bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Independent associations between cardiorespiratory fitness, waist circumference, BMI, and clustered cardiometabolic risk in adolescents
Authors: Buchan Duncan S. , Young John D. , Boddy Lynne M. , Baker Julien S.
Published: October 2013

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the independent associations between measures of adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with clustered cardiometabolic risk in adolescents.

Methods

209 adolescents (139 boys), aged 15–17.5 years participated. Participants completed anthropometric measurements [height, weight, waist circumference (WC)] whilst the 20 m fitness test was used to assess CRF. Additional measures included systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, ratio total cholesterol/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin resistance (HOMA), interleukin‐6, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and adiponectin.

Results

Partial correlations revealed weak to moderate negative associations for body mass index (BMI) and WC with CRF (r = −0.295 and –0.292, P < 0.001) and adiponectin (r = −0.227 and −0.262, P < 0.05). Weak to moderate positive associations were evident for BMI with CRP, and cardiometabolic risk (r = 0.274, and 0.283, P < 0.05, respectively). Weak to moderate positive associations were apparent for WC with CRP and triglycerides (r = 0.240 and 0.254, P < 0.05), whilst moderate to large associations were evident for WC with clustered cardiometabolic risk (r = 0.317, P < 0.05). Regression analyses revealed that BMI was positively associated with cardiometabolic risk (β = 0.243, P < 0.001). Further analysis whilst additionally controlling for WC and CRF strengthened this association (β = 0.352, P < 0.001). Finally, participants in the least‐fit quartile for CRF had significantly poorer cardiometabolic risk scores than those in the other quartiles.

Conclusion

BMI and not CRF was independently associated with cardiometabolic risk. Reducing BMI appears essential to minimize cardiometabolic risk during adolescence. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 26:29–35, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Associations between insulin and heart rate variability in police officers
Authors: Charles Luenda E. , Andrew Michael E. , Sarkisian Khachatur , Shengqiao Li , Mnatsakanova Anna , Violanti John M. , Wilson Mark , Gu Ja K. , Miller Diane B. , Burchfiel Cecil M.
Published: October 2013

Objective

Low heart rate variability (HRV) has been linked to cardiovascular disease. Our objective was to examine the cross‐sectional association between insulin and HRV.

Methods

Insulin levels were measured in 355 nondiabetic officers from the BCOPS study, following a 12 h fast. HRV was performed according to methods published by the task force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing Electrophysiology for measurement and analysis of HRV. Mean values of high (HF) and low frequency (LF) HRV were compared across tertiles of insulin using ANOVA and ANCOVA; p‐values were obtained from linear regression models.

Results

Higher mean levels of insulin were significantly associated with lower (i.e., worse) mean levels of HRV before and after risk‐factor adjustment. The results for HF HRV (ms2) were as follows: 1st insulin (µU/ml) tertile (156.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 128.6–189.9); 2nd tertile (154.3; 95% CI = 124.3–191.5); 3rd tertile (127.9; 95% CI = 105.0–155.8), p for trend = 0.017. Results with LF HRV were similar to HF HRV. Insulin was also inversely and significantly associated with HRV among officers with BMI ≥25 kg/m2, with ≥25.5% body fat, and among those who reported low (<median) physical activity scores.

Conclusions

In this cohort, insulin levels were inversely and significantly associated with both HF and LF HRV, especially among those with higher levels of obesity and lower levels of physical activity, suggesting associations with autonomic nervous system function. Prospective studies of this association in other populations are warranted. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 26:56–63, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Technical note: False catastrophic age‐at‐death profiles in commingled bone deposits
Authors: Sołtysiak Arkadiusz
Published: October 2013

Age‐at‐death profiles obtained using the minimum number of individuals (MNI) for mass deposits of commingled human remains may be biased by over‐representation of subadult individuals. A computer simulation designed in the R environment has shown that this effect may lead to misinterpretation of such samples even in cases where the completeness rate is relatively high. The simulation demonstrates that the use of the Most Likely Number of Individuals (MLNI) substantially reduces this bias. Am J Phys Anthropol 152:554–557, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Body size and premolar evolution in the early‐middle eocene euprimates of Wyoming
Authors: Jones Katrina E. , Rose Kenneth D. , Perry Jonathan M.G.
Published: October 2013

The earliest euprimates to arrive in North America were larger‐bodied notharctids and smaller‐bodied omomyids. Through the Eocene, notharctids generally continued to increase in body size, whereas omomyids generally radiated within small‐ and increasingly mid‐sized niches in the middle Eocene. This study examines the influence of changing body size and diet on the evolution of the lower fourth premolar in Eocene euprimates. The P4 displays considerable morphological variability in these taxa. Despite the fact that most studies of primate dental morphology have focused on the molars, P4 can also provide important paleoecological insights. We analyzed the P4 from 177 euprimate specimens, representing 35 species (11 notharctids and 24 omomyids), in three time bins of approximately equal duration: early Wasatchian, late Wasatchian, and Bridgerian. Two‐dimensional surface landmarks were collected from lingual photographs, capturing important variation in cusp position and tooth shape. Disparity metrics were calculated and compared for the three time bins. In the early Eocene, notharctids have a more molarized P4 than omomyids. During the Bridgerian, expanding body size range of omomyids was accompanied by a significant increase in P4 disparity and convergent evolution of the semimolariform condition in the largest omomyines. P4 morphology relates to diet in early euprimates, although patterns vary between families. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:15–28, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in stroke patients: a prospective multicenter study in Japan
Authors: Takahashi Takeshi , Harada Masahiro , Kikuno Takaaki , Ujihara Makoto , Sadamitsu Daikai , Manabe Yasuhiro , Yasaka Masahiro , Takayama Hayato , Kobori Shozo , Araki Eiichi
Published: October 2013

