bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and Irinotecan Plus Cetuximab Treatment and RAS Mutations in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Van Cutsem Eric , Lenz Heinz-Josef , Köhne Claus-Henning , Heinemann Volker , Tejpar Sabine , Melezínek Ivan , Beier Frank , Stroh Christopher , Rougier Philippe , van Krieken J. Han , Ciardiello Fortunato
Published: January 2015

Purpose

The phase III CRYSTAL study demonstrated that addition of cetuximab to fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) significantly improved overall survival, progression-free survival, and objective response in the first-line treatment of patients with KRAS codon 12/13 (exon 2) wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Outcome was reassessed in subgroups defined by extended RAS mutation testing.

Patients and Methods

Existing DNA samples from KRAS exon 2 wild-type tumors from CRYSTAL study patients were reanalyzed for other RAS mutations in four additional KRAS codons (exons 3 and 4) and six NRAS codons (exons 2, 3, and 4) using beads, emulsion, amplification, and magnetics technology. No tissue microdissection was performed. A ≥ 5% mutant allele cutoff was used to call mutations.

Results

Mutation status was evaluable in 430 (64.6%) of 666 patients with KRAS exon 2 wild-type tumors. Other RAS mutations were detected in 63 (14.7%) of 430 patients. In those with RAS wild-type tumors, a significant benefit across all efficacy end points was associated with the addition of cetuximab to FOLFIRI. In patients with other RAS tumor mutations, no difference in efficacy outcomes between treatment groups was seen. The safety profile in RAS subgroups was similar and in line with expectations.

Conclusion

In the first-line treatment of mCRC, patients with RAS wild-type tumors derived a significant benefit from the addition of cetuximab to FOLFIRI; patients with RAS tumor mutations did not. Molecular testing of tumors for all activating RAS mutations is essential before considering anti–epidermal growth factor receptor therapy, thereby allowing the further tailoring of cetuximab administration to maximize patient benefit.
Energy Analysis for Biodiesel Production from Rapeseed Oil
Authors: Ozturk H. Huseyin
Published: January 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate the energy input and output for winter rapeseed cultivation and biodiesel production from rapeseed oil. The total energy use for winter rapeseed cultivation and biodiesel production proceses were 10485.04 MJ/ha and 9199.48 MJ/ha, respectively. The total energy inputs for winter rapeseed cultivation were consisted of 2599.15 MJ/ha direct energy input and 7885.89 MJ/ha indirect energy input. The total energy input was calculated as 4889.66 MJ/t for winter rapeseed cultivation. The average rapeseed and straw yield were 2144.4 kg and 1154.6 kg per hectare cultivated area, respectively. The energy output of rapeseed 56826.6 MJ/ha, if only the seed was taken into account. The output/input ratio for rapeseed cultivation was 7.30 if straw was included. The net energy production was calculated as 66085.22 MJ per hectare of cultivated area. The total energy input was 19684.52 MJ/ha for rapeseed biodiesel production. The energy consumed for the conversion of refined rapeseed oil into biofuel was 6197.32 MJ/ha, which accounted for 67.37% of the total energy consumtion of biodiesel production processes. The total energy output of rapeseed biodiesel processes was consisted of 26768.97 MJ/ha in the form of biodiesel, 4095.8 MJ/ha of in the form of rapeseed meal (cake) and 2558.99 MJ/ha in the form of glycerin. The energy ratio was 2.70 for the rapeseed biodiesel production chain. The specific energy and the energy productivity for rapeseed biodiesel production were calculated as 24.41 MJ/kg and 0.0409 kg/MJ, respectively. The net biodiesel production was 7084.45 MJ/ha, which correspond to 213.39 L biodiesel per hectare of cultivated area.
Reservoir Heterogeneity Affecting Steam Communication between Multiple Well-Pairs for Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage
Authors: Park Changhyup , Yoo Jaehoon , Kang Joe M. , Jang Ilsik , Lee Chulhwan , Choi Jiyeon
Published: January 2015

This paper investigates the effects of reservoir heterogeneity on steam communication and well-interference between multiple steam chambers during SAGD (steam assisted gravity drainage) process. The conventional steam stimulation for developing oil sands uses well pad system composed of several well pairs, so that the heat interference occurs when the steam chambers merge with each other. The numerical simulations using multiple SAGD well pairs were conducted in a heterogeneous formation and compared with those of a homogeneous case in terms of the production performances. Reservoir heterogeneity could make uneven steam communication, unequal chamber growth and leave unrecovered area, thereby giving the negative effect on oil production. Both production profiles of water and oil, and cSOR (cumulative steam to oil ratio) of individual SAGD pair would be good indicators to diagnose steam movement between chambers. The results discussed the negative effect of reservoir heterogeneity making unequal growth of vapor chamber and energy inefficiency due to horizontal movement of injected steam, and the necessity of identifying the indicators to characterize the chamber growth.
Tectonic and Sedimentary Characteristics and Evolution of the Hefei Basin, China: Implications for Jurassic Hydrocarbon Source Rock Development
Authors: Gan Huajun , Lu Yongchao , Wang Hua , Jiang Shu , Chen Jie , Wilkins Ronald W. T.
Published: January 2015

The Hefei Basin is an intracontinental basin located at the junction of three major tectonic units, the North China plate, the Dabie orogen and the Yangtze plate. This unique tectonic background controlled the structures and sedimentary sources for the Hefei Basin. The tectonic framework in the Jurassic is typical of foreland basins and can be further divided into wedge top, foredeep, forebulge and post-uplifting units. During the Jurassic, the main sedimentary system in the basin consisted of alluvial fan, fan delta, lacustrine delta and lake, characterized by zonation and controlled by the structural belts. Hydrocarbon source rocks in the Hefei basin were mainly developed during the early to middle Jurassic, and were influenced by depositional setting and tectonic activities constrained by the basin structural framework, depositional environment and paleoclimate. The target source rocks are only associated with the semi-deep lake zone in the lower uplift of the foredeep.
Maceral, Mineralogical and Geochemical Characteristics of the Jurassic Coals in Ningdong Coalfield, Ordos Basin
Authors: Zhao Cunliang , Zhao Bin , Shi Zhixiang , Xiao Lin , Wang Danhua , Khanchuk Alexander I. , Ivanov Vladimir V. , Blokhin Maxim G.
Published: January 2015

17 samples, including 16 coal-seam samples and one parting, were collected from 4 mines in Ningdong Coalfield, west Ordos Basin, China. Maceral, mineralogy and geochemistry of them were studied by using of optical microscope, LTA-XRD (low temperature ashing-X-ray diffraction), XRF (X-ray fluorescence), and ICP-MS (Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). The results indicate that Ningdong Jurassic coal is a medium volatile bituminous coal, with medium-ash, medium-sulfur and low-medium-calorific. The vitrinite of them is much higher, while the inertinite and liptinite are less, than that of other Early-Middle Jurassic in Ordos Basin. The minerals consist of abundant of quartz, kaolinite, illite, albite, and trace of chamosite, calcite, pyrite. Kaolinite, illite, chamosite, quartz, and albite are origin from weathering productions of gneiss, granulite and granite in Helan Moutain. The coals are enriched by Na2O, MgO, K2O, MnO, Ga, Cr, Rb, Sr, Cd, and Ba in comparison with Chinese average abundances of elements in coals. The major carriers Na2O, MgO, K2O are clay minerals and albite. The hazardous trace elements, Cd and Cr occur in organic matter and clay mineral, respectively. The rare metals, Ga and Rb are associated with clay mineral. The medium REY are enriched in the coal.
Separation of the N2/CH4 Mixture through Hydrate Formation in Ordered Mesoporous Carbon
Authors: Dong Qiaobei , Su Wei , Liu Xiuwu , Liu Jia , Sun Yan
Published: January 2015

A method to separate a gaseous mixture of nitrogen and methane by exploiting the difference between hydrate-formation pressures of nitrogen and methane has been developed to enrich the concentration of methane in low-quality coal-bed methane. The equilibrium isotherms of pure N2 and CH4 in CMK-3, a mesoporous carbon material, in the presence of water are measured to determine the optimal separation parameters. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was added to the water to lower the pressures at which the gas hydrates are formed. A gaseous mixture containing 50% methane was fed through a bed filled with CMK-3 in which a THF solution of 5 mmol/g was pre-adsorbed. The final methane concentration was higher than 70% at 275.15 K.
Textural Characteristics of Resorcinol—Formaldehyde Resin and Temperature Behavior of Bound Water Affected by Co-Adsorbed Trifluoroacetic Acid or Pyridine in Weakly Polar Organic Media
Authors: Gun'ko Vladimir M. , Turov Vladimir V. , Bogatyrov Viktor M. , Skubiszewska-Zięba Jadwiga , Charmas Barbara
Published: January 2015

Resorcinol–formaldehyde resin (RFR) was synthesized as a porous material characterized by specific surface area of 140 m2/g and pore volume of 0.59 cm3/g with major proportions of broad mesopores and macropores. The interfacial behavior of water at low (h = 0.05 g of water/gram of dry RFR) and high (h = 2 g/g) hydration degrees depends on temperature and pore size filled by unfrozen water because its freezing-point depression increases in narrower pores. When water is mixed with co-adsorbates, the effects of such co-adsorbates as non-polar, weakly polar and polar organics depend on the amounts and the pore sizes. Even at a low hydration degree (h = 0.05 g/g), a portion of water can be displaced from pores by organic co-adsorbates because water has a relatively weak interaction with the RFR surface.
Neuromedin U: A Multifunctional Neuropeptide with Pleiotropic Roles
Authors: Martinez Vanesa G , O'Driscoll Lorraine
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

Neuromedin U (NmU) belongs to the neuromedin family, comprising a series of neuropeptides involved in the gut–brain axis and including neuromedins B and C (bombesin-like), K (neurokinin B), L (neurokinin A or neurotensin), N, S, and U.

CONTENT

Although initially isolated from porcine spinal cord on the basis of their ability to induce uterine smooth muscle contraction, these peptides have now been found to be expressed in several different tissues and have been ascribed numerous functions, from appetite regulation and energy balance control to muscle contraction and tumor progression. NmU has been detected in several species to date, particularly in mammals (pig, rat, rabbit, dog, guinea pig, human), but also in amphibian, avian, and fish species. The NmU sequence is highly conserved across different species, indicating that this peptide is ancient and plays an important biological role. Here, we summarize the main structural and functional characteristics of NmU and describe its many roles, highlighting the jack-of-all-trades nature of this neuropeptide.

NmU involvement in key processes has outlined the possibility that this neuropeptide could be a novel target for the treatment of obesity and cancer, among other disorders. Although the potential for NmU as a therapeutic target is obvious, the multiple functions of this molecule should be taken into account when designing an approach to targeting NmU and/or its receptors.
Multiple Reaction Monitoring with Multistage Fragmentation (MRM3) Detection Enhances Selectivity for LC-MS/MS Analysis of Plasma Free Metanephrines
Authors: Wright Michael J , Thomas Rebecca L , Stanford Phoebe E , Horvath Andrea R
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

LC-MS/MS with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) is a powerful tool for quantifying target analytes in complex matrices. However, the technique lacks selectivity when plasma free metanephrines are measured. We propose the use of multistage fragmentation (MRM3) to improve the analytical selectivity of plasma free metanephrine measurement.

METHODS

Metanephrines were extracted from plasma with weak cation exchange solid-phase extraction before separation by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography. We quantified normetanephrine and metanephrine by either MRM or MRM3 transitions m/z 166→134→79 and m/z 180→149→121, respectively.

RESULTS

Over a 6-month period, approximately 1% (n = 21) of patient samples showed uncharacterized coeluting substances that interfered with the routine assay, resulting in an inability to report results. Quantification with MRM3 removed these interferences and enabled measurement of the target compounds. For patient samples unaffected by interferences, Deming regression analysis demonstrated a correlation between MRM3 and MRM methods of y = 1.00x − 0.00 nmol/L for normetanephrine and y = 0.99x + 0.03 nmol/L for metanephrine. Between the MRM3 method and the median of all LC-MS/MS laboratories enrolled in a quality assurance program, the correlations were y = 0.97x + 0.03 nmol/L for normetanephrine and y = 1.03x − 0.04 nmol/L for metanephrine. Imprecision for the MRM3 method was 6.2%–7.0% for normetanephrine and 6.1%–9.9% for metanephrine (n = 10). The lower limits of quantification for the MRM3 method were 0.20 nmol/L for normetanephrine and 0.16 nmol/L for metanephrine.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of MRM3 technology improves the analytical selectivity of plasma free metanephrine quantification by LC-MS/MS while demonstrating sufficient analytical sensitivity and imprecision.
Donación de sangre y educación para la ciudadanía. Una aproximación desde el aprendizaje servicio y la Teoría del Don
Authors: Puig Rovira Josep M. , Graell Martín Mariona , Cortel Mañé Gal·la
Published: January 2015

La donación altruista de sangre que recomienda la Organización Mundial de la Salud y que llevan a cabo los bancos de sangre, además de contribuir a proporcionar al sistema sanitario un elemento terapéutico imprescindible, es un dispositivo que regenera la convivencia social y que educa para la ciudadanía. En este marco, el artículo comienza argumentando por qué es mejor la donación altruista que la compraventa y por qué la teoría del don –que ha desarrollado la sociología a partir de la obra de Marcel Mauss– justifica bien la posibilidad de satisfacer por esta vía la demanda de sangre. A partir de estas consideraciones, se afirma que los bancos de sangre son instituciones sociales que desarrollan tres funciones básicas: técnica, cívica y educativa. El artículo prosigue desarrollando la propuesta educativa del Banc de Sang i Teixits (Banco de Sangre y Tejidos) de Catalunya. Un programa basado en la metodología del aprendizaje servicio que invita a los jóvenes a formarse y a desarrollar una propuesta comunicativa para promocionar la donación altruista de sangre en su entorno. El artículo concluye evaluando la consolidación, efectividad y satisfacción del proyecto, y sugiriendo que este modelo puede utilizarse para idear las propuestas educativas de otras instituciones sociales.
La «cultura hip hop»: revisión de sus posibilidades como herramienta educativa
Authors: Rodríguez Álvarez Alberto , Iglesias Da Cunha Lucía
Published: January 2015

El presente trabajo revisa el significado y la presencia social de la «cultura hip hop» en actividades educativas dirigidas a la población joven. Se pretende dar a conocer la evolución del hip hop, sus agentes, sus prácticas, su relación con el mundo de la industria musical y el de la acción sociocultural.Se ofrece información de interés sobre el contenido de las letras de rap español, que han sido analizadas con el objetivo de contrastar las ideas que transmiten y sus referencias a los preceptos legitimados en la «cultura hip hop». Con ello se logra una pequeña aproximación al potencial del hip hop como medio de expresión de los valores que se identifican con la «cultura hip hop». Así, se conoce mejor el fundamento sobre el que se basan algunas experiencias educativas que han utilizado el hip hop para promover cambios en barrios, colectivos sociales o grupos de jóvenes.
Öffentliche Bibliothek als Belebungsort der lokalen Gesellschaft: am Beispiel der Erfahrungen der Woiwodschaftsbibliothek Opole
Authors: Chrobak Tadeusz
Published: January 2015

Im vorliegenden Artikel werden die vielfältigen Aktivitäten der Öffentlichen Woiwodschaftsibliothek Opole im Bereich Öffentlichkeits- und Veranstaltungsarbeit dargestellt. Die verschiedenen Angebote sind auf unterschiedliche Zielgruppen wie z. B. Kinder, ältere Mitbürger und ihre Bedürfnisse zugeschnitten. Die Bibliothek arbeitet in diesem Bereich mit vielen Kooperationspartnern zusammen, um die Kultur- und Bildungsarbeit in der Region zu bereichern.
Tagungsbericht: „4. Tag der Bestandserhaltung“ in Berlin und Brandenburg am 6. Oktober 2014
Authors: Balihar Elisabeth , Jahn Kerstin
Published: January 2015

Am 6. Oktober 2014 fand im Hotel „Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Haus“ in Berlin-Mitte der „4. Tag der Bestandserhaltung“ statt. Die Veranstaltung wurde vom Kompetenzzentrum Bestandserhaltung für Archive und Bibliotheken in Berlin und Brandenburg organisiert. In diesem Tagungsbericht wird ein kurzer Abriss über die gehaltenen Vorträge, Präsentationen und Führungen gegeben. Themen waren u. a. die von der Koordinierungsstelle für die Erhaltung schriftlichen Kulturguts (KEK) geförderten Modellprojekte 2013 aus der Region, das von „digis“ geförderte Projekt zur Digitalisierung der Glasplattensammlung des Landesarchivs Berlin, das Integrated Pest Management (IPM) zur Prävention von Schädlingsbefall, das Biozidprojekt der Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz (SPK), verschiedene Massenentsäuerungsverfahren sowie die am Nachmittag durchgeführten Führungen in drei Einrichtungen.
Crystallographic and structural characterization of heterometallic platinum clusters. Part IX. Heterooligonuclear Pt clusters
Authors: Melník Milan , Mikuš Peter , Holloway Clive E.
Published: January 2015

This review classifies and analyzes over thirty
heterooligonuclear platinum clusters with a wide variety
of metal frameworks, from twelve to forty-four. There are
thirteen heterometals (Ge, Sn, Hg, W, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd,
Os, Ni, Cu, Ag, Au) which are the partners of platinum.
The clusters mostly crystallize in monoclinic (36,4%)
and triclinic (30,3%) crystal classes. Their structures
are complex, with platinum most commonly preferring
interstitial sites, such as the centroids of icosahedrons.
There are examples of distortion isomerism. The most
common ligands are CO and PPh3, and it is interesting that
the mean Pt-CO and M-CO bond distances are identical
at 1.84 Å. In contrast, the mean Pt-μCO and M-μCO
are of values of 2.02 and 1.97 Å, respectively, while the
Pt-PPh3 and M-PPh3 bond distances are 2.30 and 2.28 Å,
respectively. The shortest Pt-Pt, Pt-M (non-transition) and
Pt-M (transition) bond distances are 2.559(2) Å, 2.412(2) Å
(M = Ge) and 2.510(2) Å (M = Ni).
Characteristic classes of symmetric products of complex quasi-projective varieties
Authors: Cappell Sylvain E. , Maxim Laurentiu , Schürmann Jörg , Shaneson Julius L. , Yokura Shoji
Published: January 2015

We prove generating series formulae for suitable twisted characteristic classes of symmetric products of a singular complex quasi-projective variety. More concretely, we study homology Hirzebruch classes for motivic coefficients, as well as for complexes of mixed Hodge modules. As a special case, we obtain a generating series formula for the (intersection) homology Hirzebruch classes of symmetric products. In some cases, the latter yields a similar formula for twisted homology L-classes generalizing results of Hirzebruch–Zagier and Moonen. Our methods also apply to the study of Todd classes of (complexes of) coherent sheaves, as well as Chern classes of (complexes of) constructible sheaves, generalizing to arbitrary coefficients results of Moonen and respectively Ohmoto.
Biodegradable silk fibroin/chitosan blend microparticles prepared by emulsification-diffusion method
Authors: Cheerarot Onanong , Baimark Yodthong
Published: January 2015

In this study, biodegradable microparticles of silk fibroin (SF)/chitosan (CS) blends with SF/CS blend ratios of 1:0, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2 and 0:1 (w/w) were prepared using the water-in-oil emulsification-diffusion method without any surfactants. An aqueous SF/CS blend solution and ethyl acetate were used as the water and oil phases, respectively. The plain SF had an irregular shape, while the CS microparticles were spherical. The blend microparticles were spherical in shape with a rough surface. Average microparticle sizes were in the range of 73–80 μm. The microparticle matrices had a sponge-like morphology. Conformational changes in the SF component, from random coil to the β-sheet form, were observed in the FTIR data. The dissolution of the blend microparticles was lower than those of the plain SF and CS microparticles. Microparticle density steadily increased and porosity slightly decreased as the amount of CS in the blend increased.
Living radical polymerization of polyacrylamide with submicrometer size by dispersion polymerization
Authors: Wang Guo-Xiang , Lu Mang , Hou Zhao-Hui , Liu Li-Chao , Liang En-Xiang , Wu Hu
Published: January 2015

Atom transfer radical dispersion polymerization of acrylamide was successfully performed in ethyl acetate/ethanol with 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile/FeCl2/succinic acid as the initiating system. Polyvinylpyrrolidone was used as the stabilizer. The “living” characteristics of the polymerization were studied. A linear relationship of ln([M]0/[M]) vs. polymerization time was obtained. Furthermore, the molecular weight increased with monomer conversion and agreed well with the theoretical values with a narrow molecular weight distribution (<1.5). Size-controlled submicrometer polyacrylamide (PAM) was obtained and characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The chemical structure of the obtained PAM was characterized by 1H NMR. The living characteristics were confirmed by chain extension experiment.
More Equal and Poorer, or Richer but More Unequal?
Authors: Greselin Francesca
Published: January 2015

After a hundred years of contributions, the debate about how to measure inequality is still open. We provide a brief review of the literature, showing that inequality has been assessed through a relative approach, from Gini's pioneering article [Atti del Reale Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti 73 (1914), no. 2, 1203–1248].
Analyzing historical census data for Flint and other American cities, we observe how mean values of income in population subgroups capture the shape of the distributions of income and their comparisons state the overall situation of inequality. Namely, we adopted the approach introduced in [Statistica & Applicazioni
5 (2007), no. 1, 3–27] to assess inequality.
Our first findings show that prosperity is distributed unevenly across America's metropolitan areas. More interestingly, unbalanced wealth can be related to other concomitant facts [The New Geography of Jobs, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, New York, 2012], such as population growth, income growth, unemployment rates and women participation to the labor force. Gaps between more and less educated areas were modest 40 years ago, but they have become quite large nowadays [Cities and skills, technical report, National Bureau of
Economic Research, 1994].
Study on the preparation and characterization of high-dispersibility nanosilica
Authors: Guo Yu , Wang Yan-qing , Wang Zhong-ming , Shen Cheng-jin
Published: January 2015

This article reports on experiments aimed at modifying nanosilica powder by adding a silane coupling agent, KH570, to achieve high dispersibility and strengthen the compatibility and interface bonding between it and the organic phases. Experiments were first done to prepare the common nanosilica powder, dried at 120°C for 4 h in a drying oven; second, an ethanol/water solution (volume ratio 11:1, total volume not more than two-thirds of the capacity of the flask) was blended in a three-necked flask with a reflux condenser and magnetic stirring; third, appropriate amount of dried nanosilica powder and appropriate mass fraction ratio of the silane coupling agent KH570 were added into the ethanol/water solution, and the pH of the mixture was adjusted to about 4–5 by adding acetic acid solution; fourth, the three-necked flask was placed in a water bath, and the modification reaction of the above mixing solution was sustained for an appropriate time in the appropriate temperature with magnetic stirring; fifth, the above mixing solution was separated by using a centrifuge (10,000 rpm) for 3 min, and the precipitate at the bottom of the flask was obtained after the supernatant was poured out; sixth, the precipitate was dried at 120°C for 48 h in a drying oven after it was washed with acetone several times, finally yielding the high-dispersibility nanosilica powder. The orthogonal test method was adopted to optimize three key test parameters: mass fraction ratio of the silane coupling agent KH570, modification reaction temperature, and modification reaction time. The dispersion effect of the high-dispersibility nanosilica powder was characterized by using infrared, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopic analyses from different views. The results revealed that the best dispersibility effect was achieved when the mass fraction ratio of the silane coupling agent KH570 was 3%, the modification reaction temperature was 80°C, and the modification reaction time was 2 h. Furthermore, the modification reaction resulted in chemical bonding, but not simple physical adsorption, owing to the presence of organic bond groups in the nanosilica modified by the silane coupling agent. The crystal structure of the nanosilica powder remained amorphous after the modification reaction.
Solvent manipulation of N-methylacetamide inclusion compounds with a xanthenol host
Authors: Sayed Amina , Jacobs Ayesha , Taljaard Jana H.
Published: January 2015

Three crystal structures of N-methylacetamide (NMA) with the xanthenol host 9-(4-methoxyphenyl)-9H-xanthen-9-ol (H) are reported. The crystal structures were obtained by using different solvent compositions. The host compound was dissolved in equimolar mixtures of N-methylacetamide/N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylacetamide/1,4-dioxane and N-methylacetamide/aniline which yielded H·NMA, H·2NMA and 2H·2NMA, respectively; H·NMA and 2H·2NMA are polymorphs. Thus, compounds with 1:1 and 1:2 host:guest ratios were obtained. H·NMA solved in the monoclinic space group P21/n whereas both H·2NMA and 2H·2NMA were solved in the triclinic space group

P

1
¯

.

$P\bar 1.$

For all structures each host molecule is hydrogen bonded to one NMA molecule via (Host)-OH···O-(NMA) linkages. The NMA guests occupy channels and are connected via N–H···O hydrogen bonds forming chains. The thermal stabilities of the compounds were determined using thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry which indicated that 2H·2NMA was the least stable with H·2NMA being the most stable.
Behavior of Reinforced Stone Dust Walls Under Strip Loading
Authors: Kandolkar Sumitra S. , Mandal J. N.
Published: January 2015

Stone dust, a by-product of metal aggregate quarries, is utilized successfully as an alternative material for sand in concrete, as road material, and in bearing-capacity problems. An attempt has been made in this study to utilize stone dust as backfill material. A series of tests were performed on laboratory models of reinforced stone dust walls under strip loading. Manually prepared grids of natural material bamboo and commercially available steel grids were used as reinforcement. Bamboo grids and steel grids were used as strips, concrete segmental blocks were used as facia, and the behavior of walls was studied under strip loading by varying lengths of reinforcement and vertical spacing between the reinforcement layers. Bamboo grids in strip form are good enough to resist high failure surcharge pressures, and the results are comparable with the steel grid–reinforced stone dust walls. Geofoam blocks having a density of 0.12 kN/m3and thicknesses of 5 mm, 15 mm, and 20 mm were placed behind the segmental concrete facia blocks to study their effect on lateral displacement of facia and surcharge at failure. The results show a good trend in reducing the facia displacements and increasing the surcharge at failure as the thickness of the geofoam blocks placed behind each facia unit is increased. Finite-element simulation of the model tests was carried out using commercially available Plaxis 2D software. Stone dust was modeled as linear elastic perfectly plastic material with Mohr–Coulomb failure criteria, and bamboo and steel grids were modeled as elastic material. The finite-element simulation results for failure patterns, horizontal displacement of facia, and settlement of the backfill showed reasonable agreement with the experimental results.
Polyurethane Grouted Gravel Type Geomaterials—A Model Study on Relations Between Material Structure and Physical–Mechanical Properties
Authors: Scucka Jiri , Martinec Petr , Soucek Kamil
Published: January 2015

New specific composite materials are formed in the field of grouting technologies by pressure grouting of polyurethane resins into soils, disturbed rocks, or into damaged building structures. The structural and textural variability of these geomaterial–polymer composites complicates significantly the determination of their physical and mechanical properties. Determination of mechanical parameters is particularly difficult because it is often impossible to prepare standard test specimens for laboratory loading tests from the samples taken after grouting in situ. Analysis of structures and textures of composites originating from geotechnical practice represents a possible indirect way to evaluate their physical and mechanical properties. The structure of a composite material can be compared with structures of similar composites whose physical and mechanical properties are already known. In this paper, results of a model study are presented. The aim of this study is to define basic relations between structural parameters and physical–mechanical properties of the model composites with a polyurethane matrix and to evaluate whether and to what extent the knowledge of these relations can be used for the prediction of properties of composites in practice.
Index Properties of Coastal Plain Soils of Southeastern Virginia
Authors: Amir-Faryar Behzad , Suter Karl E. , Finnen Richard E.
Published: January 2015

The Coastal Plain soils of Virginia generally comprise recent marine and fluvial deposits. It is widely accepted that grain size, plasticity, and water content of the soil are indices that can be used to geotechnically characterize fine-grained soils. The objective of this study was to determine whether the soils from a specific geologic formation have consistent or similar index properties. The data from a previously performed extensive field exploration in the Coastal Plain soils of Virginia were used in the study. The data were divided by local geology and subdivided into separate groups based on the soil fines content (FC) and density. Mean values for water content, Standard Penetration Test N-Value, Atterberg limits, FC, and pocket penetrometer tests were then determined for each geology. The statistical analysis of soil index properties was performed for soils in different formations. The results allow better identification of soils in different formations from index property testing.
Reducing Sample Size for Cold In-Place Recycling Design and Testing
Authors: Jackson Alex , Braham Andrew F.
Published: January 2015

Many current methods of designing and testing cold in-place recycled (CIR) asphalt are undesirable because they require large amounts of material and significant preparation. In an effort to lessen the cost and time of materials testing, this research utilizes several different methods of small scale testing of creep stiffness. These methods include using a discovery hybrid rheometer (DHR) and a three point bending test to find the creep stiffness of emulsion based CIR. The new testing methods used samples on the scale of up to a hundredth the size of what the traditional methods of testing require. The two smaller scale tests were compared to the traditional indirect tension test (IDT) testing. In order to fully evaluate the two reduced sample size test methods, this research observed the effect of gradation, temperature, emulsifier type, and recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) content on creep stiffness. If successful, the use of these new test methods could significantly decrease the damage done to roads, and reduce the cost of material management incurred through the quality control testing methods for pavement. Results showed very good correlation between DHR and IDT testing with a proportional difference between the samples. The standard deviations between the DHR and IDT testing were 18.6 % and 19.2 % of the mean values, respectively, indicating similar accuracies of tests. The tests were also able to distinguish between types of material. The proportional difference between the IDT and DHR is expected and is due to the difference of sample and loading configuration. With the proper shift factor, it is suggested that the DHR can provide similar results with significantly less material versus the traditional IDT test.
Rolling Contact Fatigue Tests of Ceramics by Various Methods: Comparison of Suitability to the Evaluation of Silicon Nitrides
Authors: Kanematsu Wataru , Mandler William , Manier Charles-Alix , Woydt Mathias
Published: January 2015

Results of rolling contact fatigue (RCF) tests by balls-on-rod (BOR) and two-roller methods have been compared to those by the balls-on-flat (BOF) method by using three different silicon nitride grades. Two were bearing grade (BG) and one was a general purpose (GP) grade. For a GP material, there was not much difference between the results of BOR and those of BOF, and the observations of a spalled region by BOR suggested similar spalling behavior to BOF. Meanwhile, for BG materials, most tests were terminated without spalling, but grooves, whose likely cause is inferred to be insufficient lubrication, were formed. As for the lifetime in BOR, however, the results for BG materials were much longer than those of the GP, demonstrating that the BOR result is qualitatively consistent with that of BOF, where instead most specimens failed in RCF by spalling or peeling. In the two-roller method, tests of a limited number of specimens were operated at high slip ratios of 10 % during longer cycles under low contact stress, and wear was predominant, suggesting the potential of providing the information on wear behavior rather than RCF. The results suggest that the two-roller method could differentiate the BG materials in terms of wear behavior. Considering these results, both the BOF and the BOR are applicable to distinguish BG and GP materials in terms of fatigue resistance. In particular, the BOF is judged to be more suitable for comparison of the RCF behavior of BG materials, which are commonly tested under higher contact stresses.
Role of Helmets in Mitigation of Head Injuries: Epidemiologic Study of Head Injuries to Skiers
Authors: Shealy Jasper E. , Johnson Robert J. , Ettlinger Carl F. , Scher Irving S.
Published: January 2015

Helmets have been proposed as a means of injury mitigation. Head injuries are of particular interest due to the potential for death or permanent cognitive impairment. The objective of this paper was to determine the degree that a recreational ski sports helmet can mitigate head injuries. The authors conducted a prospective epidemiological study of all medically significant skiing injuries at the Sugarbush Resort. All injuries were diagnosed and initially treated at a clinic at the base of the resort by orthopedic physicians. Various control group strategies were used to assess the characteristics of the population at risk. The numbers of resort visits by various sub-groups of the population were carefully audited. Controls consist of random assessments of the population at risk as well as equipment examinations and evaluations. During the time period of this study (17 seasons from the 1995/1996 season through the 2011/2012 season), within the population at risk, helmet usage increased from 8 to 84 %. Our analysis began at the time that helmet usage became popular. We specifically focused on all injuries to the region of the head. For the 17 seasons of interest, the prevalence of all injuries to the head decreased from 8.4 to 6.8 %; the prevalence of potentially serious head injuries (PSHI) declined from 4.2 to 3.0 %. The incidence of PSHI declined from 1 in 4200 days of activity to 1 in 11 000 days of activity; the incidence of any head injury declined from 1 in 8600 days of activity to 1 in 26 000 days of activity. Results of the study also stated that over this same time, the incidence of helmet usage increased from 8 to 84 %. The average helmet use for the period of interest was 45 %. Of the 10 observed skull fractures, only 1 was to a person wearing a helmet. Of 47 scalp lacerations, only 1 was to a person wearing a helmet. Helmets are mechanical devices that attenuate a finite amount of energy during a head impact. We observed that helmets offer very effective mitigation for head injuries such as skull fractures and scalp lacerations. Increased use of helmets was also associated with a significant reduction in potentially serious head injuries, as well as all head injuries.
Dysregulation of Kv3.4 Channels in Dorsal Root Ganglia Following Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Ritter David M. , Zemel Benjamin M. , Hala Tamara J. , O'Leary Michael E. , Lepore Angelo C. , Covarrubias Manuel
Published: January 2015

Spinal cord injury (SCI) patients develop chronic pain involving poorly understood central and peripheral mechanisms. Because dysregulation of the voltage-gated Kv3.4 channel has been implicated in the hyperexcitable state of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons following direct injury of sensory nerves, we asked whether such a dysregulation also plays a role in SCI. Kv3.4 channels are expressed in DRG neurons, where they help regulate action potential (AP) repolarization in a manner that depends on the modulation of inactivation by protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent phosphorylation of the channel's inactivation domain. Here, we report that, 2 weeks after cervical hemicontusion SCI, injured rats exhibit contralateral hypersensitivity to stimuli accompanied by accentuated repetitive spiking in putative DRG nociceptors. Also in these neurons at 1 week after laminectomy and SCI, Kv3.4 channel inactivation is impaired compared with naive nonsurgical controls. At 2–6 weeks after laminectomy, however, Kv3.4 channel inactivation returns to naive levels. Conversely, Kv3.4 currents at 2–6 weeks post-SCI are downregulated and remain slow-inactivating. Immunohistochemistry indicated that downregulation mainly resulted from decreased surface expression of the Kv3.4 channel, as whole-DRG-protein and single-cell mRNA transcript levels did not change. Furthermore, consistent with Kv3.4 channel dysregulation, PKC activation failed to shorten the AP duration of small-diameter DRG neurons. Finally, re-expressing synthetic Kv3.4 currents under dynamic clamp conditions dampened repetitive spiking in the neurons from SCI rats. These results suggest a novel peripheral mechanism of post-SCI pain sensitization implicating Kv3.4 channel dysregulation and potential Kv3.4-based therapeutic interventions.
Motoneurons Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Develop Mature Phenotypes Typical of Endogenous Spinal Motoneurons
Authors: Toma Jeremy S. , Shettar Basavaraj C. , Chipman Peter H. , Pinto Devanand M. , Borowska Joanna P. , Ichida Justin K. , Fawcett James P. , Zhang Ying , Eggan Kevin , Rafuse Victor F.
Published: January 2015

Induced pluripotent cell-derived motoneurons (iPSCMNs) are sought for use in cell replacement therapies and treatment strategies for motoneuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, much remains unknown about the physiological properties of iPSCMNs and how they compare with endogenous spinal motoneurons or embryonic stem cell-derived motoneurons (ESCMNs). In the present study, we first used a proteomic approach and compared protein expression profiles between iPSCMNs and ESCMNs to show that <4% of the proteins identified were differentially regulated. Like ESCs, we found that mouse iPSCs treated with retinoic acid and a smoothened agonist differentiated into motoneurons expressing the LIM homeodomain protein Lhx3. When transplanted into the neural tube of developing chick embryos, iPSCMNs selectively targeted muscles normally innervated by Lhx3 motoneurons.In vitrostudies showed that iPSCMNs form anatomically mature and functional neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) when cocultured with chick myofibers for several weeks. Electrophysiologically, iPSCMNs developed passive membrane and firing characteristic typical of postnatal motoneurons after several weeks in culture. Finally, iPSCMNs grafted into transected mouse tibial nerve projected axons to denervated gastrocnemius muscle fibers, where they formed functional NMJs, restored contractile force. and attenuated denervation atrophy. Together, iPSCMNs possess many of the same cellular and physiological characteristics as ESCMNs and endogenous spinal motoneurons. These results further justify using iPSCMNs as a source of motoneurons for cell replacement therapies and to study motoneuron diseases such as ALS.
Autocrine Boost of NMDAR Current in Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons by a PMCA-Dependent, Perisynaptic, Extracellular pH Shift
Authors: Chen Huei-Ying , Chesler Mitchell
Published: January 2015

The plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) is found near postsynaptic NMDARs. This transporter is a Ca2+-H+exchanger that raises cell surface pH. We tested whether the PMCA acts in an autocrine fashion to boost pH-sensitive, postsynaptic NMDAR currents. In mouse hippocampal slices, NMDAR EPSCs in a singly activated CA1 pyramidal neuron were reduced when buffering was augmented by exogenous carbonic anhydrase (XCAR). This effect was blocked by the enzyme inhibitor benzolamide and mimicked by the addition of HEPES buffer. Similar EPSC reduction occurred when PMCA activation was prevented by dialysis of BAPTA or the PMCA inhibitor carboxyeosin. Using HEPES, BAPTA, or carboxyeosin, the effect of XCAR was completely occluded. XCAR similarly curtailed NMDAR EPSCs of minimal amplitude, but had no effect on small AMPAR responses. These results indicate that a significant fraction of the postsynaptic NMDAR current is reliant on a perisynaptic extracellular alkaline shift generated by the PMCA.
Sex-Dependent Dissociation between Emotional Appraisal and Memory: A Large-Scale Behavioral and fMRI Study
Authors: Spalek Klara , Fastenrath Matthias , Ackermann Sandra , Auschra Bianca , Coynel David , Frey Julia , Gschwind Leo , Hartmann Francina , van der Maarel Nadine , Papassotiropoulos Andreas , de Quervain Dominique , Milnik Annette
Published: January 2015

Extensive evidence indicates that women outperform men in episodic memory tasks. Furthermore, women are known to evaluate emotional stimuli as more arousing than men. Because emotional arousal typically increases episodic memory formation, the females' memory advantage might be more pronounced for emotionally arousing information than for neutral information. Here, we report behavioral data from 3398 subjects, who performed picture rating and memory tasks, and corresponding fMRI data from up to 696 subjects. We were interested in the interaction between sex and valence category on emotional appraisal, memory performances, and fMRI activity. The behavioral results showed that females evaluate in particular negative (p< 10−16) and positive (p= 2 × 10−4), but not neutral pictures, as emotionally more arousing (pinteraction< 10−16) than males. However, in the free recall females outperformed males not only in positive (p< 10−16) and negative (p< 5 × 10−5), but also in neutral picture recall (p< 3.4 × 10−8), with a particular advantage for positive pictures (pinteraction< 4.4 × 10−10). Importantly, females' memory advantage during free recall was absent in a recognition setting. We identified activation differences in fMRI, which corresponded to the females' stronger appraisal of especially negative pictures, but no activation differences that reflected the interaction effect in the free recall memory task. In conclusion, females' valence-category-specific memory advantage is only observed in a free recall, but not a recognition setting and does not depend on females' higher emotional appraisal.
BDNF Stimulation of Protein Synthesis in Cortical Neurons Requires the MAP Kinase-Interacting Kinase MNK1
Authors: Genheden Maja , Kenney Justin W. , Johnston Harvey E. , Manousopoulou Antigoni , Garbis Spiros D. , Proud Christopher G.
Published: January 2015

Although the MAP kinase-interacting kinases (MNKs) have been known for >15 years, their roles in the regulation of protein synthesis have remained obscure. Here, we explore the involvement of the MNKs in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-stimulated protein synthesis in cortical neurons from mice. Using a combination of pharmacological and genetic approaches, we show that BDNF-induced upregulation of protein synthesis requires MEK/ERK signaling and the downstream kinase, MNK1, which phosphorylates eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E. Translation initiation is mediated by the interaction of eIF4E with the m7GTP cap of mRNA and with eIF4G. The latter interaction is inhibited by the interactions of eIF4E with partner proteins, such as CYFIP1, which acts as a translational repressor. We find that BDNF induces the release of CYFIP1 from eIF4E, and that this depends on MNK1. Finally, using a novel combination of BONCAT and SILAC, we identify a subset of proteins whose synthesis is upregulated by BDNF signaling via MNK1 in neurons. Interestingly, this subset of MNK1-sensitive proteins is enriched for functions involved in neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. Additionally, we find significant overlap between our subset of proteins whose synthesis is regulated by MNK1 and those encoded by known FMRP-binding mRNAs. Together, our data implicate MNK1 as a key component of BDNF-mediated translational regulation in neurons.