bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Degradation Efficiency of Textile and Wood Processing Industry Wastewater by Photocatalytic Process Using In Situ Ultrafiltration Membrane
Authors: Doruk Nurdan , Yatmaz Hüseyin Cengiz , Dizge Nadir
Published: June 2015

The hybrid membrane photocatalytic reactor (MPR) in this study was constructed by submerging a flat polyethersulfone membrane module into a ZnO or TiO2 slurry photocatalytic reactor for raw wastewater treatment. The short and long term MPR performance was investigated for the degradation of textile and wood processing industry wastewater. The different operational parameters such as the catalyst type, catalyst loading, initial wastewater concentration, light type, and semiconductor powder type affecting the performance of the reactor were initially evaluated using a batch system without a membrane module. After the optimization of the operating conditions, the long term studies were performed by the MPR. Nearly 100% color and 30–55% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal could be reached at a hydraulic retention time of 6 h for both wastewater effluents. Moreover, reverse osmosis experiments were applied on MPR ultrafiltration effluent for further COD removal and up to 88% COD removal efficiency could be obtained. The color and organic matter degradation efficiency showed that the catalyst can be reused effectively in MPR. In this hybrid design, the membrane module served also as a separator which is very advantageous in keeping catalyst powder in suspension during the operation. The results indicated that the effluent water can be used as process water in the industry.
Temporal Variation of Bed Load to Suspended Load Ratio in Kojour River, Iran
Authors: Sadeghi Seyed Hamidreza , Kheirfam Hossein
Published: June 2015

Analysis of the river sediment transport variability under different temporal and hydrological conditions is important in hydraulics, hydrological, and soil and water conservation science and engineering. However, few studies have been conducted to study bed load (BL) and consequently BL to suspended load (SL) relationships and temporal variation of this ratio. The present study was, therefore, conducted to evaluate the temporal variation of the BL–SL ratio in the main river of the Educational and Research Forest Watershed of Tarbiat Modares University (Kojour), Iran. BL, SL, and discharge were simultaneously measured from July 2011 to June 2012, under different hydrological conditions, at a flume located at the main outlet of the watershed. The BL–SL ratios were then analyzed under different conditions, which showed that the discharge, SL, BL, and BL–SL ratio during the study period varied between 60 and 780 L s−1, 2 and 2786 mg L−1, 0.0005 and 13 mg L−1, and 0.01–8.1%, respectively. The mean ratios of the BL–SL ratio in summer, autumn, winter, and spring were 0.16, 0.86, 4.6, and 0.8%, respectively, with standard deviations of 0.067, 0.95, 2.73, and 0.56%, respectively. The mean ratio of BL–SL was about 1%, which is very low compared to figures off‐reported. Flow discharge, precipitation, and sand and gravel mining were also recognized as important factors affecting the temporal variability of BL–SL ratio in the study area.
Ultrasound‐Assisted Emulsification‐Microextraction With In Situ Derivatization and Gas Chromatography‐Electron‐Capture Detection for Determination of Chlorophenols in Water
Authors: Aydın Senar , Tor Ali , Aydın Mehmet Emin , Beduk Fatma
Published: June 2015

A new method, ultrasound‐assisted emulsification–microextraction (USAEME) with in situ derivatization and gas chromatography‐electron‐capture (GC‐μ‐ECD) detection, was developed to determine selected chlorophenols (CPs), including 2‐chlorophenol, 2,6‐dichlorophenol, 2,4,5‐trichlorophenol, 2,3,4,6‐tetrachlorophenol, and pentachlorophenol in water and wastewater samples. Initially the suitable solvent was determined and amount of derivatization reagent (acetic anhydride) and K2CO3, other experimental variables involving extraction and derivatization time, volume of extraction solvent and sample ionic strength, were optimized employing a 23 factorial experimental design. The developed method employed 100 μL of chloroform as extraction solvent, extraction with in situ derivatization for 10 min using 100 µL of acetic anhydride and 100 µL K2CO3 (5%, w/v) for 5 mL samples at 25°C with no ionic strength adjustment and centrifugation for 5 min at 4000 rpm. The average relative recoveries under optimum conditions were >97% with relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤5% for three different spiking levels (5, 20, and 100 μg L‐1). The limits of detection for studied CPs were in the range of 0.007–0.011 μg L−1. The developed USAEME with in situ derivatization method was successfully applied to real water samples such as tap, dam water, and domestic wastewater. The developed method showed comparable efficiency with conventional liquid–liquid extraction‐derivatization coupled with GC‐μ‐ECD. The results demonstrated that the developed USAEME with in situ derivatization is simple, fast and reliable for determination of selected CPs in water samples by GC‐μ‐ECD.
A more accurate tuning‐matching technique for NMR probes using wobulation and variable phase shifter
Authors: Ferrand Guillaume , Luong Michel , Huber Gaspard , Desvaux Hervé
Published: June 2015

