bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Divide
Authors: Owen Diana
Published: November 2015

The digital divide refers to differences in people's ability to take advantage of information and communications technology and the Internet. The first‐level digital divide indicates disparities in digital access based on socioeconomic status, education, age, gender, race and ethnicity, geographic location, linguistic background, and living with a disability. The second‐level digital divide pertains to variations in the technological skill levels of members of different societal groups as well as how and for what purposes technology is used. People with greater access to and facility with technology are better able to participate in politics through digital platforms than others. The global digital divide represents the differences in access to technology between industrialized and developing societies that heighten the resource gap between information‐rich and poor countries. The digital divide persists even as technology becomes more pervasive and available at lower costs. In 2013, only 40% of the world's population had access to the Internet. Some scholars predict that the digital divide will close as has been the case with other technologies, like radio and television. Others disagree, and contend that digital technology is unique and requires constant upgrading of equipment and skills that is not necessary with older media.
Communication Rights
Authors: Hamelink Cees J.
Published: November 2015

In a series of international and regional instruments close to 100 different human rights have been codified. All of them are based upon four key standards: dignity, equality, freedom, and security. These standards became essential to those human rights that could be labeled communication rights. These rights pertain to standards of performance with regard to the provision of information and the functioning of communication processes in society. They encompass freedom rights, protection rights, and cultural rights. Most of these rights do not adequately deal with communication as an interactive process. They deal with communication in the sense of “transfer of messages.” This has stimulated a discussion on a human right to communicate that would focus on communication in the sense of conversation or dialogue.
Television
Authors: Gripsrud Jostein
Published: November 2015

Television has remained central in the media system even after the opening up and immense growth of the World Wide Web from the mid‐1990s onward. But it has been changing in a number of ways, and so has its significance for political communication. In order to understand these changes, one must first turn to the history and basic features of the medium of television, that is, television as an audiovisual broadcasting medium. In this article, the emphasis will first be on a more general understanding of the medium of television. The article then looks at the medium's impact on political discourse in general and political campaigns more specifically. Finally, it discusses television's role in a digitalized media system where the Internet plays a key role.
Foreign Policy
Authors: Livingston Steven
Published: November 2015

Two rival schools of thought concerning the nature of the international system have dominatedUSforeign policy theory: structuralism (sometimes called neorealism) and complex interdependency theory (sometimes called neoliberalism). The conduct of foreign policy changes according to the premises established in adhering to one or the other of these systems. Both schools of thought agree that the international system is anarchic and that states are its principal organizing units. They differ on the nature and extent of cooperation among states and the role of nonstate actors, including news media. Recent advances in information and communication technology have begun to raise new challenges to the dominance of the state as the principal unit of organization on the global stage.
Press Freedom
Authors: Anderson C. W.
Published: November 2015

Press freedom, also referred to as the freedom of the press, refers to the ability of producers of both electronic and printed material to publish said material without interference from external agencies or outside centers of power. Press freedom is a complex concept insofar as it is inevitably tangled up in larger debates about negative and positive freedoms, as well as in debates about the cultural embeddedness of the very idea of a free press. One can speak of an US idea of press freedom, a European notion of press freedom, not to mention varied understandings of press freedom in the rest of the world. What's more, like much else in the realm of journalism and media production, previously static assumptions are being upended as communications infrastructures and products digitize. There is also increased complexity at the root of the concept of press freedom brought about by the process of globalization itself.
Fourth Estate
Authors: Debatin Bernhard S.
Published: November 2015

The Fourth Estate serves as an external watchdog for governmental action in addition to the checks and balances among the three branches of power. Embodied in the free press and the public sphere, the Fourth Estate is regarded as a driving force toward democratization and as an indicator for democratic rights and liberties. The mass media of the 20th century have on the one hand enabled modern watchdog journalism, on the other hand are they part of a commercialized corporate system that barely functions as a Fourth Estate. However, the concept of the Fourth Estate remains an important regulative idea and central tenet of liberal democracies. New virtual public spheres and Web‐based platforms give hope for a revitalization of the Fourth Estate. A coalition of networked actors and of traditional news media, captured in the notion of a “networked Fourth Estate,” could reinstate its critical functions.
Normative Theories
Authors: Christians Clifford G.
Published: November 2015

The idea of normative theories entered political communication in 1956 with the publication ofFour Theories of the Press. Throughout the 20th century these four normative theories and several additions were debated, with occasional attacks on the concept of normative theories itself.Normative Theories of the Mediain 2009 took account of this history, and proposed a new way of understanding normative theories. This new model is not tied to countries and is global in orientation rather than western. Several illustrations of normative theory in political communication show that it remains an important subunit in political communication. Three challenges must be met through future research to ensure the relevance of normative theory for political communication: alternative political systems to industrial democracies, networked communities, and connecting social scientific research with humanistic theories.
Media Ownership
Authors: Pickard Victor
Published: November 2015

Despite what seems like a myriad of media forms, ownership structures are still important for scholarly attention. The broad area of research that examines the many facets of media ownership does not lend itself to a tidy synthesis. Nonetheless, this entry discusses several major questions and concerns related to media ownership that have attracted scholarly attention in recent years.
Public Sphere
Authors: Trenz Hans‐Jörg
Published: November 2015

In modern societies, the public sphere represents the intermediary realm that supports the communication of opinions, the discovery of problems that need to be dealt with collectively, the channeling of these problems through the filter of the media and political institutions, and the realization of the collective will of the people in the act of democratic self‐government. The concept of the public sphere is used across the fields of media and communication research, cultural studies and the humanities, the history of ideas, legal and constitutional studies as well as democracy studies. Historically, public spheres have undergone structural transformations that were closely connected to the emergence of different mass media. More recently, they are subject to trends of transnationalization and digitalization in politics and society.
Digital Democracy
Authors: Coleman Stephen
Published: November 2015

Digital democracy refers to a potential relationship between the affordances of digital information and communication technologies and the normative requirements of effective political democracy. Its origins lie in a long tradition of hope for a more interactive and participatory form of political mediation. Responding to anxieties about the thin and weak relationships upon which representative democracy is founded, proponents of digital democracy argue that it could enable new forms of political representation to be established; that it could reconfigure the terms of collective action by diminishing problems of social coordination; and that it could open up a space for more deliberative public discourse.
Hostile Media Perceptions
Authors: Gunther Albert C.
Published: November 2015

The hostile media perception, also known as the hostile media effect, refers to the judgment, by individuals who have strong opinions on a particular issue, that media coverage of that issue is biased against their own point of view. A classic example is when a newspaper receives two letters to the editor complaining about news coverage of a contentious political debate, one from a Republican who criticizes the “liberal slant,” the other from a Democrat who objects to a “conservative bias.” Long familiar to journalists, this effect has seen three decades of vigorous research since the first empirical study was published by Vallone, Ross, and Lepper in 1985.
Accountability
Authors: Pasquino Gianfranco
Published: November 2015

Accountability is the process through which office‐holders take into account the preferences of the voters, translate them into public policies, and explain to the voters what they have done (and not done). Accountability is a democratic process par excellence. Candidates, parties, governments all are subject to the requirements of accountability. Different electoral systems have an understandably different impact on all political actors. Plurality systems in single‐member constituencies put a stronger constraint on the representatives. Proportional systems act more on the political parties. All governments in parliamentary democracies have to be accountable to their respective parliaments. Interinstitutional accountability is much less likely in presidential republics. In all instances of divided government, it will become well‐nigh impossible for the voters to punish either the President or Congress for the stalemate produced by divided government. Lame duck presidents are in a position to avoid accountability. They may still want to remain accountable not to ruin the electoral chances of their party's candidates. Term limits destroy the chain of accountability. Where accountability is limited and discretionary, the quality of democracy is low and unsatisfactory.
Deliberative Polls
Authors: Regalia Marta
Published: November 2015

Deliberative polls are an instrument whose aim is to provide a more accurate, scientific representation of public opinion based on information and careful consideration rather than on “top of the head” opinions. By exposing random samples of population to balanced information and opposing arguments, people are encouraged to challenge their embedded opinions by discussing with heterogeneous interlocutors having divergent points of view. The resulting change in opinion represents the conclusions the public would reach, if the people had the opportunity to become more informed and involved by the issues.
Freedom of Speech
Authors: Valbruzzi Marco
Published: November 2015

Although the right of free speech has deep roots in our history, it has only recently been implemented in the liberal constitutions and universal declaration of human rights. In the Athenian democracy, freedom of speech was considered as a tool of self‐government and a direct consequence of the principle of political equality between citizens. In the 18th century, free speech became one of the main tenets of political liberalism and, consistently, was implemented in the Bills of Rights or the Constitutions of many liberal democracies as a tool to restrain or control the government. As a fundamental, though relative, civil right, freedom of speech cannot be analyzed and understood in isolation from other, equally valuable, civic and political rights. As a component of a broader system of freedom of expression, the practical exercise of free speech in some cases can be regulated and curtailed in order to preserve the dignity of other individuals or the public security of the people.
Socialization, Political
Authors: Regalia Marta
Published: November 2015

Political socialization is a lifelong, interactive, developmental process. It represents the set of experiences that contribute to shaping the idea of the political system and of the individual himself in relation to it. Political socialization concerns each of the three components of Easton's political system: political community, regime, and authorities. Several societal agents have been identified as transmitters of political attitudes throughout the life cycle: mainly family, school, peer group, and the mass media. These provide the instruments for processing information, formulating arguments, reasoning about and discussing public affairs, examining ideas, and expressing opinions.
Decatungstate Photocatalyzed Acylations and Alkylations in Flow via Hydrogen Atom Transfer
Authors: Bonassi Filippo , Ravelli Davide , Protti Stefano , Fagnoni Maurizio
Published: November 2015

