bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geochemical characteristics of Holocene aeolian deposits and their environmental significance in the Mu Us Desert, northern China
Authors: Liu Bing , Jin He‐Ling , Sun Liang‐Ying , Sun Zhong , Niu Qing‐He , Zhang Cai‐Xia
Published: January 2015

This paper addresses the surface and Holocene aeolian deposits in the southeastern Mu Us Desert, N. China, systematically analysing the evolution of the geochemical characteristics of aeolian sand–palaeosol sequences and their environmental significance. Our results indicate that the geochemical components of the Holocene aeolian deposits and surface deposits had the similar material sources, sediment transport and deposition processes in the study region, which were dominated by SiO2, Al2O3, and Na2O. In the weathering process of the Jinjie (JJ) profile, the Na, K, and Si presented the slight leaching and migration in general, while the other elements were relatively accumulated. The Holocene aeolian deposits and surface deposits incurred weaker geochemical weathering under cold and dry conditions and were only weakly leached, which implies a relatively arid environment in the Holocene epoch and the modern era. The weathering degree was controlled by the regional temperature and precipitation, and was probably more sensitive to the precipitation changes. In the sedimentary profile, the geochemical parameters and migration of elements demonstrated that there have been several alternating warm–wet and cold–dry intervals in the Mu Us Desert in the Holocene epoch; there were relatively warm and wet conditions prior to 4.6 ka, and it has been cold and dry since then. Six millennial‐scale dry events were recorded during the Holocene, which were not only accordant with the history of palaeoclimatic changes in the different latitudes and archives of the Northern Hemisphere, but also correspond to the millennial‐scale variation of cosmic radiation and solar activity during that period. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reduced neural connectivity but increased task‐related activity during working memory in de novo Parkinson patients
Authors: Trujillo James P. , Gerrits Niels J.H.M. , Veltman Dick J. , Berendse Henk W. , van der Werf Ysbrand D. , van den Heuvel Odile A.
Published: January 2015

Objective: Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) often suffer from impairments in executive functions, such as working memory deficits. It is widely held that dopamine depletion in the striatum contributes to these impairments through decreased activity and connectivity between task‐related brain networks. We investigated this hypothesis by studying task‐related network activity and connectivity within a sample of de novo patients with PD, versus healthy controls, during a visuospatial working memory task. Methods: Sixteen de novo PD patients and 35 matched healthy controls performed a visuospatial n‐back task while we measured their behavioral performance and neural activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We constructed regions‐of‐interest in the bilateral inferior parietal cortex (IPC), bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and bilateral caudate nucleus to investigate group differences in task‐related activity. We studied network connectivity by assessing the functional connectivity of the bilateral DLPFC and by assessing effective connectivity within the frontoparietal and the frontostriatal networks. Results: PD patients, compared with controls, showed trend‐significantly decreased task accuracy, significantly increased task‐related activity in the left DLPFC and a trend‐significant increase in activity of the right DLPFC, left caudate nucleus, and left IPC. Furthermore, we found reduced functional connectivity of the DLPFC with other task‐related regions, such as the inferior and superior frontal gyri, in the PD group, and group differences in effective connectivity within the frontoparietal network. Interpretation:

These findings suggest that the increase in working memory‐related brain activity in PD patients is compensatory to maintain behavioral performance in the presence of network deficits. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1554–1566, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
How reliable are gray matter disruptions in specific reading disability across multiple countries and languages? insights from a large‐scale voxel‐based morphometry study
Authors: Jednoróg Katarzyna , Marchewka Artur , Altarelli Irene , Monzalvo Lopez Ana Karla , van Ermingen‐Marbach Muna , Grande Marion , Grabowska Anna , Heim Stefan , Ramus Franck
Published: January 2015

The neural basis of specific reading disability (SRD) remains only partly understood. A dozen studies have used voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) to investigate gray matter volume (GMV) differences between SRD and control children, however, recent meta‐analyses suggest that few regions are consistent across studies. We used data collected across three countries (France, Poland, and Germany) with the aim of both increasing sample size (236 SRD and controls) to obtain a clearer picture of group differences, and of further assessing the consistency of the findings across languages. VBM analysis reveals a significant group difference in a single cluster in the left thalamus. Furthermore, we observe correlations between reading accuracy and GMV in the left supramarginal gyrus and in the left cerebellum, in controls only. Most strikingly, we fail to replicate all the group differences in GMV reported in previous studies, despite the superior statistical power. The main limitation of this study is the heterogeneity of the sample drawn from different countries (i.e., speaking languages with varying orthographic transparencies) and selected based on different assessment batteries. Nevertheless, analyses within each country support the conclusions of the cross‐linguistic analysis. Explanations for the discrepancy between the present and previous studies may include: (1) the limited suitability of VBM to reveal the subtle brain disruptions underlying SRD; (2) insufficient correction for multiple statistical tests and flexibility in data analysis, and (3) publication bias in favor of positive results. Thus the study echoes widespread concerns about the risk of false‐positive results inherent to small‐scale VBM studies. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1741–1754, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Heat exchange processes and thermal dynamics of a glacier‐fed alpine stream
Authors: Khamis K. , Brown L. E. , Milner A. M. , Hannah D. M.
Published: January 2015

