the reactions proceed through a single‐electron transfer mechanism.
Liver disease in patients undergoing head and neck surgery: Incidence and risk for postoperative complications
Authors: Cramer John D. , Patel Urjeet A. , Samant Sandeep , Yang Amy , Smith Stephanie Shintani
Published: May 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

Head and neck cancer patients have multiple risk factors for liver disease. However, little is known about the incidence of liver disease or the safety of surgery in these patients.

Study Design

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program from 2005 to 2013.

Methods

We identified patients undergoing head and neck surgery and excluded them if preoperative laboratory data were missing. Patients were classified as having liver disease if their preoperative aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index was ≥ 0.7, and as having advanced liver disease if their Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease‐Sodium score was ≥ 10. We compared the rate of postoperative complications using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Among 19,138 eligible patients, the incidence of any degree of liver disease was 6.8% for aerodigestive tract surgery and 3.3% for controls. The 30‐day mortality rate after major head and neck surgery, which included composite resection; free tissue transfer; and total laryngectomy with advanced, mild, and no liver disease, was 14.6%, 3.0%, and 0.9%, respectively (P < 0.001). For nonmajor surgery, the mortality rate was 3.0%, 0.3%, and 0.3%, respectively (P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, patients with advanced liver disease experienced a six‐fold higher rate of 30‐day mortality (odds ratio 6.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.9–12.8).

Conclusion

There is a high risk to detect liver disease in patients undergoing head and neck surgery of the aerodigestive tract. Those with advanced liver disease are at high risk for perioperative mortality, and this risk should be judiciously considered in medical/surgical decision making and postoperative care.

Level of Evidence

2c. Laryngoscope, 127:102–109, 2017
Identification and characterization of ovary development‐related protein EJO1 (Eri s 2) from the ovary of Eriocheir sinensis as a new food allergen
Authors: Zhu Lina , She Tiantian , Zhang Yingying , Li Shaoshen , Xu Zixian , Yan Juanjuan , Li Huiqiang
Published: May 2016

Scope

Crab is a major source of shellfish allergens. Most studies have focused on allergens in crab muscle (CM) rather than on allergens in crab ovary (CO). This study aimed to identify potential allergens in CO from Eriocheir sinensis.

Methods and results

Dot blot and immunoblotting results revealed the differential reactivity of CM and CO extracts to positive sera from patients allergic to crabs. Four CO proteins showed good specific IgE‐binding activities in 2‐DE/immunoblotting analysis; mass spectrometry identified the proteins as hemocyanin, vitellogenin, ovary development‐related protein EJO1and EJO2. The recently identified allergen EJO1 is named ‘Eri s 2’ in the World Health Organization and International Union of Immunological Societies (WHO/IUIS) allergen nomenclature database. Recombinant Eri s 2 exhibited good reactivity to positive sera, and pre‐incubation with recombinant Eri s 2 abrogated the reactivity of positive sera from two patients to CO in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, co‐incubation of recombinant Eri s 2 with patient basophils dose‐dependently promoted basophil activation, confirming the biological activity of Eri s 2.

Conclusion

CO tissue is an important allergen source, and Eri s 2 is a new crab allergen. This study provides insights that will be useful for component‐resolved diagnostics for crab allergy.
Dry‐cured ham tissue characterization by fast field cycling NMR relaxometry and quantitative magnetization transfer
Authors: Bajd Franci , Gradišek Anton , Apih Tomaž , Serša Igor
Published: May 2016

Fast field cycling (FFC) and quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) NMR methods are two powerful tools in NMR analysis of biological tissues. The qMT method is well established in biomedical NMR applications, while the FFC method is often used in investigations of molecular dynamics on which longitudinal NMR relaxation times of the investigated material critically depend. Despite their proven analytical potential, these two methods were rarely used in NMR studies of food, especially when combined together. In our study, we demonstrate the feasibility of a combined FFC/qMT‐NMR approach for the fast and nondestructive characterization of dry‐curing ham tissues differing by protein content. The characterization is based on quantifying the pure quadrupolar peak area (area under the quadrupolar contribution of dispersion curve obtained by FFC‐NMR) and the restricted magnetization pool size (obtained by qMT‐NMR). Both quantities correlate well with concentration of partially immobilized, nitrogen‐containing and proton magnetization exchanging muscle proteins. Therefore, these two quantities could serve as potential markers for dry‐curing process monitoring. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A locking‐free nine‐DOF triangular plate element with incompatible approximation
Authors: Cai Yongchang , Zhu Hehua
Published: May 2016

In this paper, a simple locking‐free triangular plate element, labeled here as Mindlin‐type triangular plate element with nine degrees of freedom (MTP9), is presented. The element employs an incompatible approximation with nine degrees of freedom (DOFs) independent of the nodes and the shape of the triangle to define the displacements u/v/w(which is similar to a general solid element) along the x/y/z axes. It is free of shear locking, has a proper rank, and provides stable solutions for thick and thin plates. Moreover, the paper provides a new way to develop simple and efficient locking‐free thick–thin‐plate/shell elements. A variety of numerical examples demonstrate the convergence, accuracy, and robustness of the present element MTP9. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparative study of poly(l‐lactide)‐block‐poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) six‐armed star diblock copolymers and polylactide/poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) blends
Authors: Konwar Debanga Bhusan , Jacob Josemon , Satapathy Bhabani K
Published: May 2016