Aims

The fact that Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of atherosclerosis has been epidemiologically studied and proven; however, a prospective study on the prevalence of MetS in stroke patients has never been conducted because of the difficulty in diagnosis under critical illness in the acute phase. Therefore, we conducted a prospective multicenter study to investigate the prevalence of MetS in stroke patients with modified diagnostic criteria for MetS.

Methods

Stroke patients admitted in the seven participating Emergency and Critical Care Centers within the two years from April 2007 were registered in this study as a prospective multicenter study. Inclusion criteria were 50 to 89 year‐old stroke patients who presented within three days from the onset of symptoms. A total of 992 subjects were classified according to the stroke type and the prevalence of MetS and the associated risk factors were investigated. The participants in a medical checkup without any history of a stroke were enrolled as the control group, and compared between the two groups.

Results

The prevalence of MetS as well as hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in the infarction group was significantly higher than that in the non‐stroke group. While the hemorrhage group showed no significant difference in the prevalence of MetS, only hypertension was significantly high. According to a subtype analysis, there is a significant correlation between waist circumference increment of the stroke patients and the prevalence of the risk factors of hypertension, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia.

Conclusions

Different risk factors are significantly related to the type of stroke.
Effects of dodecyl amine functionalized graphene oxide on the crystallization behavior of isotactic polypropylene
Authors: Wang Hao , Ren Peng‐Gang , Chen Yan‐Hui , Yan Ding‐Xiang , Li Zhong‐Ming , Xu Ling
Published: October 2013

Dodecyl amine functionalized graphene oxide (DA‐GO)/isotactic polypropylene (iPP) nanocomposites were prepared via solution mixing method. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) verified that the DA was successfully grafted onto the surface of graphene oxide. The crystallization behavior of iPP/DA‐GO nanocomposites was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscope (POM). The DSC results of both isothermal and non‐isothermal crystallization process indicated that the addition of DA‐GO can decrease the half‐time crystallization (t1/2) and elevate crystallization peak temperature (Tp) of iPP. The results of isothermal crystallization kinetics showed that the overall crystallization rates of iPP/DA‐GO nanocomposites, especially with higher DA‐GO content, were much faster than that of neat iPP. During the non‐isothermal crystallization process, the nucleation ability (Φ) of nanocomposites containing 0.05, and 0.5 wt % DA‐GO were 0.83 and 0.69, respectively. And the crystallization activation energy
of iPP decreased from 348.7 (neat iPP) to 309.2 and 283.1 kJ/m by addition of 0.05 and 0.5 wt % DA‐GO, respectively. The decrease of Φ and
indicated DA‐GO has strong heterogeneous nucleation effect and can promote the crystallization of iPP significantly. Additionally, POM micrographs showed the DA‐GO in iPP matrix can form more nucleation sites for the spherulite growth. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 40000.
CdTe quantum dots and YAG hybrid phosphors for white light‐emitting diodes
Authors: Yin Yanchun , Wang Rongfang , Zhou Liya
Published: October 2013

CdTe quantum dots, 3.28 nm in size, were synthesized using a one‐step method in an aqueous medium. The CdTe quantum dots were successfully employed as hybrid phosphors for white light‐emitting diode (LED) devices by combining them with yellow‐emitting YAG:Ce phosphor. The color‐rendering index value and International Commission on illumination coordinates for hybrid phosphor white LEDs were 75 and (x = 0.30, y = 0.29), respectively. Compared with conventional phosphors, semiconductor quantum dots have larger band gap energy and broader absorption features, and can be excited more efficiently by optical pumping sources. The results confirmed that the high color‐rendering index value of the white LED was due to the CdTe quantum dots introduced in the hybrid phosphor system. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel laccase with inhibitory activity towards HIV‐I reverse transcriptase and antiproliferative effects on tumor cells from the fermentation broth of mushroom Pleurotus cornucopiae
Authors: Wu Xiangli , Huang Chenyang , Chen Qiang , Wang Hexiang , Zhang Jinxia
Published: October 2013

A novel laccase with a molecular mass of 67 kDa was isolated from the fermentation broth of Pleurotus cornucopiae through ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The optimal pH and temperature for the laccase was pH 4.2 and 30°C, respectively. The laccase activity was remarkably inhibited by Fe3+ and Hg2+, while it was stimulated by Cu2+ and Pb2+. It inhibited proliferation of the hepatoma cells HepG2 and the breast cancer cells MCF‐7, and the activity of HIV‐I reverse transcriptase with IC50 values of 3.9, 7.6 and 3.7 μM, respectively. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Catalytic Asymmetric Arylation of Enals to Enantioenriched Linear Trisubstituted Allylic Secondary Alcohols by using Aryl Lithiums Generated In Situ from Aryl Bromides
Authors: Zhang Lei , Sun Lin , Li Yu‐Yan , Liu Yue , Yang Yong‐Xin , Yuan Rui , Wang Pei , Da Chao‐Shan
Published: October 2013

