bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel IL‐23p19/Ebi3 (IL‐39) cytokine mediates inflammation in Lupus‐like mice
Authors: Wang Xiaoqian , Wei Yinxiang , Xiao He , Liu Xiaoling , Zhang Yu , Han Gencheng , Chen Guojiang , Hou Chunmei , Ma Ning , Shen Beifen , Li Yan , Egwuagu Charles E. , Wang Renxi
Published: March 2016

Interleukin‐12 family cytokines have emerged as critical regulators of immunity with some members (IL‐12, IL‐23) associated with disease pathogenesis while others (IL‐27, IL‐35) mitigate autoimmune diseases. Each IL‐12 family member is comprised of an α and a β chain, and chain‐sharing is a key feature. Although four bona fide members have thus far been described, promiscuous chain‐pairing between alpha (IL‐23p19, IL‐27p28, IL‐12/IL‐35p35) and beta (IL‐12/IL‐23p40, IL‐27/IL‐35Ebi3) subunits, predicts six possible heterodimeric IL‐12 family cytokines. Here, we describe a new IL‐12 member composed of IL‐23p19 and Ebi3 heterodimer (IL‐39) that is secreted by LPS‐stimulated B cells and GL7+ activated B cells of lupus‐like mice. We further show that IL‐39 mediates inflammatory responses through activation of STAT1/STAT3 in lupus‐like mice. Taken together, our results show that IL‐39 might contribute to immunopathogenic mechanisms of systemic lupus erythematosus, and could be used as a possible target for its treatment.
Scorpionate Complexes as Models for Molybdenum Enzymes
Authors: Young Charles G.
Published: March 2016

Scorpionate ligands have supported the development of a number of important synthetic models for pterin‐containing molybdenum enzymes. These ligands stabilize biologically relevant mononuclear oxido‐ and sulfido‐Mo(VI,V,IV) complexes capable of sustaining a wide range of biomimetic reactions, including oxygen atom, sulfur atom and coupled electron‐proton transfer reactions. Studies of scorpionate‐Mo compounds have also provided key insights into the bonding in oxido‐Mo dithiolene moieties, the orbital control of enzymatic reactions and the synthesis and behavior of biologically relevant Mo‐pterindithiolene complexes. This microreview covers advances in the synthesis and study of scorpionate complexes as models for molybdenum enzymes in the second half of the field's 30‐year history, i.e., from around 2000, the turn of the century, onwards.
Water‐Soluble C‐Scorpionate Complexes – Catalytic and Biological Applications
Authors: Martins Luísa M. D. R. S. , Pombeiro Armando J. L.
Published: March 2016

Recent advances in the synthesis of water‐soluble homoscorpionates of the tris(pyrazol‐1‐yl)methane type as well as of their water‐soluble metal complexes are reviewed. Moreover, the application of these tris(pyrazol‐1‐yl)methane metal complexes as catalysts for the oxidative functionalization of inexpensive and abundant alkanes to value‐added products and other industrially significant reactions is addressed. We also focus on the main biological (antiproliferative and antimicrobial) applications of such C‐scorpionate‐type complexes.
Ni3Cl2+x(OH)4–x·2H2O: Structural, Thermal, Spectral, and Magnetic Properties in Dependence of the Chloride Content
Authors: Bette Sebastian , Dinnebier Robert E. , Kremer Reinhard K. , Freyer Daniela
Published: March 2016

The previously unknown nickel chloride hydroxide phases Ni3Cl2+x(OH)4–x·2H2O (x = 0.26, 0.48, 0.82) have been synthesized in concentrated aqueous NiCl2 solutions and investigated in detail. Crystal structure determination from X‐ray powder diffraction data revealed triple chains of distorted, edge‐linked NiO6 and NiO3(O/Cl)3 octahedra as the main building blocks. The chains exhibit a layer‐like configuration and therefore great structural similarity to nickel‐layered hydroxy halides (Cl, Br, I) and β‐Ni(OH)2. Increasing chloride content in Ni3Cl2+x(OH)4–x·2H2O leads to a reduction of the space group symmetry from C2/m (12) for x = 0.26 and 0.48 to P$\bar {1}$ (2) for x = 0.82 and to distinct shifts in their thermal, spectral, and magnetic properties. Each solid exhibits a maximum magnetic susceptibility in the range 5.9–9.7 K, which indicates antiferromagnetic ordering. Positive Curie–Weiss temperatures, θ, were found, which points to predominantly ferromagnetic spin‐exchange interactions. In addition, broad maxima of the magnetic susceptibility evidence a low‐dimensional magnetic character as the most prominent feature of the magnetic properties of the investigated phases.
Conversion of biodiesel‐derived glycerol into biotechnological products of industrial significance by yeast and fungal strains
Authors: Papanikolaou Seraphim , Rontou Maria , Belka Aikaterini , Athenaki Maria , Gardeli Chryssavgi , Mallouchos Athanasios , Kalantzi Ourania , Koutinas Apostolis A. , Kookos Ioannis K. , Zeng An‐Ping , Aggelis George
Published: March 2016

Oleochemical activities (e.g. biodiesel production, fat saponification) generate annually very high amounts of concentrated glycerol‐containing waters (called crude glycerol) as the principal residues of these processes. Crude glycerol is an industrial residue the valorization of which attracts remarkable and constantly increasing interest. In the current investigation, biodiesel‐derived glycerol was employed as substrate for yeast and fungal strains cultivated under nitrogen‐limited conditions in shake flasks. Glucose was employed as reference substrate. Several yeasts (Candida diddensiae, Candida tropicalis, Pichia ciferrii, Williopsis saturnus, Candida boidinii, and Candida oleophila) rapidly assimilated glucose and converted it into ethanol, despite aerobic conditions imposed, and were Crabtree‐positive. None of these yeasts produced ethanol during growth on glycerol or accumulated significant quantities of lipid during growth on glucose or glycerol. Only Rhodosporidium toruloides produced notable lipid quantities from glucose and to lesser extent from glycerol. Yarrowia lipolytica LFMB 20 produced citrate ≈58 g/L growing on high‐glucose media, while on high‐glycerol media ≈42 g/L citrate and ≈18 g/L mannitol. During growth on glucose/glycerol blends, glycerol was assimilated first and thereafter glucose was consumed. Fungi produced higher lipid quantities compared with yeasts. High lipid quantities were produced by Mortierella ramanniana, Mucor sp., and mainly Mortierella isabellina, with glycerol being more adequate for M. ramanniana and glucose for Mucor sp. and M. isabellina. M. isabellina ATHUM 2935 produced lipids of 8.5 g/L, 83.3% w/w in dry cell weight (DCW) and conversion yield per unit of glucose consumed ≈0.25 g/g. The respective values on glycerol were 5.4 g/L, 66.6% w/w in DCW and ≈0.22 g/g. Lipids of all microorganisms were analyzed with regards to their fatty acid composition, and M. isabellina presented the closest similitude with rapeseed oil. Crude lipids produced by this fungus and extracted with chloroform/methanol blend, were composed mostly of triacylglycerols, thus indicating that these solvents are adequate for triacylglycerol extraction.
Radial glia inhibit peripheral glial infiltration into the spinal cord at motor exit point transition zones
Authors: Smith Cody J. , Johnson Kimberly , Welsh Taylor G. , Barresi Michael J. F. , Kucenas Sarah
Published: March 2016

In the mature vertebrate nervous system, central and peripheral nervous system (CNS and PNS, respectively) GLIA myelinate distinct motor axon domains at the motor exit point transition zone (MEP TZ). How these cells preferentially associate with and myelinate discrete, non‐overlapping CNS versus PNS axonal segments, is unknown. Using in vivo imaging and genetic cell ablation in zebrafish, we demonstrate that radial glia restrict migration of PNS glia into the spinal cord during development. Prior to development of radial glial endfeet, peripheral cells freely migrate back and forth across the MEP TZ. However, upon maturation, peripherally located cells never enter the CNS. When we ablate radial glia, peripheral glia ectopically migrate into the spinal cord during developmental stages when they would normally be restricted. These findings demonstrate that radial glia contribute to both CNS and PNS development and control the unidirectional movement of glial cell types across the MEP TZ early in development. GLIA 2016. GLIA 2016;64:1138–1153
Effect of actionable somatic mutations on racial/ethnic disparities in head and neck cancer prognosis
Authors: Wu Evan S. , Park Jong Y. , Zeitouni Joseph A. , Gomez Carmen R. , Reis Isildinha M. , Zhao Wei , Kwon Deukwoo , Lee Eunkyung , Nelson Omar L. , Lin Hui‐Yi , Franzmann Elizabeth J. , Savell Jason , McCaffrey Thomas V. , Goodwin W. Jarrard , Hu Jennifer J.
Published: March 2016

Background

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and minorities have the worst survival. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying survival disparities have not been elucidated.

Methods

In a retrospective study, we assessed association between HNSCC early death (<2 years) and 208 somatic mutations of 10 cancer‐related genes in 214 patients: 98 non‐Hispanic whites (46%), 72 Hispanic whites (34%), and 44 African Americans (20%).

Results

Hispanic whites and African Americans had significantly higher mutation rates for EGFR, HRAS, KRAS, and TP53. HNSCC early death was significantly associated with 3+ mutations (odds ratio [OR] = 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16, 6.69), NOTCH1 mutations in non‐Hispanic whites (OR = 5.51; 95% CI = 1.22–24.83) and TP53 mutations in Hispanic whites (OR = 3.84; 95% CI = 1.08–13.68) in multivariable analysis adjusted for age, sex, tumor site, and tumor stage.

