bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between fear and pain levels during needle procedures in children from the parents' perspective
Authors: Hedén L. , von Essen L. , Ljungman G.
Published: April 2015

Background

The primary objective was to determine the levels of and potential relationships between procedure‐related fear and pain in children. Secondary objectives were to determine if there are associations between the child's age and sex, diagnostic group, time since diagnosis, time since last needle insertion, cortisol levels and the parent's fear level in relation to fear and pain.

Methods

The child's level of pain and fear was reported by parents on 0–100 mm visual analogue scales (VAS). One hundred and fifty‐one children were included consecutively when undergoing routine needle insertion into a subcutaneously implanted intravenous port. All children were subjected to one needle insertion following topical anaesthesia (EMLA) application. The effect of the child's age and sex, diagnostic group, time since diagnosis, time since last needle insertion, cortisol change levels and the parent's fear level, on fear and pain levels was investigated with multiple regression analysis.

Results

The needle‐related fear level (VAS mean 28 mm) was higher than the needle‐related pain level (VAS mean 17 mm) when topical anaesthesia is used according to parents' reports (n = 151, p < 0.001). With fear as the dependent variable, age and pain were significantly associated and explained 33% of the variance, and with pain as the dependent variable, fear, parents' fear and change in cortisol level were significantly associated and explained 38% of the variance.

Conclusions

According to parents, children experienced more fear than pain during needle insertion when topical anaesthesia is used. Therefore, in addition to pain management, an extended focus on fear‐reducing interventions is suggested for needle procedures.
Electroanalytical Studies of Chromone Based Ionophores for the Selective Determination of Arsenite Ion
Authors: Gupta Neha , Singh Ashok Kumar , Bhardwaj Shubhrajyotsna , Singhal Divya
Published: April 2015

Two chemosensors 4H‐1‐benzopyran‐3‐carboxaldehyde, 4‐oxo‐, 3‐(2‐phenylhydrazone), [I1] and 4H‐1‐benzopyran‐3‐carboxaldehyde, 4‐oxo‐, 3‐[2‐(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)hydrazone], [I2] with hydrazone‐NH group as binding site have been shown excellent selectivity for arsenite ion. It is confirmed by the UV‐vis titration that I2 is more selective than I1. The performance of the coated graphite electrode (CGE) was found to be better than polymeric membrane electrode (PME) in terms of linear range of 4.89×10−7–1.0×10−1 mol L−1, low detection limit of 8.31×10−8 mol L−1 and short response time. The proposed sensors were also used to determine the arsenite ion in different water samples.
Jacobian‐free Newton–Krylov method for implicit time‐spectral solution of the compressible Navier‐Stokes equations
Authors: Attar Peter J.
Published: April 2015

We introduce a Jacobian‐free Newton–Krylov method for the implicit time‐spectral solution of the compressible Navier‐Stokes equations. A new type of preconditioner is presented, which is based upon an approximate factorization of an approximation to the exact time‐spectral Jacobian. The choice of this type of preconditioner is particularly useful when the time‐spectral scheme is to be implemented into a computational code that already contains an implicit time‐marching solver. The spatial discretization of the Navier–Stokes equation consists of a sixth‐order compact scheme with a high‐order, low‐pass filter. Numerical simulation of the laminar flow over a circular cylinder at two post‐critical Reynolds numbers (Re=50,100) is used to characterize the performance of the method. In general, the time‐spectral solution is two to ten times faster, for equivalent accuracy in the lift coefficient, than a time‐marching implicit Beam‐Warming solution with the upper end of this range noted when the Reynolds number is closer to the dynamic instability bifurcation Reynolds number. Other numerical and analytical results are presented, which demonstrate various aspects of the preconditioner performance. In addition, results and discussion are given for some characteristics of time‐spectral solutions for autonomous problems where the fundamental frequency is unknown. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving of Micro Porous Layer based on Advanced Carbon Materials for High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Electrodes
Authors: Zamora H. , Cañizares P. , Rodrigo M. A. , Lobato J.
Published: April 2015

This work reports the study of four different carbon materials for their application as carbon material in microporous layers for high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells electrodes. The microporous layers were prepared with carbon black (a commercial one, Vulcan XC72), two different carbon nanofibers, CNF, (Ribbon and Platelet structure) and carbon nanospheres, all of them prepared in our lab. The microporous layers were characterized by XRD. The hydrophobicity, electrical conductivity, and permeability to different gases were also evaluated. The stability is an important issue to be overcome in the field of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Thus, accelerated thermal and electrochemical degradation tests in phosphoric acid media were carried out to evaluate the stability of the different advanced materials tested under the same conditions. From all the performed essays, the carbon nanospheres were the best nano‐carbon materials because of the lower degradation degree shown by the microporous layer prepared with them and the good conductivity and permeability achieved, whereas CNF with a Platelet structure showed a low electrochemical stability due to their greater edge plane exposure which favors their corrosion.
Influence of Pyridine‐Polybenzimidazole Film Thickness of Carbon Nanotube Supported Platinum on Fuel Cell Applications
Authors: Kaewsai D. , Lin H. L. , Yu T. L.
Published: April 2015

Pyridine‐polybenzimidazole (PyPBI) films of different thickness (∼1.0–2.4 nm) are wrapped on the surfaces of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). To prepare Pt on PyPBI/CNT (Pt‐PyPBI/CNT) catalysts, Pt4+ ions are immobilized on these PyPBI wrapped CNTs (PyPBI/CNTs) via Lewis acid‐base coordination between Pt4+ and :N‐ of imidazole groups, followed by reducing Pt4+ to Pt nanoparticles. The influence of PyPBI film thickness on the Pt particle size, loading and electrochemical surface area, respectively, of Pt‐PyPBI/CNTs is investigated. Fuel cell performances of the PBI/H3PO4 based membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) prepared from these Pt‐PyPBI/CNT catalysts are also evaluated at 160 °C with unhumidified H2/O2 gases. Among the catalysts, the Pt‐PyPBI/CNT catalyst with a PyPBI film thickness of ∼1.6 nm (which is around half of the Pt particle size), a Pt loading of ∼44 wt.%, and a Pt particle size of ∼3.3 nm exhibits the best fuel cell performance.
Measuring the magnetoelectric effect across scales
Authors: Lupascu Doru C. , Wende Heiko , Etier Morad , Nazrabi Ahmadshah , Anusca Irina , Trivedi Harsh , Shvartsman Vladimir V. , Landers Joachim , Salamon Soma , Schmitz‐Antoniak Carolin
Published: April 2015

Magnetoelectric coupling is the material based coupling between electric and magnetic fields without recurrence to electrodynamics. It can arise in intrinsic multiferroics as well as in composites. Intrinsic multiferroics rely on atomistic coupling mechanisms, or coupled crystallographic order parameters, and even more complex mechanisms. They typically require operating temperatures much below T = 0°C in order to exhibit their coupling effects. Room temperature applications are thus excluded. Consequently, composites have been designed to circumvent this limitation. They rely on field coupling between magnetostrictive and piezoelectric materials or in more advanced scenarios on quantum coupling in between both phases.

This overview will describe experimental techniques and their particular limitations in accessing these coupling phenomena at different scales. Strain coupling is the dominant coupling mechanism at the macroscale as well as down to the micrometer. At the nanoscale more subtle effects can arise and some care has to be taken when investigating local coupling at interfaces using scanning probe techniques, e. g. due to semiconductor effects, field screening, or gradient and surface effects. At the smallest length scale atomic or molecular coupling can be tested using X‐ray dichroism or probe atoms like 57Fe in Mössbauer spectroscopy. We display a selection of measuring techniques at the different scales and outline possible pitfalls for experimentalists as well as theoreticians when using material parameters extracted from such experimental work. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Comparison of phenomenological and laminate‐based models for rate‐dependent switching in ferroelectric continua
Authors: Dusthakar Dinesh Kumar , Menzel Andreas , Svendsen Bob
Published: April 2015

The purpose of the current work is the comparison of a phenomenological and a laminate‐based model for rate‐dependent switching in ferroelectric single crystals. To this end, the phenomenological model formulation of [1] is considered. In this model, the polarization vector is treated as an internal variable. The evolution of the polarization determines the remanent strain; dependence of energy storage on its direction results in generally transverse isotropic material behavior. This is compared here with a laminate‐based model in which the volume fractions of ferroelectric variants are treated as internal variables. The evolution of these volume fractions determines in turn the remanent strain and polarization as volume averages of corresponding ferroelectric variant quantities. Besides a comparison of the respective model formulations, the phenomenological and laminate models are compared in the context of numerical simulation examples. It turns out that both modeling frameworks nicely recapture the underlying dissipative and rate‐dependent effects, which is represented by means of simulated butterfly curves and hysteresis loops under homogeneous loading conditions as well as by finite element simulations. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Integrated copy number and gene expression profiling analysis of epstein–barr virus‐positive diffuse large b‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Yoon Heejei , Park Sanghui , Ju Hyunjeong , Ha Sang Yun , Sohn InSuk , Jo Jisuk , Do In‐Gu , Min Sookee , Kim Seok Jin , Kim Won Seog , Yoo Hae Yong , Ko Young Hyeh
Published: April 2015

Viral oncogenes and host immunosenescence have been suggested as causes of Epstein‐Barr virus‐positive diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (EBV + DLBCL) of the elderly. To investigate the molecular genetic basis of immune evasion and tumor outgrowth, we analyzed copy number alterations (CNAs) and gene expression profiles in EBV + DLBCL samples compared with EBV − DLBCL. There were relatively few genomic alterations in EBV + DLBCL compared with those detected in EBV‐negative DLBCL. The most frequent CNAs (>30%) in EBV + DLBCLs were gains at 1q23.2–23.3, 1q23.3, 1q32.1, 5p15.3, 8q22.3, 8q24.1–24.2, and 9p24.1; losses at 6q27, 7q11.2, and 7q36.2–36.3 were also recurrent. A gene expression profile analysis identified the host immune response as a key molecular signature in EBV + DLBCL. Antiviral response genes, proinflammatory cytokines, and chemokines associated with the innate immune response were overexpressed, indicating the presence of a virusinduced inflammatory microenvironment. Genes associated with the B‐cell receptor signaling pathway were downregulated. An integrated analysis indicated that SLAMF1 and PDL2 were key targets of the gains detected at 1q23.2–23.3 and 9p24.1. The chromosomal gain at 9p24.1 was associated with poor overall survival. Taken together, our results led to the identification of recurrent copy number alterations and distinct gene expression associated with the host immune response in EBV + DLBCL. We suggest that the upregulation of PDL2 on 9p24.1 promotes immune evasion and is associated with poor prognosis in EBV + DLBCL. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Siltstone from Southern Patagonia: Its Source and Archaeological Artifact Distribution in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Authors: Belardi Juan Bautista , Cassiodoro Gisela , Goñi Rafael , Glascock Michael D. , Súnico Alejandro
Published: April 2015