Glacier‐fed river thermal regimes vary markedly in space and time; however, knowledge is limited on the fundamental processes controlling alpine stream temperature dynamics. To address the research gap, this study quantified heat exchanges at the water surface and bed of the Taillon glacier‐fed stream, French Pyrénées. Hydro‐meteorological observations were recorded at 15‐min intervals across two summer melt seasons (2010 and 2011), and energy balance components were measured or estimated based on site‐specific data. Averaged over both seasons, net radiation was the largest heat source (~80% of total flux); sensible heat (~13%) and friction (~3%) were also sources, while heat exchange across the channel–streambed interface was negligible (<1%). Latent heat displayed distinct interannual variability and contributed 5% in 2010 compared with 0.03% in 2011. At the sub‐seasonal scale, latent heat shifted from source to sink, possibly linked to the retreating valley snowline that changed temperature and humidity gradients. These findings represent the first, multiyear study of the heat exchange processes operating in a glacier‐fed stream, providing fundamental process understanding; the research highlights the direct control antecedent (winter) conditions that have on energy exchange and stream temperature during summer months. In particular, the timing and volume of snowfall/snowmelt can drive thermal dynamics by the following: (1) altering the length of the stream network exposed to the atmosphere and (2) controlling the volume and timing of cold water advection downstream. Finally, this study highlights the need to develop long‐term hydro‐meteorological monitoring stations to improve the understanding of these highly dynamic, climatically sensitive systems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential remodeling of extracellular matrices by breast cancer initiating cells
Authors: Raja Anju M. , Xu Shuoyu , Zhuo Shuangmu , Tai Dean C.S. , Sun Wanxin , So Peter T.C. , Welsch Roy E. , Chen Chien‐Shing , Yu Hanry
Published: January 2015

Cancer initiating cells (CICs) have been the focus of recent anti‐cancer therapies, exhibiting strong invasion capability via potentially enhanced ability to remodel extracellular matrices (ECM). We have identified CICs in a human breast cancer cell line, MX‐1, and developed a xenograft model in SCID mice. We investigated the CICs' matrix‐remodeling effects using Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) microscopy to identify potential phenotypic signatures of the CIC‐rich tumors. The isolated CICs exhibit higher proliferation, drug efflux and drug resistant propertiesin vitro; were more tumorigenic than non‐CICs, resulting in more and larger tumors in the xenograft model. The CIC‐rich tumors have less collagen in the tumor interior than in the CIC‐poor tumors supporting the idea that the CICs can remodel the collagen more effectively. The collagen fibers were preferentially aligned perpendicular to the CIC‐rich tumor boundary while parallel to the CIC‐poor tumor boundary suggesting more invasive behavior of the CIC‐rich tumors. These findings would provide potential translational values in quantifying and monitoring CIC‐rich tumors in future anti‐cancer therapies.

CIC‐rich tumors remodel the collagen matrix more than CIC‐poor tumors.

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CIC‐rich tumors remodel the collagen matrix more than CIC‐poor tumors.
Large Monochromatic Triple Stars in Edge Colourings
Authors: Letzter Shoham
Published: January 2015

Following problems posed by Gyárfás 2011, we show that for every r‐edge‐colouring of there is a monochromatic triple star of order at least , improving Ruszinkó's result 2012. An edge colouring of a graph is called a local r‐colouring if every vertex spans edges of at most r distinct colours. We prove the existence of a monochromatic triple star with at least vertices in every local r‐colouring of .
Synthesis of Heteroannulated Chromeno[2,3‐b]Pyridines: DBU Catalyzed Reactions of 2‐Amino‐6‐methylchromone‐3‐Carboxaldehyde with Some Heterocyclic Enols and Enamines
Authors: Ibrahim Magdy A. , El‐Gohary Nasser M. , Said Sara
Published: January 2015

New series of heteroannulated chromeno[2,3‐b]pyridines were easily and efficiently synthesized from DBU‐catalyzed condensation of 2‐amino‐6‐methylchromone‐3‐carboxaldehyde with a variety of heterocyclic enols and enamines, namely, 4‐hydroxycoumarin, 4‐hydroxy‐1‐methylquinolin‐2(1H)‐one, 2‐hydroxy‐4H‐pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐4‐one, 4‐hydroxy‐2H‐pyrano[3,2‐c]quinoline‐2,5(6H)‐dione, 4(6)‐aminouracil and 5‐amino‐3‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazole. Structures of the new synthesized products were deduced on the basis of their analytical and spectral data.
Synthesis and Antifungal Screening of 2‐(2‐Aryl‐4‐methyl‐thiazol‐5‐yl)‐5‐((2‐aryl/benzylthiazol‐4‐yl)methyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole Derivatives
Authors: Mhaske Pravin C. , Shelke Shivaji H. , Gadge Kisan , Shinde Abhijit
Published: January 2015

A new series of synthesis and biological screening of 2‐(2‐aryl‐4‐methyl‐thiazol‐5‐yl)‐5‐((2‐aryl/benzylthiazol‐4‐yl)methyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivatives 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i was achieved by condensation of 2‐(2‐aryl/benzylthiazol‐4‐yl)acetohydrazide 2a, 2b, 2c with 4‐methyl‐2‐arylthiazole‐5‐carbaldehyde 3a, 3b, 3c followed by oxidative cyclization of N'‐((4‐methyl‐2‐arylthiazol‐5‐yl)methylene)‐2‐(2‐aryl/benzylthiazol‐4‐yl)acetohydrazide 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i using iodobenzene diacetate as oxidizing agent. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus flavus. Some of the synthesized compounds showed good antifungal activity.
Relationships between volatile compounds and sensory characteristics in virgin olive oil by analytical and chemometric approaches
Authors: Procida Giuseppe , Cichelli Angelo , Lagazio Corrado , Conte Lanfranco S
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

The volatile fraction of virgin olive oil is characterised by low molecular weight compounds that vaporise at room temperature. In order to obtain an aroma profile similar to natural olfactory perception, the composition of the volatile compounds was determined by applying dynamic headspace gas chromatography, performed at room temperature, with a cryogenic trap directly connected to a gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer system. Samples were also evaluated according to European Union and International Olive Council official methods for sensory evaluation. In this paper, the composition of the volatile fraction of 25 extra virgin olive oils from different regions of Italy was analysed and some preliminary considerations on relationships between chemical composition of volatile fraction and sensory characteristics are reported.

RESULTS

Forty‐two compounds were identified by means of the particular analytical technique used. All the analysed samples, classified as extra virgin by the panel test, never present peaks whose magnitude is important enough in defected oils. The study was focused on the evaluation of volatile compounds responsible for the positive impact on olive odour properties (‘green–fruity’ and ‘sweet’) and olfactory perception.

CONCLUSION

Chemometric evaluation of data, obtained through headspace analysis and the panel test evaluation, showed a correlation between chemical compounds and sensory properties. On the basis of the results, the positive attributes of virgin olive oil are divided into two separated groups: sweet types or green types. Sixteen volatile compounds with known positive impact on odour properties were extracted and identified. In particular, eight compounds seem correlated with sweet properties whereas the green sensation appears to be correlated with eight other different substances. The content of the compounds at six carbon atoms proves to be very important in defining positive attributes of extra virgin olive oils and sensory evaluation. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Poly(methacrylic acid)‐l‐Polyisobutylene Amphiphilic Conetworks by Using an Ethoxyethyl‐Protected Comonomer: Synthesis, Protecting Group Removal in the Cross‐Linked State, and Characterization
Authors: Kali Gergely , Iván Béla
Published: January 2015

A series of poly(methacrylic acid)‐l‐polyisobutylene anionic amphiphilic conetworks with hydrophobic polyisobutylene (PIB) content between 33% and 70% (w/w) is synthesized by the macromonomer method using a new approach by applying ethoxyethyl‐protected methacrylic acid (EEMA) comonomer. To remove the protecting group after copolymerization of EEMA with PIB‐dimethacrylate, acidic hydrolysis and thermal treatment are attempted, and the success of the deprotection is monitored by different techniques. Comparing the two protective group removal steps, it is found that, in contrast to homopolymers of EEMA, the acidic hydrolysis is more favorable than the thermal deprotection due to anhydride formation during the latter process in the conetworks. Distinct glass transitions are obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicating phase separation in the resulting conetworks. The swelling ability of the obtained conetworks in polar and nonpolar solvents proves the amphiphilic nature of these materials. Due to the polyacidic component of the conetworks, their water swollen gels have pH‐sensitive, intelligent swelling behavior in aqueous media. Because of the relatively high stability of EEMA, the applied protection–deprotection strategy can be easily utilized in several other designed polymer syntheses.

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Precursor Polymers for the Carbon Coating of Au@ZnO Multipods for Application as Active Material in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Oschmann Bernd , Tahir Muhammad Nawaz , Mueller Franziska , Bresser Dominic , Lieberwirth Ingo , Tremel Wolfgang , Passerini Stefano , Zentel Rudolf
Published: January 2015

The synthesis of statistical and block copolymers based on polyacrylonitrile, as a source for carbonaceous materials, and thiol‐containing repeating units as inorganic nanoparticle anchoring groups is reported. These polymers are used to coat Au@ZnO multipod heteroparticles with polymer brushes. IR spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy prove the successful binding of the polymer onto the inorganic nanostructures. Thermogravimetric analysis is applied to compare the binding ability of the block and statistical copolymers. Subsequently, the polymer coating is transformed into a carbonaceous (partially graphitic) coating by pyrolysis. The obtained carbon coating is characterized by Raman spectroscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The benefit of the conformal carbon coating of the Au@ZnO multipods regarding its application as lithium‐ion anode material is revealed by performing galvanostatic cycling, showing a highly enhanced and stabilized electrochemical performance of the carbon‐coated particles (still 831 mAh g−1 after 150 cycles) with respect to the uncoated ones (only 353 mAh g−1 after 10 cycles).

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Supermicrosurgical deep lymphatic vessel‐to‐venous anastomosis for a breast cancer‐related arm lymphedema with severe sclerosis of superficial lymphatic vessels
Authors: Yamamoto Takumi , Yamamoto Nana , Hayashi Akitatsu , Koshima Isao
Published: January 2015

Lymphatic supermicrosurgery or supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is becoming popular for the treatment of compression‐refractory upper extremity lymphedema (UEL) with its effectiveness and minimally invasiveness. In conventional LVA, superficial lymphatic vessels are used for anastomosis, but its treatment efficacy would be minimum when superficial lymphatic vessels are severely sclerotic. Theoretically, deep lymphatic vessels can be used for LVA, but no clinical case has been reported regarding deep lymphatic vessel‐to‐venous anastomosis (D‐LVA). We report a breast cancer‐related UEL case treated with D‐LVA, in which a less‐sclerotic deep lymphatic vessel was useful for anastomosis but superficial lymphatic vessels were not due to severe sclerosis. A 62‐year‐old female suffered from an 18‐year history of compression‐refractory right UEL after right breast cancer treatments, and underwent LVA under local infiltration anesthesia. Because superficial lymphatic vessels found in surgical fields were all severely sclerotic, a deep lymphatic vessel was dissected at the cubital fossa. A 0.50‐mm deep lymphatic vessel running along the brachial artery was supermicrosurgically anastomosed to a nearby 0.40‐mm vein. At postoperative 12 months, her right UEL index decreased from 134 to 118, and she could reduce compression frequency from every day to 1–2 days per week to maintain the reduced lymphedematous volume. D‐LVA may be a useful option for the treatment of compression‐refractory UEL, when superficial lymphatic vessels are severely sclerotic. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:156–159, 2017.
Upper extremity 3‐dimensional reachable workspace analysis in dystrophinopathy using Kinect
Authors: Han Jay J. , Kurillo Gregorij , Abresch Richard T. , De Bie Evan , Nicorici Alina , Bajcsy Ruzena
Published: January 2015

Introduction: An innovative upper extremity 3‐dimensional (3D) reachable workspace outcome measure acquired using the Kinect sensor is applied toward Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD). The validity, sensitivity, and clinical meaningfulness of this novel outcome measure are examined. Methods: Upper extremity function assessment (Brooke scale and NeuroQOL questionnaire) and Kinect‐based reachable workspace analyses were conducted in 43 individuals with dystrophinopathy (30 DMD and 13 BMD, aged 7–60 years) and 46 controls (aged 6–68 years). Results: The reachable workspace measure reliably captured a wide range of upper extremity impairments encountered in both pediatric and adult, as well as ambulatory and non‐ambulatory individuals with dystrophinopathy. Reduced reachable workspaces were noted for the dystrophinopathy cohort compared with controls, and they correlated with Brooke grades. In addition, progressive reduction in reachable workspace correlated directly with worsening ability to perform activities of daily living, as self‐reported on the NeuroQOL. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the utility and potential of the novel sensor‐acquired reachable workspace outcome measure in dystrophinopathy. Muscle Nerve 52:344–355, 2015
Ryanodine and inositol triphosphate receptors modulate facilitation and tetanic depression at the frog neuromuscular junction
Authors: Silveira Priscila E. , Lima Ricardo F. , GuimarÃES Jennifer D.S. , Molgó Jordi , Naves Ligia A. , Kushmerick Christopher
Published: January 2015

Introduction

Short‐term plasticity of synaptic function is an important physiological control of transmitter release. Short‐term plasticity can be regulated by intracellular calcium released by ryanodine and inositol triphosphate (IP3) receptors, but the role of these receptors at the neuromuscular junction is understood incompletely.

Methods

We measured short‐term plasticity of evoked endplate potential (EPP) amplitudes from frog neuromuscular junctions treated with ryanodine, 2‐aminoethoxydiphenylborane (2‐APB), or 1‐[6‐[[(17β)‐3‐methoxyestra‐1,3,5(10)‐trien‐17‐yl]amino]hexyl]‐1H‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione (U‐ 73122).

Results

Ryanodine decreases paired‐pulse facilitation for intervals <20 ms and markedly decreases tetanic depression. Treatment with 2‐APB reduces EPP amplitude, increases paired‐pulse facilitation for intervals of <20 ms, and significantly reduces tetanic depression. U‐73122 decreases EPP amplitude and decreases paired‐pulse depression for intervals <20 ms.

Conclusions

Ryanodine, IP3 receptors, and phopholipase C modulate short‐term plasticity of transmitter release at the neuromuscular junction. These results suggest possible targets for improving the safety factor of neuromuscular transmission during repetitive activity of the neuromuscular junction. Muscle Nerve 52: 623–630, 2015
Radial nerve measurements in nonsymptomatic upper extremities of Filipinos: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Gonzalez‐Suarez Consuelo B. , Dones Valentin C. , Grimmer Karen , Thoirs Kerry , Milanese Steven , Atlas Alvin
Published: January 2015

Introduction: Despite reports on the association of radial nerve (RN) size and lateral epicondylalgia (LE), Filipino normative values on RN size in healthy elbows are not established. An association with upper extremity anthropometric measurements is likewise not reported. Methods: Musculoskeletal ultrasound measurements of the RN at the level of the lateral epicondyle (RN‐LE), posterior interosseous nerve at the level of the radial head and supinator (PIN‐RH and PIN‐sup), and superficial RN (SRN) in the elbows of healthy Filipinos were made in Manila from January–September 2011. Results: A total of 198 elbows of 99 healthy participants aged 43 years (range, 33–48 years) [median(IQR)] were investigated. Men have larger PIN‐RH, PIN‐sup, and SRN compared with women. Arm length was associated with PIN‐RH, PIN‐sup, and SRN (P < 0.05). Activities and elbow circumference measurements (at 2 levels) were associated with PIN‐RH. Conclusions: RN reference values can now be used for comparison in elbows with LE. Muscle Nerve 52: 568–575, 2015
A local parallel superconvergence method for the incompressible flow by coarsening projection
Authors: Zhao Xin , Li Jian
Published: January 2015

