bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of a conventional two‐column demethanizer/deethanizer configuration requiring refrigerated condensers with a nonconventional column/rectifier configuration
Authors: Luyben William L
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

Many researchers have demonstrated the economic advantages in some separations of non‐conventional distillation configurations such as the use of a side rectifier or a divided‐wall column. Most of the systems studied in the literature appear to have operating pressures that permit the use of cooling water in the condenser. This inexpensive heat sink means that the energy economics depend almost solely on reboiler duty. This work explores the situation in which expensive refrigeration must be used in the condensers. The numerical example is the production of natural gas liquids (NGL).

RESULTS

The resulting cryogenic reflux‐drum temperatures (−80 °C in the demethanizer and 12 °C in the deethanizer) require expensive refrigeration. Therefore, the economics depend on both reboiler duties and condenser duties. Two cases are studied. The first uses the product specifications proposed in a literature paper, which correspond to very high recoveries of methane and ethane. The second case uses more reasonable recoveries and also finds the optimum recovery for propane.

CONCLUSIONS

In the first case, the conventional two‐column configuration is more economically attractive than the non‐conventional column/rectifier configuration because of lower refrigeration costs. In the second case, the opposite is true because the refrigeration load is much smaller. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Extended evolution: A conceptual framework for integrating regulatory networks and niche construction
Authors: Laubichler Manfred D. , Renn Jürgen
Published: June 2015

This paper introduces a conceptual framework for the evolution of complex systems based on the integration of regulatory network and niche construction theories. It is designed to apply equally to cases of biological, social and cultural evolution. Within the conceptual framework we focus especially on the transformation of complex networks through the linked processes of externalization and internalization of causal factors between regulatory networks and their corresponding niches and argue that these are an important part of evolutionary explanations. This conceptual framework extends previous evolutionary models and focuses on several challenges, such as the path‐dependent nature of evolutionary change, the dynamics of evolutionary innovation and the expansion of inheritance systems.J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 324B: 565–577, 2015. © 2015 The Authors.Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolutionpublished by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Facile Synthesis of Aryl‐Substituted Hydrazono‐Pyrazolyl[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4][thiadiazol]‐coumarin Derivatives
Authors: Sharma Archi , Satish Gudala , Penta Santhosh
Published: June 2015

Some inimitable and therapeutic coumarin‐substituted fused[1,2,4]triazolo‐[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadizole derivatives were synthesized by the cyclocondensation reaction of 2‐oxo‐2H‐chromene‐3‐carboxylic acid (1) and 4‐amino‐5‐hydrazinyl‐4H‐[1,2,4]‐triazole‐3‐thiol (2) by using phosphorous oxychloride as a cyclizing agent. This cyclized intermediate 3‐(3‐hydrazino‐[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazol‐6‐yl)‐chromen‐2‐one (3) later condensation with various ethyl 2‐(2‐arylhydrazono)‐3‐oxobutanoates (4) in NaOAc/MeOH under reflux conditions afforded the corresponding new series of aryl‐substituted hydrazono‐pyrazolyl‐[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4][thiadiazol]‐coumarin derivatives (5) in good to excellent yields. The structures of newly synthesized compounds were established on the basis of elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR and mass spectroscopic studies.
Intraseasonal variability of the tropical Pacific subsurface temperature in the two flavours of El Niño
Authors: Feng Junqiao , Wang Qingye , Hu Shijian , Hu Dunxin
Published: June 2015

The spatial structure and temporal evolution of the intraseasonal variability (ISV) of the subsurface ocean temperature (STA) in the equatorial Pacific associated with the two flavours of El Niño [i.e. the canonical or eastern Pacific (EP) El Niño and the central Pacific (CP) El Niño] are investigated using observations and 1.5‐layer linear reduced gravity model. Results suggest that the ISV characteristics show some differences in the two types of El Niño, although both oscillate along the thermocline in the form of the intraseasonal equatorial Kelvin wave (IEKW), which is excited in the western tropical Pacific by the zonal wind stress associated with the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). First, the period of dominant mode of the STA ISV during CP El Niño broadly distributes in 50–80 days with the spectra peaking in 60–65 days. By contrast, the spectrum of STA ISV during EP El Niño shows a peak in 75–80‐day period. This indicates that the wave speed is faster in the CP El Niño than in EP El Niño. Second, the ISV activity peaks in previous spring during the developing phase of EP El Niño, whereas during CP El Niño it becomes the most active during the mature phase. Third, the strongest IEKW occurs in the CP around the dateline during CP El Niño and attenuates quickly east of 130°W due to strong eddy viscosity dissipation, while the IEKW during the EP El Niño propagates efficiently from the western to the eastern Pacific with a relative weak diffusion.
Climatic gradients along the windward slopes of Mount Kenya and their implication for crop risks. Part 2: crop sensitivity
Authors: Philippon Nathalie , Baron Christian , Boyard‐Micheau Joseph , Adde Antoine , Leclerc Christian , Mwongera Caroline , Camberlin Pierre
Published: June 2015

Mount Kenya is an equatorial mountain whose climatic setting is fairly simple (two rainy seasons in March–May, the Long Rains, and October–December, the Short Rains) though concealing significant spatial variations related to elevation and aspect (part I, Camberlin et al., 2014). This part II is dedicated to the sensitivity of sorghum yields to climate variability in space and time, with a focus on the intra‐seasonal characteristics of the rainy seasons. To that aim we use the crop model SARRA‐H calibrated for the region and fed with rainfall, temperature, wind speed, humidity and solar radiation data over the period 1973–2001 at three stations located on the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya. The crop model is run independently for the two rainy seasons. Four groups of simulations are conducted by varying the initialization date of the simulation, the sowing dates and the type of soil, in order to test sorghum sensitivity to water availability. Evidence is found that potential sorghum yields are dominantly controlled by variations in seasonal rainfall amounts: mean yields are higher at higher and wetter locations, and are higher during the wettest rainy season and years. However, beyond this apparent simplicity, more complex aspects emerge of the crop–climate relationships. First, the yield–elevation relationship is altered at high elevation due to lower temperature. Second, despite a strong link with the seasonal rainfall amounts, we evidence an underlying role of some intra‐seasonal rainfall characteristics such as the number of rainy days (itself mainly determined by the rainy season duration) or the occurrence of long dry spells. Third, unseasonal rains occurring after the end of the rainy season, especially after the Short Rains, play a role in final crop yield. Fourth, variations of climate variables such as solar radiation by modulating the potential evapotranspiration concur to yield variations at the wettest locations.
Multiresidue analysis of 36 pesticides in soil using a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method by liquid chromatography with tandem quadruple linear ion trap mass spectrometry
Authors: Feng Xue , He Zeying , Wang Lu , Peng Yi , Luo Ming , Liu Xiaowei
Published: June 2015

A new method for simultaneous determination of 36 pesticides, including 15 organophosphorus, six carbamate, and some other pesticides in soil was developed by liquid chromatography with tandem quadruple linear ion trap mass spectrometry. The extraction and clean‐up steps were optimized based on the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method. The data were acquired in multiple reaction monitoring mode combined with enhanced product ion to increase confidence of the analytical results. Validation experiments were performed in soil samples. The average recoveries of pesticides at four spiking levels (1, 5, 50, and 100 μg/kg) ranged from 63 to 126% with relative standard deviation below 20%. The limits of detection of pesticides were 0.04–0.8 μg/kg, and the limits of quantification were 0.1–2.6 μg/kg. The correlation coefficients (r2) were higher than 0.990 in the linearity range of 0.5–200 μg/L for most of the pesticides. The method allowed for the analysis of the target pesticides in the lower μg/kg concentration range. The optimized method was then applied to the test of real soil samples obtained from several areas in China, confirming the feasibility of the method.
Alterations in Soil Chemical Properties Induced by Continuous Rice Cultivation: A Study on the Arid Nile Delta Soils of Egypt
Authors: El‐Shahway Ashraf Samy , Mahmoud Mahmoud M. A. , Udeigwe Theophilus K.
Published: June 2015

Changes in soil chemical properties resulting from continuous rice (Oryza sativa) cultivation on the Nile Delta soils of Egypt were examined. The eight soil profiles characterized for this study were designated as 0 (crop rotation without rice), 1 (crop rotation with rice after every 2 years), and 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 representing continuous rice cultivation for 2, 4, 8, 12, 15, and 20 years, respectively. Sampling was conducted at 0–20, 20–40, 40–60, and 60–80 cm depths for each profile and samples analyzed for a suite of chemical properties. Soil pH, salinity indicators [electrical conductivity (EC), and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP)], as well as soluble and exchangeable cations and anions such as chloride and sulfate, all tended to decrease with years of continuous rice cultivation, with a number of significant (p < 0·05) differences observed. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) increased with years of continuous rice cultivation, with a 12% increase observed between 2‐ and 20‐year continuous rice cultivation systems. Principal component analysis conducted on soil properties within the continuous rice cultivation systems (profiles 2–7) revealed two possible components, namely F1 (pH, EC, ESP, and soluble Na+, Mg2+, K+, Cl−, and SO4−2) and F2 (clay, organic matter, and CEC), which could be broadly associated to soil salinity and soil fertility, respectively. Findings suggested possible alterations in soil chemical properties by continuous rice cultivation practices on these Nile Delta soils of Egypt, Africa. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring Field Rill Erodibility by a Simplified Method
Authors: Di Stefano Costanza , Ferro Vito , Pampalone Vincenzo
Published: June 2015

Many process‐oriented erosion prediction models reproduce rill erosion as affected by site‐specific parameters, as for example, rill erodibility, and thus, their practical application requires the measurement of these parameters or their estimate.

The aim of this paper was establishing a method for indirectly measuring field rill erodibility. A simple mathematical approach based on a known soil detachment equation and accounting for the rill erosion dynamic process is applied. Field measurements carried out for seven natural rainfall events occurring at the plots of the Sparacia experimental station, southern Italy, are used for indirectly measuring the rill erodibility of the investigated soil. This method needs only the knowledge of the geometric characteristics of the rills at the end of the erosion event and the event duration. The method was also tested by using the Water Erosion Prediction Project database, and this analysis showed that a reliable value of rill erodibility can be obtained by the proposed Equation . The proposed method has the following advantages: (i) to be applicable at field scale, being more realistic than the laboratory scale because the soil structure is not destroyed, and (ii) to avoid the disadvantages of field experiments such as the cumbersome experimental set‐up and the large volume of water inflow needed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Insight into the ATRP of Monovinyl and Divinyl Monomers
Authors: Xue Xiaoqiang , Wang Yonglei , Huang Wenyang , Yang Hongjun , Chen Jianhai , Fang Jianbo , Yang Yang , Kong Lizhi , Jiang Bibiao
Published: June 2015

New insights are provided into the atom transfer radical polymerizations of styrene with 1,6‐bismaleimidohexane, tri‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (tri‐EGDMA), and divinyl benzene (DVB) as branching agents. Gas chromatography, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and triple detection size exclusion chromatography are used to analyze the polymerizations and the polymers. The polymerizations and molecular weights of polymers differ because of the different levels of intramolecular cyclization and initiator efficiencies (IEs) among the three polymerization systems. High IE increases polymerization rate and restrains gelation, thereby facilitating preparation of branched polymers with high molecular weights. Polymers in the tri‐EGDMA system exhibit the lowest molecular weight and the broadest polydispersity because of some evident primary chain residues, whereas polymers in the DVB system show the highest molecular weight because of the low amount of the primary chain residues and high IE. The absence of branching monomer units in the primary chain residue of all these polymerizations is confirmed.

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Termination of Living Anionic Polymerization of Butyl Acrylate with α‐(Chloromethyl)acrylate for End‐Functionalization and Application to the Evaluation of Monomer Reactivity
Authors: Kohsaka Yasuhiro , Ishihara Shoya , Kitayama Tatsuki
Published: June 2015

Anionic polymerization of n‐butyl acrylate (nBA) in toluene initiated with a binary initiator, isopropyl α‐lithioisobutyrate/ethylaluminum bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenoxide) at −60 °C, is terminated with ethyl α‐(chloromethyl)acrylate (ECMA) to afford a poly(nBA) possessing an acryloyl group at the terminal with 80% of termination efficiency. The reactivity of nBA against a polymer anion of methyl methacrylate formed under identical conditions is estimated relative to the termination with ECMA by reacting a mixture of nBA and ECMA followed by 1H NMR spectroscopic chain‐end analysis; the relative reactivity of nBA is found 80 times or more higher than ECMA.

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Proposing a Parkinson's disease–specific tremor scale from the MDS‐UPDRS
Authors: Forjaz Maria João , Ayala Alba , Testa Claudia M. , Bain Peter G. , Elble Rodger , Haubenberger Dietrich , Rodriguez‐Blazquez Carmen , Deuschl Günther , Martinez‐Martin Pablo ,   for the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Tremor Rating Scale Task Force
Published: June 2015

Background

This article proposes an International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS)‐UPDRS tremor‐based scale and describes its measurement properties, with a view to developing an improved scale for assessing tremor in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional, multicenter study of 435 PD patients. Rasch analysis was performed on the 11 MDS‐UPDRS tremor items. Construct validity, precision, and test‐retest reliability were also analyzed.

Results

After some modifications, which included removal of an item owing to redundancy, the obtained MDS‐UPDRS tremor scale showed moderate reliability, unidimensionality, absence of differential item functioning, satisfactory convergent validity with medication, and better precision than the raw sum score. However, the scale displayed a floor effect and a need for more items measuring lower levels of tremor.

Conclusions

The MDS‐UPDRS tremor scale provides linear scores that can be used to assess tremor in PD in a valid, reliable way. The scale might benefit from modifications and studies that analyze its responsiveness. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
No evidence for substrate accumulation in Parkinson brains with GBA mutations
Authors: Gegg Matthew E. , Sweet Lindsay , Wang Bing H. , Shihabuddin Lamya S. , Sardi Sergio Pablo , Schapira Anthony H.V.
Published: June 2015

Background

To establish whether Parkinson's disease (PD) brains previously described to have decreased glucocerebrosidase activity exhibit accumulation of the lysosomal enzyme's substrate, glucosylceramide, or other changes in lipid composition.

Methods

Lipidomic analyses and cholesterol measurements were performed on the putamen (n = 5‐7) and cerebellum (n = 7‐14) of controls, Parkinson's disease brains with heterozygote GBA1 mutations (PD+GBA), or sporadic PD.

Results

Total glucosylceramide levels were unchanged in both PD+GBA and sporadic PD brains when compared with controls. No changes in glucosylsphingosine (deacetylated glucosylceramide), sphingomyelin, gangliosides (GM2, GM3), or total cholesterol were observed in either putamen or cerebellum.

Conclusions

This study did not demonstrate glucocerebrosidase substrate accumulation in PD brains with heterozygote GBA1 mutations in areas of the brain with low α‐synuclein pathology. © 2015 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Integrative Modeling Strategies for Predicting Drug Toxicities at the eTOX Project
Authors: Sanz Ferran , Carrió Pau , López Oriol , Capoferri Luigi , Kooi Derk P. , Vermeulen Nico P. E. , Geerke Daan P. , Montanari Floriane , Ecker Gerhard F. , Schwab Christof H. , Kleinöder Thomas , Magdziarz Tomasz , Pastor Manuel
Published: June 2015

Early prediction of safety issues in drug development is at the same time highly desirable and highly challenging. Recent advances emphasize the importance of understanding the whole chain of causal events leading to observable toxic outcomes. Here we describe an integrative modeling strategy based on these ideas that guided the design of eTOXsys, the prediction system used by the eTOX project. Essentially, eTOXsys consists of a central server that marshals requests to a collection of independent prediction models and offers a single user interface to the whole system. Every of such model lives in a self‐contained virtual machine easy to maintain and install. All models produce toxicity‐relevant predictions on their own but the results of some can be further integrated and upgrade its scale, yielding in vivo toxicity predictions. Technical aspects related with model implementation, maintenance and documentation are also discussed here. Finally, the kind of models currently implemented in eTOXsys is illustrated presenting three example models making use of diverse methodology (3D‐QSAR and decision trees, Molecular Dynamics simulations and Linear Interaction Energy theory, and fingerprint‐based QSAR).
Effect of thermal processing on mealworm allergenicity
Authors: Broekman Henrike , Knulst André , den Hartog Jager Stans , Monteleone Francesca , Gaspari Marco , de Jong Govardus , Houben Geert , Verhoeckx Kitty
Published: June 2015

Scope

The growing world population requires the exploration of new sustainable protein sources to ensure food security. Insects such as mealworm are promising candidates. For safety reasons, a risk assessment, including allergy risks, is needed. Since allergenicity can be influenced by thermal processing, it is highly important to take this into account.

Methods and results

Fresh mealworm was heat processed and extracted by a sequential extraction method using in succession Tris, urea, and a combined SDS/DTT buffer. Extracts were tested using immunoblot, basophil activation test and skin prick test in 15 shrimp allergic patients, previously indicated as population at risk for mealworm allergy. Immunoblots showed a difference in IgE binding between processed and unprocessed mealworm extracts. However, this was due to change in solubility. Some allergens were soluble in urea buffer, but became more soluble in Tris buffer and vice versa. IgE binding was seen for all extracts in blot and basophil activation test. The results from 13 skin prick tests showed a skin reaction similar between processed and unprocessed mealworm.

Conclusion

Thermal processing did not lower allergenicity but clearly changed solubility of mealworm allergens. A sequential extraction method allowed for assessment of a broader protein panel.
Investigation of the reaction of 1,3‐dimethylurea with formaldehyde by quantitative on‐line NMR spectroscopy: a model for the urea–formaldehyde system
Authors: Steinhof Oliver , Scherr Günter , Hasse Hans
Published: June 2015

Quantitative on‐line NMR spectroscopy is applied to study equilibria and reaction kinetics of the reaction of formaldehyde with 1,3‐dimethylurea. This reaction system serves as a model system for the much more complex but industrially relevant urea–formaldehyde system. The aim is to study individual reactions and intermediates. The 1,3‐dimethylurea–formaldehyde system undergoes only four reactions and, unlike urea–formaldehyde, does not form polymers. The following reactions are studied in detail: (1) the hydroxymethylation, (2) the formation of hemiformals of the hydroxymethylated intermediate, and (3) two condensation reactions of which the first leads to methylene bridges, the other to ether bridges. NMR spectroscopic chemical shift data of the reacting species are provided for the 1H, 13C, and 15N domains. Equilibrium data of reactions (1), (2), and (3) are determined by quantitative 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy at molar ratios of formaldehyde to 1,3‐dimethylurea between 1:2 and 16:1 at a pH value of 8.5. Reaction kinetic experiments using an NMR spectrometer coupled to a batch reactor led to a reaction kinetic model parametrized with true species concentrations. The model takes into account reactions (1), (2), and (3). It describes the reaction system well for molar ratios of 1:1, 2:1, and 4:1, temperatures of 303 to 333K, and pH values from 5.0 to 9.5. Dilution experiments with a micro mixer coupled to the NMR spectrometer are conducted to estimate the time to equilibrium of reaction (2) of which the time constant is significantly lower than those of reactions (1) and (3). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A visco‐elasto‐plastic model for granular materials under simple shear conditions
Authors: Redaelli I. , di Prisco C. , Vescovi D.
Published: June 2015

The numerical simulation of rapid landslides is quite complex mainly because constitutive models capable of simulating the mechanical behaviour of granular materials in the pre‐collapse and post‐collapse regimes are still missing. The goal of this paper is to introduce a constitutive model capable of capturing the response of dry granular flows from quasi‐static to dynamic conditions, in particular when the material experiences a sort of solid‐to‐fluid phase transition. An ideal assembly of identical spheres under simple shear conditions is considered. In the constitutive model, void ratio and granular temperature have been chosen as state variables, and both shear and normal stresses are computed as the sum of two contributions: the quasi‐static one and the collisional one. The former is determined by using a perfect elasto‐plastic model including the critical state concept, while the latter is derived from the kinetic theory of granular gases. The evolution of the granular temperature, fundamentally governing the material phase transition, is obtained by imposing the kinetic fluctuating energy balance. The constitutive relationship has been integrated, under both constant pressure and constant volume conditions, and the influence of shear strain rate, initial void ratio and normal pressure on the mechanical response has been investigated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
State update algorithm for isotropic elastoplasticity by incremental energy minimization
Authors: Nodargi Nicola A. , Bisegna Paolo
Published: June 2015

An original state update algorithm for the numerical integration of rate independent small strain elastoplastic constitutive models, treating in a unified manner a wide class of yield functions depending on all three stress invariants, is proposed. The algorithm is based on an incremental energy minimization approach, in the framework of generalized standard materials with convex free‐energy and dissipation potential. Under the assumption of isotropic material behavior, implying coaxiality of trial stress, increment of plastic strain, and updated stress, the problem is reduced from dimension six to three. Then, exploiting the cylindrical tensor basis associated with Haigh–Westergaard coordinates, the problem is recast in terms of two nested scalar equations. The proposed algorithm (i) exhibits global convergence even for yield functions with difficult features, such as not being defined on the whole stress space, or implying high‐curvature points of the yield domain, and (ii) requires no matrix inversion. After the tensor reconstruction of the unknowns, a simple expression for the algorithmic consistent material tangent is derived. The algorithm is validated by comparison with benchmark semi‐analytic solutions. Numerical results on single material points and finite element simulations are reported for assessing its accuracy, robustness, and efficiency. A Matlab implementation is provided as supplementary material. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of PVA in synthesis of nano Co3O4‐decorated graphene oxide
Authors: Jogdand Surekha S. , Das Abhishek , Dhayagude Akshay , Kapoor Sudhir , Joshi Satyawati S.
Published: June 2015

Polymeric materials have been found to be ideal candidates for the synthesis of organic–inorganic nanomaterials. We have obtained Co3O4‐decorated graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites by a simple polymer combustion method. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) of two different molecular weights, 14,000 and 125,000, was used for the synthesis. The pristine sample was annealed at 300, 500, and 800°C. PVA has played an important role in the formation of GO and Co3O4 nanoparticles. Synthesized Co3O4–GO nanocomposites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, Raman, electron paramagnetic resonance, transmission electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. Reflection peaks at 12° and 37° in an X‐ray study confirm the formation of Co3O4–GO. Raman study validates the presence of GO in nanocomposites of Co3O4–GO. Room temperature ferromagnetism was observed in all annealed samples. The highest coercivity of 462 G was observed for 300°C annealed samples as compared with bulk Co3O4. On the basis of the results obtained, a mechanism of formation is proposed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of phosphorus‐containing flame retardants on flame retardancy and thermal stability of tetrafunctional epoxy resin
Authors: Zhang Chunling , Pan Miao , Qu Lijie , Sun Guoen
Published: June 2015

Hexaphenoxycyclotriphosphazene (HPCTP) and 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) were used to flame retardN,N,N′,N′‐tetraglycidyl‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane epoxy resins. The curing behaviors and glass transition temperature were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 vertical burning, and cone calorimetry tests were used to assess the flame retardancy of the cured epoxy resins. The increase in LOI value and UL‐94 rating was strongly dependent on the phosphorus content. The reduction in peak of heat release rate and total heat release showed that the incorporation of flame retardants could improve the flame retardancy of epoxy resin. The higher smoke release and CO yield of the flame‐retardant epoxy resins indicated that both DOPO and HPCTP showed a gas phase flame retardancy action. Thermogravimetric analysis of the flame‐retardant epoxy resins indicated that the incorporation of the flame retardants reduced the initial decomposition temperature of epoxy resin. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal degradation and combustion behaviors of flame retarded glass fiber reinforced polyamide 6 composites based on cerium hypophosphite
Authors: Tang Gang , Wang Xin , Jiang Shudong , Zhou Keqing , Bai Zhiman , Wang Bibo , Tai Qilong , Song Lei , Hu Yuan
Published: June 2015

In this work, cerium hypophosphite (CeHP) was synthesized and characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) test. CeHP presented rod‐like morphological feature with good thermal stability. Subsequently, CeHP was added into glass fiber reinforced polyamide 6 (GFPA) to develop flame retardant glass fiber reinforced polyamide 6 composites (FR‐GFPA). The flame retardancy of FR‐GFPA composites was characterized by limiting oxygen index (LOI), Underwriters Laboratories 94 testing (UL‐94), microscale combustion calorimeter, and cone calorimeter test. FR‐GFPA composite with 20 wt% CeHP loading passed UL‐94 V0 rating with a high LOI of 26.5 vol%. Cone Calorimeter test showed that peak of heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release (THR) of FR‐GFPA composites were reduced 27.1% and 21.1% compared with those of GFPA. The mechanical measurement revealed that the tensile strength first increased and then decreased with the increase of CeHP loading. With 15 wt% CeHP loading, the tensile strength of FR‐GFPA composite was 43.0% higher than GFPA. TGA and char residue characterization revealed that the addition of CeHP could significantly promote the formation of condensed char residue. The FR‐GFPA composites obtained herein exhibited superior combined properties of fire resistance, thermal stability, and mechanical properties, demonstrating that CeHP will be a promising candidate for preparing high performance polyamide composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3073–3082, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
A new approach for Next Generation Sequencing in prenatal diagnosis applied to a case of Charcot–Marie–Tooth syndrome
Authors: Dello Russo Claudio , Padula Francesco , Di Giacomo Gianluca , Mesoraca Alvaro , Gabrielli Ivan , Bizzoco Domenico , Giorlandino Claudio
Published: June 2015

What's already known about this topic?