For optimizing sensitivity and RF excitation, high resolution NMR probes have to be tuned at the Larmor frequency and matched to 50 Ω‐transmission lines to which they are connected. For achieving this setting, one usually resorts to the wobulation function which consists in sweeping the frequency of the power source while monitoring and minimizing the reflected power taken from a directional coupler through adjusting the tuning and matching capacitors. However, the presence of a transmission‐reception switch between the directional coupler and the probe leads to the appearance of extra loss and reactance, and affects the determined values of the previous mentioned capacitors. Even if this situation is usually satisfactory, the true tuning‐matching condition is required for optimal NMR sensitivity and for reliable spectra analyses when nonlinear effects are present (radiation damping, spin‐noise experiments, etc.). To circumvent the need of network analyzer directly attached to the probe for finding this optimal tuning‐matching condition, in the current work, we report a procedure which combines wobulation and choice of a transmission‐line phase shift obtained by a variable phase shifter inserted between the probe and the switch. The technique was successfully validated with help of a network analyzer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 45B: 59–68, 2015
Ultra‐small Palladium Nanoparticle Decorated Carbon Nanotubes: Conductivity and Reactivity
Authors: Li Xiuting , Batchelor‐McAuley Christopher , Tschulik Kristina , Shao Lidong , Compton Richard G.
Published: June 2015

Carbon nanotubes decorated with ultra‐small metal nanoparticles are of great value in catalysis. We report that individual multiwalled carbon nanotubes decorated with ultra‐small palladium nanoparticles can be detected by using the nano‐impacts method. The high conductivity and reactivity of each decorated carbon nanotube is directly evidenced; this is achieved through studying the proton‐reduction reaction for the underpotential deposition of hydrogen onto the nanoparticles decorated on the carbon nanotube walls. The reductive spikes from current amplification are analyzed to estimate the approximate length of the decorated carbon nanotubes, revealing that the decorated carbon nanotubes are electroactive along its entire length of several micrometers.
Pediatric microdose and microtracer studies using 14C in Europe
Authors: Turner MA , Mooij MG , Vaes WHJ , Windhorst AD , Hendrikse NH , Knibbe CAJ , Kõrgvee LT , Maruszak W , Grynkiewicz G , Garner RC , Tibboel D , Park BK , de Wildt SN
Published: June 2015

Important information gaps remain on the efficacy and safety of drugs in children. Pediatric drug development encounters several ethical, practical, and scientific challenges. One barrier to the evaluation of medicines for children is a lack of innovative methodologies that have been adapted to the needs of children. This article presents our successful experience of pediatric microdose and microtracer studies using 14C‐labeled probes in Europe to illustrate the strengths and limitations of these approaches.
Microdosing Studies in Children: A US Regulatory Perspective
Authors: Roth‐Cline M , Nelson RM
Published: June 2015

Microdosing studies in children are used to obtain pharmacokinetic information, to study the ontogeny of metabolic enzymes, or to study drug disposition.
Challenges in childhood tuberculosis
Authors: Swaminathan S. , Ramachandran G.
Published: June 2015

While tuberculosis (TB) typically causes respiratory disease in adults, the spectrum of disease is different in children, ranging from paucibacillary lymphadenitis or limited intrathoracic disease to severe disseminated disease. Diagnosing pediatric TB and monitoring treatment response is challenging, as collecting respiratory specimens is difficult in children and disease may be extrapulmonary. While basic principles of treatment are similar to adults, developmental differences in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics require that drug dosages in children be adjusted for body weight and age.
A new parallel ZVS converter with less power switches and low current stress components
Authors: Lin Bor‐Ren , Chu Chung‐Wei
Published: June 2015

A new direct current (DC)/DC converter with parallel circuits is presented for medium voltage and power applications. There are five pulse‐width modulation circuits in the proposed converter to reduce current stress at low voltage side for high output current applications. These five circuits share the same power switches in order to reduce switch counts. To reduce the converter size, conduction loss, and voltage stress of power semiconductors, the series connections of power metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistor (MOSFET) with high switching frequency instead of insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) with low switching frequency are adopted. Thus, the voltage stress of MOSFETs is clamped at half of input voltage. The switched capacitor circuit is adopted to balance input split capacitor voltages. Asymmetric pulse‐width modulation scheme is adopted to generate the necessary switching signals of MOSFETs and regulate output voltage. Based on the resonant behavior at the transition interval of power switches, all MOSFETs are turned on under zero voltage switching from 50% load to 100% load. The circuit configuration, operation principle, converter performance, and design example are discussed in detail. Finally, experimental verifications with a 1.92 kW prototype are provided to verify the performance of the proposed converter. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extended plasma cannabinoid excretion in chronic frequent cannabis smokers during sustained abstinence and correlation with psychomotor performance
Authors: Karschner Erin L. , Swortwood Madeleine J. , Hirvonen Jussi , Goodwin Robert S. , Bosker Wendy M. , Ramaekers Johannes G. , Huestis Marilyn A.
Published: June 2015

