bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photoinduced Reductive Decomposition of Perflurooctanoic Acid in Water: Effect of Temperature and Ionic Strength
Authors: Zhang Chaojie , Qu Yan , Zhao Xiaoyun , Zhou Qi
Published: March 2014

Aqueous photo‐reductive decomposition of perflurooctanoic acid (PFOA) was investigated as a function of temperature (293, 298, and 313 K) and ionic strength (2.5, 5.0, or 20.0 mmol/L as NaCl). As an advanced reduction process, iodide was used under UV irradiation to produce highly reactive reducing reagent hydrated electrons. PFOA was reduced by hydrated electrons and short‐chain perfluorinated acid intermediates including perfluoroheptanoic acid, perfluorohexanoic acid, perfluoropentanoic acid, perfluorobutyric acid, pentafluoropropionic acid, and trifluoroacetic acid were detected during the reaction. In this study, the same intermediates were observed under different temperature and ionic strength conditions. It was found that the increase of reaction temperature could positively affect the decomposition of PFOA. Defluorination of PFOA was observed to increase as the temperature increased. After 6 h, the defluorination efficiency increased from 47.71% to 80.91% when the system temperature increased from 293 to 313 K. As the temperature increased, the maximum concentration of the six short‐chain perfluorinated acid intermediates decreased. Meanwhile, there was a positive correlation between the ionic strength and PFOA decomposition rate. According to the Brønsted–Bjerrum equation, ZA ZB was calculated to be 2.2, indicating that both single‐charged and double‐charged species play a role during the decomposition process.
Cognitive comparison of unique and intermediate hues
Authors: Shamey Renzo , Sawatwarakul Weethima , Kuehni Rolf G.
Published: March 2014

Eight panels were prepared using the most highly chromatic Natural Colour System (NCS) samples for each hue. Each panel consisted of a test hue and two reference hues, the samples representing either mean unique hues (uH) R, Y, B, or G as determined in earlier experiments or intermediate hues half way between them, (iHs) Or, Pp, YG, and BG. Subjects were asked to determine whether they considered it possible to match the test hue with the reference hues. A total of 45 color‐normal subjects participated in the study in three separate trials with at least 24 h gap between consecutive trials. The results, with very few exceptions, showed that a match was considered possible for the four iHs based on a mixture of adjacent pairs of uHs, while the majority did not believe uHs could be matched based on amounts of adjacent iHs. Statistical analysis of the test results indicates that responses for the two sets of panels were significantly different (P ∼ 0, df = 539). The results provide support for Hering's uHs concept. However, a number of subjects believed that a mixture of adjacent iHs can result in a match of the reference uHs. Potential causes may include the use of experimental mean unique and intermediate hues and learned facts of colorant mixture. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 40, 264–269, 2015
Development of web‐based science portal for large‐scale computing collaboration in earthquake engineering
Authors: Youn Choonhan , Lu Jinchi , Elgamal Ahmed , Baru Chaitan
Published: March 2014

Cyberinfrstructure has provided the wide‐ranging infrastructure needed to profit from the rapid progress in information technology, which has increased the demand for support from science and engineering applications. The science portals have played an important role in developing computing environments of such cyberinfrastructure. And discipline‐specific problem solving environments can be used productively, suitable for the study and development of scientific and technical applications. In this paper, we present a simple, web‐based computational portal framework for integrating numerical response from thousands of large‐scale earthquake engineering computational simulations. This system facilitates access and use of the high performance computing (HPC) resource by the researchers and provides an administratively and technologically streamlined environment for uploading input model files, creating the job script, editing the input model file, specifying HPC job parameters, querying running job status, and storing output data. Our web‐based science portal can be used to promote an efficient and effective simulation environment to help scientists as well as educators in their daily activities and speed up the scientific discovery process. The underlying numerical simulation platform is an open‐source object‐oriented framework for finite element analysis, Open System for Earthquake Engineering Simulation, funded by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center, and used by the proposed science portal to perform simulation applications in earthquake engineering. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NKG2D ligation relieves 2B4‐mediated NK‐cell self‐tolerance in mice
Authors: Lee Jung Eun , Lim Seon Ah , Kim Tae‐Jin , Kim Kwanghee , Ng Joanne , Kim Yong Ho , Jang In Jung , Oh Seog Bae , Lee June‐Chul , Yee Cassian , Kumar Vinay , Lee Kyung‐Mi
Published: March 2014

