bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coordinating ecological risk assessment with natural resource damage assessment: A panel discussion
Authors: Sanders Brenda , Ammann Mike , Hoff Rebecca , Huston Mark , Jenkins Kenneth , Palagyi Tony , Pelto Karen , Rettig Todd , Wagner Anne
Published: October 2015

Contaminated sites in the United States undergo remediation and restoration through regulatory programs that lead the 2 processes through independent but often parallel pathways with different objectives. The objective of remediation is to reduce risk to human health and the environment, whereas that of restoration is to restore injured resources and compensate the public for lost use of the services that natural resources provide. More complex sites, such as those associated with large river systems and urban waterways, have resulted in increasingly larger-scale ecological risk assessments (ERAs) and natural resource damage assessments (NRDAs) that take many years and involve diverse practitioners including scientists, economists, and engineers. Substantial levels of effort are now frequently required, creating a need for more efficient and cost-effective approaches to data collection, analyses, and assessments. Because there are commonalities in the data needs between ERAs and NRDAs, coordination of the design and implementation of site-specific studies that meet the needs of both programs could result in increased efficiency and lower costs. The Association for Environmental Health and Sciences Foundation convened a panel of environmental practitioners from industry, consulting, and regulatory bodies to examine the benefits and challenges associated with coordinating ERA and NRDA activities in the context of a broad range of regulatory programs. This brief communication presents the opinions and conclusions of the panelists on these issues and reports 2 case studies for which coordinated ERA and NRDA activities produced a positive outcome. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:616–621. © 2015 SETAC
Smokeless tobacco‐associated cancers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of Indian studies
Authors: Sinha Dhirendra N. , Abdulkader Rizwan Suliankatchi , Gupta Prakash C.
Published: October 2015

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has concluded that there is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of smokeless tobacco (SLT) for mouth, oesophagus and pancreas, based largely on Western studies. We wanted to confirm this by conducting a systematic review using Indian studies because India faces the biggest brunt of SLT‐attributable health effects. A systematic search was conducted for published and unpublished studies. Two authors independently reviewed the studies and extracted data. Summary odds ratio (OR) for each cancer type was calculated using fixed and random effects model. The population attributable fraction (PAF) method was used to calculate the attributable burden of incident cases. A significant association was found for oral—5.55 (5.07, 6.07), pharyngeal—2.69 (2.28, 3.17), laryngeal—2.84 (2.18, 3.70), oesophageal—3.17 (2.76, 3.63) and stomach—1.26 (1.00, 1.60) cancers. But in random effects model, laryngeal—1.79 (0.70, 4.54) and stomach—1.31 (0.92, 1.87) cancers became non‐significantly associated. Gender‐wise analysis revealed that women had a higher risk (OR = 12.0 vs. 5.16) of oral but a lower risk (1.9 vs. 4.5) of oesophageal cancer compared with men. For oral cancer, studies that adjusted for smoking, alcohol and other factors reported a significantly lower OR compared with studies that adjusted for smoking only or smoking and alcohol only (3.9 vs. 8.4). The annual number of attributable cases was calculated as 49,192 (PAF = 60%) for mouth, 14,747 (51%) for pharynx, 11,825 (40%) for larynx, 14,780 (35%) for oesophagus and 3,101 (8%) for stomach.
Real Time Metastatic Route Tracking of Orthotopic PC‐3‐GFP Human Prostate Cancer Using Intravital Imaging
Authors: Zhang Yong , Wang Xiaoen , Hoffman Robert M. , Seki Naohiko
Published: October 2015

The cellular basis of metastasis is poorly understood. An important step to understanding this process is to be able to visualize the routes by which cancer cells migrate from the primary tumor to various distant sites to eventually form metastasis. Our laboratory previously developed single‐cell in vivo imaging using fluorescent proteins to label cancer cells. In the present study, using PC‐3 human prostate cancer cells labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and orthotopic tumor transplantation, we have imaged in live mice various highly diverse routes by which PC‐3 cells metastasize superiorly and inferiorly to distant sites, including in the portal area, stomach area, and urogenital system. Imaging began at day 9, at which time distant metastasis had already occurred, and increased at each imaging point at days 10, 13, 14, and 16. Metastatic cells were observed migrating superiorly and inferiorly from the primary tumor as well as in lymphatic channels and trafficking in various organ systems demonstrating that PC‐3 has multiple metastatic routes similar to hormone‐independent advanced‐stage prostate cancer in the clinic. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1027–1032, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Macrophage‐Associated Osteoactivin/GPNMB Mediates Mesenchymal Stem Cell Survival, Proliferation, and Migration Via a CD44‐Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Yu Bing , Sondag Gregory R. , Malcuit Christopher , Kim Min‐Ho , Safadi Fayez F.
Published: October 2015

Although MSCs have been widely recognized to have therapeutic potential in the repair of injured or diseased tissues, it remains unclear how functional activities of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are influenced by the surrounding inflammatory milieu at the site of tissue injury. Macrophages constitute an essential component of innate immunity and have been shown to exhibit a phenotypic plasticity in response to various stimuli, which play a central role in both acute inflammation and wound repair. Osteoactivin (OA)/Glycoprotein non‐metastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB), a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a role in cell differentiation, survival, and angiogenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential role of OA/GPNMB in macrophage‐induced MSC function. We found that reparative M2 macrophages express significantly greater levels of OA/GPNMB than pro‐inflammatory M1 macrophages. Furthermore, using loss of function and rescue studies, we demonstrated that M2 macrophages‐secreted OA/GPNMB positively regulates the viability, proliferation, and migration of MSCs. More importantly, we demonstrated that OA/GPNMB acts through ERK and AKT signaling pathways in MSCs via CD44, to induce these effects. Taken together, our results provide pivotal insight into the mechanism by which OA/GPNMB contributes to the tissue reparative phenotype of M2 macrophages and positively regulates functional activities of MSCs. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1511–1521, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ab Initio spectroscopic characterization of borane, BH, in its electronic state
Authors: Koput Jacek
Published: October 2015

The accurate potential energy and electric dipole moment functions of borane, BH, in its
electronic state have been determined from ab initio calculations using the multireference averaged coupled‐pair functional method in conjunction with the correlation‐consistent core‐valence basis sets up to septuple‐zeta quality. The higher‐order electron correlation, scalar relativistic, adiabatic, and nonadiabatic effects were discussed. Vibration‐rotation energy levels of the 11BH, 11BD, 10BH, and 10BD isotopologues were predicted to near “spectroscopic” accuracy. For the main isotopologue 11BH, the adiabatic dissociation energy D0 and the effective equilibrium internuclear distance re were predicted to be 28 469 ± 10 cm−1 and 1.23214 ± 0.0001 Å, respectively. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intravitreal Injection of a Rho‐Kinase Inhibitor (Fasudil) for Recent‐Onset Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Sanjari Nasrin , Pakravan Mohammad , Nourinia Ramin , Esfandiari Hamed , Hafezi‐Moghadam Ali , Zandi Souska , Nakao Shintaro , Shah‐Heidari Mohamamad‐Hassan , Jamali Arsia , Yaseri Mehdi , Ahmadieh Hamid
Published: October 2015

This study evaluated the effects of intravitreal injection of fasudil (IVF), a Rho‐kinase inhibitor, in cases of recent‐onset nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). In this interventional case series, 13 eyes of 13 patients diagnosed with NAION within 14 days of onset were included. The affected eyes received a 0.025 mg/0.05 mL IVF. Functional and structural outcomes were assessed 1 and 3 months following treatment. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was the main outcome measured, with mean deviation (MD) index of the VF test and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness as secondary measures. There was a statistically significant improvement in the patients’ BCVA 1 and 3 months following IVF; BCVA improved from 1.69 ± 0.55 logMAR at baseline to 0.98 ± 0.47 and 0.93 ± 0.51 logMAR at 1 and 3 months, respectively (P = .004). The change in BCVA was not significant between month 1 and month 3 (P = .22). Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness decreased from 173.5 ± 29.28 µm in the baseline evaluation to 85.8 ± 8.8 µm at 1 month, and 62.9 ± 5.97 µm at 3 months (P = .003). MD values changed from 24.60 ± 3.80 to 21.0 ± 6.10 and 20.5 ± 6.50 at 1 and 3 months, respectively (P = .007 and .005, respectively). This pilot study suggests that IVF may be an effective treatment for patients with recent‐onset NAION. Larger studies are required to establish the therapeutic role of fasudil for NAION.
Strategic Integration: How to Realize the Value of an Acquisition
Authors: Recardo Ronald J. , Toterhi Tim
Published: October 2015

When organizational leaders can no longer achieve their goals through internal growth engines, they often embark on a merger or acquisition. Many of those transactions, however, falter when leaders fail to achieve the synergies they had expected, typically because of overvaluation of the target organization and a narrow focus on the closing. A significant portion of the blame also can usually be attributed to a misalignment with original deal drivers and a poor integration process. By employing a scalable playbook of tactics and tools to streamline processes, improve teamwork, bolster morale, and purposefully allocate resources, organizational leaders can stabilize their operations during times of change, ensuring the success of their merger and acquisition efforts in both the short and long terms. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Big Data and Business Intelligence: Debunking the Myths
Authors: Kimble Chris , Milolidakis Giannis
Published: October 2015

Offering unprecedented levels of intelligence concerning the habits of consumers and rivals, big data promises to revolutionize the way enterprises are run. And yet, the concept of big data is one of the most poorly understood terms in business today. The implications for big data analytics are not as straightforward as they might seem—particularly when it comes to the so‐called dark data from social media. Increases in the volume of data, the velocity with which they are generated and captured, and the variety of formats in which they are delivered all must be taken into account. To make the best use of the ever‐burgeoning store of knowledge and insight at their fingertips, organizational leaders must confront two commonly held fallacies: that methodological issues no longer matter and that big data offers a complete and unbiased source of information on which to base their decisions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Conceptual Framework for Assessing the Use of Strategic Management Accounting in Small and Medium Enterprises
Authors: Kalkhouran Abolfazl Amanollah Nejad , Rasid Siti Zaleha Abdul , Sofian Saudah , Nedaei Bahareh Hossein Nezhad
Published: October 2015

Studies on how small‐ and medium‐size enterprises (SMEs) can use strategic management accounting techniques to meet the challenges imposed by rapidly changing technology and increasing global competition are limited. Tapping into both contingency theory and upper echelon theory, a new framework for leaders of SMEs highlights the effect of perceived environmental uncertainty, advanced manufacturing technology, and CEO characteristics on their decisions regarding the use of strategic management accounting techniques, which ultimately may have an impact on firm performance. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Infiltration and Runoff Generation Under Various Cropping Patterns in the Red Soil Region of China
Authors: Wang Yi , Fan Jianbo , Cao Longxi , Liang Yin
Published: October 2015

Soil and surface water runoff are the major causes of cropland degradation in the hilly red soil region of China. Appropriate tillage practices are urgently needed to reduce erosion and protect the soil surface. In this study, five tillage systems [manure fertiliser (PM), straw mulch cover (PC), peanut–orange intercropping (PO), peanut–radish rotation (PR) and traditional farrow peanut (PF)] were compared in terms of soil infiltration and the capacity to generate runoff. Based on field‐plot monitoring and simulated experiments, this study revealed that the organic content of the soil in the PO (19.43 g kg−1), PC (18·63 g kg−1) and PM (18·18 g kg−1) treatments increased compared with those of the PF (15·64 g kg−1) and PR (17.17 g kg−1) treatments. Moreover, the three tillage practices also enhanced the soil's aggregate stability and infiltration capacity. The average annual runoff generation rates of the treatments were as follows: PR (3,141 m3 ha−1 a−1) > PF (2,189 m3 ha−1 a−1) > PC (755 m3 ha−1 a−1) > PM (514 m3 ha−1 a−1) > PO (388 m3 ha−1 a−1). The PO treatment reduced the runoff generation rate by approximately 82·3% compared with that of the PF treatment. Among the treatments, the PO treatment had the highest threshold rainfall depth (22 mm) for runoff generation. Regression analysis revealed that the threshold rainfall depths linearly increased with the infiltration rates. The results of this study could benefit local soil management and cropland conservation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Disruption of Amyloid Prion Protein Aggregates by Cationic Pyridylphenylene Dendrimers
Authors: Sorokina Svetlana A. , Stroylova Yulia Yu. , Shifrina Zinaida B. , Muronetz Vladimir I.
Published: October 2015

Disruption of amyloid protein aggregates is one of the potential therapies for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as prion diseases. Here, for the first time we report that pH‐independent cationic pyridylphenylene dendrimers are able to disrupt amyloid protein aggregates at physiological pH as exemplified by inclusion bodies of ovine prion protein. The results show that exposure of inclusion bodies to the dendrimers leads to its partial disaggregation and release of the nanosize protein–dendrimer complexes. The complexes were characterized by SDS PAGE, DLS, and Western blotting methods. Thioflavin T fluorescence clearly demonstrated a decrease of amyloidogenic capability of the prion protein upon exposure to the dendrimers. The complexes formed are stable and do not show further aggregation.
Acidity‐Induced Destabilization of Nano‐Sized Supramolecular Linear‐Hyperbranched Polymersome for Controlled Release of Encapsulated Cargoes
Authors: Dong Xing , Yang Bin , Jia Hui‐zhen , Zhu Jing‐yi , Zhuo Ren‐xi , Feng Jun , Zhang Xian‐zheng
Published: October 2015

This study reports a linear‐hyperbranched supramolecular amphiphile and its vesicular nanoassembly with acidity‐sensitive susceptibility including volume extension and membrane rupture. Involvement of a host‐guest interaction in the amphiphilic construction allows not only facile control of the assembly types (solid and hollow nanoparticles), but also the one‐step achievement of both polymersome fabrication and drug encapsulation. The pH‐dependency of assembly stability leads to the controlled release of encapsulated hydrophilic agents in an acidity‐accelerated manner. By blocking the endosomal acidification progression using NH4Cl treatment, the lysosomal acid environment is suggested to play an important role in the drug release behavior inside cells and contributes much to nuclei‐tropic drug transport.
Nielsen‐Schreier and the Axiom of Choice
Authors: Kleppmann Philipp
Published: October 2015

The Nielsen‐Schreier theorem asserts that subgroups of free groups are free. In the first section we show that this theorem does not follow from the Linear Ordering Principle, thus strengthening the fact that it implies the Axiom of Choice for families of finite sets. In the second section, we show that a stronger variant of the Nielsen‐Schreier theorem implies the Axiom of Choice.
‐differential equations for ‐classical polynomials and ‐Jacobi–Stirling numbers
Authors: Loureiro Ana F. , Zeng Jiang
Published: October 2015

We introduce, characterise and provide a combinatorial interpretation for the so‐called q‐Jacobi–Stirling numbers. This study is motivated by their key role in the (reciprocal) expansion of any power of a second order q‐differential operator having the q‐classical polynomials as eigenfunctions in terms of other even order operators, which we explicitly construct in this work. The results here obtained can be viewed as the q‐version of those given by Everitt et al. and by the first author, whilst the combinatorics of this new set of numbers is a q‐version of the Jacobi–Stirling numbers given by Gelineau and the second author.
Photocatalyst‐Free and Blue Light‐Induced RAFT Polymerization of Vinyl Acetate at Ambient Temperature
Authors: Ding Chunlai , Fan Caiwei , Jiang Ganquan , Pan Xiangqiang , Zhang Zhengbiao , Zhu Jian , Zhu Xiulin
Published: October 2015

Vinyl acetate is polymerized in the living way under the irradiation of blue light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) or sunlight without photocatalyst at ambient temperature. 2‐(Ethoxycarbonothioyl)sulfanyl propanoate is exclusively added and acts as initiator and chain transfer agent simultaneously in the current system. Poly(vinyl acetate) with well‐regulated molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution (Đ < 1.30) is synthesized. Near quantitative end group fidelity of polymer is demonstrated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and matrix‐assisteed laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS).

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Gene‐diet interaction of a common FADS1 variant with marine polyunsaturated fatty acids for fatty acid composition in plasma and erythrocytes among men
Authors: Takkunen Markus J. , de Mello Vanessa D. , Schwab Ursula S. , Kuusisto Johanna , Vaittinen Maija , Ågren Jyrki J. , Laakso Markku , Pihlajamäki Jussi , Uusitupa Matti I. J.
Published: October 2015

Scope

Limited information exists on how the relationship between dietary intake of fat and fatty acids in erythrocytes and plasma is modulated by polymorphisms in the FADS gene cluster. We examined gene‐diet interaction of total marine PUFA intake with a known gene encoding Δ‐5 desaturase enzyme (FADS1) variant (rs174550) for fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes and plasma phospholipids (PL), cholesteryl esters (CE), and triglycerides (TG).

Methods and results

In this cross‐sectional study, fatty acid compositions were measured using GC, and total intake of polyunsaturated fat from fish and fish oil was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire in a subsample (n = 962) of the Metabolic Syndrome in Men Study. We found nominally significant gene‐diet interactions for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3) in erythrocytes (pinteraction = 0.032) and for EPA in plasma PL (pinteraction = 0.062), CE (pinteraction = 0.035), and TG (pinteraction = 0.035), as well as for docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n‐3) in PL (pinteraction = 0.007). After excluding omega‐3 supplement users, we found a significant gene‐diet interaction for EPA in erythrocytes (pinteraction < 0.003). In a separate cohort of the Kuopio Obesity Surgery Study, the same locus was strongly associated with hepatic mRNA expression of FADS1 (p = 1.5 × 10−10).

Conclusion

FADS1 variants may modulate the relationship between marine fatty acid intake and circulating levels of long‐chain omega‐3 fatty acids.
Magnetization transfer contrast–suppressed imaging of amide proton transfer and relayed nuclear overhauser enhancement chemical exchange saturation transfer effects in the human brain at 7T
Authors: Xu Xiang , Yadav Nirbhay N. , Zeng Haifeng , Jones Craig K. , Zhou Jinyuan , van Zijl Peter C. M. , Xu Jiadi
Published: October 2015

Purpose

To use the variable delay multipulse (VDMP) chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) approach to obtain clean amide proton transfer (APT) and relayed Nuclear Overhauser enhancement (rNOE) CEST images in the human brain by suppressing the conventional magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) and reducing the direct water saturation contribution.

Methods

The VDMP CEST scheme consists of a train of RF pulses with a specific mixing time. The CEST signal with respect to the mixing time shows distinguishable characteristics for protons with different exchange rates. Exchange rate filtered CEST images are generated by subtracting images acquired at two mixing times at which the MTC signals are equal, while the APT and rNOE‐CEST signals differ. Because the subtraction is performed at the same frequency offset for each voxel and the CEST signals are broad, no B0 correction is needed.

Results

MTC‐suppressed APT and rNOE‐CEST images of human brain were obtained using the VDMP method. The APT‐CEST data show hyperintensity in gray matter versus white matter, whereas the rNOE‐CEST images show negligible contrast between gray and white matter.

Conclusion

The VDMP approach provides a simple and rapid way of recording MTC‐suppressed APT‐CEST and rNOE‐CEST images without the need for B0 field correction. Magn Reson Med 75:88–96, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spin echo versus stimulated echo diffusion tensor imaging of the in vivo human heart
Authors: von Deuster Constantin , Stoeck Christian T. , Genet Martin , Atkinson David , Kozerke Sebastian
Published: October 2015

Purpose

To compare signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) efficiency and diffusion tensor metrics of cardiac diffusion tensor mapping using acceleration‐compensated spin‐echo (SE) and stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) imaging.

Methods

Diffusion weighted SE and STEAM sequences were implemented on a clinical 1.5 Tesla MR system. The SNR efficiency of SE and STEAM was measured (b = 50–450 s/mm2) in isotropic agar, anisotropic diffusion phantoms and the in vivo human heart. Diffusion tensor analysis was performed on mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy, helix and transverse angles.

Results

In the isotropic phantom, the ratio of SNR efficiency for SE versus STEAM, SNRt(SE/STEAM), was 2.84 ± 0.08 for all tested b‐values. In the anisotropic diffusion phantom the ratio decreased from 2.75 ± 0.05 to 2.20 ± 0.13 with increasing b‐value, similar to the in vivo decrease from 2.91 ± 0.43 to 2.30 ± 0.30. Diffusion tensor analysis revealed reduced deviation of helix angles from a linear transmural model and reduced transverse angle standard deviation for SE compared with STEAM. Mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy were measured to be statistically different (P < 0.001) between SE and STEAM.

Conclusion

Cardiac DTI using motion‐compensated SE yields a 2.3–2.9× increase in SNR efficiency relative to STEAM and improved accuracy of tensor metrics. The SE method hence presents an attractive alternative to STEAM based approaches. Magn Reson Med 76:862–872, 2016. © 2015 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 original work is properly cited.
Brain activity on fMRI associated with urinary bladder filling in patients with a complete spinal cord injury
Authors: Krhut Jan , Tintera Jaroslav , Bilkova Karolina , Holy Petr , Zachoval Roman , Zvara Peter , Blok B.
Published: October 2015

Objective

Patients with complete spinal cord injury (SCI) may maintain some perception of bladder fullness. The aim of the study was to evaluate brain activation arising from anticipated extraspinal sensory pathways.

Methods

Fourteen patients ages 24–54 years were enrolled, all having experienced a complete SCI (ASIA A) at C7 to T5 an average of 17 months before study entry. Urodynamic equipment was used for repeated bladder filling and detrusor activity evaluation. All functional magnetic resonance imaging measurements were performed using a Siemens Trio 3T scanner with the GRE‐EPI sequence (field of view = 192 × 192 mm, voxel 3 × 3 × 3 mm, TR/TE = 3000/30 ms, 45 slices). Nine hundred dynamic scans were acquired over 45 min. Statistical analysis was done in SPM8 using a general linear model. Statistics using t‐tests were thresholded at P = 0.001.

Results

We excluded results from two patients because of activation artifacts. In 8 of 12 patients, significant brain activity was observed during urinary bladder filling. We found significant activation clusters at the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) (3/8), parabrachial nucleus (PBN) (4/8), hypothalamus (4/8), thalamus (6/8), amygdala (7/8), insular lobe (5/8), anterior cingulate gyrus (5/8), and prefrontal cortex (8/8). Activations in nuclei involved in afferents likely from the vagal nerve (NTS and PBN) correlated significantly with reported bladder sensations.

Conclusions

These data suggest that extraspinal sensory pathways may develop following SCI and that vagal nerve may play a role in re‐innervation of the urinary bladder. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:155–159, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Physically based modeling of shear modulus‐temperature relationship for thermosets
Authors: Sun Wei , Vassilopoulos Anastasios P. , Keller Thomas
Published: October 2015

A new physically based model for the simulation of the imaginary part of the shear modulus‐temperature (G″‐T) curve of thermosets is introduced in this paper. The model is based on the modification of the G″‐T equation used for thermoplastic polymers via the introduction of two new formulations regarding the calculation of the configuration probability and the velocity matrix of the examined thermosets. The formulations for the calculation of the probability of configuration and the velocity matrix of the polymer chain were modified according to the cross‐linking structure of thermosets. In addition, an arctangent function is proposed to consider the effect of temperature on the mean square separation of the ends of the sub‐molecules. All the parameters necessary to calibrate the model can be either estimated or experimentally derived using low‐frequency dynamic mechanical analysis. The newly introduced model is based on a sound physical background, and can be used for the investigation of the effect of the molecular structure of thermosets on their loss modulus and their glass transition temperature. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:2893–2898, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Inverse gas chromatography study of polyvinylacetate–solvent and polyethylene–solvent systems
Authors: Camacho Javier , Díez Eduardo , Gómez Lourdes , Ovejero Gabriel
Published: October 2015

In this article, the thermodynamic behavior of polyvinylacetate (PVAc)–solvent, and polyethylene (PE)–solvent mixtures have been studied by determining the thermodynamic sorption parameters (enthalpy, entropy, and free energy), the mass‐based solvent activity coefficients (Ω) and the Flory Huggins parameters (χ), by means of inverse gas chromatography (IGC) measurements. According to the Flory Huggins parameters of the PE–solvent mixtures, determined between 40 and 60°C the compatibility (the ability to interact with each other) of this polymer with the different types of solvents follows this order: dispersion solvents > polar solvents > association solvents. In the case of PVAc mixtures, the thermodynamic parameters were determined between 60 and 80°C, only for polar‐type and association‐type solvents due to, in the studied temperature range, the retention diagrams of dispersion solvents show that there are not bulk interactions. The Hildebrand solubility parameters of both polymers were also determined, according to Guillet procedure. The higher values of PVAc material (14.1 MPa0.5 for PE and 19.8 MPa0.5 for PVAc, at 60°C) are related to the strong interactions of vinyl acetate monomer. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:36–43, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Expression of proteins in superior and inferior spikelets of rice during grain filling under different irrigation regimes
Authors: Chen Tingting , Xu Genwen , Wang Zhiqin , Zhang Hao , Yang Jianchang , Zhang Jianhua
Published: October 2015

Poor grain filling of later‐flowering inferior spikelets is a serious problem in modern rice cultivars, but the reason and regulation remain unclear. This study investigated post‐anthesis protein expression in relation with grain filling and the possibility to use irrigation methods to enhance grain filling through regulating protein expression. One japonica rice cultivar was field‐grown under three irrigation treatments imposed during the grain filling period: alternate wetting and moderate soil‐drying (WMD), alternate wetting and severe soil‐drying (WSD), and conventional irrigation. High resolution 2DE, combined with MALDI/TOF, was used to compare differential protein expression between superior and inferior spikelets. Results showed that the expression of proteins that function in photosynthesis, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, amino acids metabolism and defense responses were largely down‐regulated in inferior spikelets compared to those in superior spikelets. The WMD treatment enhanced grain filling rate and the expression of these proteins, whereas the WSD treatment decreased them. Similar results were observed for transcript levels of the genes encoding these proteins. These results suggest that down‐regulated expression of the proteins associated with grain filling contribute to the poor grain filling of inferior spikelets, and post‐anthesis WMD could improve grain filling through regulating protein expression in the spikelets.
Efficient and robust coatings using poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) and its copolymers for marine and bacterial fouling prevention
Authors: He Tao , Jańczewski Dominik , Jana Satyasankar , Parthiban Anbanandam , Guo Shifeng , Zhu Xiaoying , Lee Serina Siew‐Chen , Parra‐Velandia Fernando Jose , Teo Serena Lay‐Ming , Vancso G. Julius
Published: October 2015

Molecular design, fabrication, and properties of thin‐film coatings based on poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PMOX) and its copolymers were investigated to tackle problem of marine and bacterial fouling prevention. The ultraviolet crosslinkable macromonomer poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) dimethylacrylate was synthesized by cationic ring‐opening polymerization in a microwave reactor initiated by 1,4‐dibromobutane. In order to study the charge effect of the PMOX coatings on the adhesion of fouling organisms, PMOX surfaces with negative, neutral, and positive ζ‐potential values were prepared by copolymerization with the positively charged monomer [2‐(methacryloyloxy)‐ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride. The coatings were stable in sea water for at least 1 month without significant reduction in the film thickness. The marine antifouling activity was evaluated against barnacle cyprids Amphibalanus amphitrite and algae Amphora coffeaeformis. Results showed that PMOX coatings provide effective reduction of the settlement regardless of the molar mass and surface charge of the polymer. Bacterial adhesion test showed that PMOX coatings effectively reduce Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli adhesion. Owing to its good stability and antifouling activity PMOX has a great potential as antifouling coating for marine antifouling applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 275–283
The influence of prostatic anatomy and neurotrophins on basal prostate epithelial progenitor cells
Authors: Höfner Thomas , Klein Corinna , Eisen Christian , Rigo‐Watermeier Teresa , Haferkamp Axel , Trumpp Andreas , Sprick Martin R.
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Based on findings of surface marker, protein screens as well as the postulated near‐urethral location of the prostate stem cell niche, we were interested whether androgen ablation, distinct anatomic regions within the prostate or neurotrophins have an influence on basal prostate epithelial progenitor cells (PESCs).

METHODS

Microdissection of the prostate, enzymatic digestion, and preparation of single cells was performed from murine and human prostates. Adult PESC marker expressions were compared between a group of C57BL/6 mice and a separate group of castrated C57BL/6 mice. Surface markers CD13/CD271 on human prostate epithelial progenitor cells were evaluated by FACS analyses in cells cultured under novel stem cell conditions. The effect of neurotrophins NGF, NT3, and BDNF were evaluated with respect to their influence on proliferation and activation of human basal PESCs in vitro.

RESULTS

We demonstrate the highest percentage of CD49f+ and Trop2+ expressing cells in the urethra near prostatic regions of WT mice (Trop2+ proximal: 10% vs. distal to the urethra: 3%, P < 0.001). While a marked increase of Trop2 expressing cells can be measured both in the proximal and distal prostatic regions after castration, the most prominent increase in Trop2+ cells can be measured in the prostatic tissue distant to the urethra. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the proportion of syndecan‐1 expressing cells greatly increases in the regions proximal to the urethra after castration (WT: 5% vs. castrated: 40%). We identified heterogeneous CD13 and nerve growth factor receptor (p75NGFR, CD271) expression on CD49f+/TROP2high human basal PESCs. Addition of the neurotrophins NT3, BDNF, and NGF to the stem cell media led to a marked temporary increase in the proliferation of human basal PESCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results in mice support the model, in which the proximal urethral region contains the prostate stem cell niche while a stronger androgen‐dependent regulation of adult prostate stem cells can be found in the peripheral prostatic tissue. Neutrophin signaling via nerve growth factor receptor is possibly involved in human prostate stem cell homeostasis. Prostate 76:114–121, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Measurement of Helium Leakage Rates through Closures of Dangerous Goods Packagings for the Assessment of Potentially Explosive Mixtures in Freight Containers
Authors: Schlick‐Hasper Eva , Seidler Oliver , Goedecke Thomas , Kraume Matthias
Published: October 2015

The objective was to find out whether an explosive atmosphere can be created in a freight container by gaseous leakage flow of vapour‐air‐mixture through leaks in the closures of dangerous goods packagings filled with hazardous liquids. Because of high temperatures during intercontinental carriage, there is a gauge pressure in the free vapour phase inside the packagings which can cause a gaseous leakage flow. Two different methods were applied:

Helium limit leakage rates for 23 quantitatively important hazardous liquids concerning their lower explosion limit (LEL) were calculated for a worst case transport scenario (Method 1).

Helium leakage rates of five closure types of dangerous goods packagings with volumes of approximately 6 l were measured using the pressure technique by accumulation (Method 2).

All types of closures of steel packagings were uncritical. The maximum measured leakage was 33% of the limit leakage rate. The leakage rates of screw closures of plastic jerricans can exceed the LEL if there are production‐related patterns such as non‐concentricity of the closures and flashes on the neck. Especially for plastic packagings it is important to minimize gaseous leakage flow, because an explosive atmosphere can also be reached by permeation of the individual filling substance or by a combination of both effects. For the assessment of potentially explosive mixtures in freight containers, both mass transfer mechanisms have to be taken into account. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Explosive ice multiplication by mechanical break‐up in ice–ice collisions: a dynamical system‐based study
Authors: Yano Jun‐Ichi , Phillips Vaughan T. J. , Kanawade Vijay
Published: October 2015

Mechanical break‐up in ice–ice collisions observed in the laboratory can lead to explosive ice multiplication. The possibility is examined in detail by constructing an idealized analytical single‐point (zero‐dimension) model assuming spatial homogeneity within a cloud. The rate of generation of primary ice is fixed at a constant value over time, corresponding to a situation in which the relative humidity (at water saturation as for a mixed‐phase cloud) and updraught speed are fixed. This would further imply an infinite supply of vapour, if the crystal concentration were somehow infinite. Fixed times are assumed for the transformation of the generated primary ice into small graupel, which then grow into large graupel. Secondary ice particles produced by collisions between small and large graupel, in turn, potentially multiply explosively, because the secondary ice may eventually grow to become splintering graupel with a positive feedback.

Two basic processes can lead to explosive ice multiplication. The first process is the generation of primary ice, which initiates ice multiplication only with a relatively low threshold (∼10−4 m−3 s−1) compared to typical observed values for deep convective clouds. Then the second process is induced by a sufficiently large initial number of ice crystals, which generate enough both small and large graupel particles, leading to explosive multiplication, even when the rate of generation of primary ice is below the threshold. These initial crystals at super‐critical amounts may be from any source. Only a low number density of crystals of the order of 1 m−3 (or 10−3 l−1) is required initially. In both cases, the ice number literally explodes within a finite time, with a time‐scale from 30 to 200 min under the idealized single‐point model studied. Importantly, in real clouds a typical number density of large graupel is above the threshold needed for explosive break‐up.
Land surface initialization strategy for a global reforecast dataset
Authors: Boisserie M. , Decharme B. , Descamps L. , Arbogast P.
Published: October 2015

A 32‐year global ensemble reforecast dataset has recently been developed at Météo‐France that is approximatively consistent with the operational global ensemble forecast system PEARP. Unlike ECMWF or NCEP, Météo‐France does not possess a reanalysis of its own operational forecast system. Therefore, the initial atmospheric state and boundary conditions of the reforecasts are from the ECMWF ERA‐Interim reanalysis. This article presents a study of the sensitivity of the reforecasts to the method of land‐surface initialization. To this end, two sets of short‐range hindcasts using different land‐surface initialization approaches are compared. The first set is initialized from interpolated ERA‐Interim land‐surface fields based on a transfer function. The second set is initialized from offline simulations of the Météo‐France land‐surface model (SURFEX) driven by the 3‐hourly near‐surface atmospheric fields of the ERA‐Interim reanalysis. Each set is run from 1800 UTC initial conditions and up to +108 h.

Because better results overall are found using offline SURFEX simulations, this latter approach was chosen to perform an ensemble reforecast dataset. Then, this ensemble reforecast database will be used to build a climatology of the operational ensemble prediction system of Météo‐France, which will, in turn, help to better estimate systematic forecast errors and, more importantly, improve the forecasting of rare extreme weather events.
Effective hamiltonian crystal field: Present status and applications to iron compounds
Authors: Tchougréeff Andrei L. , Soudackov Alexander V. , van Leusen Jan , Kögerler Paul , Becker Klaus‐Dieter , Dronskowski Richard
Published: October 2015

We review the basics of the Effective Hamiltonian Crystal Field (EHCF) method originally targeted for calculations of the intra‐shell excitations in the d‐shells of coordination compounds of the first row transition metal. The formalism employs in the concerted way the McWeeny's group‐function approximation and the Lowdin partition technique. It is needed for description of the transition metal complexes with partially filled d‐shells where the (static) electronic correlations are manifested. These features are particularly important for electron fillings close to “half shell” ones occurring, for example, in the Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions. Recently we extended this methodology to polynuclear coordination compounds to describe magnetic interactions of the effective spins residing in several open d‐shells. This improves the accuracy from about 1000 cm−1 to that of about 100 cm−1, that is, eventually by an order of magnitude. This approach implemented in the MagAixTic package is applied here to a series of binuclear Fe(III) complexes featuring μ‐oxygen superexchange pathways. The results of calculations are in a reasonable agreement with available experimental data and other theoretical studies of protonated bridges. Further we discuss the application of the EHCF to analysis of Mosbauer experiments performed on two organometallic solids: FeNCN and Fe(HNCN)2 and conjecture a new thermal effect in the latter material. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Joint kinematics of surgeons during lumbar pedicle screw placement
Authors: Park Jeong‐Yoon , Kim Kyung‐Hyun , Kuh Sung‐Uk , Chin Dong‐Kyu , Kim Keun‐Su , Cho Yong‐Eun
Published: October 2015

Background

A surgical robot for spine surgery has recently been developed. The objective is to assess the joint kinematics of the surgeon during spine surgery.

Methods

We enrolled 18 spine surgeons, who each performed pedicle screw placement, and used an optoelectronic motion analysis system. Using three‐dimensional (3D) motion images, distance changes in five joints and angle changes in six joints were calculated during surgery.

Results

Distance fluctuations increased gradually from the proximal to the distal joint. Angle fluctuations were largest at the distal point but did not gradually increase, and the elbow showed the second largest fluctuation. Changes along the X axis were larger than those of the Y and Z axes.

Conclusion

The distances gradually increased from proximal portions of the body to the hand. In angle changes, the elbow was most dynamic during pedicle screw placement. The surgeons' whole joints carry out a harmonic role during lumbar pedicle screw placement. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
True Color Correction of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Imagery
Authors: Bryson Mitch , Johnson‐Roberson Matthew , Pizarro Oscar , Williams Stefan B.
Published: October 2015

This paper presents an automated approach to recovering the true color of objects on the seafloor in images collected from multiple perspectives by an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) during the construction of three‐dimensional (3D) seafloor models and image mosaics. When capturing images underwater, the water column induces several effects on light that are typically negligible in air, such as color‐dependent attenuation and backscatter. AUVs must typically carry artificial lighting when operating at depths below 20‐30 m; the lighting pattern generated is usually not spatially consistent. These effects cause problems for human interpretation of images, limit the ability of using color to identify benthic biota or quantify changes over multiple dives, and confound computer‐based techniques for clustering and classification. Our approach exploits the 3D structure of the scene generated using structure‐from‐motion and photogrammetry techniques to provide basic spatial data to an underwater image formation model. Parameters that are dependent on the properties of the water column are estimated from the image data itself, rather than using fixed in situ infrastructure, such as reflectance panels or detailed data on water constitutes. The model accounts for distance‐based attenuation and backscatter, camera vignetting and the artificial lighting pattern, recovering measurements of the true color (reflectance) and thus allows us to approximate the appearance of the scene as if imaged in air and illuminated from above. Our method is validated against known color targets using imagery collected in different underwater environments by two AUVs that are routinely used as part of a benthic habitat monitoring program.
Ultrastructure of the digestive tract in neotropical carnivorous catfish Hemisorubim platyrhynchos (Valenciennes, 1840) (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae)
Authors: Faccioli Claudemir Kuhn , Chedid Renata Alari , Mori Ricardo Hideo , do Amaral Antônio Carlos , Vicentini Irene Bastos Franceschini , Vicentini Carlos Alberto
Published: October 2015

The surface of the digestive tract of Hemisorubim platyrhynchos was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Morphometric studies by transmission electron microscopy were performed to analysis the intestinal microvilli. H. platyrhynchos is a Neotropical carnivorous freshwater catfish featuring a short digestive tract composed of a short esophagus, saccular stomach, and intestine with four regions: anterior, middle, posterior, and rectal. The esophageal surface is constituted by fingerprint‐like microridges that anchor the mucosubstances secreted by goblet cells facilitating the passage of food. Goblet cells present the opening to the esophageal lumen, between the microridges. Club cells are in basal epithelium and they do not present the opening to the lumen. The gastric luminal surface shows polygon‐shaped epithelial cells which secrete granules by exocytose to protect the gastric surface. The intestinal luminal surface reveals folds that are thicker in the anterior intestine than in the posterior intestine, increasing the absorptive surface area. The intestinal surface presents the microvilli of enterocytes and the opening of goblet cells. The morphometric analysis showed that the microvilli are longer in the anterior intestine, significantly decreasing towards the posterior intestine. The microvilli surface area significantly is greater in the anterior and middle intestine than in the posterior intestine. Numerous openings of goblet cells were observed in the posterior intestine acting in epithelial protection and lubrication. SCANNING 38:336–343, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Micro‐computed tomographic assessment of quality of obturation in the apical third with continuous wave vertical compaction and single match taper sized cone obturation techniques
Authors: Alshehri Mohammed , Alamri Hadi M. , Alshwaimi Emad , Kujan Omar
Published: October 2015

The aim of the present micro‐computed tomography (Micro‐CT) analysis was to compare the quality of obturation in the apical third of the root with the warm vertical compaction (WVC) and single matching taper sized cone (SMTSC) techniques. Mesial roots of 16 freshly extracted mandibular first molar teeth (with a total of 32 canals) were used. Canals in each mesial root were shaped to a size F3 Protaper and were randomly assigned to either continuous wave vertical compaction or single match tapered size cone technique. Volume of voids and gaps in the obturated roots were measured using micro‐CT scanning at 1, 3, and 5 mm from the apex of the root. There was no statistically significant difference in the volume of voids measured at 1 mm (p > 0.05), 3 mm (p > 0.05) and 5 mm (p > 0.05) filled with either WVC and SMTSC techniques. The quality of obturation in the apical third of the root with the WVC and SMTSC techniques is comparable. SCANNING 38:352–356, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.