This paper deals with the synthesis of a series of six‐armed star diblock copolymers based on poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA) and poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) (PCL) by ring‐opening polymerization using stannous octoate as catalyst and the preparation of polylactide (PLA)/PCLlinear blends using a solution blending technique, while keeping thePLA‐to‐PCLratio comparable in both systems. The thermal, rheological and mechanical properties of the copolymers and the blends were comparatively studied. The melting point and the degree of crystallinity were found to be lower for the copolymers than the blends due to poor folding property of star copolymers. Dynamic rheology revealed that the star polymers have lower elastic modulus, storage modulus and viscosity as compared to the corresponding blends with similar composition. The blends show two‐phase dispersed morphology whereas the copolymers exhibited microphase separated morphology with elongated (worm‐like) microdomains. The crystalline structures of the copolymers were characterized by larger crystallites than their blend counterparts, as estimated using Sherrer's equation based on wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction data. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Novel carboxyl functional spherical electromagnetic polypyrrole nanocomposite polymer particles with good magnetic and conducting properties
Authors: Ahmad Hasan , Ali Mohammad A , Rahman Mohammad M , Alam Mohammad A , Tauer Klaus , Minami Hideto , Shabnam Rukhsana
Published: May 2016

Magnetic conducting nanoparticles with reactive functional groups are attractive materials for applications in electromagnetic interference shielding, magneto‐optical storage, biomedical sensing, gas and humidity sensors, flexible electronics etc. The objective of this work was to prepare carboxyl functionalized polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomposite particles having good magnetic properties. Electromagnetic PPy nanostructures, abbreviated as PPy/γ‐Fe2O3, were first prepared by a chemical one‐step method. In this reaction process FeCl3 is used as an oxidant for the polymerization of pyrrole and as a source of Fe3+ for the formation of γ‐Fe2O3. The formation of γ‐Fe2O3 is also aided by the initial presence of Fe2+, and p‐toluenesulfonic acid (p‐TSA) acted as a dopant. The effects of different stabilizers on the stability and morphology of PPy/γ‐Fe2O3 particles were evaluated. The presence of citric acid/sodium dodecyl sulfate during chemical oxidative polymerization produced a relatively stable PPy/γ‐Fe2O3 colloidal emulsion. PPy/γ‐Fe2O3/poly(methylmethacrylate‐methacrylic acid) (PPy/γ‐Fe2O3/P(MMA‐MAA)) nanocomposite polymer particles were then prepared by the seeded copolymerization of MMA and MAA in the presence of magnetic PPy/γ‐Fe2O3 nanocomposite seed particles. The structure and morphology of the prepared nanocomposites were confirmed by different instrumental techniques such as Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, UV−visible spectroscopy, electron micrographs, XRD and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrical and magnetic properties were also investigated. The carboxyl functional electromagnetic PPy nanocomposite polymer particles should be useful for the immobilization of drugs or biomolecules to design electrically stimulated drug delivery systems for modulating the activities of nerve, cardiac, skeletal muscle and bone cells. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Recent advances in magnetic hydrogels
Authors: Zhang Junxue , Huang Qiutong , Du Jianzhong
Published: May 2016

Smart hydrogels that respond to magnetic fields have attracted increasing interest in recent years. This is as a result of their numerous potential applications such as tunable delivery vehicles, magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents, hyperthermal therapy agents, etc. In this review, we summarize the methods for preparing magnetic hydrogels. Then we give an overview of magnetic hydrogels with various applications. Finally, the current limitations in the preparation and application of magnetic hydrogels are discussed and perspectives will be proposed for the next generation of hydrogels. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Exploring amino acid‐tethered polymethacrylates as CO2‐sensitive macromolecules: A concealed property
Authors: Bauri Kamal , Pan Abhishek , Haldar Ujjal , Narayanan Amal , De Priyadarsi
Published: May 2016

Carbon dioxide (CO2)‐responsive polymers have been gaining considerable interest because of their reactions with CO2, giving rise to gas‐switchable properties, which can easily be reversed by mild heating or purging with inert gases. Herein, the synthesis of a series of side‐chain amino acids (alanine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan) appending poly(meth)acrylates carrying primary amine (NH2) groups via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization method was reported. It was found that alanine, leucine, isoleucine containing polymers displayed solubility–insolubility transition behavior and their associated property changes (solution transmittance, electrical conductivity, pH, zeta potential, and hydrodynamic diameter) in water upon alternate bubbling of CO2/N2 at room temperature. Among the three CO2‐sensitive polymers only leucine based macromolecule was further chain extended with a thermoresponsive motif, di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (DEGMMA), via RAFT polymerization. CO2‐tunable lower critical solution temperature and self‐assembling behavior of the diblock copolymer was carefully examined by UV–vis, 1H NMR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and field emission‐scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) to establish dual thermo and gas‐tunable flip–flop micellizaion from the as‐synthesized block copolymer. Formation of polyammonium methacrylate bearing bicarbonate as counter anion is responsible for pendant primary amine containing polymer induced CO2‐responsiveness. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 2794–2803
Design of free‐standing microstructured conducting polymer films for enhanced particle removal from non‐uniform surfaces
Authors: Laster Jennifer S. , Deom Nicholas A. , Beaudoin Stephen P. , Boudouris Bryan W.
Published: May 2016

Efficient removal of particles from topologically‐complex surfaces is of significant import for a range of applications (e.g., explosive residue removal in security arenas). Here, we synthesize next‐generation polymeric particle removal swabs with tuned structural features to elucidate the influence of the polymer microstructure on the removal of trace particles from surfaces. Specifically, microstructured free‐standing films of the conducting polymer polypyrrole (PPy) were synthesized through template‐assisted electropolymerization techniques. The removal of polystyrene microspheres from representative aluminum surfaces of varying roughness was evaluated as a function of the PPy microstructure. PPy‐based microstructured swabs displayed increased particle trapping properties relative to non‐textured PPy‐based swabs and current commercial swabs. This increased effectiveness occurred from the more intimate particle‐swab contact, leading to increased van der Waals interactions for the microstructured swabs. Therefore, this effort provides critical design rules for the production of microstructured conducting polymer materials for their application toward advanced particle removal technologies. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 1968–1974
Correlation of sapphire off‐cut and reduction of defect density in MOVPE grown AlN [Phys. Status Solidi B 253, 809–813 (2016)]
Authors: Knauer Arne , Mogilatenko Anna , Hagedorn Silvia , Enslin Johannes , Wernicke Tim , Kneissl Michael , Weyers Markus
Published: May 2016

The authors would like to correct Fig. of their article in Phys. Status Solidi B 253, No. 5 (2016). Due to a regrettable error, the published Fig. is the duplicate of Fig. 2 which was overlooked during proof reading.
Barrier Coverage
Authors: Balister Paul , Bollobás Béla , Sarkar Amites
Published: May 2016

Suppose sensors are deployed randomly in a long thin strip, and suppose each sensor can detect objects within a fixed distance. We say that the sensors achieve barrier coverage if there is no path across the strip that a small object can follow that avoids detection by the sensors. We give fairly precise results on the probability that barrier coverage is achieved as a function of the range of the sensors, the height and length of the strip, and the number of sensors deployed. In particular, we show that the most likely obstruction—a rectangular region crossing the strip which is devoid of sensors—does not in general dominate the probability of failure of barrier coverage. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 49, 429–478, 2016
A conditional estimating equation approach for recurrent event data with additional longitudinal information
Authors: Shen Ye , Huang Hui , Guan Yongtao
Published: May 2016

Recurrent event data are quite common in biomedical and epidemiological studies. A significant portion of these data also contain additional longitudinal information on surrogate markers. Previous studies have shown that popular methods using a Cox model with longitudinal outcomes as time‐dependent covariates may lead to biased results, especially when longitudinal outcomes are measured with error. Hence, it is important to incorporate longitudinal information into the analysis properly. To achieve this, we model the correlation between longitudinal and recurrent event processes using latent random effect terms. We then propose a two‐stage conditional estimating equation approach to model the rate function of recurrent event process conditioned on the observed longitudinal information. The performance of our proposed approach is evaluated through simulation. We also apply the approach to analyze cocaine addiction data collected by the University of Connecticut Health Center. The data include recurrent event information on cocaine relapse and longitudinal cocaine craving scores. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interphase Induced Dynamic Self‐Stiffening in Graphene‐Based Polydimethylsiloxane Nanocomposites
Authors: Cao Linlin , Wang Yanlei , Dong Pei , Vinod Soumya , Tijerina Jaime Taha , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Xu Zhiping , Lou Jun
Published: May 2016

The ability to rearrange microstructures and self‐stiffen in response to dynamic external mechanical stimuli is critical for biological tissues to adapt to the environment. While for most synthetic materials, subjecting to repeated mechanical stress lower than their yield point would lead to structural failure. Here, it is reported that the graphene‐based polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposite, a chemically and physically cross‐linked system, exhibits an increase in the storage modulus under low‐frequency, low‐amplitude dynamic compressive loading. Cross‐linking density statistics and molecular dynamics calculations show that the dynamic self‐stiffening could be attributed to the increase in physical cross‐linking density, resulted from the re‐alignment and re‐orientation of polymer chains along the surface of nano‐fillers that constitute an interphase. Consequently, the interfacial interaction between PDMS‐nano‐fillers and the mobility of polymer chain, which depend on the degree of chemical cross‐linking and temperature, are important factors defining the observed performance of self‐stiffening. The understanding of the dynamic self‐stiffening mechanism lays the ground for the future development of adaptive structural materials and bio‐compatible, load‐bearing materials for tissue engineering applications.