Along with MHC class I (MHCI), 2B4 provides nonredundant NK‐cell inhibition in mice. The immunoregulatory role of 2B4 has been increasingly appreciated in models of tumor and viral infection, however, the interactions among 2B4, MHCI, and other activating NK‐cell receptors remain uncertain. Here, we dissect the influence of two distinct inhibitory pathways in modulating NK‐cell‐mediated control of tumors expressing strong activating ligands, including RAE‐1γ. In vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo peritoneal clearance assays using MHCI+CD48+ (RMA‐neo), MHCI+CD48+RAE‐1γ (RMA‐RAE‐1γ), MHCI−CD48+ (RMA‐S‐neo), and MHCI−CD48+RAE‐1γ (RMA‐S‐RAE‐1γ) tumor lines demonstrated that NKG2D activation supersedes the inhibitory effect of both 2B4‐ and MHCI‐mediated immune‐tolerance systems. Furthermore, 2B4KO mice subcutaneously challenged with RMA‐neo and RMA‐S‐neo exhibited reduced tumor growth and significantly prolonged survival compared with WT mice, implying that 2B4 is constitutively engaged in the NK‐cell tolerance mechanism in vivo. Nevertheless, the inhibitory effect of 2B4 is significantly attenuated when NK cells encountered highly stressed tumor cells expressing RAE‐1γ, resulting in an immune response shift toward NK‐cell activation and tumor regression. Therefore, our data highlight the importance of the 2B4‐mediated inhibitory system as an alternate self‐tolerance mechanism, whose role can be modulated by the strength of activating receptor signaling within the tumor microenvironment.
The Pentynoate Ligand as a Building Block for Multimetallic Systems
Authors: Lin Yvonne H. , Duclaux Loraine , Gonzàlez de Rivera Ferran , Thompson Amber L. , Wilton‐Ely James D. E. T.
Published: March 2014

The complexes [RuRCl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] (R = CH=CHtBu, CH=CHC6H4Me‐4, CH=CHC5H4FeC5H5; BTD = 2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole) and [Ru{C(C≡CPh)=CHPh}(CO)(PPh3)2] reacted with pentynoic acid to yield the same complex, [RuCl(O2CCH2CH2C≡CH)(CO)(PPh3)2], through cleavage of the vinyl ligand. In contrast, the products [RuR(O2CCH2CH2C≡CH)(CO)(PPh3)2] were formed when NaO2CCH2CH2C≡CH was used. An osmium example, [Os(CH=CHC6H4Me‐4)(O2CCH2CH2C≡CH)(CO)(PPh3)2], was also prepared from treatment of [Os(CH=CHC6H4Me‐4)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] with NaO2CCH2CH2C≡CH. Coupling of the pendant alkyne in [RuCl(O2CCH2CH2C≡CH)(CO)(PPh3)2] to yield the homodimetallic complex [{RuCl(O2CCH2CH2C≡C)(CO)(PPh3)2}2] was achieved by using [PdCl2(PPh3)2], CuI and NEt3. The reactivity of the alkyne unit was further exploited by the metallation of the alkyne with ClAu(PR3) (R = Ph, Cy) and Co2(CO)8 to yield the multimetallic species [Ru(CH=CHC6H4Me‐4)(O2CCH2CH2C≡CAuPR3)(CO)(PPh3)2] and [Ru(CH=CHC6H4Me‐4)(O2CCH2CH2CC{Co2(CO)6}H)(CO)(PPh3)2]. The structures of the complexes [Ru(CH=CHC6H4Me‐4)(O2CCH2CH2C≡CH)(CO)(PPh3)2] and [Ru(CH=CHtBu)(O2CCH2CH2C≡CH)(CO)(PPh3)2] were determined crystallographically.
p‐Cycle configuration possibilities over DRDA networks
Authors: Domżał Jerzy , Wójcik Robert , Jajszczyk Andrzej , Santiago del Río Pedro M. , Hernández José Alberto , Aracil Javier
Published: March 2014

A resilience analysis of protection cycles (p‐cycle) configurations for Double Rings with Dual Attachment (DRDAs) architectures is presented in this work. DRDAs are composed of two rings with corresponding nodes connected by two separated links. There are several possible configurations of p‐cycles, which may be used in DRDAs for improving link or node protection upon link failure. The values of the parameters Mean Time To Failure and Mean Time To Disconnection are analysed in the paper to show the best choice of p‐cycles in DRDAs architectures. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels in patients with major depressive disorder correlate with remission during treatment with antidepressants
Authors: Morita Tokiko , Senzaki Koji , Ishihara Ryoko , Umeda Kazunori , Iwata Nakao , Nagai Taku , Hida Hirotake , Nabeshima Toshitaka , Yukawa Kazunori , Ozaki Norio , Noda Yukihiro
Published: March 2014

Objective

We attempted to investigate whether dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA‐S) levels are associated with remission of major depressive disorder by assessing scores on the 17‐Item Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression before and after antidepressant treatment.

Methods

Plasma DHEA‐S levels in 24 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder on the basis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (text revision) before and after antidepressant treatment, and 24 healthy, gender‐matched, and age‐matched controls were measured using a radioimmunoassay kit.

Results

Plasma DHEA‐S levels in patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. In patients who achieved remission after antidepressant treatment, plasma DHEA‐S levels significantly declined compared with the levels before treatment. A significant correlation was observed between changes in DHEA‐S levels and Absence of Depressive and Anxious Mood scores, which are calculated from the 2‐Item Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression rating as follows: severity of depressive mood and anxiety in patients before and after antidepressant treatment.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that plasma DHEA‐S levels can be used as a putative indicator of the state of remission in patients with major depressive disorder. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Chemical Background of Advanced Oxidation Processes
Authors: Csay Tamás , Homlok Renata , Illés Erzsébet , Takács Erzsébet , Wojnárovits László
Published: March 2014

In advanced oxidation processes, the hydroxyl radical is the main initiator of the degradation of pollutants. For aromatic molecules, the rate coefficients are between 2×109 and 1×1010 mol−1 dm3 s−1 and show some variation according to the electron‐withdrawing or donating nature of the substituents. The one‐electron oxidant .OH induces 2–4 electron oxidations of many aromatic pollutants. These high rates are explained by .OH addition to an unsaturated bond, scavenging of the organic radical by dissolved O2, and subsequent reactions. In amino‐substituted molecules and in azo dyes the efficiency is lower, because O2 cannot compete efficiently with the unimolecular transformation of carbon‐centered radicals. Generally, the toxicity first increases and then decreases with treatment time. The increase is attributed to the high toxicity of some degradation products and to H2O2 formation. In surface waters, traces of transition metal ions degrade some of the H2O2 in Fenton‐like processes.
Professionalism, Ethics, and Value‐Based Conflicts in Counseling: An Introduction to the Special Section
Authors: Francis Perry C. , Dugger Suzanne M.
Published: March 2014

This introduction to this special section of the Journal of Counseling & Development explores the importance of a code of ethics to the establishment and maintenance of a profession. Recognizing a code of ethics as a communication of a profession's collective values and expectations, the editors of this special section acknowledge the dilemmas that arise when a counselor's personal values do not align with the profession's collective values. The authors of each article address value‐based conflicts in counseling.
Addressing Value‐Based Conflicts Within the Counseling Relationship: A Decision‐Making Model
Authors: Kocet Michael M. , Herlihy Barbara J.
Published: March 2014

A growing number of legal and ethical cases have involved value conflicts between counselors, or counselors‐in‐training, and their clients. The authors examine considerations that professional counselors are encouraged to take into account when value conflicts arise within the therapeutic relationship. The authors present a strategy known as ethical bracketing and the Counselor Values‐Based Conflict Model as tools to use when facing conflicts that arise between personal and professional values.
Creating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Allies: Testing a Model of Privilege Investment
Authors: Perrin Paul B. , Bhattacharyya Sriya , Snipes Daniel J. , Calton Jenna M. , Heesacker Martin
Published: March 2014

Participants were assigned to 1 of 4 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ally‐development conditions; then, they completed measures of prejudice and propensity for social justice behavior. A structural equation model uncovered that propensity for social justice behavior was negatively related to prejudice and positively related to the emotional impact of experiences with discrimination in other domains of identity. Women, people of color, and individuals of lower social classes had the highest propensity for social justice behavior and the lowest prejudice.
In vivo quantitative and qualitative assessment of foreign body giant cell formation on biomaterials in mice deficient in natural killer lymphocyte subsets, mast cells, or the interleukin‐4 receptorα and in severe combined immunodeficient mice
Authors: Yang Junghoon , Jao Brian , McNally Amy K. , Anderson James M.
Published: March 2014

In previous studies that explored the influence of cytokines on foreign body giant cell (FBGC) formation, we focused on interleukin (IL)−4 and IL‐13, each of which was discovered to induce macrophage fusion leading to FBGC formation in vitro. Two correlative in vivo studies also confirmed that IL‐4 plays a role in FBGC formation on implanted biomaterials, but that T lymphocytes are not the source of IL‐4 or other cytokines that support this process. The present study focused on identification of the cellular source of macrophage fusion‐inducing cytokines, including natural killer (NK) or NKT lymphocytes and mast cells using mouse models genetically deficient in each of these cell types, as well as IL‐4 receptor alpha(IL‐4Rα)‐deficient and severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Polyetherurethane (PEU) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymers were subcutaneously implanted and retrieved after 14, 21, or 28 days. FBGC formation was evaluated using quantitative and qualitative data from retrieved polymer surfaces. Both types of data indicate that, compared to normal control mice, neither NK or NKT lymphocytes nor mast cells are required for FBGC formation. Furthermore, FBGC formation on biomaterials can proceed in IL‐4Rα‐deficient and in SCID mice. Similar conclusions were made regarding FBGC formation on both PEU and PET biomaterials. These data suggest that other sources of IL‐4/IL‐13 and/or additional macrophage fusion‐inducing cytokines can mediate FBGC formation on implanted biomaterials, or that, in the absence of normal primary pathways, FBGC formation is nevertheless supported by redundant innate mechanisms. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 2017–2023, 2014.
CLARIFYING THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH ACT AND COMMUNITY‐BASED INTERVENTIONS
Authors: Murphy John W. , Rigg Khary K.
Published: March 2014

The passing of the Community Mental Health Act was supposed to signal a change in the treatment of mental disorders. The idea was to embed interventions as much as possible in a community, so that treatment is accessible and appropriately designed. However, many programs that strive to be community‐based never achieve this status. The problem is that becoming community‐based is often treated as merely a methodological or tactical change, rather than a new philosophy. Clinics were built and services offered without a coherent theory to explain why better assessments and treatments should accompany a community‐based strategy. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to clarify the basis for such an approach so that mental health services are not simply placed in communities, but rather are defined and controlled by the persons who reside in these neighborhoods.
A PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE OF POTENTIAL YOUTH MENTOR VOLUNTEERS
Authors: Randle Melanie , Miller Leonie , Ciarrochi Joseph , Dolnicar Sara
Published: March 2014

Mentoring programs rely on adult volunteers to offer disadvantaged children friendship, role modeling, and insight into the way others relate. However, with the increasing numbers of children requiring mentors, programs are finding it difficult to attract enough volunteers. This study investigates (a) community awareness of an Australian youth mentoring program, (b) the proportion of the population who would consider becoming a mentor in future, and (c) whether those who would consider it differ significantly in their psychological characteristics. While awareness of the program is low, consideration of mentoring is relatively high. Those who would consider volunteering for the program have distinct psychological characteristics, indicating that customized marketing strategies are likely to be effective in attracting them. Findings demonstrate the potential for marketing techniques to be used effectively in the youth mentoring arena and give practical guidance as to how effective campaigns could boost numbers of mentors.
Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Glossogyne tenuifolia against selected pathogens
Authors: Yang Tsung‐Shi , Chao Louis Kuo‐Ping , Liu Tai‐Ti
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND

Glossogyne tenuifolia (GT) is a perennial herb widely distributed in the areas from south Asia to Australia. Many biological effects of G. tenuifolia have been reported; however, the information about antimicrobial activity of the essential oil (EO) of the herb remains unavailable. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the antimicrobial activity of the GT‐EO in vitro and food systems, the antimicrobial impact (AI) of its individual compounds, and interactive effects of major active compounds (linalool, 4‐terpineol, α‐terpineol, ρ‐cymene) on selected Gram‐positive (S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, S. mutans and S. sanguinis) and Gram‐negative (E. coli O157:H7, V. parahaemolyticus and S. enterica) pathogens.

RESULTS

The minimal microbicidal concentration (MMC) of the GT‐EO ranged from 0.75 to 12 mg mL−1 against the test bacteria in vitro. Except for L. monocytogenes, the GT‐EO exhibited more inhibitory effect on the selected Gram positive than against the Gram negative bacteria at the GT‐EO concentrations ≤ 12 mg mL−1. The interactive effects of major active compounds (linalool, 4‐terpineol, α‐terpineol, ρ‐cymene) are additive instead of synergistic via the checkerboard analysis. The bacteria with a microbial load of ca. 102 CFU mL−1 in the milk tea could be completely inactivated by the GT‐EO with the MMC of 1.5 mg mL−1.

CONCLUSION

ρ‐Cymene is the largest component in the GT‐EO; however, it is not the compound predominantly affecting the entire antimicrobial activity of the EO. Instead, 4‐terpineol is the most influential among the test compounds that contribute to the antimicrobial activity of the GT‐EO. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Anti‐obesity action of gingerol: effect on lipid profile, insulin, leptin, amylase and lipase in male obese rats induced by a high‐fat diet
Authors: Saravanan Ganapathy , Ponmurugan Ponnusamy , Deepa Machampalayam Arumugam , Senthilkumar Balasubramanian
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND

Obesity represents a rapidly growing threat to the health of populations and diet intervention has been proposed as one of the strategies for weight loss. Ginger and its constituents have been used for their anti‐flatulent, expectorant and appetising properties and they are reported to possess gastro‐protective and cholesterol‐lowering properties. The present study investigated the effects of gingerol on the changes in body weight, serum glucose, insulin, insulin resistance and lipid profile in plasma and liver as well as on the activity of amylase, lipase and leptin in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese rats.

RESULTS

HFD‐induced obese rats were treated orally with gingerol (25, 50 and 75 mg kg−1) once daily for 30 days. A lorcaserin‐treated group (10 mg kg−1) was included for comparison. The levels of body weight, glucose, lipid profile and insulin, insulin resistance, leptin, amylase and lipase were increased significantly (P < 0.05) in HFD rats. Rats treated with gingerol and fed a HFD showed significantly (P < 0.05) decreased glucose level, body weight, leptin, insulin, amylase, lipase plasma and tissue lipids when compared to normal control. The effect at a dose of 75 mg kg−1 of gingerol was more pronounced than that of the dose 25 mg kg−1 and 50 mg kg−1. The lorcaserin‐treated group also manifested similar effects to those of gingerol.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that ginger supplementation suppresses obesity induced by a high fat diet and it might be a promising adjuvant therapy for the treatment of obesity and its complications. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Volatile compounds of Celta dry‐cured ‘lacón’ as affected by cross‐breeding with Duroc and Landrace genotypes
Authors: Lorenzo José M , Fonseca Sonia
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND

Dry‐cured ‘lacón’ is a traditional cured meat product made in the north‐west of Spain from the pigs' foreleg, with similar manufacturing process to that used in dry‐cured ham. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of cross‐breeding of Celta pig with Landrace or Duroc breeds on the formation of volatile compounds through the manufacture of ‘lacón’.

RESULTS

‘Lacón’ from the crosses with Duroc presented lower final moisture (534 g kg−1) and higher intra‐muscular fat content [144 g kg−1 dry matter (DM)] than ‘lacón’ from Celta pure breed (587 g kg−1 and 36 g kg−1 DM, respectively). Volatile compounds were extracted by solid‐phase microextraction and analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Volatile compounds from ‘lacón’ were affected by cross‐breeding. The total amount of volatile compounds significantly (P < 0.001) increased during the manufacturing process, this increase being more marked in samples from the Landrace cross‐breed. The most abundant group of flavour compounds at the end of the manufacturing process was esters in the three batches, followed by aldehydes, hydrocarbons and alcohols. The most abundant ester at the end of the process was hexanoic acid methyl ester, while the aldehyde found in a higher amount was hexanal.