To date, a great effort has been made to introduce NGS prenatal diagnosis, both in noninvasive prenatal testing for the detection of aneuploidy associated to chromosomes 21, 18 and 13 and, in the latest studies, for single gene disorder analysis, and in invasive prenatal diagnosis for single gene disorder and whole exome or whole genome studies.

What does this study add?

We have introduced a new target resequencing NGS approach in prenatal diagnosis for the screening of a wide range of genetic disorders.

Our method is applicable to high‐risk pregnancies when an ultrasound screening fails to show a definite clinical phenotype, when ultrasound indications must be supported by a molecular genetic diagnosis or in cases where one or both parents are carriers of a genetic disorder.
Spontaneous Hemopericardium in a Patient Receiving Apixaban Therapy: First Case Report
Authors: Sigawy Chen , Apter Sara , Vine Jacob , Grossman Ehud
Published: June 2015

Apixaban, a direct factor Xa inhibitor, is a novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC) indicated for prevention of embolic events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The agent is associated with a lower risk of bleeding compared with vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin. Hemopericardium is a life‐threatening bleeding event that is rarely caused by anticoagulants. We describe the case of a 76‐year‐old woman who was diagnosed with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and treated with apixaban. Six weeks later, she was hospitalized after complaints of weakness and dizziness, and a chest radiograph revealed cardiomegaly. Further imaging, including a computed tomography scan and transthoracic echocardiogram, confirmed a diagnosis of hemopericardium. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of hemopericardium associated with apixaban therapy. This report, along with two previous cases reports of hemopericardium associated with dabigatran and rivaroxaban, emphasizes the need for careful use of NOACs and for further research to identify an antidote or other method for controlling hemorrhage secondary to NOACs in an acute setting. Furthermore, clinicians should consider hemopericardium in the differential diagnosis of patients treated with anticoagulants, including NOACs, who present with cardiomegaly.
Influence of diffusion on the kinetics of multisite phosphorylation
Authors: Gopich Irina V. , Szabo Attila
Published: June 2015

When an enzyme modifies multiple sites on a substrate, the influence of the relative diffusive motion of the reactants cannot be described by simply altering the rate constants in the rate equations of chemical kinetics. We have recently shown that, even as a first approximation, new transitions between the appropriate species must also be introduced. The physical reason for this is that a kinase, after phosphorylating one site, can rebind and modify another site instead of diffusing away. The corresponding new rate constants depend on the capture or rebinding probabilities that an enzyme‐substrate pair, which is formed after dissociation from one site, reacts at the other site rather than diffusing apart. Here we generalize our previous work to describe both random and sequential phosphorylation by considering inequivalent modification sites. In addition, anisotropic reactive sites (instead of uniformly reactive spheres) are explicitly treated by using localized sink and source terms in the reaction‐diffusion equations for the enzyme‐substrate pair distribution function. Finally, we show that our results can be rederived using a phenomenological approach based on introducing transient encounter complexes into the standard kinetic scheme and then eliminating them using the steady‐state approximation.
Using alarms as a layer of protection
Authors: Stauffer Todd , Clarke Peter
Published: June 2015

Alarms and operator response to them are one of the first layers of protection used in preventing a plant upset from escalating to an incident. This article discusses how to evaluate the risk reduction (or the probability of failure on demand) of this layer when it is considered as part of a layer of protection analysis. It examines key factors such as time to respond, operator training, human factors, alarm system performance, and the reliability of the hardware used to annunciate the alarm. Recommendations will be drawn from the ISA‐18.2 standard “Management of Alarm Systems for the Process Industries.” Analogy will be drawn with techniques used to analyze safety instrumented functions. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 35: 76–83, 2016
Effects of solvent additives on trap‐assisted recombination in P3HT:ICBA based polymer solar cells
Authors: Yan Shi , Lv Longfeng , Ning Yu , Qin Liang , Li Chunhai , Liu Xiande , Hu Yufeng , Lou Zhidong , Teng Feng , Hou Yanbing
Published: June 2015

In this work, the effects of solvent additives on the trapping and recombination of carriers in polymer solar cells based on the blend of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and indene‐C60‐bisadduct (ICBA) are investigated by measuring the ideality factor and transient photocurrent. The addition of a few percent of 4‐bromoanisole (BrAni) and 1‐chloronaphthalene (CN) can give rise to the preferable morphology with well‐ordered interpenetrating networks, which is beneficial for charge transport. Efficiency enhancement of polymer solar cells with solvent additives originates from the decreased defects and suppressed trap‐assisted recombination at the interface between the donor and acceptor materials.
Ambipolar inverters with natural origin organic materials as gate dielectric and semiconducting layer
Authors: Petritz Andreas , Fian Alexander , Głowacki Eric D. , Sariciftci Niyazi Serdar , Stadlober Barbara , Irimia‐Vladu Mihai
Published: June 2015

Thin film electronics fabricated with non‐toxic and abundant materials are enabling for emerging bioelectronic technologies. Herein complementary‐like inverters comprising transistors using 6,6′‐dichloroindigo as the semiconductor and trimethylsilyl‐cellulose (TMSC) films on anodized aluminum as bilayer dielectric layer are demonstrated. The inverters operate both in the first and third quadrant, exhibiting a maximum static gain of 22 and a noise margin of 58% at a supply voltage of 14 V. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Convective updraught evaluation in high‐resolution NWP simulations using single‐Doppler radar measurements
Authors: Nicol J. C. , Hogan R. J. , Stein T. H. M. , Hanley K. E. , Clark P. A. , Halliwell C. E. , Lean H. W. , Plant R. S.
Published: June 2015

This study presents an evaluation of the size and strength of convective updraughts in high‐resolution simulations by the UK Met Office Unified Model (UM). Updraught velocities have been estimated from range–height indicator (RHI) Doppler velocity measurements using the Chilbolton advanced meteorological radar, as part of the Dynamical and Microphysical Evolution of Convective Storms (DYMECS) project. Based on mass continuity and the vertical integration of the observed radial convergence, vertical velocities tend to be underestimated for convective clouds due to the undetected cross‐radial convergence. Velocity fields from the UM at a resolution corresponding to the radar observations are used to scale such estimates to mitigate the inherent biases. The analysis of more than 100 observed and simulated storms indicates that the horizontal scale of updraughts in simulations tend to decrease with grid length; the 200 m grid length agreed most closely with the observations. Typical updraught mass fluxes in the 500 m grid length simulations were up to an order of magnitude greater than observed, and greater still in the 1.5 km grid length simulations. The effect of increasing the mixing length in the sub‐grid turbulence scheme depends on the grid length. For the 1.5 km simulations, updraughts were weakened though their horizontal scale remained largely unchanged. Progressively more so for the sub‐kilometre grid lengths, updraughts were broadened and intensified; horizontal scale was now determined by the mixing length rather than the grid length. In general, simulated updraughts were found to weaken too quickly with height. The findings were supported by the analysis of the widths of reflectivity patterns in both the simulations and observations.
Learning a new robotic surgical device: Telelap Alf X in gynaecological surgery
Authors: Rossitto Cristiano , Gueli Alletti Salvatore , Fanfani Francesco , Fagotti Anna , Costantini Barbara , Gallotta Valerio , Selvaggi Luigi , Monterossi Giorgia , Restaino Stefano , Gidaro Stefano , Scambia Giovanni
Published: June 2015

Background

To assess the learning curve associated with tele‐assisted surgery.

Methods

We performed a training box‐based study, describing speed and accuracy in volunteers performing basic and complex laparoscopic tasks, to assess performance and in the skill acquisition of inexperienced users, using the Telelap Alf X system. Ten surgeons in gynaecology who had never received formal instruction on this new surgical device, completed four modules during a consecutive 3 day training programme.

Results

All the participants completed the training programme with a good learning curve.

Conclusions

Use of the TELELAP Alf X advanced surgical robotic system is associated with a rapid learning curve among experienced surgeons. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coculture with Low‐Dose SWCNT Attenuates Bacterial Invasion and Inflammation in Human Enterocyte‐like Caco‐2 Cells
Authors: Chen Hanqing , Wang Bing , Zhao Ruifang , Gao Di , Guan Ming , Zheng Lingna , Zhou Xiaoyan , Chai Zhifang , Zhao Yuliang , Feng Weiyue
Published: June 2015

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been shown to be highly effective against a wide range of bacteria. Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection is a well‐known mediator to prolong hospitalization and initiate chronic inflammation, yet the biological effects of SWCNTs on the pathogen‐infected enterocytes remain unclear. Herein, it is shown that the low‐dose SWCNT treatment attenuates the human enterocyte‐like Caco‐2 cells from the damage of E. coli and S. aureus infection by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The relatively low‐dose (1 and 10 μg mL−1) SWCNT treatments reduce the adhesion and invasion of E. coli and S. aureus to Caco‐2 cells, increase the cell viability and proliferation, reduce the tight junction permeability, and restitute the integrity of cell surface microvilli structure, meanwhile has low cytotoxicity to the host cells. The low‐dose SWCNT treatment further reduces the NLRP3‐mediated IL‐1β secretion in the infected cells. The results identify that a low‐dose SWCNT treatment serves a protective function for the E. coli‐ and S. aureus‐infected Caco‐2 cells by negatively regulating mitochondrial reactive oxygen species‐mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Microstructural Characterization and Hardening Mechanism of Steel for Large Size Bearing Ring Under Fast Heating and Short Soaking Time Condition
Authors: Jiang Bo , Dong Zhengqiang , Zhou Leyu , Zhang Chaolei , Liu Yazheng
Published: June 2015