Hunter‐gatherer mobility and spheres of interaction are important characteristics worthy of investigation in Patagonian archaeology. One way to approach these is by studying the distribution of lithic archaeological materials. Siltstone (limolite) artifacts are found along the western strip of southwestern Patagonia, Argentina. Based on geomorphological studies and the high density of archaeological material, a source was located along the western margin of Cardiel Lake. Neutron activation analysis of samples from the source and archaeological sites in several neighboring basins allowed us to model its circulation. Siltstone's archaeological distribution indicates that its regional circulation had a southerly direction dating from the early Holocene. This southern vector shows an important difference when compared to the distribution of obsidian from Pampa del Asador, which has a broader circulation pattern. This could be related to a greater availability of high‐quality lithic materials north of the siltstone source. This work also contributes to the construction of a lithic source database for southern Patagonia.
Vorticity analysis of the Palmi shear zone mylonites: new insights for the Alpine tectonic evolution of the Calabria–Peloritani terrane (southern Italy)
Authors: Festa Vincenzo , Prosser Giacomo , Caggianelli Alfredo , Grande Antonietta , Langone Antonio , Mele Daniela
Published: April 2015

New microstructural data on the mylonites from the well‐exposed Palmi shear zone (southern Calabria) are presented with the aim to shed light on both the kinematics and the geometry of the southwestern branch of the Alpine belt during Eocene. In the study area, located between the Sardinia–Corsica block and the Calabria–Peloritani terrane, previous large‐scale geodynamic reconstructions suggest the presence of strike–slip or transform fault zones dissecting the southwestern branch of the Alpine belt. However, there are no field data supporting the occurrence of these structures. This paper uses vorticity analysis technique based on the aspect ratio and the long axis orientation of rigid porphyroclasts in mylonitic marbles and mylonitic granitoids, to estimate the contribution of pure and simple shear of deformation during the movement of the Palmi shear zone. Porphyroclasts aspect ratio and orientation were measured on thin sections using image analysis. Estimates of the vorticity number, Wm, indicate that the Palmi shear zone recorded general shear with a contribution of pure shear of c. 65%. Then, the Palmi shear zone can be interpreted as a segment of a left‐lateral transpressive bend along the southern termination of the Eocene Alpine front. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of beta‐amyloid on face processing in young and old adults: A multivariate analysis of the BOLD signal
Authors: Rieck Jenny R. , Rodrigue Karen M. , Kennedy Kristen M. , Devous Michael D. , Park Denise C.
Published: April 2015

The recent ability to measure in vivo beta‐amyloid (Aβ), a marker of Alzheimer's disease (AD), has led to an increased focus on the significance of Aβ deposition in clinically normal adults. Evidence suggests that healthy adults with elevated cortical Aβ show differences in neural activity associated with memory encoding—specifically encoding of face stimuli. Here, we examined if Aβ deposition in clinically normal adults was related to differences in neural activity in ventral visual cortex during face viewing. Our sample included 23 high‐Aβ older adults, 23 demographically matched low‐Aβ older adults, and 16 young adults. Participants underwent cognitive testing, Aβ positron emission tomography imaging with 18F‐Florbetapir, and functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure neural activity while participants passively viewed photographs of faces. Using barycentric discriminant analysis—a between‐groups classification technique—we found that patterns of neural activity in the left fusiform gyrus, a region highly responsive to faces, distinguished Aβ status of participants. Older adults with elevated Aβ were characterized by decreased activity in left fusiform compared to Aβ‐negative older adults. Further, we found that the degree to which older adults expressed decreased fusiform activity was related to worse performance on tasks of processing speed. Our results provide unique evidence that, in addition to previously studied memory and default regions, decreased neural activity in a region important for face perception was associated with elevated Aβ and may be an early manifestation of AD. Hum Brain Mapp 36:2514–2526, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Oral contraceptive pill use is associated with localized decreases in cortical thickness
Authors: Petersen Nicole , Touroutoglou Alexandra , Andreano Joseph M. , Cahill Larry
Published: April 2015

Oral contraceptive pills (OCs), which are used to prevent pregnancy by the majority of women in the United States, contain steroid hormones that may affect the brain's structure and function. In this investigation, we tested the hypothesis that OC use is associated with differences in brain structure using a hypothesis‐driven, surface‐based approach. In 90 women, (44 OC users, 46 naturally‐cycling women), we compared the cortical thickness of brain regions that participate in the salience network and the default mode network, as well as the volume of subcortical regions in these networks. We found that OC use was associated with significantly lower cortical thickness measurements in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex and the posterior cingulate cortex. These regions are believed to be important for responding to rewards and evaluating internal states/incoming stimuli, respectively. Further investigations are needed to determine if cortical thinning in these regions are associated with behavioral changes, and also to identify whether OC use is causally or only indirectly related to these changes in brain morphology. Hum Brain Mapp 36:2644–2654, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation differ in hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma and relate to survival rate
Authors: Udali Silvia , Guarini Patrizia , Moruzzi Sara , Ruzzenente Andrea , Tammen Stephanie A. , Guglielmi Alfredo , Conci Simone , Pattini Patrizia , Olivieri Oliviero , Corrocher Roberto , Choi Sang‐Woon , Friso Simonetta
Published: April 2015

In addition to DNA methylation, hydroxymethylation of DNA is recognized as a novel epigenetic mark. Primary liver cancers, i.e., hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC), are highly prevalent but epigenetically poorly characterized, so far. In the present study we measured global methylcytosine (mCyt) and hydroxymethylcytosine (hmCyt) in HCC and CC tissues and in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) DNA to define mCyt and hmCyt status and, accordingly, the survival rate. Both mCyt and hmCyt were measured by a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method in neoplastic and homologous nonneoplastic tissues, i.e., liver and gallbladder, and in PBMCs of 31 HCC and 16 CC patients. Content of mCyt was notably lower in HCC than in CC tissues (3.97% versus 5.26%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Significantly reduced mCyt was also detected in HCC compared to nonneoplastic tissue (3.97% versus 4.82% mCyt, respectively; P < 0.0001), but no such difference was found for CC versus homologous nonneoplastic tissue. Hydroxymethylation was significantly decreased in HCC versus nonneoplastic liver tissue (0.044 versus 0.128, respectively; P < 0.0001) and in CC versus both liver and gallbladder nonneoplastic tissue (0.030 versus 0.124, P = 0.026, and 0.030 versus 0.123, P = 0.006, respectively). When the survival rate was evaluated according to mCyt PBMC content by Kaplan‐Meier analysis, patients with mCyt ≥5.59% had a significantly higher life expectancy than those with mCyt <5.59% (P = 0.034) at a follow‐up period up to 48 months. Conclusion: A significant DNA hypomethylation distinguishes HCC from CC, while DNA hypo‐hydroxymethylation characterizes both HCC and CC, and a PBMC DNA mCyt content ≥5.59% relates to a favorable outcome in primary liver cancers. (Hepatology 2015;62:496–504
Dennis Engels: A Humanitarian and Ethical Scholar
Authors: Ohrt Jonathan H.
Published: April 2015

Dr. Dennis Engels retired in 2011 after a 35‐year career as a counselor educator, during which he contributed over 30 years of service to the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling. In this profile article, the author reviews the highlights of Dr. Engels's distinguished career and presents an interview in which Dr. Engels discusses (a) his journey as a counselor educator, (b) ethical standards and credentialing, and (c) the future of counseling.
Counselor Ethical Reasoning: Decision‐Making Practice Versus Theory
Authors: Levitt Dana Heller , Farry Tierney J. , Mazzarella Julia R.
Published: April 2015

Counselors’ decision‐making processes have received little attention in the literature. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the ethical decision‐making practices of counselors working in the field. The results of a phenomenological study indicate that linear models and an orientation to professional ethical guidelines learned in graduate training serve as a foundation, yet not a practical guide, in professional ethical decision making. The authors found that 4 themes guide counselors’ ethical decision making: personal values, clients’ best interest, transparency in decision making, and perceptions of formal training and practice. Implications for practice and counselor education are provided, with recommendations for future research.
Helping Peers Seek Professional Treatment for Depression Among Young South Koreans: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: Lee Sun Hae , Choi Jung Ah , Park Ji Hye
Published: April 2015

This study examined the applicability of the theory of planned behavior to understand factors that influence whether young South Koreans help peers with depression to seek professional counseling services. The structural equation modeling on the survey data collected from 191 South Korean students suggests that subjective norms and behavioral control could be salient factors for young South Koreans to take initiative and assist their peers in need of counseling services.

Este estudio examinó la aplicabilidad de la teoría del comportamiento planificado para comprender factores que influyen sobre la decisión de jóvenes surcoreanos de ayudar a sus compañeros que sufren de depresión a buscar ayuda profesional a través de servicios de consejería. El modelo de ecuación estructural de los datos de la encuesta recogidos de 191 estudiantes surcoreanos sugiere que las normas subjetivas y el control del comportamiento podrían ser factores destacados para los jóvenes surcoreanos a la hora de tomar la iniciativa y ayudar a sus compañeros que necesitan servicios de consejería.
Mediating Complex Texts in the Upper Grades
Authors: Ford‐Connors Evelyn , Dougherty Susan , Robertson Dana A. , Paratore Jeanne R.
Published: April 2015

Rising expectations for middle grade students to independently read and comprehend complex, discipline‐specific texts have also raised expectations for the ways teachers will teach. Helping all students, despite assessed reading levels, to access grade level texts calls for instructional approaches that not only meet readers where they are, but also integrate three key elements: motivation and engagement, instructional intensity, and cognitive challenge. This article examines how instruction incorporating these elements promotes students’ comprehension and uses a middle school learning scenario to illustrate how teachers might integrate these elements into their own instruction.
Akt Activation and Inhibition of Cytochrome C Release: Mechanistic Insights into Leptin‐promoted Survival of Type II Alveolar Epithelial Cells
Authors: Chen Hui , Liang Zhen‐Wei , Wang Zhen‐Hua , Zhang Jian‐Ping , Hu Bo , Xing Xiang‐Bin , Cai Wei‐Bin
Published: April 2015

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) increases the risk of perinatal death, partly due to defects in lung development. Leptin, a polypeptide hormone, is involved in fetal lung development. We previously demonstrated that treatment with exogenous leptin during gestation significantly promotes fetal lung maturity in the rat model of FGR. In this study, to delineate the molecular pathways through which leptin may enhance fetal lung development, we investigated the impact of leptin treatment on the survival of type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), essential leptin‐responsive cells involved in lung development, in a rat model of FGR. The rat model of FGR was induced in pregnant Sprague‐Dawley rats by partial uterine artery and vein ligation. In vivo and in vitro analyses of fetal lung tissues and freshly‐isolated cultured AECs, respectively, showed that leptin protects type II AECs from hypoxia‐induced apoptosis. Further molecular studies revealed the role of Akt activation in the leptin‐mediated promotion of survival of type II AECs. The data also showed that the anti‐apoptotic effects of leptin are dependent on phosphoinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) activation, and involve the down‐regulation of caspases 3 and 9, upregulation of pro‐survival proteins Bcl‐2, and p‐Bad, and inhibition of the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. Taken together, our data suggested that leptin enhances the maturity of fetal lungs by mediating the regulation of caspase‐3 and ‐9 during hypoxia‐induced apoptosis of type II AECs and provide support for the potential of leptin as a therapeutic agent for promoting lung development in FGR. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 2313–2324, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
miR‐142‐3p Is a Regulator of the TGFβ‐Mediated Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype
Authors: Kim Kwangho , Yang Dong Kwon , Kim Sunghwan , Kang Hara
Published: April 2015

The transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling pathway is critical for the promotion and maintenance of the contractile phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Though multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) implicated in the regulation of the VSMC phenotype have been identified, the modulation of miRNAs in the VSMCs by TGFβ signaling has not been fully described. In this study, we identified microRNA‐142‐3p (miR‐142‐3p) as a modulator of the VSMC phenotype in response to TGFβ signaling. We show that miR‐142‐3p is induced upon TGFβ signaling, leading to the repression of a novel target, dedicator of cytokinesis 6 (DOCK6). The downregulation of DOCK6 by miR‐142‐3p is critical for cell migration. Thus, this study demonstrates that miR‐142‐3p is a key regulator of the TGFβ‐mediated contractile phenotype of VSMCs that acts through inhibiting cell migration through targeting DOCK6. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 2325–2333, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biofilms affecting progression of mild steel corrosion by Gram positive Bacillus sp.
Authors: Lin Johnson , Madida Bafana B.
Published: April 2015

The biodeterioration of metals have detrimental effects on the environment with economic implications. The deterioration of metals is of great concern to industry. In this study, mild steel coupons which were immersed in a medium containing Gram‐positive Bacillus spp. and different nutrient sources were compared with the control in sterile deionized water. The weight loss of the coupons in the presence of Bacillus spp. alone was lower than the control and was further reduced when additional carbon sources, especially fructose, were added. The level of metal corrosion was significantly increased in the presence of nitrate with or without bacteria. There was a significant strong correlation between the weight loss and biofilm level (r =  0.64; p < 0.05). The addition of nitrate and Bacillus spp. produced more biofilms on the coupons and resulted in greater weight loss compared to that with Bacillus spp. only under the same conditions. However, Bacillus spp. enriched with carbon sources formed less biofilms and results in lower weight loss compared to that with Bacillus spp. only. The production of biofilm by Bacillus spp. influences the level of metal corrosion under different environmental conditions, thereby, supporting the development of a preventive strategy against corrosion.
Spatial coherence of variations in seasonal extreme precipitation events over Northwest Arid Region, China
Authors: Wang Shaoping , Jiang Fengqing , Ding Yongjian
Published: April 2015

Daily precipitation data covering the period of 1961–2009 from 72 stations in Northwest Arid Region, China, are analysed to investigate coherent subregions of variations in extreme precipitation events. First, four extreme precipitation indices, i.e. number of heavy precipitation days (DPh), precipitation intensity above heavy precipitation (IPh), number of torrential precipitation days (DPt), and precipitation intensity above torrential precipitation (IPt), were defined and analysed seasonally. Then rotated empirical orthogonal function (REOF) technique is used to identify the coherent subregions of these seasonal extreme precipitation indices and related trends. The results indicate that the number of coherent subregions of DPh, IPh, DPt, and IPt is 6, 5, 14, and 10 for spring; 4, 18, 6, and 6 for summer; 15, 8, 10, and 8 for autumn; and 7, 7, 2, and 5 for winter, respectively. Attribute shifts of underlying surfaces should be an important driving factor behind changes of extreme precipitation events. Intensity variations of heavy and torrential precipitation are the main reason behind significant changes of extreme precipitation, especially intensity variations of the heavy precipitation. The highest increasing magnitude of IPh is 584% (10a)−1 which is found in summer in the west parts of the Southern Xinjiang, the middle Tianshan Mountains, and the west parts of the Junggar Basin in the Northern Xinjiang. The findings of this study are potentially relevant for the development of human understanding of hydrological cycle responses in arid regions to regional and global climate changes, particularly in terms of extreme weather extremes.
Performance of convection schemes on the simulation of summer monsoon features over the South Asia CORDEX domain using RegCM‐4.3
Authors: Raju P. V. S. , Bhatla R. , Almazroui M. , Assiri M.
Published: April 2015

An endeavour is made to investigate the performance of convective parameterization schemes on the simulation of South Asian summer monsoon features through a regional climate model (RegCM). For this purpose, RegCM version 4.3 developed by International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) is used for the simulation experiments in the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) framework over the South Asia domain. Four convective schemes, namely, Emanuel, Grell, Tiedtke and a mixed scheme (Emanuel over land and Grell over the ocean) are evaluated in RegCM4.3 at 45 km horizontal resolution. The simulated results of precipitation, temperature and wind fields are systematically evaluated respectively with Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM), Climate Research Unit (CRU) and ECMWF re‐analysis (ERA) Interim datasets. The results reveal that the response of a mixed convective scheme is better in simulating precipitation and temperature realistically over the Indian subcontinent and is in close agreement with the TRMM observations, compared with the three other schemes. The circulation features are also properly represented with the mixed convection scheme. Furthermore, the annual cycle of precipitation and temperature averaged over the Indian region are well estimated in the mixed scheme, compared with the CRU observations. The northward propagation of monsoon intra‐seasonal oscillations in extreme monsoon seasons is simulated reasonably in a mixed convection scheme as compared with three other schemes. The inter‐annual variability of area averaged JJAS precipitation over the Indian region is simulated well by the model for the combination of Emanuel over land and Grell over the ocean. Grell scheme overestimates the JJAS precipitation, whereas Emanual and Tiedtke schemes underestimate it.
Fluorescence fingerprint as an instrumental assessment of the sensory quality of tomato juices
Authors: Trivittayasil Vipavee , Tsuta Mizuki , Imamura Yoshinori , Sato Tsuneo , Otagiri Yuji , Obata Akio , Otomo Hiroe , Kokawa Mito , Sugiyama Junichi , Fujita Kaori , Yoshimura Masatoshi
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Sensory analysis is an important standard for evaluating food products. However, as trained panelists and time are required for the process, the potential of using fluorescence fingerprint as a rapid instrumental method to approximate sensory characteristics was explored in this study.

RESULTS

Thirty‐five out of 44 descriptive sensory attributes were found to show a significant difference between samples (analysis of variance test). Principal component analysis revealed that principal component 1 could capture 73.84 and 75.28% variance for aroma category and combined flavor and taste category respectively. Fluorescence fingerprints of tomato juices consisted of two visible peaks at excitation/emission wavelengths of 290/350 and 315/425 nm and a long narrow emission peak at 680 nm. The 680 nm peak was only clearly observed in juices obtained from tomatoes cultivated to be eaten raw. The ability to predict overall sensory profiles was investigated by using principal component 1 as a regression target. Fluorescence fingerprint could predict principal component 1 of both aroma and combined flavor and taste with a coefficient of determination above 0.8.

CONCLUSION

The results obtained in this study indicate the potential of using fluorescence fingerprint as an instrumental method for assessing sensory characteristics of tomato juices. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Police Staff 12–18 Months After the Canterbury Earthquakes
Authors: Surgenor Lois J. , Snell Deborah L. , Dorahy Martin J.
Published: April 2015

Understanding posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in police first‐responders is an underdeveloped field. Using a cross‐sectional survey, this study investigated demographic and occupational characteristics, coping resources and processes, along with first‐responder roles and consequences 18 months following a disaster. Hierarchical linear regression (N = 576) showed that greater symptom levels were significantly positively associated with negative emotional coping (β = .31), a communications role (β = .08) and distress following exposure to resource losses (β = .14), grotesque scenes (β = .21), personal harm (β = .14), and concern for significant others (β = .17). Optimism alone was negatively associated (β = ‐.15), with the overall model being a modest fit (adjusted R2 = .39). The findings highlight variables for further study in police.
Desert tortoise use of burned habitat in the Eastern Mojave desert
Authors: Drake K. Kristina , Esque Todd C. , Nussear Kenneth E. , Defalco Lesley A. , Scoles‐Sciulla Sara J. , Modlin Andrew T. , Medica Philip A.
Published: April 2015

Wildfires burned 24,254 ha of critical habitat designated for the recovery of the threatened Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in southern Nevada during 2005. The proliferation of non‐native annual grasses has increased wildfire frequency and extent in recent decades and continues to accelerate the conversion of tortoise habitat across the Mojave Desert. Immediate changes to vegetation are expected to reduce quality of critical habitat, yet whether tortoises will use burned and recovering habitat differently from intact unburned habitat is unknown. We compared movement patterns, home‐range size, behavior, microhabitat use, reproduction, and survival for adult desert tortoises located in, and adjacent to, burned habitat to understand how tortoises respond to recovering burned habitat. Approximately 45% of home ranges in the post‐fire environment contained burned habitat, and numerous observations (n = 12,223) corroborated tortoise use of both habitat types (52% unburned, 48% burned). Tortoises moved progressively deeper into burned habitat during the first 5 years following the fire, frequently foraging in burned habitats that had abundant annual plants, and returning to adjacent unburned habitat for cover provided by intact perennial vegetation. However, by years 6 and 7, the live cover of the short‐lived herbaceous perennial desert globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) that typically re‐colonizes burned areas declined, resulting in a contraction of tortoise movements from the burned areas. Health and egg production were similar between burned and unburned areas indicating that tortoises were able to acquire necessary resources using both areas. This study documents that adult Mojave desert tortoises continue to use habitat burned once by wildfire. Thus, continued management of this burned habitat may contribute toward the recovery of the species in the face of many sources of habitat loss. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
New Solutions to Old Problems
Authors: Slutzki Mark
Published: April 2015

High power laser systems are making their way into more and more industrial applications. From cutting steel, to drilling via holes in silicon, to marking plastic, a whole range of processes now make use of the laser to produce results not previously practical. Advances in fiber lasers in particular, with their scalability, beam quality and wall‐plug efficiency, have made laser beams with powers of many tens of kilowatts a common tool available to commercial users. Even processes requiring more modest power levels often use a high‐power laser system and distribute the beam to multiple lower‐power workstations, to benefit from the resulting process uniformity across a production line.
Welding Simulation in Car Body Construction
Authors: Thater Raphael , Wiethop Philipp , Rethmeier Michael
Published: April 2015

Laser remote welding is a dynamic and flexible joining technology which enables various new approaches in welding sequence and weld position planning. However, the challenge is to find the optimal set‐up within this large parameter space. In this article, numerical welding simulation is used to deal with this challenge. For a car door, different welding sequences and weld positions were numerically analyzed and compared with respect to its welding distortion behavior.
Laser Beam Activation of CNT‐Filled Polymer Blends
Authors: Möhwald Michael , Barz Andrea , Bliedtner Jens , Ziegler Ferdinand , Uebel Martin
Published: April 2015

3D‐Molded Interconnect Devices enable the placement of electronic circuits on three‐dimensional plastic components. The following article breaks new ground in order to add reasonably to existing 3D‐MID procedures. An essential aspect was the shortening of the process chain of the conventional MID procedures through laser‐direct structuring. Thus the metallising steps are no longer necessary and a 3D circuit carrier structure can be created directly on any plastic component. The research work focused on the space‐resolved modification of the electric conductivity of non‐conductive plastic components through a newly‐developed procedure of laser beam functionalisation. The principle is based on the application of multi‐phase polymer blends with matrix‐disperse phase structures in which carbon nanotubes are located. They cross‐link on the component surface through a partial laser activation and create a conductive area.
Aus den Hochschulstandorten: Westfälische Wilhelms‐Universität Münster
Authors: Brockmeyer J. , Esselen M. , Humpf H.‐U.
Published: April 2015

Lebensmittelchemischer Traditionsstandort mit exzellenten Zukunftsperspektiven in Lehre und Forschung
Increased risk of portal vein thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis due to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Stine Jonathan G. , Shah Neeral L. , Argo Curtis K. , Pelletier Shawn J. , Caldwell Stephen H. , Northup Patrick G.
Published: April 2015

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a common complication of cirrhosis sometimes implicated in hepatic decompensation. There are no consistent epidemiologic data to suggest an increased risk of thrombotic complications in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); however, research suggests an increased risk of thrombosis. Our aim was to examine the independent association between NASH cirrhosis and PVT in patients who underwent liver transplantation (LT) in a cross‐sectional study. Data on all LTs occurring in the United States between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2012 were obtained from the United Network for Organ Sharing. Multivariable models were constructed to assess the statistical associations and risk factors for the development of PVT. A total of 33,368 patients underwent transplantation. Of these, 2096 (6.3%) had PVT. Of the patients with PVT, 12.0% had NASH. When we compared these patients to a composite of all other causes of cirrhosis, an increased prevalence of PVT was again found, with 10.1% having PVT at the time of transplantation versus 6.0% without NASH (P < 0.001). The strongest risk factor independently associated with a diagnosis of PVT in a multivariable analysis was NASH cirrhosis (odds ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.33‐1.81; P < 0.001). NASH cirrhosis appears to predispose a patient to PVT independently of other risk factors. These epidemiological findings provide support for the idea that NASH is a prothrombotic state, and they should lead to more research in treatment and prevention in this population. Liver Transpl 21:1016‐1021, 2015. © 2015 AASLD.
Preparation of Porous Poly(pyrrole) Utilizing Agar Particles as Soft Template and Evaluation of Its Actuation Property
Authors: Obata Kentaro , Tamesue Shingo , Hashimoto Kumi , Mitsumata Tetsu , Tsubokawa Norio , Yamauchi Takeshi
Published: April 2015

Porous poly(pyrrole) (PPy) films are prepared by utilizing agar particles (APs) of various average diameters as templates. The size of the APs can be regulated by the concentration of agar during preparation, and these APs can be removed easily from PPy films by heating up to 90 °C after formation of the films by electropolymerization because agar shows a thermally reversible sol–gel transition. The pores in the surface of PPy films can be controlled by the size of APs utilized as templates. The porous PPy films have higher mechanical strength and exhibit the more dynamic actuating behavior than the flat PPy films. Moreover, spring‐like actuating motion is induced by the presence of pores in the surface of helically shaped PPy films.
Analysis of Advective–Diffusive Transport in Complex Mixing Devices by the Diffusive Mapping Method
Authors: Gorodetskyi Oleksandr , Vivat Iaroslav , Speetjens Michel F. M. , Anderson Patrick D.
Published: April 2015

The present study concerns analysis of advective–diffusive transport in prototypical industrial mixing devices by the diffusive mapping method. The latter is a recent extension of the conventional mapping method for distributive mixing and enables application of this efficient technique to mixing flows, including molecular diffusion. Primary challenge is detailed numerical analysis of flow and mixing properties inside realistic systems with complex geometries. This is performed by combining the diffusive mapping method with a sophisticated computational scheme for flow simulations in domains with complex (moving) boundaries: the eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM). The mixing properties are investigated through spectral analysis of the advective–diffusive transport by way of eigenmode decomposition of the mapping matrix. Key topic is the correlation between the evolution of concentration fields and invariant Lagrangian structures in the flow field.
Alternative modes of biofilm formation by plant‐associated Bacillus cereus
Authors: Gao Tantan , Foulston Lucy , Chai Yunrong , Wang Qi , Losick Richard
Published: April 2015

The ability to form multicellular communities known as biofilms is a widespread adaptive behavior of bacteria. Members of the Bacillus group of bacteria have been found to form biofilms on plant roots, where they protect against pathogens and promote growth. In the case of the model bacterium Bacillus subtilis the genetic pathway controlling biofilm formation and the production of an extracellular matrix is relatively well understood. However, it is unclear whether other members of this genus utilize similar mechanisms. We determined that a plant‐associated strain of Bacillus cereus (905) can form biofilms by two seemingly independent pathways. In one mode involving the formation of floating biofilms (pellicles) B. cereus 905 appears to rely on orthologs of many of the genes known to be important for B. subtilis biofilm formation. We report that B. cereus 905 also forms submerged, surface‐associated biofilms and in a manner that resembles biofilm formation by the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. This alternative mode, which does not rely on B. subtilis‐like genes for pellicle formation, takes place under conditions of glucose fermentation and depends on a drop in the pH of the medium.
Modeling of the Dehydration Process Coupled with Solid‐State Polymerization in Nylon 6 Drying Column
Authors: Sun Guojian , Qin Chunxi , Xi Zhenhao , Xu Zhimei , Sun Weizhen , Zhao Ling
Published: April 2015

Drying of wet Nylon 6 chips is a significant process for dehydration after granulation. During the process, the flow pattern of gas–solid phases is countercurrent flow, while the mass transfer and solid‐state polymerization (SSP) are deeply coupled with each other. In this paper, the mass transfer behavior for dehydration at drying conditions has been investigated by single pellet experiments using Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA). A diffusion model for dehydration has been developed and the diffusion coefficient has been estimated by TGA test data. Besides, the SSP reaction characteristic has been independently studied in a polymerization tube at different temperatures. The reaction kinetics parameters, including the rate constants and equilibrium constants for both forward and reverse reactions, have been obtained by fitting the experimental data. Based on that, an integrated model combining the mass/heat transfer and polymerization reaction has been presented for the industrial continuous Nylon 6 drying process. The influences of drying conditions including the initial number average degree of polymerization, inlet nitrogen temperature, and flow rate, on distribution profiles of temperatures, water contents, and degree of polymerization of chips along the column height have been simulated. The integrated model can be used to predict the industrial drying process.
Investigating Effects of Using Mixtures of Two External Electron Donors on Microstructure and Properties of Polypropylene/Poly(ethylene‐co‐propylene) in‐Reactor Blends Based on Ziegler–Natta Catalyst
Authors: Moballegh Leila , Hakim Shokoufeh , Morshedian Jalil , Nekoomanesh Mehdi
Published: April 2015

Novel results on using mixtures of two external electron donors “phenyltriethoxysilane (donor A)” and “cyclohexylmethyldimethoxysilane (donor C)” in the synthesis of polypropylene/poly (ethylene‐co‐propylene) in‐reactor blends were presented. Thermal gradient elution fractionation (TGEF) was carried out to separate crystallizable copolymer fractions from the blends. FTIR, DSC, DMTA, and SEM were used to analyze the microstructure of the blends and separated fractions. Although using donor A as pure decreased the catalyst activity and molecular weight, using “donor A” in combination with donor C had a synergistic effect on the molecular weight of polypropylene homopolymers and the blends. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the blend rubbery phase was the lowest in the case of the blend based on pure donor A because of formation of higher sequences of polyethylene and the Tg increased with increasing donor C concentration. PP–PE copolymer concentration and impact strength were found to be higher in the case of the blend based on donor ratio of A/C: 75/25 than other blends.