bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kinetic analysis and biodegradability of the Fenton mineralization of bisphenol A
Authors: Rivero Maria J. , Alonso Elia , Dominguez Sara , Ribao Paula , Ibañez Raquel , Ortiz Inmaculada , Irabien Angel
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND

This work reports the kinetic and biodegradability analysis of bisphenol A (BPA) Fenton oxidation. An experimental study was carried out within the variables H2O2/Fe (II)/BPA in the range 10/3/1 to 50/3/1 and at temperatures of 25–70°C. Kinetics of the environmental parameters dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were analysed.

RESULTS

The concentration of H2O2 and the temperature have a strong influence on the kinetics of Fenton mineralization of BPA. Working at 70°C, the measured DOC values matched that calculated using the measured organic acids, which demonstrates that the oxidation reactions proceeded at a sufficient rate to form organic acids. Moreover, as BPA solutions are not easily biodegradable, the biodegradability of the solution during Fenton oxidation was studied by means of respirometry assays, evaluating the short‐term biochemical oxygen demand (BODst)/COD ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

The kinetic models proposed are capable of predicting the rate of H2O2 consumption and the oxidation of DOC and COD as a function of the temperature. Under the process conditions tested the treated effluents increased their biodegradability, facilitating compatibility with further biological treatment. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Antifatigue properties of dragonfly Pantala flavescens wings
Authors: Li Xiu‐Juan , Zhang Zhi‐Hui , Liang Yun‐Hong , Ren Lu‐Quan , Jie Meng , Yang Zhi‐Gang
Published: March 2014

The wing of a dragonfly is thin and light, but can bear high frequent alternating stress and present excellent antifatigue properties. The surface morphology and microstructure of the wings of dragonfly Pantala flavescens were observed using SEM in this study. Based on the biological analysis method, the configuration, morphology, and structure of the vein were studied, and the antifatigue properties of the wings were investigated. The analytical results indicated that the longitudinal veins, cross veins, and membrane of dragonfly wing form a optimized network morphology and spacially truss‐like structure which can restrain the formation and propagation of the fatigue cracks. The veins with multilayer structure present high strength, flexibility, and toughness, which are beneficial to bear alternating load during the flight of dragonfly. Through tensile‐tensile fatigue failure tests, the results were verified and indicate that the wings of dragonfly P. flavescens have excellent antifatigue properties which are the results of the biological coupling and synergistic effect of morphological and structural factors. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:356–362, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chambered cuticle, pellicles, strange sensilla, and extraordinary muscle arrangements: A study of the micropterigid larval trunk (Lepidoptera: Micropterigidae)
Authors: Dupont Steen T.K.
Published: March 2014

The larvsal trunk wall ofSabatinca chalcophanes(Meyrick, 1885), representing the “sabatincoid morphotype,” is described (brightfield and polarization microscopies, scanning and transmission electron microscopies). Eight sensillum types are identified, including four previously undescribed subventral and ventral kinds. The cuticle is nonsolid, the exocuticle being chambered in a honeycomb‐like fashion with chamber walls apparently secreted along epidermal cells boundaries. The chamber contents open to the exterior via minute pores in the chamber roofs. A space between endo and exocuticle communicates with the chamber interiors via pores in the chamber floors; the dense endocuticular surface in places form thickened domes. On the lower trunk region, lateral chamber walls are highly porous (lattice like), hence their contents are continuous; individual chamber roofs here are markedly convex, and the external trunk surface, therefore, papillate. The trunk surface is more or less completely covered by a pellicle, likely formed by exudates from the exocuticular chambers. Unusually for Lepidoptera all trunk muscles are slender strands covering a modest proportion of the inner trunk surface. Conspicuous insertion “nodes” are located at lateral and ventral segmental boundaries, ventromedially near segmental midlengths, and paramedially on the dorsum behind segmental midlengths. Overall similar cuticular specializations are also present in the distantly relatedMicropterix, strongly supporting micropterigid monophyly. J. Morphol. 275:797–821, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessing cosmetic results after breast conserving surgery
Authors: Cardoso Maria João , Oliveira Helder , Cardoso Jaime
Published: March 2014

“Taking less treating better” has been one of the major improvements of breast cancer surgery in the last four decades. The application of this principle translates into equivalent survival of breast cancer conserving treatment (BCT) when compared to mastectomy, with a better cosmetic outcome. While it is relatively easy to evaluate the oncological results of BCT, the cosmetic outcome is more difficult to measure due to the lack of an effective and consensual procedure. The assessment of cosmetic outcome has been mainly subjective, undertaken by a panel of expert observers or/and by patient self‐assessment. Unfortunately, the reproducibility of these methods is low. Objective methods have higher values of reproducibility but still lack the inclusion of several features considered by specialists in BCT to be fundamental for cosmetic outcome. The recent addition of volume information obtained with 3D images seems promising. Until now, unfortunately, no method is considered to be the standard of care. This paper revises the history of cosmetic evaluation and guides us into the future aiming at a method that can easily be used and accepted by all, caregivers and caretakers, allowing not only the comparison of results but the improvement of performance. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 110:37–44. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adenomatous multinodular goiter causing airway obstruction in an infant
Authors: Sweis Auddie M. , Guttikonda Dharani , Walner David L. , Hamming Katherine K. , Lygizos Nicholas A. , Geissler Grant
Published: March 2014