A set of atom‐economical radical conjugate addition reactions of alkyl and acyl radicals onto electron‐poor olefins or diisopropyl azodicarboxylate has been carried out on a multi‐gram scale under continuous flow conditions. The process is based on the use of the inorganic photocatalyst tetrabutylammonium decatungstate (TBADT), which is capable to activate selectively a variety of CH bonds in different substrates, including aldehydes, amides, ethers and alkanes. A wide range of synthetic targets has been synthesized according to this procedure, including 1,4‐difunctionalized derivatives (e.g., 1,4‐diketones or keto esters). All the reactions have been carried out in a meso‐scale flow photoreactor consisting in coils of UV‐transparent FEP tubing (fluorinated ethylene propylene) wrapped around a water‐cooled 500 W medium pressure mercury vapor lamp. The use of such a photochemical apparatus caused a reduction of the residence time, a notable increase of the STY (space time yield) and of the productivity values with respect to those measured for the corresponding batch processes, often leading to an improvement of the overall sustainability of the process (process mass intensity – PMI – values down to 10 kg kg−1).

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Reconstructing temporal variation in great ape and other primate diets: A methodological framework for isotope analyses in hair
Authors: Oelze Vicky M.
Published: November 2015

Stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen in hair provides a versatile tool for reconstructing feeding behavior in elusive primate species. Particularly in great apes, researchers can sample long hair completely non‐invasively from nests, allowing the investigation of inter‐ and intra‐individual dietary variation. Given its incremental growth pattern, hair records temporal shifts in diet over long periods and allows one to reconstruct seasonal dietary patterns in species that cannot be directly observed. However, as for other sample materials, there are potential drawbacks related to the properties of hair keratin. Here I review some important facts on the nature of primate hair and also introduce new isotopic data from infant bonobo hair to provide methodological recommendations for future sample collection in the field and sample preparation in the laboratory. While these methodological guidelines focus on great apes which can be sampled strictly non‐invasively, I also consider applications to other free‐ranging primates. The biochemical composition, growth cycle, isotope turnover rate and isotopic fractionation in hair keratin are particularly relevant for data analysis and interpretation. Also, one can microscopically identify infant hairs and analyze them separately to study nursing and weaning behavior in primates. The goal of this article is to encourage primatologists to analyze the stable isotope ratios of hair to assess primate feeding ecology. Am. J. Primatol. 78:1004–1016, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neural basis of hierarchical visual form processing of Japanese Kanji characters
Authors: Higuchi Hiroki , Moriguchi Yoshiya , Murakami Hiroki , Katsunuma Ruri , Mishima Kazuo , Uno Akira
Published: November 2015

Introduction

We investigated the neural processing of reading Japanese Kanji characters, which involves unique hierarchical visual processing, including the recognition of visual components specific to Kanji, such as “radicals.”

Methods

We performed functional MRI to measure brain activity in response to hierarchical visual stimuli containing (1) real Kanji characters (complete structure with semantic information), (2) pseudo Kanji characters (subcomponents without complete character structure), (3) artificial characters (character fragments), and (4) checkerboard (simple photic stimuli).

Results

As we expected, the peaks of the activation in response to different stimulus types were aligned within the left occipitotemporal visual region along the posterior–anterior axis in order of the structural complexity of the stimuli, from fragments (3) to complete characters (1). Moreover, only the real Kanji characters produced functional connectivity between the left inferotemporal area and the language area (left inferior frontal triangularis), while pseudo Kanji characters induced connectivity between the left inferotemporal area and the bilateral cerebellum and left putamen.

Conclusions

Visual processing of Japanese Kanji takes place in the left occipitotemporal cortex, with a clear hierarchy within the region such that the neural activation differentiates the elements in Kanji characters' fragments, subcomponents, and semantics, with different patterns of connectivity to remote regions among the elements.
Ultrastructure of spermatogenesis and mature spermatozoa in the flatworm Prosthiostomum siphunculus (Polycladida, Cotylea)
Authors: Gammoudi Mehrez , Salvenmoser Willi , Harrath Abdel Halim , Tekaya Saïda , Egger Bernhard
Published: November 2015

This is the first study investigating spermatogenesis and spermatozoan ultrastructure in the polyclad flatworm Prosthiostomum siphunculus. The testes are numerous and scattered as follicles ventrally between the digestive ramifications. Each follicle contains the different stages of sperm differentiation. Spermatocytes and spermatids derive from a spermatogonium and the spermatids remain connected by intercellular bridges. Chromatoid bodies are present in the cytoplasm of spermatogonia up to spermatids. During early spermiogenesis, a differentiation zone appears in the distal part of spermatids. A ring of microtubules extends along the entire sperm shaft just beneath the cell membrane. An intercentriolar body is present and gives rise to two axonemes, each with a 9 + “1” micro‐tubular pattern. Development of the spermatid leads to cell elongation and formation of a filiform, mature spermatozoon with two free flagella and with cortical microtubules along the sperm shaft. The flagella exit the sperm shaft at different levels, a finding common for acotyleans, but so far unique for cotylean polyclads. The Golgi complex produces numerous electron‐dense bodies of two types and of different sizes. These bodies are located around a perinuclear row of mitochondria. The elongated nucleus extends almost along the entire sperm body. The nucleus is wide in the proximal part and becomes narrow going towards the distal end. Thread‐like chromatin mixed with electron‐dense intranuclear spindle‐shaped bodies are present throughout nucleus. The general sperm ultrastructure, the presence of intranuclear bodies and a second type of cytoplasmic electron‐dense bodies may provide characters useful for phylogenetic analysis.
Indications and immediate and long‐term results of a novel pericardium covered stent graft: Consecutive 5 year single center experience
Authors: Secco Gioel Gabrio , Serdoz Roberta , Kilic Ismail Dogu , Caiazzo Gianluca , Mattesini Alessio , Parisi Rosario , De Luca Giuseppe , Pistis Gianfranco , Marino Paolo Nicola , Di Mario Carlo
Published: November 2015

Background

The use of covered stent grafts during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a life saving solution to seal acute iatrogenic vessel rupture. However, the presence of an impenetrable mechanical barrier is also appealing during treatment of friable coronary plaques but the synthetic PTFE‐membrane that might trigger excessive neointimal proliferation has limited its elective‐use. Pericardium tissue may offer an appealing “natural” alternative. Aim of our study is to report the consecutive 5‐year single center experience with the use of pericardium‐covered stents (PCS) (ITGI‐Medical, Israel) in a variety of emergency and elective applications.

Methods

Nineteen consecutive patients undergoing implantation of PCS at the Royal Brompton in the last 5‐years. Reasons for PCS implantation included treatment of degenerated vein grafts, large coronary aneurysms, and acute iatrogenic vessel rupture.

Results

Angiographic success, defined as the ability of the device to be deployed in the indexed lesion with no contrast extravasation with residual angiographic stenosis <30% and a final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI)‐3 flow was achieved in all cases. Procedural success, defined as the achievement of angiographic success without any major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) was achieved in 94.7% of patients. In‐stent restenosis (ISR) was observed in 26.3% and all patients underwent successful target vessel revascularization with DES (mean time to restenosis 9.0 ± 4.0 months). At a mean follow‐up of 32.5 ± 23.3 months no acute or late stent thrombosis was observed.

Conclusion

PCSs were effective in the treatment of friable embolization‐prone coronary plaques, sealing of acute iatrogenic vessel rupture and exclusion of large aneurysms with no thrombosis but high target lesion revascularization. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cinchona Alkaloid Catalyzed Asymmetric Desymmetrization of meso‐Cyclic Anhydrides: The Origins of Stereoselectivity
Authors: Dedeoglu Burcu , Catak Saron , Yildirim Asli , Bolm Carsten , Aviyente Viktorya
Published: November 2015

The asymmetric desymmetrization of meso‐cyclic anhydrides catalyzed by the pseudoenantiomeric pairs of cinchona alkaloids, quinine (QN) and quinidine (QD), has been subjected to a computational study employing density functional theory (DFT) to understand the origin of the experimentally observed stereoselectivity. The spatial placement of the catalyst with respect to the anhydride, which resembles a molecular tweezer, was found to be the primary reason for the stabilization of the oxyanion forming in the transition states, as well as the oxyanion intermediate observed along the reaction coordinate. The distortion–interaction model has been employed to rationalize the experimentally observed enantiomeric ratios. The assistance of solvent molecules was essential in the prediction of experimental enantioselectivities.
Single‐Step Functionalization and Exfoliation of Graphene with Polymers under Mild Conditions
Authors: Skaltsas T. , Mountrichas G. , Zhao S. , Shinohara H. , Tagmatarchis N. , Pispas S.
Published: November 2015

The simultaneous polymer functionalization and exfoliation of graphene sheets by using mild bath sonication and heat treatment at low temperature is described. In particular, free‐radical polymerization of three different vinyl monomers takes place in the presence of graphite flakes. The polymerization procedure leads to the exfoliation of graphene sheets and at the same time the growing polymer chains are attached onto the graphene lattice, which gives solubility and stability to the final graphene‐based hybrid material. The polymer‐functionalized graphene sheets possess fewer defects as compared with previously reported polymer‐functionalized graphene. The success of the covalent functionalization and exfoliation of graphene was confirmed by using a variety of complementary spectroscopic, thermal, and microscopy techniques, including Raman, IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy.
Improved Transversal Relaxivity for Highly Crystalline Nanoparticles of Pure γ‐Fe2O3 Phase
Authors: Casterou Gérald , Collière Vincent , Lecante Pierre , Coppel Yannick , Eliat Pierre‐Antoine , Gauffre Fabienne , Kahn Myrtil L.
Published: November 2015

Pure and highly crystalline γ‐Fe2O3 nanocrystals (NCs) are obtained when hydrolysis and oxidation of a FeII organometallic precursor are performed in successive steps. Their synthesis in pure alkylamine leads to NCs of about 6 nm. In aqueous solutions of poly(vinyl)pyrrolidone, such pristine NCs form aggregates of about 150 nm that exhibit a high transversal relaxivity (r2=466 mM−1 s−1) about four times higher than that of a commercial Feridex magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent. Consequently, they provide a significant decrease in the NMR signal at very short echo time (8 ms), which is of paramount importance in clinical practice because of the reduced duration of MRI measurements.
Hierarchical MoS2@Carbon Microspheres as Advanced Anodes for Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Bai Zhongchao , Zhang Yaohui , Zhang Yuwen , Guo Chunli , Tang Bin
Published: November 2015