The microstructure changes of steel for large size bearing ring with different Ni contents at different cooling rates under fast heating and short soaking time condition are analyzed by using thermal simulation test, scanning electron microscope (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), electron‐backscattering diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The hardness is evaluated by Rockwell hardness test and the hardening mechanism is discussed. Full martensite cooling rate can be lowered from 10 to 3 °C s−1 by the addition of 0.59% Ni. At full martensite cooling rate range, the martensitic lath structures are refined by adding 0.59% Ni or increasing the cooling rate. The hardness increases progressively with the cooling rate due to the refinement of martensitic lath structures and the precipitation strengthening of M23C6‐type carbides. But the grain boundary strengthening has predominance. The highest hardness values of steel No. 2 with higher Ni is 60 and 2.5 HRC higher than that of steel No. 1 at the cooling rate of 100 °C s−1. This increase of hardness in steel No. 2 can be attributed to the finer martensitic lath structures and the solid solution strengthening. The grain boundary strengthening is the main influencing factor.
Effect of wet ball milling on physicochemical properties and crosslinking reaction performance of corn starch
Authors: Zhang Wei , Ding Wenping , Ndeurumi Kessy H. , Wang Zhenjiong , Feng Yongwei
Published: June 2015

Corn starch was physically modified with a ball mill in ethanol. The effect of ball‐milling treatment on particle morphology, particle size distribution, crystalline structure, and pasting property was examined by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser diffractometer, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and rapid viscosity analyzer (RVA). In addition, the ball‐milling effect on crosslinking performance of corn starch was also investigated. It was observed that the milled starch granules lost surface smoothness at high milling loads (25 and 30 g), while some granules were squashed at low milling loads (15 and 20 g). As milling load decreased from 30 to 15 g, the milled starch showed increase in volume average diameter (D[4,3]) from 13.49 to 15.45 µm. The crystalline structure of starch was partly destroyed by the milling. The pasting temperature and peak viscosity of milled starch decreased with decreasing milling load. The starch samples show improvement in crosslinking process following ball‐milling treatment as indicated by increased phosphorus content.
Supramolecular structural evolutions of maize starch hydrothermally treated in excess water
Authors: Zu Yanyan , Zhang Binjia , Chen Ling , Xie Fengwei , Li Lin , Li Xiaoxi
Published: June 2015

Supramolecular structural changes of maize starch as affected by hydrothermal treatment in excess water were investigated. At a temperature slightly higher than the onset (To) of gelatinization endotherm (G), an increase in the size of the cavity at the granule core and a sharp decrease in the ordering degree of the semi‐crystalline lamellae occurred, together with the scattering objects apparently becoming looser. When the temperature approached close to the peak temperature (Tp) of endotherm G (70°C), the semi‐crystalline lamellae disappeared, accompanied by the emergence of a dual fractal structure. This suggests that the molecules of swollen maize starch displayed inhomogeneity on nanoscale, with a mass fractal structure at a higher scale level constituted by the scattering objects at a lower scale level. Additionally, it is proposed that a reduction in starch crystallites could enhance the degree of mixing between the crystalline and amorphous materials. The results enable a better understanding of starch supramolecular structural evolutions during the hydrothermal treatment in excess water.
Optimising PET approaches to measuring 5‐HT release in human brain
Authors: Tyacke Robin J. , Nutt David J.
Published: June 2015

A major goal in neuroscience is the measurement of neurotransmitters in living human brain. To date this has only been done reliably with dopamine using certain PET and SPECT radiotracers. The use of this technique has greatly advanced our understanding of dopamine and the dopaminergic system in normal and abnormal brain function. Transferring this technology to other neurotransmitter systems has proved less fruitful. The serotonergic system (5‐HT) is one such system. 5‐HT has been implicated in a wide range of brain functions and their disorders. The ability to measure 5‐HT using this technique would be invaluable. In this article, we explore the key pharmacological features of current radiotracers for 5‐HT receptors that might be sensitive to endogenous 5‐HT. We also estimate the likely brain concentrations of the current available tranche of agents that might be used to enhance synaptic 5‐HT concentration, so taking into account the potential for these to interact with the receptors directly and produce a spurious displacement signal. Synapse 69:505–511, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reflection and Self-Trust
Authors: Bronfman Aaron ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: June 2015

The Reflection principle expresses a kind of epistemic deference to one’s future self. There is a plausible intuitive argument to the effect that, if one believes one will reason well and gain information over time, then one ought to satisfy Reflection. There are also associated formal arguments that show that, if one’s beliefs about one’s current and future selves meet certain criteria, then one is committed by the axioms of probability to satisfy Reflection. The formal arguments, however, rely on an assumption that has no apparent relevance to the intuitive argument: the assumption that one has perfect access to one’s beliefs. This paper explains why it is advantageous to replace the perfect access assumption with a self-trust assumption. The self-trust assumption is superior from a formal point of view, since it is formally weaker than the perfect access assumption, and from an intuitive point of view, since it leads to an improved formulation of the intuitive argument.