bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rendimiento de la canal y morfometría del tracto gastrointestinal de broilers suplementados con pared celular de levadura
Authors: Reyes-Sánchez Nadir , Piad-Barreras Raúl , González-Núñez Hermes Dossnay , Ríos Miguel
Published: June 2016

Se realizó un experimento para evaluar el efecto de la suplementación de pollos de engorde con un derivado de paredes celulares de levadura Saccharomyces cerevisiae (PCL-glucano) de producción nacional sobre el rendimiento de la canal y la morfometría del tracto gastrointestinal. Se utilizaron 210 pollitos mixtos Cobb 500 de un día de edad, que fueron distribuidos en un diseño completamente al azar en tres tratamientos, con siete repeticiones y 10 aves por repetición. Los tratamientos evaluados fueron: T1: concentrado comercial (CC), T2: CC + 0.05% PCL-Glucano y T3: CC + 0.10% PCL-Glucano. A los 42 días de edad, los animales se pesaron y sacrificaron por dislocación de la articulación cráneo-cervical y se procedió a la extracción completa y cuidadosa del tracto gastrointestinal y la medición del peso absoluto y relativo de los órganos con respecto al peso corporal (expresados como % del peso vivo). Los resultados muestran que los mayores (p<0.05%) pesos absolutos y relativos de la molleja (67.9 g y 3.4%), hígado (76.9 g y 3.8%) e intestino delgado (88.4 g y 4.4%), a los 42 días de edad, se obtienen en los pollos alimentados con la dieta CC + 0.10% PCL-Glucano, lo que puede propiciar un mayor aprovechamiento de los nutrientes presentes en el alimento, contribuyendo al mejoramiento en los indicadores productivos de las aves (peso vivo, peso de la canal y rendimiento de la canal)La Calera, Vol.14 No.22, Mayo 2014, pp.33-37
Spectroscopic, voltammetry and molecular docking study of binding interaction of antipsychotic drug with bovine serum albumin
Authors: Mahanthappa Mallappa , Gowda Babu Giriya , Gowda Jayant I. , Rengaswamy Raghavendran
Published: June 2016

The interaction between perazine dimaleate (PDM) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by voltammetry, fluorescence spectroscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, molecular docking and viscometric methods. The study was carried out in acetate buffer solution of pH 7.2, which was prepared by using 0.1 M sodium acetate and adjusting pH using 0.1 M hydrochloric acid. The voltammetric study of PDM shows a pair of well redox peaks at 0.538 and 0.471 V (versus SCE) on a GCE in acetate buffer of pH 7.2 at
 50 mV s-1. After the addition of BSA into the PDM solution, the redox peak currents decreased gradually, and peak potentials shifted towards negative direction. The results of voltammetry, fluorescence quenching and UV–vis absorption spectra experiments indicated the formation BSA–PDM complex. The binding parameters like binding con­stant and binding free energy were determined from voltammetric data. The binding constant and binding energy was also determined from UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy with a value quite close to that obtained from CV.
Retinal tears and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after intravitreal injections: its prevalence and case reports
Authors: Karabag Revan Yildirim , Parlak Melih , Cetin Gölgem , Yaman Aylin , Saatci Ali Osman
Published: June 2016

PurposeTo report the prevalence of postoperative retinal tear or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment secondary to intravitreal injections.

MethodsSurgical and medical records of patients who received intravitreal injections at the practice of a single retina specialist from January 2004 to May 2013 and who were followed for at least 6 months were investigated retrospectively.

ResultsDuring the study period, a total of 3,907 intravitreal injections were performed in 1,049 eyes of 784 patients (416 males [47%]). The mean number of injections per eye was 3.72 ± 3.43 (range,1-22). The mean age of the participants was 67.03 ± 13.56 (range, 5-94 years). The mean follow-up time was 31.98 ± 22.86 months (range, 6-144 months). Retinal break or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment occurred in 3 injections of 3 eyes, yielding an overall prevalence of 0.077% per injection and 0.29% per eye.

ConclusionsRetinal tear and rhegmatogenous detachment are rare complications of intravitreal injection. Precautions should be taken especially in patients having predisposing conditions, such as high myopia, or any other vitreoretinal disorders.
A 35-year-old woman presenting with pain, reduced right-eye vision, and headache
Authors: Shah Brinda P. , Clarke Jonathan
Published: June 2016