In this article, we investigate a local parallel superconvergence method by coarsening projection for the incompressible Stokes flow. The method is a combination of the local superconvergence technique and the given framework of local parallel method. For the smooth subdomains, the local superconvergence method is applied in a higher order finite dimensional space corresponding to an appropriate coarse mesh on interior domain. Moreover, a useful and flexible local parallel method is designed to obtain the local parallel superconvergence results of presented method, which offset theoretical limitation of the model without the smoothness of the exact solution and a priori regularity of the underlying problem over the whole domain. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 31: 1209–1223, 2015
Synthesis of water‐soluble conductive copolymer based on polyaniline
Authors: Heydari Masoumeh , Najafi Moghadam Peyman , Fareghi Amir Reza , Bahram Morteza , Movagharnezhad Nasim
Published: January 2015

Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline‐grafted poly(styrene‐alt‐maleic anhydride) (PANI‐g‐PSMA) was carried out to obtain conductive comb copolymers with highly improved processability. First, polyaniline (PANI) was prepared in nano‐scale by chemical synthesis under ultrasonic irradiation. Then the poly(styrene‐alt‐maleic anhydride) (PSMA) was synthesized by free radical polymerization. Moreover, the PANI was grafted on the PSMA backbone to prepare a comb‐like conductive copolymer for improving its processability as a new method. The products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction patterns. Morphology of the samples was also investigated by scanning electron microscopy images. Finally, the solubility and conductivity of the products were studied, and it resulted in high solubility of the products in water and other common organic solvents in comparison to the pure PANI. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and properties of modified bismaleimide resins by novel bismaleimide containing 1,3,4‐oxadiazole
Authors: Xia Lianlian , Xu Yi , Wang Kaixiang , Chen Ping
Published: January 2015

Bismaleimide (BMI) resin is a high‐performance thermosetting polymer, but its inherent brittleness hinder a broader range of application. Therefore, it has aroused wide concern to improve the toughness of BMI resins without scarification of their thermal stability. This paper reported some studies on modified BMI resins based on diallyl bisphenol A, novel BMI monomers, e.g. 2‐[3‐(4‐maleimidophenoxy)phenyl]‐5‐(4‐maleimidophenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole (m‐Mioxd) or 2‐[4‐(4‐maleimidophenoxy)phenyl]‐5‐(4‐maleimidophenyl)‐1,3,4‐ oxadiazole (p‐Mioxd) in different proportions (0.87:1, 1:1, 1.2:1; mol/mol). The curing mechanism and kinetics of the copolymerized systems were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis was applied to study the thermal properties of the cured resins, and the results indicated that the modified resins had excellent thermal stability with high residual weight percentage at 700°C (>50%), temperatures for 5% weight loss around 400°C. Besides, N,N′‐4,4′‐bismaleimidodiphenylmethylene and O,O′‐diallyl bisphenol A resin blends were modified by m‐Mioxd and p‐Mioxd, respectively. We investigated the effects of mole concentration of m‐Mioxd or p‐Mioxd on the curing process, mechanical properties, fracture toughness, and heat resistance of the modified resins. The results revealed that the introduction of m‐Mioxd and p‐Mioxd could improve the impact property of the modified BMI resins. When their proportion was 0.07, the impact strength increased 123.8% and 108.3%, respectively. The novel chain‐extended BMIs could reduce the crosslink density of cured resins and improve the brittleness effectively. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of polystyrene/nano‐CaCO3 foams with unimodal or bimodal cell structure from extrusion foaming using supercritical carbon dioxide
Authors: Yu Peng , Liu Gang , Li Kaican , Huang An , Chen Binyi , Mi Haoyang , Zhang Shuidong , Peng Xiangfang
Published: January 2015

The article surveyed the fabrication of polystyrene (PS)/nano‐CaCO3 foams with unimodal or bimodal cellular morphology from extrusion foaming using supercritical carbon dioxide (sc‐CO2). In order to discover the factors influenced the cell structure of PS/nano‐CaCO3 foams, the effects of die temperature, die pressure, and nano‐CaCO3 content on cell size, density, and morphology were investigated detailed. The results showed that the nano‐CaCO3 content affected the cell size and morphology of PS/nano‐CaCO3 foams significantly. When the die temperature and pressure was 150°C and 18 MPa, respectively, the foams with 5 wt% nano‐CaCO3 exhibited the unimodal cellular morphology. As the nano‐CaCO3 content increased to 20 wt%, a bimodal cell structure of the foams could be obtained. Moreover, it was found that the bimodal structure correlated more strongly with the pressure drop than the foaming temperature. The article revealed that unimodal or bimodal cellular morphology of PS/nano‐CaCO3 foams could be achieved by changing the extrusion foaming parameters and nano‐CaCO3 content. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1864–1873, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Family factors as moderators of link between reinforcement sensitivity and child and adolescent problem behaviour
Authors: Kuznetsova Valeriya B.
Published: January 2015

Moderating effects of family factors on the association between children's reinforcement sensitivity and problem behaviour have been examined in a community sample of 533 children aged from 3 to 17 years. Family type and living in urban areas exacerbated the effect of sensitivity to reward on externalizing, internalizing and impact of problems on everyday life; a high level of the father's education exacerbated the effect of sensitivity to reward on externalizing; family aggression and harsh parenting were found to strengthen the link between sensitivity to reward and the impact of problems on everyday life, whereas family cohesion buffered the negative effect of sensitivity to reward on externalizing and the impact of problems in everyday life. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tailoring psychotherapy in patients with personality disorders: Matching the level of psychological strengths to the level of stabilizing versus destabilizing psychotherapy
Authors: Van Manen Janine G. , Horn Eva K. , Stijnen Theo , Timman Reinier , Busschbach Jan J. V. , Verheul Roel
Published: January 2015

Background

Clinical evidence suggests that patients high on psychological strengths profit more from destabilizing psychotherapy, whereas patients low on strengths profit more from stabilizing psychotherapy. This matching hypothesis was tested.

Methods

This quasi‐experimental study was conducted between 2003 and 2008 in 735 patients with personality disorders from 6 psychotherapy centers in the Netherlands. Patients were assigned to different levels of stabilizing and destabilizing psychotherapies. Levels of psychological strengths were measured. We used multilevel modeling to estimate outcome at 12 months after baseline. The propensity score controlled for initial differences at baseline.

Results

The findings show that destabilizing psychotherapies have slightly better outcomes than stabilizing psychotherapies. Patients high on psychological strengths improve slightly more than patients low on psychological strengths. The observed interaction effect contradicted our hypothesis.

Conclusion

The results imply that destabilizing psychotherapies can be considered as first treatment option for patients both high and low on psychological strengths. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cell Resistant Peptidomimetic Poly (2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) Coatings Developed by Low Pressure Inductively Excited Pulsed Plasma Polymerization for Biomedical Purpose
Authors: Bhatt Sudhir , Pulpytel Jérome , Mirshahi Massoud , Arefi‐Khonsari Farzaneh
Published: January 2015

In the present work, for the first time, nano‐thick peptidomimetic coatings were developed using a LP inductively excited pulsed plasma polymerization of 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline (ppEtOz) to control the cell‐surface interactions for biological applications. The different ppEtOz coated surfaces were investigated by FTIR‐ATR, XPS, Ellipsometric, and WCA analysis. Using Gaussian deconvolution method for IR spectra, we compared the modifications obtained in the chemical compositions for ppEtOz coated samples obtained under different plasma parameters. It was found that the amide I/amide II ratios decreased as the effective plasma power increased, which in turn decreased the surface hydrophilicity for ppEtOz coatings. Cell repellent properties of the ppEtOz coatings deposited at Peff=1 W and 2.5 W were achieved.
Exploring the Structure of the Modified Top Layer of Polypropylene During Plasma Treatment
Authors: Corbella Carles , Große‐Kreul Simon , von Keudell Achim
Published: January 2015

Plasma modifications of polypropylene (PP) surfaces are analyzed by means of vacuum beam experiments. A plasma source provides Ar ion beams and a background of UV photons. Additionally, neutral oxygen beams are sent to perform reactive sputtering of PP. The etch rate and chemical state are monitored in real time by in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. At the onset of Ar bombardment, PP shows high sputter yields, which decrease down to a constant etch rate indicating the formation of a modified top layer. The stationary top layer is modeled as combination of a pristine fraction plus a cross‐linked fraction of amorphous hydrocarbon. Photon‐ and ion‐dominated etch processes provide different cross‐linking fractions, whereas the sputter efficiency is maximized at intermediate ion energies (200 eV).
On Product-based Accounts of Propositional Attitudes
Authors: Felappi Giulia ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: January 2015

Propositional attitude sentences, such as "John believes that snow is white," are traditionally taken to express the holding of a relation between a subject and what ‘that’-clauses like ‘that snow is white’ denote, i.e. propositions. On the traditional account, propositions are abstract, mind- and language-independent entities. Recently, some have raised some serious worries for the traditional account and thought that we were mistaken about the kind of entities propositions are. Over the last ten years there has then been a boom of accounts of propositions in terms of (types of) mental acts (Burge 2007; Hanks 2011; Soames 2010). But Friederike Moltmann (2013; 2014) has recently suggested that in accounting for attitudes we should forget about mindand language-independent entities and (types of) acts and follow Twardowski (1912) in focusing instead on attitudinal objects, which are the products of our mental life. In this paper, I will focus on some semantic problems that any product-based account seems to face. Moreover, I will show that product-based accounts may be also criticised on ontological grounds. My conclusion will be that we lack a reason to think that in accounting for propositional attitudes we should focus on the alleged products of our mental lives.
Model checking the observational determinism security property using PROMELA and SPIN
Authors: Dabaghchian Maryam , Abdollahi Azgomi Mohammad
Published: January 2015

Observational determinism is a property that ensures the confidentiality in concurrent programs. It conveys that public variables are independent of private variables during the execution of programs, and the scheduling policy of threads. Different definitions for observational determinism have been proposed. On the other hand, observational determinism is not a standard property and it should be checked over two or more executions of a program. The self-composition approach allows comparing two different copies of a program using a single formula. In this paper, we propose a new specification for the observational determinism security property in linear temporal logic. We also present a general method to create the appropriate program model using the self-composition approach. Both the program model and the observational determinism property are encoded in embedded C codes in PROMELA using the SPIN model checker. The paper also discusses a method for the instrumentation of PROMELA code in order to encode the program model for specifying the observational determinism security property.
Mechanisms and tests for geographic clines in genetic polymorphisms
Authors: Takahashi Yuma
Published: January 2015

A continuous spatial gradient in visible traits, which is called a cline, is a natural model system for quantifying the effects of selection and stochastic factors and their relative importance. Geographic clines in phenotypic traits also provide key insights into the evolutionary forces that lead to allopatric speciation in nature. Thus, the underlying mechanisms for establishing clines and their evolutionary consequences remain key topics in evolutionary biology. However, few experimental studies have confirmed the underlying mechanisms of geographic clines in morph/allele frequencies, probably because of the lack of understanding of the theoretical basis of geographic clines in polymorphisms and/or suitable comprehensive tests. Thus, I present a general review of the underlying mechanisms for establishing geographic clines in polymorphisms. I also provide a case study using the female dimorphic damselfly Ischnura senegalensis to illustrate a strategy that confirms the underlying mechanisms of geographic clines in morph frequencies. This review may help to address geographic clines in other polymorphic systems, as well as contribute to a comprehensive understanding of geographic clines in quantitative traits, and thus, their evolutionary consequences in nature.
Bi‐allelic CLPB mutations cause cataract, renal cysts, nephrocalcinosis and 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria, a novel disorder of mitochondrial protein disaggregation
Authors: Kanabus Marta , Shahni Rojeen , Saldanha José W. , Murphy Elaine , Plagnol Vincent , Hoff William Van't , Heales Simon , Rahman Shamima
Published: January 2015

Whole exome sequencing was used to investigate the genetic cause of mitochondrial disease in two siblings with a syndrome of congenital lamellar cataracts associated with nephrocalcinosis, medullary cysts and 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria. Autosomal recessive inheritance in a gene encoding a mitochondrially targeted protein was assumed; the only variants which satisfied these criteria were c.1882C>T (p.Arg628Cys) and c.1915G>A (p.Glu639Lys) in the CLPB gene, encoding a heat shock protein/chaperonin responsible for disaggregating mitochondrial and cytosolic proteins. Functional studies, including quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot, support pathogenicity of these mutations. Furthermore, molecular modelling suggests that the mutations disrupt interactions between subunits so that the CLPB hexamer cannot form or is unstable, thus impairing its role as a protein disaggregase. We conclude that accumulation of protein aggregates underlies the development of cataracts and nephrocalcinosis in CLPB deficiency, which is a novel genetic cause of 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria. A common mitochondrial cause for 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria appears to be disruption of the architecture of the mitochondrial membranes, as in Barth syndrome (tafazzin deficiency), Sengers syndrome (acylglycerol kinase deficiency) and MEGDEL syndrome (impaired remodelling of the mitochondrial membrane lipids because of SERAC1 mutations). We now propose that perturbation of the mitochondrial membranes by abnormal protein aggregates leads to 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria in CLPB deficiency.
Unfolded DapA forms aggregates when diluted into free solution, confounding comparison with folding by the GroEL/GroES chaperonin system
Authors: Ambrose Andrew J. , Fenton Wayne , Mason Damian J. , Chapman Eli , Horwich Arthur L.
Published: January 2015

A recent hydrogen–deuterium exchange study of folding of the GroEL/GroES‐dependent bacterial enzyme DapA has suggested that the DapA folding pathway when free in solution may differ from the folding pathway used in the presence of the GroEL/GroES chaperonin. Here, we have investigated whether DapA aggregation might be occurring in free solution under the conditions of the exchange experiment, as this would confound interpretation of the pathway predictions. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) data, sedimentation analysis and refolding yield indicate that significant aggregation occurs upon dilution of DapA from denaturant, bringing into question the earlier conclusion that different folding pathways occur in the absence and presence of the chaperonin system.
Dementia severity and the longitudinal costs of informal care in the Cache County population
Authors: Rattinger Gail B. , Schwartz Sarah , Mullins C. Daniel , Corcoran Chris , Zuckerman Ilene H. , Sanders Chelsea , Norton Maria C. , Fauth Elizabeth B. , Leoutsakos Jeannie‐Marie S. , Lyketsos Constantine G. , Tschanz JoAnn T.
Published: January 2015

Background

Dementia costs are critical for influencing healthcare policy, but limited longitudinal information exists. We examined longitudinal informal care costs of dementia in a population‐based sample.

Methods

Data from the Cache County Study included dementia onset, duration, and severity assessed by the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Informal costs of daily care (COC) was estimated based on median Utah wages. Mixed models estimated the relationship between severity and longitudinal COC in separate models for MMSE and CDR.

Results

Two hundred and eighty‐seven subjects (53% female, mean (standard deviation) age was 82.3 (5.9) years) participated. Overall COC increased by 18% per year. COC was 6% lower per MMSE‐point increase and compared with very mild dementia, COC increased over twofold for mild, fivefold for moderate, and sixfold for severe dementia on the CDR.

Conclusions

Greater dementia severity predicted higher costs. Disease management strategies addressing dementia progression may curb costs.
Diagnostic value of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound in thyroid nodules with calcification
Authors: Jiang Jue , Shang Xu , Wang Hua , Xu Yong‐Bo , Gao Ya , Zhou Qi
Published: January 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic values of conventional ultrasound and contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in benign and malignant thyroid nodules with calcification. Conventional ultrasound and CEUS were performed in 122 patients with thyroid nodules with calcification. The thyroid nodules were characterized as benign or malignant by pathological diagnosis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accordance rate of the two imaging methods were determined. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) was used to assess the diagnostic values of the two imaging methods. In 122 cases of thyroid nodules with calcification, 73 benign nodules and 49 malignant nodules were verified by pathological diagnosis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accordance rate of conventional ultrasound were 50%, 77%, 59%, 69%, and 66%, respectively, and those of CEUS were 90%, 92%, 88%, 93%, and 91%, respectively. There were significant differences between the two imaging methods. AUCs of conventional ultrasound and CEUS were 0.628 ± 0.052 and 0.908 ± 0.031, suggesting low and high diagnostic values, respectively. CEUS has high diagnostic values, being significantly greater than those of conventional ultrasound, in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules with calcification.
Seawater Temperature Seasonality in the South China Sea During the Late Holocene Derived From High-Resolution Sr/Ca Ratios of Tridacna Gigas
Authors: Yan Hong , Sun Liguang , Shao Da , Wang Yuhong
Published: January 2015

Temperature seasonality, the difference between summer and winter temperature, has significant influences on global terrestrial and marine ecosystems. However, most of proxy-based climate records are of limited temporal resolution and thus insufficient to quantify the past temperature seasonality. In this study, high-resolution Sr/Ca ratios of modern (live-caught) and fossil (dead-collected) Tridacna gigas shells from the South China Sea (SCS) were used to reconstruct the seawater temperature seasonality during the late Holocene. The averaged seawater temperature seasonality around 2165 ± 75 BC (4.46 ± 1.41°C, derived from the data of 18 yr) were similar to the seasonality of recent decade (4.41 ± 0.82°C during AD 1994–2005), but the temperature seasonality around AD 50 ± 40 (3.69 ± 1.37°C, derived from the data of 48 yr) and AD 990 ± 40 (3.64 ± 0.87°C, derived from the data of 11 yr) was significantly lower than that during AD 1994–2005. The reduced seasonality around AD 990 ± 40 was attributable to the unusually warm winter during the medieval times, probably caused by the weakening of East Asian Winter Monsoon. Our study highlighted the potential of T. gigas shells in providing high-resolution seasonality climate information during the late Holocene.
Identification of ship wake structures by a time–frequency method
Authors: Torsvik T. , Soomere T. , Didenkulova I. , Sheremet A.
Published: January 2015

The wake of a ship that sails at relatively large Froude numbers usually contains a number of components of different nature and with different heights, lengths, timings and propagation directions. We explore the possibilities of the spectrogram representation of one-point measurements of the ship wake to identify these components and to quantify their main properties. This representation, based on the short-time Fourier transform, facilitates a reliable decomposition of the wake into constituent components and makes it possible to quantify their variations in the time–space domain and the energy content of each component, from very low-frequency precursor waves up to high-frequency signals within the frequency range of typical wind-generated waves. A method for estimation of the ship speed and the distance of its sailing line from the measurement site is proposed, which only uses information available within the record of the ship wake surface elevation, but where it is assumed that the wake pattern does not deviate significantly from the classical Kelvin wake structure. The wake decomposition using the spectrogram method allows investigation of the energy content that can be attributed to each individual component of the wake. We demonstrate that the majority (60–80 %) of wake energy from strongly powered large ferries that sail at depth Froude numbers${\sim}0.7$is concentrated in components that are located near the edge of the wake wedge. Finally, we demonstrate that the spectrogram representation offers a convenient way to identify a specific signature of single types of ships.
Serum total oxidant and antioxidant status in earthquake survivors with post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Ozdemir Pinar Guzel , Kaplan İbrahim , Uysal Cem , Bulut Mahmut , Atli Abdullah , Bez Yasin , Kaya Mehmet Cemal , Ozdemir Osman
Published: January 2015

Objective

Oxidative stress has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although there are some studies on oxidative stress and PTSD, there is no report available on the serum total oxidant and antioxidant status in earthquake survivors with PTSD. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the serum total oxidant and antioxidant status in earthquake survivors with chronic PTSD.

Material and Methods

The study group included 45 earthquake survivors with PTSD and 40 earthquake survivors without PTSD. The oxidative status was determined using the total antioxidant status and total oxidant status (TOS) measurements and by calculating the oxidative stress index (OSI).

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in the total antioxidant status, TOS, or OSI when comparing individuals with and without PTSD (all,p>0.05). There were no correlations between Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale scores and oxidant and antioxidant stress markers (all,p>0.05).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the total oxidant and antioxidant status may not affect earthquake survivors with PTSD. This is the first study to evaluate the oxidative status in earthquake survivors with PTSD. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings.