bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scheduling trade‐off of dynamic multiple parallel workflows on heterogeneous distributed computing systems
Authors: Xie Guoqi , Liu Liangjiao , Yang Liu , Li Renfa
Published: January 2016

Scheduling multiple parallel workflows, which arrive at different instants on heterogeneous distributed computing systems, is a great challenge because of the different requirements of resource providers and users. Overall scheduling length is the main concern of resource providers, whereas deadlines of workflows are the major requirements of users. Most algorithms use fairness‐based strategies to reduce the overall scheduling length. However, these algorithms cause obvious unfairness to longer‐makespan workflows or shorter‐makespan workflows. Furthermore, the systems cannot meet the deadlines of all workflows, particularly on large‐scale resource‐constrained computational grids. Gaining a reasonable balance between the overall scheduling length and the deadlines of workflows is a desirable goal. In this study, we first propose a fairness‐based scheduling algorithm called fairness‐based dynamic multiple heterogeneous selection value to achieve high performance of systems compared with existing works. Then, to meet the deadlines of partial higher‐priority workflows, we present a priority‐based scheduling algorithm called priority‐based dynamic multiple heterogeneous selection value. Finally, combining fairness‐based dynamic multiple heterogeneous selection value and priority‐based dynamic multiple heterogeneous selection value, we present the tradeoff‐based scheduling algorithm to meet the deadlines of more higher‐priority workflows while still allowing the lower‐priority workflows to be processed actively for better performance of systems. Both example and extensive experimental evaluations demonstrate significant improvement of our proposed algorithms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
You eat what you are: personality‐dependent filial cannibalism in a fish with paternal care
Authors: Vallon Martin , Grom Christina , Kalb Nadine , Sprenger Dennis , Anthes Nils , Lindström Kai , Heubel Katja U.
Published: January 2016

Many animal parents invest heavily to ensure offspring survival, yet some eventually consume some or all of their very own young. This so‐called filial cannibalism is known from a wide range of taxa, but its adaptive benefit remains largely unclear. The extent to which parents cannibalize their broods varies substantially not only between species, but also between individuals, indicating that intrinsic behavioral differences, or animal personalities, might constitute a relevant proximate trigger for filial cannibalism. Using a marine fish with extensive paternal care, the common goby (Pomatoschistus microps),we investigated the influence of animal personality on filial cannibalism by assessing (1) behavioral consistency across a breeding and a nonbreeding context; (2) correlations between different breeding (egg fanning; filial cannibalism) and nonbreeding (activity) behaviors, and, in a separate experiment; (3) whether previously established personality scores affect filial cannibalism levels. We found consistent individual differences in activity across contexts. Partial filial cannibalism was independent of egg fanning but correlated strongly with activity, where active males cannibalized more eggs than less active males. This pattern was strong initially but vanished as the breeding season progressed. The incidence of whole clutch filial cannibalism increased with activity and clutch size. Our findings indicate that filial cannibalism cannot generally be adjusted independently of male personality and is thus phenotypically less plastic than typically assumed. The present work stresses the multidimensional interaction between animal personality, individual plasticity and the environment in shaping filial cannibalism.
Green Synthesis of Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Materials: State of the Art and Future Perspectives
Authors: Unterlass Miriam M.
Published: January 2016

The term “inorganic–organic hybrid materials” designates inorganic building blocks in the colloidal domain (1–1000 nm) embedded in an organic, typically polymeric, matrix. Owing to their outstanding properties, hybrid materials have the potential to improve human life significantly. In the last two decades, the importance of reorienting chemical syntheses in the direction of more sustainable, less harmful and energy‐consuming procedures, referred to as green chemistry, has been much emphasized and worked on. This review deals with the application of green chemistry to the synthesis of inorganic–organic hybrid materials. The origin and preparation both of the inorganic components and of the organic polymer matrix are critically analyzed for various examples. The development of more sustainable syntheses for hybrid materials still poses an open challenge. Potential options to tackle this task are discussed.
Bipyridinium‐bis(carboxylate) Radical Based Materials: X‐ray, EPR and Paramagnetic Solid‐State NMR Investigations
Authors: Toma Oksana , Leroux Maxime , Mercier Nicolas , Allain Magali , Kassiba Abdel Hadi , Swamy Shashi Kumar Kumara , Dittmer Jens
Published: January 2016

The zwitterionic 1,1′‐bis(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4′‐bipyridinium (bp4pc) has been synthesized and crystals of its hydrated form bp4pc·2H2O and of its protonated reduced form H‐bp4pc have been obtained. Upon heating, bp4pc·2H2O undergoes partial dehydration, leading to bp4pc·H2O at 160 °C, together with a color change from yellow (room temperature) to green (140 °C) and finally to brown (160–180 °C). Analysis of bond lengths in the solid state reveals the expected short (d = 1.425 Å) and long (d = 1.485 Å) C–C central bond lengths in the all‐radical salt H‐bp4pc and bp4pc·2H2O, respectively, whereas the distance of 1.475 Å in bp4pc·H2O does not allow a conclusion to be drawn regarding the presence of radicals in this compound. EPR and solid‐state paramagnetic NMR experiments of H‐bp4pc and the hydrated zwitterion bp4pc·2H2O at different temperatures, however, show that the color change of the latter upon heating is due to the presence of bipyridinium radicals, the concentration of which, although low, increases with increasing temperature. The nature of the electron donor involved in this thermal‐induced electron transfer is not fully understood. Most plausible is the possibility that it is the carboxylate group with an intramolecular electron‐transfer process; on the other hand it, cannot be excluded that the electron stems from the water molecule, which decomposes into O2, H+, and e– giving H‐bp4pc entities.
A Series of Copper–Lanthanide Heterometallic Coordination Polymers Derived from Pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylic Acid and in situ Generated Succinic Acid
Authors: Zhang Ju‐Wen , Kan Xiao‐Min , Li Xiao‐Li , Liu Ying , Liu Bin‐Qiu
Published: January 2016

A series of copper–lanthanide heterometallic coordination polymers (CPs), [LnCu(2,3‐pydc)2(suc)0.5(H2O)3]·H2O [Ln = La (1), Pr (2), Nd (3), Sm (4), Gd (5), and Eu (6), 2,3‐H2pydc = pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid, H2suc = succinic acid], [Ln2Cu3(2,3‐pydc)6(H2O)10]·8H2O [Ln = Eu (7), Tb (8), Dy (9), and Er (10)], and [Ln2Cu(2,3‐pydc)2(suc)(µ2‐OH)2(H2O)2]·2H2O [Ln = Er (11), Yb (12), and Lu (13)], were synthesized by the hydrothermal reactions of LnCl3·nH2O, Cu(NO3)2·3H2O, pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid (2,3‐H2pydc), and N,N′‐di(4H‐1,2,4‐triazole)butanamide (dtb). CPs 1–13 possess three types of three‐dimensional (3D) frameworks. In 1–6, the dinuclear Cu2(2,3‐pydc)4 and Ln2(COO)2 units link to each other to form two‐dimensional (2D) layers, which are extended by the suc anions into a 3D framework. In 7–10, the lanthanide ions connect the trinuclear Cu3(2,3‐pydc)6 units into a 3D framework. In 11–13, the mononuclear Cu(2,3‐pydc)2 units bridge the one‐dimensional (1D) lanthanide chains into 2D layers, which are linked by the suc anions into a 3D framework. CP 9 shows a field‐induced slow magnetic relaxation behavior with a Ueff value of 83.7 K.
Optically Active 4‐Substituted 5‐Nitropentan‐2‐ones: Valuable Chiral Building Blocks for the Stereocontrolled Construction of Spiro‐Pyrazolone Scaffolds with Five Contiguous Stereogenic Centers
Authors: Sun Jiao , Jiang Cuiping , Zhou Zhenghong
Published: January 2016

The application of readily available optically active 4‐substituted 5‐nitropentan‐2‐ones as chiral building blocks in the stereocontrolled construction of spiro‐pyrazolone scaffolds was investigated. In the presence of 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (1 equiv.) optically active 4‐substituted 5‐nitropentan‐4‐ones exhibited excellent chiral inducing abilities in the diastereoselective cascade Michael/aldol reaction with a wide range of unsaturated pyrazolones to generate the corresponding biologically significant spiro‐pyrazolone derivatives with five contiguous stereocenters in acceptable to good yield with high levels of diastereoselectivity.
Synthesis of 1,4‐Diketones from β‐Oxo Esters and Enol Acetates by ­Cerium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Umpo­lung Reaction
Authors: Geibel Irina , Christoffers Jens
Published: January 2016

Cyclic β‐oxo esters are converted with enol acetates in a cerium‐catalyzed, oxidative Umpolung reaction to furnish 1,4‐diketones with up to 95 % yield. Atmospheric oxygen is the oxidant in this process, which can be regarded as ideal from economic and ecological points of view. Further advantages of this new C–C coupling reaction are its operational simplicity and the application of nontoxic and inexpensive CeCl3·7H2O as precatalyst.
Interplay of Anode, Cathode, and Current in Microbial Fuel Cells: Implications for Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Stoll Zachary A. , Dolfing Jan , Ren Zhiyong Jason , Xu Pei
Published: January 2016

The anode and cathode potentials determine the overall performance of a microbial fuel cell (MFC). Thus far, research has focused on understanding the performance of individual electrodes, but there has been no investigation of how the anode or cathode potential changes as a function of the other. This study demonstrates for the first time that interplay exists between the anode and cathode electrodes, a phenomenon whereby reduction of voltage losses at one electrode increases voltage losses at the other. With our experimental data and results from the literature, a model was developed to quantify the interplay at theoretical and applied levels for wastewater treatment. The cause of the interplay was attributed to the reactant/product concentration gradient that exists between the bulk‐catholyte–cathode and biofilm–anode electrode surfaces. These findings advance our fundamental understanding of MFCs and provide new insight into how to improve performance for wastewater treatment and energy production.
3D Hierarchically Interconnected Porous Graphene Containing Sulfur for Stable High Rate Li–S Batteries
Authors: Qian Weiwei , Gao Qiuming , Yang Kai , Tian Weiqian , Tan Yanli , Yang Chunxiao , Zhang Hang , Li Zeyu , Zhu Lihua
Published: January 2016

A simple strategy for the reduction of graphene oxide by annealing was used to produce 3D hierarchically interconnected porous graphene (HIPG) samples. The optimized HIPG‐900 sample possessing a specific surface area of 367.4 m2 g−1 and pore volume of 1.3 cm3 g−1 contains a large amount of sulfur (65.8 wt %) and improves the utilization of sulfur when used as the cathode of Li–S batteries. A high initial specific discharge capacity of 914.1 mAh g−1 and a specific capacity of 486.0 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles was obtained for HIPG‐900/S composites at 1C. A high specific capacity of 467.2 and 162.4 mAh g−1 was obtained at a high rate of 10C with a Coulombic efficiency of over 90.0 % at the 1st and 500th cycle, respectively.
Chesapeake Bay fish–osprey (Pandion haliaetus) food chain: Evaluation of contaminant exposure and genetic damage
Authors: Lazarus Rebecca S. , Rattner Barnett A. , McGowan Peter C. , Hale Robert C. , Karouna-Renier Natalie K. , Erickson Richard A. , Ottinger Mary Ann
Published: January 2016

From 2011 to 2013, a large-scale ecotoxicological study was conducted in several Chesapeake Bay (USA) tributaries (Susquehanna River and flats, the Back, Baltimore Harbor/Patapsco Rivers, Anacostia/ middle Potomac, Elizabeth and James Rivers) and Poplar Island as a mid-Bay reference site. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) diet and the transfer of contaminants from fish to osprey eggs were evaluated. The most bioaccumulative compounds (biomagnification factor > 5) included p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), total polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and bromodiphenyl ether (BDE) congeners 47, 99, 100, and 154. This analysis suggested that alternative brominated flame retardants and other compounds (methoxytriclosan) are not appreciably biomagnifying. A multivariate analysis of similarity indicated that major differences in patterns among study sites were driven by PCB congeners 105, 128, 156, 170/190, and 189, and PBDE congeners 99 and 209. An integrative redundancy analysis showed that osprey eggs from Baltimore Harbor/Patapsco River and the Elizabeth River had high residues of PCBs and p,p′-DDE, with PBDEs making a substantial contribution to overall halogenated contamination on the Susquehanna and Anacostia/middle Potomac Rivers. The redundancy analysis also suggested a potential relation between PBDE residues in osprey eggs and oxidative DNA damage in nestling blood samples. The results also indicate that there is no longer a discernible relation between halogenated contaminants in osprey eggs and their reproductive success in Chesapeake Bay. Osprey populations are thriving in much of the Chesapeake, with productivity rates exceeding those required to sustain a stable population. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1560–1575. Published 2016 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Selection of food combinations to optimize survival, growth, and reproduction of the amphipod Hyalella azteca in static-renewal, water-only laboratory exposures
Authors: Soucek David J. , Dickinson Amy , Major Kaley M.
Published: January 2016

Although standardized sediment toxicity testing methods have been developed for the amphipod Hyalella azteca, no standardized chronic water-only toxicity testing methods have been established. Furthermore, optimal feeding and water quality conditions for culturing and toxicity testing with this species remained unclear. The objective of the present study was to determine the food or combination of foods that best promotes survival, growth, and reproduction of the US Lab strain of Hyalella azteca under 42-d, water-only, static-renewal testing conditions. The authors conducted 7 42-d control (no toxicant) tests with various combinations of food (including Tetramin, yeast–cereal leaves–trout chow, diatoms, wheatgrass, alfalfa, and maple leaves) and substrate types (clean “unconditioned” Nitex screens vs “conditioned” Nitex screens that were colonized by live biofilms). Over all treatments, survival ranged from 18% to 96%, dry weight per individual from 0.084 mg to 1.101 mg, and reproduction from 0 young/female to 28.4 young/female. Treatments that included Tetramin tended to result in better performance than those that did not. In particular, treatments that included Tetramin and either conditioned screens or diatoms consistently had high survival, weight, and reproduction values as well as low variability among replicates (measured as coefficient of variation). A ramped Tetramin plus diatom suspension feeding regime appears to have the greatest potential to produce consistently good performance across laboratories using static-renewal systems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2407–2415. © 2016 SETAC
Assessing the toxicity of sediments using the medaka embryo–larval assay and 2 other bioassays
Authors: Barhoumi Badreddine , Clérandeau Christelle , Landi Laure , Pichon Anaïk , Le Bihanic Florane , Poirier Dominique , Anschutz Pierre , Budzinski Hélène , Driss Mohamed Ridha , Cachot Jérôme
Published: January 2016

Sediments are sinks for aquatic pollutants, and analyzing toxicity in such complex matrices is still challenging. To evaluate the toxicity of bioavailable pollutants accumulated in sediments from the Bizerte lagoon (Tunisia), a novel assay, the medaka embryo–larval assay by sediment contact, was applied. Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryos were incubated in direct contact with sediment samples up to hatching. Lethal and sublethal adverse effects were recorded in embryos and larvae up to 20 d postfertilization. Results from medaka embryo–larval assay were compared with cytotoxicity (Microtox®), genotoxicity (SOS chromotest), and pollutant content of sediments. The results highlight differences in the contamination profile and toxicity pattern between the different studied sediments. A significant correlation was shown between medaka embryo–larval assay by sediment contact and SOS chromotest responses and concentrations of most organic pollutants studied. No correlation was shown between pollutant levels and Microtox. According to the number of sediment samples detected as toxic, medaka embryo–larval assay by sediment contact was more sensitive than Microtox, which in turn was more sensitive than the SOS chromotest; and medaka embryo–larval assay by sediment contact allowed sediment toxicity assessment of moderately polluted sediments without pollutant extraction and using an ecologically realistic exposure scenario. Although medaka embryo–larval assay by sediment contact should be tested on a larger sample set, the results show that it is sensitive and convenient enough to monitor the toxicity of natural sediments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2270–2280. © 2016 SETAC
Intrinsic functional connectivity of periaqueductal gray subregions in humans
Authors: Coulombe Marie‐Andree , Erpelding Nathalie , Kucyi Aaron , Davis Karen Deborah
Published: January 2016

The periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) is a key brain region of the descending pain modulation pathway. It is also involved in cardiovascular functions, anxiety, and fear; however, little is known about PAG subdivisions in humans. The aims of this study were to use resting‐state fMRI‐based functional connectivity (FC) to parcellate the human PAG and to determine FC of its subregions. To do this, we acquired resting‐state fMRI scans from 79 healthy subjects and (1) used a data‐driven method to parcellate the PAG, (2) used predefined seeds in PAG subregions to evaluate PAG FC to the whole brain, and (3) examined sex differences in PAG FC. We found that clustering of the left and right PAG yielded similar patterns of caudal, middle, and rostral subdivisions in the coronal plane, and dorsal and ventral subdivisions in the sagittal plane. FC analysis of predefined subregions revealed that the ventolateral(VL)‐PAG was supfunctionally connected to brain regions associated with descending pain modulation (anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), upper pons/medulla), whereas the lateral (L) and dorsolateral (DL) subregions were connected with brain regions implicated in executive functions (prefrontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus). We also found sex differences in FC including areas implicated in pain, salience, and analgesia including the ACC and the insula in women, and the MCC, parahippocampal gyrus, and the temporal pole in men. The organization of the human PAG thus provides a framework to understand the circuitry underlying the broad range of responses to pain and its modulation in men and women. Hum Brain Mapp 37:1514‐1530, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Daclatasvir, sofosbuvir, and ribavirin for hepatitis C virus genotype 3 and advanced liver disease: A randomized phase III study (ALLY‐3+)
Authors: Leroy Vincent , Angus Peter , Bronowicki Jean‐Pierre , Dore Gregory J. , Hezode Christophe , Pianko Stephen , Pol Stanislas , Stuart Katherine , Tse Edmund , McPhee Fiona , Bhore Rafia , Jimenez‐Exposito Maria Jesus , Thompson Alexander J.
Published: January 2016

Patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 infection, especially those with advanced liver disease, are a challenging population in urgent need of optimally effective therapies. The combination of daclatasvir (DCV; pangenotypic nonstructural protein 5A inhibitor) and sofosbuvir (SOF; nucleotide nonstructural protein 5B inhibitor) for 12 weeks previously showed high efficacy (96%) in noncirrhotic genotype 3 infection. The phase III ALLY‐3+ study (N = 50) evaluated DCV‐SOF with ribavirin (RBV) in treatment‐naïve (n = 13) or treatment‐experienced (n = 37) genotype 3‐infected patients with advanced fibrosis (n = 14) or compensated cirrhosis (n = 36). Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive open‐label DCV‐SOF (60 + 400 mg daily) with weight‐based RBV for 12 or 16 weeks. The primary endpoint was sustained virological response at post‐treatment week 12 (SVR12). SVR12 (intention‐to‐treat) was 90% overall (45 of 50): 88% (21 of 24) in the 12‐week (91% observed) and 92% (24 of 26) in the 16‐week group. All patients with advanced fibrosis achieved SVR12. SVR12 in patients with cirrhosis was 86% overall (31 of 36): 83% (15 of 18) in the 12‐week (88% observed) and 89% (16 of 18) in the 16‐week group; for treatment‐experienced patients with cirrhosis, these values were 87% (26 of 30), 88% (14 of 16; 93% observed), and 86% (12 of 14), respectively. One patient (12‐week group) did not enter post‐treatment follow‐up (death unrelated to treatment). There were 4 relapses (2 per group) and no virological breakthroughs. The most common adverse events (AEs) were insomnia, fatigue, and headache. There were no discontinuations for AEs and no treatment‐related serious AEs. Conclusion: The all‐oral regimen of DCV‐SOF‐RBV was well tolerated and resulted in high and similar SVR12 after 12 or 16 weeks of treatment among genotype 3‐infected patients with advanced liver disease, irrespective of past HCV treatment experience. (Hepatology 2016;63:1430‐1441)
Comparative Analysis of the Informal Pre‐Insolvency Procedures of the UK and France
Authors: Kastrinou Alexandra
Published: January 2016

The aim of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the informal pre‐insolvency proceedings available in the UK and France. In addition, the aim is to provide a comparative analysis of the approach taken towards corporate rescue at this early stage by the ‘key players’ in insolvency. In particular, emphasis will be placed on the role of insolvency practitioners and creditors as well as the involvement of the courts in pre‐insolvency restructurings. Finally, the paper considers the effectiveness of the pre‐insolvency mechanisms available in the two jurisdictions and assesses whether or not these promote and encourage a corporate rescue culture. Copyright © 2016 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Enhancement of local bone remodeling in osteoporotic rabbits by biomimic multilayered structures on Ti6Al4V implants
Authors: Huang Ling , Luo Zhong , Hu Yan , Shen Xinkun , Li Menghuan , Li Liqi , Zhang Yuan , Yang Weihu , Liu Peng , Cai Kaiyong
Published: January 2016

To enhance long‐term survival of titanium implants in patients with osteoporosis, chitosan/gelatin multilayers containing bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2) and an antiosteoporotic agent of calcitonin (CT) are deposited on the Ti6Al4V (TC4) implants through layer‐by‐layer (LBL) electrostatic assembly technique. Here, the obtained titanium alloy implant (TC4/LBL/CT/BMP2) can regulate the release of loaded calcitonin and BMP2 agents in a sustaining manner to accelerate the bone formation and simultaneously inhibit bone resorption. In vitro results show that the bone‐related cells on TC4/LBL/CT/BMP2 present the lowest production level of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) but the highest (p < 0.05) level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin production, mineralization capacity and osteoblast‐related gene expression among all groups after treatment for 7 or 21 days, respectively. Besides, in vivo studies of micro‐CT analysis, routine histological and immunohistochemical analysis also collectively demonstrate that the TC4/LBL/CT/BMP2 implant can dramatically promote the formation and remodeling of new bone in osteoporotic rabbits after implantation for 30 days and 90 days, respectively. In vivo push‐out testing further confirms that the TC4/LBL/CT/BMP2 implant has the highest (p < 0.01) interfacial shear strength and favorable bone‐implant osseointegration. Overall, this study establishes a simple and profound methodology to fabricate a biofunctional TC4 implant for the treatment of local osteoporotic fractures in vivo. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1437–1451, 2016.
Real‐time quantitation of internal metabolic activity of three‐dimensional engineered tissues using an oxygen microelectrode and optical coherence tomography
Authors: Kagawa Yuki , Haraguchi Yuji , Tsuneda Satoshi , Shimizu Tatsuya
Published: January 2016

Recent progress in tissue engineering technology has enabled us to develop thick tissue constructs that can then be transplanted in regenerative therapies. In clinical situations, it is vital that the engineered tissues to be implanted are safe and functional before use. However, there is currently a limited number of studies on real‐time quality evaluation of thick living tissue constructs. Here we developed a system for quantifying the internal activities of engineered tissues, from which we can evaluate its quality in real‐time. The evaluation was achieved by measuring oxygen concentration profiles made along the vertical axis and the thickness of the tissues estimated from cross‐sectional images obtained noninvasively by an optical coherence tomography system. Using our novel system, we obtained (i) oxygen concentration just above the tissues, (ii) gradient of oxygen along vertical axis formed above the tissues within culture medium, and (iii) gradient of oxygen formed within the tissues in real‐time. Investigating whether these three parameters could be used to evaluate engineered tissues during culturing, we found that only the third parameter was a good candidate. This implies that the activity of living engineered tissues can be monitored in real‐time by measuring the oxygen gradient within the tissues. The proposed measuring strategy can be applied to developing more efficient culturing methods to support the fabrication of engineered thick tissues, as well as providing methods to confirm the quality in real‐time. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 855–864, 2017.
Pre‐ultrafiltration or pre‐ozonation for EDCs removal in a combined ultrafiltration and ozonation process
Authors: Hu Zunfang , Wen Xianghua , Si Xiurong
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND

Ultrafiltration (UF) coupled with ozonation (O3) may be a promising process for removing endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from secondary effluent. One key point in employing this process is whether the UF unit should be set in front of or after the O3 unit. So, in this paper, two systems with reversing series of UF and O3 units were developed and operated to assess which one is better.

RESULTS

Results showed that the O3‐UF process exhibited 13% higher UV adsorption removal efficiency than the UF‐O3 process. EDCs concentration and estrogenicity removal efficiency of the O3‐UF process was 2–7% and 10%, respectively, greater than that of the UF‐O3 process. In addition, the O3‐UF process achieved higher membrane filtration flux (28.9 LMH) than that (25.6 LMH) of the UF‐O3 process. A pilot scale O3‐UF reactor was designed to treat a real secondary effluent and achieved effective EDCs removal (average 75.2%) and estrogenicity removal (average 84.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that the O3‐UF process can effectively remove EDCs from secondary effluent and produced weaker membrane fouling than the UF‐O3 process; therefore, it was suggested for treating EDCs‐containing secondary effluent. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Urban wastewater treatment plant provided with tertiary finishing lagoons: management and reclamation for irrigation reuse
Authors: Fiorentino Carmine , Mancini Maurizio , Luccarini Luca
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND

In recent years water scarcity has become more prominent, increasing the need for new practices in terms of efficient water management. Reuse and valorization of water from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can help solve the problem.

RESULTS

The traditional denitrification/nitrification scheme followed by a natural disinfection/storage tank has been studied in order to optimize the process for irrigation reuse. The study is based on data produced by an experimental pilot‐scale plant, located in Trebbo di Reno (BO, Italy) and from a recent field campaign carried out on internal fresh water of the Allacciamento Channel inside the basin of Porto Canale Cesenatico (FC, Italy). Using WEST software to model the first phase and a dispersed flow equation to model the Escherichia coli (E. coli) removal rate in the following basin, the overall process has been optimized to test the capacity of a Business Process Management (BPM) approach to model the water storage management for irrigation reuse.

CONCLUSIONS

High pollutants removal efficiencies and a water storage system able to fulfill the irrigation needs are two essential requirements for water reuse. The study shows how to achieve those aims using a combined system with a natural disinfection basin analyzing the hydraulic parameters effects on pollutants removal throughout the water column. Moreover, the management optimization of the process has been studied suggesting different management policies for different scenarios. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
New digital cholangiopancreatoscopy for diagnosis and therapy of pancreaticobiliary diseases (with videos)
Authors: Tanaka Reina , Itoi Takao , Honjo Mitsusyoshi , Tsuchiya Takayoshi , Kurihara Toshio , Tsuji Shujiro , Tonozuka Ryosuke , Kamada Kentato , Sofuni Atsushi , Mukai Shuntaro
Published: January 2016

Background

Recently, a new digital cholangiopancreatoscopy (DCPS) has been developed. The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the utility of new DCPS in patients with pancreaticobiliary diseases.

Methods

Digital cholangiopancreatoscopy was used in 26 patients (16 men) with pancreaticobiliary diseases that could not be diagnosed and treated by standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The procedures included DCPS‐guided tissue sampling and interventions. Technical success and adverse events were evaluated.

Results

Among the 26 patients, 19 patients were classified for diagnostic purposes and seven for therapeutic purposes. The detailed breakdown of the particular conditions and numbers of patients was as follows: indeterminate bile duct (BD) lesion, indeterminate pancreatic duct (PD) lesion, lithotripsy by yttrium aluminum garnet‐laser or electrohydraulic lithotripsy, removal of migrated BD stent and PD stent, and guidewire passing across the biliary stricture. The overall technical success rates of visualizing the target lesions and therapeutic interventions were 100% and 85.7%, respectively. The incidence of procedure‐related adverse events among the patients was 7.7% (2/26). Cholangitis developed in one of the patients and post‐endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding in one patient. All adverse events were successfully treated by conservative therapy.

Conclusion

Digital cholangiopancreatoscopy has a high potential for providing an accurate diagnosis and facilitating therapy in patients with pancreaticobiliary diseases.
Transcribing the First Decade of Children's Videotaped Testimonies in Cyprus: Tourist Season Times
Authors: Kyriakidou Marilena , Zalaf Alexia
Published: January 2016

Familiarising researchers and practitioners with different countries' policies for police interviews with children contributes to an exchange of knowledge and strengthens global approaches against child abuse. We start by describing the system of videotaped testimonies in Cyprus during the first 10 years of this system's implementation. We then continue on to the effects of tourism on police interviews with children. Police forces in destinations with high tourist numbers need to comprehend how tourist seasons could influence police interviews with children. No studies investigated whether children of tourists testified in police departments during their holidays. We explored how tourist seasons affected the number of testimonies obtained by Cyprus police forces, taking into account the presence of non‐Cypriot and non‐native speaking children, the number of testimonies taken in languages other than Greek, and the presence of translators during the interviews. We analysed the national sample of police interviews with children for a period of a decade using official police records and copies of transcripts of children's testimonies. As expected, the results revealed no significant differences in police interviews with children during tourist seasons but show a slight increase in the number of interviews with non‐Cypriot children during tourist seasons. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Friction and wear reductions in fluorinated plain and fully formulated oils through enhanced heating time using moderate loading under boundary lubrication conditions
Authors: Nehme Gabi N.
Published: January 2016

The use of fluorinated mix catalyst (titanium fluoride: TiF3 + iron fluoride: FeF3) with polytetrafluoroethylene: PTFE in engine oil is increasingly a strategy to improve fuel economy and component durability to simultaneously provide low friction and excellent wear protection. The influence of these additives shows promising results during load bearing capacity testing and long‐term durability experiments. This paper addresses the enhancement of friction and wear performances of 0.1% and 0.05% phosphorus plain zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) oil and fully formulated engine oil when heated to 100°C for specific time under thermal and tribological conditions for moderate pressure loading (1.9 GPa Hertzian pressure or 180 N) which simulate the cold start of a car under 700 rpm rotational speed or the valve trains loading where most of the ZDDP are applied.

Tests were performed in a ball on cylinder tribometer under boundary lubrication conditions. Surface analyses were carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results showed that the anti‐wear additives (2 wt. % PTFE + 0.5 wt. % FeF3 + .5 wt. % TiF3) provided excellent wear protection to 0.1% phosphorus plain and fully formulated oil when cylinder is immersed in the desired lubricant and heated for a predetermined time but performed poorly in 0.05% phosphorus fully formulated oil under the same conditions. The transform of anti‐wear coated material to the worn surfaces, which was a function of the anti‐wear performance of additives, was shown to have an influence on friction performance. The wear reducing effect, which was observed in fluorinated additives tribological tests, indicated a positive contribution and good tribofilm formations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The changing face of liver transplantation for acute liver failure: Assessment of current status and implications for future practice
Authors: Donnelly Mhairi C. , Hayes Peter C. , Simpson Kenneth J.
Published: January 2016

The etiology and outcomes of acute liver failure (ALF) have changed since the definition of this disease entity in the 1970s. In particular, the role of emergency liver transplantation has evolved over time, with the development of prognostic scoring systems to facilitate listing of appropriate patients, and a better understanding of transplant benefit in patients with ALF. This review examines the changing etiology of ALF, transplant benefit, outcomes following transplantation, and future alternatives to emergency liver transplantation in this devastating condition. Liver Transplantation 22 527‐535 2016 AASLD
Bundled strategies against infection after liver transplantation: Lessons from multidrug‐resistant P seudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Sato Asahi , Kaido Toshimi , Iida Taku , Yagi Shintaro , Hata Koichiro , Okajima Hideaki , Takakura Shunji , Ichiyama Satoshi , Uemoto Shinji
Published: January 2016

Infection is a life‐threatening complication after liver transplantation (LT). A recent outbreak of multidrug‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa triggered changes in our infection control measures. This study investigated the usefulness of our bundled interventions against postoperative infection after LT. This before‐and‐after analysis enrolled 130 patients who underwent living donor or deceased donor LT between January 2011 and October 2014. We initiated 3 measures after January 2013: (1) we required LT candidates to be able to walk independently; (2) we increased the hand hygiene compliance rate and contact precautions; and (3) we introduced procalcitonin (PCT) measurement for a more precise determination of empirical antimicrobial treatment. We compared factors affecting the emergence of drug‐resistant microorganisms, such as the duration of antimicrobial and carbapenem therapy and hospital stay, and outcomes such as bacteremia and death from infection between before (n = 77) and after (n = 53) the LT suspension period. The utility of PCT measurement was also evaluated. Patients' backgrounds were not significantly different before and after the protocol revision. Incidence of bacteremia (44% versus 25%; P = 0.02), detection rate of multiple bacteria (18% versus 4%; P = 0.01), and deaths from infections (12% versus 2%; P =  0.04) significantly decreased after the protocol revision. Duration of antibiotic (42.3 versus 25.1 days; P =  0.002) and carbapenem administration (15.1 versus 5.2 days; P < 0.001) and the length of postoperative hospital stay (85.4 versus 63.5 days; P =  0.048) also decreased after the protocol revision. PCT mean values were significantly higher in the bacteremia group (10.10 ng/mL), compared with the uneventful group (0.65 ng/mL; P =  0.002) and rejection group (2.30 ng/mL; P =  0.02). One‐year overall survival after LT significantly increased in the latter period (71% versus 94%; P =  0.001). In conclusion, the bundled interventions were useful in preventing infections and lengthening overall survival after LT.
Acid Sensitive Polymeric Micelles Combining Folate and Bioreducible Conjugate for Specific Intracellular siRNA Delivery
Authors: Yang Yanfang , Xia Xuejun , Dong Wujun , Wang Hongliang , Li Lin , Ma Panpan , Sheng Wei , Xu Xueqing , Liu Yuling
Published: January 2016

An efficiently siRNA transporting nanocarrier still remains to be developed. In this study, utilizing the dual stimulus of acid tumor extracellular environment and redox effect of glutathione in the cytosol, a new siRNA transporting system combining triple effects of folate targeting, acid sensitive polymer micelles, and bio‐reducible disulfide bond linked siRNA‐cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) conjugate is developed to suppress c‐myc gene expression of breast cancer (MCF‐7 cells) both in vitro and in vivo. Subsequent research demonstrates that the vesicle has particle size of about 100 nm and siRNA entrapment efficiency of approximately 80%. In vitro studies verified over 90% of encapsulated siRNA‐CPPs can be released and the vesicle shows higher cellular uptake in response to the tumorous zone. Determination of gene expression at both mRNA and protein levels indicates the constructed vesicle exhibited enhanced cancer cell apoptosis and improved therapeutic efficacy in vitro and in vivo.

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Clustering of hydrochloric acid on the surface of C60/C70 fullerite and its composites with nanosilica
Authors: Turov V. V. , Prylutskyy Y. I. , Krupskaya T. V. , Schur D. V. , Evstigneev M. P. , Kartel M. T. , Ritter U.
Published: January 2016

The formation of cluster structures on the surface of fullerite C60/C70 and its composites with nanosilica (A‐300, AM1‐300 and A‐300+AM1‐300) with hydrochloric acid in a hydrophobic environment was studied by means of low‐temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy. It was established that the surface of fullerite crystals can separate hydrochloric acid solution into its components, and in the environment of weakly polar organic solvent, CDCl3, the substantial fraction of water exists in a weakly associated state. It was shown that the composite nanosystems made of fullerite and silica (A‐300, AM1‐300 and their 1 : 1 mixture), the adsorption of hydrochloric acid predominantly occurs on a silica part of the composite. Addition of dimethyl sulfoxide to the medium results in formation of several types of clusters on the surface, which include water molecules, hydrogen chloride and dimethyl sulfoxide, wherein less associated forms are localized predominantly on the surface of the fullerite (their number is maximal for the combined (A‐300 + AM1‐300)/C60 composites). Therefore the features of the cluster structures and their site of localization in the volume of the solid phase can be controlled by varying the content of the composite nanosystem.
On short‐range enhancement of Van‐der‐Waals forces
Authors: Makhnovets K. , Kolezhuk A.
Published: January 2016

For nanoparticles with giant polarizability α (a prominent example being the recently studied Na14F13 molecular clusters) van der Waals forces are significantly enhanced at interparticle distances shorter than R0 ≃ (α/2πε0)1/3. For an adequate description of this phenomenon, nonlinear effects must be taken into account. Contrary to some theoretical claims, an accurate treatment of nonlinearity does not lead to any repulsive forces.
Magnetoresistance of functionalized carbon nanotubes
Authors: Ovsiienko I. , Len T. , Matzui L. , Tkachuk V. , Berkutov I. , Mirzoiev I. , Prylutskyy Y. , Tsierkezos N. , Ritter U.
Published: January 2016

In present work a novel method for the functionalization of carbon nanotubes is proposed. The magnetoresistance of carbon nanotubes specimens in temperature range from 1.6 K up to 85 K and in magnetic field up to 5 T was investigated. It was shown that the proposed functionalization method does not cause any new defects in structure of carbon nanotubes and does not essentially influence the resistivity of nanotubes. It is revealed the appearance of the charge carriers weak localization and interactions effects for as‐prepared and functionalized carbon nanotubes. On the basis of the experimental data, the explicit type of temperature dependence of wave function phase relaxation time and Fermi‐level energy value for as‐prepared and functionalized carbon nanotube are established.
Focal Predominant Forms of Posthypoxic Action Myoclonus
Authors: Gasca‐Salas Carmen , Lang Anthony E.
Published: January 2016

Chronic posthypoxic action myoclonus is usually recognized as multifocal or generalized and, in most cases, causes severe disability. It is also commonly associated with other neurological symptoms, such as ataxia. We report two cases of focal predominant postanoxic action myoclonus and review the limited relevant literature. The first case presented with action and stimulus sensitive myoclonus in the lower limbs that caused him limited disability. He had not received any diagnosis in almost 2 years. The second patient exhibited predominantly focal facial myoclonus, although she was more limited by dysphasia and hemiplegia as a consequence of an ischemic stroke. Both patients responded to antiepileptic drugs. We found 9 of 159 previously reported cases with this focal distribution. Physicians should be aware of this limited phenotype given that the unusual focal nature of the movements may result in incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
Beyond Dystonia‐Parkinsonism: Chorea and Ataxia with ATP1A3 Mutations
Authors: de Gusmao Claudio M. , Dy Marisela , Sharma Nutan
Published: January 2016

Mutations in the ATP1A3 gene (the α‐3 subunit of the Na+/K+ ATPase) are associated with rapid‐onset dystonia‐parkinsonism; alternating hemiplegia of childhood; and cerebellar ataxia, areflexia, pes cavus, optic atrophy, and sensorineural hearing loss (CAPOS syndrome). The authors report 3 cases with pleiotropic movement disorders, including a novel mutation in a patient who presented with ataxia and dysphagia. Case 1 had a history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and developed dysphagia, chorea, and limb dystonia after a febrile illness at age 12 years. Case 2 presented with limb dystonia at age 26 years and dysarthia and dysphagia after a febrile illness. Case 3 had a history of learning disability and developed progressive ataxia with cerebellar atrophy at age 20 years. In all cases, deleterious mutations were identified in ATP1A3. They illustrate wide phenotypic variability, including chorea and ataxia. New cases are likely to be diagnosed as knowledge about the phenotypic spectrum expands.
Rate of convergence of the Bézier variant of an operator involving Laguerre polynomials
Authors: Öksüzer Özlem , Karsli Harun , Yeşildal Fatma Taşdelen
Published: January 2016

In the present paper, we consider the Bézier variant of an operator involving Laguerre polynomials of degree k, with α≥1, for bounded functions f defined on the interval [0,1]. In particular, by using the Chanturia modulus of variation, we estimate the rate of pointwise convergence of (Pn,αf)(x,t) at those points x∈(0,1) at which the one‐sided limits f(x+),f(x−) exist. To prove our main result, we have used some methods and techniques of probability theory. Our result extends and generalizes the very recent results of very recent results of the authors to more general classes of functions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early cleavages influence the molecular and the metabolic pattern of individually cultured bovine blastocysts
Authors: Milazzotto Marcella Pecora , Goissis Marcelo Demarchi , Chitwood James Lee , Annes Kelly , Soares Carlos Alexandre , Ispada Jéssica , Assumpção Mayra Elena Ortiz Ávila , Ross Pablo Juan
Published: January 2016

Embryo morphokinetics suggests that the timing of the first embryonic cell divisions may predict the developmental potential of an embryo; however, correlations between embryonic morphokinetics and physiology are not clear. Here, we used RNA sequencing to determine the gene expression profile of in vitro‐produced early‐ and late‐dividing bovine embryos and their respective blastocysts, and compared these profiles to in vivo‐produced blastocysts to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Principal component analysis revealed that fast‐ and slow‐dividing embryos possess similar transcript abundance over the first cleavages. By the blastocyst stage, however, more DEGs were observed between the fast‐ and slow‐dividing embryo groups, whereas blastocysts from the slow‐dividing group were more similar to in vivo‐produced blastocysts. Gene ontology enrichment analysis showed that the slow‐dividing and in vivo‐produced blastocysts shared biological processes related to groups of up‐ or down‐regulated genes when compared to the fast‐dividing blastocysts. Based on these DEG results, we characterized the relationship between developmental kinetics and energy metabolism of in vitro‐produced bovine embryos. Embryos from fast‐ and slow‐dividing groups exhibited different pyruvate and lactate metabolism at 22 hr post‐in vitro culture (hpc), glucose consumption at 96 hpc, and glutamate metabolism at 168 hpc. Glycogen storage was similar between cleavage‐stage and morulae groups, but was higher in the blastocysts of the slow‐dividing group. On the other hand, blastocysts of the fast‐dividing group had a higher concentration of lipids. Taken together, these data identify transcriptomic and metabolic differences between embryos with different morphokinetics, suggesting that sorting embryos based on cleavage speed may select for different metabolic patterns. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 324–336, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.