bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sunflower seed cake as reinforcing filler in thermoplastic composites
Authors: Ayrilmis Nadir , Kaymakci Alperen , Ozdemir Ferhat
Published: November 2012

Dimensional stability, mechanical properties, and melting and crystallization behavior of polypropylene composites filled with sunflower seed cake (SSC) were investigated. Injection molded composites were prepared from the SSC flour and polypropylene with and without maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (MAPP) at 30, 40, 50, and 60 wt % contents of the SSC flour. Twenty‐eight days thickness swelling and water absorption values of the specimens increased by 43 and 56% as the filler content increased from 30 to 60 wt %, respectively. The flexural modulus of the polypropylene composites increased from 3157 to 4363 MPa as the SSC flour increased from 30 to 60 wt %. The maximum flexural strength 38.4 MPa was observed for 40 wt % SSC flour filled specimens. However, further increment in the SCC flour decreased the flexural strength to 31.4 MPa. The tensile strength of the specimens decreased from 22.5 to 14 MPa while the tensile modulus increased from 3023 to 3677 MPa as the SSC flour increased from 30 to 60 wt %. The dimensional stability and mechanical properties of the composites were significantly improved by the incorporation of the coupling agent (MAPP). The effect of the MAPP addition was more pronounced for the strength than for the modulus. The melting temperature and degree of crystallinity of the neat polypropylene decreased with increasing content of the SSC flour. The degree of crystallinity of filled composites considerably increased with the incorporation of the MAPP. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Synthesis and Anticonvulsant Properties of New N‐Mannich Bases Derived from 3,3‐Diphenyl‐ and 3‐Ethyl‐3‐methyl‐pyrrolidine‐2,5‐diones. Part III
Authors: Obniska Jolanta , Chlebek Iwona , Kamiński Krzysztof , Karolak‐Wojciechowska Janina
Published: November 2012

Twenty‐four new N‐[(4‐phenylpiperazin‐1‐yl)‐methyl] derivatives of 3,3‐diphenyl‐ (7–18) and 3‐ethyl‐3‐methyl‐pyrrolidine‐2,5‐dione (19–30) were synthesized and evaluated for their anticonvulsant activity in the maximum electroshock (MES) and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ) seizure tests. The acute neurological toxicity was determined using the rotorod screen. Eleven compounds were active and revealed protection only in electrically induced seizures (MES). In the whole series the most effective compound was N‐[{4‐(3‐trifluoromethylphenyl)‐piperazin‐1‐yl}‐methyl]‐3,3‐diphenyl‐pyrrolidine‐2,5‐dione (14) with an ED50 value of 30.3 mg/kg (p.o. rats) in the MES test. To explain the possible mechanism of action, for chosen active derivatives 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 23, and 26, their influence on NaV1.2 sodium channel currents was evaluated in vitro. The crystallographic structures for several molecules (8, 10, and 11) were solved.
Microbial oil production from various carbon sources and its use for biodiesel preparation
Authors: Xu Jingyang , Du Wei , Zhao Xuebing , Zhang Guoling , Liu Dehua
Published: November 2012

Biodiesel has gained significant attention as an alternative to petroleum diesel. Currently, there is an increasing interest in obtaining microbial oils from oleaginous micro‐organisms for biodiesel production. In the accumulation of microbial oils, carbon substrate constitutes a major portion of the cost. Accordingly, significant efforts have been made to explore suitable carbon sources, and to investigate their effects on cell growth as well as lipid synthesis. This paper reviews the current trend of using various carbon sources for microbial oils production, including carbon dioxide, conventional saccharides, energy crops, C2 compounds, lignocellulosic biomass, and glycerol. The strategies for enhancement of microbial oils production are further discussed. Finally, the constraints and perspectives of using microbial oils for biodiesel production are also highlighted. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Combined effect of X‐ray radiation and static magnetic fields on reactive oxygen species in rat lymphocytes in vitro
Authors: Politański Piotr , Rajkowska Elźbieta , Brodecki Marcin , Bednarek Andrzej , Zmyślony Marek
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of static magnetic fields (SMF) on reactive oxygen species induced by X‐ray radiation. The experiments were performed on lymphocytes from male albino Wistar rats. After exposure to 3 Gy X‐ray radiation (with a dose rate of 560 mGy/min) the measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species in lymphocytes, using a fluorescent probe, was done before exposure to the SMF, and after 15 min, 1 and 2 h of exposure to the SMF or a corresponding incubation time. For SMF exposure, 0 mT (50 µT magnetic field induction opposite to the geomagnetic field) and 5 mT fields were chosen. The trend of SMF effects for 0 mT was always opposite that of 5 mT. The first one decreased the rate of fluorescence change, while the latter one increased it. Bioelectromagnetics 34:333–336, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Processing of snoRNAs as a new source of regulatory non‐coding RNAs
Authors: Falaleeva Marina , Stamm Stefan
Published: November 2012

Recent experimental evidence suggests that most of the genome is transcribed into non‐coding RNAs. The initial transcripts undergo further processing generating shorter, metabolically stable RNAs with diverse functions. Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are non‐coding RNAs that modify rRNAs, tRNAs, and snRNAs that were considered stable. We review evidence that snoRNAs undergo further processing. High‐throughput sequencing and RNase protection experiments showed widespread expression of snoRNA fragments, known as snoRNA‐derived RNAs (sdRNAs). Some sdRNAs resemble miRNAs, these can associate with argonaute proteins and influence translation. Other sdRNAs are longer, form complexes with hnRNPs and influence gene expression. C/D box snoRNA fragmentation patterns are conserved across multiple cell types, suggesting a processing event, rather than degradation. The loss of expression from genetic loci that generate canonical snoRNAs and processed snoRNAs results in diseases, such as Prader‐Willi Syndrome, indicating possible physiological roles for processed snoRNAs. We propose that processed snoRNAs acquire new roles in gene expression and represent a new class of regulatory RNAs distinct from canonical snoRNAs.

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Identification of causal effects using instrumental variables in randomized trials with stochastic compliance
Authors: Scosyrev Emil
Published: November 2012

In randomized trials with imperfect compliance, it is sometimes recommended to supplement the intention‐to‐treat estimate with an instrumental variable (IV) estimate, which is consistent for the effect of treatment administration in those subjects who would get treated if randomized to treatment and would not get treated if randomized to control. The IV estimation however has been criticized for its reliance on simultaneous existence of complementary “fatalistic” compliance states. The objective of the present paper is to identify some sufficient conditions for consistent estimation of treatment effects in randomized trials with stochastic compliance. It is shown that in the stochastic framework, the classical IV estimator is generally inconsistent for the population‐averaged treatment effect. However, even under stochastic compliance, with certain common experimental designs the IV estimator and a simple alternative estimator can be used for consistent estimation of the effect of treatment administration in well‐defined and identifiable subsets of the study population.
Salt contribution to the flexibility of single‐stranded nucleic acid of finite length
Authors: Wang Feng‐Hua , Wu Yuan‐Yan , Tan Zhi‐Jie
Published: November 2012

Nucleic acids are negatively charged macromolecules and their structure properties are strongly coupled to metal ions in solutions. In this article, the salt effects on the flexibility of single‐stranded (ss) nucleic acid chain ranging from 12 to 120 nucleotides are investigated systematically by the coarse‐grained Monte Carlo simulations where the salt ions are considered explicitly and the ss chain is modeled with the virtual‐bond structural model. Our calculations show that, the increase of ion concentration causes the structural collapse of ss chain and multivalent ions are much more efficient in causing such collapse, and both trivalent/small divalent ions can induce more compact state than a random relaxation state. We found that monovalent, divalent, and trivalent ions can all overcharge ss chain, and the dominating source for such overcharging changes from ion‐exclusion‐volume effect to ion Coulomb correlations. In addition, the predicted Na+ and Mg2+‐dependent persistence length lp’s of ss nucleic acid are in accordance with the available experimental data, and through systematic calculations, we obtained the empirical formulas for lp as a function of [Na+], [Mg2+] and chain length. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 99: 370–381, 2013.
Looking for the peptide 2.05‐helix: A solvent‐ and main‐chain length‐dependent conformational switch probed by electron transfer across cα,α‐diethylglycine homo‐oligomers
Authors: Lettieri Raffaella , Bischetti Martina , Gatto Emanuela , Palleschi Antonio , Ricci Elisabetta , Formaggio Fernando , Crisma Marco , Toniolo Claudio , Venanzi Mariano
Published: November 2012

The elusive, multiple fully extended (2.05‐helix) peptide conformation was searched with a series of Cα,α‐diethylglycine homo‐oligomers (n = 1 to 5) functionalized by an electron transfer (ET) donor···acceptor (D···A) pair in acetonitrile and chloroform solutions. In the former solvent, all peptides investigated were shown to populate the 310‐helix conformation, whereas in chloroform the two shortest members of the series (n = 1 and n = 2) adopt predominantly the 2.05‐helix. Interestingly, for the longest components (n = 3 to n = 5) in this latter solvent, an equilibrium between the 2.05‐ and 310‐helices takes place, the latter conformation becoming progressively more populated as the peptide main‐chain length increases. Time‐resolved fluorescence (TRF) experiments and molecular mechanics (MM) calculations were used in a combined approach to analyze the ET efficiencies and to associate a specific conformer (from MM) to an experimentally determined ET rate constant (from TRF). Therefore, because of the high sensitivity of the ET process to the D···A distance, ET can be used as a kinetic spectroscopic ruler, allowing for the characterization of the transition from a pure 310‐helix conformation to a 2.05‐/310‐helix equilibrium for the longest Deg homo‐peptides of this series upon changing the solvent from acetonitrile to chloroform. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the electronic coupling factor β for ET across a peptide chain in the 2.05‐helix conformation is provided. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 100: 51–63, 2013.
Direct and simultaneous quantitation of 5‐aminolaevulinic acid and porphobilinogen in human serum or plasma by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Benton Christopher M. , Couchman Lewis , Marsden Joanne T. , Rees David C. , Moniz Caje , Lim Chang Kee
Published: November 2012

Serum/plasma concentrations of 5‐aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilinogen (PBG) are elevated in patients with acute hepatic porphyrias, especially during acute attacks. Current assays require lengthy sample pre‐treatment and derivatization steps. We report here a rapid, sensitive and specific hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the direct and simultaneous quantitation of ALA and PBG in serum or plasma following simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile and centrifugation prior to injection. ALA and PBG were detected using selected reaction monitoring mode, following positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionization. Calibration was linear from 0.05 to 50 µmol/L for ALA and PBG. For both analytes, imprecision (relative standard deviation) was <13% and accuracy (percentage nominal concentrations) was between 92 and 107%. The method was successfully applied to the measurement of ALA and PBG in serum or plasma samples for the screening, biochemical diagnosis and treatment monitoring of patients with acute hepatic porphyrias. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maritime VHF communications with polarization diversity over a Rician channel
Authors: Ahn Chang‐Jun , Jeong Incheol , Endo Izumi , Omori Tatsuya , Hashimoto Ken‐ya
Published: November 2012

In this paper, we propose a polarization diversity scheme to enhance maritime VHF communications. Multiple antenna systems require an antenna separation of 5–10 wavelengths to keep the correlation coefficient below 0.7 to permit the realization of space diversity. However, this may be difficult to implement in a maritime VHF system, because the maritime VHF is working in the frequency range from 156 to 174 MHz, with wavelength of approximately 2 m. On the other hand, the polarization device technique allows two co‐located antennas by using a micro‐strip technique. For this reason, the polarization technique is a practical method of attaining diversity. However, the theoretical model of polarization is very difficult and complex. Therefore, we express the cross correlation of each polarization antenna and the cross polarization discrimination of multiple polarization antennas with a simple model. Simulations show that the polarization diversity of a maritime VHF system shows better BER performance than that of the conventional reception diversity on the basis of vertical antenna with the antenna separation of 10 wavelengths. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generation and characterization of Osterix‐Cherry reporter mice
Authors: Strecker Sara , Fu Yu , Liu Yaling , Maye Peter
Published: November 2012

Osterix is a zinc finger containing transcription factor, which functions as a key regulator of osteoblast differentiation. To better understand the temporal and spatial expression of Osterix during embryonic development and in the adult skeleton, we generated Osterix‐Cherry reporter mice. Bacterial recombination techniques were employed to engineer a transgenic construct, which consisted of a ∼39 kb DNA fragment encompassing the Osterix/Sp7 gene, but excluding adjacent gene sequences. Osterix reporter expression was characterized at embryonic, neonatal, and adult ages both by itself and in the context of a cross with Bone Sialoprotein (BSP)‐Topaz reporter mice. Relative to Osterix, BSP is a more mature marker of osteoblast differentiation. In agreement with osteoblast lineage maturation, Osterix reporter expression preceded BSP reporter expression during embryonic development and spatially appeared in a much broader cell population. Strong Osterix reporter expression was observed in mature osteoblasts and osteocytes. However, weaker Osterix‐Cherry positive cells were also observed in the bone marrow, possibly identifying an early osteoprogenitor cell population. Evaluation of Osterix reporter expression in male femur tissue sections from 10 days to 12 weeks of age revealed persistent expression in cells of the osteoblast lineage and a surprising increase in maturing chondrocytes of the growth plate. Also, Osterix reporter expression was transiently detected in the kidney after birth. genesis 51:246–258, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular insights into the historic demography of bowhead whales: understanding the evolutionary basis of contemporary management practices
Authors: Phillips C. D. , Hoffman J. I. , George J. C. , Suydam R. S. , Huebinger R. M. , Patton J. C. , Bickham J. W.
Published: November 2012

Patterns of genetic variation observed within species reflect evolutionary histories that include signatures of past demography. Understanding the demographic component of species' history is fundamental to informed management because changes in effective population size affect response to environmental change and evolvability, the strength of genetic drift, and maintenance of genetic variability. Species experiencing anthropogenic population reductions provide valuable case studies for understanding the genetic response to demographic change because historic changes in the census size are often well documented. A classic example is the bowhead whale, Balaena mysticetus, which experienced dramatic population depletion due to commercial whaling in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Consequently, we analyzed a large multi‐marker dataset of bowhead whales using a variety of analytical methods, including extended Bayesian skyline analysis and approximate Bayesian computation, to characterize genetic signatures of both ancient and contemporary demographic histories. No genetic signature of recent population depletion was recovered through any analysis incorporating realistic mutation assumptions, probably due to the combined influences of long generation time, short bottleneck duration, and the magnitude of population depletion. In contrast, a robust signal of population expansion was detected around 70,000 years ago, followed by a population decline around 15,000 years ago. The timing of these events coincides to a historic glacial period and the onset of warming at the end of the last glacial maximum, respectively. By implication, climate driven long‐term variation in Arctic Ocean productivity, rather than recent anthropogenic disturbance, appears to have been the primary driver of historic bowhead whale demography.
Comparative studies on turbulent fluxes measured over burned and unburned sites of a sagebrush‐dominated mountain
Authors: Arogundade Ayodeji B. , Zhao Wenguang , Qualls Russell J.
Published: November 2012

Fire is a major disturbance that causes rangeland change. In this study, we compared the turbulent fluxes of carbon dioxide and sensible and latent heat, measured over burned and unburned sites of a sagebrush‐dominated mountain in southern Idaho during the late summer of 2006. The outcome of the investigation shows that fire altered the horizontal components of turbulence intensity (iu and iv) as well as the partitioning of radiant energy between latent and sensible heat fluxes. Average daytime Bowen ratios (β) at the burned and unburned sites were 2.03 and 1.87. On the basis of Bowen ratios determined from eddy covariance measurements of sensible and latent heat fluxes, the sensible heat fluxes were relatively more significant at the burned site than at the unburned site most of the time, and the converse was true of the latent heat fluxes. The exception to this was for the few days following heavy rainfall, when near‐surface soil moisture increased the evapotranspiration at the burned site more than at the unburned site until the shallow moisture supply was depleted. By means of ratios of CO2/(H + LE), fluxes, carbon sequestration was found to be more significant at the unburned site, declining at both sites as summer progressed but declining more rapidly at the burned site than at the unburned site. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection and reduction of precipitation effects in geoelectrical potential difference data
Authors: Saito Shota , Hattori Katsumi , Kaida Daishi , Yoshino Chie , Han Peng , Febriani Febty
Published: November 2012

Geoelectrical fluctuations are the end product of several geophysical phenomena. In particular, geoelectrical signals measured in seismically active areas can be attributed to stress and strain changes associated with earthquakes. In order to study the geoelectrical potential difference changes associated with the Earth's crustal activities, it is important to distinguish them from other noises because they are generally weak. The complexity of this problem has called for development of advanced statistical methods suitable for investigation of the heterogeneous nature of these fluctuations. In this paper we analyzed the time dynamics of short‐term variability of the geoelectrical field measured at Kiyosumi station located in the southern part of Boso peninsula, Japan. We tried to apply principal component analysis (PCA) and singular spectral analysis (SSA) to detect and reduce precipitation effects which are the most intense noise in geoelectrical potential difference data. The results show that an application of PCA to two orthogonal electric data can detect the precipitation and SSA has a potential to remove the precipitation effects. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 182(3): 1–8, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22301
Potential estimation of hourly blank storage space and charge loads of EVs using road traffic census and vehicles status
Authors: Oda Takuya , Ito Masakazu , Kawasaki Norihiro , Miyazaki Takahiko , Kashiwagi Takao
Published: November 2012

If both EVs (Electric Vehicles, includes plug‐in hybrid electric vehicles) and renewable energies spread in large quantities, it is possible to control the supply fluctuation of renewable energies using the storage battery of EVs. This research sought to show the charge load potential of EVs based on the state of the Japanese passenger car using traffic census results, etc. Furthermore, it tried to show the trend of the storage battery capacity according to time. From the estimated results: (1) the charge electricity of low and middle distance gets a majority of the total charge demand, (2) charge load changes according to time several times, and the minimum load is the number of gigawatt‐hours at early morning, (3) if night charge is assumed, the standby charge demand of noon will reach tens of gigawatt‐hours, it may have sufficient scale for supply fluctuation control of PVs. Although the present EV is not suitable for long‐distance running, these are expected to be 30 or less percent of the total charge demand. The estimated storage capacity potential in this research will not change numbers of times. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 182(3): 30–38, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22352
Nonhydrolytic Route to Boron‐Doped TiO2 Nanocrystals
Authors: Xu Hua , Picca Rosaria Anna , De Marco Luisa , Carlucci Claudia , Scrascia Angela , Papadia Paride , Scremin Barbara Federica , Carlino Elvio , Giannini Cinzia , Malitesta Cosimino , Mazzeo Marco , Gigli Giuseppe , Ciccarella Giuseppe
Published: November 2012

A simple synthesis was applied and tested for the preparation of boron‐doped titanium dioxide [TiO2(B)] nanocrystals using titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) together with boric acid (H3BO3) and benzyl alcohol as reaction solvent. Changes in the TTIP/H3BO3 molar ratio allowed a scalable synthetic protocol with a significant B‐dopant control. In particular, this approach does not need surfactants or a final calcination step. X‐ray diffractometry (XRD), low‐ and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM and HRTEM), and micro Raman spectroscopy revealed that the TiO2 nanocrystals produced have diameters up to about 10 nm and are mainly of the anatase phase but that a brookite phase was progressively formed with increased dopant level. The amount of boron was measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP‐AES), and the presence of boron inside the crystals was determined by 11B cross‐polarized magic‐angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (11B CP‐MAS NMR) spectroscopy. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed the presence of boron on the nanocrystal surfaces, confirming the trend in the dopant concentration already observed with ICP‐AES elemental analysis. Microphotoluminescence studies indicated the formation of three different typical luminescent defect states in correlation with the amount of added boron in the titania. UV/Vis absorption spectra showed a boron‐dependent redshift of the absorption edge.
Anionic Tuning of Spin Crossover in FeIII–Quinolylsalicylaldiminate Complexes
Authors: Sertphon Darunee , Harding David J. , Harding Phimphaka , Murray Keith S. , Moubaraki Boujemaa , Cashion John D. , Adams Harry
Published: November 2012

A series of FeIII complexes, [Fe(qsal‐5‐OMe)2]Y [Y = BF4 (1), PF6 (2), NCS (3), BPh4 (4)], have been prepared and structurally and magnetically characterized. The low‐temperature structures of 1 and 3 as solvent adducts were determined by X‐ray crystallography with LS FeIII centres found in both cases. π–π and C–H···π interactions between the cations lead to 2D sheets that are linked to one another through C–H···O and, in the case of 3, C–H···N/S interactions resulting in high cooperativity. Magnetic studies revealed abrupt and gradual spin crossover for 3 and 2, respectively. For 3, spin crossover with possible thermal hysteresis was observed although solvent loss (CH2Cl2) could occur. In contrast, 1 and 4 were found to be low and high spin only, respectively. The results of Mössbauer spectroscopic studies are consistent with the magnetic susceptibility data and indicate that there are two low‐spin FeIII centres in 2. Finally, electrochemical studies showed reversible reduction to FeII at –0.22 V, whereas reversible oxidation of the qsal‐5‐OMe ligand was found to occur between 1.04–1.06 V.
Dinuclear Complexes with a Triple N1,N2‐Triazole Bridge That Exhibit Partial Spin Crossover and Weak Antiferromagnetic Interactions
Authors: Roubeau Olivier , Gamez Patrick , Teat Simon J.
Published: November 2012

The reaction of 4‐phenylimino‐1,2,4‐triazole (1) with FeII, CoII, NiII and CuII thiocyanate produces a series of analogous dinuclear compounds of formula [M2(1)5(NCS)4] (2–5) as demonstrated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies of the FeII (2) and CoII (3) analogues. The magnetic properties of [Fe2(1)5(NCS)4]·xMeOH (x = 3.5–5) reveal a partial and gradual spin crossover (SCO) centred at TSCO = 115 K. This is confirmed by its crystal structure solved at 100, 150 and 250 K, which exhibits a gradual decrease of the Fe–N bond lengths with temperature. However, the bulk hydrated form of 2 that is generated upon exposure to air of crystals is a high‐spin compound that exhibits weak antiferromagnetic interaction. The exchange coupling among the FeII S = 2 ions within the dinuclear neutral complex was evaluated as J/kB = –1.33(3) K by using the Heisenberg Hamiltonian H = –2JS1·S2. Similarly, the magnetic properties of the NiII (4) and CuII (5) analogues are dominated by moderate and weak antiferromagnetic interactions evaluated as J/kB = –13.9(3) and –0.30(5) K, respectively. The presence of strong spin–orbit coupling of the individual CoII ions impeded the evaluation of the likely antiferromagnetic interaction that leads to a singlet ground state in 3. The reported structures of 2 and 3 are new additions to a very scarce family of dinuclear complexes bearing a unique triple N1,N2‐triazole bridge. Owing to its relevance in the peculiar properties of 1D triazole‐based SCO materials, which are widely studied for their various potential applications, a structural analysis of this triple N1,N2‐triazole bridge in reported structures of FeII and CoII trinuclear and 1D compounds is provided.
Effect of roasting on oxidative and tocopherol stability of walnut oil during storage in the dark
Authors: Vaidya Bipin , Eun Jong‐Bang
Published: November 2012

The effect of roasting on the oxidative stability of oil from walnut (Juglans sinensis Dode) was investigated by observing changes in the characteristics of oils from unroasted and roasted kernels during storage in the dark at 60°C. Walnut kernels were roasted at 160°C for 15 min prior to oil extraction with the solvent, hexane. Roasting of kernels increased the peroxide value (POV) and conjugated dienoic acid (CDA) value of the oil. The rate of increase in the POV was significantly lower in roasted than in the unroasted walnut oil during storage at 60°C (1.90 vs. 1.06 and 4.45 vs. 3.55 meq/kg/day during induction period (IP) and post‐IP, respectively). Roasting of kernels significantly increased the IP of walnut oil from 0.89 to 3.39 days during storage. The total tocopherol content in roasted walnut oil was lower as compared to that in unroasted one (277.77 vs. 314.88 µg/g). However, the rate of degradation of total tocopherol during storage was lower in roasted walnut oil compared to unroasted one (1.18 vs. 2.17%/day), which showed that the tocopherol retention was higher in roasted walnut oil. These results indicate that roasting of kernels increased the oxidative and tocopherol stability of oil during storage in the dark.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Symmetrical Diaryl Trithiocarbonates through Copper‐Catalyzed Coupling of Aryl Compounds, Sodium Sulfide, and Carbon Disulfide
Authors: Gholinejad Mohammad
Published: November 2012

In this study, a protocol for the synthesis of symmetrical diaryl trithiocarbonates through the one‐pot copper‐catalyzed coupling reaction of sodium sulfide, carbon disulfide, and aryl compounds in DMF solution is presented. This method allows the synthesis of symmetrical diaryl trithiocarbonates without the use of highly toxic thiophosgene, and also, commercially available aryl halides were used instead of less available, toxic thiols.
Gold‐Catalyzed Mannich Addition Reactions of 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds with N‐Protected Imines
Authors: Delgado‐Rebollo Manuela , Moreno Rocio , Fructos Manuel R. , Prieto Auxiliadora
Published: November 2012

The first (N‐heterocyclic carbene)AuI‐catalyzed Mannich addition reactions of N‐protected imines with different 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds are described. IPrAuNTf2 was proven to be an efficient catalyst for the reactions of β‐keto esters and 1,3‐diketones with N‐sulfonylimines to afford the desired β‐amino carbonyl compounds in good yields under very mild conditions.
Sphingosine analogue drug FTY720 targets I2PP2A/SET and mediates lung tumour suppression via activation of PP2A‐RIPK1‐dependent necroptosis
Authors: Saddoughi Sahar A. , Gencer Salih , Peterson Yuri K. , Ward Katherine E. , Mukhopadhyay Archana , Oaks Joshua , Bielawski Jacek , Szulc Zdzislaw M. , Thomas Raquela J. , Selvam Shanmugam P. , Senkal Can E. , Garrett‐Mayer Elizabeth , De Palma Ryan M. , Fedarovich Dzmitry , Liu Angen , Habib Amyn A. , Stahelin Robert V. , Perrotti Danilo , Ogretmen Besim
Published: November 2012

Mechanisms that alter protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)‐dependent lung tumour suppression via the I2PP2A/SET oncoprotein are unknown. We show here that the tumour suppressor ceramide binds I2PP2A/SET selectively in the nucleus and including its K209 and Y122 residues as determined by molecular modelling/simulations and site‐directed mutagenesis. Because I2PP2A/SET was found overexpressed, whereas ceramide was downregulated in lung tumours, a sphingolipid analogue drug, FTY720, was identified to mimick ceramide for binding and targeting I2PP2A/SET, leading to PP2A reactivation, lung cancer cell death, and tumour suppression in vivo. Accordingly, while molecular targeting of I2PP2A/SET by stable knockdown prevented further tumour suppression by FTY720, reconstitution of WT‐I2PP2A/SET expression restored this process. Mechanistically, targeting I2PP2A/SET by FTY720 mediated PP2A/RIPK1‐dependent programmed necrosis (necroptosis), but not by apoptosis. The RIPK1 inhibitor necrostatin and knockdown or genetic loss of RIPK1 prevented growth inhibition by FTY720. Expression of WT‐ or death‐domain‐deleted (DDD)‐RIPK1, but not the kinase‐domain‐deleted (KDD)‐RIPK1, restored FTY720‐mediated necroptosis in RIPK1−/− MEFs. Thus, these data suggest that targeting I2PP2A/SET by FTY720 suppresses lung tumour growth, at least in part, via PP2A activation and necroptosis mediated by the kinase domain of RIPK1.
Risk management against extremes in a changing environment: a risk‐layer approach using copulas
Authors: Hochrainer‐Stigler Stefan , Pflug Georg
Published: November 2012

Assessing and managing extreme risk have to be carried out differently compared with frequent event risk. Especially dependencies among risks are important to be incorporated here. Additionally, dynamics that may alter risk in the future are important to be included in modeling approaches so that strategies to reduce risk are sustainable in the long run. However, little is known about changing risks under dynamic conditions and corresponding advantages and limits of options to decrease or hedge risks. We use this knowledge gap as our starting point to lay out an approach how to model dependencies with the use of copulas and how to manage and prevent increases in risk because of dynamic changes over time. The uniqueness of these approaches is that changes in anticipated losses over different spatial scales (or risks) compared with the current situation are separated into different risk layers, and these different risk layers can be expressed simultaneously with loss distributions. Because risk‐reduction and risk‐transfer measures are suitable for different risk layers, this distinction can serve in determining the most appropriate risk management measures over different scales. We apply our method to flood risk in Hungary, specifically within the Tisza region. The approach may be particularly useful if dissimilar changes in risk at the local level can be expected, for example, an increase in low‐probability events in one region and an increase in the frequency of small magnitude events in a neighboring region. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of a meshless solver for high Reynolds number flow
Authors: Su Xinrong , Yamamoto Satoru , Nakahashi Kazuhiro
Published: November 2012

In this paper, the extension of an upwind least‐square based meshless solver to high Reynolds number flow is explored, and the properties of the meshless solver are analyzed both theoretically and numerically. Existing works have verified the meshless solver mostly with inviscid flows and low Reynolds number flows, and in this work, we are interested in the behavior of the meshless solver for high Reynolds number flow, especially in the near‐wall region. With both theoretical and numerical analysis, the effects of two parameters on the meshless solver are identified. The first one is the misalignment effect caused by the significantly skewed supporting points, and it is found that the meshless solver still yields accurate prediction. It is a very interesting property and is opposite to the median‐dual control volume based vertex‐centered finite volume method, which is known to give degraded result with stretched triangular/tetrahedral cells in the near‐wall region. The second parameter is the curvature, and according to theoretical analysis, it is found in the region with both large aspect ratio and curvature, and the streamwise residual is less affected; however, the wall‐normal counterpart suffers from accuracy degradation. In this paper, an improved method that uses a meshless solver for the streamwise residual and finite difference for wall‐normal residual is developed. This method is proved to be less sensitive to the curvature and provides improved accuracy. This work presents an understanding of the meshless solver for high Reynolds number flow computation, and the analysis in this paper is verified with a series of numerical experiments. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Filtering Process to Remove the Stochastic Component from Intraday Seasonal Volatility
Authors: Cho Jang Hyung , Daigler Robert T.
Published: November 2012

The intraday seasonal variance pattern contains stochastic as well as deterministic components. Therefore, the estimation of information arrivals in the associated volatility process requires the proper filtering of both of these seasonal components. However, popular current models remove only the deterministic part of the typical U‐shape volatility. Here, we provide the first empirical results of the importance of the stochastic component, as developed by Cho and Daigler (2012). We show that a highly significant additional 8.5% to 12.9% of the total seasonal variance is explained by the stochastic seasonal variance component for S&P500 futures, live cattle futures, and the Japanese yen‐U.S. dollar spot exchange rate. Moreover, we show that the stochastic seasonal filtering model implemented here does not create any statistical distortions of the filtered series, as occurs with deterministic‐based seasonal adjustment processes, as well as comparing the model examined here with the most popular current deterministic model. As part of our analysis we examine the application of the model to macroeconomic news and out‐of‐sample results for the model. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 34:479–495, 2014
Effects of simvastatin administration on rodents with lipopolysaccharide-induced liver microvascular dysfunction
Authors: La Mura Vincenzo , Pasarín Marcos , Meireles Cintia Z. , Miquel Rosa , Rodríguez-Vilarrupla Aina , Hide Diana , Gracia-Sancho Jorge , García-Pagán Juan Carlos , Bosch Jaime , Abraldes Juan G.
Published: November 2012

Endothelial dysfunction drives vascular derangement and organ failure associated with sepsis. However, the consequences of sepsis on liver sinusoidal endothelial function are largely unknown. Statins might improve microvascular dysfunction in sepsis. The present study explores liver vascular abnormalities and the effects of statins in a rat model of endotoxemia. For this purpose, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline was given to: (1) rats treated with placebo; (2) rats treated with simvastatin (25 mg/kg, orally), given at 3 and 23 hours after LPS/saline challenge; (3) rats treated with simvastatin (25 mg/kg/24 h, orally) from 3 days before LPS/saline injection. Livers were isolated and perfused and sinusoidal endothelial function was explored by testing the vasodilation of the liver circulation to increasing concentrations of acetylcholine. The phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (PeNOS) / endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) ratio was measured as a marker of eNOS activation. LPS administration induced an increase in baseline portal perfusion pressure and a decrease in vasodilation to acetylcholine (sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction). This was associated with reduced eNOS phosphorylation and liver inflammation. Simvastatin after LPS challenge did not prevent the increase in baseline portal perfusion pressure, but attenuated the development of sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction. Treatment with simvastatin from 3 days before LPS prevented the increase in baseline perfusion pressure and totally normalized the vasodilating response of the liver vasculature to acetylcholine and reduced liver inflammation. Both protocols of treatment restored a physiologic PeNOS/eNOS ratio.

Conclusion:

LPS administration induces intrahepatic endothelial dysfunction that might be prevented by simvastatin, suggesting that statins might have potential for liver protection during endotoxemia. (Hepatology 2013)
Antimitochondrial antibody heterogeneity and the xenobiotic etiology of primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Chen Richy C.Y. , Naiyanetr Phornnop , Shu Shang-An , Wang Jinjun , Yang Guo-Xiang , Kenny Thomas P. , Guggenheim Kathryn C. , Butler Jeffrey D. , Bowlus Christopher , Tao Mi-Hua , Kurth Mark J. , Ansari Aftab A. , Kaplan Marshall , Coppel Ross L. , Lleo Ana , Gershwin Eric M. , Leung Patrick S.C.
Published: November 2012

Antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) directed against the lipoyl domain of the E2 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDC-E2) are detected in 95% of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and are present before the onset of clinical disease. The recent demonstration that AMAs recognize xenobiotic modified PDC-E2 with higher titers than native PDC-E2 raises the possibility that the earliest events involved in loss of tolerance are related to xenobiotic modification. We hypothesized that reactivity to such xenobiotics would be predominantly immunoglobulin M (IgM) and using sera from a large cohort of PBC patients and controls (n = 516), we examined in detail sera reactivity against either 6,8-bis(acetylthio) octanoic acid (SAc)-conjugated bovine serum albumin (BSA), recombinant PDC-E2 (rPDC-E2) or BSA alone. Further, we also defined the relative specificity to the SAc moiety using inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); SAc conjugate and rPDC-E2-specific affinity-purified antibodies were also examined for antigen specificity, isotype, and crossreactivity. Reactivity to SAc conjugates is predominantly IgM; such reactivity reflects a footprint of previous xenobiotic exposure. Indeed, this observation is supported by both direct binding, crossreactivity, and inhibition studies. In both early and late-stage PBC, the predominant Ig isotype to SAc is IgM, with titers higher with advanced stage disease. We also note that there was a higher level of IgM reactivity to SAc than to rPDC-E2 in early-stage versus late-stage PBC. Interestingly, this finding is particularly significant in light of the structural similarity between SAc and the reduced form of lipoic acid, a step which is similar to the normal physiological oxidation of lipoic acid.

Conclusion:

Specific modifications of the disulfide bond within the lipoic-acid-conjugated PDC-E2 moiety, i.e., by an electrophilic agent renders PDC-E2 immunogenic in a genetically susceptible host.
Availability of stage at diagnosis, cancer treatment delay and compliance with cancer guidelines as cancer registry indicators for cancer care in Europe: Results of EUROCHIP‐3 survey
Authors: Siesling Sabine , Kwast Annemiek , Gavin Anna , Baili Paolo , Otter Renee ,   EUROCHIP‐3 Workpackage 5
Published: November 2012

EUROCHIP (European Cancer Health Indicators Project) focuses on understanding inequalities in the cancer burden, care and survival by the indicators “stage at diagnosis,” “cancer treatment delay” and “compliance with cancer guidelines” as the most important indicators. Our study aims at providing insight in whether cancer registries collect well‐defined variables to determine these indicators in a comparative way. Eighty‐six general European population‐based cancer registries (PBCR) from 32 countries responded to the questionnaire, which was developed by EUROCHIP in collaboration with ENCR (European Network of Cancer Registries) and EUROCOURSE. Only 15% of all the PBCR in EU had all three indicators available. The indicator “stage at diagnosis” was gathered for at least one cancer site by 81% (using TNM in 39%). Variables for the indicator “cancer treatment delay” were collected by 37%. Availability of type of treatment (30%), surgery date (36%), starting date of radiotherapy (26%) and starting date of chemotherapy (23%) resulted in 15% of the PBCRs to be able to gather the indicator “compliance to guidelines”. Lack of data source access and qualified staff were the major reasons for not collecting all the variables. In conclusion, based on self‐reporting, a few of the participating PBCRs had data available which could be used for clinical audits, evaluation of cancer care projects, survival and for monitoring national cancer control strategies. Extra efforts should be made to improve this very efficient tool to compare cancer burden and the effects of the national cancer plans over Europe and to learn from each other.
Leukocyte telomere length‐related genetic variants in 1p34.2 and 14q21 loci contribute to the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Shi Juan , Sun Fang , Peng Li , Li Bo , Liu Li , Zhou Changchun , Han Jianjun , Zhang Li , Zhou Liqing , Zhang Xiaojiao , Pu Honglei , Tong Lei , Yuan Qipeng , Song Xianrang , Yang Ming
Published: November 2012

Short leukocyte telomere length has been associated with significantly increased risk of esophageal cancer. A previous genome‐wide association study demonstrated that four SNPs (rs398652 on 14q21, rs621559 on 1p34.2, rs6028466 on 20q11.22 and rs654128 on 6q22.1) were associated with leukocyte telomere length in Caucasians. However, the role of these genetic variants on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) susceptibility is still unknown. Therefore, we investigated whether these polymorphisms have impact on leukocyte telomere length and the risk of ESCC in Chinese. After measuring leukocyte telomere length of 550 healthy individuals, we observed that both rs621559 and rs398652 genetic variants are significantly associated with leukocyte telomere length. On the basis of analyzing 1550 ESCC patients and frequency‐matched 1620 controls from 4 medical centers in China, we found that 0.71‐fold decreased risk of ESCC is associated with the rs621559 AA genotype compared with the rs621559 GG genotype (p = 5.9 × 10−6). We also detected a moderately increased OR for ESCC that was associated with the 14q21 rs398652 G allele (p = 6.5 × 10−4). It has been shown that both rs621559 and rs398652 polymorphisms were significantly associated with ESCC risk in additive, recessive or dominant genetic models. Stratified analyses demonstrated that these associations were more pronounced in males. Our results highlight the complexity of genetic regulation of telomere length and further support the important role of telomere in carcinogenesis.
Genetic variation in bone morphogenetic proteins and breast cancer risk in hispanic and non‐hispanic white women: The breast cancer health disparities study
Authors: Slattery Martha L. , John Esther M. , Torres‐Mejia Gabriela , Herrick Jennifer S. , Giuliano Anna R. , Baumgartner Kathy B. , Hines Lisa M. , Wolff Roger K.
Published: November 2012

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are thought to be important in breast cancer promotion and progression. We evaluated genetic variation in BMP‐related genes and breast cancer risk among Hispanic (2,111 cases, 2,597 controls) and non‐Hispanic White (NHW) (1,481 cases, 1,586 controls) women who participated in the 4‐Corner's Breast Cancer Study, the Mexico Breast Cancer Study and the San Francisco Bay Area Breast Cancer Study. BMP genes and their receptors evaluated include ACVR1, AVCR2A, ACVR2B, ACVRL1, BMP1, BMP2, BMP4, BMP6, BMP7, BMPR1A, BMPR1B, BMPR2, MSTN and GDF10. Additionally, 104 ancestral informative markers were assessed to discriminate between European and native American ancestry. The importance of estrogen on BMP‐related associations was suggested through unique associations by menopausal status and estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptor status of tumors. After adjustment for multiple comparisons ACVR1 (8 SNPs) was modestly associated with ER+PR+ tumors [odds ratios (ORs) between 1.18 and 1.39 padj < 0.05]. ACVR1 (3 SNPs) and BMP4 (3 SNPs) were associated with ER+PR− tumors (ORs 0.59–2.07; padj < 0.05). BMPR2 was associated with ER−PR+ tumors (OR 4.20; 95% CI 1.62, 10.91; padj < 0.05) as was GDF10 (2 SNPs; ORs 3.62 and 3.85; padj < 0.05). After adjustment for multiple comparisons several SNPs remained associated with ER−PR− tumors (padj < 0.05) including ACVR1
BMP4 and GDF10 (ORs between 0.53 and 2.12). Differences in association also were observed by percentage of native ancestry and menopausal status. Results support the hypothesis that genetic variation in BMPs is associated with breast cancer in this admixed population.
RUNX family: Regulation and diversification of roles through interacting proteins
Authors: Chuang Linda Shyue Huey , Ito Kosei , Ito Yoshiaki
Published: November 2012

The Runt‐related transcription factors (RUNX) belong to an ancient family of metazoan genes involved in developmental processes. Through multiple protein‐interacting partners, RUNX proteins have been implicated in diverse signaling pathways and cellular processes. The frequent inactivation of RUNX genes in cancer indicates crucial roles for RUNX in tumor suppression. This review discusses the abilities of RUNX proteins, in particular RUNX3, to integrate oncogenic signals or environmental cues and to initiate appropriate tumor suppressive responses.