Nontoxic adenomatous multinodular goiter (AMNG) in infants is a rare condition. We discuss an extremely rare case of a nontoxic AMNG in a 3‐month‐old female presenting with airway obstruction. Surgical resection of the mass was performed to reduce the burden on the airway and for diagnosis. The literature is reviewed, and the clinical characteristics, pathology, and surgical treatment are discussed. Laryngoscope, 124:2636–2639, 2014
Electrospun Micelles/Drug‐Loaded Nanofibers for Time‐Programmed Multi‐Agent Release
Authors: Yang Guang , Wang Jie , Li Long , Ding Shan , Zhou Shaobing
Published: March 2014

Combined therapy with drugs of different therapeutic effects is an effective way in the treatment of diseases and damaged tissues or organs. However, how to precisely control the release order, dose, and time of the drugs using vehicles is still a challenging task. In this work, for the first time, a study to develop a nanoscale multi‐drug delivery system based on polymer micelle‐enriched electrospun nanofibers is presented. The multi‐drug delivery system is achieved, first, by the fabrication of hydrophobic curcumin encapsulated micelles assembled from biodegradable mPEG‐PCL copolymer and, second, by the blending of the micelle powder with hydrophilic doxorubicin in polyvinyl alcohol solution, followed by simply electrospinning this combination. Due to the different domains of the two drugs within the nanofibers, the release behaviors show a time‐programmed release, and can be temporally and spatially regulated. In vitro tumor cell inhibition assay indicates that the delivery system possesses great potential in cancer chemotherapy.
Synthesis and structure elucidation of a series of pyranochromene chalcones and flavanones using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography
Authors: Pawar Sunayna S. , Koorbanally Neil A.
Published: March 2014

A series of novel pyranochromene chalcones and corresponding flavanones were synthesized. This is the first report on the confirmation of the absolute configuration of chromene‐based flavanones using X‐ray crystallography. These compounds were characterized by 2D NMR spectroscopy, and their assignments are reported herein. The 3D structure of the chalcone 3b and flavanone 4g was determined by X‐ray crystallography, and the structure of the flavanone was confirmed to be in the S configuration at C‐2. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diffusion microscopic MRI of the mouse embryo: Protocol and practical implementation in the splotch mouse model
Authors: Norris Francesca C. , Siow Bernard M. , Cleary Jon O. , Wells Jack A. , De Castro Sandra C.P. , Ordidge Roger J. , Greene Nicholas D.E. , Copp Andrew J. , Scambler Peter J. , Alexander Daniel. C. , Lythgoe Mark F.
Published: March 2014

Purpose

Advanced methodologies for visualizing novel tissue contrast are essential for phenotyping the ever‐increasing number of mutant mouse embryos being generated. Although diffusion microscopic MRI (μMRI) has been used to phenotype embryos, widespread routine use is limited by extended scanning times, and there is no established experimental procedure ensuring optimal data acquisition.

Methods

We developed two protocols for designing experimental procedures for diffusion μMRI of mouse embryos, which take into account the effect of embryo preparation and pulse sequence parameters on resulting data. We applied our protocols to an investigation of the splotch mouse model as an example implementation.

Results

The protocols provide DTI data in 24 min per direction at 75 μm isotropic using a three‐dimensional fast spin‐echo sequence, enabling preliminary imaging in 3 h (6 directions plus one unweighted measurement), or detailed imaging in 9 h (42 directions plus six unweighted measurements). Application to the splotch model enabled assessment of spinal cord pathology.

Conclusion

We present guidelines for designing diffusion μMRI experiments, which may be adapted for different studies and research facilities. As they are suitable for routine use and may be readily implemented, we hope they will be adopted by the phenotyping community. Magn Reson Med 73:731–739, 2015. © 2014 The Authors. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the originalwork is properly cited.
Environmental damage and degradation of FRP composites: A review report
Authors: Ray Bankim Chandra , Rathore Dinesh
Published: March 2014

Fiber‐reinforced plastics (FRP) composites are prime choice materials in various civil engineering structures and high performance aerospace components. They exhibit superior mechanical properties than their metallic counterparts. However, they are susceptible to environmental damages and degradations. To utilize the full potential of FRP composite materials their physical, chemical, and mechanical behavior in different environmental conditions should be well established. Present review is an attempt at highlighting different damage/degradations that may be caused to the FRP composite on its exposure to various environmental conditions. POLYM. COMPOS. 36:410–423, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
‘Getting there’: the impact of structured insulin management education in a high ethnic mix population with type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Fairfield Jane , Amin Sayjal , James June
Published: March 2014

Structured education programmes support and enable people with diabetes to develop self‐management skills. Insulin management central to DAFNE is restricted to those with type 1 diabetes of at least six months' duration and on multiple dose regimens. DESMOND is available for all with type 2 diabetes but does not include guidance on how to self‐manage diabetes with insulin.

Our aims were to develop an education programme for people with type 1 or 2 diabetes already on insulin and who may be using a variety of insulin regimens, to enable effective self‐management, improve confidence, reduce hypoglycaemia and enable peer group support.

An evidence‐based curriculum, developed in line with NICE principles, was piloted. This consisted of three half‐day sessions held during a one‐month period with up to 10 participants and supporters invited to attend. Four further programmes were held; education was tailored to the individual needs of groups and verbal evaluation was undertaken. Anonymised patient satisfaction questionnaires were posted at programme completion. Audit included clinical data, demographics, patient satisfaction and health care professional assessment of content.

There were 40 participants over five courses; 20% (n=8) were type 1, 68% (n=27) were male, average age was 58 years (range 35–82 years), and 55% were South Asian (n=22). In 38 of 40 participants where a recorded pre‐ and three months post‐intervention was available, an average HbA1c reduction of 1.18% was achieved – i.e. 9.02% reduced to 7.84% (75.1mmol/mol reduced to 62.2mmol/mol). Twenty‐five participants (62.5%) returned the survey form: 96% (24/25) said diabetes control improved, and all felt more confident to adjust insulin; 96% (23/24) felt more confident to treat ‘hypos’ (one stated ‘hypos’ had not reduced) and 96% (24/25) felt they learned more by attending the programme.

This programme met participants' individual needs, increased confidence in insulin management and improved glycaemic control in a high ethnic mix poulation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons. Practical Diabetes 2014; 31(2): 54–57
Management of diabetes within a secure environment
Authors: Booles Keith
Published: March 2014

Many people situated in a wide variety of environments are affected by diabetes. The secure environment, of which prison is one, is an area in which the care and management of diabetes have been currently identified as being quite variable in terms of practice. This clearly needs to be investigated in order to strive for the implementation of gold standards of care for this client group. This article pinpoints the current strengths and weaknesses, as well as suggesting potential recommendations to improve current clinical practices regarding the care and management of prisoners with diabetes. The focus is primarily on the United Kingdom, but a number of the points made, as well as the potential care recommendations, could be implemented globally. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons. Practical Diabetes 2014; 31(2): 62–66
Synthesis and characterization of iPP‐sPP stereoblock produced by a binary metallocene system
Authors: Descour Camille , Macko Tibor , Cavallo Dario , Parkinson Matthew , Hubner Gerhard , Spoelstra Anne , Villani Maurizio , Duchateau Robbert
Published: March 2014

Stereoblock polypropylenes comprising of iPP and sPP segments are synthesized by polymerization of the following binary system of metallocenes: the Cs‐symmetric [2,7‐t‐Bu2(Flu)2Ph2C(Cp)ZrCl2] and the C2‐symmetric rac‐Me2Si(2‐Me‐4‐Ph‐Ind)2ZrCl2. Blends of samples made either by each catalyst individually (solution blend) with materials obtained with the mixed catalyst system (reactor blend) are compared. The simultaneous presence of MAO and DEZ, enhancing fast and reversible transfer of the growing chains between the two active centers, leads to the formation of a stereoblock microstructure. In this case, low molecular weight polymers are obtained. The junction between the blocks is qualitatively observed in 13C NMR. When made in toluene, the stereoblock material consists of a majority of syndiotactic sequences, whereas the ratio is more equilibrated when the polymerization was conducted in the more polar chlorobenzene. This is confirmed by the results obtained with 13C NMR, CRYSTAF, HT HPLC, DSC, SSA, WAXD, and optical microscopy. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 1422–1434
An association between pulmonary hypertension and impaired lung function in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Healy Fiona , Lin Wei , Feng Rui , Hanna Brian D. , Hedrick Holly , Panitch Howard B.
Published: March 2014

Rationale

Infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) can develop pulmonary hypertension (PH) from decreased number and abnormal muscularization of pulmonary arteries. Normally pulmonary vascular growth and remodeling parallel airspace growth and alveolarization, which exhibits a wide morphologic variation in CDH.

Aim

To assess whether infants with CDH and PH have greater abnormalities in infant pulmonary function testing (IPFT) compared to those without PH.

Methods

We reviewed results of IPFTs and echocardiograms performed on infants with CDH from 2004 to June 2011. Lung volumes, forced flows and tidal mechanics were standardized according to available reference values. Comparisons between infants with and without PH were performed using linear regression, adjusting for potential confounders.

Main Results

Sixty‐six infants were included; 18 had PH and 48 did not. Z‐score values for functional residual capacity (FRC), residual volume (RV), FRC/total lung capacity (TLC), and RV/TLC were significantly higher in infants with CDH and PH compared to those without PH. Z‐score values for forced flows including forced expiratory volume in the first 0.5 sec (FEV0.5) and FEV0.5/forced vital capacity were significantly lower in infants with CDH and PH compared to those without PH. For 29 infants studied on ≥2 occasions, the slopes of FRC, RV, and TLC versus length were significantly higher in those with persistent PH compared to those without.

Conclusions

Infants with CDH and persistent PH demonstrate greater airspace overdistension with growth compared to those without. Therapies that modify disrupted pulmonary vascular and alveolar formation could potentially improve future care of these patients. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:672–682. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Canonical structures of short CDR‐L3 in antibodies
Authors: Teplyakov Alexey , Gilliland Gary L.
Published: March 2014

Despite sequence diversity, five out of six hypervariable loops in antibodies assume a limited number of conformations called canonical structures. Their correct identification is essential for successful prediction of antibody structure. This in turn requires regular updates of the classification of canonical structures to match the expanding experimental database. Antibodies with the eight‐residue CDR‐L3 represent the second most common type of antibodies after those with the nine‐residue CDR‐L3. We have analyzed all crystal structures of Fab and Fv with the eight‐residue CDR‐L3 and identified three major canonical structures covering 82% of a nonredundant set. In most cases, the canonical structure is defined by the absence or presence and position of a proline residue within the CDR. Proteins 2014; 82:1668–1673. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sensitivity of high‐resolution idealized simulations of thunderstorms to horizontal resolution and turbulence parametrization
Authors: Verrelle A. , Ricard D. , Lac C.
Published: March 2014

Idealized simulations of deep moist convection are performed with the Meso‐NH model at kilometric scales to assess the impact of the horizontal grid spacing (4 km, 2 km, 1 km and 500 m) and turbulence scheme (one‐dimensional (T1D) versus three‐dimensional (T3D) turbulence). The simulations generate one cell which splits into two convective systems: a leftward‐moving multicellular system and a rightward‐moving supercell.

Objective criteria based on statistical properties and bulk quantities are examined for both systems to characterize the convection. They show that the accumulated rainfall and corresponding surface area increase with increasing resolution, as does the area covered by the updraughts, while the 90th quantile of the intensity of updraught cores decreases. The 4 km horizontal grid spacing is set apart, as it clearly under‐resolves the convective motions, but the difference between 2 and 1 km horizontal resolutions is larger than between 1 km and 500 m, suggesting the beginning of convergence at 500 m. Also, 1 km appears to represent the deep convective structures more correctly than 2 km for a practical weather forecast of organized convective systems.

T3D induces more mixing and enhances the microphysical processes compared with T1D, producing larger amounts of cloud cover and precipitation. Also, the magnitude of the pressure anomaly on the southeastern flank of the supercell is stronger, accentuating the path curvature. The difference between T1D and T3D becomes perceptible at 2 km, pointing out the necessity to deal with horizontal turbulent fluxes at kilometric resolutions. Although a stronger numerical diffusion added to T1D allows the necessary damping to be introduced at the spectral energy tail, it removes a part of the physical mixing and still misses some variance at larger scales.

The ratio between resolved and total turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) decreases with increasing resolution for both T1D and T3D, which is unexpected. The main explanation is insufficient turbulent mixing inside convective clouds, more pronounced at coarser resolution, which is also confirmed by the vertical velocity spectra. At 500 m horizontal resolution, the subgrid TKE is mainly due to dynamical processes, with maxima located at the upper level of the convective systems in areas of stronger potential temperatures associated with downdraughts. However, thermal production is mostly negative, underlying the lack of entrainment at the cloud edges.
Structural characterization of arabinoxylans from two African plant species Eragrostis nindensis and Eragrostis tef using various mass spectrometric methods
Authors: Plancot Barbara , Vanier Gaëtan , Maire Florian , Bardor Muriel , Lerouge Patrice , Farrant Jill M. , Moore John , Driouich Azeddine , Vicré‐Gibouin Maïté , Afonso Carlos , Loutelier‐Bourhis Corinne
Published: March 2014

RATIONALE

The arabinoxylans are one of the main components of plant cell walls and are known to play major roles in plant tissues properties depending in particular on their structural features. It has been recently shown that one of the strategies developed by resurrection plants to overcome dehydration is based on cell wall composition. For this purpose, the structural characterization of arabinoxylans from desiccation‐tolerant grass Eragrostis nindensis (E. nindensis) was compared with its close relative, the desiccation‐sensitive Eragrostis tef (E. tef) in order to further understand mechansism of desiccation tolerance in resurrection plants.

METHODS

Ion mobility spectrometry coupled to mass spectrometry (IM‐MS) in combination with the conventional mass spectrometric approaches, including matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS), electrospray ionization multistage tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MSn) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), were used to characterize arabinoxylan fragments obtained after endo‐xylanase digestion of leave extracts from E. nindensis and E. tef.

RESULTS

Whole fingerprinting by MALDI‐MS analysis showed the presence of various arabinoxylan fragments within leaves of E. nindensis and E. tef. The monosaccharide composition and some linkage information were determined by GC/MS experiments. Information regarding the branching and sequence details was obtained by ESI‐MSn experiments after sample permethylation. The presence of structural isomeric ions with different collision cross sections was evidenced by IM‐MS which could be differentiated using ESI‐MSn.

CONCLUSIONS

We have shown that an orthogonal approach, and especially IM‐MS associated to ESI‐MSn (n = 2 to 4) and GC/MS allowed characterization of arabinoxylan fragments of E. nindensis and E. tef and revealed the presence of isomeric structures. The same arabinoxylan structures were identified for both species but in different relative abundance. Moreover, this work illustrated that IM‐MS can efficiently separate isomeric structures and advantageously complements the conventional mass spectrometric methodologies used for arabinoxylan structural characterization. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hyperspatial Remote Sensing of Channel Reach Morphology and Hydraulic Fish Habitat Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV): A First Assessment in the Context of River Research and Management
Authors: Tamminga A. , Hugenholtz C. , Eaton B. , Lapointe M.
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we assess the capabilities of an unmanned/uninhabited aerial vehicle (UAV) to characterize the channel morphology and hydraulic habitat of a 1‐km reach of the Elbow River, Alberta, Canada, with the goal of identifying the advantages and challenges of this technology for river research and management. Using a small quadcopter UAV to acquire overlapping images and softcopy photogrammetry, we constructed a 5‐cm resolution orthomosaic image and digital elevation model (DEM). The orthomosaic was used to map the distribution of geomorphic and aquatic habitat features, including bathymetry, grain sizes, undercut banks, forested channel margins, and large wood. The DEM was used to initialize and run River2D, a two‐dimensional hydrodynamic model, and resulting depth and velocity distributions were combined with the mapped physical habitat features to produce refined estimates of available habitat in terms of weighted usable area. Based on 297 checkpoints, the vertical root‐mean‐squared error of the DEM was 8.8 cm in exposed areas and 11.9 cm in submerged areas following correction of the DEM for overprediction of elevations as a result of the refractive effects of water. Overall, we find several advantages of UAV‐based imagery including low cost, high efficiency, operational flexibility, high vertical accuracy, and centimetre‐scale resolution. We also identify some challenges, including vegetation obstructions of the ground surface, turbidity, which can limit bathymetry extraction, and an immature regulatory landscape, which may slow the adoption of this technology for operational measurements. However, by enabling dynamic linkages between geomorphic processes and aquatic habitat to be established, we believe that the advantages of UAVs make them ideally suited to river research and management. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hierarchical network meta‐analysis models to address sparsity of events and differing treatment classifications with regard to adverse outcomes
Authors: Warren Fiona C. , Abrams Keith R. , Sutton Alex J.
Published: March 2014

Meta‐analysis for adverse events resulting from medical interventions has many challenges, in part due to small numbers of such events within primary studies. Furthermore, variability in drug dose, potential differences between drugs within the same pharmaceutical class and multiple indications for a specific treatment can all add to the complexity of the evidence base.

This paper explores the use of synthesis methods, incorporating mixed treatment comparisons, to estimate the risk of adverse events for a medical intervention, while acknowledging and modelling the complexity of the structure of the evidence base.

The motivating example was the effect on malignancy of three anti‐tumour necrosis factor (anti‐TNF) drugs (etanercept, adalimumab and infliximab) indicated to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Using data derived from 13 primary studies, a series of meta‐analysis models of increasing complexity were applied. Models ranged from a straightforward comparison of anti‐TNF against non‐anti‐TNF controls, to more complex models in which a treatment was defined by individual drug and its dose. Hierarchical models to allow ‘borrowing strength’ across treatment classes and dose levels, and models involving constraints on the impact of dose level, are described.

These models provide a flexible approach to estimating sparse, often adverse, outcomes associated with interventions. Each model makes its own set of assumptions, and approaches to assessing goodness of fit of the various models will usually be extremely limited in their effectiveness, due to the sparse nature of the data. Both methodological and clinical considerations are required to fit realistically complex models in this area and to evaluate their appropriateness. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combined Nano‐ and Micro‐Scale Topographic Cues for Engineered Vascular Constructs by Electrospinning and Imprinted Micro‐Patterns
Authors: Moffa Maria , Sciancalepore Anna Giovanna , Passione Laura Gioia , Pisignano Dario
Published: March 2014

The major cause of synthetic vessel failure is thrombus and neointima formation. To prevent these problems the creation of a continuous and elongated endothelium inside lumen vascular grafts might be a promising solution for tissue engineering. Different micro‐ and nano‐surface topographic cues including grooved micro‐patterns and electrospun fibers have been previously demonstrated to guide the uniform alignment of endothelial cells (ECs). Here, with a very simple and highly versatile approach we combined electrospinning with soft lithography to fabricate nanofibrous scaffolds with oriented fibers modulated by different micro‐grooved topographies. The effect of these scaffolds on the behavior of the ECs are analyzed, including their elongation, spreading, proliferation, and functioning using unpatterned random and aligned nanofibers (NFs) as controls. It is demonstrated that both aligned NFs and micro‐patterns effectively influence the cellular response, and that a proper combination of topographic parameters, exploiting the synergistic effects of micro‐scale and sub‐micrometer features, can promote EC elongation, allowing the creation of a confluent ECs monolayer in analogy with the natural endothelium as assessed by the positive expression of vinculin. Combining different micro‐ and nano‐topographic cues by complementary soft patterning and spinning technologies could open interesting perspectives for engineered vascular replacement constructions.
Highly Porous Silicon Membranes Fabricated from Silicon Nitride/Silicon Stacks
Authors: Qi Chengzhu , Striemer Christopher C. , Gaborski Thomas R. , McGrath James L. , Fauchet Philippe M.
Published: March 2014

Nanopore formation in silicon films has previously been demonstrated using rapid thermal crystallization of ultrathin (15 nm) amorphous Si films sandwiched between nm‐thick SiO2 layers. In this work, the silicon dioxide barrier layers are replaced with silicon nitride, resulting in nanoporous silicon films with unprecedented pore density and novel morphology. Four different thin film stack systems including silicon nitride/silicon/silicon nitride (NSN), silicon dioxide/silicon/silicon nitride (OSN), silicon nitride/silicon/silicon dioxide (NSO), and silicon dioxide/silicon/silicon dioxide (OSO) are tested under different annealing temperatures. Generally the pore size, pore density, and porosity positively correlate with the annealing temperature for all four systems. The NSN system yields substantially higher porosity and pore density than the OSO system, with the OSN and NSO stack characteristics fallings between these extremes. The higher porosity of the Si membrane in the NSN stack is primarily due to the pore formation enhancement in the Si film. It is hypothesized that this could result from the interfacial energy difference between the silicon/silicon nitride and silicon/silicon dioxide, which influences the Si crystallization process.
Analytical and numerical evaluation of the design shear resistance of reinforced concrete slabs
Authors: Belletti Beatrice , Damoni Cecilia , Hendriks Max A. N. , de Boer Ane
Published: March 2014

The aim of this research is to compare the predictions of the design load‐carrying capacity of slabs obtained with simplified analytical and numerical procedures which can be readily used by analysts in the current design process. The research fits into a research programme initiated by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment for the re‐examination of the load‐carrying capacity of existing bridges and viaducts, and the beams and slabs they include, through the use of non‐linear finite‐element analyses. The behaviour of reinforced concrete slabs subjected to concentrated loads close to their supports is investigated in this contribution. Three tests from a series of 18 slabs with a total of 108 tests, tested at Delft University of Technology, were selected as case studies and analysed with non‐linear finite‐element analyses and analytical models either proposed by design codes or available in the literature. The research agrees well with the philosophy of the fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010, which offers different analytical and numerical calculation methods for evaluating the design shear resistance of reinforced concrete members according to different levels of approximation. For the three slabs investigated in this study, it indeed pays to use higher levels of approximation. The highest level (level IV) based on non‐linear finite element analysis gives the highest design load resistance, but still well below the resistance obtained experimentally.
Genotoxicity evaluation of the herbicide Garlon® and its active ingredient (triclopyr) in fish (Anguilla anguilla L.) using the comet assay
Authors: Guilherme Sofia , Santos Maria A. , Gaivão Isabel , Pacheco Mário
Published: March 2014

Triclopyr‐based herbicides are broadly used worldwide for site preparation and forest vegetation management. Thus, following application, these agrochemicals can inadvertently reach the aquatic ecosystems. Garlon® is one of the most popular commercial denominations of this group of herbicides, considered as highly toxic to fish, even by its manufacturer. Although DNA is frequently regarded as a target of pesticide toxicity, the genotoxic potential of Garlon® to fish remains completely unknown. Hence, the main goal of this study was to evaluate the genotoxicity of Garlon® and its active ingredient (triclopyr), clarifying the underlying mechanisms. Therefore, the comet assay, implemented as the standard procedure, with an extra step involving DNA lesion‐specific repair enzymes (formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase and endonuclease III), was used to identify DNA damage in blood cells of Anguilla anguilla L. Short‐term exposures (1 and 3 days) to Garlon® and triclopyr were carried out, adopting environmentally realistic concentrations (67.6 and 270.5 µg L−1 Garlon® and 30 and 120 µg L−1 triclopyr). The results concerning the nonspecific DNA damage proved the risk of the herbicide Garlon® and its active ingredient triclopyr in both tested concentrations and exposure lengths. In addition, the higher genotoxic potential of the formulation, in comparison with the active ingredient, was demonstrated. When the additional breaks corresponding to net enzyme‐sensitive sites were considered, none of the conditions revealed significant levels of oxidative damage. This identification of the genotoxic properties of triclopyr‐based herbicides to fish highlights the need to develop less hazardous formulations, as well as the adoption of mitigation measures related to the application of these agrochemicals in the framework of forestry and agriculture sustainable management. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 1073–1081, 2015.
A test of the Swainson's warbler habitat suitability index model
Authors: Reiley Bryan M. , Bednarz James C. , Brown Jeremy D.
Published: March 2014

We tested a recent Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model proposed for the Swainson's warbler (Limnothlypus swainsonii; a species of conservation concern in the southeastern United States) using data on habitat, bird occupancy, and abundance collected at White River National Wildlife Refuge, Saint Francis National Forest, and Big Island in Arkansas between 2005 and 2010. The Swainson's warbler HSI includes a combination of 6 variables: landform, landcover, successional age class, forest patch size, proportion forest in a 1‐km radius, and small‐stem density (<2.5 cm diam breast ht; these variables are combined to produce scores ranging 0–1, representing unsuitable to optimal habitat. Mean HSI scores were significantly lower ( = 0.65, n = 99) for sites occupied by Swainson's warblers compared with unoccupied locations ( = 0.78, n = 177) at White River National Wildlife Refuge and Big Island, contrary to our expectation for a useful model. We also found that Swainson's warbler abundances were not correlated with HSI scores both at Saint Francis National Forest and at White River National Wildlife Refuge. Our tests of the current Swainson's warbler HSI model demonstrate that it was not an effective predictor of Swainson's warbler occupancy and was not a reliable indicator of warbler habitat at the scale of our study areas. We propose a new suitability function called proportion elevation that takes relative elevation into account at potential sample locations that may improve the model. Specifically, this function should index the likelihood a site is infrequently flooded and should support the development of a thick understory, a habitat feature that has been demonstrated to be important to Swainson's warblers. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Effects of trap type on small mammal richness, diversity, and mortality
Authors: Stephens Ryan B. , Anderson Eric M.
Published: March 2014

When evaluating richness and diversity of small mammal communities, it is important to consider the impact that trap efficacy may have on these indices. The objectives of our study were to determine species‐specific trap efficacy relative to Sherman traps and pitfall traps, assess the impact of trap efficacy on measures of species richness and diversity, and compare mortality rates between trap types and whether pitfall covers reduce trap mortality. In the summers of 2009 and 2010, we trapped throughout Wisconsin, USA, in 5 vegetation communities. We used 180 transects (190 m long) of 20 Sherman live traps spaced every 10 m and 10 pitfall traps spaced every 20 m for 4 consecutive nights. We trapped 3,261 small mammals of 23 species in 34,235 combined trap‐nights. Pitfall traps were more effective at capturing shrews and voles, whereas Sherman traps captured more mice (Peromyscus spp.) and squirrels. Irrespective of vegetation community, both trap types together captured significantly higher species richness and diversity than either trap type captured independently. Covers significantly reduced mortality of Peromyscus spp., but not for voles or shrews, and covers reduced overall captures of voles. Our results indicate that Sherman and pitfall traps capture different portions of the small mammal community and, regardless of the vegetation community, should be used in combination when assessing species richness and diversity. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Mitochondria targeting Photocytotoxic Oxidovanadium(IV) Complexes of Curcumin and (Acridinyl)dipyridophenazine in Visible Light
Authors: Banerjee Samya , Prasad Puja , Khan Imran , Hussain Akhtar , Kondaiah Paturu , Chakravarty Akhil R.
Published: March 2014

Oxidovanadium(IV) complexes, [VO(acac)(L)Cl] (1), [VO(cur)(L)Cl] (2), and [VO(scur)(L)Cl] (3) {acac = acetylacetonate, cur = curcumin monoanion, scur = diglucosylcurcumin monoanion, L = 11‐(9‐acridinyl)dipyrido[3, 2‐a:2',3'‐c]phenazine (acdppz)}, were prepared and characterized. The complexes are non‐electrolytic in DMF and 1:1 electrolytic in aqueous DMF. The one‐electron paramagnetic complexes showed a d‐d band near 725 nm in aqueous DMF and green emission near 520 nm in aqueous DMSO. The complexes exhibited an irreversible VIV/VIII redox response near –0.85 V versus SCE in aqueous DMF. The complexes showed good binding strengths to calf thymus DNA (Kb: 3.1 × 105–9.6 × 105 M–1) and efficient pUC19 DNA photocleavage activity in red light of 705 and 785 nm by singlet oxygen (1O2) pathway. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibited significant photocytotoxicity (IC50: 0.1–1.0 μM) in visible light (400–700 nm) with low dark toxicity (IC50: >20 μM) in HeLa and HaCaT cells. Complex 3 was cytotoxic in both light and dark. DNA ladder formation experiments indicated cell death via apoptotic pathway. Confocal microscopy done with 1 and 2 revealed primarily cytosolic localization of the complexes with significant presence of the complex in the mitochondria as evidenced from the imaging data using mitotracker red.
Intermetallic Compounds with Multiple Yttrium Sites – An 89Y Solid State NMR Spectroscopic Study
Authors: Höting Christoph , Eckert Hellmut , Haarmann Frank , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: March 2014

The intermetallic compounds Y2RuB6, Y2ReB6, Y2RhSi3, YRh2Si, and YPdSi were synthesized from the elements by arc‐melting and subsequent annealing in sealed silica ampoules. The samples were studied by X‐ray diffraction on powders. The structures of Y2RuB6 and Y2RhSi3 were refined from single crystal diffraction data: Y2ReB6 type, Pbam, a = 916.3(2) pm, b = 1150.3(3) pm, c = 364.37(9) pm, wR2 = 0.1056, 942 F2 values, 38 variables for Y2RuB6 and Er2RhSi3 type, a = 812.6(2), c = 787.2(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0682, 369 F2 values, 17 variables for Y2RhSi3. The five compounds are characterized by two or three (YPdSi), crystallographically independent yttrium sites, which were all well resolved in 89Y solid state NMR spectra. The NMR signal shifts were correlated with the density of states of the s electrons at the Fermi level, resulting in a non‐ambiguous assignment of the NMR signals to the various sites in the crystal structures.
Development of an industrializable fermentation process for propionic acid production
Authors: Stowers Chris C , Cox Brad M , Rodriguez Brandon A
Published: March 2014

Propionic acid (PA) is a short-chain fatty acid with wide industrial application including uses in pharmaceuticals, herbicides, cosmetics, and food preservatives. As a three-carbon building block, PA also has potential as a precursor for high-volume commodity chemicals such as propylene. Currently, most PA is manufactured through petrochemical routes, which can be tied to increasing prices and volatility due to difficulty in demand forecasting and feedstock availability. Herein described are research advancements to develop an industrially feasible, renewable route to PA. Seventeen Propionibacterium strains were screened using glucose and sucrose as the carbon source to identify the best platform strain. Propionibacterium acidipropionici ATCC 4875 was selected as the platform strain and subsequent fermentation optimization studies were performed to maximize productivity and yield. Fermentation productivity was improved three-fold to exceed 2 g/l/h by densifying the inoculum source. Byproduct levels, particularly lactic and succinic acid, were reduced by optimizing fermentor headspace pressure and shear. Following achievement of commercially viable productivities, the lab-grade medium components were replaced with industrial counterparts to further reduce fermentation costs. A pure enzymatically treated corn mash (ECM) medium improved the apparent PA yield to 0.6 g/g (PA produced/glucose consumed), but it came at the cost of reduced productivity. Supplementation of ECM with cyanocobalamin restored productivity to near lab-grade media levels. The optimized ECM recipe achieved a productivity of 0.5 g/l/h with an apparent PA yield of 0.60 g/g corresponding to a media cost <1 USD/kg of PA. These improvements significantly narrow the gap between the fermentation and incumbent petrochemical processes, which is estimated to have a manufacturing cost of 0.82 USD/kg in 2017.
Effects of a Diet Rich in n‐3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Hepatic Lipogenesis and Beta‐Oxidation in Mice
Authors: Bargut Thereza C. Lonzetti , Frantz Eliete D. C. , Mandarim‐de‐Lacerda Carlos A. , Aguila Marcia Barbosa
Published: March 2014

Here, we investigate whether a diet rich in fish oil can lead to the development of hepatic alterations associated with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). To achieve this goal, we provided, for 8 weeks, four different diets to 3‐month‐old C57BL/6 mice: (a) standard‐chow diet (SC; 40 g soybean oil/kg diet, 10 % of the total energy content from lipids), (b) fish oil diet (FO; 4 g soybean oil and 36 g fish oil/kg diet, 10 % of the total energy content from lipids), (c) high‐fat diet (HF; 40 g soybean oil and 238 g lard/kg diet, 50 % of the total energy content from lipids), and (d) high‐fish oil diet (HFO; 40 g soybean oil and 238 g fish oil/kg diet, 50 % of the total energy content from lipids). Biochemical analyses, stereology, western‐blotting and RT‐qPCR were used. In the HF group, we found evidence of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and liver damage, along with hypertriglyceridemia, hepatic insulin resistance, and steatosis. On the other hand, the HFO group did not present these alterations and remained similar to the controls. The changes observed in the animals fed the HF diet were accompanied by an increase in hepatic lipogenesis and a decrease in beta‐oxidation; meanwhile, in the HFO group, the opposite results were found, that is, reduced lipogenesis and elevated beta‐oxidation, were most likely responsible for the prevention of deleterious hepatic alterations and liver damage. In conclusion, a diet rich in fish oil has beneficial effects on hepatic insulin resistance, lipogenesis and beta‐oxidation and prevents hepatic tissue from liver damage and NAFLD.
The role of c‐Jun in controlling the EPAC1‐dependent induction of the SOCS3 gene in HUVECs
Authors: Wiejak Jolanta , Dunlop Julia , Yarwood Stephen J.
Published: March 2014

The cyclic AMP sensor, EPAC1, activates AP1‐mediated transcription in HUVECs. Correspondingly, induction of the SOCS3 minimal promoter by EPAC1 requires a single AP1 site that constitutively binds phosphorylated (Ser63) c‐Jun in DNA‐pull‐down assays. c‐Jun (Ser63) becomes further phosphorylated following cyclic AMP stimulation and specific activation of protein kinase A (PKA), but not through selective activation of EPAC1. Moreover, despite a requirement for c‐Jun for SOCS3 induction in fibroblasts, phospho‐null c‐Jun (Ser63/73Ala) had little effect on SOCS3 induction by cyclic AMP in HUVECs. AP1 activation and SOCS3 induction by EPAC1 in HUVECs therefore occur independently of c‐Jun phosphorylation on Ser63.
Differential expression and anti‐oxidant function of glutathione peroxidase 3 in mouse uterus during decidualization
Authors: Xu Xiu , Leng Jing-Yu , Gao Fei , Zhao Zhen-Ao , Deng Wen-Bo , Liang Xiao-Huan , Zhang Yi-Juan , Zhang Zhi-Rong , Li Ming , Sha Ai-Guo , Yang Zeng-Ming
Published: March 2014

Glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) is an important member of antioxidant enzymes for reducing reactive oxygen species and maintaining the oxygen balance. Gpx3 mRNA is strongly expressed in decidual cells from days 5 to 8 of pregnancy. After pregnant mice are treated with GPX inhibitor for 3 days, pregnancy rate is significantly reduced. Progesterone stimulates Gpx3 expression through PR/HIF1α in mouse endometrial stromal cells. In the decidua, the high level of GPX3 expression is closely associated with the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Based on our data, GPX3 may play a major role in reducing H2O2 during decidualization.