Catalytic asymmetric addition of nucleophiles to enals is a straightforward method towards enantioenriched allylic alcohols, which are important for the synthesis of natural and pharmaceutically active compounds. Reactive aryl lithiums, produced in situ from readily available and inexpensive aryl bromides and butyl lithium, were used to enantioselectively arylate a number of α‐substituted cinnamaldehydes in the presence of tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), AlCl3, and Ti(OiPr)4. This enabled enantioenriched linear trisubstituted allylic secondary alcohols in the catalysis of (S)‐H8‐BINOL‐(TiOiPr)2 complex. TMEDA coordinated the lithium salt generated in situ during transmetallation and effectively inhibited the unwanted background reaction catalyzed by the Lewis acidic lithium salt.
Bio‐Inspired Formal Synthesis of Hirsutellones A–C Featuring an Electrophilic Cyclization Triggered by Remote Lewis Acid‐Activation
Authors: Li Xu‐Wen , Ear Alexandre , Roger Lukas , Riache Nassima , Deville Alexandre , Nay Bastien
Published: October 2013

A bio‐inspired strategy was used to complete the formal synthesis of the antitubercular hirsutellone B and congeners A and C, through construction of its decahydrofluorene core from a linear polyene strand activated at both ends by a silyl enol ether and an allyl acetate. Our synthesis features a key electrophilic cyclization, starting with the remote activation (by [Yb(OTf)3] or BF3⋅OEt2) of the allyl acetate and stereoselectively affording the C ring. This was followed by an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to get the tricyclic core of the natural product. The stereoselective reduction of the resulting ketone towards the formal intermediate was critical to the success of this strategy.
75 Years of Hydroformulation – Oxo Reactors and Oxo Plants of Ruhrchemie AG and Oxea GmbH from 1938 to 2013
Authors: Hibbel Josef , Wiebus Ernst , Cornils Boy
Published: October 2013

Die Hydroformylierung, auch als Oxosynthese oder Roelen‐Reaktion bezeichnet, ist die atomökonomische und metallkatalysierte Addition der Bestandteile des Synthesegases, H2 und CO, an die Doppelbindungen von Alkenen. Sie wurde 1938 von Otto Roelen in den Laboratorien der Ruhrchemie AG entdeckt. Die Bemühungen zur Übertragung des Verfahrens in den technischen Maßstab begannen sofort nach der Patentanmeldung. Sie führten aber während des 2. Weltkrieges und den dadurch bedingten schwierigen Umständen nur zu einem Teilerfolg in den Anlagen der Ruhrchemie AG Oberhausen‐Holten und des Kooperationspartners, der I.G. Farbenindustrie AG. Nach dem 2. Weltkrieg wurden das Ruhrchemie‐Verfahren auf der Basis von Kobaltkatalysatoren und das Ruhrchemie/Rhône‐Poulenc‐Verfahren als erstes technisch wichtiges, wässriges Zweiphasenverfahren mit Rhodiumkatalysatoren zu führenden homogen katalysierten Prozessen der Chemie.
On the Compatibility of Binary Sequences
Authors: Kesten Harry , de Lima Bernardo N. B. , Sidoravicius Vladas , Vares Maria Eulália
Published: October 2013

An ordered pair of semi‐infinite binary sequences (η,ξ) is said to be compatible if there is a way of removing a certain number (possibly infinite) of ones from η and zeroes from ξ that would map both sequences to the same semi‐infinite sequence. This notion was introduced by Peter Winkler, who also posed the following question: η and ξ being independent i.i.d. Bernoulli sequences with parameters p′ and p, respectively, does there exist (p′, p) so that the set of compatible pairs has positive measure? It is known that this does not happen for p and p′ very close to . In the positive direction, we construct, for any ɛ > 0, a deterministic binary sequence ηɛ whose set of zeroes has Hausdorff dimension larger than 1 − ɛ and such that ℙp {ξ : (ηɛ,ξ) is compatible } > 0 for p small enough, where ℙp stands for the product Bernoulli measure with parameter p. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Introgressive hybridization in a trophically polymorphic cichlid
Authors: Hulsey C. Darrin , García‐de‐León Francisco J.
Published: October 2013

Trophically polymorphic species could represent lineages that are rapidly diverging along an ecological axis or could phenotypically mark the collapse of species through introgressive hybridization. We investigated patterns of introgression between the trophically polymorphic cichlid fish Herichthys minckleyi and its relative H. cyanoguttatus using a combination of population genetics and species tree analyses. We first examined the distribution of mitochondrial haplotypes within the alternative H. minckleyi pharyngeal jaw morphotypes that are endemic to the small desert valley of Cuatro Ciénegas. We recovered two clusters of mitochondrial haplotypes. The first contained a number of slightly differentiated cytochrome b (cytb) haplotypes that showed some phylogeographic signal and were present in both jaw morphotypes. The other haplotype was monomorphic, highly differentiated from the other cluster, present in equal frequencies in the morphotypes, and identical to H. cyanoguttatus haplotypes found outside Cuatro Ciénegas. Then, we investigated whether H. minckleyi individuals with the H. cyanoguttatus cytb were more evolutionarily similar to H. cyanoguttatus or other H. minckleyi using a species tree analysis of 84 nuclear loci. Both H. minckleyi pharyngeal morphotypes, regardless of their cytb haplotype, were quite distinct from H. cyanoguttatus. However, hybridization could be blurring subdivision within H. minckleyi as the alternative jaw morphotypes were not genetically distinct from one another. Accounting for introgression from H. cyanoguttatus will be essential to understand the evolution of the trophically polymorphic cichlid H. minckleyi.
Effects of sea‐level rise on barrier island groundwater system dynamics – ecohydrological implications
Authors: Masterson John P. , Fienen Michael N. , Thieler E. Robert , Gesch Dean B. , Gutierrez Benjamin T. , Plant Nathaniel G.
Published: October 2013

We used a numerical model to investigate how a barrier island groundwater system responds to increases of up to 60 cm in sea level. We found that a sea‐level rise of 20 cm leads to substantial changes in the depth of the water table and the extent and depth of saltwater intrusion, which are key determinants in the establishment, distribution and succession of vegetation assemblages and habitat suitability in barrier islands ecosystems. In our simulations, increases in water‐table height in areas with a shallow depth to water (or thin vadose zone) resulted in extensive groundwater inundation of land surface and a thinning of the underlying freshwater lens. We demonstrated the interdependence of the groundwater response to island morphology by evaluating changes at three sites. This interdependence can have a profound effect on ecosystem composition in these fragile coastal landscapes under long‐term changing climatic conditions. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Sustainable Climate Policy Integration in the European Union
Authors: Rietig Katharina
Published: October 2013

The European Union increasingly integrates climate objectives into other policy areas. However, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions is not necessarily compatible with environmental protection or sustainable development, as the examples of nuclear energy, hydropower and biofuels illustrate. Therefore, climate policy integration needs to be compatible with the overarching objective of sustainable development. This article discusses under which conditions legislation that integrates climate objectives contributes to sustainable development and how this can be evaluated at the policy proposal stage. The key contribution is to illustrate in the European context how legislation on climate policy integration can be designed to also contribute to sustainable development. Based on the European Sustainable Development Strategy, this paper proposes four criteria: policy integration and coherence, environmental protection, social and economic development and justice/participation. These criteria are used to evaluate the Renewable Energy Directive and the 2014–2020 Common Agricultural Policy proposal. The paper concludes that both case studies can serve as best‐practice examples for other policies on the European and national levels of how climate policy integration can be designed to also meet minimum levels of sustainable development. Policy implications are the inclusion of these criteria for sustainable climate policy integration into EU impact assessments and their use as minimum benchmarks in the policy debate as an evaluation tool that can be easily used by policy makers and stakeholders to evaluate if a negotiated compromise on a policy that integrates climate objectives still contributes to both reducing emissions and sustainable development. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Evolutions in E‐governance: Evidence from Spanish Local Governments
Authors: García‐Sánchez Isabel‐María , Rodríguez‐Domínguez Luis , Frias‐Aceituno José‐Valeriano
Published: October 2013

This paper analyzes the development of e‐government, both as an overall process and in each of the three stages identified in the prior literature (e‐government, e‐governance and e‐democracy) in order to determine the expansion of the use of e‐government with the purpose of encouraging citizens' engagement and ability to obtain public services and exchange information with their government online.

The analysis has focused on 102 Spanish municipalities, which allow us a more homogeneous comparative analysis. First, we perform a content analysis of their web pages, based on an information index. Also, we undertake some descriptive analyses and graphical figures.

The results obtained demonstrate that Spanish municipalities show high information transparency in economic, environmental and social matters, allowing the undertaking of administrative proceedings online and actively promoting the participation of interest groups in strategic, sustainable and managerial issues. However, the Spanish legislation needs to regulate the development of local government e‐administration in order to improve the current one‐way e‐participatory status towards a two‐way relationship of mutual feedback and finally to a partner relationship between government and society. Also, the diversity in e‐government development suggests that it is not theoretically adequate to consider it as an aggregate concept, requiring research to focus on particular applications in order to obtain useful insights. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Improving the Policy Mix: The Scope for Market‐Based Instruments in EU Biodiversity Policy
Authors: Klassert Christian , Möckel Stefan
Published: October 2013

The European Union (EU) is still lagging behind its objective to halt the loss of biodiversity. Current research shows promising ways to improve the cost‐effectiveness of existing policy mixes for habitat protection through the introduction of market‐based instruments. To harness the potential of these ideas for the pursuit of the EU's biodiversity conservation objective during upcoming changes in the policy landscape and to identify the optimal allocation for each instrument, it is necessary to understand the scope for the introduction of market‐based instruments across all relevant fields of EU policymaking. So far, there are, however, few systematic analyses satisfying this purpose. This article analyzes existing instruments under the Birds and the Habitats Directives and the Common Agricultural Policy, and thede legeandde factoconstraints and opportunities that result from these policies for the introduction of additional market‐based instruments. The analysis shows that the distribution of authority between the EU and its member states gives each of them different comparative advantages for the introduction of market‐based instruments in the different policy fields. These provide various opportunities for the improvement of the existing policy mix for habitat protection. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Synthesis of a Comprehensive Polyprenol Library for the Evaluation of Bacterial Enzyme Lipid Substrate Specificity
Authors: Wu Baolin , Woodward Robert , Wen Liuqing , Wang Xuan , Zhao Guohui , Wang Peng George
Published: October 2013

Polyprenols, a universal class of glycan‐carrier lipids, play important roles in glycan biosynthesis in wide variety of living organisms. The chemical synthesis of natural polyisoprenols such as undecaprenol and dolichols, and even more so the synthesis of their homologs, could serve as a powerful way to investigate and define the functions of enzymes involved in glycan biosynthesis. In this paper, we report an efficient and reliable method to construct this type of hydrophoic molecule using a base‐mediated iterative coupling approach based on a key bifunctional (Z,Z)‐diisoprenyl building block. The ligation of N‐acetyl‐D‐glactosamine (GalNAc) with a set of the synthesized lipid analogs to form polyprenol‐pyrophosphate‐linked GalNAc (GalNAc‐PP‐lipid) conjugates is also demonstrated.
Management architecture for green cognitive radio equipments
Authors: Lazrak Oussama , Bourbia Salma , Moy Christophe , Guennec Daniel Le , Leray Pierre , Grati Khaled , Gazel Adel
Published: October 2013

We assert in this paper that a management architecture has to be added to usual signal processing chain of radio equipment in order to integrate green management capabilities. The proposed architecture is based on our previous work on hierarchical and distributed cognitive radio (CR) architecture management for CR equipments. We assert that, at the level of an equipment, green radio can be considered as a subset of CR. A model‐based approach is derived for the design of green radio equipments. As an example, we address in this paper a green scenario, which consists in bypassing the equaliser in function of signal to noise ratio and inter‐symbol interference levels at a receiver. Then we show how we save energy, thanks to a complexity reduction. Both signal processing and implementations views are given for this scenario, which shows how our approach helps converting principles into reality. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low‐fat frankfurters from protein concentrates of tilapia viscera and mechanically separated tilapia meat
Authors: Cavenaghi‐Altemio Angela D. , Alcade Lígia B. , Fonseca Gustavo G.
Published: October 2013

In order to develop a healthy low‐fat frankfurter‐type sausage, different formulations were developed with tilapia viscera surimi (T1) and two with mechanically separated tilapia meat (MSTM) surimi (T2 and T3), all without pig lard addition. Due to technological problems observed for T1 sausage during cooking, it was not further investigated. The functionality of the other two formulations was evaluated based on proximate composition, pH, water activity, and texture. Finally, microbiological and sensory analyses based on acceptance tests were performed. Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were found to be absent. T2 showed higher frequencies for the attributes color (90.0%) and overall acceptability (86.7%), while T3 showed higher frequencies for taste (86.7%) and texture (96.7%). The surimi concentration was reflected in the physical properties of the sausages. It was found that the addition of MSTM surimi to sausage favored greater cutting strength (3.9 N for T2 and 4.9 N for T3). Beyond the surimi utilization, the total replacement of pig lard by cassava starch and soybean protein had also contributed with the texture properties.
Risk Analysis Paramount in Project Financing Decisions
Authors: Ravis John G.
Published: October 2013

The project finance model is used to mobilize several billion dollars of investment annually for projects worldwide. Making these projects an attractive investment opportunity to lenders requires a careful assessment of the risks involved in a project.
Alternate Energy: US Biogas Markets Growing, Especially Anaerobic Digestion and Organics
Authors: Viau Emily
Published: October 2013

As the 1985 blockbuster “Back to the Future” predicted when a banana peel was needed to fuel a Delorean, in 2012 we saw major project developments blossoming across the United States and the first food scrap digesters coming online. This article will explore anaerobic digestion (AD) electricity potential across the United States, technology considerations, and the federal, state, and local market drivers that are propelling developments in 2013–14.
Natural Gas Liquids—Regulation: FERC/Not FERC? Determining Jurisdictional Status of NGL Pipeline Service
Authors: Boudreaux Michelle T. , Hoff Amy L.
Published: October 2013

As the production of natural gas liquids (NGLs) has increased during the last five years—rising almost 40 percent from 2006 to 2012—existing pipeline transportation infrastructure has proven inadequate to handle these increased volumes of NGLs. The industry has responded to the need for NGL infrastructure investment in a variety of ways: by expanding existing NGL pipelines, repurposing pipelines that currently are idled or being used to transport other commodities, reversing existing lines, and constructing new greenfield pipelines. As the investment required for these NGL pipeline projects is significant and the demand for NGL transportation service is high, understanding the jurisdictional status of NGL pipeline transportation service and the regulatory implications of that status is imperative to pipeline owners and NGL producers alike. This article provides an overview of the jurisdictional question and examines the factors that are used to determine whether a NGL pipeline's transportation service will be subject to federal jurisdiction.
Natural Gas & Electricity Pricing: NGLs Versus LNG: The Fight of the Century
Authors: Bodell Tanya
Published: October 2013

A fierce political battle has begun—one of those wars that starts with a skirmish in a relatively unknown industry and then rages into an issue on which even the most average Joe takes a side.
KRAS mutation confers resistance to antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity of cetuximab against human colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Nakadate Yusuke , Kodera Yasuo , Kitamura Yuka , Shirasawa Senji , Tachibana Taro , Tamura Tomohide , Koizumi Fumiaki
Published: October 2013

Cetuximab is a chimeric IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) that targets the extracellular domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Oncogenic KRAS mutations in tumors have been shown to be a negative predictor of the response of colorectal cancer (CRC) to cetuximab treatment. Cetuximab exerts its therapeutic effects through several mechanisms including antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). However, the influence of KRAS mutations on cetuximab‐mediated ADCC is not fully understood. Here, we investigated cetuximab‐mediated ADCC in two pairs of isogenic CRC cells with or without a KRAS mutation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy volunteers and NK92, a natural killer (NK) cell line that exogenously expresses FcγRIIIa (CD16a), were used as effector cells. In an ADCC assay, perforin‐dependent target cell lysis was not affected by the KRAS mutation status. On the other hand, perforin‐independent ADCC was observed only in CRC cells with wild‐type KRAS, but not in cells with mutant KRAS. Neutralizing experiments revealed that the Fas‐Fas ligand (FasL) interaction was responsible for the induction of apoptosis and perforin‐independent ADCC. Furthermore, the presence of effector cells clearly enhanced the growth‐inhibitory effect of cetuximab only in CRC cells with wild‐type KRAS, but not in those with mutant KRAS. These findings suggest that ADCC is an important mode of action of cetuximab and that KRAS mutation impairs the therapeutic effect exerted by cetuximab‐mediated ADCC.
Prophylactic administration of non‐organophosphate cholinesterase inhibitors before acute exposure to organophosphates: assessment using terbufos sulfone
Authors: Lorke Dietrich E. , Nurulain Syed M. , Hasan Mohamed Y. , Kuča Kamil , Petroianu Georg A.
Published: October 2013

Poisoning with organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) poses a serious threat worldwide. OPC‐induced mortality can be significantly reduced by prophylactic administration of reversible acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. The only American Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐approved substance for such pre‐treatment (to soman exposure) is presently pyridostigmine, although its efficacy is controversial. In search for more efficacious and broad‐spectrum alternatives, we have assessed in vivo the mortality‐reducing efficacy of a group of five compounds with known AChE inhibitory activity (pyridostigmine, physostigmine, ranitidine, tacrine and K‐27), when given in equitoxic dosage (25% of LD01) 30 min before exposure to the OPC terbufos sulfone. Protection was quantified in rats by determining the relative risk of death (RR) using Cox analysis, with RR = 1 for animals given only terbufos sulfone, but no pre‐treatment. All tested AChE inhibitors reduced terbufos sulfone‐induced mortality significantly (p ≤ 0.05) as compared with the non‐treatment group (RR = 1: terbufos sulfone only). Best in vivo protection from terbufos sulfone‐induced mortality was achieved, when K‐27 was given before terbufos sulfone exposure (RR = 0.06), which was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) superior to the pre‐treatment with all other tested compounds, for example tacrine (RR = 0.21), pyridostigmine (RR = 0.28), physostigmine (RR = 0.29) and ranitidine (RR = 0.33). The differences in efficacy between tacrine, pyridostigmine, physostigmine and ranitidine were not statistically significant. Prophylactic administration of an oxime (such as K‐27) in case of imminent OPC exposure may be a viable option. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human bone‐lineage cell responses to anisotropic Ti6Al4V surfaces are dependent on their maturation state
Authors: Calzado‐Martín Alicia , Crespo Lara , Saldaña Laura , Boré Alba , Gómez‐Barrena Enrique , Vilaboa Nuria
Published: October 2013

This article reports on the interactions of human bone cells, mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) from bone marrow and osteoblasts (hOBs), with a submicron‐grooved Ti6Al4V alloy that promotes cell orientation in the direction of the anisotropy. Adhesion sites, actin and tubulin networks and fibronectin extracellular matrix of both cell types align with the direction of the grooves. hMSCs adhere at a higher rate on the patterned substrate than on the polished alloy, while no differences are found in hOBs attachment. Compared to the flat substrate, RhoA activity is higher in hMSCs and hOB cultured on the grooved alloy and treatment with C3 transferase leads to loss of organization of actin and tubulin cytoskeletons. Rho‐associated kinase (ROCK) activity of hMSCs is upregulated on the anisotropic samples, but not affected in hOBs. Treatment with hydroxyfasudil disrupts the alignment of adhesion sites in hMSCs but not in hOBs. When cells are cultured in media that support osteogenic maturation, OPN secretion increases in hMSCs on the anisotropic alloy and it remains unaffected in hOBs. Cell layer calcification proceeds to a same extent in hMSCs cultured on the two metallic surfaces but decreases in hOBs cultured on the patterned samples. Taken together, these results indicate that hOBs are less sensitive than hMSCs to the patterned Ti6Al4V alloy. This effect can be attributed to their different stages of cell maturation and may be mediated, at least in part, through ROCK signaling because its activity increases on hMSCs cultured on the patterned alloy, while hOBs fail to upregulate it. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 3154–3166, 2014.
Molybdenum effect on the structure of SiO2–CaO–P2O5 bioactive xerogels and on their interface processes with simulated biofluids
Authors: Ponta Oana , Ciceo‐Lucacel Raluca , Vulpoi Adriana , Radu Teodora , Simon Simion
Published: October 2013

The study is focused on synthesis, investigation of the structural and morphological changes induced by MoO3 addition, and thermal treatment, as well as in vitro characterization of a new sol–gel derived SiO2–CaO–P2O5 bioactive materials. The obtained systems are composite materials consisting of nanocrystalline apatite, bioactive glass and CaMoO4 nanoparticles, which are of interest for both regenerative medicine and specific medical applications of the releasable molybdenum ions. The changes induced by the thermal treatments and MoO3 addition with respect to the structure and morphology were completed using differential thermal analysis\thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller. The biological performance of these materials was evaluated in vitro by performing bioactivity and biocompatibility tests. The bioactive properties in terms of hydroxyapatite layer formation on the biomaterial surface after simulated body fluid immersion were studied by XRD and SEM. To establish their biocompatibility, the biomaterials surface was functionalized with protein and the resulted sample was investigated using SEM, FTIR, and XPS. The obtained results suggest that the addition of molybdenum oxide in proper concentration improves the biocompatibility in terms of enhancement of protein adherence on Si–Ca–P surface due to CaMoO4 crystalline phase development and does not inhibit bioactivity. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 3177–3185, 2014.
Treasurers, Bribery, and the FCPA: Is There a Better Way?
Authors: Shapiro David M.
Published: October 2013

Treasurers are responsible for assessing and mitigating corruption risk. And with the rise of globaliza‐tion, the problem of bribery has become wider. However, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)—designed to fight bribery—actually puts U.S. companies at an unfair disadvantage. Is there a more rational alternative to the flawed FCPA that would work? © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Anatomy, function, and evolution of jaw and hyobranchial muscles in cryptobranchoid salamander larvae
Authors: Kleinteich Thomas , Herzen Julia , Beckmann Felix , Matsui Masafumi , Haas Alexander
Published: October 2013

Larval salamanders (Lissamphibia: Caudata) are known to be effective suction feeders in their aquatic environments, although they will eventually transform into terrestrial tongue feeding adults during metamorphosis. Early tetrapods may have had a similar biphasic life cycle and this makes larval salamanders a particularly interesting model to study the anatomy, function, development, and evolution of the feeding apparatus in terrestrial vertebrates. Here, we provide a description of the muscles that are involved in the feeding strike in salamander larvae of the Hynobiidae and compare them to larvae of the paedomorphic Cryptobranchidae. We provide a functional and evolutionary interpretation for the observed muscle characters. The cranial muscles in larvae from species of the Hynobiidae and Cryptobranchidae are generally very similar. Most notable are the differences in the presence of the m. hyomandibularis, a muscle that connects the hyobranchial apparatus with the lower jaw. We found this muscle only in Onychodactylus japonicus (Hynobiidae) but not in other hynobiid or cryptobranchid salamanders. Interestingly, the m. hyomandibularis in O. japonicus originates from the ceratobranchial I and not the ceratohyal, and thus exhibits what was previously assumed to be the derived condition. Finally, we applied a biomechanical model to simulate suction feeding in larval salamanders. We provide evidence that a flattened shape of the hyobranchial apparatus in its resting position is beneficial for a fast and successful suction feeding strike. J. Morphol. 275:230–246, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Embryonic development of Zoraptera with special reference to external morphology, and its phylogenetic implications (Insecta)
Authors: Mashimo Yuta , Beutel Rolf G. , Dallai Romano , Lee Chow‐Yang , Machida Ryuichiro
Published: October 2013

The embryonic development of Zorotypus caudelli Karny (Zoraptera) is described with the main focus on its external features. A small heart‐shaped embryo is formed on the dorsal side of the egg by the fusion of paired blastoderm regions with higher cellular density. The orientation of its anteroposterior axis is opposed to that of the egg. This unusual condition shows the potential autapomorphy of Zoraptera. The embryo extends along the egg surface and after reaching its full length, it migrates into the yolk. After developing there for a period of time, it reappears on the surface, accompanied by a reversion of its anteroposterior axis, finally taking its position on the ventral side of the egg. The definitive dorsal closure completes, and the prelarva hatches after perforating the chorion with very long egg tooth formed on the embryonic cuticle. Embryological data suggest the placement of Zoraptera among the “lower neopteran” or polyneopteran lineage: features supporting this are embryo formation by the fusion of paired regions with higher cellular density and blastokinesis accompanied by full elongation of the embryo on the egg surface. The extraordinarily long egg tooth has potential synapomorphy with Embioptera or Eukinolabia (= Embioptera + Phasmatodea). Together with the results from our previous studies on the egg structure, male reproductive system and spermatozoa, the close affinity of Zoraptera with Eukinolabia appears likely, that is, a clade Zoraptera + (Embioptera + Phasmatodea). J. Morphol. 275:295–312, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An improved sea level forecasting scheme for hazards management in theUS‐affiliated Pacific Islands
Authors: Chowdhury Md. Rashed , Chu Pao‐Shin , Guard Charles Chip
Published: October 2013

This study describes an improved seasonal sea level forecasting scheme by the PacificENSOApplications Climate Center (PEAC). Since 2005, an operational sea level forecasting scheme (3–5 months in advance) for the US‐affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) has been instrumental (http://www.prh.noaa.gov/peac/sea‐level.php). The El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate cycle and the sea‐surface temperatures (SSTs) in the tropical Pacific Ocean are taken as the primary factors in modulating these forecasts on seasonal time scales. The currentSST‐based canonical correlations analysis (CCA) hindcast forecasts have been found to be skillful. However, the skill gradually decreases as the lead‐time increases. This has motivated us to revisit the forecasting scheme atPEAC. In contrast to previous endeavours which relied only onSSTs, we now incorporate both trade winds andSSTsfor modulating sea level variability on seasonal time scales.

The average forecasts for zero to three seasons' lead‐times are found to be 0.647, 0.598, and 0.625 for combinedSSTand the zonal component of the trade wind (U),SST, and wind (U), respectively. It is therefore revealed that the combined SST‐wind‐based forecasts are more skillful than theSSTor wind‐based forecasts alone. It is particularly more efficient on longer time scales for most of the stations (e.g. 10–25% improvement on two to three seasons' lead‐times). The improvements of these forecasts have enabled the capability of our clients in theUSAPIregion to develop a more efficient long‐term response plan for hazard management.
A tool to assess the quality of a meta‐analysis
Authors: Higgins Julian P.T. , Lane Peter W. , Anagnostelis Betsy , Anzures‐Cabrera Judith , Baker Nigel F. , Cappelleri Joseph C. , Haughie Scott , Hollis Sally , Lewis Steff C. , Moneuse Patrick , Whitehead Anne
Published: October 2013

Background

Because meta‐analyses are increasingly prevalent and cited in the medical literature, it is important that tools are available to assess their methodological quality. When performing an empirical study of the quality of published meta‐analyses, we found that existing tools did not place a strong emphasis on statistical and interpretational issues.

Methods

We developed a quality‐assessment tool using existing materials and expert judgment as a starting point, followed by multiple iterations of input from our working group, piloting, and discussion. After having used the tool for our empirical study, agreement for four key items in the tool was measured using weighted kappa coefficients.

Results

Our tool contained 43 items divided into four key areas (data sources, analysis of individual studies, meta‐analysis methods, and interpretation), and each area ended with a summary question. We also produced guidance for completing the tool. Agreement between raters was fair to moderate.

Conclusions

The tool should usefully inform subsequent initiatives to develop quality‐assessment tools for meta‐analysis. We advocate use of consensus between independent raters when assessing statistical appropriateness and adequacy of interpretation in meta‐analyses. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Golden‐angle radial sparse parallel MRI: Combination of compressed sensing, parallel imaging, and golden‐angle radial sampling for fast and flexible dynamic volumetric MRI
Authors: Feng Li , Grimm Robert , Block Kai Tobias , Chandarana Hersh , Kim Sungheon , Xu Jian , Axel Leon , Sodickson Daniel K. , Otazo Ricardo
Published: October 2013

Purpose

To develop a fast and flexible free‐breathing dynamic volumetric MRI technique, iterative Golden‐angle RAdial Sparse Parallel MRI (iGRASP), that combines compressed sensing, parallel imaging, and golden‐angle radial sampling.

Methods

Radial k‐space data are acquired continuously using the golden‐angle scheme and sorted into time series by grouping an arbitrary number of consecutive spokes into temporal frames. An iterative reconstruction procedure is then performed on the undersampled time series where joint multicoil sparsity is enforced by applying a total‐variation constraint along the temporal dimension. Required coil‐sensitivity profiles are obtained from the time‐averaged data.

Results

iGRASP achieved higher acceleration capability than either parallel imaging or coil‐by‐coil compressed sensing alone. It enabled dynamic volumetric imaging with high spatial and temporal resolution for various clinical applications, including free‐breathing dynamic contrast‐enhanced imaging in the abdomen of both adult and pediatric patients, and in the breast and neck of adult patients.

Conclusion

The high performance and flexibility provided by iGRASP can improve clinical studies that require robustness to motion and simultaneous high spatial and temporal resolution. Magn Reson Med 72:707–717, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and anticorrosive properties of electroactive polyimide/SiO2 composites
Authors: Chou Yi‐Chen , Lee Pei‐Chi , Hsu Tzu‐Fang , Huang Wen‐Ying , Zi‐Han Li , Chuang Chun‐Yu , Yang Ta‐I , Yeh Jui‐Ming
Published: October 2013

In this study, a series of electroactive polyimide/SiO2 (EPIS) composite materials containing conjugated segments of electroactive amino‐capped aniline trimer (AT) unit were successfully prepared. First of all, the amino‐modified silica (AMS) particles of ∼100 nm in diameter were synthesized by performing the conventional base‐catalyzed sol–gel reactions. Subsequently, the AMS nanoparticles were blending into the polymerization reactions between AT and 4,4′‐(4,4′‐isopropylidenediphenoxy)‐bis(phthalic anhydride), leading to the formation of EPIS composites. The as‐prepared EPIS materials in the form of coating on cold‐rolled steel (CRS) electrode were found to be much superior in corrosion protection over those of non‐electroactive polyimide and EPI materials based on a series of electrochemical corrosion measurements in saline. The significant enhancement in corrosion protection of EPIS coatings on CRS electrodes might probably be attributed to the redox catalytic property of organic EPI inducing the formation of passive metal oxide layer and the barrier property of well‐dispersed AMS nanoparticles existed in EPI matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:617–625, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers