bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
2 D Self‐Assembly and Catalytic Homo‐coupling of the Terminal Alkyne 1,4‐Bis(3,5‐diethynyl‐phenyl)butadiyne‐1,3 on Ag(111)
Authors: Cirera Borja , Zhang Yi‐Qi , Klyatskaya Svetlana , Ruben Mario , Klappenberger Florian , Barth Johannes V.
Published: August 2013

The covalent linking of terminal alkynes is a promising approach for the bottom‐up fabrication of novel, carbon‐rich or all‐carbon materials, which was recently extended towards interfacial architectures. Here we report the synthesis of a novel organic species (1,4‐bis(3,5‐diethynylphenyl)butadiyne‐1,3) and employ it to engineer self‐assembled supramolecular layers and covalent networks on the Ag(111) surface. Samples are prepared in‐situ under ultra‐high vacuum conditions and examined at the molecular level with scanning tunneling microscopy. After evaporating the two‐fold symmetric molecule onto the substrate at temperatures below 300 K and subsequent cooling to 5 K we find highly regular supramolecular phases commensurate with the underlying silver surface and stabilized mainly by weak, non‐covalent interactions originating from the terminal ethynyl moieties. Annealing at temperatures between 350 and 500 K triggers catalytic conversions with the pertaining covalent coupling reactions resulting in small aggregates or irregular polymeric networks. Our detailed analysis of the binding motifs demonstrates that two competing reaction pathways dominate the covalent linking processes. The first is the Glaser–Hay‐type homo‐coupling of two alkyne terminations leading to a linear butadiyne bridge. The second is the connection of a butadiyne group to a laterally attacking terminal alkyne, converting the attacked ethyne to ethene moieties, which presents a major obstacle for the production of regular networks.
How Many Molecular Layers of Polar Solvent Molecules Control Chemistry? The Concept of Compensating Dipoles
Authors: Langhals Heinz , Braun Patricia , Dietl Christian , Mayer Peter
Published: August 2013

The extension of the solvent influence of the shell into the volume of a polar medium was examined by means of anti‐collinear dipoles on the basis of the ET(30) solvent polarity scale (i.e., the molar energy of excitation of a pyridinium‐N‐phenolatebetaine dye; generally: ET=28 591 nm kcal mol−1/λmax) where no compensation effects were found. As a consequence, solvent polarity effects are concentrated to a very thin layer of a few thousand picometres around the solute where extensions into the bulk solvent become unimportant. A parallelism to the thin surface layer of water to the gas phase is discussed.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of a Crystalline Rutile TiO2 Nanorod Based Network for Efficient Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Yu Hua , Pan Jian , Bai Yang , Zong Xu , Li Xinyong , Wang Lianzhou
Published: August 2013

One‐dimensional (1D) TiO2 nanostructures are desirable as photoanodes in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) due to their superior electron‐transport capability. However, making use of the DSSC performance of 1D rutile TiO2 photoanodes remains challenging, mainly due to the small surface area and consequently low dye loading. Herein, a new type of photoanode with a three‐dimensional (3D) rutile‐nanorod‐based network structure directly grown on fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates was developed by using a facile two‐step hydrothermal process. The resultant photoanode possesses oriented rutile nanorod arrays for fast electron transport as the bottom layer and radially packed rutile head‐caps with an improved large surface area for efficient dye adsorption. The diffuse reflectance spectra showed that with the radially packed top layer, the light‐harvesting efficiency was increased due to an enhanced light‐scattering effect. A combination of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), dark current, and open‐circuit voltage decay (OCVD) analyses confirmed that the electron‐recombiantion rate was reduced on formation of the nanorod‐based 3D network for fast electron transport. As a resut, a light‐to‐electricity conversion efficiency of 6.31 % was achieved with this photoanode in DSSCs, which is comparable to the best DSSC efficiencies that have been reported to date for 1D rutile TiO2.
Preparation and Functions of Hybrid Membranes with Rings of Ag NPs Anchored at the Edges of Highly Ordered Honeycomb‐Patterned Pores
Authors: Dong Renhao , Xu Jiaheng , Yang Zhefei , Wei Guangcheng , Zhao Wenrong , Yan Junlin , Fang Yu , Hao Jingcheng
Published: August 2013

We report a new, simple strategy to apply honeycomb films for the patterning of colloidal particles. By combination of a “bottom‐up” breath figure method and the electrochemical properties of the honeycomb films of ferrocenyl‐based oligomers, highly ordered hybrid membranes coated with ring‐like patterning of 0D‐ and 1D‐Ag nanoparticles (NPs) have been fabricated. One interesting phenomenon is that the nucleation and adsorption of Ag dots occurred preferentially at the edges of the micropores. The hybrid membranes exhibited richly electrochemical activities towards reduction of iodate and enhanced effectively catalytic reduction of organic dyes. We believe that this method can be used to decorate and/or assemble functional metal NPs such as Au, Pd, and Cu on honeycomb‐patterned materials for the further applications of photonics, sensors, and catalysis.
Complete fat suppression radiofrequency pulse train to remove both aliphatic and olefinic fats
Authors: Abe Takayuki
Published: August 2013

CHESS pulse can suppress the signal originating from aliphatic fat protons but cannot suppress the signal from olefinic fat protons, which is near the resonance frequency of water protons. Adipose tissue contains various fat species; aliphatic fat comprises about 90% and olefinic fat about 10% of adipose tissue. Thus, CHESS pulse cannot be used to suppress the signal from adipose tissue completely. The purpose of this study was to find a method to suppress the signal from adipose tissue completely. To achieve this, the Fatsat train pulse, created with an arbitrary flip angle (FA) and insensitive to B1 inhomogenity, was used. Because B1 inhomogenity is larger on higher field MRI, the fat suppression RF pulse needs to be B1‐insensitve. To find a way to suppress the signal from adipose tissues, the fraction of olefinic fat was investigated by varying the excitation frequency of the Fatsat train pulse. The presence of olefinic fat comprising about 10% of abdominal adipose tissue was identified. Complete fat suppression could be achieved by partial (10%) inversion of longitudinal aliphatic fat magnetization and by canceling out the two fat magnetizations. This technique may also be applied to several pulse sequences. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 42A: 109‐115, 2013.
Age‐related neurochemical changes in the rhesus macaque superior olivary complex
Authors: Gray Daniel T. , Engle James R. , Recanzone Gregg H.
Published: August 2013

Positive immunoreactivity to the calcium‐binding protein parvalbumin (PV) and nitric oxide synthase NADPH‐diaphorase (NADPHd) is well documented within neurons of the central auditory system of both rodents and primates. These proteins are thought to play roles in the regulation of auditory processing. Studies examining the age‐related changes in expression of these proteins have been conducted primarily in rodents but are sparse in primate models. In the brainstem, the superior olivary complex (SOC) is crucial for the computation of sound source localization in azimuth, and one hallmark of age‐related hearing deficits is a reduced ability to localize sounds. To investigate how these histochemical markers change as a function of age and hearing loss, we studied eight rhesus macaques ranging in age from 12 to 35 years. Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were obtained in anesthetized animals for click and tone stimuli. The brainstems of these same animals were then stained for PV and NADPHd reactivity. Reactive neurons in the three nuclei of the SOC were counted, and the densities of each cell type were calculated. We found that PV and NADPHd expression increased with both age and ABR thresholds in the medial superior olive but not in either the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body or the lateral superior olive. Together these results suggest that the changes in protein expression employed by the SOC may compensate for the loss of efficacy of auditory sensitivity in the aged primate. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:573–591, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Variable temporoinsular cortex neuroanatomy in primates suggests a bottleneck effect in eastern gorillas
Authors: Barks Sarah K. , Bauernfeind Amy L. , Bonar Christopher J. , Cranfield Michael R. , de Sousa Alexandra A. , Erwin Joseph M. , Hopkins William D. , Lewandowski Albert H. , Mudakikwa Antoine , Phillips Kimberley A. , Raghanti Mary Ann , Stimpson Cheryl D. , Hof Patrick R. , Zilles Karl , Sherwood Chet C.
Published: August 2013

We describe an atypical neuroanatomical feature present in several primate species that involves a fusion between the temporal lobe (often including Heschl's gyrus in great apes) and the posterior dorsal insula, such that a portion of insular cortex forms an isolated pocket medial to the Sylvian fissure. We assessed the frequency of this fusion in 56 primate species (including apes, Old World monkeys, New World monkeys, and strepsirrhines) by using either magnetic resonance images or histological sections. A fusion between temporal cortex and posterior insula was present in 22 species (seven apes, two Old World monkeys, four New World monkeys, and nine strepsirrhines). The temporoinsular fusion was observed in most eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei and G. b. graueri) specimens (62% and 100% of cases, respectively) but was seen less frequently in other great apes and was never found in humans. We further explored the histology of this fusion in eastern gorillas by examining the cyto‐ and myeloarchitecture within this region and observed that the degree to which deep cortical layers and white matter are incorporated into the fusion varies among individuals within a species. We suggest that fusion between temporal and insular cortex is an example of a relatively rare neuroanatomical feature that has become more common in eastern gorillas, possibly as the result of a population bottleneck effect. Characterizing the phylogenetic distribution of this morphology highlights a derived feature of these great apes. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:844–860, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Manipulating the Kinetics of Seeded Growth for Edge‐Selective Metal Deposition and the Formation of Concave Au Nanocrystals
Authors: Laskar Moitree , Zhong Xiaolan , Li Zhi‐Yuan , Skrabalak Sara E.
Published: August 2013

By manipulating the kinetics of seeded growth through judicious control of reaction conditions, edge‐selective metal deposition can be achieved to synthesize new Au nanostructures with face‐centered concavities, referred to herein as Au overgrown trisoctahedra. These nanostructures display higher sensitivity to changes in refractive index compared to both Au traditional trisoctahedra and the Au nanocube seeds from which they are grown. Often, concave nanostructures are achieved by selective etching processes or corner‐selective overgrowth and adopt a stellated profile rather than a profile with face‐centered concavities. The presented results illustrate another strategy toward concave nanostructures and can facilitate the synthesis of new concave nanostructures for applications in catalysis and chemical sensing.
An efficient cross layer based channel reservation method for vehicular networks
Authors: Saritha V. , Madhu Viswanatham V.
Published: August 2013

The swift growth of the mobile users and limited availability of bandwidth lead to the requirement of effective channel allocation process. Channel allocation becomes tedious in vehicular ad hoc network, as the mobility of the nodes is high. So, in this paper, we propose a method called as cross layer based channel reservation with preemption (CCRP) method that performs channel allocation process by estimating the handoffs in vehicular ad hoc networks. The time estimated is communicated from physical layer to medium access control layer using a cross‐layer design. The reusability concept is used, and the channels are divided into three groups. The different cells acquire different groups based on the database status and exclusively to avoid interference. Preemption is incorporated to give the highest priority to real time originating calls and real time handoff calls. The performance of the proposed method, CCRP, is compared with the legacy systems such as cooperative reservation of service channels and very fast handover scheme in terms of dropping probability, blocking probability, and handoff latency. The results show that the proposed algorithm, CCRP, performs better in comparison. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An improved anti‐collision protocol for radio frequency identification tag
Authors: Jia XiaoLin , Feng QuanYuan
Published: August 2013

Many anti‐collision protocols have been proposed at present. Almost all known protocols exhibit an overall identification efficiency smaller than 50%. And all of them are proposed for general purpose applications and do not consider the distribution characteristic of tag IDs in different radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. In real world, there are many RFID systems, in which the tag IDs are mostly distributed continuously, such as in container terminals, warehouse management, supply chain management, and so on. This paper presents an efficient anti‐collision protocol, named improved collision tree protocol (ICT), to identify RFID tags simultaneously. The main novelties of this paper include that the duality and certainty principle is introduced and used in ICT to improve the tag identification efficiency, and the continuous and partially continuous distributions of tag IDs are taken into account in this paper. Both the theoretical and experimental results indicate that ICT improves the tag identification efficiency up to 100% when the tag IDs are distributed continuously, and always above 50% even when the tag IDs are distributed uniformly. For straightforward and efficient, ICT can be used in various RFID tag identification conditions, especially when the tag IDs are distributed continuously or partially continuously. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Partitioning of the total evapotranspiration in a Japanese cypress plantation during the growing season
Authors: Sun Xinchao , Onda Yuichi , Kato Hiroaki , Otsuki Kyoichi , Gomi Takashi
Published: August 2013

We investigated the contribution of three evapotranspiration (ET) components including canopy interception (Ei), tree transpiration (Et) and forest floor evaporation (Ef) and identified the sources depth of evaporated water in a Japanese cypress stand. Monitoring primarily focused on the growing season of July–October 2011. In a 12 × 13 m plot with 28 trees with a DBH of 19.1 ± 3.9 cm, Ei was calculated as the difference between precipitation on an open field and precipitation under a canopy as the sum of throughfall and stemflow, and Et was measured using the Granier method. Ef was measured by weighing lysimeters. Total ET during the monitoring period was 446.3 mm, accounting for 47.5% of the total precipitation of 938.8 mm. Ei was the dominant evaporation flux and accounted for 53.6% of ET or 25.5% of rainfall, followed by Et with 33.7% of ET or 16.0% of rainfall. The average Et was 1.5 ± 0.6 mm d−1. It was well correlated with soil moisture at a depth of 5–15 cm, which reflected the forest properties, i.e. tree roots were exposed on the forest floor. Ef accounted for 12.7% of ET or 6.0% of rainfall with a daily mean of 0.55 ± 0.26 mm d−1, and was best correlated with soil moisture in the upper 5 cm of soil. These results can improve the understanding of water budget in forested watershed and also be used to build and validate hydrologic models for water resource managements. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contribution of microRNA 24–3p and Erk1/2 to interleukin‐6‐mediated plasma cell survival
Authors: Gabler Jessica , Wittmann Jürgen , Porstner Martina , Renz Harald , Jäck Hans‐Martin , Abram Melanie , Zemlin Michael
Published: August 2013

Plasma cells can survive for long periods and continuously secrete protective antibodies, but plasma cell production of autoantibodies or transformation to tumor cells is detrimental. Plasma cell survival depends on exogenous factors from the surrounding microenvironment, and largely unknown intracellular mediators that regulate cell homeostasis. Here we investigated the contribution of the microRNA 24–3p (miR‐24–3p) to the survival of human plasma cells under the influence of IL‐6 and SDF‐1α (stromal cell derived factor 1), both of which are bone marrow survival niche mediators. Deep sequencing revealed a strong expression of miR‐24–3p in primary B cells, plasma blasts, plasma cells, and in plasmacytoma cells. In vitro studies using primary cells and the plasmacytoma cell line RPMI‐8226 revealed that (i) expression of miR‐24–3p mediates plasma cell survival, (ii) miR‐24–3p is upregulated by IL‐6 and SDF‐1α, (iii) IL‐6 mediates cell survival under ER stress conditions via miR‐24–3p expression, and (iv) IL‐6‐induced miR‐24–3p expression depends on the activity of the MAP kinase Erk1/2. These results suggest a direct connection between an external survival signal and an intracellular microRNA in regulating plasma cell survival. miR‐24–3p could therefore be a promising target for new therapeutic strategies for autoimmune and allergic diseases and for multiple myeloma.
Moytirra: Discovery of the first known deep‐sea hydrothermal vent field on the slow‐spreading Mid‐Atlantic Ridge north of the Azores
Authors: Wheeler A. J. , Murton B. , Copley J. , Lim A. , Carlsson J. , Collins P. , Dorschel B. , Green D. , Judge M. , Nye V. , Benzie J. , Antoniacomi A. , Coughlan M. , Morris K.
Published: August 2013

Geological, biological, morphological, and hydrochemical data are presented for the newly discovered Moytirra vent field at 45oN. This is the only high temperature hydrothermal vent known between the Azores and Iceland, in the North Atlantic and is located on a slow to ultraslow‐spreading mid‐ocean ridge uniquely situated on the 300 m high fault scarp of the eastern axial wall, 3.5 km from the axial volcanic ridge crest. Furthermore, the Moytirra vent field is, unusually for tectonically controlled hydrothermal vents systems, basalt hosted and perched midway up on the median valley wall and presumably heated by an off‐axis magma chamber. The Moytirra vent field consists of an alignment of four sites of venting, three actively emitting “black smoke,” producing a complex of chimneys and beehive diffusers. The largest chimney is 18 m tall and vigorously venting. The vent fauna described here are the only ones documented for the North Atlantic (Azores to Reykjanes Ridge) and significantly expands our knowledge of North Atlantic biodiversity. The surfaces of the vent chimneys are occupied by aggregations of gastropods (Peltospira sp.) and populations of alvinocaridid shrimp (Mirocaris sp. with Rimicaris sp. also present). Other fauna present include bythograeid crabs (Segonzacia sp.) and zoarcid fish (Pachycara sp.), but bathymodiolin mussels and actinostolid anemones were not observed in the vent field. The discovery of the Moytirra vent field therefore expands the known latitudinal distributions of several vent‐endemic genera in the north Atlantic, and reveals faunal affinities with vents south of the Azores rather than north of Iceland.
Storm‐induced energization of radiation belt electrons: Effect of wave obliquity
Authors: Artemyev A. V. , Agapitov O. V. , Mourenas D. , Krasnoselskikh V. , Zelenyi L. M.
Published: August 2013

New Cluster statistics allow us to determine for the first time the variations of both the obliquity and intensity of lower‐band chorus waves as functions of latitude and geomagnetic activity near L∼5. The portion of wave power in very oblique waves decreases during highly disturbed periods, consistent with increased Landau damping by inward‐penetrating suprathermal electrons. Simple analytical considerations as well as full numerical calculations of quasi‐linear diffusion rates demonstrate that early‐time electron acceleration occurs in a regime of loss‐limited energization. In this regime, the average wave obliquity plays a critical role in mitigating lifetime reduction as wave intensity increases with geomagnetic activity, suggesting that much larger energization levels should be reached during the early recovery phase of storms than during quiet time or moderate disturbances, the latter corresponding to stronger losses. These new effects should be included in realistic radiation belt simulations.
Caudate nucleus‐dependent navigational strategies are associated with increased use of addictive drugs
Authors: Bohbot Veronique D. , Del Balso Daniel , Conrad Kate , Konishi Kyoko , Leyton Marco
Published: August 2013

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between navigational strategies and the use of abused substances in a sample of healthy young adults. Navigational strategies were assessed with the 4‐on‐8 virtual maze (4/8VM), a task previously shown to dissociate between hippocampal‐dependent spatial navigational strategies and caudate nucleus‐dependent stimulus‐response navigational strategies. Spatial strategies involve learning the spatial relationships between the landmarks in an environment, while response learning strategies involve learning a rigid set of stimulus‐response type associations, e.g., see the tree, turn left. We have shown that spatial learners have increased gray matter and fMRI activity in the hippocampus compared with response learners, while response learners have increased gray matter and fMRI activity in the caudate nucleus. We were interested in the prevalence of use of substances of abuse in spatial and response learners because of the evidence that people who score high on traits such as novelty seeking, sensation seeking, reward seeking, and impulsivity, are more cue‐responsive and more likely to use substances of abuse. Since response learners show increased activity and gray matter in the caudate nucleus of the striatum, which is a brain area involved in addiction, we hypothesized that response learners would have a greater use of abused substances than spatial learners. Fifty‐five young adults were tested on the 4/8VM and completed a time‐line follow‐back assessment of drug and alcohol use. We found that response learners had smoked a significantly greater number of cigarettes in their lifetime than spatial learners, were more likely to have used cannabis, and had double the lifetime alcohol consumption. We discuss the possible relationship between substance abuse and response strategies as well as the implications for the hippocampus, risks of neurological and psychiatric disorders, and healthy cognition. © 2013 The Authors. Hippocampus Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New Pyrrole Alkaloids with Bulky N‐Alkyl Side Chains Containing Stereogenic Centers from Lycium chinense
Authors: Joung Youn Ui , Kil Yun‐Seo , Nam Joo‐Won , Jin Lee Yoo , Kim Jinwoong , Lee Dongho , Lee Je‐Hyun , Seo Eun‐Kyoung
Published: August 2013

Four new pyrrole alkaloids, methyl 2‐[2‐formyl‐5‐(methoxymethyl)‐1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl]propanoate (1), methyl 2‐[2‐formyl‐5‐(methoxymethyl)‐1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl]‐3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)propanoate (2), dimethyl 2‐[2‐formyl‐5‐(methoxymethyl)‐1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl]butanedioate (3), and dimethyl 2‐[2‐formyl‐5‐(methoxymethyl)‐1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl]pentanedioate (4), were isolated from the AcOEt extract of the fruits of Lycium chinense Miller (Solanaceae). The stereogenic center C(2) in the bulky N‐alkyl side chain in each of 1–4 seems to hold the H‐atoms of nearby CH2 groups, CH2(7′) and CH2(3) (if R≠H), leading to two different chemical shifts in the 1H‐NMR spectrum due to their diastereotopic characteristics. In the 1H‐NMR data of each of 2–4, the enhancement of HC(2) signal was inhibited by the R group, probably due to steric hindrance, and its chemical shift was influenced by the anisotropy effect. The structures of 1–4 were elucidated by analysis of various spectroscopic data, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR.
StarchSulfuric Acid (SSA) as Catalyst for a One‐Pot Synthesis of 1,5‐Diaryl‐1H‐pyrazoles
Authors: Hatamjafari Farhad
Published: August 2013

Protocols with starchsulfuric acid (SSA) as reusable catalyst for the synthesis of aryl‐1H‐pyrazoles are described. SSA acted as an efficient and environmentally friendly catalyst for the regioselective condensation of BaylisHillman adducts 1 with phenylhydrazine hydrochloride leading to the new 1,5‐diaryl‐1H‐pyrazole 2a–2e in excellent yields (Scheme and Table 1).
Synthesis and Characterization of New Heptalenes with Extended π‐Systems Attached to Them
Authors: Maillefer‐El Houar Sarah , Uebelhart Peter , Linden Anthony , Hansen Hans‐Jürgen
Published: August 2013

Methyl heptalenecarboxylates of type A and B with π(1) and π(2) substituents in 1,4‐relation (Scheme 1) were synthetized starting with dimethyl 1‐methylheptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylates 5b and 6b derived from 7‐isopropyl‐1,4‐dimethylazulene (=guaiazulene) and 1,4,6,8‐tetramethylazulene by thermal reaction with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate. The further general way of proceeding for the introduction of the π(1) and π(2) substituents is displayed in Scheme 3, and the thus obtained methyl heptalene‐5‐carboxylates of type A and B are listed in Table 1. The CC bonds of the 2‐arylethenyl and 4‐arylbuta‐1,3‐dien‐1‐yl groups of π(1) and π(2) were in all cases (E)‐configured and showed s‐trans conformation at the CC bonds (X‐ray and 1H‐NOE evidence) in the B‐type as well as in the A‐type heptalenes (cf. Figs. 5–12).

All B‐type heptalenes showed a strongly enhanced heptalene band I in the wavelength region 440–490 nm in hexane/CH2Cl2 9 : 1 (cf. Table 4 and Figs. 13–20). The A‐type heptalenes showed in this region only weak absorption, recognizable as shoulders or simply tailing of the dominating heptalene bands II/III (Table 5). Absorption band I of the B‐type heptalenes appeared almost at the same wavelength as the longest wavelength absorption band of comparable open‐chain α,ω‐diarylpolyenes (cf. Fig. 21). The cyclic double bond shift (DBS) of the A‐ and B‐type heptalenes could be photochemically steered in one or the other direction by selective irradiation (cf. Fig. 22).
STAT3 inhibition sensitizes colorectal cancer to chemoradiotherapy in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Spitzner Melanie , Roesler Birte , Bielfeld Christian , Emons Georg , Gaedcke Jochen , Wolff Hendrik A. , Rave‐Fränk Margret , Kramer Frank , Beissbarth Tim , Kitz Julia , Wienands Jürgen , Ghadimi B. Michael , Ebner Reinhard , Ried Thomas , Grade Marian
Published: August 2013

Increased activity of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is common in human malignancies, including colorectal cancers (CRCs). We have recently reported that STAT3 gene expression correlates with resistance of CRC cell lines to 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU)‐based chemoradiotherapy (CT/RT). This is of considerable clinical importance, because a large proportion of rectal cancers are resistant to preoperative multimodal treatment. To test whether STAT3 contributes to CT/RT‐resistance, we first confirmed that STAT3 protein expression correlated positively with increasing resistance. While STAT3 was not constitutively active, stimulation with interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) resulted in remarkably higher expression levels of phosphorylated STAT3 in CT/RT‐resistant cell lines. A similar result was observed when we determined IL‐6‐induced expression levels of phosphorylated STAT3 following irradiation. Next, STAT3 was inhibited in SW480 and SW837 using siRNA, shRNA and the small‐molecule inhibitor STATTIC. Successful silencing and inhibition of phosphorylation was confirmed using Western blot analysis and a luciferase reporter assay. RNAi‐mediated silencing as well as STATTIC treatment resulted in significantly decreased clonogenic survival following exposure to 3 µM of 5‐FU and irradiation in a dose‐dependent manner, with dose‐modifying factors of 1.3–2.5 at a surviving fraction of 0.37. Finally, STAT3 inhibition led to a profound CT/RT‐sensitization in a subcutaneous xenograft model, with a significantly delayed tumor regrowth in STATTIC‐treated mice compared with control animals. These results highlight a potential role of STAT3 in mediating treatment resistance and provide first proof of concept that STAT3 represents a promising novel molecular target for sensitizing resistant rectal cancers to CT/RT.
Measuring the health‐related quality of life and sexual functioning of patients with rectal cancer: Does type of treatment matter?
Authors: Traa Marjan J. , Orsini Ricardo G. , Oudsten Brenda L. Den , Vries Jolanda De , Roukema Jan A. , Bosman Sietske J. , Dudink Ralph L. , Rutten Harm J.T.
Published: August 2013

The literature on the health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) after rectal cancer is growing, however, a comparison between patients with nonadvanced disease (NAD), locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) and a normative population has not been made. Data on the sexual functioning of patient groups is also scarce. We compared (i) the HRQOL of patients with NAD, LARC, or LRRC, with a special focus on sexual functioning and (ii) the HRQOL of the three treatment groups with a normative population. The EORTC QLQ‐C30 and QLQ‐CR38 were completed by 80 patients with NAD, 292 LARC patients and 67 LRRC patients. The normative population (n = 350) completed the EORTC QLQ‐C30 and the Sexual Functioning and Sexual Enjoyment scales of the CR38. LRRC patients reported a lower Physical Function, Social Function, Future Perspective, Sexual Functioning and more Pain compared with LARC and NAD patients. Also, LRRC patients had a worse Body image than NAD patients and a lower Male Sexual Functioning than LARC patients. More than 75% of men and 50% of women were sexually active preoperative, compared with less than 50% and less than 35% postoperative. Male LRRC patients had more problems with erectile or ejaculatory functioning and felt less masculine than NAD or LARC patients. Women did not differ on Lubrication, Dyspareunia and Body Image. About 10% of patients used aids in order to improve erectile functioning (men) or lubrication (women). The treatment groups reported a lower HRQOL and sexual functioning compared with the normative population.
Influence of food on pharmacokinetics of zolpidem from fast dissolving sublingual zolpidem tartrate tablets
Authors: Greenblatt David J. , Harmatz Jerold S. , Singh Nikhilesh N. , Roth Thomas , Harris Stephen C. , Kapil Ram P.
Published: August 2013

Ingesting food can impact the pharmacokinetics of sedative‐hypnotic drugs. A buffered zolpidem sublingual tablet (ZST) recently became available for the treatment of middle‐of‐the‐night awakening. In this randomized, open‐label, single‐site study, the pharmacokinetic profile of ZST was evaluated when administered while fasting and following a standard high‐fat meal (fed state). Healthy adults aged 18–64 years received a single morning dose of 3.5 mg ZST in the fed or fasting state. From 20 min to 3 h post‐dose, zolpidem plasma levels were lower in the fed state compared to the fasting state. After 4 h post‐dose (corresponding to “morning wake time”), higher zolpidem plasma levels were evident in the fed state. Area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC) values for the 0–8 h interval were 160 ng/mL h in the fed state and 203 ng/mL h in the fasting state (P < .001). In the fed versus fasting states, Cmax was 32.0 ng/mL versus 57.3 ng/mL (P < .001), respectively, and Tmax was 3.0 h versus 0.92 h (P < .001), respectively. Together these data suggest that administration of ZST in the fed state is not optimal for maximizing the likelihood of therapeutic benefit and minimizing the probability of residual sedation.
Impact of MHD shock physics on magnetosheath asymmetry and Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability
Authors: Nykyri K.
Published: August 2013

We have performed 13 three‐dimensional global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of the magnetosheath plasma and magnetic field properties for Parker spiral (PS) and ortho‐Parker spiral interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientations corresponding to a wide range of solar wind plasma conditions. To study the growth of the Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability on the dawn and dusk flank magnetopause, we have performed 26 local two‐dimensional MHD simulations, with the initial conditions taken from global simulations on both sides of the velocity shear layer at the dawn‐dusk terminator. These simulations indicate that while the MHD physics of the fast shocks does not directly lead to strong asymmetry of the magnetosheath temperature for typical solar wind conditions, the magnetosheath on the quasi‐parallel shock side has a smaller tangential magnetic field along the magnetosheath flow which enables faster growth of the Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability (KHI). Because the IMF is statistically mostly in the PS orientation, the KHI formation may statistically favor the dawnside flank. For all the 26 simulations, the growth rates of the KHI correlated well with the ratio of the velocity shear and Alfvén speed along the wave vector, k. Dynamics of the KHI may subsequently lead to formation of kinetic Alfvén waves and reconnection in the Kelvin‐Helmholtz vortices which can lead to particle energization. This may partly help to explain the observed plasma sheet asymmetry of cold‐component ions, which are heated more on the dawnside plasma sheet.
Exploring a geophysical process‐based attribution technique for the determination of the atmospheric boundary layer depth using aerosol lidar and near‐surface meteorological measurements
Authors: Pal Sandip , Haeffelin Martial , Batchvarova Ekaterina
Published: August 2013

A new objective method for the determination of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) depth using routine vertically pointing aerosol lidar measurements is presented. A geophysical process‐based analysis is introduced to improve the attribution of the lidar‐derived aerosol gradients, which is so far the most challenging part in any gradient‐based technique. Using micrometeorological measurements of Obukhov length scale, both early morning and evening transition periods are determined which help separate the turbulence regimes during well‐mixed convective ABL and nocturnal/stable ABL. The lidar‐derived aerosol backscatter signal intensity is used to determine the hourly‐averaged vertical profiles of variance of the fluctuations of particle backscatter signal providing the location of maximum turbulent mixing within the ABL; thus, obtained mean ABL depth guides the attribution by searching for the appropriate minimum of the gradients. An empirical classification of the ABL stratification patterns into three different types is proposed by determining the changes in the near‐surface stability scenarios. First results using the lidar observations obtained between March and July in 2011 at SIRTA atmospheric observatory near Palaiseau (Paris suburb) in France demonstrate that the new attribution technique makes the lidar estimations of ABL depth more physically reliable under a wide spectrum of meteorological conditions. While comparing lidar and nearby radiosonde measurements of ABL depths, an excellent concordance was found with a correlation coefficient of 0.968 and 0.927 for daytime and nighttime measurements, respectively. A brief climatology of the characteristics of the ABL depth, its diurnal cycle, a detailed discussion of the morning and evening transitions are presented.
Characterizing the surface radiation budget over the Tibetan Plateau with ground‐measured, reanalysis, and remote sensing data sets: 2. Spatiotemporal analysis
Authors: Shi Qinqing , Liang Shunlin
Published: August 2013

Recent progress in observation and modeling studies indicates that the Tibetan Plateau (TP) has been experiencing solar dimming coincident with changes of surface and atmospheric conditions since the early 1980s. However, changes and variability of the surface radiation budget over the entire Tibetan Plateau have rarely been analyzed in association with meteorological observations. Taking into consideration the limitations in ground measurements, reanalysis products, and remote sensing products, this paper applies the fused data (described in Part 1 of this two‐paper series) to analyze the seasonal and annual spatial pattern and temporal variation in the surface radiation budget (SRB) over the TP from 1984 to 2007. The climatology and interannual variability of five SRB components—downward shortwave irradiance, albedo, downward longwave flux, upward longwave flux, and net all‐wave radiation—are presented and analyzed in conjunction with atmospheric (cloud cover, water vapor) and surface (temperature, snow cover, normalized difference vegetation index) conditions over the Tibetan Plateau. Over the entire Tibetan Plateau, regardless of the increase of downward longwave radiation that counteracts the increase of upward longwave radiation, the interaction of solar dimming with changes of surface albedo has dominated the marked decrease of all‐wave net radiation since the mid‐1980s. This result indicates that the weakening and strengthening of the relationship between the components of SRB and the correlated variables of atmospheric or surface conditions exhibit a seasonal dependency over the TP. Moreover, most peaks and drops in the SRB anomalies are consistent to variations in two dominant variables.
Inducible displacements of the cup and the femoral head during active range of motion: Dynamic RSA studies of cemented total hip replacements
Authors: Digas Georgios , Johansson Per‐Erik , Kärrholm Johan
Published: August 2013

We evaluated changes in position of the femoral head relative to the cup and of the cup relative to the pelvis in total hip replacement patients during hip motion 2 years postoperatively. Two patient groups with nine patients in each group were studied. Hip motions, translations of the femoral head center, and cup displacements were recorded with dynamic radiostereometric examination (RSA, 2 exposures/s) during abduction in Group 1 and with use of static RSA exposures at increasing flexion of the hip in Group 2. Conventional radiographic examinations were used to evaluate any radiolucent lines around the cups at 2 years. During active abduction the femoral head center moved medially (median 0.04 mm) and the cup tilted anteriorly (median 0.09 mm). Increments in radiolucent lines at 2 years correlated to medial femoral head penetration, posterior tilt, and retroversion of the cup at 20° of abduction. The extension of radiolucent lines at 2 years showed a positive correlation with proximal inducible displacement of the cup and posterior translation of the femoral head center at maximum hip flexion. Our observations may be of value in understanding the pathogenesis of the loosening process and may be used to facilitate the development of prosthetic designs that optimize hip kinematics. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1686–1693, 2013
Quantitative measures of damage to subchondral bone are associated with functional outcome following treatment of displaced acetabular fractures
Authors: Lubovsky Omri , Kreder Michael , Wright David A. , Kiss Alex , Gallant Aimee , Kreder Hans J. , Whyne Cari M.
Published: August 2013

Current analysis of displaced acetabular fractures is limited in its ability to predict functional outcome. This study aimed to (1) quantify initial acetabular damage following acetabular fracture through measurement of subchondral bone density and fracture lines, and (2) evaluate associations between acetabular damage and functional outcomes following fracture. Subchondral bone intensity maps were created for 24 patients with unilateral acetabular fractures. Measures of crack length and density differences between corresponding regions in the fractured acetabuli, normalized by the unfractured side, were generated from preoperative CT images. Damage measures were compared to quality of life survey data collected for each patient at least 2 years post‐injury (Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment [MFA] and Short Form‐36 [SF‐36], with specific focus on parameters that best describe patients' physical health). CT image quantification of initial damage to acetabular subchondral bone was associated with functional outcome post‐injury. In general, damage as quantified through differences in density in the superior dome region (zones 8 and 12) and the central anterior region of the acetabulum (zone 3) were found to be the strongest significant predictors of functional outcome (adjusted R2 = 0.3–0.45, p < 0.05). Damage to the superior dome was predictive of worse functional outcome whereas damage to the central anterior region indicated a better functional outcome. Once automated, this approach may form a basis to score acetabular fractures toward improving clinical prognoses. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1980–1985, 2013
Biochemical perspectives of xylitol extracted from indigenous agricultural by‐product mung bean (vigna radiata) hulls in a rat model
Authors: Mushtaq Zarina , Imran Muhammad , Salim‐ur‐Rehman  , Zahoor Tahir , Ahmad Rabia Shabir , Arshad Muhammad Umair
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND

The production of xylitol from lignocellulosic material is of great interest around the world. It can be used as bulk sweetener and its possible lower energy value has increased acceptance for discerning consumers. Xylitol was produced from indigenous agricultural by‐product (mung bean hulls) through Candida tropicalis fermentation. Further, xylitol incorporation at different concentrations (0, 100 and 200 g kg−1) was carried out with the purpose of appraising the suitability and claimed health benefits of this dietetic ingredient in food products. Asserted biochemical perspectives of the xylitol intake were evaluated through biological studies for normal and streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats.

RESULTS

The addition of xylitol significantly affected feed intake, weight gain, liver and cecum weight in both normal and diabetic rats. The biochemical profile of serum was improved with xylitol incorporation in the diet. Serum glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides levels were decreased depending on xylitol intake level.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study demonstrated that mung bean hulls have high potential as a new feedstock for xylitol production. In addressing the current concerns of obesity and diabetes, xylitol extracted from such agricultural waste should be considered in diet‐based therapies for weight loss programmes. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Current issues in dietary acrylamide: formation, mitigation and risk assessment
Authors: Pedreschi Franco , Mariotti María Salomé , Granby Kit
Published: August 2013

Acrylamide (AA) is known as a neurotoxin in humans and it is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency of Research on Cancer. AA is produced as by‐product of the Maillard reaction in starchy foods processed at high temperatures (>120 °C). This review includes the investigation of AA precursors, mechanisms of AA formation and AA mitigation technologies in potato, cereal and coffee products. Additionally, most relevant issues of AA risk assessment are discussed. New technologies tested from laboratory to industrial scale face, as a major challenge, the reduction of AA content of browned food, while still maintaining its attractive organoleptic properties. Reducing sugars such as glucose and fructose are the major contributors to AA in potato‐based products. On the other hand, the limiting substrate of AA formation in cereals and coffee is the free amino acid asparagine. For some products the addition of glycine or asparaginase reduces AA formation during baking. Since, for potatoes, the limiting substrate is reducing sugars, increases in sugar content in potatoes during storage then introduce some difficulties and potentially quite large variations in the AA content of the final product. Sugars in potatoes may be reduced by blanching. Levels of AA in different foods show large variations and no general upper limit is easily applicable, since some formation will always occur. Current policy is that practical measures should be taken voluntarily to reduce AA formation in vulnerable foods since AA is considered a health risk at the concentrations found in foods. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of fire and salvage logging on site occupancy of spotted owls in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California
Authors: Lee Derek E. , Bond Monica L. , Borchert Mark I. , Tanner Richard
Published: August 2013

Fire over the past decade has affected forests in the San Bernardino Mountains of southern California, providing an excellent opportunity to examine how this disturbance, and subsequent post‐fire salvage logging, influenced California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) breeding‐season site occupancy dynamics there and in the nearby San Jacinto Mountains. Using occupancy survey data from 2003 to 2011 for all‐detections and pairs‐only data, we estimated annual extinction and colonization probabilities at 71 burned and 97 unburned breeding‐season sites before and after fire, while controlling for confounding effects of non‐fire‐related temporal variation and among‐site differences in habitat characteristics. We found no statistically significant effects of fire or salvage logging on occupancy dynamics of spotted owls of southern California. However, we found some evidence that fire and logging effects could be biologically meaningful. For pairs data, the model‐averaged mean of fire‐related effects on colonization and extinction probabilities resulted in a 0.062 lesser site‐occupancy probability in burned sites 1‐year post‐fire relative to unburned sites. Post‐fire salvage logging reduced occupancy an additional 0.046 relative to sites that only burned. We documented a threshold‐type relationship between extinction and colonization probabilities and the amount of forested habitat (conifer or hardwood tree cover types) that burned at high severity within a 203‐ha core area around spotted owl nests and roost centroids. Sites where approximately 0–50 ha of forested habitat within the core area burned at high severity had extinction probabilities similar to unburned sites, but where more than approximately 50 ha of forested habitat burned severely, extinction probability increased approximately 0.003 for every additional hectare severely burned. The majority (75%) of sites burned below this threshold. Sites where high‐severity fire affected >50 ha of forested habitat could still support spotted owls, so all burned sites should be monitored for occupancy before management actions such as salvage logging are undertaken that could be detrimental to the subspecies. We also recommend that managers strive to reduce human‐caused ignitions along the wildland–urban interface, particularly at lower elevations where owl sites are at higher risk of extinction from fire. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.