Cannabis smoking increases motor vehicle accident risk. Empirically defined cannabinoid detection windows are important to drugged driving legislation. Our aims were to establish plasma cannabinoid detection windows in frequent cannabis smokers and to determine if residual cannabinoid concentrations were correlated with psychomotor performance. Twenty‐eight male chronic frequent cannabis smokers resided on a secure research unit for up to 33 days with daily blood collection. Plasma specimens were analyzed for Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11‐hydroxy‐THC (11‐OH‐THC), and 11‐nor‐9‐carboxy‐THC (THCCOOH) by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Critical tracking and divided attention tasks were administered at baseline (after overnight stay to ensure lack of acute intoxication) and after 1, 2, and 3 weeks of cannabis abstinence. Twenty‐seven of the twenty‐eight participants were THC‐positive at admission (median 4.2 µg/L). THC concentrations significantly decreased 24 h after admission, but were still ≥2 µg/L in 16 of the 28 participants 48 h after admission. THC was detected in 3 of 5 specimens on day 30. The last positive 11‐OH‐THC specimen was 15 days after admission. THCCOOH was measureable in 4 of 5 participants after 30 days of abstinence. Years of prior cannabis use significantly correlated with THC concentrations on admission, and days 7 and 14. Tracking error, evaluated by the Divided Attention Task, was the only evaluated psychomotor assessment significantly correlated with cannabinoid concentrations at baseline and day 8 (11‐OH‐THC only). Median THC was 0.3 µg/L in 5 chronic frequent cannabis smokers’ plasma samples after 30 days of sustained abstinence. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Detectability of landscape effects on recolonization increases with regional population density
Authors: Liman Anna‐Sara , Dalin Peter , Björkman Christer
Published: June 2015

Variation in population size over time can influence our ability to identify landscape‐moderated differences in community assembly. To date, however, most studies at the landscape scale only cover snapshots in time, thereby overlooking the temporal dynamics of populations and communities. In this paper, we present data that illustrate how temporal variation in population density at a regional scale can influence landscape‐moderated variation in recolonization and population buildup in disturbed habitat patches. Four common insect species, two omnivores and two herbivores, were monitored over 8 years in 10 willow short‐rotation coppice bio‐energy stands with a four‐year disturbance regime (coppice cycle). The population densities in these regularly disturbed stands were compared to densities in 17 undisturbed natural Salix cinerea (grey willow) stands in the same region. A time series approach was used, utilizing the natural variation between years to statistically model recolonization as a function of landscape composition under two different levels of regional density. Landscape composition, i.e. relative amount of forest vs. open agricultural habitats, largely determined the density of re‐colonizing populations following willow coppicing in three of the four species. However, the impact of landscape composition was not detectable in years with low regional density. Our results illustrate that landscape‐moderated recolonization can change over time and that considering the temporal dynamics of populations may be crucial when designing and evaluating studies at landscape level.
Reconciling actual and perceived rates of predation by domestic cats
Authors: McDonald Jennifer L. , Maclean Mairead , Evans Matthew R. , Hodgson Dave J.
Published: June 2015

The predation of wildlife by domestic cats (Felis catus) is a complex problem: Cats are popular companion animals in modern society but are also acknowledged predators of birds, herpetofauna, invertebrates, and small mammals. A comprehensive understanding of this conservation issue demands an understanding of both the ecological consequence of owning a domestic cat and the attitudes of cat owners. Here, we determine whether cat owners are aware of the predatory behavior of their cats, using data collected from 86 cats in two UK villages. We examine whether the amount of prey their cat returns influences the attitudes of 45 cat owners toward the broader issue of domestic cat predation. We also contribute to the wider understanding of physiological, spatial, and behavioral drivers of prey returns among cats. We find an association between actual prey returns and owner predictions at the coarse scale of predatory/nonpredatory behavior, but no correlation between the observed and predicted prey‐return rates among predatory cats. Cat owners generally disagreed with the statement that cats are harmful to wildlife, and disfavored all mitigation options apart from neutering. These attitudes were uncorrelated with the predatory behavior of their cats. Cat owners failed to perceive the magnitude of their cats' impacts on wildlife and were not influenced by ecological information. Management options for the mitigation of cat predation appear unlikely to work if they focus on “predation awareness” campaigns or restrictions of cat freedom.
c‐IAP ubiquitin protein ligase activity is required for 4‐1BB signaling and CD8+ memory T‐cell survival
Authors: Giardino Torchia Maria Letizia , Munitic Ivana , Castro Ehydel , Herz Jasmin , McGavern Dorian B. , Ashwell Jonathan D.
Published: June 2015

Cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (c‐IAP) 1 and 2 are widely expressed ubiquitin protein ligases that regulate a variety of cellular functions, including the sensitivity of T cells to costimulation. 4‐1BB is a TNF receptor family member that signals via a complex that includes TRAF family members and the c‐IAPs to upregulate NF‐κB and ERK, and has been implicated in memory T‐cell survival. Here, we show that effector and memory T cells from mice expressing a dominant negative E3‐inactive c‐IAP2 (c‐IAP2H570A) have impaired signaling downstream of 4‐1BB. When infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, unlike mice in which c‐IAPs were acutely downregulated by c‐IAP antagonists, the primary response of c‐IAP2H570A mice was normal. However, the number of antigen‐specific CD8+ but not CD4+ T cells declined more rapidly and to a greater extent in c‐IAP2H570A mice than in WT controls. Studies with T‐cell adoptive transfer demonstrated that the enhanced decay of memory cells was T‐cell intrinsic. Thus, c‐IAP E3 activity is required for 4‐1BB coreceptor signaling and maintenance of CD8+ T‐cell memory.
Ruthenium Carboxylate Complexes as Efficient Catalysts for the Addition of Carboxylic Acids to Propargylic Alcohols
Authors: Jeschke Janine , Gäbler Christian , Korb Marcus , Rüffer Tobias , Lang Heinrich
Published: June 2015

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Heinrich Lang at the Technische Universität Chemnitz, Germany. The cover image shows the atom‐economical and highly selective addition of carboxylic acids to propargylic alcohols to give β‐oxopropyl esters. This conversion is catalyzed by ruthenium complexes, represented by the skater in our picture.
A Theoretical Probe of Mechanistic Trichotomy in RhIII‐Catalyzed Annulation with Alkyne MIDA Boronates: Roles of Salt, Solvent, and Coupling Partner
Authors: Zhao Liu , Fang De‐Cai
Published: June 2015

A theoretical study of the role of added salts, solvent effects, and substrate scope for the RhIII‐catalyzed C–H activation and annulation of N‐(pivaloyloxy)benzamide and alkyne MIDA boronates has been performed by means of DFT calculations. Computationally, the high reactivity of terminal alkynyl MIDA boronates originates from the electronic stability of the sp3‐hybridized boronate. The critical role of Cu(OAc)2 as additive is such that it can be viewed as an intermediate catalyst, assisting the removal of the directing group and facilitating the conversion of RhI into RhIII in the intramolecular oxidative addition process. In contrast, AgOAc seems to have an opposite effect because it increases the activation free‐energy barrier for the migratory insertion step, retarding the chemical transformation and reducing the product yield. Solvent selectivity, regioselectivity and substituent effects have also been investigated.
Sequence‐specific nucleic acid mobility using a reversible block copolymer gel matrix and DNA amphiphiles (lipid‐DNA) in capillary and microfluidic electrophoretic separations
Authors: Wagler Patrick , Minero Gabriel Antonio S. , Tangen Uwe , de Vries Jan Willem , Prusty Deepak , Kwak Minseok , Herrmann Andreas , McCaskill John S.
Published: June 2015

Reversible noncovalent but sequence‐dependent attachment of DNA to gels is shown to allow programmable mobility processing of DNA populations. The covalent attachment of DNA oligomers to polyacrylamide gels using acrydite‐modified oligonucleotides has enabled sequence‐specific mobility assays for DNA in gel electrophoresis: sequences binding to the immobilized DNA are delayed in their migration. Such a system has been used for example to construct complex DNA filters facilitating DNA computations. However, these gels are formed irreversibly and the choice of immobilized sequences is made once off during fabrication. In this work, we demonstrate the reversible self‐assembly of gels combined with amphiphilic DNA molecules, which exhibit hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains attached to the nucleobase. This amphiphilic DNA, which we term lipid‐DNA, is synthesized in advance and is blended into a block copolymer gel to induce sequence‐dependent DNA retention during electrophoresis. Furthermore, we demonstrate and characterize the programmable mobility shift of matching DNA in such reversible gels both in thin films and microchannels using microelectrode arrays. Such sequence selective separation may be employed to select nucleic acid sequences of similar length from a mixture via local electronics, a basic functionality that can be employed in novel electronic chemical cell designs and other DNA information‐processing systems.
Neglected diseases prioritized in Brazil under the perspective of metabolomics: A review
Authors: Canuto Gisele A. B. , da Cruz Pedro L. R. , Faccio Andrea T. , Klassen Aline , Tavares Marina F. M.
Published: June 2015

This review article compiles in a critical manner literature publications regarding seven neglected diseases (ND) prioritized in Brazil (Chagas disease, dengue, leishmaniasis, leprosy, malaria, schistosomiasis, and tuberculosis) under the perspective of metabolomics. Both strategies, targeted and untargeted metabolomics, were considered in the compilation. The majority of studies focused on biomarker discovery for diagnostic purposes, and on the search of novel or alternative therapies against the ND under consideration, although temporal progression of the infection at metabolic level was also addressed. Tuberculosis, followed by schistosomiasis, malaria and leishmaniasis are the diseases that received larger attention in terms of number of publications. Dengue and leprosy were the least studied and Chagas disease received intermediate attention. NMR and HPLC–MS technologies continue to predominate among the analytical platforms of choice in the metabolomic studies of ND. A plethora of metabolites were identified in the compiled studies, with expressive predominancy of amino acids, organic acids, carbohydrates, nucleosides, lipids, fatty acids, and derivatives.
Separation of human, bovine, and porcine insulins, three very closely related proteins, by micellar electrokinetic chromatography
Authors: Lamalle Caroline , Roland Diane , Crommen Jacques , Servais Anne‐Catherine , Fillet Marianne
Published: June 2015

Human, bovine, and porcine insulins are small proteins with very closely related amino acid sequences, which makes their separation challenging. In this study, we took advantage of the high‐resolution power of CE, and more particularly of micellar electrokinetic chromatography, to separate those biomolecules. Among several surfactants, perfluorooctanoic acid ammonium salt was selected. Then, using a design of experiments approach, the optimal BGE composition was found to consist of 50 mM ammonium acetate pH 9.0, 65 mM perfluorooctanoic acid ammonium salt, and 4% MeOH. The three insulins could be separated within 12 min with a satisfactory resolution. This method could be useful to detect possible counterfeit pharmaceutical formulations. Indeed, it would be easy to determine if human insulin was replaced by bovine or porcine insulin.
Support students through completion by implementing best practices
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: June 2015

When Paul P. Marthers became associate vice chancellor for enrollment management and student success for the State University of New York in fall 2014, he was drawn to the job because he wanted to work in public education. He had spent his entire career working for private institutions and, as a first‐generation college student, was attracted to the system's mission of serving the public interest. He wanted a role with a greater focus on access.
Biosorption of cadmium metal ions on raw and chemically modified walnut shells
Authors: Gondhalekar Sachin C. , Shukla Sanjeev R.
Published: June 2015

The abundantly available agricultural waste product walnut shells were treated with alkali for enhancement in adsorptive capacity for Cd(II) ions. The raw walnut shells (RWS) and alkali treated walnut shells (AWS) were characterized for functional groups and morphological changes using FTIR and SEM analysis. The adsorption increased drastically between pH 2 and 6. The Langmuir isotherm model provided a better fit with the experimental data than Freundlich by giving high correlation coefficients. The biosorption capacity of RWS and AWS for Cd(II) ions was found to be 4.20 and 14.29 mg g−1, respectively. Dubinin–Radushkevich (D‐R) isotherm model was used to find out the mean adsorption energy. The adsorption followed pseudo‐second order kinetics, suggesting monolayer coverage and a chemisorption process. The thermodynamic parameters including change in free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH), and entropy (ΔS) were derived. Negative value of ΔG confirmed spontaneity of biosorption. Desorption efficiency showed no significant decrease till third cycle. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 1613–1619, 2015
Craving for Food in Virtual Reality Scenarios in Non‐Clinical Sample: Analysis of its Relationship with Body Mass Index and Eating Disorder Symptoms
Authors: Ferrer‐Garcia Marta , Gutierrez‐Maldonado Jose , Treasure Janet , Vilalta‐Abella Ferran
Published: June 2015

Virtual reality (VR) technology has been successfully used to study the influence of specific and contextual food‐related cues on emotional, cognitive and behavioural responses in patients with eating disorders (ED) and healthy controls. Following this research line, the present study assesses the effect on reported food craving of the type of food (low calorie versus high calorie) and the presence or absence of other people (private versus social context) in VR environments. Relationships between craving and body mass index (BMI) and ED symptoms are also explored. Eighty‐seven female students were exposed to four VR scenarios presented in random order: a low‐calorie kitchen, a high‐calorie kitchen, a low‐calorie restaurant and a high‐calorie restaurant. After 2 minutes of exposure to each virtual scenario, food craving was assessed. Repeated measures analyses of covariance were conducted to assess changes in food craving following exposure to the different VR environments. Time elapsed since the last meal was introduced as a covariate to control for responses produced by food deprivation. Correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were also conducted to assess the relationship between reported food craving and BMI and ED symptoms. Participants experienced higher levels of food craving after exposure to high‐calorie foods (in both the kitchen and restaurant environments) than after exposure to low‐calorie foods. Being alone in the kitchen or with friends in the restaurant had no effect on reported craving. Overall, neither BMI nor ED symptoms were related with reported food craving; only in the restaurant with low‐calorie food was a significant negative correlation found between BMI and food craving. The results suggest that cue exposure in virtual environments is an effective procedure for inducing food craving in healthy controls and may be useful as a research and therapeutic tool in clinical populations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Surface evolution of salt‐encrusted playas under extreme and continued dryness
Authors: Artieda Octavio , Davila Alfonso , Wierzchos Jacek , Buhler Peter , Rodríguez‐Ochoa Rafael , Pueyo Juan , Ascaso Carmen
Published: June 2015

Miocene continental saltpans are scattered in the Central Valley of the Atacama Desert, one of the driest regions on Earth. These evaporitic deposits are hydrologically inactive, and are detached from groundwater brines or aquifers. The surface of the saltpans, also known as salars, comprises desiccation polygons, commonly with nodular salt structures along their sides. The morphology and bulk mineralogy of salt polygons differs between and within salars, and the shape and internal structure of salt nodules varies between different polygon types. Based on field observation, and mineralogy and crystallography data, we generated a conceptual model for the genesis and evolution of these surface features, whereby rare rainfall events are responsible for the transformation of desiccation salt polygons and the initial formation of salt nodules along polygon borders. In addition, frequent, but less intense, deliquescence events further drive the evolution of salt nodules, resulting in a characteristic internal structure that includes laminations, and changes in porosity and crystal morphologies. As a result, and despite the extreme dryness, the surfaces of fossil salars are dynamic on timescales of several years to decades, in response to daily cycles in atmospheric moisture, and also to rare and meager rainfall events. We propose that fossil salars in the Atacama Desert represent an end stage in the evolution of evaporitic deposits under extreme and prolonged dryness. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nutritional composition of fufu analog flour produced from Cassava root (Manihot esculenta) and Cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) tuber
Authors: Bamidele Oluwaseun P. , Fasogbon Mofoluwaso B. , Oladiran Dolapo A. , Akande Ebunoluwa O.
Published: June 2015

Nutritional properties of fufu analog produced from co‐processing of cassava and cocoyam were studied. Cassava and cocoyam were fermented for 72 h, dried to obtain fufu flour. Proximate, functional, minerals, antinutritional factor, pasting properties, and sensory evaluation of various samples were determined. The results revealed that the moisture contents of the samples showed significant difference from control with values between 6.50 and 7.30%. The protein contents (1.68–4.98%), ash (1.84–4.01%), and crude fiber (1.42–4.56%) showed significant increase with increasing level of cocoyam, while the crude fat and carbohydrate reduced with increase in cocoyam. The minerals also increased with increase in cocoyam level with sample E having the highest value of Magnesium (32.15 mg/100 g). The antinutritional factors were very low and the pasting properties revealed the importance of cocoyam in the fufu analog produced. In conclusion, fufu produced from co‐processing of cassava and cocoyam has more nutritional qualities than the common fufu made from cassava alone.
Genome‐Wide Analysis of Gene‐Gene and Gene‐Environment Interactions Using Closed‐Form Wald Tests
Authors: Yu Zhaoxia , Demetriou Michael , Gillen Daniel L.
Published: June 2015

Despite the successful discovery of hundreds of variants for complex human traits using genome‐wide association studies, the degree to which genes and environmental risk factors jointly affect disease risk is largely unknown. One obstacle toward this goal is that the computational effort required for testing gene‐gene and gene‐environment interactions is enormous. As a result, numerous computationally efficient tests were recently proposed. However, the validity of these methods often relies on unrealistic assumptions such as additive main effects, main effects at only one variable, no linkage disequilibrium between the two single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a pair or gene‐environment independence. Here, we derive closed‐form and consistent estimates for interaction parameters and propose to use Wald tests for testing interactions. The Wald tests are asymptotically equivalent to the likelihood ratio tests (LRTs), largely considered to be the gold standard tests but generally too computationally demanding for genome‐wide interaction analysis. Simulation studies show that the proposed Wald tests have very similar performances with the LRTs but are much more computationally efficient. Applying the proposed tests to a genome‐wide study of multiple sclerosis, we identify interactions within the major histocompatibility complex region. In this application, we find that (1) focusing on pairs where both SNPs are marginally significant leads to more significant interactions when compared to focusing on pairs where at least one SNP is marginally significant; and (2) parsimonious parameterization of interaction effects might decrease, rather than increase, statistical power.
Powerful Set‐Based Gene‐Environment Interaction Testing Framework for Complex Diseases
Authors: Jiao Shuo , Peters Ulrike , Berndt Sonja , Bézieau Stéphane , Brenner Hermann , Campbell Peter T. , Chan Andrew T. , Chang‐Claude Jenny , Lemire Mathieu , Newcomb Polly A. , Potter John D. , Slattery Martha L. , Woods Michael O. , Hsu Li
Published: June 2015

Identification of gene‐environment interaction (G × E) is important in understanding the etiology of complex diseases. Based on our previously developed Set Based gene EnviRonment InterAction test (SBERIA), in this paper we propose a powerful framework for enhanced set‐based G × E testing (eSBERIA). The major challenge of signal aggregation within a set is how to tell signals from noise. eSBERIA tackles this challenge by adaptively aggregating the interaction signals within a set weighted by the strength of the marginal and correlation screening signals. eSBERIA then combines the screening‐informed aggregate test with a variance component test to account for the residual signals. Additionally, we develop a case‐only extension for eSBERIA (coSBERIA) and an existing set‐based method, which boosts the power not only by exploiting the G‐E independence assumption but also by avoiding the need to specify main effects for a large number of variants in the set. Through extensive simulation, we show that coSBERIA and eSBERIA are considerably more powerful than existing methods within the case‐only and the case‐control method categories across a wide range of scenarios. We conduct a genome‐wide G × E search by applying our methods to Illumina HumanExome Beadchip data of 10,446 colorectal cancer cases and 10,191 controls and identify two novel interactions between nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and MINK1 and PTCHD3.
Cholesterol‐induced astrocyte activation is associated with increased amyloid precursor protein expression and processing
Authors: Avila‐Muñoz Evangelina , Arias Clorinda
Published: June 2015

Cholesterol is essential for maintaining lipid raft integrity and has been regarded as a crucial regulatory factor for amyloidogenesis in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The vast majority of studies on amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism and amyloid β‐protein (Aβ) production have focused on neurons. The role of astrocytes remains largely unexplored, despite the presence of activated astrocytes in the brains of most patients with AD and in transgenic models of the disease. The role of cholesterol in Aβ production has been thoroughly studied in neurons and attributed to the participation of lipid rafts in APP metabolism. Thus, in this study, we analyzed the effect of cholesterol loading in astrocytes and analyzed the expression and processing of APP. We found that cholesterol exposure induced astrocyte activation, increased APP content, and enhanced the interaction of APP with BACE‐1. These effects were associated with an enrichment of ganglioside GM1‐cholesterol patches in the astrocyte membrane and with increased ROS production. GLIA 2015;63:2010–2022
Independent component analysis of functional networks for response inhibition: Inter‐subject variation in stop signal reaction time
Authors: Zhang Sheng , Tsai Shang‐Jui , Hu Sien , Xu Jiansong , Chao Herta H. , Calhoun Vince D. , Li Chiang‐Shan R.
Published: June 2015

Cognitive control is a critical executive function. Many studies have combined general linear modeling and the stop signal task (SST) to delineate the component processes of cognitive control. For instance, by contrasting stop success (SS) and stop error (SE) trials in the SST, investigators examined regional responses to stop signal inhibition. In contrast to this parameterized approach, independent component analysis (ICA) elucidates brain networks subserving cognitive control. In our earlier work of 59 adults performing the SST during fMRI, we characterized six independent components (ICs). However, none of these ICs correlated with stop signal performance, raising questions about their behavioral validity. Here, in a larger sample (n = 100), we identified and explored 23 ICs for correlation with the stop signal reaction time (SSRT), a measure of the efficiency of response inhibition. At a corrected threshold (P < 0.0005), a paracentral lobule‐midcingulate network and a left inferior parietal‐supplementary motor‐somatomotor network showed a positive correlation between SE beta weight and SSRT. In contrast, a midline cerebellum–thalamus–pallidum network showed a negative correlation between SE beta weight and SSRT. These findings suggest that motor preparation and execution prolongs the SSRT, likely via an interaction between the go and stop processes as suggested by the race model. Behaviorally, consistent with this hypothesis, the difference in G and SE reaction times is positively correlated with SSRT across subjects. These new results highlight the importance of cognitive motor regions in response inhibition and support the utility of ICA in uncovering functional networks for cognitive control in the SST. Hum Brain Mapp 36:3289–3302, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Measuring embeddedness: Hierarchical scale‐dependent information exchange efficiency of the human brain connectome
Authors: Ye Allen Q. , Zhan Liang , Conrin Sean , GadElKarim Johnson , Zhang Aifeng , Yang Shaolin , Feusner Jamie D. , Kumar Anand , Ajilore Olusola , Leow Alex
Published: June 2015

This article presents a novel approach for understanding information exchange efficiency and its decay across hierarchies of modularity, from local to global, of the structural human brain connectome. Magnetic resonance imaging techniques have allowed us to study the human brain connectivity as a graph, which can then be analyzed using a graph‐theoretical approach. Collectively termed brain connectomics, these sophisticated mathematical techniques have revealed that the brain connectome, like many networks, is highly modular and brain regions can thus be organized into communities or modules. Here, using tractography‐informed structural connectomes from 46 normal healthy human subjects, we constructed the hierarchical modularity of the structural connectome using bifurcating dendrograms. Moving from fine to coarse (i.e., local to global) up the connectome's hierarchy, we computed the rate of decay of a new metric that hierarchically preferentially weighs the information exchange between two nodes in the same module. By computing “embeddedness”‐the ratio between nodal efficiency and this decay rate, one could thus probe the relative scale‐invariant information exchange efficiency of the human brain. Results suggest that regions that exhibit high embeddedness are those that comprise the limbic system, the default mode network, and the subcortical nuclei. This supports the presence of near‐decomposability overall yet relative embeddedness in select areas of the brain. The areas we identified as highly embedded are varied in function but are arguably linked in the evolutionary role they play in memory, emotion and behavior. Hum Brain Mapp 36:3653–3665, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impaired planning in Parkinson's disease is reflected by reduced brain activation and connectivity
Authors: Trujillo James P. , Gerrits Niels J.H.M. , Vriend Chris , Berendse Henk W. , van den Heuvel Odile A. , van der Werf Ysbrand D.
Published: June 2015

Objective

Parkinson's disease (PD) often entails impairments of executive functions, such as planning. Although widely held that these impairments arise from dopaminergic denervation of the striatum, not all executive functions are affected early on, and the underlying neural dynamics are not fully understood. In a combined longitudinal and cross‐sectional study, we investigated how planning deficits progress over time in the early stages of PD compared to matched healthy controls. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify accompanying neural dynamics.

Methods

Seventeen PD patients and 20 healthy controls performed a parametric Tower of London task at two time points separated by ∼3 years (baseline and follow‐up). We assessed task performance longitudinally in both groups; at follow‐up, a subset of participants (14 patients, 19 controls) performed a parallel version of the task during fMRI. We performed meta‐analyses to localize regions‐of‐interest (ROIs), that is, the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), inferior parietal cortex, and caudate nucleus, and performed group‐by‐task analyses and within‐group regression analyses of planning‐related neural activation. We studied task‐related functional connectivity of seeds in the DLPFC and caudate nucleus.

Results

PD patients, compared with controls, showed impaired task performance at both time‐points, while both groups showed similar performance reductions from baseline to follow‐up. Compared to controls, patients showed lower planning‐related brain activation together with decreased functional connectivity.

Conclusion

These findings support the notion that planning is affected early in the PD disease course, and that this impairment in planning is accompanied by decreases in both task‐related brain activity and connectivity. Hum Brain Mapp 36:3703–3715, 2015. © 2015 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Organotin(IV) Carboxylates of Substitutedα‐Cinnamic Acid, RnSn(OCOC(R2)=CHR1)4 –n: Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization and Biological Evaluation
Authors: Sadiq‐ur‐Rehman   , Khan Bilal Ahmad , Chaudhary Muhammad Aziz , Yasin Khawaja Ansar , Ali Saqib
Published: June 2015

Di‐ and triorganotin(IV) carboxylates, RnSn(OCOC(R2)=CHR1)4–n(n= 2 and 3; R = Me, Et,n‐Bu, Ph; R1= 3‐CH3O‐4‐OHC6H3, R2= C6H5) were prepared by reacting the corresponding organotin(IV) chloride with the silver salt of the (E)‐3‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐phenylpropenoic acid. The title compounds were investigated and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (FT‐IR), multinuclear (1H,13C,119Sn) NMR, and mass spectrometry, and possible structures were proposed. The complexes and ligand acid (HL) have been evaluated in vitro against various bacteria and fungi. The results noticed during the biocidal activity screenings proved their in vitro biological potential. They were also tested for cytotoxicity.
Modelling Nonlinearities and Reference Dependence in General Practitioners' Income Preferences
Authors: Holte Jon Helgheim , Sivey Peter , Abelsen Birgit , Olsen Jan Abel
Published: June 2015

This paper tests for the existence of nonlinearity and reference dependence in income preferences for general practitioners. Confirming the theory of reference dependent utility within the context of a discrete choice experiment, we find that losses loom larger than gains in income for Norwegian general practitioners, i.e. they value losses from their current income level around three times higher than the equivalent gains. Our results are validated by comparison with equivalent contingent valuation values for marginal willingness to pay and marginal willingness to accept compensation for changes in job characteristics. Physicians' income preferences determine the effectiveness of ‘pay for performance’ and other incentive schemes. Our results may explain the relative ineffectiveness of financial incentive schemes that rely on increasing physicians' incomes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
4E Multi‐objective Optimization of Cogeneration Plant with Details Modeling of Recuperator
Authors: Hajabdollahi Hassan , Pourgholamali Najmeh
Published: June 2015

There are many works on improving the performance of a cogeneration plant such as the implementation of a recuperator. In previous works, the authors modelled a gas turbine cycle considering the recuperator as a black box. In this paper, a cogeneration plant is modeled and optimized with details of recuperator parameters. For this purpose, 13 design variables for a plant as well as a recuperator are selected. Then, a genetic algorithm is applied to optimize exergy efficiency and total cost rate, simultaneously. This work included Energy, Economy, and Environmental factors which with Exergy provided 4E analysis. A 36% decrease in total cost and a 33% increase in exergy efficiency in comparison with a simple gas turbine system were found. The above results for a gas turbine with a preheater and inlet cooling system reveal a 36% decrease in total cost and 35% increases in exergy efficiency. In addition, the optimum recuperator design parameters reveal that, higher effectiveness is more important than the investment cost. Moreover, a plant with higher exergy efficiency needs a recuperator with a lower pressure drop. Finally sensitivity analysis for variation of objectives functions with a change in fuel cost and interest rate are performed.
Observational and genetic plasma YKL‐40 and cancer in 96,099 individuals from the general population
Authors: Kjaergaard Alisa D. , Nordestgaard Børge G. , Johansen Julia S. , Bojesen Stig E.
Published: June 2015

Plasma YKL‐40 is high in patients with cancer and in individuals who later develop cancer. Whether YKL‐40 is only a marker or indeed a cause of cancer is presently unknown. We tested the hypothesis that observationally and genetically, high plasma YKL‐40 is associated with high risk of cancer. For this purpose, we performed cohort and Mendelian randomization studies in 96,099 individuals from the Danish general population. Plasma levels of YKL‐40 were measured in 21,643 and CHI3L1 rs4950928 was genotyped in 94,568 individuals. From 1943 through 2011, 2,291 individuals developed gastrointestinal cancer, 913 developed lung cancer, 2,863 women developed breast cancer, 1,557 men developed prostate cancer and 5,146 individuals developed other cancer. Follow‐up was 100% complete. Multifactorially and CRP adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for gastrointestinal cancer was 1.82 (95%CI, 1.16–2.86) for 96–100% versus 0–33% YKL‐40 percentile category. Corresponding HR were 1.71 (0.95–3.07) for lung cancer, but insignificant for breast cancer, prostate cancer and other cancers. CHI3L1 rs4950928 genotype was associated with plasmaYKL‐40 levels, but not with risk of any cancer category. For gastrointestinal cancer, a doubling in YKL‐40 was associated with a multifactorially and CRP adjusted observational HR of 1.14(1.05–1.23) for gastrointestinal cancer, but a corresponding genetic odds ratio of 1.06(0.94–1.18). For lung cancer, corresponding risk estimates were 1.11(1.00–1.22) observationally and 1.01(0.84–1.20) genetically. For other cancer categories, observational and genetic findings were insignificant. This study shows that high plasma YKL‐40 levels were associated with high risk of gastrointestinal and likely of lung cancer, but genetic high levels were not.