Hierarchical hybridized nanocomposites with rationally constructed compositions and structures have been considered key for achieving superior Li‐ion battery performance owing to their enhanced properties, such as fast lithium ion diffusion, good collection and transport of electrons, and a buffer zone for relieving the large volume variations during cycling processes. Hierarchical MoS2@carbon microspheres (HMCM) have been synthesized in a facile hydrothermal treatment. The structure analyses reveal that ultrathin MoS2 nanoflakes (ca. 2–5 nm) are vertically supported on the surface of carbon nanospheres. The reversible capacity of the HMCM nanocomposite is maintained at 650 mA h g−1 after 300 cycles at 1 A g−1. Furthermore, the capacity can reach 477 mA h g−1 even at a high current density of 4 A g−1. The outstanding electrochemical performance of HMCM is attributed to the synergetic effect between the carbon spheres and the ultrathin MoS2 nanoflakes. Additionally, the carbon matrix can supply conductive networks and prevent the aggregation of layered MoS2 during the charge/discharge process; and ultrathin MoS2 nanoflakes with enlarged surface areas, which can guarantee the flow of the electrolyte, provide more active sites and reduce the diffusion energy barrier of Li+ ions.
DNA Triplexes That Bind Several Cofactor Molecules
Authors: Vollmer Sven , Richert Clemens
Published: November 2015

Invited for the cover of this issue are Sven Vollmer and Clemens Richert of the University of Stuttgart. The cover image hints at the analogy between a honey comb, as a macroscopic storage device, and DNA triplexes with designed binding sites, as molecular storage motifs that can release ATP to fuel a bioluminescence reaction. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201503220.
Effects of climate on pine processionary moth fecundity and on its egg parasitoids
Authors: Tiberi Riziero , Bracalini Matteo , Croci Francesco , Tellini Florenzano Guido , Panzavolta Tiziana
Published: November 2015

Climate change may be affecting the fecundity of phytophagous insects as well as impacting their natural enemies. However, temperature impacts these two insect groups differently, disrupting population regulation mechanisms, and ultimately, possibly culminating in an outbreak of the host. The pine processionary moth (PPM) is one of the most harmful insects of the Mediterranean basin. Not only are PPM larvae harmful to plants, but they are also dangerous to humans because of their urticating hairs. Although some information is available on climate change effects on the PPM, little is known about its potential effects on PPM egg parasitoids, especially on their distribution range or on their role in controlling PPM populations. The aim of this article was to verify the effects of climate on PPM fecundity and on its egg parasitoids. Our results show that climate warming may affect the PPM positively, but not its egg parasitoids. Specifically, during our study mild winters directly favored the PPM, while increasing summer temperatures (over 30°C) also favored the PPM indirectly, by decreasing parasitism rates. We predict that ever‐milder winters will not only favor PPM development, but also encourage it to spread in otherwise previously inhospitable environments.
Fortification of chocolate milk with omega‐3, omega‐6, and vitamins E and C by using liposomes
Authors: Marsanasco Marina , Calabró Valeria , Piotrkowski Bárbara , Chiaramoni Nadia S. , del V. Alonso Silvia
Published: November 2015

The main goal of this work was to develop an additive to fortify a widely consumed product with vitamins. Additives were made of soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC)‐based liposomes to encapsulate vitamin E (VE) and vitamin C (VC), and incorporated in chocolate milk to generate a functional food and posterior pasteurization. SPC contains essential fatty acids like omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acids. Stearic acid (SA) or calcium stearate (CaS) was incorporated as a liposome bilayer stabilizer. Characterization of liposomes involved size and surface charge, studied by light scattering and zeta potential, respectively. Liposome shape was analyzed by optical microscopy. Membrane packing was studied with merocyanine 540 and oxidative stability by the TBA and ORAC methods. The studies were made before and after pasteurization to study thermal stability. All formulations showed significant stability of the parameters analyzed, even after pasteurization, and a protective effect over VC, which is thermolabile. The release of vitamins was studied by dialysis. All additives were able to retain a high percentage of VE and VC. For food application, a sensory evaluation was performed in chocolate milk with liposomes. SPC:SA liposomes can be selected as food additives due to their acceptability and stability.

Practical applications: Additives with a natural lipid SPC and vitamins E and C were developed to be incorporated in chocolate milk. They presented:

(1) A significant stability of all analyzed parameters before and after pasteurization:

  – biophysical stability: size, structure, shape, molecular membrane packing and surface charge.

  – the oxidative stability: all had low peroxidation tendency.

  – thermal stability: all had a protective effect over thermolabile vitamin C after pasteurization.

  – temporal stability: all presented a high encapsulation of vitamins after 72 hours of dialysis.

(2) Additives showed a Newtonian and pseudoplastic rheological behavior, both considered excellent for larger scale production.

(3) Sensory evaluation of additives in commercial chocolate milk was performed by the overall acceptability with hedonic scale employing 40 potential consumers. SPC:SA formulation with vitamins was the most applicable.

For all the above mentioned, the formulations, specially SPC:SA with vitamins E and C, are excellent candidates as additives to incorporated in chocolate milk.

From liposomes to functional chocolate milk: Image: Liposomes: SPC, soy phosphatidylcholine; SA, stearic acid; CaS, calcium stearate. First graph: Vitamin C protection, pH > 5. Second graph: Sensory evaluation in chocolate milk, SPC:SA the best suited.
Regioselective Annulation of Unsymmetrical 1,2‐Phenylenebis(diaryl/diheteroarylmethanol): A Facile Synthesis of Anthracene, Tetracene, and Naphtho[b]thiophene Analogues
Authors: Sivasakthikumaran Ramakrishnan , Rafiq Settu Muhammad , Sankar Elumalai , Clement J. Arul , Mohanakrishnan Arasambattu K.
Published: November 2015

A systematic study on the regioselective cyclization of benzene‐ and naphthalene‐based unsymmetrical diols with HBr (33 %) in acetic acid at room temperature led to the formation of annulation products. By using this method, synthesis of a wide variety of anthracene, tetracene and naphtho[b]thiophene analogues was achieved in good to excellent yields. By employing HBr (33 %) in acetic acid as a catalyst for regioselective cyclization of unsymmetrical diols was very facile and devoid of commonly encountered dihydroisobenzofuran formation.
Facile and Highly Diastereoselective Synthesis of syn‐ and cis‐1,2‐Diol Derivatives from Protected α‐Hydroxy Ketones
Authors: Jahn Emanuela , Smrček Jakub , Pohl Radek , Císařová Ivana , Jones Peter G. , Jahn Ullrich
Published: November 2015

An efficient method for the synthesis of monoprotected syn‐ or cis‐1,2‐diol derivatives by reduction of easily accessible α‐(2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyloxy) ketones is reported. The α‐(tetramethylpiperidinyloxy) group as the stereodirecting group induces in unhindered acyclic or cyclic ketones complete syn‐ or cis‐diastereoselectivity, respectively, with L‐Selectride. For more hindered derivatives, where L‐Selectride becomes unreactive, LiAlH4 proved effective, essentially showing the same high selectivity. The diastereoselectivity of the reduction can be rationalized for acyclic ketones by the Felkin–Anh model, whereas for cyclic substrates, attack from the face opposite to the tetramethylpiperidinyloxy group predictably prevails with high selectivity regardless of the substitution pattern. The liberation of free diols was achieved by reductive N–O bond cleavage of the alkoxyamine unit.
High‐resolution pluronic‐filled microchip CE‐SSCP analysis system via channel width control
Authors: Shin Giyoung , Kim Dong‐Kyun , Doh Junsang , Lee Daeyeon , Lee Nam Ki , Jung Gyoo Yeol
Published: November 2015

Although the resolution of CE‐SSCP has been significantly improved by using a poly(ethyleneoxide)‐poly(propyleneoxide)‐poly(ethyleneoxide) (PEO‐PPO‐PEO; Pluronic®) triblock copolymer as a separation medium, CE‐SSCP on a microchip format is not widely applicable because their resolution is limited by short channel length. Therefore, a strategy to improve the resolution in channels of limited lengths is highly required for enabling microchip‐based CE‐SSCP. In this study, we developed a high‐resolution CE‐SSCP microchip system by controlling the width of the pluronic‐filled channel. We tested four different channel widths of 180, 240, 300, and 400 μm, and found that 300 μm showed the highest resolution in the separation of two pathogen specific markers. Potential applications of our method in various genetic analyses were also shown by using SNP markers for spinal muscular atrophy.
Exergy Analysis as a Tool for Decision Making on Substrate Concentration and Light Intensity in Photobiological Hydrogen Production
Authors: Dadak Ali , Aghbashlo Mortaza , Tabatabaei Meisam , Najafpour Ghasem , Younesi Habibollah
Published: November 2015

This study was devoted to the comprehensive thermodynamic modeling of biohydrogen production using the light‐dependent bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum. Conventional exergy and eco‐exergy concepts were employed for decision making on the carbon source concentration and light intensity. Several thermodynamic indicators were applied to identify optimal experimental variables with respect to the sustainability issues. The results obtained using both concepts were remarkably different from each other because of the incorporation of the work of the information embodied in the genomes of the living microorganisms considered in the eco‐exergetic computations. However, both analyses identified 1 g L−1 substrate concentration and 1000 lux light intensity as optimal fermentation conditions. Under these conditions, the normalized exergy destruction as a decision making parameter was 179.7 and 171.54 kJ kJ
−1 using the conventional exergy and eco‐exergy concepts, respectively.
Vector‐time‐series‐based back propagation neural network modeling of air quality inside a public transportation bus using available software
Authors: Kadiyala Akhil , Kumar Ashok
Published: November 2015

This software review article describes the development of hybrid indoor air quality (IAQ) models by integrating the use of vector time series (VTS) and back propagation neural network (BPNN) modeling approaches. BPNNs are the most widely adopted artificial neural networks that serve as universal approximators and provide a flexible computational platform to integrate conventional modeling approaches like time series in developing hybrid environmental prediction (or forecasting) models. The hybrid VTS‐based BPNN IAQ prediction models developed and validated in this study using available software are based on the monitoried in‐bus contaminants of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 7–13, 2016
Change in carbohydrate and enzymes from harvest to sprouting in garlic
Authors: Mashayekhi Kambiz , Mohammadi Chiane Siamak , Mianabadi Manizheh , Ghaderifar Farshid , Mousavizadeh Seyyed Javad
Published: November 2015

Changes in carbohydrates, enzymes, and pigments were investigated in the Red Garlic (Allium sativum L.) cv. Azarshahr bulbs in storage from harvest to sprouting. For storage period, garlic cloves of the same diameter with 3–4 g weight were arranged in dark condition and exposed to 4 and 21°C, separately. Soluble sugar, total sugar, glucose, sucrose, fructose, starch, chlorophyll a, b, ab, carotenoid, anthocyanin, lipase, α‐amylase, and protease were measured every 2 weeks up to sprouting time. Result revealed that starch, lipase, and protease levels declined at the end of storage when clove sprouting started at both 4 and 21°C storage temperature. Starch, glucose, chlorophyll a, b, ab, and carotenoid content during the first 14 days and sucrose at 42 days showed a decreasing trend. Anthocyanin showed an increasing trend 14 and 42 days after harvesting and then decreased at the end of storage (when sprouting began) at both 4 and 21°C storage periods. Finally, starch, glucose, and sucrose measurement can be used as a criterion to predict sprouting time of garlic, due to the decrease in the levels of starch, lipase, and protease, and increase in the levels of α‐amylase, glucose, and sucrose in garlic cloves under storage.
Complex‐I Alteration and Enhanced Mitochondrial Fusion Are Associated With Prostate Cancer Progression
Authors: Philley Julie V. , Kannan Anbarasu , Qin Wenyi , Sauter Edward R. , Ikebe Mitsuo , Hertweck Kate L. , Troyer Dean A. , Semmes Oliver J. , Dasgupta Santanu
Published: November 2015

Mitochondria (mt) encoded respiratory complex‐I (RCI) mutations and their pathogenicity remain largely unknown in prostate cancer (PCa). Little is known about the role of mtDNA loss on mt integrity in PCa. We determined mtDNA mutation in human and mice PCa and assessed the impact of mtDNA depletion on mt integrity. We also examined whether the circulating exosomes from PCa patients are transported to mt and carry mtDNA or mt proteins. We have employed next generation sequencing of the whole mt genome in human and Hi‐myc PCa. The impact of mtDNA depletion on mt integrity, presence of mtDNA, and protein in sera exosomes was determined. A co‐culture of human PCa cells and the circulating exosomes followed by confocal imaging determined co‐localization of exosomes and mt. We observed frequent RCI mutations in human and Hi‐myc PCa which disrupted corresponding complex protein expression. Depletion of mtDNA in PCa cells influenced mt integrity, increased expression of MFN1, MFN2, PINK1, and decreased expression of MT‐TFA. Increased mt fusion and expression of PINK1 and DNM1L were also evident in the Hi‐myc tumors. RCI‐mtDNA, MFN2, and IMMT proteins were detected in the circulating exosomes of men with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and progressive PCa. Circulating exosomes and mt co‐localized in PCa cells. Our study identified new pathogenic RCI mutations in PCa and defined the impact of mtDNA loss on mt integrity. Presence of mtDNA and mt proteins in the circulating exosomes implicated their usefulness for biomarker development. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 1364–1374, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecularly imprinted polymeric stir bar: Preparation and application for the determination of naftopidil in plasma and urine samples
Authors: Peng Jun , Xiao Deli , He Hua , Zhao Hongyan , Wang Cuixia , Shi Tian , Shi Kexin
Published: November 2015

In this study, molecularly imprinting technology and stir bar absorption technology were combined to develop a microextraction approach based on a molecularly imprinted polymeric stir bar. The molecularly imprinted polymer stir bar has a high performance, is specific, economical, and simple to prepare. The obtained naftopidil‐imprinted polymer‐coated bars could simultaneously agitate and adsorb naftopidil in the sample solution. The ratio of template/monomer/cross‐linker and conditions of template removal were optimized to prepare a stir bar with highly efficient adsorption. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, selectivity, and extraction capacity experiments showed that the molecularly imprinted polymer stir bar was prepared successfully. To utilize the molecularly imprinted polymer stir bar for the determination of naftopidil in complex body fluid matrices, the extraction time, stirring speed, eluent, and elution time were optimized. The limits of detection of naftopidil in plasma and urine sample were 7.5 and 4.0 ng/mL, respectively, and the recoveries were in the range of 90–112%. The within‐run precision and between‐run precision were acceptable (relative standard deviation <7%). These data demonstrated that the molecularly imprinted polymeric stir bar based microextraction with high‐performance liquid chromatography was a convenient, rapid, efficient, and specific method for the precise determination of trace naftopidil in clinical analysis.
Chemoselection combined with alternating chemoradiotherapy or surgery for hypopharyngeal cancer
Authors: Matsuzuka Takashi , Sato Hisashi , Suzuki Ryo , Suzuki Masahiro , Saijoh Satoshi , Ikeda Masakazu , Nakaegawa Yuta , Tani Akiko , Imaizumi Mitsuyoshi , Matsui Takamichi , Nomoto Yukio , Nomoto Mika , Tada Yasuhiro , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Omori Koichi
Published: November 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

In order to make possible organ preservation, since 2007 our hospital has performed induction chemotherapy (ICT) with cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil (PF) for hypopharyngeal cancer as chemoselection, followed by alternating chemoradiotherapy (ACRT) with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5‐fluorouracil in (TPF) good responders and curative surgery was used in poor responders.

Methods

Twenty‐six patients with stage III to stage IVB hypopharyngeal cancer received ICT. Eleven of the patients were classified as poor responders and received curative surgery. The remaining 15 patients were classified as good responders. Three of these patients underwent curative surgery, and the remaining 12 underwent ACRT.

Results

The primary lesions in the 12 ACRT patients responded completely to treatment without severe late toxicities. The estimated 3‐year laryngectomy‐free rate for all 26 patients was 23%. The estimated 3‐year overall survival rates for all 26 patients, 12 patients treated with ACRT, and 14 patients who underwent curative surgery, were 79%, 75%, and 84%, respectively.

Conclusion

The patients who underwent ACRT showed no significant difference in overall survival compared with the patients who underwent curative surgery. All the patients were able to proceed with this series of therapy, indicating that ICT with PF could be a feasible tool for choosing good responders. Because ACRT with TPF had a high response rate and fewer severe toxicities, this treatment could be safe and have enough impact to control hypopharyngeal cancer in good responders.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 126:1349–1353, 2016
New Fluoropolymers Having Both Low Water Uptake and a Low Dielectric Constant
Authors: He Fengkai , Jin Kaikai , Wang Jiajia , Luo Yijie , Sun Jing , Fang Qiang
Published: November 2015

Polymers with both low water uptake and a low dielectric constant have seen interest from both the electronic and microelectronic industries for several years. They play a crucial role in maintaining the good operating situation of devices, whereas most other materials are unsatisfactory. In this contribution, two new fluoropolymers are reported, which are derived from the thermo‐crosslinking reaction of functional monomers containing perfluorocyclobutane and benzocyclobutene moieties. These polymers show water uptake ranging from 0.11 to 0.31% after immersion in boiling water (near 98 °C) for 96 h, and exhibit dielectric constants (k) of below 2.4 at a range of frequencies from 0.1 MHz to 30 MHz. In contrast, a comparative polymer without perfluorocyclobutane units has a k value of more than 2.70 and water uptake of 0.67%, respectively, suggesting that the low water absorption and dielectric constants of the fluoropolymers can be attributed to the existence of perfluorocyclobutane groups in the molecular backbone. These results also indicate that the properties of the fluoropolymers are superior to these of the most commercial polymeric low‐k materials, implying that these fluoropolymers could be used as the varnish for enameled wire in the electrical industry and as encapsulation resins in the microelectronics industry.

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Evaluation of DNA extraction kits and phylogenetic diversity of the porcine gastrointestinal tract based on Illumina sequencing of two hypervariable regions
Authors: Burbach Katharina , Seifert Jana , Pieper Dietmar H. , Camarinha‐Silva Amélia
Published: November 2015

A robust DNA extraction method is important to identify the majority of microorganisms present in environmental microbial communities and to enable a consistent comparison between different studies. Here, 15 manual and four automated commercial DNA extraction kits were evaluated for their efficiency to extract DNA from porcine feces and ileal digesta samples. DNA yield, integrity, and purity varied among the different methods. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) and Illumina amplicon sequencing were used to characterize the diversity and composition of the microbial communities. We also compared phylogenetic profiles of two regions of the 16S rRNA gene, one of the most used region (V1–2) and the V5–6 region. A high correlation between community structures obtained by analyzing both regions was observed at genus and family level for ileum digesta and feces. Based on our findings, we want to recommend the FastDNA™ SPIN Kit for Soil (MP Biomedical) as a suitable kit for the analyses of porcine gastrointestinal tract samples.
Infinitely many solutions for nonlocal elliptic systems of (p1(x),⋯,pn(x))‐Kirchhoff type
Authors: Miao Qing
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we obtain the existence of infinitely solutions for a class of nonlocal elliptic systems of (p1(x),⋯,pn(x))‐Kirchhoff type. Our main results are new. Our approach are based on general variational principle because of B. Ricceri and the theory of the variable exponent Sobolev spaces. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.