bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of the non‐Darcy flow boundary in low permeability reservoirs
Authors: Li Yuansheng , Li Xiangfang , Teng Sainan , Xu Darong
Published: September 2015

Non‐Darcy flow is an important characteristic of gas well and its accurate description will increase accuracy of productivity evaluation and prediction.

In this article, we study the influence of non‐Darcy flow boundary on production prediction. Based on flow theory in porous media, we discuss the models of non‐Darcy flow boundary with different Reynolds numbers, and propose the criteria judging non‐Darcy flow: non‐Darcy critical permeability (kc), non‐Darcy critical flowing pressure (pc), non‐Darcy critical rate (qgc). Then, non‐Darcy skin‐depended factors are derived with different Reynolds number, which reflect the influence of true skin on non‐Darcy flow. Finally, we study the influence of these factors on productivity prediction and well testing.

The results show that non‐Darcy flow boundary may be nearby wellbore radius in low permeability reservoirs, whose influence could be considered as a negative skin which will decrease non‐Darcy flow. And, compared with the open flow capacity of convenient binomial deliverability equation and Darcy equation, the open flow capacity of the equation that considers the influence of non‐Darcy flow boundary is just between that of the two equations, which will verify the influence of the non‐Darcy flow boundary. What's more, the non‐Darcy boundary influences the open flow capacity significantly. And, non‐Darcy skin‐depended factor will become larger with the increase of skin. Finally, when the designed rates of well testing should be larger than the critical rates, the points of test will be on a perfectly straight line or else the points will not. The research of this article will increase the accuracy of productivity evaluation and prediction in low permeability reservoirs. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 1822–1831, 2015
Damage suffered by swamp morning glory (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk) exposed to vanadium (V)
Authors: Chen Ting , Li Ting-Qiang , Yang Jin-Yan
Published: September 2015

To elucidate the physiological and morphological responses generated by vanadium (V) in plants, hydroponic culture experiments were performed with swamp morning glory (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk) exposed to 0 mg L−1 to 2.50 mg L−1 pentavalent V [V(V)] in Hoagland nutrient solutions. The concentration of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotene peaked at a V(V) concentration of 0.05 mg L−1 and gradually decreased at higher V(V) concentrations. Similarly, the plant biomass was stimulated at low levels of V(V) and was inhibited when V(V) concentrations exceeded 0.1 mg L−1. Pentavalent V had negative effects on the uptake of phosphorus (P) by roots, shoots, and leaves. The biological absorption coefficients of V of the roots were higher than those of the aerial parts. Under low concentrations of V(V) exposure, the predominant species of V in the aerial parts was tetravalent V [V(IV)], whereas V(V) became more prevalent when concentrations of V(V) in the solution was higher than 0.50 mg L−1. In the roots, however, the concentrations of V(V) were always higher than those of the V(IV), except in the control group. Organelles in the V(V)-treated leaves were distorted, and the periplasmic space became wider. These results indicate V(V) has concentration-dependent effects on the physiological properties of swamp morning glory, whereas the plant has the ability to develop self-protective function to adapt to the toxicity of V(V). Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:695–701. © 2015 SETAC
Pathway-based approaches for assessment of real-time exposure to an estrogenic wastewater treatment plant effluent on fathead minnow reproduction
Authors: Cavallin Jenna E. , Jensen Kathleen M. , Kahl Michael D. , Villeneuve Daniel L. , Lee Kathy E. , Schroeder Anthony L. , Mayasich Joe , Eid Evan P. , Nelson Krysta R. , Milsk Rebecca Y. , Blackwell Brett R. , Berninger Jason P. , LaLone Carlie A. , Blanksma Chad , Jicha Terri , Elonen Colleen , Johnson Rodney , Ankley Gerald T.
Published: September 2015

Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents are known contributors of chemical mixtures into the environment. Of particular concern are endocrine-disrupting compounds, such as estrogens, which can affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function in exposed organisms. The present study examined reproductive effects in fathead minnows exposed for 21 d to a historically estrogenic WWTP effluent. Fathead minnow breeding pairs were held in control water or 1 of 3 effluent concentrations (5%, 20%, and 100%) in a novel onsite, flow-through system providing real-time exposure. The authors examined molecular and biochemical endpoints representing key events along adverse outcome pathways linking estrogen receptor activation and other molecular initiating events to reproductive impairment. In addition, the authors used chemical analysis of the effluent to construct a chemical-gene interaction network to aid in targeted gene expression analyses and identifying potentially impacted biological pathways. Cumulative fecundity was significantly reduced in fish exposed to 100% effluent but increased in those exposed to 20% effluent, the approximate dilution factor in the receiving waters. Plasma vitellogenin concentrations in males increased in a dose-dependent manner with effluent concentration; however, male fertility was not impacted. Although in vitro analyses, analytical chemistry, and biomarker responses confirmed the effluent was estrogenic, estrogen receptor agonists were unlikely the primary driver of impaired reproduction. The results provide insights into the significance of pathway-based effects with regard to predicting adverse reproductive outcomes. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:702–716. Published 2015 by Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US Government work, and as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Probing the debromination of the flame retardant decabromodiphenyl ether in sediments of a boreal lake
Authors: Orihel Diane M. , Bisbicos Tommy , Darling Colin T.R. , Dupuis Alain P. , Williamson Mary , Muir Derek C.G.
Published: September 2015

After decades of use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as flame retardants, a large reservoir of these toxins has accumulated in ecosystems worldwide. The present study used an innovative approach to examine whether the fully brominated PBDE decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) degrades to more toxic congeners in aquatic environments. The authors incubated intact sediment microcosms with high-purity [13C]decaBDE in a remote boreal lake to assess its debromination under ambient conditions. Although the addition of [13C]decaBDE increased total PBDE concentrations in sediment more than 10-fold, the relative amount of [13C]decaBDE in sediment did not change significantly over a 1-mo incubation. However, observation of small quantities of lower-brominated [13C]BDEs lent support to the hypothesis that decaBDE is slowly debrominated. The authors observed a significant increase in octaBDEs and nonaBDEs in profundal, but not littoral, sediment over 30 d. A second experiment in which sediment was incubated under different light and oxygen regimes yielded a surprising result—oxygen significantly stimulated the formation of octaBDEs and nonaBDEs. The authors also conducted a large-scale in situ enclosure experiment in which they followed the fate of experimentally added decaBDE in sediment over 26 mo, but that study yielded little evidence of decaBDE debromination. Overall, the authors suggest that the debromination of decaBDE occurs very slowly, if at all, in natural sediment of boreal lakes, in contrast to the rapid degradation kinetics reported by most laboratory-based studies, which are usually conducted by dissolving decaBDE in organic solvents. The findings reinforce the need for field studies on contaminant fate to inform environmental policy decisions. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:573–583. © 2015 SETAC
Field-scale examination of neonicotinoid insecticide persistence in soil as a result of seed treatment use in commercial maize (corn) fields in southwestern Ontario
Authors: Schaafsma Arthur , Limay-Rios Victor , Xue Yingen , Smith Jocelyn , Baute Tracey
Published: September 2015

Neonicotinoid insecticides, especially as seed treatments, have raised concerns about environmental loading and impacts on pollinators, biodiversity, and ecosystems. The authors measured concentrations of neonicotinoid residues in the top 5 cm of soil before planting of maize (corn) in 18 commercial fields with a history of neonicotinoid seed treatment use in southwestern Ontario in 2013 and 2014 using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization. A simple calculator based on first-order kinetics, incorporating crop rotation, planting date, and seed treatment history from the subject fields, was used to estimate dissipation rate from the seed zone. The estimated half-life (the time taken for 50% of the insecticide to have dissipated by all mechanisms) based on 8 yr of crop history was 0.64 (range, 0.25–1.59) yr and 0.57 (range, 0.24–2.12) yr for 2013 and 2014, respectively. In fields where neonicotinoid residues were measured in both years, the estimated mean half-life between 2013 and 2014 was 0.4 (range, 0.27–0.6) yr. If clothianidin and thiamethoxam were used annually as a seed treatment in a typical crop rotation of maize, soybean, and winter wheat over several years, residues would plateau rather than continue to accumulate. Residues of neonicotinoid insecticides after 3 yr to 4 yr of repeated annual use tend to plateau to a mean concentration of less than 6 ng/g in agricultural soils in southwestern Ontario. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:295–302. © 2015 SETAC
Evaluation of the deflated preconditioned CG method to solve bubbly and porous media flow problems on GPU and CPU
Authors: Gupta R. , Lukarski D. , van Gijzen M. B. , Vuik C.
Published: September 2015

In both bubbly and porous media flow, the jumps in coefficients may yield an ill‐conditioned linear system. The solution of this system using an iterative technique like the conjugate gradient (CG) is delayed because of the presence of small eigenvalues in the spectrum of the coefficient matrix. To accelerate the convergence, we use two levels of preconditioning. For the first level, we choose between out‐of‐the‐box incomplete LU decomposition, sparse approximate inverse, and truncated Neumann series‐based preconditioner. For the second level, we use deflation. Through our experiments, we show that it is possible to achieve a computationally fast solver on a graphics processing unit. The preconditioners discussed in this work exhibit fine‐grained parallelism. We show that the graphics processing unit version of the two‐level preconditioned CG can be up to two times faster than a dual quad core CPU implementation. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The non‐reflective interface: an innovative forcing technique for computational acoustic hybrid methods
Authors: Redonnet Stephane , Lockard David P. , Khorrami Mehdi R. , Choudhari Meelan. M.
Published: September 2015

The present article concerns a commonly used methodology for the numerical simulation of acoustic emission and propagation phenomena. We consider the so‐called multi‐stage hybrid acoustic approach, in which a given noise problem is simulated via a sequence of weakly coupled computations of noise generation and acoustic propagation stages, wherein the simulation of the propagation stage is based on advanced Computational AeroAcoustics (CAA) techniques. The paper introduces an original forcing technique, namely, the Non‐Reflective Interface (NRI), to enable the transfer of an acoustic signal from an a priori noise generation stage into a CAA‐based acoustic propagation phase. Unlike most existing forcing techniques, the NRI is non‐reflective (or anechoic) in nature and, therefore, can properly handle the backscattering effects arising during the noise propagation stage. This attribute makes the NRI‐based weak‐coupling procedure and the associated CAA‐based hybrid approach compatible with a larger variety of realistic noise problems (such as those involving installed configurations in wind tunnel experiments, for instance). The NRI technique is first validated via several test cases of increasing complexity and is then applied to two aerodynamic noise problems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of extraction methods on antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of essential oil from Thymua danesis subsp. Lancifolius
Authors: Tavakolpour Yousef , Moosavi‐Nasab Marzieh , Niakousari Mehrdad , Haghighi‐Manesh Soroush
Published: September 2015

The essential oil (EO) from dried ground powder leaves and stems of Thymua danesis was extracted using hydrodistillation (HD), ohmic extraction (OE), ultrasound‐assisted HD and ultrasound‐assisted OE methods. Then, the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and sensory properties of the EO were investigated both in vitro and in food systems. Thyme EO extracted by ultrasound‐assisted HD method had promising antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and had the best antioxidant properties when tested in vitro. In food systems, higher concentrations of the EO were needed to exert similar antibacterial and antioxidant effects. Furthermore, thyme EO added yogurt and drink yogurt revealed better sensory properties than the control and fresh samples. Essential oil from Thymua danesis has a good potential to be used as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and flavoring agent in food systems and the extraction method effects on the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the thyme extract.
Immense Dynamism
Authors: Richerzhagen Bjoern , Koldehofe Boris , Steinmetz Ralf
Published: September 2015

When the virtual gaming world meets the real world in an “augmented reality”, communication networks quickly become overloaded. But what presents the biggest challenge to the Internet of the future also offers researchers possible ways of solving it.
“Please Pollinate!”
Authors: Klein Alexandra‐Maria
Published: September 2015

Wild bees find it hard to survive in intensively managed agricultural landscapes, and when the number of pollinating insects diminishes, it isn't just crop yields that are affected. As ecologists have demonstrated in Californian almond plantations, the type of pollination can even affect the quality of the fruits.
Development and experimental validation of an arbitrary Lagrangian‐Eulerian (ALE) method for soil mechanics
Authors: Aubram Daniel
Published: September 2015

Large deformation problems in soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering can hardly be addressed by the traditional Lagrangian finite element method because the material and mesh motions coincide. This paper presents an arbitrary Lagrangian‐Eulerian (ALE) method in which the computational mesh is regarded as an independent reference domain to keep mesh quality acceptable throughout the calculation. The relative velocity between the material and the mesh introduces additional complexity which is treated by a Lagrange‐plus‐remap strategy in conjunction with efficient algorithms. Because thorough validation plays a crucial role, experimental model testing concerned with penetration into sand have been carried out and back‐analyzed by using the ALE method.

Entwicklung und experimentelle Validierung einer allgemeinen Lagrange‐Euler (ALE) Methode für Bodenmechanik. Bodenmechanische und geotechnische Problemstellungen mit großen Verformungen können mit der traditionellen Lagrange'schen Finite Elemente Methode kaum gelöst werden, weil hierbei die Bewegung des Netzes der des Materials entspricht. Dieser Beitrag präsentiert eine allgemeine Lagrange‐Euler (ALE) Methode, bei der das Netz als unabhängiges Referenzgebiet betrachtet wird, um die Qualität des Netzes während der gesamten Berechnung aufrecht zu erhalten. Der sich aus der Relativgeschwindigkeit zwischen Material und Netz ergebende Zuwachs an Komplexität wird mittels einer Lagrange‐plus‐Remap Strategie und effizienten Algorithmen behandelt. Weil die sorgfältige Validierung eine wichtige Rolle spielt, wurden experimentelle Modellversuche zur Penetration in Sand durchgeführt und mit Hilfe der ALE Methode nachgerechnet.
The dual and opposite role of the TM6SF2‐rs58542926 variant in protecting against cardiovascular disease and conferring risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Pirola Carlos J. , Sookoian Silvia
Published: September 2015

The aim of this work was to estimate the strength of the effect of the TM6SF2 E167K (rs58542926 C/T) variant on blood lipid traits and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) across different populations. We performed a systematic review by a meta‐analysis; literature searches identified 10 studies. The rs58542926 exerts a significant role in modulating lipid traits, including total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), triglycerides (TG), and NAFLD. However, this influence on lipids and NAFLD is opposite between genotypes in the dominant model of inheritance. Pooled estimates of random effects in 101,326 individuals showed that carriers of the minor T allele (EK+KK individuals), compared with subjects homozygous for the ancestral C allele (EE genotype), are protected from cardiovascular disease (CVD), showing lower levels of TC, LDL‐C, and TG; the differences in mean ± standard error (mg/dL) are −8.38 ± 1.56, −3.7 ± 0.9, and −9.4 ± 2.1, respectively. The rs58542926 variant was not associated with high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in a large sample (n = 91,937). In contrast, carriers of the T allele showed a moderate effect on the risk of NAFLD (odds ratio: 2.13; 95% confidence interval: 1.36–3.30; P = 0.0009; n = 3273) and approximately ∼2.2% higher lipid fat content when compared with homozygous EE (n = 3,413). Conclusions: The rs58542926 appears to be an important modifier of blood lipid traits in different populations. As a challenge for personalized medicine, the C‐allele, which has an overall frequency as high as 93%, is associated with higher blood lipids, whereas the T allele confers risk for NAFLD; in turn, CVD and NAFLD are strongly related outcomes. Although the variant confers protection against CVD at the expense of an increased risk of NAFLD, it does not explain the link between these two complex diseases.(Hepatology 2015;62:1742–1756)
The impact of experienced stress on aged spatial discrimination: Cortical overreliance as a result of hippocampal impairment
Authors: Marshall Amanda C. , Cooper Nicholas R. , Geeraert Nicolas
Published: September 2015

A large body of neuroscientific work indicates that exposure to experienced stress causes damage to both cortical and hippocampal cells and results in impairments to cognitive abilities associated with these structures. Similarly, work within the domain of cognitive aging demonstrates that elderly participants who report experiencing greater amounts of stress show reduced levels of cognitive functioning. The present article attempted to combine both findings by collecting data from elderly and young participants who completed a spatial discrimination paradigm developed by Reagh and colleagues [Reagh et al. () Hippocampus 24:303–314] to measure hippocampal‐mediated cognitive processes. In order to investigate the effect of stress on the cortex and, indirectly, the hippocampus, it paired the paradigm with electroencephalographic recordings of the theta frequency band, which is thought to reflect cortical/hippocampal interactions. Findings revealed that elderly participants with high levels of experienced stress performed significantly worse on target recognition and lure discrimination and demonstrated heightened levels of cortical theta synchronization compared with young and elderly low stress counterparts. Results therefore provided further evidence for the adverse effect of stress on cognitive aging and indicate that impaired behavioral performance among high stress elderly may coincide with an overreliance on cortical cognitive processing strategies as a result of early damage to the hippocampus. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A versatile index to characterize hysteresis between hydrological variables at the runoff event timescale
Authors: Zuecco G. , Penna D. , Borga M. , van Meerveld H. J.
Published: September 2015

This study presents a versatile index for the quantification of hysteretic loops between hydrological variables at the runoff event timescale. The conceptual development of the index is based on a normalization of the input data and the computation of definite integrals at fixed intervals of the independent variable. The sum, the minimum and the maximum of the differences between integrals computed for the rising and the falling curves provide information on the direction, the shape and the extent of the loop. The index was tested with synthetic data and field data from experimental catchments in Northern Italy. Hysteretic relations between streamflow (the independent variable) and soil moisture, depth to water table, isotopic composition and electrical conductivity of stream water (dependent variables) were correctly identified and quantified by the index. The objective quantification of hysteresis by the index allows for the automatic classification of hysteretic loops and thus the determination of differences in hydrological responses during different events. The index was also used to examine the seasonal dynamics in the relation between streamflow and soil moisture and captured the switch in the direction of the loop with changes in event size and antecedent wetness conditions. The sensitivity of the index to the temporal resolution of the measurements and measurement errors was also tested. The index can successfully quantify hysteresis, except for very noisy data or when the temporal resolution of the measurements is not well suited to study hysteresis between the variables. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design and Properties of Porphyrin‐based Singlet Oxygen Generator
Authors: Jeong Hyo‐Geun , Choi Myung‐Seok
Published: September 2015

In this review, we address recent studies of porphyrin‐based molecular systems for efficient singlet oxygen (1O2) generation. Porphyrins have a highly conjugated, delocalized 18‐π electron system (for the shortest cyclic path) that is responsible for the strong absorption and emission characteristics in the visible region. Singlet oxygen is useful for applications in photodynamic cancer therapy (PDT), photooxidation of toxic molecules, and photoproduction of important intermediates for various chemicals owing to its high oxidation ability. Porphyrin and its analogues have been investigated as photosensitizers for 1O2 generation. The production of 1O2 is successfully regulated by photophysical parameters, such as intersystem crossing, triplet state (T1) lifetime, and photosensitizer to 3O2 energy transfer in molecular systems. Introduction of substituents with heavy atoms (halogen, metal) and radicals onto the photosensitizer (PS) exerts a strongly positive impact on intersystem crossing of the singlet excited state of the PS, promoting generation of the triplet excited state. Environmental conditions, such as solvent and pH, may also influence 1O2 generation. As a means to limit cellular photodamage, two‐photon absorption and DNA switches for 1O2 generation have been proposed and developed. Achieving control of singlet oxygen generation is pertinent to many arenas at the cutting edge of modern science, ranging from the chemical industry to biomedical applications.
Determinants of Lower Saving Rates in the USA: Prospects and Implications
Authors: Kandil Magda
Published: September 2015

The recent episode of the financial meltdown has drawn attention to global imbalances, raising concerns about inability to sustain low saving rates in the USA. The objective of this paper is to shed light on the downward trend in household savings in the USA starting in the mid‐1990s. In addition to the theoretical determinants of household savings, the paper's innovation is in tracing the effect of the widely tracked consumer sentiment index on savings. Applying the dynamic autoregressive distributed lag model with bounds testing approach, the evidence confirms the relevance of the consumer sentiment index as an important factor that affects household savings, both in the short‐run and long‐run.
International Risk Sharing in the Short and in the long run under Country Heterogeneity
Authors: Fuleky Peter , Ventura Luigi , Zhao Qianxue
Published: September 2015

Empirical tests of international risk sharing usually focus on the short run and impose homogeneity across countries. We extend the existing literature by analysing both the short run and the long run aspects of risk sharing and by using novel econometric tools that properly account for heterogeneity across a large set of countries. The results confirm that international risk sharing is only partial and quite variable across economies. However, there appears to be no trade‐off between the short run and long run: countries better insured in the long run also tend to perform better in the short run, with the strength of domestic credit markets being crucial in shaping this relationship. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vestibular and ocular motor function prior to and after therapeutic apheresis with small plasmafilter in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kolev Ognyan I. , Kenarov Plamen
Published: September 2015

Some patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are resistant to steroid therapy. In them an alternative therapy could be therapeutic apheresis (TA). A woman with relapsing‐remitting cerebral MS with dizziness and imbalance, resistant to steroid therapy was treated with low volume plasmapheresis with saline substitution. The first four sessions were performed every other day, 5‐th after 30 days, 6‐th 3 months later, and 7‐th 6 months later. During each session 1000‐1500 ml plasma was substituted with saline solution only. Symptoms were reduced. Objective vestibular and ocular‐motor tests prior to and after the TA demonstrated improved function. In conclusion, low volume plasmapheresis with saline substitution might be effective therapeutic option for steroid resistant MS. Objective methods of measuring vestibular and ocular‐motor functions are useful in assessing MS treatment. J. Clin. Apheresis 31:470–472, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Single‐Case Research Design and Analysis: Counseling Applications
Authors: Ray Dee C.
Published: September 2015

The application of single‐case research design (SCRD) offers counseling practitioners and researchers a practical and viable method for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions that target behavior, emotions, personal characteristics, and other counseling‐related constructs of interest. This article discusses general issues relevant to SCRD, as well as obstacles to its implementation in counseling settings. Steps to SCRD development, application, and analysis that are specific to the counseling field are also provided to encourage its use among counselors and researchers.
Evaluating Intervention Effects in Single‐Case Research Designs
Authors: Vannest Kimberly J. , Ninci Jennifer
Published: September 2015

Single‐case research designs have primarily relied on visual analysis for determining treatment effects. However, current foci on evidence‐based treatment have given rise to the development of new methods. This article presents descriptions, calculations, strengths and weaknesses, and interpretative guidelines for 5 effect size indices: the percent of nonoverlapping data, the percent of data exceeding the median, improvement rate difference, nonoverlap of all pairs, and Tau‐U.
Effects of Adlerian Play Therapy on Children's Externalizing Behavior
Authors: Meany‐Walen Kristin K. , Kottman Terry , Bullis Quinn , Dillman Taylor Dalenna
Published: September 2015

Without intervention, children's externalizing behaviors tend to worsen over time and increase the risk that they will experience future problems. The authors used a single‐case research design with 6 Caucasian boys in kindergarten and 1st grade to measure the effectiveness of Adlerian play therapy on children's classroom behaviors. The results revealed an improvement in the children's behavior during and after the intervention, suggesting that Adlerian play therapy is a promising intervention for children's externalizing classroom behaviors.
BMP‐2 Enhances Lgr4 Gene Expression in Osteoblastic Cells
Authors: Pawaputanon Na Mahasarakham Chantida , Ezura Yoichi , Kawasaki Makiri , Smriti Arayal , Moriya Shuichi , Yamada Takayuki , Izu Yayoi , Nifuji Akira , Nishimori Katsuhiko , Izumi Yuichi , Noda Masaki
Published: September 2015

Osteoporosis is one of the most prevalent diseases and the number of patients suffering from this disease is soaring due to the increase in the aged population in the world. The severity of bone loss in osteoporosis is based on the levels of impairment in the balance between bone formation and bone resorption, two arms of the bone metabolism, and bone remodeling. However, determination of bone formation levels is under many layers of control that are as yet fully defined. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) plays a key role in regulation of bone formation while its downstream targets are still incompletely understood. Lgr4 gene encodes an orphan receptor and has been identified as a genetic determinant for bone mass in osteoporotic patients. Here, we examine the effects of BMP on the expression of Lgr4 in osteoblastic cells. Lgr4 gene is expressed in an osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3E1 in a time dependent manner during the culture. BMP treatment enhances Lgr4 mRNA expression at least in part via transcriptional event. When Lgr4 mRNA is knocked down, the levels of BMP‐induced increase in alkaline phosphatase (Alp) activity and Alp mRNA are suppressed. BMP enhancement of Lgr4 gene expression is suppressed by FGF and reversed by dexamethasone. BMP also enhances Lgr4 expression in primary cultures of calvarial osteoblasts. These data indicate that Lgr4 gene is regulated by BMP and is required for BMP effects on osteoblastic differentiation. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 887–895, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Kidney Injury Molecule‐1 Enhances Endocytosis of Albumin in Renal Proximal Tubular Cells
Authors: Zhao Xueying , Jiang Chen , Olufade Rebecca , Liu Dong , Emmett Nerimiah
Published: September 2015

Receptor‐mediated endocytosis plays an important role in albumin reabsorption by renal proximal tubule epithelial cells. Kidney injury molecule‐1 (KIM‐1) is a scavenger receptor that is upregulated on the apical membrane of proximal tubules in proteinuric kidney disease. In this study, we examined the cellular localization and functional role of KIM‐1 in cultured renal tubule epithelial cells (TECs). Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy reveals intracellular and cell surface localization of KIM‐1 in primary renal TECs. Albumin stimulation resulted in a redistribution of KIM‐1 and tight junction protein zonula occludens‐1 in primary TEC monolayer. An increase in albumin internalization was observed in both primary TECs expressing endogenous KIM‐1 and rat kidney cell line (NRK‐52E) overexpressing exogenous KIM‐1. KIM‐1‐induced albumin accumulation was abolished by its specific antibody. Moreover, endocytosed KIM‐1 and its cargo proteins were delivered from endosomes to lysosomes for degradation in a clathrin‐dependent pathway. Supportive evidence includes (1) detection of KIM‐1 in Rab5‐positive early endosomes, Rab7‐positive late endosomes/multivesicular bodies, and LAMP1‐positive lysosomes, (2) colocalization of KIM‐1 and clathrin in the intracellular vesicles, and (3) blockade of KIM‐1‐mediated albumin internalization by chlorpromazine, an inhibitor of clathrin‐dependent endocytosis. KIM‐1 expression was upregulated by albumin but downregulated by transforming growth factor‐β1. Taken together, our data indicate that KIM‐1 increases albumin endocytosis in renal tubule epithelial cells, at least partially via a clathrin‐dependent mechanism. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 896–907, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biomarker exposure–response relationships as the basis for rational dose selection: Lessons from a simulation exercise using a selective COX‐2 inhibitor
Authors: Taneja Amit , Oosterholt Sean P. , Danhof Meindert , Della Pasqua Oscar
Published: September 2015

An exposure–response model was used to characterize the pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic relationship of GW406381, a COX‐2 inhibitor, based on data from ex vivo prostaglandin E2 inhibition collected in a phase 1 study in healthy subjects. The final model was then used to simulate a proof‐of‐concept study and to explore suitable dosing ranges in case of hepatic dysfunction or metabolic induction. Trough concentrations in the range of IC80 to IC95 were used as target therapeutic concentrations. Symptom relief in a subsequent phase 2b study in 400 patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving GW406381 was then analysed to support the design of a phase 3 study in which doses in the range between 10 to 400 mg were explored. The exercise also allowed the evaluation of correlations between the biomarker and clinical end point. A 2‐compartment model described the pharmacokinetics of GW406381, whereas the pharmacodynamics was described by an Imax model. In patients with normal organ function, the predicted median therapeutic dose was between 100 and 150 mg. The time course of symptom relief was fitted by a Weibull model, with an Imax model describing the drug effect. Simulations showed that dose‐response discrimination occurred at doses higher than 150 mg, with predicted 60%–80% target engagement in the dose range of 150–400 mg.
Pharmacokinetics of venlafaxine enantiomers and their metabolites in psoriasis patients
Authors: Godoy Ana Leonor Pardo Campos , Rocha Adriana , da Silva Souza Cacilda , Lanchote Vera Lucia
Published: September 2015

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with several comorbidities, including depression. Previous studies have shown that inflammatory diseases downregulate the expression and suppress activity of CYP isoforms. Venlafaxine (VLX) is an antidepressant metabolized mainly by CYP2D6 to O‐desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV), CYP3A to N‐desmethylvenlafaxine (NDV), and CYP2D6 and CYP3A to N,O‐didesmethylvenlafaxine (DDV). This study evaluated the influence of psoriasis on the enantioselective pharmacokinetics of VLX. Psoriasis patients (n = 13) and healthy volunteers (n = 11) phenotyped as CYP2D6 extensive (EM) or poor metabolizers (n = 1) received a single oral dose of 150 mg racemic VLX. Plasma concentrations of TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, IL‐6, IL‐8, and IL‐17 cytokines were higher in EM psoriasis patients when compared with healthy volunteers. IL‐6 plasma concentrations varied from 0.4 to 12.9 pg/mL (mean, 2.1 pg/mL) in healthy volunteers and from 0.4 to 29.3 pg/mL (mean, 4.2 pg/mL) in psoriatic patients. VLX pharmacokinetics are enantioselective in healthy volunteers and psoriasis patients phenotyped as EM. Higher AUC values for the (S)‐VLX, (S)‐NDV, and (S)‐DDV enantiomers were observed in healthy volunteers, whereas higher AUC values for (S)‐VLX and (R)‐ODV were found in psoriasis patients phenotyped as EM. Psoriasis does not alter the pharmacokinetics of the VLX enantiomers probably because of the low levels of IL‐6 plasma concentrations.
A benchmarking and comparative analysis of emotional intelligence in student and qualified radiographers: an international study
Authors: Mackay Stuart James , White Peter , McNulty Jonathan P. , Lane Steven , Lewis Sarah Jayne
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Emotional intelligence (EI) has been identified as an important trait for healthcare students and healthcare professionals alike and is a predictor of improved work performance and patient satisfaction. In this paper, we benchmark an international cohort of radiography students and compare their scores to those of known qualified practitioner and normative data.

Methods

EI scores were at commencement from radiography degree programmes at four universities in Australia, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom using the short form of the trait EI questionnaire (TEIQue‐SF), which yields a Global score and four sub‐factors. In total 293 students chose to participate.

Results

For the Australian combined Irish and UK groups, there were significant differences in Global EI and three of the four sub‐factors between students and qualified radiographers (Australia: students = 5.01, qualified = 5.27; P ≤ 0.01) (Irish/UK students = 5.04, qualified = 5.28; P ≤ 0.01). When compared to the UK normative data, there was a significant difference for Global EI between the UK students and the UK norm data set (students = 4.71, normative = 4.99; P ≤ 0.01).

Conclusion

This study provides benchmarking data for an international radiography student group. The clear differences of higher EI scores for qualified practicing radiographers when compared to student score opens discussion of the impact of academic and clinical practicum as a contributing factor in EI skills development.
Effect of Acceptance Expectations on the Employment Development of Individuals With Disabilities: The Self‐Fulfilling Prophecy Applied
Authors: Chen Li Ju
Published: September 2015

The author examined what and how factors affect the employment status of Taiwanese college students with disabilities in the 1st year after graduation. The results demonstrated that (a) perceived acceptance by society and the employment market (ASEM) was the major factor affecting the employment status of individuals with disabilities (IWDs); (b) perceived ASEM influenced IWDs' psychological states, attitudes, and life‐planning styles, as well as their attitudes and strategies in job searching; and (c) the effect of IWDs' acceptance expectations on their employment development can be explained by the self‐fulfilling prophecy.
Raman spectroscopic investigations of epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films on rare earth scandate substrates
Authors: Talkenberger Andreas , Vrejoiu Ionela , Johann Florian , Röder Christian , Irmer Gert , Rafaja David , Schreiber Gerhard , Kortus Jens , Himcinschi Cameliu
Published: September 2015

BiFeO3 epitaxial thin films fabricated by pulsed laser deposition on different scandate substrates were investigated by means of Raman spectroscopy. We observed periodic changes in Raman position, full width at half maximum and intensity for some phonon modes as a function of the azimuthal angle ϕ. Further analysis revealed the possibility to assign the so far controversial discussed Raman modes at low wavenumbers (<250 cm−1) through rotational Raman measurements at different azimuthal angles, which show high sensitivity to the aforementioned parameters. Furthermore, the ferroelectric/ferroelastic domain structure shown by piezo‐response force microscopy investigations of the samples was confirmed. Our results are supported by symmetry‐based calculations including the analysis of Raman scattering geometry as well as the dielectric function of BiFeO3 in the infrared range. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the mechanism responsible of Raman enhancement on carbon allotropes surfaces: the role of molecule‐surface vibrational coupling in SERS
Authors: Ramos‐Berdullas Nicolás , López‐Carballeira Diego , Pérez‐Juste Ignacio , Mandado Marcos
Published: September 2015

The ability of different carbon allotropes surfaces as potential substrates for enhanced Raman spectroscopy is analysed theoretically and the factors responsible of the Raman‐enhancing mechanism deeply scrutinised. Our analysis is based on the partition of the Raman tensor into molecule and surface terms, which leads to three different contributions to the Raman activity (‘molecule’, ‘surface’ and ‘intermolecular’). Both static and pre‐ resonance conditions are considered in our analysis of the Raman spectra of pyridine adsorbed on model planar and curved surfaces and the three contributions to the Raman activity obtained separately. At static conditions, there is a general decrease in the Raman activity of vibrational modes associated to the molecule, proportional to the strength of the molecule–surface interaction. This stems from a reduction of the polarizability of pyridine upon its adsorption on the carbon surface. Under pre‐resonance conditions, the surface contributes significantly to the Raman activity of the pyridine vibrational modes, even if the electronic transition involves exclusively energy levels from the surface. This is because of small vibrational couplings between molecular and surface modes which are negligible in metallic surface‐like silver. It suggests also the possibility of finding similar effects in metallic surface built from lighter atoms like silicon or aluminium. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sarcopenia is highly prevalent in patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer but not associated with worse outcomes
Authors: Tegels Juul J.W. , van Vugt Jeroen L.A. , Reisinger Kostan W. , Hulsewé Karel W.E. , Hoofwijk Anton G.M. , Derikx Joep P.M. , Stoot Jan H.M.B.
Published: September 2015

Objectives

Aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of sarcopenia and body composition (i.e., subcutaneous and visceral fat) in gastric cancer surgical patients and its association with adverse postoperative outcome.

Methods

Preoperative CT scans were obtained from all patients who underwent surgery for gastric adenocarcinoma between January 2005 and September 2012. Total muscle and adipose tissue cross‐sectional area were measured at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3) transverse processes. Sarcopenia was defined according to gender‐ and body mass index (BMI)‐specific cutoff points. Primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were severe postoperative complications (i.e., Clavien–Dindo classification ≥3a complications) and 6‐month mortality.

Results

In 152 out of a total of 180 (84.4%) patients, a CT‐scan was available for analysis. In total, 86 (57.7%) of the patients were classified as sarcopenic. Sarcopenia was no predictor for in‐hospital mortality (P = 0.52), severe complications (P = 1.00) or 6‐month mortality (P = 0.69). Intraabdominal and subcutaneous adipose tissue measurements were not associated with in‐hospital mortality, severe complications or 6‐month mortality.

Conclusions

In this population of gastric cancer surgical patients, the prevalence of sarcopenia was 57.7%, which is high compared to other abdominal surgical oncology populations. However, sarcopenia was not associated with postoperative morbidity or mortality. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015; 112:403–407. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simultaneous determination of multiple platycosides with a single reference standard in Platycodi Radix by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection
Authors: Peng Yu , Zhang Feng , Tao Hongxun , Wang Wei , Sun Lianna , Chen Wansheng , Wang Changhong
Published: September 2015

A traditional external standard method using HPLC coupled with evaporative light scattering detection has been developed for fast and accurate determination of seven platycosides in Platycodi Radix. However, inevitable difficulties in reference standards preparation process, which are quite costly and time consuming, have made its application limited. To avoid this inconvenience, a simultaneous determination of multiple components with a single reference standard strategy, which could be realized by calibrating the standard curve with internal standard and response factors, was introduced to the HPLC coupled with evaporative light scattering detection method. This is the first time that an incorporation of these two methods has been realized. Among seven ingredients, platycodin D was selected as the internal standard for its relatively easy preparation and low cost. Moreover, according to the investigation on concentration‐dependent effects over response factors and robustness test, platycoside E, deapioplatycodin D, platycodin D, and polygalacin D2 were chosen to be the indicators for this novel method. The present method has not shown statistically significant differences with a traditional external standard method as verified sample analysis by the F‐test (p = 95%, n = 6).
Size‐Exclusion Chromatography and Aggregation Studies of Acetylated Lignins in N,N‐Dimethylacetamide in the Presence of Salts
Authors: Clauss Manuel M. , Weldin Dianne L. , Frank Erik , Giebel Elisabeth , Buchmeiser Michael R.
Published: September 2015

The molar masses of acetylated kraft lignin and organosolv lignin are determined using both dynamic light scattering and size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC). Preparative gel fractionation of both lignins is allowed for the further analysis of low‐polydispersity lignin fractions. Fundamental information about the aggregation behavior of different molecular weight lignins in different solvent systems is provided. Two different solvent systems are used for SEC. Universal calibration is used for analysis. Applying the Flory–Fox theory, the obtained molecular weights are allowed for determining the maximum glass transition temperature at theoretical infinite molecular weight, Tg∞, of both acetylated lignins.

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Bifurcation and multiplicity results for critical fractional p‐Laplacian problems
Authors: Perera Kanishka , Squassina Marco , Yang Yang
Published: September 2015

We prove a bifurcation and multiplicity result for a critical fractional p‐Laplacian problem that is the analog of the Brézis‐Nirenberg problem for the nonlocal quasilinear case. This extends a result in the literature for the semilinear case to all , in particular, it gives a new existence result. When , the nonlinear operator , has no linear eigenspaces, so our extension is nontrivial and requires a new abstract critical point theorem that is not based on linear subspaces. We prove a new abstract result based on a pseudo‐index related to the ‐cohomological index that is applicable here.
Aromatic Heterocycle 1,3,4‐Oxadiazole‐Substituted Thieno[3,4‐b]thiophene to Build Low‐Bandgap Polymer for Photovoltaic Application
Authors: Zhu Dangqiang , Sun Liang , Liu Qian , Wen Shuguang , Han Liangliang , Bao Xichang , Yang Renqiang
Published: September 2015

Electron‐deficient heterocycle 1,3,4‐oxadiazole is first introduced to the 2‐position of thieno[3,4‐b]thiophene (TT) to construct a new building block 2‐(thieno[3,4‐b]thiophen‐2‐yl)‐5‐(alkylthio)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole (TTSO) with alkylthio chain. The polymer PBDT–TTSO based on TTSO and benzodithiophene (BDT) exhibits a deep lying highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level of −5.32 eV and low‐bandgap of 1.62 eV. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.86% is obtained with a relatively high V
OC of 0.74 V, a J
SC of 13.1 mA cm−2, and FF of 60.5%. Furthermore, as S atom in thioether can be oxidized easily, the optoelectronic properties of PBDT–TTSO treated with different oxidants are preliminary investigated. Interestingly, the oxidation products still maintain high PCE with reduction less than 30%. This work demonstrates a new method to regulate HOMO energy levels by introducing electron‐deficient aromatic heterocyclic moiety.

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