Conclusion

We have provided the proof‐of‐principal data to link racial/ethnic‐specific somatic mutations and HNSCC prognosis and pave the way for precision medicine to overcome HNSCC survival disparities. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38:1234–1241, 2016
Safety and tolerability of pomalidomide‐based regimens (pomalidomide‐carfilzomib‐dexamethasone with or without cyclophosphamide) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and severe renal dysfunction: a case series
Authors: Richter Joshua , Biran Noa , Duma Narjust , Vesole David H. , Siegel David
Published: March 2016

Renal dysfunction negatively impacts outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Few treatment options are currently available for patients with MM and comorbid renal dysfunction, and as they are generally excluded from clinical trials, data on the use of immunomodulatory drugs in this population are scarce. In this paper, we describe a case series of five women with MM and severe renal dysfunction or dialysis dependency who were refractory to both bortezomib and either lenalidomide or thalidomide and were treated with full‐dose (4 mg) pomalidomide. As part of their treatment regimen, these patients also received carfilzomib and dexamethasone with or without cyclophosphamide. All five patients achieved at least a partial response to pomalidomide‐based therapy, which was relatively well tolerated. Our findings suggest that pomalidomide may represent a valuable and tolerable treatment option for MM patients with severe renal impairment. The fact that pomalidomide is extensively metabolized prior to urinary excretion may explain the improved tolerability of pomalidomide versus lenalidomide in such patients. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of a hydraulically induced crystalline‐rock fracture
Authors: Burbey Thomas J. , Brandon Ryan A.
Published: March 2016

Hydraulic fracturing has become an important technique for enhancing the permeability of hydrocarbon source rocks and increasing aquifer transmissivity in many hard rock environments where natural fractures are limited, yet little is known about the nature or behaviour of these hydraulically induced fractures as conduits to flow and transport. We propose that these fractures tend to be smooth based on observed hydraulic and transport behaviour. In this investigation a multi‐faceted approach was used to quantify the properties and characteristics of an isolated hydraulically induced fracture in crystalline rocks. Packers were used to isolate the fracture that is penetrated by two separate observation wells located approximately 33 m apart. A series of aquifer tests and an induced gradient tracer test were performed to better understand the nature of this fracture. Aquifer test results indicate that full recovery is slow because of the overall low permeability of the crystalline rocks. Drawdown tests indicate that the fracture has a transmissivity of 1–2 m2/day and a specific storage on the order of 2–9 × 10−7/m. Analysis of a potassium–bromide tracer test break through curve shows classic Fickian behaviour with minimal tailing analogous to parallel plate flow. Virtually all of the tracer was recovered, and the breakthrough curve dilution indicates that the swept area is only about 11% of a radial flow field and the estimated aperture is ≤0.5 mm, which implies a narrow linear flow region. These outcomes suggest that transport within these hydraulically induced ‘smooth’ fractures in crystalline rocks is rapid with minimal mixing, small local velocity fluctuations and no apparent diffusion into the host rock or secondary fractures. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating weather observations and the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis as inputs for hydrologic modelling in the tropics
Authors: Auerbach Daniel A. , Easton Zachary M. , Walter M. Todd , Flecker Alexander S. , Fuka Daniel R.
Published: March 2016

Correctly representing weather is critical to hydrological modelling, but scarce or poor quality observations can often compromise model accuracy. Reanalysis datasets may help to address this basic challenge. The Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) dataset provides continuous, globally available records, and CFSR data have produced satisfactory hydrological model performance in some temperate and monsoonal locations. However, the use of CFSR for hydrological modelling in tropical and semi‐tropical basins has not been adequately evaluated. Taking advantage of exceptionally high rainfall station density in the catchments of the Rio Grande de Loiza above San Juan, Puerto Rico, we compared model performance based on CFSR records with that based on publicly available weather stations in the Global Historical Climate Network (GHCN, n = 21) and on a dataset of rainfall records maintained by the United States Geological Survey Caribbean Water Science Center (USGS, n = 24). For an implementation of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) with subbasins defined at 11 streamflow gages, uncalibrated measures of Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) were >0 at 8 of 11 gages using USGS precipitation data for daily simulations over the period 1998–2012, but were <0 using GHCN weather station records (8 of 11) and CFSR reanalysis data (9 of 11). Autocalibration of individual SWAT models for each of the 11 basins against each of the available weather datasets yielded NSE values > 0 using all precipitation inputs, including CFSR. However, the ground weather station closest to the geographic basin centre produced the highest NSE values in only 5 of 11 cases. The spatially interpolated CFSR data performed as well or better than single ground observations made further than 20–30 km, and sometimes better than individual weather stations <10 km from the basin centroid. In addition to demonstrating the need to evaluate available weather inputs, this research reinforces the value of CFSR data as a means to supplement ground records and consistently determine a baseline for hydrologic model performance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) impairs the proliferation of C17.2 neural stem cells via the downregulation of GSK‐3β/β‐catenin signaling
Authors: Dong Xuan , Yang Jianbin , Nie Xiaoke , Xiao Jing , Jiang Shengyang
Published: March 2016

The neurotoxic effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have attracted significant research attention in recent years. In the present study, we investigated the impact of PFOS exposure on the physiology of neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro. We showed that PFOS exposure markedly attenuated the proliferation of C17.2 neural stem cells in both dose‐ and time‐dependent manners. Additionally, we found that PFOS decreased Ser9 phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (pSer9‐GSK‐3β), leading to the activation of GSK‐3β and resultant downregulation of cellular β‐catenin. Furthermore, blockage of GSK‐3β with lithium chloride significantly attenuated both the PFOS‐induced downregulation of GSK‐3β/β‐catenin and the proliferative impairment of C17.2 cells. Notably, the expression of various downstream targets was altered accordingly, such as c‐myc, cyclin D1 and survivin. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that PFOS decreased the proliferation of C17.2 cells via the negative modulation of the GSK‐3β/β‐catenin pathway. We present the potential mechanisms underlying the PFOS‐induced toxic effects on NSCs to provide novel insights into the neurotoxic mechanism of PFOS. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mutational Analysis on Membrane Associated Transporter Protein (MATP) and Their Structural Consequences in Oculocutaeous Albinism Type 4 (OCA4)—A Molecular Dynamics Approach
Authors: Kamaraj Balu , Purohit Rituraj
Published: March 2016

Oculocutaneous albinism type IV (OCA4) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder which is characterized by reduced biosynthesis of melanin pigmentation in skin, hair, and eyes and caused by the genetic mutations in the membrane‐associated transporter protein (MATP) encoded by SLC45A2 gene. The MATP protein consists of 530 amino acids which contains 12 putative transmembrane domains and plays an important role in pigmentation and probably functions as a membrane transporter in melanosomes. We scrutinized the most OCA4 disease‐associated mutation and their structural consequences on SLC45A2 gene. To understand the atomic arrangement in 3D space, the native and mutant structures were modeled. Further the structural behavior of native and mutant MATP protein was investigated by molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) approach in explicit lipid and water background. We found Y317C as the most deleterious and disease‐associated SNP on SLC45A2 gene. In MDS, mutations in MATP protein showed loss of stability and became more flexible, which alter its structural conformation and function. This phenomenon has indicated a significant role in inducing OCA4. Our study explored the understanding of molecular mechanism of MATP protein upon mutation at atomic level and further helps in the field of pharmacogenomics to develop a personalized medicine for OCA4 disorder. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2608–2619, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adipose‐Derived Stem Cells Support Lymphangiogenic Parameters In Vitro
Authors: Strassburg S. , Torio‐Padron N. , Finkenzeller G. , Frankenschmidt A. , Stark G.B.
Published: March 2016

It is a common complication to develop a secondary lymphedema after surgery or radiation, for example, after axillary lymph node dissection due to breast cancer and current therapies are mainly symptomatic. Since these surgical procedures result in both, loss of adipose tissue and loss of lymphatic nodes and vessels, tissue engineering could be a new promising approach, to create an adipose tissue substitute comprised with a lymphatic network. We have conducted co‐culture experiments to investigate the effects of human adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) on human lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in terms of gene expression profile, proliferation, migration, and tube formation in vitro. In this respect, both cell types were co‐cultured either indirectly or directly with or without the recombinant growth factor VEGF‐C. Indirect co‐cultures were performed with the aid of a transwell chamber. In case of direct co‐culture, immunomagnetic separation by CD31 magnetic beads allowed examination of the LEC population. Direct and indirect co‐culture of ASCs induced mRNA expression of lymphatic marker genes, proliferation, and migration by LECs without affecting tube formation. Thus, we have shown that co‐culture of ASCs with LECs might be a feasible approach that could be used in cell‐based tissue engineering therapies to heal or improve a secondary lymphedema. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2620–2629, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Energy transfer dynamics and kinetics of elementary processes (promoted) by gas‐phase CO2‐N2 collisions: Selectivity control by the anisotropy of the interaction
Authors: Lombardi Andrea , Pirani Fernando , Laganà Antonio , Bartolomei Massimiliano
Published: March 2016

In this work, we exploit a new formulation of the potential energy and of the related computational procedures, which embodies the coupling between the intra and intermolecular components, to characterize possible propensities of the collision dynamics in energy transfer processes of interest for simulation and control of phenomena occurring in a variety of equilibrium and nonequilibrium environments. The investigation reported in the paper focuses on the prototype CO2–N2 system, whose intramolecular component of the interaction is modeled in terms of a many body expansion while the intermolecular component is modeled in terms of a recently developed bonds‐as‐interacting‐molecular‐centers' approach. The main advantage of this formulation of the potential energy surface is that of being (a) truly full dimensional (i.e., all the variations of the coordinates associated with the molecular vibrations and rotations on the geometrical and electronic structure of the monomers, are explicitly taken into account without freezing any bonds or angles), (b) more flexible than other usual formulations of the interaction and (c) well suited for fitting procedures better adhering to accurate ab initio data and sensitive to experimental arrangement dependent information. Specific attention has been given to the fact that a variation of vibrational and rotational energy has a higher (both qualitative and quantitative) impact on the energy transfer when a more accurate formulation of the intermolecular interaction (with respect to that obtained when using rigid monomers) is adopted. This makes the potential energy surface better suited for the kinetic modeling of gaseous mixtures in plasma, combustion and atmospheric chemistry computational applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Internal jugular vein/common carotid artery cross‐sectional area ratio and central venous pressure
Authors: Hossein‐Nejad Hooman , Mohammadinejad Payam , Ahmadi Faezeh
Published: March 2016

Purpose

To investigate the accuracy of the sonographic assessment of internal jugular vein/common carotid artery (IJV/CCA) cross‐sectional area ratio in predicting central venous pressure (CVP) in critically ill patients.

Methods

In adult patients who underwent central venous catheterization for monitoring of hemodynamic status, we used bedside sonography for diameter and cross‐sectional area measurement of IJV and CCA. The IJV/CCA ratio was then calculated, and its correlation with CVP as well as its sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were analyzed.

Results

We enrolled 52 patients with a mean age of 58.8 ± 10.7 years. The mean IJV/CCA ratio was 1.89 ± 0.83 and 1.90 ± 0.83, respectively, at inspiration and expiration. A significant correlation was observed between IJV/CCA ratio and CVP (r = 0.728, p < 0.0001 at inspiration, and r = 0.736, p < 0.0001 at expiration). Sensitivity was 90%, specificity 86.36%, positive predictive values 90%, and negative predictive values 86.36% for the prediction of CVP <10 cm H2O.

Conclusions

Assessing the IJV/CCA ratio with a portable sonographic device could be a noninvasive alternative for central venous catheterization in order to evaluate the hemodynamic status of critically ill patients. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:312–318, 2016
MRI‐guided celiac plexus neurolysis for pancreatic cancer pain: Efficacy and safety
Authors: Liu Shangang , Fu Weiwei , Liu Zengjun , Liu Ming , Ren Ruimei , Zhai Huaxu , Li Chengli
Published: March 2016

Purpose

To prospectively determine the efficacy and safety of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐guided celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) for pancreatic cancer pain.

Materials and Methods

In all, 39 patients with pancreatic cancer underwent 0.23T MRI‐guided CPN with ethanol via the posterior approach. The pain relief, the opioid intake, and pain interference with appetite, sleep, and communication in patients were assessed after CPN during a 4‐month follow‐up period. The complications were also evaluated during or after CPN.

Results

CPN procedures were successfully completed for all patients. Minor complications included diarrhea (9 of 39; 23.1%), orthostatic hypotension (14 of 39; 35.9%), and local backache (20 of 39; 51.3%). No major complication occurred. Pain relief was observed in 36 (92.3%), in 15 (40.5%), and in 11 (35.5%) patients at 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐month visits, respectively. The median duration of pain relief was 2.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4–3.4). The opioid intake significantly decreased at the 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐month visits (P < 0.001, < 0.001, = 0.001 respectively), and there was significant improvement in sleep at the 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐month visits (P < 0.001, < 0.001, = 0.001 respectively), and appetite and communication were significantly improved at the 1‐ and 2‐month visits (all P < 0.001); all compared with baseline.

Conclusion

MRI‐guided CPN appears to be an effective and minimally invasive procedure for palliative pain management of pancreatic cancer. J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2016;44:923–928.
Combination therapy of normobaric oxygen with hypothermia or ethanol modulates pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in thromboembolic cerebral ischemia
Authors: Cai Lipeng , Thibodeau Alexa , Peng Changya , Ji Xunming , Rastogi Radhika , Xin Ruiqiang , Singh Sunpreet , Geng Xiaokun , Rafols Jose A. , Ding Yuchuan
Published: March 2016

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH) is a brain mitochondrial matrix enzyme. PDH impairment after stroke is particularly devastating given PDH's critical role in the link between anaerobic and aerobic metabolism. This study evaluates the restoration of oxidative metabolism and energy regulation with a therapeutic combination of normobaric oxygen (NBO) plus either therapeutic hypothermia (TH) or ethanol. Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion with an autologous embolus. One hour after occlusion, tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA) was administered alone or with NBO (60%), EtOH (1.0 g/kg), or TH (33°C), either singly or in combination. Neurological deficit score and infarct volume were assessed 24 hr after t‐PA‐induced reperfusion. PDH activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured 3 and 24 hr after t‐PA. Western blotting was used to detect PDH and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) protein expression. After t‐PA in ischemic rats, NBO combined with TH or EtOH most effectively decreased infarct volume and neurological deficit. The combined therapies produced greater increases in PDH activity and protein expression as well as greater decreases in PDK expression. Compared with the monotherapeutic approaches, the combined therapies provided the most significant declines in ROS generation. Reperfusion with t‐PA followed by 60% NBO improves the efficacy of EtOH or TH in neuroprotection by ameliorating oxidative injury and improving PDH regulation. Comparable neuroprotective effects were found when treating with either EtOH or TH, suggesting a similar mechanism of neuroprotection and the possibility of substituting EtOH for TH in clinical settings. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantification of Hydrologic Response of Staggered Contour Trenching for Horti‐pastoral Land Use System in Small Ravine Watersheds: A Paired Watershed Approach
Authors: Ali Shakir , Sethy B. K. , Singh R. K. , Parandiyal A. K. , Kumar Ashok
Published: March 2016

A paired watershed approach was used to quantifying the effects of staggered contour trenching (SCT) densities on runoff and soil loss from a long‐term field experiment. Four adjacent physiographical similar ravine watersheds were selected. After 2‐year calibration period, three of the four watersheds were treated with different SCT densities and leaving one watershed as untreated control (WC). The SCT densities of 139, 278 and 417 trenches ha−1 were determined based on the targeted 25, 50 and 75% runoff trapping potential of the WT1, WT2 and WT3 treatment watersheds, respectively. Runoff and soil loss were recorded for a period of 11 years including 2 years of calibration period. The calibration and treatment prediction equations for the treatment watershed with respect to untreated control watershed were developed by the simple linear regression. F‐test and t‐test (p < 0·0001) suggested that calibration predictions were highly significant and treatment prediction equations differ significantly. Results showed mean runoff reductions of 86·1, 60·5 and 37·7% in the WT3, WT2 and WT1 treatment watershed over the control, respectively. Similar trends as the runoff were also recorded in soil loss reduction by 124·9, 77·1 and 40·0% for the WT3, WT2 and WT1 over Wc, respectively. Paired t‐test (p < 0·001) indicated that the means of the treatment effects on runoff and soil loss in treatment watersheds differ significantly with control watershed. It was concluded that 417 staggered contour trenches ha−1 is an optimum trenching density for supporting the horti‐pastoral land use system in ravine lands of India. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of patient factors, preferences, and distrust in health care and access to liver transplantation and organ donation
Authors: Wilder Julius M. , Oloruntoba Omobonike O. , Muir Andrew J. , Moylan Cynthia A.
Published: March 2016

Despite major improvements in access to liver transplantation (LT), disparities remain. Little is known about how distrust in medical care, patient preferences, and the origins shaping those preferences contribute to differences surrounding access. We performed a single‐center, cross‐sectional survey of adults with end‐stage liver disease and compared responses between LT listed and nonlisted patients as well as by race. Questionnaires were administered to 109 patients (72 nonlisted; 37 listed) to assess demographics, health care system distrust (HCSD), religiosity, and factors influencing LT and organ donation (OD). We found that neither HCSD nor religiosity explained differences in access to LT in our population. Listed patients attained higher education levels and were more likely to be insured privately. This was also the case for white versus black patients. All patients reported wanting LT if recommended. However, nonlisted patients were significantly less likely to have discussed LT with their physician or to be referred to a transplant center. They were also much less likely to understand the process of LT. Fewer blacks were referred (44.4% versus 69.7%; P = 0.03) or went to the transplant center if referred (44.4% versus 71.1%; P = 0.02). Fewer black patients felt that minorities had as equal access to LT as whites (29.6% versus 57.3%; P < 0.001). For OD, there were more significant differences in preferences by race than listing status. More whites indicated OD status on their driver's license, and more blacks were likely to become an organ donor if approached by someone of the same cultural or ethnic background (P < 0.01). In conclusion, our analysis demonstrates persistent barriers to LT and OD. With improved patient and provider education and communication, many of these disparities could be successfully overcome. Liver Transplantation 22 895–905 2016 AASLD
Epoxy‐coated reinforcement in concrete structures: Results of a Swiss pilot project after 24 years of field exposure
Authors: Keßler S. , Angst U. , Zintel M. , Elsener B. , Gehlen C.
Published: March 2016

Reinforced concrete is the most common construction material of civil infrastructure. In severe environment, e.g., chloride exposure, concrete deterioration can occur with consequences on the durability of the structure. The use of epoxy‐coated reinforcement is a strategy to control chloride‐induced reinforcement corrosion, particular by prolonging the initiation and propagation phase. The epoxy‐coating acts as a physical barrier to chlorides and the electrolyte concrete. However, the effectiveness of the strategy in chloride environment and the corrosion performance of ECR in presence of coating defects is investigated by condition assessment of a Swiss pilot project after 24 years of field exposure.
Study on Mechanical Properties of Corn‐Cellulose Fibers Reinforced Polyester Composites
Authors: Balaji N. S. , Jayabal S. , Kalayana Sundaram S.
Published: March 2016

This research work is focused on utilizing waste agricultural residues as reinforcement in polymer composites. Natural cellulose fibers from corn involucre petals were used as reinforcement materials in order to improve the mechanical properties of the polyester composites. Corn involucre petals fibers are the newly identified fiber which are extracted from the corn plants (Zea Mays subsp) using simple manual extraction. The extracted fiber were reinforced in polyester matrix with five level of fiber loading ranging from 10% to 70% and five levels of fiber length ranging from 10 to 50 mm. Hand layup process was used for composite fabrication and the mechanical properties of the fabricated composites were determined experimentally as per ASTM standards and Scanning Electron Microscopy was used for fractography study. The Corn involucre petal fibers reinforced polyester composites exhibited promising mechanical properties which suits their use for commercial and engineering applications.
Molecular, dynamic, and structural origin of inhomogeneous magnetization transfer in lipid membranes
Authors: Swanson Scott D. , Malyarenko Dariya I. , Fabiilli Mario L. , Welsh Robert C. , Nielsen Jon‐Fredrik , Srinivasan Ashok
Published: March 2016

Purpose

To elucidate the dynamic, structural, and molecular properties that create inhomogeneous magnetization transfer (ihMT) contrast.

Methods

Amphiphilic lipids, lamellar phospholipids with cholesterol, and bovine spinal cord (BSC) specimens were examined along with nonlipid systems. Magnetization transfer (MT), enhanced MT (eMT, obtained with double‐sided radiofrequency saturation), ihMT (MT – eMT), and dipolar relaxation, T1D, were measured at 2.0 and 11.7 T.

Results

The amplitude of ihMT ratio (ihMTR) is positively correlated with T1D values. Both ihMTR and T1D increase with increasing temperature in BSC white matter and in phospholipids and decrease with temperature in other lipids. Changes in ihMTR with temperature arise primarily from alterations in MT rather than eMT. Spectral width of MT, eMT, and ihMT increases with increasing carbon chain length.

Conclusions

Concerted motions of phospholipids in white matter decrease proton spin diffusion leading to increased proton T1D times and increased ihMT amplitudes, consistent with decoupling of Zeeman and dipolar spin reservoirs. Molecular specificity and dynamic sensitivity of ihMT contrast make it a suitable candidate for probing myelin membrane disorders. Magn Reson Med 77:1318–1328, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
The Effects of Resources on Social Activity and Economic Performance in Social Economy Organizations
Authors: López‐Arceiz Francisco José , Bellostas Pérezgrueso Ana José , Rivera Torres María Pilar
Published: March 2016

Social economy organizations (SEOs) represent the European Union's strong commitment to promoting the creation of welfare, employment, and social cohesion. This article examines the financial management model of these organizations by analyzing the impact of their available resources or capabilities on their economic performance and social activity and the possible mediating effect of their economic dimension as a strategic element in obtaining social achievements. In this study, we analyze 1,400 SpanishSEOsbetween 2009 and 2012 by using a structural equations model (SEM). Our results reveal thatSEOshave their own financial management model that is characterized by the mediating role of economic performance and a high ability to adapt to changes in the environment.
International migration and the conduit pipe syndrome
Authors: Aihonsu Matthew Olatubosun
Published: March 2016

Migration is as old as mankind. So are the fears and hopes attached to it by the different parties directly or indirectly concerned. Wars, poverty and humanitarian crises have been one steady producer of – mostly involuntary – migration. The pursuit of economic advantage has been another major driver of migration, by those who left their home in the hope of a better life elsewhere. Sometimes, immigrants met with a hearty welcome in the destination country, especially if they brought with them skills needed but in short supply in the destination country. Mostly, however, the reaction of those at the receiving end was at best mixed, and often outright hostile. Experts agree that the surprising thing about migration is not how often it occurs, but how rare it is. Up to now, human beings have shown a strong resistance to move away from their home ground. As long as conditions at home do not become absolutely unbearable, or the expected benefits of moving elsewhere are not extremely high, the human race seems to prefer to ‘stay put’. However, it must also be stressed that the movement pattern and distribution of millions of migrants are not evenly spread across the globe. European countries are amongst those with the highest share of foreign nationals. It is therefore perhaps better understandable that there is a major public debate about the pros and cons of migration in Europe. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effect of English Language Learner Reclassification on Student ACT Scores, High School Graduation, and Postsecondary Enrollment: Regression Discontinuity Evidence from Wisconsin
Authors: Carlson Deven , Knowles Jared E.
Published: March 2016

The recent increase in the number of students classified as English language learners (ELLs) has focused significant attention on reclassification policy, which governs the process by which ELLs move toward, and are deemed to reach, full English proficiency. In this paper, we draw on a data set containing annual individual‐level records for every Wisconsin student ever classified as an ELL between the 2006–07 and 2012–13 school years to estimate the effects of being reclassified at the end of 10th grade—a crucial period on the pathway to postsecondary education—on several measures related to students’ postsecondary attainments. We estimate these effects in a regression discontinuity framework, exploiting Wisconsin's policy rule that automatically reclassifies ELLs who score above a specified cutoff on the state's English language proficiency exam. Our analysis indicates that being reclassified as fully English proficient in 10th grade has a positive effect on students’ ACT scores. It also provides some evidence of a positive effect on high school graduation and the probability of enrolling in a postsecondary institution the fall after graduation. Together, our analyses provide evidence on the effects of a policy directly relevant to the country's fastest growing student population, and we close the paper with a discussion of the implications for research and policy.
Open source non‐invasive prenatal testing platform and its performance in a public health laboratory
Authors: Johansen Peter , Richter Stine R. , Balslev‐Harder Marie , Miltoft Caroline B. , Tabor Ann , Duno Morten , Kjaergaard Susanne
Published: March 2016

Objective

The objective of this study was to introduce non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for fetal autosomal trisomies and gender in a Danish public health setting, using semi‐conductor sequencing and published open source scripts for analysis.

Methods

Plasma‐derived DNA from a total of 375 pregnant women (divided into three datasets) was whole‐genome sequenced on the Ion Proton™ platform and analyzed using a pipeline based on WISECONDOR for fetal autosomal aneuploidy detection and SeqFF for fetal DNA fraction estimation. We furthermore validated a fetal sex determination analysis.

Results

The pipeline correctly detected 27/27 trisomy 21, 4/4 trisomy 18, and 3/3 trisomy 13 fetuses. Neither false negatives nor false positives (chromosomes 13, 18, and 21) were observed in our validation dataset. Fetal sex was identified correctly in all but one triploid fetus (172/173). SeqFF showed a strong correlation (R2 = 0.72) to Y‐chromosomal content of the male fetus samples.

Discussion

We have implemented NIPT into Danish health care using published open source scripts for autosomal aneuploidy detection and fetal DNA fraction estimation showing excellent false negative and false positive rates. SeqFF provides a good estimation of fetal DNA fraction. This coupled with an analysis of fetal sex that provides a complete NIPT workflow, which may easily be adapted for implementation in other public health laboratories. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A theoretical model for quantifying expansion of intumescent coating under different heating conditions
Authors: Cirpici Burak Kaan , Wang Y.C. , Rogers B.D. , Bourbigot S.
Published: March 2016

This article presents an analytical method to calculate the expansion of intumescent coatings under different heating and fire conditions, being the most critical step in quantifying their fire protection performance under different conditions. The proposed method extends that of Amon and Denson, originally developed for spherical bubbles in viscous fluid subject to increase in pressure within the bubbles, to intumescent coatings with non‐uniform temperature field and temperature‐dependent viscosity. The pressure increase inside the bubbles is a result of the conversion of intumescent coatings from melt to gases at high temperatures. The extended analytical method has been used to predict the expansion processes of intumescent coatings tested by Zhang et al. under cone calorimeter with different heating rates and under furnace fire condition with different temperature–time curves, and those of Muller under cone calorimeter heating. In these tests, intumescent coatings were applied to steel plates and the tests examined the effects of different coating thicknesses and steel plate thicknesses, therefore allowing the fire and cone calorimeter tests to encompass a wide range of temperatures and rates of heating. Comparison of the analytical calculation and test results indicates that the proposed method is suitable for quantifying the expansion process of intumescent coatings. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:798–809, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Accuracy of the Structured Medication History Assessment Tool (MedHAT) Compared with Recorded Real‐Time Medication Use
Authors: Heard Kennon , Anderson Victoria E. , Dart Richard C. , Green Jody L.
Published: March 2016

Study Objective

Medication histories are collected to measure drug exposure in epidemiologic studies, to identify adverse drug events and in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of a structured medication history obtained by using the Medication History Assessment Tool (MedHAT) with a medication diary in which subjects recorded real‐time medication use.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Outpatient research center.

Subjects

Sixty‐seven adult healthy volunteers.

Interventions

Subjects were provided diaries to record the product name, dose quantity, and time that they used a prescription or nonprescription medication, supplement, or vitamin. After a minimum of 30 continuous days of diary use, a final interview was conducted, and medication history data were collected by using the MedHAT.

Measurements and Main Results

We compared the medications reported during the interview with the medications recorded in the diary for each day to determine the accuracy of the verbal history. The primary outcome was the proportion of matches for each day for each subject. Overall accuracy for medication use for the day preceding the interview was 90%, and accuracy during the 30 days preceding the interview was 76%. Recall was higher for subjects taking prescription medications, those who had more recent medication use, older subjects, and subjects taking a higher proportion of prescription medications.

Conclusion

The MedHAT system provided relatively high accuracy for immediate past use and for prescription medications and may offer better accuracy than other methods. Medication histories are often inaccurate, however, and may represent an important source of misclassification in epidemiologic studies. Thus medication histories alone should be used cautiously when measuring associations between drug exposure and health outcomes.
Isothermal crystallization of Ge2Sb2Te5 amorphous thin films and estimation of information reliability of PCM cells
Authors: Kozyukhin S. , Vorobyov Yu. , Sherchenkov A. , Babich A. , Vishnyakov N. , Boytsova O.
Published: March 2016

The statistical approach based on Kolmogorov's theory of metal solidification is used as the basis for a prediction of data retention time in phase change memory devices as a function of temperature of an active medium. We compared the results of theoretical simulation with the experimental results of isothermal annealing of Ge2Sb2Te5 thin films with various time and temperature regimes, and good agreement between the theoretical and experimental results was found.
Assessing Understanding of the Energy Concept in Different Science Disciplines
Authors: PARK MIHWA , LIU XIUFENG
Published: March 2016

Energy is one of the most central and richly connected ideas across all science disciplines. The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement instrument for assessing students’ understanding of the energy concept within and across different science disciplines. To achieve this goal, the Inter‐Disciplinary Energy concept Assessment (IDEA) was developed through a pilot test, consisting of 49 items presented in pairs: multiple‐choice questions followed by open‐ended justification questions. The IDEA was administered to 356 college students in the United States. The partial credit Rasch model was applied to establish evidence of validity and reliability of measures for the IDEA. Results showed that the IDEA can produce reliable and valid measures of student understanding of the energy concept in different science disciplines. No statistical difference was found between the average difficulties of items across disciplines. In addition, the four science disciplines were positively correlated in terms of student understanding of the energy concept. When item difficulties were analyzed by science content topics, it was found that students have difficulty in understanding the energy concept in atomic structure, wave, electric and magnetic energy, and modern physics content areas. This result suggests that students’ difficulty in understanding the energy concept is compounded with specific science contents.
The Private Sector and the SDGs: The Need to Move Beyond ‘Business as Usual’
Authors: Scheyvens Regina , Banks Glenn , Hughes Emma
Published: March 2016

In September 2015, world leaders gathered in New York to endorse the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Ban Ki‐moon asserts that the SDGs signal a ‘paradigm shift for people and the planet’ (UN : para. 24). Significantly, under this new agenda there are expectations that businesses, government and civil society actors will be equally responsible for progressing a more sustainable path forward. Many assert that the private sector has particular strengths to bring to bear in delivering on the SDGs, including innovation, responsiveness, efficiency and provision of specific skills and resources. Interestingly, the business sector had a strong role in influencing development of the SDGs. In this paper we discuss the challenge being put forth to business actors by the SDGs, reflecting on both the potential for more sustainable and responsible practices and on the limits to change. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment