bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embryonic response to long‐term exposure of the marine crustacean Nephrops norvegicus to ocean acidification and elevated temperature
Authors: Styf Hannah K. , Nilsson Sköld Helen , Eriksson Susanne P.
Published: November 2013

Due to anthropogenic CO2 emissions, our oceans have gradually become warmer and more acidic. To better understand the consequences of this, there is a need for long‐term (months) and multistressor experiments. Earlier research demonstrates that the effects of global climate change are specific to species and life stages. We exposed berried Norway lobsters (Nephrops norvegicus), during 4 months to the combination of six ecologically relevant temperatures (5–18°C) and reduced pH (by 0.4 units). Embryonic responses were investigated by quantifying proxies for development rate and fitness including: % yolk consumption, mean heart rate, rate of oxygen consumption, and oxidative stress. We found no interactions between temperature and pH, and reduced pH only affected the level of oxidative stress significantly, with a higher level of oxidative stress in the controls. Increased temperature and % yolk consumed had positive effects on all parameters except on oxidative stress, which did not change in response to temperature. There was a difference in development rate between the ranges of 5–10°C (Q10: 5.4) and 10–18°C (Q10: 2.9), implicating a thermal break point at 10°C or below. No thermal limit to a further increased development rate was found. The insensitivity of N. norvegicus embryos to low pH might be explained by adaptation to a pH‐reduced external habitat and/or internal hypercapnia during incubation. Our results thus indicate that this species would benefit from global warming and be able to withstand the predicted decrease in ocean pH in the next century during their earliest life stages. However, future studies need to combine low pH and elevated temperature treatments with hypoxia as hypoxic events are frequently and increasingly occurring in the habitat of benthic species.
A Facile Synthesis of Multifunctional Iron Oxide@Ag Core–Shell Nanoparticles and Their Catalytic Applications
Authors: Sharma Geetu , Jeevanandam Pethaiyan
Published: November 2013

A facile approach for the synthesis of iron oxide@Ag core–shell nanoparticles in which iron oxide microspheres serve as the core and the shell consists of silver nanoparticles has been reported. Thermal decomposition of silver acetate at 200 °C in the presence of iron oxide microspheres in diphenyl ether leads to the formation of iron oxide@Ag core–shell nanoparticles. The core–shell nanoparticles were characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and magnetic measurements. The catalytic activity of iron oxide@Ag core–shell nanoparticles has been demonstrated by using two reactions, namely, reduction of 4‐nitrophenol and reduction of methylene blue in aqueous solution.
Acridone–Pterocarpan Conjugate: A Hybrid Molecular Probe for Recognition of Nucleic Acids
Authors: Chattopadhyay Shital K. , Maitra Ratnava , Kundu Indranil , Jana Manoranjan , Mandal Sushil K. , Khuda‐Bukhsh Anisur Rahman
Published: November 2013

Chemical fusion of a naturally occurring pharmacophore (pterocarpan) with a fluorophore (acridone) by thermally induced cascade sigmatropic rearrangement leads to the formation of a structurally different class of DNA binding ligands. Competitive binding assay in the presence of a classical minor groove binder shows the possibility of DNA minor groove binding by the ligand 4a. High cell viability of the prepared molecular probes was of utility for nuclear staining as well as cell cycle analysis through fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS).
Copper‐ and Phosphane‐Free Sonogashira Coupling of Arenediazonium o‐Benzenedisulfonimides
Authors: Barbero Margherita , Cadamuro Silvano , Dughera Stefano
Published: November 2013

Arenediazonium o‐benzenedisulfonimides can be used as efficient reagents in Sonogashira coupling reactions. In this work, reactions were carried out in DMSO under very mild conditions (without copper or phosphanes), and gave rise to arylated alkynes in good to excellent yields (25 examples, average yield 83 %). o‐Benzenedisulfonimide could be recovered from all the reactions in yields of >80 %, so it could be recycled for the preparation of other diazonium salts. Mechanistic insights revealed the fundamental roles of DMSO and the anion of o‐benzenedisulfonimide in the formation of the catalyst, and also the importance of DMSO in the catalytic cycle.
3,3′‐Diiodo‐BINOL‐Fused Maleimides as Chiral Hypervalent Iodine(III) Organocatalysts
Authors: Brenet Simon , Berthiol Florian , Einhorn Jacques
Published: November 2013

Original and readily available 3,3′‐diiodo‐BINOL‐fused maleimides were designed as hypervalent iodine(III) organocatalysts. They were used in intermolecular oxidation reactions at the α‐position of ketones. The expected products were obtained with yields and enantiomeric excesses that were comparable to the best reported values achieved using structurally different organocatalysts.
Fabrication of an Electrochemical Sensor Based on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Almotriptan
Authors: Narayan Prashanth S. , Teradal Nagappa L. , Kalanur Shankara S. , Seetharamappa J.
Published: November 2013

In the present work, the electrochemical behavior of an antimigraine drug, almotriptan malate (ALM), on a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) film modified glassy carbon electrode under cyclic voltammetry was described for the first time. A significant enhancement in the oxidation peak current of ALM was noticed at MWCNT‐GCE. This property was exploited to develop a simple, sensitive and time‐saving differential pulse voltammetric method for the determination of ALM in bulk and pharmaceutical samples. A linear relationship was observed between concentration and peak current with a correlation coefficient of 0.9915 in the range of 0.25–37.5 µM ALM.
Expanding the clinical phenotype of hereditary BAP1 cancer predisposition syndrome, reporting three new cases
Authors: Pilarski Robert , Cebulla Colleen M. , Massengill James B. , Rai Karan , Rich Thereasa , Strong Louise , McGillivray Barbara , Asrat Mary‐Jill , Davidorf Frederick H , Abdel‐Rahman Mohamed H.
Published: November 2013

The clinical phenotype of BAP1 hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome (MIM 614327) includes uveal melanoma (UM), cutaneous melanoma (CM), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and mesothelioma. However, the frequency of the syndrome in patients with UM and the association with other cancers are still not clear. In this study, we screened 46 previously untested, unrelated UM patients with high risk for hereditary cancer for germline mutation in BAP1. We also studied four additional patients with a personal or family history suggestive of BAP1 hereditary cancer syndrome. We identified three patients with germline pathogenic mutations (c.2050 C>T, pGln684*; c.1182C>G, p.Tyr394*, and c.1882_1885delTCAC, p. Ser628Profs*8) in BAP1. Two of these three patients presented with UM and the third with a metastatic adenocarcinoma likely from a hepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Reported family histories included UM, mesothelioma, RCC, CM, and several other internal malignancies. The results of this study confirm the association between germline BAP1 mutation and predisposition to UM, mesothelioma, CM and RCC. However, other cancers, such as cholangiocarcinoma and breast carcinoma may be part of the phenotype of this hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome. In addition, the results support the existence of other candidate genes in addition to BAP1 contributing to hereditary predisposition to UM. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Power of Family‐Based Association Designs to Detect Rare Variants in Large Pedigrees Using Imputed Genotypes
Authors: Saad Mohamad , Wijsman Ellen M.
Published: November 2013

Recently, the “Common Disease‐Multiple Rare Variants” hypothesis has received much attention, especially with current availability of next‐generation sequencing. Family‐based designs are well suited for discovery of rare variants, with large and carefully selected pedigrees enriching for multiple copies of such variants. However, sequencing a large number of samples is still prohibitive. Here, we evaluate a cost‐effective strategy (pseudosequencing) to detect association with rare variants in large pedigrees. This strategy consists of sequencing a small subset of subjects, genotyping the remaining sampled subjects on a set of sparse markers, and imputing the untyped markers in the remaining subjects conditional on the sequenced subjects and pedigree information. We used a recent pedigree imputation method (GIGI), which is able to efficiently handle large pedigrees and accurately impute rare variants. We used burden and kernel association tests, famWS and famSKAT, which both account for family relationships and heterogeneity of allelic effect for famSKAT only. We simulated pedigree sequence data and compared the power of association tests for pseudosequence data, a subset of sequence data used for imputation, and all subjects sequenced. We also compared, within the pseudosequence data, the power of association test using best‐guess genotypes and allelic dosages. Our results show that the pseudosequencing strategy considerably improves the power to detect association with rare variants. They also show that the use of allelic dosages results in much higher power than use of best‐guess genotypes in these family‐based data. Moreover, famSKAT shows greater power than famWS in most of scenarios we considered.
Influence of provenance and preservation on the carbon isotope variations of dispersed organic matter in ancient floodplain sediments
Authors: Bataille Clément P. , Mastalerz Maria , Tipple Brett J. , Bowen Gabriel J.
Published: November 2013

Carbon isotope ratios of bulk organic matter in sedimentary rocks (δ13CDOM) are a potential source of paleoenvironmental information in terrestrial stratigraphic sequences. However, insufficient understanding of the range of depositional and post‐depositional controls on δ13CDOM values makes interpretations of these data difficult. Here we evaluate the effects of organic matter (OM) provenance and preservation on δ13CDOM using records spanning the Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) in the Bighorn Basin (Wyoming, USA) as a case study. We sampled sedimentary rocks spanning the PETM in two well‐studied locations—Polecat Bench (PB) and Highway 16 (HW16)—in the Bighorn Basin. Independent carbon isotope records from biomarkers and pedogenic carbonates at these sites suggest that local shifts in plant and soil δ13C values associated with the PETM CIE were broadly similar and were characterized by an abrupt ∼5‰ decrease followed by a plateau and a eventual return to pre‐PETM δ13C values. The δ13CDOM records from both sites differ significantly from these reference curves in both amplitude of change and in preserving high‐frequency isotopic fluctuations and large isotopic anomalies superimposed on the general pattern of isotopic change through the CIE. For each location, we separated organo‐mineral fractions (MOM), concentrated macerals from 20 stratigraphic levels and analyzed the carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) of each fraction. At both sites the δ13C of the fine and coarse MOM differ significantly from each other and from δ13CDOM. Concentration‐weighted mixing of these isotopically distinct OM fractions explains high resolution δ13CDOM fluctuations but does not explain the large isotopic anomalies observed at both sites. At HW16, we identified two thermally and isotopically distinct populations of macerals interpreted as being indigenous and recycled OM. At this site, one over total organic carbon (1/TOC) values correlate with δ13CDOM for pre‐PETM and PETM strata and both relationships converge toward the δ13C of recycled OM for low TOC. At PB, macerals display homogeneous thermal maturity, but the proportion of isotopically distinct vitrinite and liptinite varies between facies. Relationships between 1/TOC and δ13CDOM are also present within specific stratigraphic intervals at PB, but values do not converge on a single isotopic value across the sampled interval. These observations are consistent with variable mixing of OM fractions having different provenance—mixing of exotic recycled OM at HW16 and locally reworked OM at PB with indigenous “fresh” OM at both sites—and explain the large anomalies observed in the δ13CDOM records at both sites. Our findings raise questions about the assumption that OM in ancient sediments is indigenous and dominantly records δ13C variations of local plants.
Copper‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 2H‐Thiopyran Derivatives from Alkynes, Sulfonyl Azides, Carbon Disulfide, and Malononitrile
Authors: Yavari Issa , Nematpour Manijeh , Tavakoli Ziba
Published: November 2013

A one‐pot synthesis of functionalized thiopyran derivatives via a Cu‐catalyzed multicomponent reaction of sulfonyl azides, arylacetylenes and dipotassium 2,2‐dicyanoethylene‐1,1‐dithiolate, generated from malononitrile and CS2, has been developed. When alkylacetylenes were used as the terminal alkynes, N‐(alkanethioyl)‐N‐(2,2‐dicyanoethanethioyl)methanesulfonamides were obtained in good yields.
Dimerization of Dimethyl 2‐(Naphthalen‐1‐yl)cyclopropane‐1,1‐dicarboxylate in the Presence of GaCl3 to [3+2], [3+3], [3+4], and Spiroannulation Products
Authors: Novikov Roman A. , Tomilov Yury V.
Published: November 2013

In the presence of a catalytic amount of GaCl3, dimethyl 2‐(naphthalen‐1‐yl)cyclopropane‐1,1‐dicarboxylate 5 undergoes selective [3+2]‐annulation‐type dimerization to give a polysubstituted cyclopentane containing two naphthalenyl substituents in the vicinal position (Scheme 2). Treatment of the same cyclopropane with an equimolar amount of GaCl3⋅THF results in dimerization with electrophilic attack on each of the benzene rings to give [3+3] and [3+4] annulation products. The latter represent a new type of dimerization of donoracceptor cyclopropanes. Finally, under conditions of double catalysis with GaCl3, 3,3,5,5‐tetrasubstituted 4,5‐dihydropyrazole, this cyclopropane‐dicarboxylate undergoes stereospecific dimerization as a result of electrophilic ipso‐attack to give a tetracyclic pentaleno[6a,1‐a]naphthalene derivative (Scheme 5). Possible reaction mechanisms are proposed.
2‐[(Acetyloxy)methyl]‐4‐(acetylsulfanyl)‐2‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐3‐oxobutyl Group: A Thermolabile Protecting Group for Phosphodiesters
Authors: Kiuru Emilia , Lönnberg Harri , Ora Mikko
Published: November 2013

The phosphodiester linkage of 3′‐O‐levulinoylthymidine 5′‐methylphosphate (5) has been protected with 2‐[(acetyloxy)methyl]‐4‐(acetylsulfanyl)‐2‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐3‐oxobutyl group (to give 1) to study the potential of this group as an esterase‐ and thermolabile protecting group. The group turned out to be unexpectedly thermolabile, being removed as ethyl 3‐(acetyloxy)‐4‐(acetylsulfanyl)‐2‐methylidenebut‐3‐enoate (10) without accumulation of any intermediates. The half‐life of this reaction at pH 7.5 and 37° is 14 min. Hog liver esterase (HLE), in turn, removes the protecting group as ethyl 4‐(acetylsulfanyl)‐2‐methylidene‐3‐oxobutanoate (12). On using 2.6 units of HLE in 1 ml, the rate of the enzymatic deprotection was still only one third of that of the nonenzymatic reaction. The mechanisms of both reactions have been studied and discussed. The crucial step seems to be removal of the O‐bound Ac group, either by esterase or by migration to the neighboring 3‐oxo group (nonenzymatic removal). This triggers the removal by retro‐aldol condensation/elimination mechanism. No alkylation of glutathione (GSH) upon the deprotection of 1 could be detected.
New 9,10‐Secosteroids from Biotransformations of Bile Acids with Rhodococcus ruber
Authors: Costa Stefania , Giovannini Pier Paolo , Fantin Giancarlo , Medici Alessandro , Pedrini Paola
Published: November 2013

The biotransformations of cholic, deoxycholic, and hyocholic acids with Rhodococcus ruber are reported. In all biotransformations, the C17‐side chain is partially degraded, and the new 9,10‐secosteroids 4a (54%) and 4b (55%) are obtained from cholic and deoxycholic acids, respectively. The loss of H2O from C(11)C(12) of secosteroids 4a and 4b affords the compounds 5a (5%) and 5b (20%), respectively. On the other hand, in the biotransformation of hyocholic acid with R. ruber the 9,10‐secosteroid 4c is not detected, but, rearranging to an intramolecular hemiacetal form, it evolves to the final furan derivative 6c (35%) by easy elimination of two molecules of H2O. The new secosteroids were characterized by IR, NMR, and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectroscopy.
Hexahelicenophanes
Authors: Meier Herbert , Schwertel Manfred , Kolshorn Heinz
Published: November 2013

A reaction sequence was studied for the preparation of cyclophanes 12, which contain 2,7‐bis(2‐phenylethenyl)naphthalene chromophores and polymethylenedioxy chains of different length. The irradiation of 12 in the presence of I2 led then, by oxidative cyclization processes, to the hexahelicenophanes 13, provided that the methylenedioxy chain of 12 is long enough (n = 8, 10). As competitive photoreaction, a twofold [2π+2π] cyclodimerization occurred, which furnished the belt cyclophanes 14. The latter process is the only photoreaction for 12 with n=6. The hexahelicenophanes 13 have lower racemization barriers and longer spinlattice relaxation times compared to those of hexahelicenes.
Environmental management practices and engineering science: A review and typology for future research
Authors: Evangelinos Konstantinos I , Allan Stuart , Jones Keith , Nikolaou Ioannis E
Published: November 2013

Current literature describes a number of environmental management practices and cleaner production methods that facilitate different industrial sectors to address their various environmental impacts. The high number of present practices makes their use especially difficult and complicated. This paper aims to shed light on this field by providing a typology of those environmental management practices (such as environmental management systems, environmental indicators assessment methodologies, and cleaner productions methods) and their limitations. It also describes the strengths and weaknesses of using such tools and thoughts for future research. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2014;10:153–162. © 2013 SETAC
Intratumoral COX‐2 inhibition enhances GM‐CSF immunotherapy against established mouse GL261 brain tumors
Authors: Eberstål Sofia , Sandén Emma , Fritzell Sara , Darabi Anna , Visse Edward , Siesjö Peter
Published: November 2013

Immunotherapy has shown effectiveness against experimental malignant brain tumors, but the clinical results have been less convincing most likely due to immunosuppression. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is the key immunosuppressive product of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and increased levels of PGE2 and COX‐2 have been shown in several tumor types, including brain tumors. In the current study, we report enhanced cure rate of mice with established mouse GL261 brain tumors when immunized with granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) secreting tumor cells and simultaneously treated with the selective COX‐2 inhibitors parecoxib systemically (5 mg/kg/day; 69% cure rate) or valdecoxib intratumorally (5.3 µg/kg/day; 63% cure rate). Both combined therapies induced a systemic antitumor response of proliferating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and further analysis revealed T helper 1 (Th1) cell supremacy. The GL261 tumor cell line produced low levels of PGE2 in vitro, and co‐staining at the tumor site demonstrated that a large fraction of the COX‐2+ cells were derived from CD45+ immune cells and more specifically macrophages (F4/80+), indicating that tumor‐infiltrating immune cells constitute the primary source of COX‐2 and PGE2 in this model. We conclude that intratumoral COX‐2 inhibition potentiates GM‐CSF immunotherapy against established brain tumors at substantially lower doses than systemic administration. These findings underscore the central role of targeting COX‐2 during immunotherapy and implicate intratumoral COX‐2 as the primary target.
Genetic and epigenetic changes in fibrosis‐associated hepatocarcinogenesis in mice
Authors: Chappell Grace , Kutanzi Kristy , Uehara Takeki , Tryndyak Volodymyr , Hong Hue‐Hua , Hoenerhoff Mark , Beland Frederick A. , Rusyn Ivan , Pogribny Igor P.
Published: November 2013

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers and is rising in incidence worldwide. The molecular mechanisms leading to the development of HCC are complex and include both genetic and epigenetic events. To determine the relative contribution of these alterations in liver tumorigenesis, we evaluated epigenetic modifications at both global and gene specific levels, as well as the mutational profile of genes commonly altered in liver tumors. A mouse model of fibrosis‐associated liver cancer that was designed to emulate cirrhotic liver, a prevailing disease state observed in most humans with HCC, was used. Tumor and nontumor liver samples from B6C3F1 mice treated with N‐nitrosodiethylamine (DEN; a single ip injection of 1 mg/kg at 14 days of age) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4; 0.2 ml/kg, 2 times/week ip starting at 8 weeks of age for 14 weeks), as well as corresponding vehicle control animals, were analyzed for genetic and epigenetic alterations. H‐ras, Ctnnb1 and Hnf1α genes were not mutated in tumors in mice treated with DEN+CCl4. In contrast, the increased tumor incidence in mice treated with DEN+CCl4 was associated with marked epigenetic changes in liver tumors and nontumor liver tissue, including demethylation of genomic DNA and repetitive elements, a decrease in histone 3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) and promoter hypermethylation and functional downregulation of Riz1, a histone lysine methyltransferase tumor suppressor gene. Additionally, the reduction in H3K9me3 was accompanied by increased expression of long interspersed nucleotide elements 1 and short interspersed nucleotide elements B2, which is an indication of genomic instability. In summary, our results suggest that epigenetic events, rather than mutations in known cancer‐related genes, play a prominent role in increased incidence of liver tumors in this mouse model of fibrosis‐associated liver cancer.
Raman spectroscopic evidence of tissue restructuring in heat‐induced tissue fusion
Authors: Su Lei , Cloyd Kristy L. , Arya Shobhit , Hedegaard Martin A. B. , Steele Joseph A. M. , Elson Daniel S. , Stevens Molly M. , Hanna George B.
Published: November 2013

Heat‐induced tissue fusion via radio‐frequency (RF) energy has gained wide acceptance clinically and here we present the first optical‐Raman‐spectroscopy study on tissue fusion samples in vitro. This study provides direct insights into tissue constituent and structural changes on the molecular level, exposing spectroscopic evidence for the loss of distinct collagen fibre rich tissue layers as well as the denaturing and restructuring of collagen crosslinks post RF fusion. These findings open the door for more advanced optical feedback‐control methods and characterization during heat‐induced tissue fusion, which will lead to new clinical applications of this promising technology. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Developing the Leadership Capacity and Leader Efficacy of College Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Fields
Authors: Dugan John P. , Fath Kimberly Q. , Howes Shannon D. , Lavelle Kathryn R. , Polanin Joshua R.
Published: November 2013

The current study examined the extent to which college women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) majors demonstrated differential levels of leadership capacity and/or leader efficacy than their non‐STEM, female peers. Data represented 14,698 women from 86 institutions of higher education in the United States. Results indicated similar levels of leadership capacity but significantly lower leader efficacy for women in STEM majors. Implications explore unique predictors of leader efficacy for women in STEM majors along with recommendations for changes to policy and professional practice that might address how the differential organizational contexts shape leadership development.
BOLD MRI and early impairment of cerebrovascular reserve after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: da Costa Leodante , Fierstra Jorn , Fisher Joseph A. , Mikulis David J. , Han Jay S. , Tymianski Michael
Published: November 2013

Currently no biological or radiological marker is available to identify patients at risk of delayed ischemic deficit (DIND) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). We hypothesized whether MR‐based quantitative assessment of cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) would detect early radiological markers of vasospasm and DIND. This manuscript describes our initial experience with this population. Five patients with aSAH underwent blood‐oxygen level dependent‐MRI (BOLD‐MRI) with CO2 challenge for assessment of whole brain CVR. Patients were examined as soon as possible after aneurysm treatment. We obtained good quality anatomical and functional images without complications. Initial anatomical cerebrovascular imaging showed no vasospasm in all patients. Two patients had abnormal CVR‐MRI tests and both developed DIND. Of the 3 others with normal CVR‐MRI, one developed posterior circulation DIND. One patient with a normal CVR‐MRI developed angiographic vasospasm but no DIND. Changes in CVR maps as early as 36 h after hemorrhage had good spatial correlation with delayed ischemia during short‐term follow‐up. Our series shows that MRI with CO2 challenge is feasible in this difficult population. Further developments might allow BOLD‐MRI with CO2 challenge to identify patients at risk and provide anatomical correlation with future DIND, opening a new venue for prophylactic treatments. Further study is warranted in a larger patient cohort. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:972–979. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Opening up Openness to Experience: A Four‐Factor Model and Relations to Creative Achievement in the Arts and Sciences
Authors: Kaufman Scott Barry
Published: November 2013

Openness to experience is the broadest personality domain of the Big Five, including a mix of traits relating to intellectual curiosity, intellectual interests, perceived intelligence, imagination, creativity, artistic and aesthetic interests, emotional and fantasy richness, and unconventionality. Likewise, creative achievement is a broad construct, comprising creativity across the arts and sciences. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between openness to experience and creative achievement. Toward this aim, I factor analyzed a battery of tests of cognitive ability, working memory, Intellect, Openness, affect, and intuition among a sample of English Sixth Form students (N = 146). Four factors were revealed: explicit cognitive ability, intellectual engagement, affective engagement, and aesthetic engagement. In line with dual‐process theory, each of these four factors showed differential relations with personality, impulsivity, and creative achievement. Affective engagement and aesthetic engagement were associated with creative achievement in the arts, whereas explicit cognitive ability and intellectual engagement were associated with creative achievement in the sciences. The results suggest that the Intellectual and Openness aspects of the broader openness to experience personality domain are related to different modes of information processing and predict different forms of creative achievement.
Hydrochar amendment promotes microbial immobilization of mineral nitrogen
Authors: Bargmann Inge , Martens Rainer , Rillig Matthias C. , Kruse Andrea , Kücke Martin
Published: November 2013

Hydrochars and biochars are products of the carbonization of biomass in different conversion processes. Both are considered suitable soil amendments, though they differ greatly in chemical and physical composition (e.g., aromaticity, inner surface area) due to the different production processes (pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization), thus affecting their degradability in soil. Depending on the type, char application may provide soil microorganisms with more (hydrochars) or less (biochars) accessible C sources, thus resulting in the incorporation of nitrogen (N) into microbial biomass. A soil‐incubation experiment was conducted for 8 weeks to determine the relationship between mineral‐N concentration in the soil solution and microbial‐biomass development as well as soil respiration. An arable topsoil was amended with two hydrochars from feedstocks with different total N contents. Biochars from the same feedstocks were used for comparison. Both char amendments significantly decreased mineral‐N concentration and promoted microbial biomass compared to the nonamended control, but the effects were much stronger for hydrochar. Hydrochar application increased soil respiration significantly during the first week of incubation, simultaneous with the strongest decrease in mineral‐N concentration in the soil and an increase in microbial biomass. The amount of N detected in the microbial biomass in the hydrochar treatments accounted for the mineral N “lost” from the soil during incubation. This shows that microbial immobilization is the main sink for decreasing mineral‐N concentrations after hydrochar application. However, this does not apply to biochar, since the amount of N recovered in microorganisms was much lower than the decrease in soil mineral‐N concentration. Our results demonstrate that while both chars are suitable soil amendments, their properties need to be considered to match the application purpose (C sequestration, organic fertilizer).
Relationships between epistaxis, migraines, and triggers in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
Authors: Elphick Amy , Shovlin Claire L.
Published: November 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

To identify whether relationships exist between epistaxis and migraines in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), to potentially provide further preventative and therapeutic options for the debilitating nosebleeds that are often very difficult to manage in clinical practice.

Study Design

Study participants were recruited from a UK specialist service, and online following advertisement by the HHT Foundation International. They completed a nonbiased questionnaire in which paired questions on nosebleeds and migraines were separated by at least 17 other questions.

Methods

Migraines were defined as headaches with associated autonomic and/or neurological features. The reported frequencies and precipitants of epistaxis and migraines were compared using numerical scales applied equally for each condition.

Results

The 220 HHT‐affected respondents reported frequent nosebleeds, 153 (69.5%) used iron tablets, and 39 (17.7%) had received at least 10 blood transfusions. Migraines displaying typical features were reported by 51 (23.2%), and were more common with pulmonary or cerebral arteriovenous malformations. Thirty of 51 (58.8%) migraine sufferers reported that nosebleeds occurred at the same time as their migraines. More frequent migraines were reported by patients with more frequent nosebleeds (r2 = 15%, P = .007), or transfusions (r2 = 16.9%, P = .004). In menstrual, lifestyle, and dietary analyses, consistency was observed between factors having no effect, and those provoking both nosebleeds and migraines in multiple patients (premenses; activity; lack of sleep; stress; caffeine, cheese, alcohol, and chocolate).

Conclusions

We demonstrate an unexpected and provocative association between nosebleeds and migraines in HHT patients. Evaluation of whether antimigraine approaches limit HHT nosebleeds may be appropriate.

Level of Evidence

4Laryngoscope, 124:1521–1528, 2014
Snoring and carotid artery intima‐media thickness
Authors: Deeb Robert , Judge Paul , Peterson Ed , Lin Judith C. , Yaremchuk Kathleen
Published: November 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

A growing body of evidence indicates that primary snoring (PS) may be the initial presentation of sleep‐disordered breathing and can adversely affect an individual's health. Individuals with the sole diagnosis of PS were evaluated to determine if a relationship exists between snoring and thickening of the intima media of the carotid arteries.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Our institution's sleep center database identified patients aged 18 to 50 years who had a diagnostic sleep study with apnea‐hypopnea index <5 between December 2006 and January 2012. Subjects underwent a diagnostic carotid artery duplex ultrasound measuring the intima‐media thickness (IMT) of the bilateral carotid arteries at four separate points. A validated Snoring Outcomes Survey (SOS) was completed and used to categorize snorers and nonsnorers. Groups were compared using a Student t test.

Results

Of 913 patients who met inclusion criteria, 54 patients completed both the carotid duplex ultrasound and SOS. There were no statistically significant differences in IMT for the groups defined by smoking or diabetes. Compared to nonsnorers, snorers were found to have a significantly greater IMT at two points along the left internal carotid artery and one point on the right side. When considering all eight points, IMT was significantly greater in snorers.

Conclusions

This study shows a relationship between PS and IMT of the carotid arteries. Given the well‐described relationship between increased carotid IMT and serious health conditions, nonapneic snoring may be a precursor to changes of the carotid artery intima and should be further investigated.

Level of Evidence

3b. Laryngoscope, 124:1486–1491, 2014
Role of toll-like receptors in liver transplantation
Authors: Howell Jessica , Gow Paul , Angus Peter , Visvanathan Kumar
Published: November 2013

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pathogen recognition receptors that orchestrate the innate immune response and the subsequent adaptive immune response. TLRs can be triggered by exogenous ligands expressed by invading pathogens or by the release of endogenous ligands, such as that occurring through cellular injury during the transplantation process. They are now recognized to play an important role in many facets of transplantation biology, including rejection and tolerance, ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), and infections after transplantation. The role of TLRs in liver transplantation is unique with respect to other organ transplants because the portal circulation is a continuous source of TLR2 and TLR4 ligands, and this influences TLR signaling pathways, which have a central role in transplantation immunity. This review provides a critical update on recent data outlining the important role of TLRs in liver transplantation, and there is a particular focus on emerging advances in our understanding of rejection and tolerance, IRI, and infections after transplantation and on the ways in which these events may influence the recurrence of diseases such as hepatitis C infection after liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 20:270-280, 2014. © 2013 AASLD.
Characterization of the scattering data for the Sturm–Liouville operator
Authors: Nabiev A.A. , Saltan S. , Gürdal M.
Published: November 2013

This work studies the scattering problem on the real axis for the Sturm–Liouville equation with discontinuous leading coefficient and the real‐valued steplike potential q(x) that has different constant asymptotes as x → ± ∞ . We investigate the properties of the scattering data, obtain the main integral equations of the inverse scattering problem, and also give necessary and sufficient conditions characterizing the scattering data. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Muurolane‐type sesquiterpenes from marine sponge Dysidea cinerea
Authors: Kiem Phan Van , Minh Chau Van , Nhiem Nguyen Xuan , Cuc Nguyen Thi , Quang Ngo Van , Tuan Anh Hoang Le , Tai Bui Huu , Yen Pham Hai , Hoai Nguyen Thi , Ho Kim Young , Kim Nanyoung , Park SeonJu , Kim Seung Hyun
Published: November 2013

Seven new muurolane‐type sesquiterpenes, (4R,5R)‐muurol‐1(6),10(14)‐diene‐4,5‐diol (1), (4R,5R)‐muurol‐1(6)‐ene‐4,5‐diol (2), (4R,5R,10R)‐10‐methoxymuurol‐1(6)‐ene‐4,5‐diol (3), (4S)‐4‐hydroxy‐1,10‐seco‐muurol‐5‐ene‐1,10‐dione (4), (4R)‐4‐hydroxy‐1,10‐seco‐muurol‐5‐ene‐1,10‐dione (5), (6S,10S)‐6,10‐dihydroxy‐7,8‐seco‐2,8‐cyclo‐muurol‐4(5),7(11)‐diene‐12‐oic acid (6), and (6R,10S)‐6,10‐dihydroxy‐7,8‐seco‐2,8‐cyclo‐muurol‐4(5),7(11)‐diene‐12‐oic acid (7) were isolated from the marine sponge Dysidea cinerea. Their structures were determined by the combination of spectroscopic and chemical methods, including 1D‐NMR, 2D‐NMR, and CD spectra as well as by comparing the NMR data with those reported in the literature. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of the Network Structure of PEG Diacrylate Hydrogels Formed in the Presence of N‐Vinyl Pyrrolidone
Authors: Lee Chu‐Yi , Teymour Fouad , Camastral Heinz , Tirelli Nicola , Hubbell Jeffrey A. , Elbert Donald L. , Papavasiliou Georgia
Published: November 2013

PEGDA hydrogels copolymerized with NVP using free‐radical photopolymerization are used in biomedical applications. These networks consist of a poly(acrylate‐co‐vinyl pyrrolidone) backbone crosslinked with PEG chains whose crosslink density is dependent on the backbone molecular weight and composition. Insight into the network structure and characterization of the backbone molecular weight and composition is achieved by considering hydrogel degradation through ester bond hydrolysis resulting in the release of PEG and poly(acrylic acid‐co‐vinyl pyrrolidone). A model is developed to determine the influence of kinetic constants and phenomena on the backbone formation and is compared to experimental data. Results indicate that the backbone molecular weight is related to the amount of NVP and unaffected by polymerization time.
A new residual posteriori error estimates of mixed finite element methods for convection‐diffusion‐reaction equations
Authors: Du Shaohong
Published: November 2013

We propose and analyze a new technique for developing residual‐based a posteriori error estimates over the stress and scalar displacement error for the lowest‐order Raviart–Thomas mixed finite element discretizations of convection‐diffusion‐reaction equations in two‐dimension space. The new technique is based on the abstract error estimates, the postprocessed approximation of the scalar displacement, and on the construction of an auxiliary problem. We consider the centered and upwind‐weighted mixed schemes, and concentrate the attention on the presence of an inhomogeneous and an anisotropic diffusion‐dispersion tensor and on a possible convection dominance. Global upper bounds can be directly computed on the base of the solution of the mixed schemes without any additional cost. Local lower bounds without any saturation assumption, hold from the case where convection or reaction are not present to convection‐ or reaction‐dominated equations, and their local efficiency depends on local or global variations in coefficients similar to Péclect number. Numerical experiments are reported to show the competitive behavior of the proposed posteriori error estimates, and to confirm the theoretical findings. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 30: 593–624, 2014
Assessing the extent and impact of the masking effect of disproportionality analyses on two spontaneous reporting systems databases
Authors: Maignen Francois , Hauben Manfred , Hung Eric , Van Holle Lionel , Dogne Jean‐Michel
Published: November 2013

Background

Masking is a statistical issue by which signals are hidden by the presence of other medicines in the database. In the absence algorithm, the impact of the masking effect has not been fully investigated.

Objective

Our study is aimed at assessing the extent and the impact of the masking effect on two large spontaneous reporting databases.

Study design

Cross sectional study using a set of terms of importance for public health in two spontaneous reporting databases.

Setting

The analyses were performed on EudraVigilance (EV) and the Pfizer spontaneous reporting database (PfDB).

Main outcome measure

Using the masking ratio, we have identified and removed the products inducing the highest masking effect.

Results

Studying a total of almost 50 000 drug‐event combinations masking had an impact on approximately 60% of drug‐event combinations were masked by another product with a masking ratio >1 in EV and 84% in PfDB. The prevalence of important masking was quite rare (0.003% of the DECs) and mainly affected events rarely reported in EV. The products involved in the highest masking effects are products known to induce the reaction. The removal of the masking effect of the highest masking product has revealed 974 signals of disproportionate reporting in EV including true signals. The study shows that the original ranking provided by the quantitative methods included in our study is marginally affected by the removal of the masking product.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that significant masking is rare in large spontaneous databases and mostly affects events rarely reported in EV. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbonyldiimidazole‐accelerated efficient cure of epoxidized soybean oil with dicyandiamide
Authors: Zhao Chun Hua , Wan Shun Jiang , Wang Lu , Liu Xiang Dong , Endo Takeshi
Published: November 2013

This study investigates the curing of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) using dicyandiamide (DICY) and combinations of DICY with several accelerators as curing agents. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) is a highly efficient accelerator for the ESO‐DICY curing system. CDI accelerated ESO‐DICY curing system can gel within a short period of 13 min at 190 °C. The activation energies of the ESO‐DICY curing systems with and without CDI are 95 and 121 kJ mol−1, respectively. Similar acceleration effect was observed in the ESO‐diglycidyl ether of biphenyl A (DGEBA) blending formulations. When the molar part of the glycidyl epoxy groups of DGEBA was equal to the internal epoxy groups of ESO in the mixture, gelation of the DICY curing system accelerated by CDI was achieved in 3 min at 160 °C. Furthermore, the DSC results with FTIR analysis suggest that the stoichiometric curing molar ratio was 3 ESO epoxy units per 1 DICY molecule. Two epoxy units reacted with DICY to give secondary alcohols, while the other one linked to the nitrile group. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 375–382
Effect of ammonium groups on the properties and alkaline stability of poly(arylene ether)‐based anion exchange membranes
Authors: Miyake Junpei , Fukasawa Keita , Watanabe Masahiro , Miyatake Kenji
Published: November 2013

Five kinds of ammonium groups functionalized partially fluorinated poly(arylene ether) block copolymer membranes were prepared for investigating the structure–property relationship as anion exchange membranes (AEMs). Consequently, the pyridine (PYR)‐modified membrane showed the highest alkaline and hydrazine stability in terms of the conductivity, water uptake, and dry weight. The chloromethylated precursor block copolymers were reacted with amines, such as trimethylamine, N‐butyldimethylamine, 1‐methylimidazole, 1,2‐dimethylimidazole, and PYR to provide the target quaternized poly(arylene ether)s. The structures of the polymers, as well as model compounds and oligomers were well characterized by 1H NMR spectra. The obtained AEMs were subjected to water uptake and hydroxide ion conductivity measurements and stabilities in aqueous alkaline and hydrazine media. The pyridinium‐functionalized quaternized polymers membrane showed the highest alkaline and hydrazine stability with minor losses in the conductivity, water uptake, and dry weight. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 383–389
Numerical method for disordered quantum phase transitions in the large‐N limit
Authors: Nozadze David , Vojta Thomas
Published: November 2013

We develop an efficient numerical method to study the quantum critical behavior of disordered systems with order‐parameter symmetry in the large‐N limit. It is based on the iterative solution of the large‐N saddle‐point equations combined with a fast algorithm for inverting the arising large sparse random matrices. As an example, we consider the superconductor‐metal quantum phase transition in disordered nanowires. We study the behavior of various observables near the quantum phase transition. Our results agree with recent renormalization group predictions, i.e., the transition is governed by an infinite‐randomness critical point, accompanied by quantum Griffiths singularities. In contrast to the existing numerical approach to this problem, our method gives direct access to the temperature dependencies of observables. Moreover, our algorithm is highly efficient because the numerical effort for each iteration scales linearly with the system size. This allows us to study larger systems, with up to 1024 sites, than previous methods. We also discuss generalizations to higher dimensions and other systems including the itinerant antiferromagnetic transitions in disordered metals.
Reduction of n‐type diamond contact resistance by graphite electrode
Authors: Matsumoto Tsubasa , Kato Hiromitsu , Tokuda Norio , Makino Toshiharu , Ogura Masahiko , Takeuchi Daisuke , Okushi Hideyo , Yamasaki Satoshi
Published: November 2013

The contact resistance between heavily phosphorus doped n‐type (n+‐type) diamond (111) layers and graphite electrodes was investigated. To analyze the contact resistance properties in detail in the low‐voltage region, the transfer length method including nonlinear terms with a constant current was analyzed based on the double Schottky contact configuration. Using this method, we have revaluated the metal contact resistance reported previously. Using the graphite electrodes, the linearity of current‐voltage characteristics was improved. The contact resistance was reduced by a factor of ten compared to that of conventional Ti/Pt/Au electrodes. The graphite electrodes were formed directly by thermal annealing at 1300 °C for 10 min from an n+‐type diamond surface. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Strong visible‐light photovoltaic effect in multiferroic Pb(Fe1/2V1/2)O3 bulk ceramics
Authors: Wu Zheng , Zhang Yihe , Ma Ke , Cao Yi , Lin He , Jia Yanmin , Chen Jianrong , Li2 Huamei
Published: November 2013

The multiferroic Pb(Fe1/2V1/2)O3 (PFV) bulk ceramic was fabricated by a conventional ceramic sintering method. The strong visible‐light photovoltaic effect in Sn‐doped‐In2O3(ITO)/PFV/ITO structure capacitor was observed. The open‐circuit voltage was up to ∼0.7 V, which was much higher than the value (∼0.3 V) in BiFeO3 film. The photo‐excited electric current is almost proportional to the incident light illumination intensity. The good visible‐light photovoltaic makes PFV ceramic a potential candidate for practical application in solar cell devices.

magnified image

Visible‐light photovoltaic effect in multiferroic Pb(Fe1/2V1/2)O3 bulk ceramics. The open‐circuit voltage and zero‐bias photocurrent are ∼0.7 V and 0.02 μA, respectively.

(© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Adaptive control of a class of nonlinear systems using multiple models with smooth controller
Authors: Chen Wei , Sun Jian , Chen Chen , Chen Jie
Published: November 2013

The idea of using multiple models to improve transient performance in adaptive control systems with large uncertainty or time varying parameters was introduced in 1990s. However, the commonly used scheme with switching has some potential drawbacks. In this paper, a new multiple model scheme is proposed for strict‐feedback nonlinear systems. In order to avoid the possible chattering resulted from the controller's switching, a continuous controller based on the convex combination of parameter estimates of identification models is presented, which ensures the better use of the information of identification models than the switching scheme. Also, the number of necessary models is just one more than the dimension of the unknown system parameter, which is more practical. Simulation studies are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed scheme. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.