bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facilitating Play Through Communication: Significance of Teeth Exposure in the Gorilla Play Face
Authors: WALLER BRIDGET M. , CHERRY LYNDSAY
Published: January 2012

Primate facial expressions (FEs) likely play an important role in primate society: through facial signals, individuals can potentially send and receive information and may benefit from coordinating their behavior accordingly. Many primates use a relaxed open mouth (ROM) facial display or “play face” (PF) during play behavior, where the mouth is open but teeth are covered. In addition to this conventional PF, however, Western Lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) also use a full PF where the upper teeth are exposed. As the teeth are similarly exposed in the bared‐teeth expression (which is a signal of appeasement, submission and/or affiliation), the full PF may be a blend of the PF and bared‐teeth face, and have a different signal function to the PF alone. Focal animal sampling of captive Western Lowland gorillas (N = 10) showed that the full PF was more often observed in intense rather than gentle play, and intense play bouts that featured the full PF were longer than those that featured only the PF. Both expressions were associated with an increase in affinitive behavior between sender and receiver postplay, but only the full PF was associated with an increase higher than that of play alone. Overall, the findings suggest that the full PF has an additional role in coordinating and maintaining play, possibly though reducing uncertainty in the receiver and confirming that play is only play.
Evaluation of chitosan tripolyphosphate gel beads as bioadsorbents for iron in aqueous solution and in human blood in vitro
Authors: Yalinca Zulal , Yilmaz Elvan , Bullici Fatma Topal
Published: January 2012

Nonimprinted and Fe3+ imprinted chitosan tripolyphosphate gel beads were prepared via physical gel formation. A method based on in situ crosslinking using ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether was developed to imprint the chitosan tripolyphosphate gels with Fe3+ ion without deteriorating the gel beads. The beads were characterized by FTIR, SEM, XRD, and DSC with respect to the chemical structure, surface morphology, crystallinity, and thermal behavior. Swelling kinetics and Fe3+ ion adsorption behavior from aqueous solution were studied. The Fe3+ imprinted and in situ crosslinked beads proved to be durable and effective adsorbents for Fe3+ in solution. The bead prepared by in situ crosslinking and in the presence of 10 mM template ion had an equilibrium iron adsorption capacity of 53.9 mg/g after 3‐hour contact with 5 mM Fe3+ solution. The pros and cons of the beads as biomedical iron adsorbents were tested by evaluating their serum iron removal capacities from human blood. The preliminary tests carried out showed that Fe3+ imprinted beads were more effective in decreasing serum iron in human blood when compared to the nonimprinted beads. The decrease in serum iron level accompanied a parallel decrease in the hemoglobin level. The calcium level was also affected upon contact with the beads. The Fe3+ imprinted beads were less effective than the nonimprinted ones in decreasing the calcium level indicating selectivity towards iron containing species. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Waterborne polyurethane/poly(vinyl alcohol) membranes: Preparation, characterization, and potential application for pervaporation
Authors: Yao Lulu , Wu Cuiming , Yang Zhengjin , Qiu Wenqiong , Cui Peng , Xu Tongwen
Published: January 2012

Waterborne polyurethane (PU) was prepared by the prepolymer mixing method with (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane in different dosages as the modifier. Then, it was mixed with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) to get waterborne PU/PVA blending membranes. The membranes showed phase separation with the aggregations of the waterborne PU particles in a continuous phase of PVA. The possible cause for the formation of such a membrane morphology is explained. The physicochemical properties of the membranes were characterized. As the PVA content increased, the membrane's swelling in water and the thermal stability decreased somehow, whereas the resistance to ethanol and the tensile strength were significantly improved. Membranes with higher alcohol resistance were chosen for the pervaporation separation of 80 wt % ethanol in water. The separation factor at 40°C reached 38.4, and the permeation flux was 128.0 g m−2 h−1. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Unusual rheological characteristics of polypropylene/organoclay nanocomposites in continuous cooling process
Authors: Fan Xi , Wang Zhicheng , Wang Ke , Deng Hua , Chen Feng , Fu Qiang
Published: January 2012

The cooling process of isotactic polypropylene (iPP)/organoclay nanocomposites was followed by dynamic rheometry. Contrasting to typical linear increment of log G′ with decreasing temperature (log G′ ∝ 1/T) occurred on the melts for neat iPP and nanocomposites with small amounts of organoclay, an unusual rheological behavior was identified for composites with relative high organoclay content (≥5 wt %) as that: increasing of log G′ positively deviates to linear relation during cooling within certain high temperature region, thus yields an additional enhancement in viscoelastic properties. Furthermore, such unusual rheological phenomenon was found to be strongly impacted by initial dispersion level of organoclay, cooling rate, and construction of organoclay network. The origin of this unusual rheological phenomenon could be cautiously explained as due to the existence of unstable state of organoclay nanostructure, which could go further intercalation or exfoliation in some high temperature ranges. This might be a new rheological character and is meaningful for understanding the essentially structural behavior of polymer/layered clay nanocomposites, particularly containing mesoscopic clay network. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Effects of shock waves on oxidative stress and some trace element levels of rat liver and diaphragm muscles
Authors: Gecit İlhan , Kavak Servet , Meral Ismail , Güneş Mustafa , Pirinççi Necip , Sayır Fuat , Demir Halit , Ceylan Kadir
Published: January 2012

This study was designed to investigate whether the short‐term extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) exposure to kidney produces an oxidative stress and a change in some trace element levels in liver and diaphragm muscles of rats. Twelve male Wistar albino rats were divided randomly into two groups, each consisting of six rats. The animals in the first group did not receive any treatment and served as control group. The right‐side kidneys of animals in group 2 were treated with two‐thousand 18 kV shock waves while anesthetized with 50 mg kg−1ketamine. The localization of the right kidney was achieved after contrast medium injection through a tail vein under fluoroscopy control. The animals were killed 72 h after the ESWL treatment, and liver and diaphragm muscles were harvested for the determination of tissue oxidative stress and trace element levels. Although the malondialdehyde level increased, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities decreased in the livers and diaphragm muscles of ESWL‐treated rats. Although glutathione level increased in liver, it decreased in diaphragm muscles of ESWL‐treated animals. Fe, Mg and Mn levels decreased, and Cu and Pb levels increased in the livers of ESWL‐treated animals. Fe and Cu levels increased, and Mg, Pb, Mn and Zn levels decreased in the diaphragm muscles of ESWL‐treated animals. It also causes a decrease or increase in many mineral levels in liver and diaphragm muscles, which is an undesirable condition for the normal physiological function of tissues. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metal Oxide‐Supported Platinum Overlayers as Proton‐Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Cathodes
Authors: Tripković Vladimir , Abild‐Pedersen Frank , Studt Felix , Cerri Isotta , Nagami Tetsuo , Bligaard Thomas , Rossmeisl Jan
Published: January 2012

We investigated the activity and stability of n=(1, 2, 3) platinum layers supported on a number of rutile metal oxides (MO2; M=Ti, Sn, Ta, Nb, Hf and Zr). A suitable oxide support can alleviate the problem of carbon corrosion and platinum dissolution in Pt/C catalysts. Moreover, it can increase the activity of platinum if the interaction between the support and the metal is optimal. We found that both the activity and the stability depend on the number of platinum layers and, as expected, both converge toward platinum bulk values if the number of layers is increased. With use of a simple volcano curve for activity estimation, we found that the supported platinum layers could be active for the oxygen reduction reaction, with a few candidates possibly having an activity even greater than that of platinum. Furthermore, we established a correlation between stability and activity for supported platinum monolayers, which suggests that activity can be increased at the expense of stability and vice versa. Finally, the performance of the systems was evaluated against Pt(111) skins on Pt3X (X=Ni, Co, Fe, Ti, Sc and Y) alloys, which are the best catalysts known to date for the reaction.
Novel Application of Ag Nanoclusters in Fluorescent Imaging of Human Serum Proteins after Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE)
Authors: Wang Yanan , Zhang Jing , Huang Lingyun , He Dacheng , Ma Lin , Ouyang Jin , Jiang Fubin
Published: January 2012

We have developed a novel application for DNA oligonucleotide‐stabilized Ag nanoclusters in fluorescent imaging of human serum proteins after native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Oligonucleotide‐stabilized Ag nanoclusters were used as fluorescent probes for direct detection of proteins after native PAGE. Some relatively low‐abundance proteins, such as α‐1‐antichymotrypsin (ACT) and α‐2‐glycoprotein 1, zinc (ZAG) were easily detected by oligonucleotide‐stabilized Ag nanocluster‐based fluorescent imaging and identified by MS and MS/MS techniques, without the need of expensive antibodies or tedious immunoassay procedures. The pH condition for the oligonucleotide‐stabilized Ag nanocluster solution was optimized and the possible mechanism of interaction between proteins and DNA oligonucleotide‐stabilized Ag nanoclusters was analyzed. As a novel fluorescent detection method it is simple, fast, nontoxic and sensitive, and it shows great analytical potential in proteome research and in biochemistry.
Electrophilic Arene Hydroxylation and Phenol OH Oxidations Performed by an Unsymmetric μ‐η1:η1‐O2‐Peroxo Dicopper(II) Complex
Authors: Garcia‐Bosch Isaac , Ribas Xavi , Costas Miquel
Published: January 2012

Reactions of the unsymmetric dicopper(II) peroxide complex [CuII2(μ‐η1:η1‐O2)(m‐XYLN3N4)]2+ (1 O2, where m‐XYL is a heptadentate N‐based ligand), with phenolates and phenols are described. Complex 1 O2 reacts with p‐X‐PhONa (X=MeO, Cl, H, or Me) at −90 °C performing tyrosinase‐like ortho‐hydroxylation of the aromatic ring to afford the corresponding catechol products. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that reactions occur through initial reversible formation of metastable association complexes [CuII2(μ‐η1:η1‐O2)(p‐X‐PhO)(m‐XYLN3N4)]+ (1 O2⋅X‐PhO) that then undergo ortho‐hydroxylation of the aromatic ring by the peroxide moiety. Complex 1 O2 also reacts with 4‐X‐substituted phenols p‐X‐PhOH (X=MeO, Me, F, H, or Cl) and with 2,4‐di‐tert‐butylphenol at −90 °C causing rapid decay of 1 O2 and affording biphenol coupling products, which is indicative that reactions occur through formation of phenoxyl radicals that then undergo radical CC coupling. Spectroscopic UV/Vis monitoring and kinetic analysis show that reactions take place through reversible formation of ground‐state association complexes [CuII2(μ‐η1:η1‐O2)(X‐PhOH)(m‐XYLN3N4)]2+ (1 O2⋅X‐PhOH) that then evolve through an irreversible rate‐determining step. Mechanistic studies indicate that 1 O2 reacts with phenols through initial phenol binding to the Cu2O2 core, followed by a proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) at the rate‐determining step. Results disclosed in this work provide experimental evidence that the unsymmetric 1 O2 complex can mediate electrophilic arene hydroxylation and PCET reactions commonly associated with electrophilic Cu2O2 cores, and strongly suggest that the ability to form substrate⋅Cu2O2 association complexes may provide paths to overcome the inherent reactivity of the O2‐binding mode. This work provides experimental evidence that the presence of a H+ completely determines the fate of the association complex [CuII2(μ‐η1:η1‐O2)(X‐PhO(H))(m‐XYLN3N4)]n+ between a PCET and an arene hydroxylation reaction, and may provide clues to help understand enzymatic reactions at dicopper sites.
Synthesis of Thermo‐ and pH‐Sensitive Polyion Complex Micelles for Fluorescent Imaging
Authors: Liu Yun , Li Cao , Wang Hui‐Yuan , Zhang Xian‐Zheng , Zhuo Ren‐Xi
Published: January 2012

Two thermo‐ and pH‐sensitive polypeptide‐based copolymers, poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐N‐hydroxymethylacrylamide)‐b‐poly(L‐lysine) (P(NIPAAm‐co‐HMAAm)‐b‐PLL, P1) and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐N‐hydroxymethylacrylamide)‐b‐poly(glutamic acid) (P(NIPAAm‐co‐HMAAm)‐b‐PGA, P2), have been designed and synthesized by the ring‐opening anionic polymerization of N‐carboxyanhydrides (NCA) with amino‐terminated P(NIPAAm‐co‐HMAAm). It was found that the block copolymers exhibit good biocompatibility and low toxicity. As a result of electrostatic interactions between the positively charged PLL and negatively charged PGA, P1 and P2 formed polyion complex (PIC) micelles consisting of polyelectrolyte complex cores and P(NIPAAm‐co‐HMAAm) shells in aqueous solution. The thermo‐ and pH‐sensitivity of the PIC micelles were studied by UV/Vis spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, fluorescent PIC micelles were achieved by introducing two fluorescent molecules with different colors. Photographs and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) showed that the fluorescence‐labeled PIC micelles exhibit thermo‐ and pH‐dependent fluorescence, which may find wide applications in bioimaging in complicated microenvironments.
A Strategy for the High Dispersion of PtRu Nanoparticles onto Carbon Nanotubes and Their Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Methanol
Authors: Kuang Yinjie , Cui Ying , Zhang Yunsong , Yu Yaming , Zhang Xiaohua , Chen Jinhua
Published: January 2012

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were non‐covalently functionalized by 1‐pyrenecarboxaldehyde (PCA) via ππ stacking interactions. PCA not only acts as the reductant for the deposition of PtRu nanoparticles, but the oxidation product of PCA can also effectively anchor and stabilize the in‐situ‐produced PtRu NPs on the surface of CNTs. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrates that PtRu NPs are uniformly dispersed on the surface of CNTs with small particles sizes of about 1.7 nm. The obtained PtRu‐NP/CNT composites have higher electrochemical surface areas, electrocatalytic activities, and better stability towards methanol oxidation compared to PtRu NPs supported on pristine CNTs.
Effect of Device Fabrication Conditions on Photovoltaic Performance of Polymer Solar Cells Based on Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) and Indene‐C70 Bisadduct
Authors: Zhao Guangjin , He Youjun , Peng Bo , Li Yongfang
Published: January 2012

Effect of the device fabrication conditions on photovoltaic performance of the polymer solar cells based on poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as donor and indene‐C70 bisadduct (IC70BA) as acceptor was studied systematically. The device fabrication conditions we studied include pre‐thermal annealing temperature, active layer thickness, and the P3HT:IC70BA weight ratios. For devices with a 188‐nm‐thick active layer of P3HT:IC70BA (1:1, w:w) blend film and pre‐thermal annealing at 150°C for 10 min, maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) reached 5.82% with Voc of 0.81 V, Isc of 11.37 mA/cm2, and FF of 64.0% under the illumination of AM1.5G, 100 mW/cm2.
β‐Alanine‐DBU: A Highly Efficient Catalytic System for Knoevenagel‐Doebner Reaction under Mild Conditions
Authors: Zhu Lingjian , Lei Ning , Miao Zhenyuan , Sheng Chunquan , Zhuang Chunlin , Yao Jianzhong , Zhang Wannian
Published: January 2012

A mild and efficient Knoevenagel‐Doebner reaction from malonic acid and a wide range of aldehydes was catalyzed by a catalytic system consisting of β‐alanine and 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU), affording the corresponding (E)‐α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids in good to excellent yields and with high stereoselectivity. The advantage of the method is that the reaction could proceed smoothly at ambient temperature so that it can tolerate a variety of functional groups and avoid unnecessary side reactions.
A Green Route for the One‐Pot Synthesis of 1,2‐Disubstituted Benzimidazoles Using Iron(III) Phosphate under Solventless Conditions
Authors: Behbahani F. K. , Ziaei Parisa
Published: January 2012

1,2‐Disubstituted benzimidazoles are selectively synthesized in high yields under extremely mild conditions via the condensation of o‐phenylenediamine derivatives with aldehyde derivatives using catalytic amount of iron(III) phosphate under solvent‐free conditions. The use of readily available iron(III) phosphate as a reusable and recyclable catalyst makes this process quite simple, convenient, and environment‐friendly.
Evaluation and Comparison of a 3,5‐Dimethylphenyl Isocyanate Teicoplanin with Phenyl Isocyanate Teicoplanin Chiral Stationary Phase Using RP‐HPLC
Authors: Shen Baochun , Zhang Datong , Yu Xiaoyan , Guo Wei , Han Yaqiong , Xu Xiuzhu
Published: January 2012

HPLC enantiomeric separations of 8 α‐amino acids were achieved using two self‐made chiral stationary phases (CSP)–phenyl isocyanate teicoplanin (Phe‐TE) and 3,5‐dimethylphenyl isocyanate teicoplanin (DMP‐TE), using reversed phase mobile phases. The Phe‐TE or the DMP‐TE CSP was prepared from the TE using derivative agents, phenyl isocyanate or 3,5‐dimethylphenyl isocyanate, respectively. The chromatographic results were given as the retention, selectivity, resolution factor and the enantioselective free energy difference corresponding to the separation of the two enantiomers. The effect of pH, organic modifier type and amount were discussed, and the stereoselectivities for two TE‐based CSPs were compared. The chiral selectivity factor for six α‐amino acids on DMP‐TE is somewhat bigger than that on Phe‐TE CSP under reversed phase (RP) mode. Comparison of the enantiomeric separations using self‐made Phe‐TE and DMP‐TE was conducted to gain a better understanding of the chiral recognition mechanism of the macrocyclic glycopeptide CSP.
A Facile One‐pot Synthesis of α‐Halo,α‐allylic Aldehydes from α,α‐Dihalo Ketones Utilizing Allylic Zinc Bromide
Authors: Wang Xiaolei , Zhang Songlin
Published: January 2012

An efficient synthesis of various α‐halo,α‐allylic aldehydes from α,α‐dihalo ketones using both cyclic (3‐bromocyclohex‐1‐ene zinc bromide and (Z)‐3‐bromocyclobut‐1‐ene zinc bromide) and acyclic (allylzinc bromide and cinnamylzinc bromide) type of allylic organozinc bromide with DMF as base is described. A possible reaction mechanism is also proposed.
Chemical Speciation of Vanadium in Coal Bottom Ash
Authors: Aydin Firat , Saydut Abdurrahman , Gunduz Beniz , Aydin Isil , Hamamci Candan
Published: January 2012

Chemical speciation of vanadium is important to understand the true nature of this element in the environment as well as its biochemical pathways. Sample pretreatment, preparation, and chemical speciation methods were applied for vanadium in coal bottom ash here. Two‐stage microwave acid digestion was used to preparation of samples. Determination of vanadium was performed using inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES). Speciation of vanadium was carried out using a seven‐step sequential extraction procedure of the coal bottom ash each releasing species of vanadium: Water soluble, exchangeable, carbonate, reducible, oxidizable, sulfide, and residual fractions. Total vanadium concentration in the coal bottom ash is 701 mg kg−1 d.w. The most abundant form of vanadium in coal bottom ash is residual fraction of vanadium (196 mg kg−1 d.w.). Relative abundances of the remaining vanadium fractions in coal bottom ash are as follows: Reducible (176 mg kg−1 d.w.) > sulfide (176 mg kg−1 d.w.) > carbonate (85 mg kg−1 d.w.) > oxidizable (50 mg kg−1 d.w.) > water soluble (10.6 mg kg−1 d.w.) > exchangeable (9.0 mg kg−1 d.w.).
The Runoff Declining Process and Water Quality in Songhuajiang River Catchment, China under Global Climatic Change
Authors: Mu Xingmin , Li Ying , Gao Peng , Shao Hongbo , Wang Fei
Published: January 2012

The runoff in Songhuajiang River catchment has experienced a decreasing trend during the second half of the 20th century. Serially complete daily rainfall data of 42 rainfall stations from 1959 to 2002 and daily runoff data of five meteorological stations from 1953 to 2005 were obtained. The Mann–Kendall trend test and the sequential version of Mann–Kendall test were employed in this study to test the monthly and annual trends for both rainfall and runoff, to determine the start point of abrupt runoff declining, and to identify the main driving factors of runoff decline. The results showed an insignificant increasing trend in rainfall but a significant decreasing trend in runoff in the catchment. For the five meteorological stations, abrupt runoff decline occurred during 1957–1963 and the middle 1990s. Through Mann–Kendall comparisons for the area‐rainfall and runoff for the two decreasing periods, human activity, rather than climatic change, is identified as the main driving factor of runoff decline. Analysis of land use/cover shows that farmland is most related with runoff decline among all the land use/cover change in Nenjiang catchment. From 1986 to 1995, the area of farmland increased rapidly from 6.99 to 7.61 million hm2. Hydraulic engineering has a significant influence on the runoff decline in the second Songhuajiang catchment. Many large‐scale reservoirs and hydropower stations have been built in the upstream of the Second Songhuajiang and lead to the runoff decline. Nenjiang and the Second Songhuajiang are the two sources of mainstream of Songhuajiang. Decreased runoff in these two sub‐catchments then results in runoff decrease in mainstream of Songhuajiang catchment. It is, therefore, concluded that high percent agricultural land and hydraulic engineering are the most probable driving factors of runoff decline in Songhuajiang River catchment, China.
Influence of Soil Air Permeability Change on Soil Vapour Extraction Systems Design
Authors: Boudouch Otmane , Daoud Esrael , Mariem Kacem , Benadda Belkacem
Published: January 2012

Soil air permeability plays a decisive role in the effectiveness of soil vapour extraction (SVE) for the removal of volatile organic contaminants (VOCs) from soil. The objective of this work is to study the change of the soil air permeability during continuous venting and removal of contaminant from a polluted soil. SVE pilot experiments were conducted to investigate the interaction of soil air permeability with total liquids saturation. Oppositely to previous studies, air permeability was measured by fitting pressure data measured in a 3D laboratory venting pilot to an analytical airflow solution. The experimental correlation was compared with two different correlations published previously. A difference was observed between measured and calculated air relative air permeabilities especially for low water saturation degrees. The importance of the correct estimate of relative permeability was then illustrated by comparing vacuums and streamlines calculated using measured permeability and permeability values estimated with the two correlations tested here. Results show that an inappropriate assessment of relative permeability may engender significant errors in designing an SVE system. The second part of this work reports on the influence of air permeability change on the prediction capability of an SVE mathematical model. A significant difference between simulated breakthrough curves, estimated using firstly the relationship established experimentally and secondly the two other correlations, was observed. These results lead us to say that inadequate characterization of the air permeability change may generate significant errors in removal rate and closure time estimates.
Plant Species Richness Affected Nitrogen Retention and Ecosystem Productivity in a Full‐Scale Constructed Wetland
Authors: Zhu Si‐Xi , Zhang Peili , Wang Hai , Ge Han‐Liang , Chang Jie , Chang Scott , Qiu Zhi , Shao Hongbo , Ge Ying
Published: January 2012

The effects of plant species richness (SR; i.e., 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 species per plot) on substrate nitrate and ammonium retention and ecosystem productivity in a full‐scale constructed wetland (CW) with high nitrogen (N) input were studied. Substrate nitrate (0.1–16.4 mg kg−1) and ammonium concentrations (1.3–9.2 mg kg−1) in this study were higher than those in other comparable biodiversity experiments. Substrate nitrate concentration significantly increased while ammonium concentration significantly decreased with the increase of plant SR (p = 0.008 and 0.040, respectively). The response of ecosystem productivity to increasing SR was unimodal with four species per plot achieving the greatest productivity. Transgressive overyielding, which was compared to the most productive of corresponding monocultures, did not occur in most polycultures. We conclude that substrate N retention was enhanced by plant SR even with high N input, and plant SR could be managed to improve the efficiency of N removals in CWs for wastewater treatment.
Degradation of Disperse Blue E‐4R in Aqueous Solution by Zero‐Valent Iron/Ozone
Authors: Pan Fei , Luo Yin , Fan Jing‐Jing , Liu De‐Chao , Fu Jie
Published: January 2012

Degradation of an anthraquinone dye, disperse blue E‐4R, by zero‐valent iron (ZVI)/ozone (O3) was carried out in a series of laboratory‐scale experiments. The obtained results indicated that this method was much more effective than single ZVI or single O3 at removal of color, chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon, and adsorbable organic halogen. The effect of several related operational parameters, including O3 dosage, zero valent iron dosage, temperature, pH value, and ZVI particle size were also discussed. Finally, we tried to decontaminate some actual samples with this method, which showed high treatment efficiency to the sample pretreated by conventional activated sludge.
Cooperative Catalysis with First‐Row Late Transition Metals (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 3/2012)
Authors: van der Vlugt Jarl Ivar
Published: January 2012

The front cover picture shows selected examples of solid‐state structures, combining a cheap metal (here copper) with smart ligands (here lutidinyl‐based PN and PNP systems), amenable to bifunctional bond activation of (small molecule) substrates and cooperative catalysis. Financial support for this work from the Netherlands' Research Council (NWO) is gratefully acknowledged. These structures are accompanied by perpetual ‚tandem‐bicycles’︁. Miss Christine Czauderna is thanked for the inspirational design. Progress and potential for the emerging field of cooperative catalysis with first‐row transition metals is outlined in the Microreview by J. I. van der Vlugt on p. 363 ff.

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The effect of roasting on the chemical composition and oxidative stability of pumpkin oil
Authors: Vujasinovic Vesna , Djilas Sonja , Dimic Etelka , Basic Zorica , Radocaj Olga
Published: January 2012

This study is concerned with the effect of the process of roasting of naked pumpkin seeds prior to their pressing on the chemical composition and oxidative stability of the extracted oil. Ground seeds were roasted at temperatures of 90, 110, and 130°C for 30 and 60 min, according to the traditional technology of production of roasted pumpkin oil. Depending on the roasting conditions of the seeds, this treatment resulted in a significant increase of the contents of phospholipids (from 0.005 to 0.463%), total phenolic compounds (from 4.63 to 19.60 mg/kg), and total tocopherols (from 265.79 to 350.98 mg/kg) in oil. Higher contents of these minor components enhanced the oxidative stability of the oil, i.e., increased the induction period (from 4.50 to 12.93 h). However, at the same time, the applied thermal treatment generated an increase in the primary and secondary oxidation products, resulting in higher Totox values that could lower the quality of the oil.
Fish‐meal diet enriched with omega‐3 PUFA and treatment of canine chronic enteropathies
Authors: Ontsouka Edgar Corneille , Burgener Iwan Anton , Luckschander‐Zeller Nicole , Blum Jürg Walter , Albrecht Christiane
Published: January 2012

The effects of a fish‐meal‐ and potato‐protein‐based diet enriched with omega‐3 PUFA on intestinal inflammatory activity and expression of genes active in fatty acid (FA) uptake were tested in the duodenum of dogs with food responsive diarrhea (FRD; n = 14) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; n = 7). The clinical outcome was estimated by monitoring the canine IBD activity index (CIBDAI) before and after treatment. Dogs were treated with the diet alone (FRD) or the diet in combination with immunosuppressants (IBD). The duodenal mRNA levels of FA translocase, FA transport protein‐1,‐3,‐4,‐6, long chain acyl coenzyme synthetase‐1,‐4,‐5,‐6, liver‐ and intestinal‐FA binding proteins, interleukin‐1β (IL)‐1β and ‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐α were measured by quantitative PCR. The CIBDAI significantly decreased after treatment in all dogs. The mRNA levels of target genes were associated both with disease phenotype and dietary treatment. Significantly different expression patterns were found for IL‐1β, FA translocase, intestinal‐FA binding protein, FA transport proteins‐1,‐3,‐6, and long chain acyl coenzyme synthetase‐5,‐6. In conclusion, the mRNA levels of some of the genes involved in duodenal FA uptake may be altered by a fish‐meal‐ and potato‐protein‐based diet enriched with omega‐3 PUFA. This may be beneficial for the treatment of canine chronic enteropathies, particularly FRD.

Practical applications: In this study, feeding dogs on a fish‐meal‐ and potato‐protein‐based diet enriched with omega‐3 PUFA resulted in marked suppression of intestinal inflammatory activity, mainly in the duodenum of dogs with food responsive diarrhea with a concomitant alteration of some of the genes involved in FA uptake. In IBD, however, a combination of diet and immunosuppressive drugs was required. The present study provides preliminary insights into the importance of the herein tested dietary composition for the treatment of canine chronic enteropathies, revealing that an omega‐3 PUFA‐enriched diet can be beneficial to the animal's health and wellbeing. Furthermore, our results serve as the basis for future investigations using different food ingredients and FA compositions to identify the optimal dietary mixture that could be equally effective for dietary prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of canine chronic enteropathies, or both.

See commentary by Ferguson [p. 372–374]
Synthesis and Study of Oxadisilole‐Fused Benzisoxazoles or Naphthisoxazoles
Authors: Ma Xuyan , Chen Yali , Zhang Yajuan , Xu Di , Cao Weiguo , Chen Jie
Published: January 2012

Oxadisilole‐fused benzisoxazoles or naphthisoxazoles were obtained through 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of arynes with nitrile oxides in good yields at room temperature. Key to the procedure is the simultaneous in situ generation of reactive nitrile oxides from arenecarbohydroximoyl chlorides and aryne reactants from benzobis(oxadisilole) or 2,3‐naphthoxadisilole. One oxadisilole‐fused benzisoxazole is a new precursor of a benzyne formed by a phenyliodination/fluoride‐induced elimination protocol. By using this benzyne, cycloadducts were synthesized in good yields. The de‐oxadisilole reaction of some of the oxadisilole‐fused benzisoxazoles could be easily conducted with a 1.0 M solution of tetrabutylammonium fluoride in THF at room temperature.
Asymmetric Allylboration of Aldehydes with Pinacol Allylboronates Catalyzed by 1,1′‐Spirobiindane‐7,7′‐diol (SPINOL) Based Phosphoric Acids
Authors: Xing Chun‐Hui , Liao Yuan‐Xi , Zhang Yimei , Sabarova Darya , Bassous Monica , Hu Qiao‐Sheng
Published: January 2012

The asymmetric allylboration of aldehydes with pinacolallylboronates catalyzed by 1,1′‐spirobiindane‐7,7′‐diol (SPINOL) based phosphoric acids is described. 6,6′‐Bis(2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl)SPINOL‐based phosphoric acid was found to be a general, highly enantioselective catalyst for such allylboration reactions and excellent enantioselectivities were obtained for different types of aldehydes including aromatic aldehydes, α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes, propargylic aldehydes, and aliphatic aldehydes.
Manganese Dioxide Nanostructures as a Novel Electrochemical Mediator for Thiol Sensors
Authors: Eremenko A. V. , Dontsova E. A. , Nazarov A. P. , Evtushenko E. G. , Amitonov S. V. , Savilov S. V. , Martynova L. F. , Lunin V. V. , Kurochkin I. N.
Published: January 2012

Nanoparticles of various manganese dioxide crystalline modifications (amorphous, β‐phase, and γ‐phase) were compared with respect to their mediator properties in electrochemical detection of thiols. The highest catalytic activity towards thiocholine, cysteine, and glutathione was demonstrated by screen‐printed graphite electrodes modified with γ‐MnO2 at the optimized working potential of 450 mV versus the Ag/AgCl reference electrode. High sensitivity of γ‐MnO2 modified electrodes towards thiocholine (345 mA cm2/M) and therefore low detection limit of butyrylcholinesterase (1 pM) enabled their use for subnanomolar detection of an organophosphate pesticide diazinon, an irreversible inhibitor of butyrylcholinesterase. The detection limit for diazinon was estimated as 0.6 nM with assay duration of less than 15 min.
Electroreduction of Chloramines Through Novel Electrode Materials
Authors: Terzi F. , Zanfrognini B. , Zanardi C. , Pigani L. , Seeber R.
Published: January 2012

Novel electrode materials have been developed and applied to the determination of chloramines by amperometric methods. In particular, a thin layer of a conducting polymer, namely poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) has been tested for the first time in the presence of chloramines. Significant improvements in the performance of the modified electrodes are obtained by using composite materials based on differently encapsulated Au nanoparticles and PEDOT. The resulting electrode system exhibits repeatability and reproducibility of the voltammetric responses, as well as low limit of detection and high sensitivity in the determination of monochloramine, as testified by the cyclic voltammetric curves and the calibration plots obtained by a rotating disk electrode.
An Electroanalytical Approach to the Understanding of Copper Exportation in Glaciated Catchments
Authors: Monticelli D. , Pozzi A. , Credaro A. , Dossi C.
Published: January 2012

The use of electroanalytical techniques for the speciation analysis of copper in four glaciated catchments is presented. The method is based on a competitive ligand equilibration scheme coupled with cathodic stripping detection (CLE‐CSV procedure). Issues related to the particular nature of the samples, i.e. their very low ionic strength, and their effects on the speciation procedure are presented and discussed in detail. The presence of strong complexing ligands was evidenced in all of the investigated catchments (30 samples, ligand concentrations 0.2–8.9 nM; K′=1011.51−1013.60). Copper species distribution was for the first time determined in ice samples.
Graphene Functionalized Graphite Electrode with Diphenylacetylene for Sensitive Electrochemical Determination of Adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate
Authors: Ruan Chengxiang , Xu Li , Wang Xiuzhen , Lou Jin , Gao Weimin , Sun Wei
Published: January 2012

In this paper a molecular wire modified carbon paste electrode (MW‐CPE) was firstly prepared by mixing graphite powder with diphenylacetylene (DPA). Then a graphene (GR) and chitosan (CTS) composite film was further modified on the surface of MW‐CPE to receive the graphene functionalized electrode (CTS‐GR/MW‐CPE), which was used for the sensitive electrochemical detection of adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP). The CTS‐GR/MW‐CPE exhibited excellent electrochemical performance and the electrochemical behavior of ATP on the CTS‐GR/MW‐CPE was carefully studied by cyclic voltammetry with an irreversible oxidation peak appearing at 1.369 V (vs. SCE). The electrochemical parameters such as charge transfer coefficient (α) and electrode reaction standard rate constant (ks) were calculated with the results of 0.53 and 5.28×10−6 s−1, respectively. By using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) as detection technique, the oxidation peak current showed good linear relationship with ATP concentration in the range from 1.0 nM to 700.0 µM with a detection limit of 0.342 nM (3σ). The common coexisting substances, such as uric acid, ascorbic acid and guanosine‐5′‐triphosphate (GTP), showed no interferences and the modified electrode was successfully applied to injection sample detection.
Bayesian hierarchical spatio‐temporal smoothing for very large datasets
Authors: Katzfuss Matthias , Cressie Noel
Published: January 2012

Spatio‐temporal statistics is prone to the curse of dimensionality: one manifestation of this is inversion of the data–covariance matrix, which is not in general feasible for very‐large‐to‐massive datasets, such as those observed by satellite instruments. This becomes even more of a problem in fully Bayesian statistical models, where the inversion typically has to be carried out many times in Markov chain Monte Carlo samplers. Here, we propose a Bayesian hierarchical spatio‐temporal random effects (STRE) model that offers fast computation: Dimension reduction is achieved by projecting the process onto a basis‐function space of low, fixed dimension, and the temporal evolution is modeled using a dynamical autoregressive model in time. We develop a multiresolutional prior for the propagator matrix that allows for unknown (random) sparsity and shrinkage, and we describe how sampling from the posterior distribution can be achieved in a feasible way, even if this matrix is very large. Finally, we compare inference based on our fully Bayesian STRE model with that based on an empirical‐Bayesian STRE‐model approach, where parameters are estimated via an expectation‐maximization algorithm. The comparison is carried out in a simulation study and on a real‐world dataset of global satellite CO2 measurements. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐objective optimization strategies using the adjoint method and game theory in inverse natural convection problems
Authors: Wong J.C.‐F.
Published: January 2012

This paper considers the problem of estimating the strengths of two time‐varying heat sources simultaneously, from measurements of the temperature inside the square domain in a porous medium, when prior knowledge of the source functions is not available. This problem is an inverse natural convection problem. In order to circumvent this problem, we define several optimization criteria (objective functionals) that measure discrepancies between model and measured data, where objective functionals depend on two heat sources and use multi‐criteria optimization to identify Nash equilibria, which are solutions to the non‐cooperative game according to game theory. Two non‐cooperative game strategies are considered: competitive (Nash) game and hierarchical (modified Stackelberg) game. The methodology that we employ relies on a combination of mixed finite element space approximations, finite difference time discretizations, adjoint equation and sensitivity equation techniques, and nonlinear conjugate gradient algorithms for the solutions of estimating two heat sources. Applying the Sobolev gradient for the noise removal is investigated. The performance of the present technique of inverse analysis is evaluated, by means of several numerical experiments, and is found to be very accurate as well as efficient. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chimera technique for transporting disturbances
Authors: Reuß S. , Wolf C. , Knopp T. , Raichle A. , Schwamborn D.
Published: January 2012

The Chimera technique for moving grids is used to take into account nonhomogeneous unsteady inflow conditions in the simulation of aerodynamic flows. The method is applied to simulate the transport of a large‐scale vortex by a mean velocity field over a large distance, where it finally interacts with an airfoil. The Chimera approach allows one to resolve the vortex on a fine grid, whereas the unstructured background grid covering most of the computational domain can be much coarser. This method shows the same low numerical dissipation as a simulation on a globally fine grid. Several precursor tests are performed with a finite modified analytical Lamb–Oseen type vortex to study the influence of spatial and temporal resolution and the employed numerical scheme. Then, the interaction of an analytical vortex with a NACA0012 airfoil and with an ONERA‐A airfoil near stall is studied. Finally, a realistic vortex is generated by a ramping airfoil and is transported on a moving Chimera block and then interacts with a two‐element airfoil, which allows one to simulate a typical setup for a gust generator in aerodynamic facilities. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Geochemical processes and sedimentological characteristics of Holocene lagoon deposits, Alikes Lagoon, Zakynthos Island, western Greece
Authors: Panagiotaras D. , Papoulis D. , Kontopoulos N. , Avramidis P.
Published: January 2012

In this paper we present sedimentological, geochemical, mineralogical and 14C Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) dating data of a 21.0‐m core obtained from Alikes Lagoon, Zakynthos Island. It is the first time that sedimentological and geochemical data are presented, up to 21‐m depth, from an Holocene coastal lagoon environment of the Ionia Sea, western Greece. The sedimentological properties and the geochemical composition of sediments were studied for the time period between 8540 years bp to present. Samples were analysed for their particle size, calcium carbonate and total organic carbon (TOC) content. Moreover, bulk sample chemical analyses for major and trace elements were carried out, as well as bulk, oriented mineralogical analyses for the clay fraction (<2 µm) were determined by powder X‐Ray diffraction. The grain size characteristics, statistical parameters and TOC, for the Holocene analysed samples, suggest a coastal environment (restricted‐shallow) with reduced salinity such as a tidal flat and/or particularly marsh in a lagoon margin. Sediment characteristics as well as trace element records may contain additional new palaeoclimate information that provide important new constraint on sediment depositional environment and Holocene climate. Stratigraphic variation of geochemical indices, such as Rb/Ti, Cs/Ti, Eu/Eu*, Th/Ti, La/Ti, Ta/Ti, Yb/Ti and Y/Ti, for the sediments with ages from 8540 to 7210 years bp, remain relatively constant indicating that the provenance of the Alikes Lagoon remained similar throughout the mid Holocene. However, geochemical indices in sediments with ages from 7110 years bp to present, indicate the transition from a warm and wet climate in the middle Holocene to a relatively cold climatic conditions in modern times. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ecosystem focused therapy in poststroke depression: a preliminary study
Authors: Alexopoulos George S. , Wilkins Victoria M. , Marino Patricia , Kanellopoulos Dora , Reding Michael , Sirey Jo Anne , Raue Patrick J. , Ghosh Samiran , O'Dell Michael W. , Kiosses Dimitris N.
Published: January 2012

Objective

Poststroke depression (PSD) occurs in the context of abrupt, often catastrophic disability that finds the patient and his or her family unprepared. We developed the Ecosystem Focused Therapy (EFT), a systematic intervention aimed to increase the PSD patient's and his or her ecosystem's abilities to address the “psychosocial storm” of PSD and utilize available treatments effectively and efficiently. This is a preliminary study of its efficacy.

Design

A total of 24 PSD patients were randomly assigned to receive weekly sessions of EFT or a comparison condition consisting of systematic Education on Stroke and Depression and their treatment for 12 weeks.

Results

Ecosystem Focused Therapy may be more efficacious than Education on Stroke and Depression in reducing depressive symptoms and signs, in leading to a higher remission rate, and in ameliorating disability in PSD. Reduction of disability in the early part of the trial mediated later improvement in depressive symptomatology. Similarly, reduction in depressive symptoms and signs early on mediated later improvement in disability.

Conclusion

These encouraging findings require replication. Beyond its potential direct benefits in PSD, EFT may provide an appropriate context for efficient and timely administration of pharmacotherapy and of physical, speech, and occupational therapy thus maximizing their efficacy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What MEG can reveal about inference making: The case of if...then sentences
Authors: Bonnefond Mathilde , Noveck Ira , Baillet Sylvain , Cheylus Anne , Delpuech Claude , Bertrand Olivier , Fourneret Pierre , Van der Henst Jean‐Baptiste
Published: January 2012

Characterizing the neural substrate of reasoning has been investigated with regularity over the last 10 years or so while relying on measures that come primarily from positron emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging. To some extent, these techniques—as well as those from electroencephalography—have shown that time course is equally worthwhile for revealing the way reasoning processes work in the brain. In this work, we employ magnetoencephalography while investigating Modus Ponens (If P then Q; P//Therefore, Q) in order to simultaneously derive time course and the source of this fundamental logical inference. The present results show that conditional reasoning involves several successive cognitive processes, each of which engages a distinct cerebral network over the course of inference making, and as soon as a conditional sentence is processed. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Human neural systems underlying rigid and flexible forms of allocentric spatial representation
Authors: Zhang Hui , Ekstrom Arne
Published: January 2012

Previous studies suggest the importance of medial temporal lobe, areas of parietal cortex, and retrosplenial cortex in human spatial navigation, though the exact role of these structures in representing the relations of elements within a spatial layout (“allocentric” representation) remains unresolved. Hippocampal involvement, in particular, during memory processing is affected by whether a previously formed representation is employed in a novel fashion (“flexible” usage) or in a manner comparable with how it was encoded originally (“rigid” usage). To address whether brain systems are differentially involved during flexible vs. rigid utilization of a pre‐existing allocentric representation, subjects encoded the position of six different target buildings relative to a centrally located landmark building in a virtual city seen from an aerial view. They then actively searched for the locations of these target buildings using the landmark (rigid retrieval) or using a previously shown target building in a novel fashion (flexible retrieval) while undergoing fMRI. Activations in posterior superior parietal cortex and precuneus were greater during more rigid than flexible forms of allocentric retrieval while activation in the hippocampus decreased linearly over blocks during flexible allocentric retrieval. A functional connectivity analysis further revealed significant interactions between hippocampus and these parietal areas during flexible compared with rigid allocentric retrieval. These results extend previous models of the neural basis of spatial navigation by suggesting that while the posterior superior parietal cortex/precuneus play an important role in allocentric representation, the hippocampus, and interactions between hippocampus and these parietal areas, are important for flexible utilization of these representations. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.