A 35-year-old woman presented to the emergency department of Moorfields Eye Hospital with a 10-day history of pain, reduced vision in her right eye, and headache. She described the visual disturbance as “sparkly lights.” She had undergone bilateral lensectomy at the age of 7 weeks for congenital cataract and was aphakic. Her corrected visual acuity was 6/36 in each eye with +19.0 D sphere correction. For 2 years prior to this episode she complained of recurrent headaches every 2-4 months associated with similar visual aura. The headaches were not unilateral, and the visual symptoms were not limited to one side. She had been diagnosed with migraine in her teens; however, the headaches had now become more frequent, without change in nature. She described “flickering lights” that presented suddenly with reduced vision, “as if looking through a steamy window.” Each episode lasted 3-4 hours. She also noticed “rainbows” around bright lights, with “speckles, flashing lights, and blotches” in her vision. In the weeks before presentation, these attacks increased in frequency to almost daily, and sunlight was volunteered to be a trigger. There was no associated nausea, weakness, or other systemic symptoms. The ocular symptoms were now predominantly unilateral but similar to the symptoms that had been attributed to migraine in the past. Previous assessments by ophthalmologists during the 2-year period prior to presentation found that her vision was stable, with deep anterior chambers. Vitreous was present up to the pupillary margin, but was not in the anterior chamber. The anterior hyaloid face was intact, intraocular pressures (IOPs) were normal, and the optic discs were healthy. No focal defects were detected on visual field testing. On one previous visit, when her IOP in the right eye was found to be elevated, vitreous was noted in the anterior chamber, although there was no evidence of iris bombe. The angles were open on gonioscopy, with scattered peripheral anterior synechiae in 90°-180° in the right eye, whereas the left eye had open angles in all quadrants, with no synechiae.
Spleen et idéal : les immunités juridictionnelles en droit canadien
Authors: Larocque François
Published: June 2016

Les immunités juridictionnelles au Canada relèvent d’un ensemble bigarré de normes nationales et internationales, législatives et conventionnelles, jurisprudentielles et coutumières. Elles vivent perpétuellement et douloureusement écartelées entre le politique et le juridique, entre la courtoisie et l’obligation. Comme la jurisprudence canadienne et internationale récente le démontre dans le cadre de poursuites civiles pour la torture, le profond malaise des immunités juridictionnelles se solde parfois par le parachèvement de l’injustice et de l’impunité. L’effritement de l’hétérarchie westphalienne exige vraisemblablement la vérification de la vétuste maxime par in parem non habet imperium. À l’ère du constitutionnalisme transnational, les immunités juridictionnelles doivent s’arrimer aux idéaux des normes impératives et la dignité anachronique du souverain doit désormais accommoder la dignité inhérente de la personne humaine. Le rôle du Canada à cet égard sera examiné.
L’art de juger en droit civil : réflexion sur le cas du Québec
Authors: Baudouin Jean-Louis
Published: June 2016

Le système judiciaire québécois connaît une forme de jugement empruntée à la common law et très différente de celle d’autres pays de droit civil, plus particulièrement de la France. Malgré ce fait, on peut se demander si le magistrat québécois qui doit décider d’une cause de droit civil peut, tout en respectant cette forme, adopter un style particulier. La réponse, avec cependant toutes les nuances qui s’imposent vu le rapprochement actuel des deux systèmes, apparaît positive. Au fond, c’est-à-dire sur les techniques de raisonnement, on remarque en effet des différences importantes tenant principalement à la notion même du droit qu’entretiennent les deux systèmes. En outre, les méthodes inductives et déductives utilisées dans le déroulement du processus décisionnel constituent un point de divergence important. Il en est de même quant au mode d’expression des normes juridiques, soit quant à la forme selon laquelle le juge exprime sa pensée.
AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistor technology for high-voltage and low-on-resistance operation
Authors: Kuzuhara Masaaki , Asubar Joel T. , Tokuda Hirokuni
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we give an overview of the recent progress in GaN-based high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) developed for mainstream acceptance in the power electronics field. The comprehensive investigation of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs fabricated on a free-standing semi-insulating GaN substrate reveals that an extracted effective lateral breakdown field of approximately 1 MV/cm is likely limited by the premature device breakdown originating from the insufficient structural and electrical quality of GaN buffer layers and/or the GaN substrate itself. The effective lateral breakdown field is increased to 2 MV/cm by using a highly resistive GaN substrate achieved by heavy Fe doping. Various issues relevant to current collapse are also discussed in the latter half of this paper, where a more pronounced reduction in current collapse is achieved by combining two different schemes (i.e., a prepassivation oxygen plasma treatment and a field plate structure) for intensifying the mitigating effect against current collapse. Finally, a novel approach to suppress current collapse is presented by introducing a three-dimensional field plate (3DFP) in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs, and its possibility of realizing true collapse-free operation is described.
Interannual variation of global net radiation flux as measured from space
Authors: Zhu Ping , Wild Martin , van Ruymbeke Michel , Thuillier Gérard , Meftah Mustapha , Karatekin Ozgur
Published: June 2016

The global net radiation flux (NRF) in and out of the climate system at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) varies at interannual time scales, reflecting the complexity of the processes responsible for attaining global energy equilibrium. These processes are investigated in this study using the previously unexplored data acquired by a bolometric type sensor installed in the PICARD microsatellite. The obtained anomalies in the NRF (PICARD‐NRF) are compared to the global NRF changes at the TOA measured by the Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System mission (CERES‐NRF). The interanual PICARD‐NRF is strongly correlated with the matching period CERES‐NRF; the bootstrapped correlation at the 95%(+0.85 and +0.97) confidence intervals is +0.93. Consistency in the interannual variability in the NRF derived by two completely independent measurement systems enhances confidence in the estimated magnitude of these variations. To reveal the possible drivers of the NRF interannual variability, the NRF values were compared with the multivariate El Niño–Southern Oscillation index.
Determining conditions that allow a shear margin to coincide with a Röthlisberger channel
Authors: Platt John D. , Perol Thibaut , Suckale Jenny , Rice James R.
Published: June 2016

The mass loss from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is dominated by numerous rapidly flowing ice streams, which are separated from stagnant ice in the adjacent ridges by zones of concentrated deformation known as shear margins. Because the discharge from a single ice stream depends sensitively on the ice stream width, determining the physical processes that control shear margin location is crucial to a full understanding of ice stream dynamics. Previous work has shown that the transition from a deforming to an undeforming bed within a shear margin concentrates large stresses on the undeforming bed beneath the ridge. In this paper we investigate how the presence of a drainage channel collocated with the transition from a deforming to an undeforming bed perturbs the stress field within the shear margin. We show that the channel limits the maximum shear stress on the undeforming bed and alters the yield strength of the till by changing the normal stress on the ice‐till interface. By comparing the maximum stress with the till strength, we show that the transition from a deforming to an undeforming bed can occur across a channel whenever the water flux in the channel exceeds a critical value. This critical flux is sensitive to the rheology and loading of the shear margin, but we conclude that there are some scenarios where the transition from a deforming to an undeforming bed can be collocated with a drainage channel, though this configuration is probably not typical.
Impact of river regulation on a Mediterranean delta: Assessment of managed versus unmanaged scenarios
Authors: Bergillos Rafael J. , Rodríguez‐Delgado Cristóbal , Millares Agustín , Ortega‐Sánchez Miguel , Losada Miguel A.
Published: June 2016

This work addresses the effects of the construction of a reservoir 19 km from the mouth on the dynamics of the Guadalfeo delta (southern Spain), a Mediterranean delta in a semiarid and high‐mountain basin. The sediment volume transported as bed load and accumulated in the delta was estimated under two scenarios by means of a calibrated hydrological model: a managed scenario, considering the flows drained by the dam, and an unmanaged scenario, considering the absence of such infrastructure. Bathymetric and topographic measurements were analyzed and correlated with the fluvial and maritime forcing agents. Results indicate that the reservoir has significantly modified the dynamics downstream: the coast has lost almost 0.3 hm3 of sediments since the entry into operation of the dam, generating a 1.4 km coastline retreat around the mouth, with a maximum retreat of 87 m (92% of the initial). The beach profile decreased by up to 820 m2, whereas the average decrease around the mouth was equal to 214 m2. Under unmanaged conditions, more than 2 hm3 of bed load would have reached the coast. Based on the results, three new management scenarios of flows drained by the dam, in combination with bypassed sediment from the reservoir, were proposed to prevent more severe consequences in the delta and the silting of the reservoir. The proposed methodology for new management scenarios can be extended to other worldwide deltas, especially to those in semiarid and Mediterranean basins, and it represents an advanced tool for decision making.
Water velocity at water‐air interface is not zero: Comment on “Three‐dimensional quantification of soil hydraulic properties using X‐ray computed tomography and image‐based modeling” by Saoirse R. Tracy et al.
Authors: Zhang X. X. , Fan X. Y. , Li Z. Y.
Published: June 2016

Tracy et al. (2015, doi: 10.1002/2014WR016020) assumed in their recent paper that water velocity at the water‐air interface is zero in their pore‐scale simulations of water flow in 3‐D soil images acquired using X‐ray computed tomography. We comment that such a treatment is physically wrong, and explain that it is the water‐velocity gradient in the direction normal to the water‐air interface, rather than the water velocity, that should be assumed to be zero at the water‐air interface if one needs to decouple the water flow and the air flow. We analyze the potential errors caused by incorrectly taking water velocity at the water‐air interface zero based on two simple examples, and conclude that it is not physically sound to make such a presumption because its associated errors are unpredictable.
Fire and climate in Mongolia (1532–2010 Common Era)
Authors: Hessl Amy E. , Brown Peter , Byambasuren Oyunsanaa , Cockrell Shawn , Leland Caroline , Cook Ed , Nachin Baatarbileg , Pederson Neil , Saladyga Thomas , Suran Byambagerel
Published: June 2016

Recent increases in wildland fire, warming temperatures, and land use change have coincided in many forested regions, making it difficult to parse causes of elevated fire activity. Here we use 20 multicentury fire scar chronologies (464 fire scar samples) from Mongolia to evaluate the role of climate forcing of fire in the context of livestock grazing and minimal fire suppression. We observe no change in fire return intervals post‐1900; however, since the 1500s, periods of drought are coincident with more fire and shorter fire return intervals. We observe same year and some antecedent year effects of drought on fire, a pattern typical of semiarid forests elsewhere. During the instrumental period, drought remains an important driver of fire; however, limited fire activity in recent decades may be due to the coincidence of drought and intensive grazing that have synergized to reduce fuel continuity and fire spread.
Characterization of moderate ash‐and‐gas explosions at Santiaguito volcano, Guatemala, from infrasound waveform inversion and thermal infrared measurements
Authors: Angelis S. De , Lamb O. D. , Lamur A. , Hornby A. J. , von Aulock F. W. , Chigna G. , Lavallée Y. , Rietbrock A.
Published: June 2016

The rapid discharge of gas and rock fragments during volcanic eruptions generates acoustic infrasound. Here we present results from the inversion of infrasound signals associated with small and moderate gas‐and‐ash explosions at Santiaguito volcano, Guatemala, to retrieve the time history of mass eruption rate at the vent. Acoustic waveform inversion is complemented by analyses of thermal infrared imagery to constrain the volume and rise dynamics of the eruption plume. Finally, we combine results from the two methods in order to assess the bulk density of the erupted mixture, constrain the timing of the transition from a momentum‐driven jet to a buoyant plume, and to evaluate the relative volume fractions of ash and gas during the initial thrust phase. Our results demonstrate that eruptive plumes associated with small‐to‐moderate size explosions at Santiaguito only carry minor fractions of ash, suggesting that these events may not involve extensive magma fragmentation in the conduit.
Suprathermal electrons near the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko at 3 AU: Model comparisons with Rosetta data
Authors: Madanian H. , Cravens T. E. , Rahmati A. , Goldstein R. , Burch J. , Eriksson A. I. , Edberg N. J. T. , Henri P. , Mandt K. , Clark G. , Rubin M. , Broiles T. , Reedy N. L.
Published: June 2016

Observations of the coma near the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko (67P) made by the IES (Ion and Electron Sensor) instrument onboard the Rosetta Orbiter during late 2014 showed that electron fluxes greatly exceeded solar wind electron fluxes. The IES is part of the Rosetta Plasma Consortium. This paper reports on electron energy spectra measured by IES near the nucleus as well as approximate densities and average energies for the suprathermal electrons when the comet was at a heliocentric distance of about 3 AU. Comparisons are made with electron densities measured by other instruments. The high electron densities observed (e.g., ne ≈ 10–100 cm−3) must be associated with the cometary ion density enhancement created mainly by the photoionization of cometary gas by solar radiation; there are other processes that also contribute. Quasineutrality requires that the electron and ion densities be the same, and under certain conditions an ambipolar electric field is required to achieve quasi‐neutrality. We present the results of a test particle model of cometary ion pickup by the solar wind and a two‐stream electron transport code and use these results to interpret the IES data. We also estimate the effects on the electron spectrum of a compression of the electron fluid parcel. The electrons detected by IES can have energies as high as about 100–200 eV near the comet on some occasions, in which case the hot electrons can significantly enhance ionization rates of neutrals via impact ionization.
Suprathermal electron penetration into the inner magnetosphere of Saturn
Authors: Thomsen M. F. , Coates A. J. , Roussos E. , Wilson R. J. , Hansen K. C. , Lewis G. R.
Published: June 2016

For most Cassini passes through the inner magnetosphere of Saturn, the hot electron population (> few hundred eVs) largely disappears inside of some cutoff L shell. Anode‐and‐actuation‐angle averages of hot electron fluxes observed by the Cassini Electron Spectrometer are binned into 0.1 Rs bins in dipole L to explore the properties of this cutoff distance. The cutoff L shell is quite variable from pass to pass (on timescales as short as 10–20 h). At energies of 5797 eV, 2054 eV, and 728 eV, 90% of the inner boundary values lie between L ~ 4.7 and 8.4, with a median near L = 6.2, consistent with the range of L values over which discrete interchange injections have been observed, thus strengthening the case that the interchange process is responsible for delivering the bulk of the hot electrons seen in the inner magnetosphere. The occurrence distribution of the inner boundary is more sharply peaked on the nightside than at other local times. There is no apparent dependence of the depth of penetration on large‐scale solar wind properties. It appears likely that internal processes (magnetic stress on mass‐loaded flux tubes) are dominating the injection of hot electrons into the inner magnetosphere.
In vivo response of GsdmA3Dfl/+ mice to topically applied fish oil – effects on cellular markers and macrophages
Authors: Zulfakar Mohd Hanif , Porter Rebecca M. , Heard Charles M.
Published: June 2016

Psoriasis is an incurable autoimmune disease characterized by patches of abnormal red, itchy and scaly skin. This work examined the modulation of inflammation, hyperproliferation and immune cell markers following topical application of fish oil (FO) in comparison to the antipsoriatic agents, betamethasone dipropionate (BD) and salicylic acid (SA), to GsdmA3Dfl/+ mice, a hair loss mutant which also exhibits epidermal hyperproliferation akin to psoriasis. The mice were dosed with 100 mg of the test formulation and after 10 days, the mice were sacrificed, skin sections excised and subjected to immunohistochemical determination of COX‐2, K17 and MAC‐1; and immunofluorescence of Ki‐67. Unchanged expression of the proinflammatory enzyme COX‐2 was observed in all treatments, suggesting the noninvolvement of COX‐2 in the aetiology of cutaneous aberration seen in GsdmA3Dfl/+ mice. Intense staining of K17 and MAC‐1 in the FO‐treated group mirrored the epidermal thickening seen observed in live mice by optical coherence tomography (OCT). The ratio of Ki‐67‐positive nuclei per 100 basal cells indicated that hyperproliferation of keratinocytes occurred in FO‐treated mice and the opposite was true for BD‐treated mice. There was a positive correlation (R2 0.995) between Ki‐67 and the epidermal thickness data observed previously. In all immunochemical procedures, the combined BD, SA and FO formulation did not show any significant difference with the control group, reflecting observations seen previously. In conclusion, the epidermal changes observed following topical FO treatment on GsdmA3Dfl/+ mice involves an increase in cellular proliferation and macrophages, although COX‐2 does not appear to play an important role.
Direct Application of Specially Formulated Scent Compositions (AromaStick®) Prolongs Attention and Enhances Visual Scanning Speed
Authors: Schneider Rainer
Published: June 2016

Recently, a series of experiments demonstrated that direct stimulation of the olfactory system by means of an odor inhaler targets brain areas associated with stress reduction and pain relief. This paper follows up on these findings and investigates whether such effects can also be found for inhalers specially designed to increase attention and concentration. In a three‐armed, randomized, controlled experiment participants' cognitive ability to discriminate between similar visual stimuli was tested either with or without the use of an odor inhaler. Concentration, visual scanning speed, and accuracy were assessed to gauge differential effects. Both odor inhalers outperformed the control condition where no odor was used. The effects were large and showed in all parameters. The direct application of specially designed essential oil compositions enhances attention and concentration when used during short‐term breaks in a stressful and attention‐demanding cognitive task.Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distributed Practice and Retrieval Practice in Primary School Vocabulary Learning: A Multi‐classroom Study
Authors: Goossens Nicole A. M. C. , Camp Gino , Verkoeijen Peter P. J. L. , Tabbers Huib K. , Bouwmeester Samantha , Zwaan Rolf A.
Published: June 2016

Distributed practice and retrieval practice are promising learning strategies to use in education. We examined the effects of these strategies in primary school vocabulary lessons. Grades 2, 3, 4, and 6 children performed exercises that were part of the regular curriculum. For the distributed practice manipulation, the children performed six exercises distributed within 1 week (short‐lag repetition) or across 2 weeks (long‐lag repetition). For the repetition type manipulation, children copied a part of the description of a word (restudy) or recalled the description (retrieval practice). At the end of each week, the children received a cued‐recall vocabulary test. After 1 to 11 weeks they received a multiple‐choice vocabulary test. Both on the cued‐recall test and on the multiple‐choice test no benefits of long‐lag repetition and retrieval practice were found. These results put into question the practical value of long‐lag repetition and retrieval practice in real‐life primary school vocabulary lessons.Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐Propelled Supercapacitors for On‐Demand Circuit Configuration Based on WS2 Nanoparticles Micromachines
Authors: Mayorga‐Martinez Carmen C. , Moo James Guo Sheng , Khezri Bahareh , Song Peng , Fisher Adrian C. , Sofer Zdeněk , Pumera Martin
Published: June 2016

The miniaturization of energy storage microcapacitors to develop portable electronic devices has been of high recent interest. Here, microsupercapacitors microrobot is fabricated using membrane template‐assisted electrodeposition of WS2 nanoparticles (WS2NPs)/polyaniline (PANI) and platinum (Pt) layers. The microrobot navigates in the microchannel and attaches itself as part of the electrical circuit. The attached WS2NPs‐PANI/Pt microrobots enhance the capacitive behavior of the circuit significantly. The results presented in this work open the door for the development of smart and miniaturized functional micromotors that are able to self‐assemble to on‐demand circuits.
Nonvolatile Charge Injection Memory Based on Black Phosphorous 2D Nanosheets for Charge Trapping and Active Channel Layers
Authors: Lee Young Tack , Lee Junyeong , Ju Hyunsu , Lim Jung Ah , Yi Yeonjin , Choi Won Kook , Hwang Do Kyung , Im Seongil
Published: June 2016

2D van der Waals atomic crystal materials have great potential for use in future nanoscale electronic and optoelectronic applications owing to their unique properties such as a tunable energy band gap according to their thickness or number of layers. Recently, black phosphorous (BP) has attracted significant interest because it is a single‐component material like graphene and has high mobility, a direct band gap, and exhibits ambipolar transition behavior. This study reports on a charge injection memory field‐effect transistor on a glass substrate, where few‐layer BPs act as the active channel and charge trapping layers, and Al2O3 films grown by atomic layer deposition act as the tunneling and blocking layers. Because of the ambipolar properties of BP nanosheets, both electrons and holes are involved in the charge trapping process, resulting in bilateral threshold voltage shifts with a large memory window of 22 V. Finally, a memory circuit of a resistive‐load inverter is implemented that converts analog signals (current) to digital signals (voltage). Such a memory inverter also shows a clear memory window and distinct memory on/off switching characteristics.
Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Diastereoselective Cycloisomerization of Enynes with Tethered (S)‐2‐Methyl‐2‐propanesulfinyl Imine
Authors: Oonishi Yoshihiro , Hato Yoshio , Sato Yoshihiro
Published: June 2016

The rhodium(I)‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of enynes with tethered (S)‐2‐methyl‐2‐propanesulfinyl imine affords 5‐ or 6‐membered cyclic compounds containing exocyclic 1,3‐diene moieties in a stereoselective manner. The reaction proceeds through β‐hydride elimination of a 7‐membered azarhodacycle intermediate, which is generated from three unsaturated bonds (i.e., alkene, alkyne, and CN bonds) and an Rh(I) complex. The resultant cyclic compounds could be reacted with various dienophiles to afford spiroamides as single isomers through the Diels–Alder reaction.

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Retrospective Economic Analysis of Foot and Mouth Disease Eradication in the Latin American Beef Sector
Authors: Countryman Amanda M. , Hagerman Amy D.
Published: June 2016

Foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) damaged Latin America's beef sector through both production losses and limits to international market access in the early to mid‐2000s. Using a base year of 2001, we utilize historical FMD outbreak data and a global economic model to estimate the consequences of FMD on domestic beef production, prices and trade across markets in multiple Latin American countries. Results show that, had FMD been prevented in 2001, Latin America may have benefited from increased access to the world market but relatively small impacts may have occurred on world beef prices. Regional welfare could have improved over observed 2001 market conditions. Regionally, Uruguay may have benefited most if production losses resulting from FMD would have been mitigated. [JEL Classifications: F10; Q11; Q17].
Manipulation of the drug‐release behavior of poly(glycolide‐co‐trimethylene carbonate)
Authors: Nochos Argyrios N. , Andrikopoulos Konstantinos S. , Voyiatzis George A.
Published: June 2016

The current work focuses on Maxon, a modern biocompatible/bioabsorbable polymer, utilized in the fabrication of surgical sutures, and attempts to explore the limits of controlling the administration rate of a properly incorporated model drug, mitoxandrone dihydrochloride. The control is attempted by tailoring both the structural properties of the host polymer, more specifically its crystallinity and anisotropy, and the level of drug dispersion achieved after following different incorporation methods such as melt and dissolution mixing. The results, based on optical and electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV–vis spectroscopy, indicate that the structural parameters invoked may enable fine‐tuning of the drug dose released within a 60‐day period. Additionally, the burst effect of the active agent at the early stages of release is regulated by adjusting the drug dispersion level. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43915.
Carbon nanofibers from renewable bioresources (lignin) and a recycled commodity polymer [poly(ethylene terephthalate)]
Authors: Svinterikos Efstratios , Zuburtikudis Ioannis
Published: June 2016

Utilizing inexpensive biorenewable and waste raw materials for the production of carbon nanofibers can pave the way for lowering their manufacturing cost. In this research, lignin is combined with recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) to fabricate precursor fibers via electrospinning. The process is optimized using the Design of Experiments statistical methodology and fibers with minimum average diameter equal to 191 ± 60 nm are prepared. Investigation with Attenuated Total Reflection – Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy reveals the lignin structural changes induced by the solvent (trifluoroacetic acid), which is used for the preparation of homogeneous solutions of lignin and PET in various concentrations, while it gives an indication of the blending of the two electrospun polymers. The good miscibility between lignin and PET is also confirmed with Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The subsequent carbonization of the precursor fibrous mats results in a fibrous carbon structure with average fiber diameters similar to those of the precursor fibers. The successful transformation into carbon nanofibers is affirmed by Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy. The Carbon content of these nanofibers amounts to 94.3%. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43936.
Fabrication and improved performance of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) for packaging by addition of high molecular weight natural rubber
Authors: Modi Sunny J. , Cornish Katrina , Koelling Kurt , Vodovotz Yael
Published: June 2016

The packaging industry is searching for alternative materials to attain environmental sustainability. Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) is a semicrystalline polymer that meets this sustainability goal since it is bioderived and biodegradable. However, its brittle nature and relatively high water permeation and transmission rates make it unsuitable for packaging applications. In addition, PHBV has poor mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties above 160 °C, limiting its use in cast sheets and thermo‐formed packaging applications. To improve these properties, new blends of PHBV with high molecular weight natural rubber at 5, 10, 15, and 25% by weight were fabricated, and physico‐chemical properties of the blends were characterized. The rubber in the blends aided in the following: increased thermal stability since the complex viscosities of the blends were improved by one log over pure PHBV at 170 °C, created more uniform melting peaks attesting to improved homogeneity, decreased water permeation to a level similar to that of traditional thermoplastics; increased the elongation at break, and stabilized the Young's modulus. Therefore, these blends can potentially be used in‐place of traditional, petroleum‐based thermoplastics in cast sheets and thermoforms. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43937.
Cationic hybrids from poly(N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) covalently crosslinked with chloroalkyl silicone derivatives effective in binding anionic dyes
Authors: Lazar Maria Marinela , Varganici Cristian–Dragos , Cazacu Maria , Dragan Ecaterina Stela
Published: June 2016

The synthesis and characterization of some novel ionic organic/inorganic hybrids containing quaternary ammonium salt groups in the side chain, built on the basis of poly(N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), as an organic component and cation provider, and chloroalkyl‐functionalized silicone derivatives as crosslinkers and anion generators, are reported in this work. The resulted structures were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The swelling behavior of the ionic hybrids in water as a function of pH as well as the water vapor sorption capacity in dynamic regime was also studied. The cationic hybrids have a higher swelling capacity at pH 2 compared with deionized water (pH 6) due to the presence of tertiary amine groups belonging to the organic compound. The ionic organic/inorganic hybrids were tested as potential sorbents for anionic species such as dyes [e.g., methyl orange (MO)]. The equilibrium sorption capacity increased with the increase of the organic component up to around 32 mg MO/g hybrid. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43942.
Efficiency of silver‐based antibacterial additives and its influence in thermoplastic elastomers
Authors: Tomacheski Daiane , Pittol Michele , Ferreira Ribeiro Vanda , Marlene Campomanes Santana Ruth
Published: June 2016

Styrene‐butylene/ethylene‐styrene‐based thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are polymers with soft touch properties that are widely used for manufacturing devices that involve hand contact. However, when contaminated with microorganisms these products can contribute to spreading diseases. The incorporation of antibacterial additives can help maintain low bacteria counts. This work evaluated the antibacterial action of TPE loaded with silver ions and silver nanoparticles. The additives nanosilver on fumed silica (NpAg_silica), silver phosphate glass (Ag+_phosphate), and bentonite organomodified with silver (Ag+_bentonite) were added to the TPE formulation. The compounds were evaluated for tensile and thermal properties and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). All the additives eliminated over 90% of E. coli, but only NpAg_silica killed more than 80% of S. aureus population. The better effect of NpAg_silica was attributed to the additive's high specific surface area, which promoted greater contact with bacteria cells. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43956.
A pre‐polyaddition mediation of castor oil for polyurethane formation
Authors: Sharma Chandan , Edatholath Saji S. , Raman Unni A. , Umasankar Patro T. , Aswal Vinod K. , Rath Sangram K. , Harikrishnan G.
Published: June 2016

We report a simple, serendipitous, two step mediation that overcomes the polyaddition threshold of castor oil during polyurethane formation. The mediation facilitates formation of polyurethane systems directly from castor oil without triricinolein chain extension or the use of supplementary hydroxyl compounds. The mediation involves refluxing castor oil with n‐Butyl lithium in the presence of a solvent followed by water addition. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this mediation by successfully generating two important polyurethane systems (foam and coating) from castor oil. We identify that the mediation introduces two new compounds in castor oil namely, a lithiated diglyceride and a lithium salt of fatty acid. We characterize the new polyurethane synthesized for their hard‐soft segmented morphology, glass transition temperature, and thermomechanical properties. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43964.
Neuronal Nogo‐A in New‐born Retinal Ganglion Cells: Implication for the Formation of the Age‐related Fiber Order in the Optic Tract
Authors: Su Dongqiang , Liu Huaicun , Chan Sun‐on , Wang Jun
Published: June 2016

Nogo‐A is highly expressed in oligodendrocytes in the adult central nervous system (CNS). Recently it was found that Nogo‐A is also expressed in some neuronal types during development. Here, we examined the expression pattern of Nogo‐A in both the retina and optic tract (OT) of mouse embryos from E12 to E15. After perturbation of its function in the OT for 5 hr in the brain slice culture system using a Nogo‐A specific antibody or antagonist of its receptor (NEP1‐40), the optic nerve fibers and growth cones were traced with DiI. We showed that most Tuj‐1 positive new‐born neurons at E12 were Nogo‐A positive. At E15, retinal neurons reduced the Nogo‐A expression. It was worth noting that some projecting axons expressed Nogo‐A along the retinofugal pathway. On the basis of their specific locations within the superficial half of the OT and the colocalization with GAP‐43 (a marker for the newly born growth cones and axons), we concluded that those Nogo‐A positive axons were the newly arrived retinal fibers. Blocking the function of Nogo‐A with Nogo‐A antibody or NEP1‐40 resulted in the shift of DiI labeled axons and growth cones from the superficial half to the whole depth of the OT. These results indicate that Nogo‐A in the newly born retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons are involved in sorting out the newly arrived axons to the subpial region of the OT. Anat Rec, 299:1027–1036, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Unveiling the Pathways of Dioxygen Through the C2 Component of the Environmentally Relevant Monooxygenase p‐Hydroxyphenylacetate Hydroxylase from Acinetobacter baumannii: A Molecular Dynamics Investigation
Authors: Pietra Francesco
Published: June 2016

In this work, models of the homotetrameric C2 component of the monooxygenase p‐hydroxyphenylacetate hydroxylase from Acinetobacter baumannii, in complex with dioxygen (O2) and, or not, the substrate p‐hydroxyphenylacetate (HPA) were built. Both models proved to be amenable to random‐acceleration molecular dynamics (RAMD) simulations, whereby a tiny randomly oriented external force, acting on O2 at the active site in front of flavin mononucleotide (FMNH−), accelerated displacement of O2 toward the bulk solvent. This allowed us to carry out a sufficiently large number of RAMD simulations to be of statistical significance. The two systems behaved very similarly under RAMD, except for O2 leaving the active site more easily in the absence of HPA, but then finding similar obstacles in getting to the gate as when the active site was sheltered by HPA. This challenges previous conclusions that HPA can only reach the active center after that the C4aOOH derivative of FMNH− is formed, requiring uptake of O2 at the active site before HPA. According to these RAMD simulations, O2 could well get to FMNH− also in the presence of the substrate at the active site.
Mass Transfer and Hydrodynamic Aspects of Kinetics Studies in Light Oil Sweetening: A Review
Authors: Ganguly Sudip K. , Varun Neetu , Sharma Anshul , Gill Kareena , Gupta Poonam , Jain Suman L. , Pellegrini Laura A.
Published: June 2016

LPG (liquid petroleum gas) sweetening is a very important refining process in which mercaptans are extracted from LPG by caustic solution, resulting in mercaptide salts. Subsequently, these mercaptides are oxidized in the presence of air and catalyst to disulphides involving gas liquid (G‐L) reactions in an oxidizer. This review discusses design and operational aspects of a laboratory G‐L oxidizer which are essential for determination of intrinsic kinetic parameters of the mercaptide oxidation step. These kinetic parameters are subsequently used for scale‐up and design of grass root industrial scale oxidizers. The sweetening is categorized as a slow reaction. Hence, reaction takes place both in the film and the bulk. Transport of oxygen across the air to the aqueous alkaline phase in the oxidizer is critical and controlled by the liquid film mass transport term. Thus, oxygen transportation limitations need to be overcome and ensured before conducting kinetic studies. This paper fills the gap between laboratory reactor design and operational aspects by presenting a detailed review on chemical engineering analysis for maximization of the volumetric mass transfer coefficient using operational aspects of an agitated sparged G‐L reactor.
Process Engineering Aspects of Vertical Column Photobioreactors for Mass Production of Microalgae
Authors: Pawar Sanjay B.
Published: June 2016

Microalgae cultivation can be made sustainable on a large‐scale by lowering the costs associated with closed photobioreactors (PBRs). It can be achieved through the appropriate design of closed PBRs to achieve maximum productivity. The cultivation of microalgae is very sensitive to temperature, pH, shear stress, irradiance, and operating conditions of the PBR. The understanding of design parameters is a prerequisite for scale‐up of gas‐sparged vertical column PBRs. The hydrodynamics of gas‐sparged vertical column PBRs play a very critical role in the optimum production of microalgae and avoiding the carbon loss (unabsorbed CO2 out of total supplied). In this article, the effects of design parameters on microalgae productivity in various vertical column PBRs, i.e., flat panel, bubble column, and airlift (draft tube) column, are critically reviewed. The microalgae production in PBRs is essentially a three‐phase operation. Hence, the hydrodynamic aspects of two‐ and three‐phase flow in the vertical column PBR are emphasized with respect to its scale‐up prospect. The flow regimes and CFD modeling aspects of gas‐sparged PBRs are also covered in this review.
Platelet aggregation and serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in pregnancy associated with diabetes, hypertension and HIV
Authors: Leal Claudio A. M. , Leal Daniela B. R. , Adefegha Stephen A. , Morsch Vera M. , da Silva José E. P. , Rezer João F. P. , Schrekker Clarissa M. L. , Abdalla Faida H. , Schetinger Maria R. C.
Published: June 2016

Platelet aggregation and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity were evaluated in pregnant women living with some disease conditions including hypertension, diabetes mellitus and human immunodeficiency virus infection. The subject population is consisted of 15 non‐pregnant healthy women [control group (CG)], 15 women with normal pregnancy (NP), 7 women with hypertensive pregnancy (HP), 10 women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 12 women with human immunodeficiency virus‐infected pregnancy (HIP) groups. The aggregation of platelets was checked using an optical aggregometer, and serum ADA activity was determined using the colorimetric method. After the addition of 5 µM of agonist adenosine diphosphate, the percentage of platelet aggregation was significantly (p < 0·05) increased in NP, HP, GDM and HIP groups when compared with the CG, while the addition of 10 µM of the same agonist caused significant (p < 0·05) elevations in HP, GDM and HIP groups when compared with CG. Furthermore, ADA activity was significantly (p < 0·05) enhanced in NP, HP, GDM and HIP groups when compared with CG. In this study, the increased platelet aggregation and ADA activity in pregnancy and pregnancy‐associated diseases suggest that platelet aggregation and ADA activity could serve as peripheral markers for the development of effective therapy in the maintenance of homeostasis and some inflammatory process in these pathophysiological conditions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Cytochrome P450‐Mediated Intramolecular Carbon–Carbon Ring Closure in the Biosynthesis of Multidrug‐Resistance‐Reversing Lathyrane Diterpenoids
Authors: King Andrew J. , Brown Geoffrey D. , Gilday Alison D. , Forestier Edith , Larson Tony R. , Graham Ian A.
Published: June 2016

The Euphorbiaceae produce a wide variety of bioactive diterpenoids. These include the lathyranes, which have received much interest due to their ability to inhibit the ABC transporters responsible for the loss of efficacy of many chemotherapy drugs. The lathyranes are also intermediates in the biosynthesis of range of other bioactive diterpenoids with potential applications in the treatment of pain, HIV and cancer. We report here a gene cluster from Jatropha curcas that contains the genes required to convert geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate into a number of diterpenoids, including the lathyranes jolkinol C and epi‐jolkinol C. The conversion of casbene to the lathyranes involves an intramolecular carbon–carbon ring closure. This requires the activity of two cytochrome P450s that we propose form a 6‐hydroxy‐5,9‐diketocasbene intermediate, which then undergoes an aldol reaction. The discovery of the P450 genes required to convert casbene to lathyranes will allow the scalable heterologous production of these potential anticancer drugs, which can often only be sourced in limited quantities from their native plant.