CONCLUSIONS

The profile of volatile compounds was affected by cross‐breed, especially at the end of the ‘lacón’ dry‐curing process. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of co‐products from the corn‐ethanol industry on body composition, retention of protein, lipids and energy, and on the net energy of diets fed to growing or finishing pigs
Authors: Gutierrez Nestor A , Kil Dong Yong , Liu Yanhong , Pettigrew James E , Stein Hans H
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND

Conventional distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS‐CV), uncooked distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS‐BPX) and high‐protein distillers dried grains (HP‐DDG) are used in diets for pigs to provide protein and energy. These ingredients may have different effects on body composition and energy retention. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to determine effects of DDGS‐CV, DDGS‐BPX and HP‐DDG on body composition and on retention of protein, lipids, and energy when fed to growing or finishing pigs.

RESULTS

The total organ weight was greater (P < 0.05) for finishing pigs fed the HP‐DDG diet than for finishing pigs fed the basal diet or the DDGS‐CV diet. Finishing pigs fed the DDGS‐CV diet had greater (P < 0.05) lipid gain than pigs fed the other diets, and the net energy (NE) for DDGS‐CV was greater (P < 0.05) than for DDGS‐BPX, but the NE value of HP‐DDG was not different from that of DDGS‐CV or DDGS‐BPX.

CONCLUSION

Inclusion of up to 30% DDGS or HP‐DDG in diets fed to growing or finishing pigs will not affect body composition or the retention of energy, protein and lipids, regardless of the stage of growth of pigs. The NE value of DDGS‐BPX and HP‐DDG is not affected by the stage of growth of pigs, but the NE value of DDGS‐CV is greater in finishing than in growing pigs. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Polymer Micro‐ and Nanocapsules as Biological Carriers with Multifunctional Properties
Authors: Musyanovych Anna , Landfester Katharina
Published: March 2014

The design and development of multifunctional polymer capsules with controlled chemical composition and physical properties has been the focus of academic and industrial research in recent years. Especially in the biomedical field, the formulation of novel polymer‐based encapsulation systems for the early‐stage disease diagnostic and effective delivery of bioactive agents represent one of the most rapidly advancing areas of science. The stimuli‐responsive release of cargo molecules from the carrier gains remarkable attention for in vitro and in vivo delivery of contrast agents, genes, and pharmaceutics. In this Review, the current status and the challenges of different polymer‐based micro‐ and nanocapsule formulations are considered, emphasizing on their potential biological application as carriers for specific drug targeting and controlled release upon applying of external stimulus.
The Enhanced Encapsulation Capacity of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane‐based Copolymers for the Fabrication of Electrospun Core/Shell Fibers
Authors: Bauer Adam J. P. , Zeng Tingying , Liu Jianzhao , Uthaisar Chananate , Li Bingbing
Published: March 2014

This paper reports the use of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)‐based copolymers to stabilize the core/shell interface for the facile fabrication of electrospun core/shell fibers. For the poly[(propylmethacryl‐heptaisobutyl‐polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane)‐co‐(methyl methacrylate)] (POSS‐MMA)/poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) system, the bicontinuity of hybrid core/shell fibers can be tuned by controlling the phase separation of POSS‐MMA/PCL in electrospinning solutions and therefore the size of PCL‐in‐POSS‐MMA emulsion droplets. Our results demonstrate the enhanced encapsulation capacity of POSS‐MMA copolymers as shell materials. Taking advantage of the rapid advancement of POSS‐based copolymer synthesis, this study can potentially be generalized to guide the fabrication of various other POSS‐based core/shell nano‐/microstructures by using single‐nozzle electrospinning or coaxial electrospinning.

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Subsidies and Corporate Governance – An Agency Approach
Authors: Hanke Philip C. , Heine Klaus
Published: March 2014

The literature on subsidies conceives state aids as always beneficial to the aid‐receiving firm. However, the picture changes if agency problems are assumed between the managers and owners of the firm. In this case, subsidies may run counter not only to the desired result of the aid grantor but also to the interests of firm owners. Managers may divert subsidies into their own pockets, thereby deflating firm value. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inferior vena cava Doppler indices in fetuses with hemoglobin Bart's hydrops fetalis
Authors: Luewan Suchaya , Tongprasert Fuanglada , Srisupundit Kasemsri , Tongsong Theera
Published: March 2014

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess the inferior vena cava (IVC) Doppler changes in fetuses with hydrops fetalis because of anemia, using fetuses with hemoglobin (Hb) Bart's disease as a live model.

Methods

Fetuses with hydrops fetalis caused by Hb Bart's disease were measured for IVC Doppler indices. The diagnosis of Hb Bart's disease was based on fetal Hb typing. The IVC Doppler indices were compared between the fetuses in early and late hydrops fetalis.

Results

Sixty‐nine fetuses had satisfactory measurements, 54 in the early group (gestational age <28 weeks) and 15 in the late group (gestational age ≥28 weeks). Compared with normal reference ranges, the preload index, peak velocity index, and the pulsatility index were significantly lower in the early group (p < 0.001), whereas they were significantly higher in the late group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

On the basis of evidence of IVC Doppler indices, new insight provided by this study is that in fetal anemia, cardiac decompensation is a consequence of hydrops fetalis, rather than a cause; whereas hypervolemia is the primary cause of hydrops. Additionally, cardiomegaly in most fetuses with high output hydrops fetalis is not a sign of cardiac failure but an effective adaptation to provide oxygen tissue perfusion without increased preload. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimates of photoluminescence efficiencies in GaN nanowires at high injection levels from steady‐state photoluminescence measurements
Authors: Schlager John B. , Brubaker Matt D. , Bertness Kris A. , Sanford Norman A.
Published: March 2014

Photoluminescence (PL) efficiencies were estimated for individual silicon‐doped GaN nanowires grown by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PAMBE). Steady‐state PL measurements reveal efficiencies that depend on excitation intensity, temperature, and nanowire morphology. While many nanowires had their best efficiencies at base temperature (T ∼ 4 K), some nanowires, given sufficient excitation intensities, had best efficiencies at elevated temperatures (T ∼ 100 K). Room‐temperature internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of PL was as high as 33 ± 5%. These steady‐state results corroborate with time‐resolved PL measurements reported earlier, and both methods can aid in optimizing the growth and processing of nanowires for future applications in nanoscale optoelectronics. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Pharmacological Basis for Medicinal Use of Lens culinaris in Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Disorders
Authors: Khan Munasib , Khan Arif‐ullah , Rehman Najeeb‐ur‐ , Gilani Anwarul‐Hassan
Published: March 2014

Crude extract of Lens culinaris (Lc.Cr), which tested positive for presence of anthraquinones, flavonoids, saponins, sterol, tannins, and terpenes exhibited protective effect against castor oil‐induced diarrhea in mice at 100–1000 mg/kg. In rabbit jejunum preparations, Lc.Cr caused relaxation of spontaneous contractions at 0.03–5.0 mg/mL. Lc.Cr inhibited carbachol (CCh, 1 μM) and K+ (80 mM)‐induced contractions in a pattern similar to dicyclomine, but different from verapamil and atropine. Lc.Cr shifted the Ca++ concentration‐response curves to the right, like dicyclomine and verapamil. Pretreatment of tissues with Lc.Cr (0.03–0.1 mg/mL) caused leftward shift of isoprenaline‐induced inhibitory CRCs, similar to papaverine. In guinea‐pig ileum, Lc.Cr produced rightward parallel shift of CCh curves, followed by non‐parallel shift at higher concentration with suppression of maximum response, similar to dicyclomine, but different from verapamil and atropine. Lc.Cr (3.0–30 mg/kg) caused suppression of carbachol (CCh, 100 µg/kg)‐induced increase in inspiratory pressure of anesthetized rats. In guinea‐pig trachea, Lc.Cr relaxed CCh and high K+‐induced contractions, shifted CCh curves to right and potentiated isoprenaline response. These results suggest that L. culinaris possesses antidiarrheal, antispasmodic, and bronchodilator activities mediated possibly through a combination of Ca++ antagonist, anticholinergic, and phosphodiesterase inhibitory effects, and this study provides sound mechanistic background to its medicinal use in disorders of gut and airways hyperactivity, like diarrhea and asthma. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eruca sativa and its Flavonoid Components, Quercetin and Isorhamnetin, Improve Skin Barrier Function by Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptor (PPAR)‐α and Suppression of Inflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Kim Bora , Choi Yoon‐E , Kim Hyun‐Soo
Published: March 2014

Atopic dermatitis, which is related to dermatologic disorders and is associated with skin barrier dysfunction, represents an epidemic problem demanding effective therapeutic strategies. In the present study, we showed that the treatment with Eruca sativa extract resulted in a significant increase in the transactivation activity of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) response element such as PPAR‐α and suppression in the expression of inflammatory cytokine and antimicrobial peptides. In addition, E. sativa extract promotes the expression of filaggrin related to skin barrier protection. Quercetin and isorhamnetin, flavonoids' constituents of E. sativa, also promoted PPAR‐α activity. These results indicate that E. sativa extract may be an appropriate material for improving skin barrier function as a skin therapeutic agent for atopic dermatitis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Server‐based code obfuscation scheme for APK tamper detection
Authors: Piao Yuxue , Jung Jin‐Hyuk , Yi Jeong Hyun
Published: March 2014

It is easy to decompile Android applications (or apps) owing to the structural characteristics of the app building process, but this ease makes them quite vulnerable to forgery or modification attacks. In particular, users may suffer direct financial loss if this vulnerability is exploited in security‐critical private and business applications, such as online banking. One of the solutions to these problems is a code obfuscation technique. In this regard, DexGuard, which is based on ProGuard, which is integrated into the Android software development kit build system, has recently been introduced. Although DexGuard protects Android applications more effectively, an attacker is still able to analyze the hex code of a Dalvix Executable file. To resolve this weakness, we begin by analyzing the DexGuard tool from both a static and dynamic point of view. Our analysis reveals that DexGuard has some weaknesses. In this paper, we propose an obfuscation technique based on a client/server model with one‐time secret key delivery using short message service or network protocol. The main concept is to store the core execute class file through obfuscation on the server, so when a program needs to execute core routines, it must request these routines from the server. In this way, we can protect Android apps from reverse engineering. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cryptanalysis and security enhancement of Zhu's authentication scheme for Telecare medicine information system
Authors: Bin Muhaya Fahad T.
Published: March 2014

The concept of Telecare medicine information systems (TMISs) has evolved to provide better health care to the masses. So the control of access to privileged services provided by TMIS is a crucial concern. Recently, Zhu proposed an authentication scheme for TMIS, which he claimed to be more suitable for TMIS environments than the scheme of Wei et al. especially regarding resistance to offline password guessing attack. However, this paper shows that Zhu's scheme still suffers from offline password guessing attack. We also show how an attacker can impersonate a legal user merely by intercepting a login request and how a legal user (patient) may often become victim of denial‐of‐service in crucial TMIS applications. We further show its vulnerability to online password guessing attack and smart card loss attack. To sort out these discrepancies from Zhu's scheme, we propose an improved scheme with session key establishment and user anonymity. Moreover, this improvement is achieved without adding any complex operation; even the communication cost of the proposed scheme is lesser than that in Zhu's scheme. Analysis shows the robustness as well as the simplicity of the proposed scheme. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On‐Chip Detection of Rolling Circle Amplified DNA Molecules from Bacillus Globigii Spores and Vibrio Cholerae
Authors: Østerberg Frederik W. , Rizzi Giovanni , Donolato Marco , Bejhed Rebecca S. , Mezger Anja , Strömberg Mattias , Nilsson Mats , Strømme Maria , Svedlindh Peter , Hansen Mikkel F.
Published: March 2014

For the first time DNA coils formed by rolling circle amplification are quantified on‐chip by Brownian relaxation measurements on magnetic nanobeads using a magnetoresistive sensor. No external magnetic fields are required besides the magnetic field arising from the current through the sensor, which makes the setup very compact. Limits of detection down to 500 Bacillus globigii spores and 2 pM of Vibrio cholerae are demonstrated, which are on the same order of magnitude or lower than those achieved previously using a commercial macro‐scale AC susceptometer. The chip‐based readout is an important step towards the realization of field tests based on rolling circle amplification molecular analyses.
Experimental and theoretical models of human cultural evolution
Authors: Kempe Marius , Mesoudi Alex
Published: March 2014

The modern field of cultural evolution is now over 30 years old, and an extensive body of theory and data has been amassed. This article reviews models of cultural evolution, both experimental and theoretical, and surveys what they can tell us about cultural evolutionary processes. The models are grouped according to which of four broad questions they address: (1) How are cultural traits changed during transmission? (2) How and why do cultural traits accumulate over time? (3) What social learning biases do people use? and (4) What are the population‐level consequences of different social learning biases? We conclude by highlighting gaps in the literature and promising future research directions, including the further integration of theoretical models and experimental data, the identification of the factors underlying cumulative cultural evolution, and the explanation of individual and cultural variation in social learning biases.

This article is categorized under:

Cognitive Biology > Evolutionary Roots of Cognition

Economics > Interactive Decision-Making
Targeted immunomodulation using antigen‐conjugated nanoparticles
Authors: McCarthy Derrick P. , Hunter Zoe N. , Chackerian Bryce , Shea Lonnie D. , Miller Stephen D.
Published: March 2014

The growing prevalence of nanotechnology in the fields of biology, medicine, and the pharmaceutical industry is confounded by the relatively small amount of data on the impact of these materials on the immune system. In addition to concerns surrounding the potential toxicity of nanoparticle (NP)‐based delivery systems, there is also a demand for a better understanding of the mechanisms governing interactions of NPs with the immune system. Nanoparticles can be tailored to suppress, enhance, or subvert recognition by the immune system. This ‘targeted immunomodulation’ can be achieved by delivery of unmodified particles, or by modifying particles to deliver drugs, proteins/peptides, or genes to a specific site. In order to elicit the desired, beneficial immune response, considerations should be made at every step of the design process: the NP platform itself, ligands, and other modifiers, the delivery route, and the immune cells that will encounter the conjugated NPs can all impact host immune responses.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease
Hemoglobin Level Influences Tumor Response and Survival After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Hamai Yoichi , Hihara Jun , Taomoto Junya , Yamakita Ichiko , Ibuki Yuta , Okada Morihito
Published: March 2014

Background

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by esophagectomy confers a survival benefit on patients with esophageal cancer. However, nCRT might be less meaningful for poor responders. Thus, being able to predict responses would help ensure the selection of optimal therapy.

Methods

We reviewed data from 123 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who underwent nCRT that comprised concurrent radiation (40 Gy) and chemotherapy followed by esophagectomy. We assessed associations between clinical and blood data obtained before starting nCRT and the pathologic response.

Results

We compared good (Japan Esophageal Society response evaluation criteria grades 3/2; n = 89, 72.4 %) and poor (grades 1/0; n = 34, 27.6 %) responders. Performance status (p = 0.02), hemoglobin level (p = 0.005), and platelet counts (p = 0.03) were statistically significant pretherapeutic factors for a response to nCRT. Multivariable analysis subsequently selected the hemoglobin level (odds ratio 1.52; 95 % confidence interval 1.08–2.15; p = 0.02) as the sole independent predictor. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the optimal cutoff for pretherapeutic hemoglobin was 13 g/dl for predicting a response. We found that 48.8 and 17.1 % of patients with hemoglobin level ≤13 and >13 g/dl, respectively, were poor responders (p = 0.0002), with 5‐year overall survival rates of 40.9 and 58.9 %, respectively (p = 0.048).

Conclusions

Pretherapeutic hemoglobin levels can influence responses and survival after nCRT for ESCC. Thus, hemoglobin levels can serve as a useful marker for tailoring optimal therapies for individual patients with advanced ESCC.
The Logic of School Gardens: A Phenomenological Study of Teacher Rationales
Authors: Jorgenson Simon
Published: March 2014

Despite the importance of teachers to the school garden movement, we still know very little about what drives particular teachers to incorporate a school garden into their pedagogy. In response, this article reports the findings of a study designed to investigate the internal processes and products involved in rationalising and sustaining teachers’ use. Analysis of interviews with three primary teachers — Laura, Meredith, and Clare — indicate that a powerful rationale is formed when teachers read their childhood memories, often idealised, against their observations of children today. This rationale is strengthened by opportunities afforded by the garden itself, which allows teachers to enact their deepest beliefs about teaching and learning and resist external controls. This study also provides evidence that a school garden can easily evoke nostalgia. The article ends by re-theorising this nostalgia as part of the ‘cultural logic’ (Enfield, 2000) of school gardens, while suggesting nostalgia's productive uses.
Creative Arts-Based Pedagogies in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (EfS): Challenges and Possibilities
Authors: Ward Kumara S.
Published: March 2014

This article showcases a creative approach to early childhood education for sustainability (ECEfS). It reports on the author's doctoral research program, which examined the effectiveness of arts-based pedagogies for exploring and understanding the natural world in an early childhood education program. Motivated by their existing commitment to education for sustainability (EfS), the participating educators used the arts for further exploration and understanding of the natural world in teaching and learning. They explored the role of the arts in knowledge production and embodied experience, and reinterpreted and built on their own funds of knowledge about their environment. The result was meaningful curriculum steeped in content about the natural environments that were local to the children and their educators. The findings further signify the challenges educators needed to overcome in order to intensify their connection with their own local environments, and the effect that this enhanced connection had on their capacity to reflect local natural environments in their programs with the children.
Histo-blood group antigens: a common niche for norovirus and rotavirus
Authors: Tan Ming , Jiang Xi
Published: March 2014

Noroviruses (NoVs) and rotaviruses (RVs), the two most important causes of viral acute gastroenteritis, are found to recognise histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) as receptors or ligands for attachment. Human HBGAs are highly polymorphic containing ABO, secretor and Lewis antigens. In addition, both NoVs and RVs are highly diverse in how they recognise these HBGAs. Structural analysis of the HBGA-binding interfaces of NoVs revealed a conserved central binding pocket (CBP) interacting with a common major binding saccharide (MaBS) of HBGAs and a variable surrounding region interacting with additional minor binding saccharides. The conserved CBP indicates a strong selection of NoVs by the host HBGAs, whereas the variable surrounding region explains the diverse recognition patterns of different HBGAs by NoVs and RVs as functional adaptations of the viruses to human HBGAs. Diverse recognition of HBGAs has also been found in bacterial pathogenHelicobacter pylori. Thus, exploratory research into whether such diverse recognitions also occur for other viral and bacterial pathogens that recognise HBGAs is warranted.
Spanwise oscillatory wall motion in channel flow: drag-reduction mechanisms inferred from DNS-predicted phase-wise property variations at
Authors: Agostini L. , Touber E. , Leschziner M. A.
Published: March 2014

A direct-numerical-simulation-based study is presented, which focuses on the response of near-wall turbulence and skin friction to the imposition of an oscillatory spanwise wall motion in channel flow. One point of contrast to earlier studies is the relatively high Reynolds number of the flow, namely $Re_\tau =1000$ in the unforced baseline flow. Another is the focus on transients in the drag that are in the form of moderate oscillatory variations in the skin friction and near-wall turbulence around the low-drag state at a sub-optimal actuation period. These conditions allow phase-averaged statistics to be extracted, during the periodic drag decrease and rise, that shed light on the interaction between turbulence and the unsteady Stokes strain. Results are presented for, among others, the phase-averaged second moments of stochastic fluctuations and their budgets, enstrophy components and joint probability density functions. The study identifies velocity skewness – the wall-normal derivative of the angle of the velocity vector – as playing a significant role in the streak-damping process during the drag-reduction phase. Furthermore, the phase-wise asymmetry in the skewness is identified as the source of a distinctive hysteresis in all properties, wherein the drag decrease progresses over a longer proportion of the actuation cycle than the drag increase. This feature, coupled with the fact that the streak-generation time scale limits the ability of the streaks to re-establish themselves during the low-skewness phase when the actuation period is sufficiently short, is proposed to drive the drag-reduction process. The observations in the study thus augment a previously identified mechanism proposed by two of the present authors, in which the drag-reduction process was linked to the rate of change in the Stokes strain in the upper region of the viscous sublayer where the streaks are strongest. Furthermore, an examination of the stochastic-stress budgets and the enstrophy lead to conclusions contrasting with those recently proposed by other authors, according to which the drag-reduction process is linked to increases in enstrophy and turbulence-energy dissipation. It is shown, both for the transient drag-reduction phase and the periodic drag fluctuations around the low-drag state, that the drag decrease/increase phases are correlated with decreases/increases in both enstrophy and dissipation.