bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aberrant DNA methylation of DLX4 and SIM1 is a predictive marker for disease progression of uterine cervical low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
Authors: Sakane Junichi , Taniyama Kiyomi , Miyamoto Kazuaki , Saito Akihisa , Kuraoka Kazuya , Nishimura Toshinao , Sentani Kazuhiro , Oue Naohide , Yasui Wataru
Published: January 2015

Background

A few uterine cervical low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) are known to progress with high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV).

Methods

One hundred and thirteen patients were classified into four groups according to their cervical cytology, hrHPV infection, and follow up. Cytology samples were examined for aberrant DNA methylation of DLX4 and SIM1 genes and protein expressions. CaSki cells were treated with 5‐Aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (5‐aza‐dC).

Results

Group 1 was negative for intraepithelial lesions or malignancies. LSIL in group 2 showed a continuance of LSIL for longer than 365 days and LSIL in group 3 showed an upgrading to high‐grade (H) SIL or higher (HSIL+) within 365 days of LSIL diagnosis. Group 4 was squamous cell carcinoma. All but group 1 were infected with hrHPV. Significant differences existed in the frequency of DNA methylation between groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.044), between groups 3 and 4 (p = 0.020) for DLX4, and between groups 1 and 3 (p = 0.0003), and groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.005) for the SIM1 gene. DLX4 protein expression was significantly reduced in the DLX4 methylation positive tissues (p = 0.008). The 5‐aza‐dC treatment restored DLX4 mRNA expressions of CaSki cells (p < 0.005). The LSIL cases with DNA methylation of the SIM1 gene, or both genes, progressed faster to HSIL+ than did the others (p = 0.033 and p = 0.045, respectively).

Conclusion

Aberrant DNA methylation of the DLX4 and SIM1 genes should be a novel progression marker for uterine cervical LSIL with hrHPV infection. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:462–470. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Metacommunity and phylogenetic structure determine wildlife and zoonotic infectious disease patterns in time and space
Authors: Suzán Gerardo , García‐Peña Gabriel E. , Castro‐Arellano Ivan , Rico Oscar , Rubio André V. , Tolsá María J. , Roche Benjamin , Hosseini Parviez R. , Rizzoli Annapaola , Murray Kris A. , Zambrana‐Torrelio Carlos , Vittecoq Marion , Bailly Xavier , Aguirre A. Alonso , Daszak Peter , Prieur‐Richard Anne‐Helene , Mills James N. , Guégan Jean‐Francois
Published: January 2015

The potential for disease transmission at the interface of wildlife, domestic animals and humans has become a major concern for public health and conservation biology. Research in this subject is commonly conducted at local scales while the regional context is neglected. We argue that prevalence of infection at local and regional levels is influenced by three mechanisms occurring at the landscape level in a metacommunity context. First, (1) dispersal, colonization, and extinction of pathogens, reservoir or vector hosts, and nonreservoir hosts, may be due to stochastic and niche‐based processes, thus determining distribution of all species, and then their potential interactions, across local communities (metacommunity structure). Second, (2) anthropogenic processes may drive environmental filtering of hosts, nonhosts, and pathogens. Finally, (3) phylogenetic diversity relative to reservoir or vector host(s), within and between local communities may facilitate pathogen persistence and circulation. Using a metacommunity approach, public heath scientists may better evaluate the factors that predispose certain times and places for the origin and emergence of infectious diseases. The multidisciplinary approach we describe fits within a comprehensive One Health and Ecohealth framework addressing zoonotic infectious disease outbreaks and their relationship to their hosts, other animals, humans, and the environment.
BDCA3 expression is associated with high IFN‐λ production by CD34+‐derived dendritic cells generated in the presence of GM‐CSF, IL‐4, and/or TGF‐β
Authors: van der Aa Evelyn , van de Laar Lianne , Janssen Harry L.A. , van Montfoort Nadine , Woltman Andrea M.
Published: January 2015

High BDCA3 expression is associated with a specific human IFN‐λ‐producing dendritic cell (DC) subset. However, BDCA3 has also been detected on other DC subsets. Thus far, development and function of BDCA3 expression on DCs remains poorly understood. Human Langerhans cells (LCs) and interstitial DCs (intDCs) can be generated in vitro by differentiation of CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors via distinct precursor DCs (preDCs), CD1a+ preDCs, and CD14+ preDCs, respectively. Here, we identified BDCA3 expression in this well‐known GM‐CSF/TNF‐α‐driven culture system and described the effect of IL‐4 and/or TGF‐β on induction of BDCA3 expression. In control or TGF‐β cultures, BDCA3 was only detected on CD14+ preDC‐derived intDCs. IL‐4 induced BDCA3 expression in both CD14+‐derived and CD1a+‐derived cultures. TGF‐β and IL‐4 together further increased CD14+‐derived and CD1a+‐derived BDCA3+ DC frequencies, which partly expressed CLEC9A, but were not identical to the BDCA3highCLEC9A+ DC subset in vivo. Importantly, BDCA3+ cells, but not BDCA3− cells, in this system produced high IFN‐λ levels upon polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) stimulation. This culture system, in which BDCA3 expression is preferentially associated with the intDC lineage and IFN‐λ‐producing capacity, will greatly contribute to further research on the function and regulation of BDCA3 expression and IFN‐λ production by DCs.
Thymus medulla fosters generation of natural Treg cells, invariant γδ T cells, and invariant NKT cells: What we learn from intrathymic migration
Authors: Cowan Jennifer E. , Jenkinson William E. , Anderson Graham
Published: January 2015

The organization of the thymus into distinct cortical and medullary regions enables it to control the step‐wise migration and development of immature T‐cell precursors. Such a process provides access to specialized cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells at defined stages of maturation, ensuring the generation of self‐tolerant and MHC‐restricted conventional CD4+ and CD8+ αβ T cells. The migratory cues and stromal cell requirements that regulate the development of conventional αβ T cells have been well studied. However, the thymus also fosters the generation of several immunoregulatory T‐cell populations that form key components of both innate and adaptive immune responses. These include Foxp3+ natural regulatory T cells, invariant γδ T cells, and CD1d‐restricted invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells). While less is known about the intrathymic requirements of these nonconventional T cells, recent studies have highlighted the importance of the thymus medulla in their development. Here, we review recent findings on the mechanisms controlling the intrathymic migration of distinct T‐cell subsets, and relate this to knowledge of the microenvironmental requirements of these cells.
Tracing the Iron Nitrosyl Complex [Fe(2,2′‐bipyridine)(CN)3(NO)]–
Authors: Foi Ana , Di Salvo Florencia , Doctorovich Fabio , Roy Tapashi G. , Stirnat Kathrin , Biewer Christian , Klein Axel
Published: January 2015

The previously reported complex [Ph4P][Fe(bpy)(CN)3(NO)] (bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine) was synthesised and characterised in detail using UV/Vis absorption and IR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and single‐crystal XRD. Detailed spectroelectrochemical (UV/Vis, IR and EPR) insight adds perfectly to the previous electrochemical characterisation of this complex. The description of this {Fe(NO)}7 complex as a low‐spin FeII–NO· system based on the spectroscopic results is supported by DFT calculations. Reversible oxidation leads to the corresponding {Fe(NO)}6 (FeII–NO+) complex, whereas the reduction to the formal {Fe(NO)}8 species [presumably (FeII–NO–)] occurs irreversibly. When trying to synthesise further derivatives that contain other α‐diimine ligands, only for the 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) derivative were some results obtained. For other ligands the obtained materials were too reactive. The reasons for such behaviour are also discussed.
Crystalline Non‐Equilibrium Phase of a Cobalt(II) Complex with Tridentate Ligands
Authors: Förster Christoph , Gorelik Tatiana E. , Kolb Ute , Ksenofontov Vadim , Heinze Katja
Published: January 2015

In six‐coordinate complexes, flexible tridentate ligands enable mer, cis‐fac, and trans‐fac stereoisomers. With labile metal ions of the first transition metal series, typically only the final thermodynamic product is available because of the rapid isomerization processes. Here we report on the structural characterization of a so far elusive kinetic intermediate of [Co(ddpd)2](BF4)2 (1; ddpd = N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐dipyridine‐2‐yl‐pyridine‐2,6‐diamine). Microcrystals of the cis‐fac isomer of 1 were obtained by rapid precipitation. The solid‐state structure of cis‐fac‐1 was determined from electron diffraction data.
Mechanistic Insights into Phenol Oxidation by a Copper(II) Complex of a Pyridine‐ and Amide‐Containing Copolymer in an Aqueous Medium
Authors: Lykourinou Vasiliki , Ming Li‐June
Published: January 2015

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Li‐June Ming at the University of South Florida, USA. The cover image shows the pathways for phenol oxidation by copper(II) centers of a copolymer scaffold in an aqueous environment, representing a green method for chemical processes and environmental remediation.
Oxime‐Mediated Oxychlorination and Oxybromination of Unactivated Olefins
Authors: Dong Kui‐Yong , Qin Hai‐Tao , Liu Feng , Zhu Chen
Published: January 2015

An oxime‐mediated oxychlorination and oxybromination of unactivated olefins relying on palladium catalysis has been developed. A wide range of chlorinated and brominated isoxazolines has been synthesized in moderate to good yields. To demonstrate the value of the method, the brominated isoxazoline has been further converted to other useful synthetic feedstock.
Enhanced characterization of oil sands acid-extractable organics fractions using electrospray ionization–high-resolution mass spectrometry and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy
Authors: Bauer Anthony E. , Frank Richard A. , Headley John V. , Peru Kerry M. , Hewitt L. Mark , Dixon D. George
Published: January 2015

The open pit oil sands mining operations north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, are accumulating tailings waste at a rate approximately equal to 4.9 million m3/d. Naphthenic acids are among the most toxic components within tailings to aquatic life, but structural components have largely remained unidentified. In the present study, electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS) and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) were used to characterize fractions derived from the distillation of an acid-extractable organics (AEO) mixture isolated from oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). Mean molecular weights of each fraction, and their relative proportions to the whole AEO extract, were as follows: fraction 1: 237 Da, 8.3%; fraction 2: 240 Da, 23.8%; fraction 3: 257 Da, 26.7%; fraction 4: 308 Da, 18.9%; fraction 5: 355 Da, 10.0%. With increasing mean molecular weight of the AEO fractions, a concurrent increase occurred in the relative abundance of nitrogen-, sulfur-, and oxygen-containing ions, double-bond equivalents, and degree of aromaticity. Structures present in the higher-molecular-weight fractions (fraction 4 and fraction 5) suggested the presence of heteroatoms, dicarboxyl and dihydroxy groups, and organic acid compounds with the potential to function as estrogens. Because organic acid compositions become dominated by more recalcitrant, higher-molecular-weight acids during natural degradation, these findings are important in the context of oil sands tailings pond water remediation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1001–1008. © 2015 SETAC
Modelling the impacts of spatial heterogeneity in soil hydraulic properties on hydrological process in the upper reach of the Heihe River in the Qilian Mountains, Northwest China
Authors: Jin Xin , Zhang Lanhui , Gu Juan , Zhao Chen , Tian Jie , He Chansheng
Published: January 2015

Spatial heterogeneity of soil has great impacts on dynamic processes of the hydrological systems. However, it is challenging and expensive to obtain spatial distribution of soil hydraulic properties, which often requires extensive soil sampling and observations and intensive laboratory analyses, especially in high elevation, hard to access mountainous areas. This study evaluates the impacts of soil heterogeneity on hydrological process in a high elevation, topographically complex watershed in Northwest China. Two approaches were used to derive the spatial heterogeneity of soil properties in the study watershed: (1) the spatial clustering method, Full‐Order‐CLK was used to determine five soil heterogeneous clusters (configurations 97, 80, 60, 40 and 20) through large number of soil sampling and in situ observations, and (2) the average values of soil hydraulic properties for each soil type were derived from the coarse provincial soil data sets (Gansu Soil Handbook at 1 : 1 000 000 scale). Subsequently, Soil and Water Assessment Tool model was used to quantify the impact of the spatial heterogeneity of soil hydraulic properties on hydrological process in the study watershed. Results show the simulations by Soil and Water Assessment Tool with the spatially clustered soil hydraulic information from the field sampling data had much better representation of the soil heterogeneity and had more accurate performance than the model using the average soil property values for each soil type derived from the coarse soil data sets. Thus, incorporating detailed field sampling, soil heterogeneity data greatly improve performance in hydrological modelling. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetic and Thermodynamic Study of the Reduction of 1,1‐Diphenylethylene by a Thermally Frustrated Diethyl Ether‐BCF Lewis Pair
Authors: Whittemore Sean M. , Autrey Tom
Published: January 2015

The reaction enthalpy and rate of reduction of 1,1‐diphenylethylene (DPE) by the frustrated Lewis pair formed between tris‐pentafluorophenylborane (BCF) and diethyl ether (Et2O) in dichloromethane have been determined by mixing calorimetry. At 50 °C and 13.6 atm hydrogen, a 0.08 M solution of DPE is reduced to 1,1‐diphenylethane, in the presence of 1 equivalent BCF and 0.8 equivalents Et2O, in 40 minutes. NMR spectroscopy showed>99 % conversion to the reduced product. The rate of conversion of the olefin to the alkane, as monitored by the time‐dependent heat flow, showed a linear dependence on the free Et2O and BCF concentration. Integration of the heat flux provides a measurement of the reaction enthalpy, ΔH, of ca. −116±4 kJ mol−1 for the reaction Ph2C=CH2+H2→Ph2CHCH3. The equilibrium constant for dative adduct formation, Et2O+BCF↔Et2O−BCF, was determined as a function of temperature by 19F NMR spectroscopy, and provided an experimental measurement of the enthalpy, ΔH=−54.6±3.3 kJ mol−1, and entropy, ΔS=−154±13 J mol−1 K−1, for dative bond formation in DCM. Extrapolation of the Van’t Hoff plot to 50 °C provides Keq, which is used to estimate the concentration of free BCF and Et2O available to activate hydrogen.
Special Section: Social change, cultural evolution and human development
Authors: Greenfield Patricia M.
Published: January 2015

Video Abstract
Preliminary evaluation of local drug delivery of amphotericin B and in vivo degradation of chitosan and polyethylene glycol blended sponges
Authors: Parker Ashley Cox , Rhodes Cheyenne , Jennings Jessica Amber , Hittle Lauren , Shirtliff Mark , Bumgardner Joel D. , Haggard Warren O.
Published: January 2015

This research investigated the combination of polyethylene glycol with chitosan in point‐of‐care loaded sponges made by one or two lyophilizations for adjunctive local antifungal delivery in musculoskeletal wounds. Blended and control chitosan sponges were evaluated in vitro for antifungal release and activity, degradation, cytocompatibility, and characterized for spectroscopic, crystallinity, thermal, and morphologic material properties. In vivo biocompatibility and degradation of sponges were also evaluated in a rat intramuscular pouch model 4 and 10 days after implantation. Blended sponges released amphotericin B active against Candida albicans (>0.25 µg/mL) over 72 h and did not elicit cytotoxicity response of fibroblasts. Blended sponges exhibited decreases in surface roughness, decreased thermal decomposition temperatures, as well as small Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and crystallinity differences, compared with chitosan‐only sponges. Three of the four blended sponge formulations exhibited 31%–94% increases in in vitro degradation from the chitosan sponges after 10 days, but did not demonstrate the same increase in in vivo degradation. Low inflammatory in vivo tissue response to blended and chitosan‐only sponges was similar over 10 days. These results demonstrated that adding polyethylene glycol to chitosan sponges does improve local antifungal release, cytocompatibility, and in vitro degradation, but does not increase in vivo degradation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 78–87, 2016.
A novel method for wave focusing investigation in metamaterial half‐space and slab lens structures
Authors: Radi Y. , Nikmehr S. , Hosseinzadeh S.
Published: January 2015

Approximate image currents for the Sommerfeld half‐space problem with vertical electric and magnetic current sources above double negative half‐space is found using the discrete image theory and Laplace transform. This method would found its applications in investigation of dipole radiation above metamaterial half‐space and in describing the focusing mechanism of metamaterial lenses. In order to efficiently consider the effects of metamaterial half‐space, discrete image dipoles are defined by proposing an exponential series for reflection coefficient. Unknown constants (the loci of images) in the argument of the exponential function are determined by equating the coefficients of the Taylor series for exact reflection coefficient with those of the proposed approximate series. Thus, the calculation of integral with oscillating integrand reduces to the solution of polynomial equation for the zeros of polynomials. As an application for the proposed approach, the field focusing in double negative is investigated. Thanks to the fast and accurate methods for finding the zeros of polynomials, it is shown that in addition to its good accuracy, this method decreases the computational time for field calculations in comparison with the exact methods. It is seen that for the negative refractive index beside −1, the complex images approach to infinity and have negligible effect on the scattering field of dipole. For the other negative indexes the complex image blurs the real image. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peripheral inflammation activated focal adhesion kinase signaling in spinal dorsal horn of mice
Authors: Lian Xia , Wang Xin‐Tai , Wang Wen‐Tao , Yang Xian , Suo Zhan‐Wei , Hu Xiao‐Dong
Published: January 2015

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is one of the nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases critical for the dynamic regulation of cell adhesion structures. Recent studies have demonstrated that FAK is also localized at excitatory glutamatergic synapses and is involved in long‐term modification of synaptic strength. However, whether FAK is engaged in nociceptive processing in the spinal dorsal horn remains unresolved. The current study shows that intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in mice significantly increases FAK autophosphorylation at Tyr397, indicating a close correlation of FAK activation with inflammatory pain. FAK activation depended on the activity of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate‐subtype glutamate receptor (NMDAR) and metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) because pharmacological inhibition of NMDAR or group I mGluR totally abolished FAK phosphorylation induced by CFA. The active FAK operated to stimulate extracellular signal‐regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), which boosted the protein expression of GluN2B subunit‐containing NMDAR at the synaptosomal membrane fraction. Inhibition of FAK activity by spinal expression of a kinase‐dead FAK(Y397F) mutant repressed ERK1/2 hyperactivity and reduced the synaptic concentration of NMDAR in CFA‐injected mice. Electrophysiological recording demonstrated that intracellular loading of specific anti‐FAK antibody significantly reduced the amplitudes of NMDAR‐mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents on lamina II neurons from inflamed mice but not from naive mice. Behavioral tests showed that spinal expression of FAK(Y397F) generated a long‐lasting alleviation of CFA‐induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. These data indicate that FAK might exaggerate NMDAR‐mediated synaptic transmission in the spinal dorsal horn to sensitize nociceptive behaviors. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Novel assay procedures for the measurement of α‐amylase in weather‐damaged wheat
Authors: Cornaggia Claudio , Ivory Ruth , Mangan David , McCleary Barry V
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

The measurement of α‐amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) in sprout‐damaged grains is a crucial analysis yet a problematic one owing to the typically low α‐amylase levels in ground wheat samples. A number of standardised methods such as the Falling Number method and the Ceralpha method exist which are routinely used for the assay of α‐amylase. These methods, however, are either highly substrate‐dependent or lack the required sensitivity to assess sprout damage.

RESULTS

Novel colorimetric and fluorometric reagents have been prepared (Amylase HR, Amylase SD, BzCNPG7 reagent and BzMUG7 reagent) for the direct and specific assay of α‐amylase activity in sprout‐damaged wheat. Assays employing these reagents have been developed and optimised to include a decolourisation step using activated charcoal. When used in a convenient assay format, Amylase SD – containing EtNPG7 (II) as the colorimetric substrate and α‐glucosidase as the ancillary enzyme – was found to be an excellent reagent for the assessment of sprout damage in wheat with incubation times as short as 5 min.

CONCLUSION

The assay using Amylase SD is completely specific for α‐amylase. The use of the Amylase SD assay represents a sensitive and valid alternative to the traditionally used Falling Number values for the assessment of sprout damage in wheat samples. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Classification of potato cultivars to establish their processing aptitude
Authors: Yang Yali , Achaerandio Isabel , Pujolà Montserrat
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

The commercial potato cultivars are diverse not only in their physical characteristics but also in their nutritional compositions and their content of functional compounds (resistant starch, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity), but there is little information about these differences. The aim of this study was to characterise the nutritional value (focusing on carbohydrates and functional compounds) and instrumental parameters of eight potato cultivars consumed in Spain and to determine whether these parameters are useful for classifying the cultivars.

RESULTS

Significant Pearson's correlations were found due to the common and complex interactions between the constituents of potatoes and their properties (P < 0.05). Principal component analysis revealed the correlations among the physicochemical properties, and the first two principal components explained 56.84% of the variance among the cultivars studied.

CONCLUSION

The eight cultivars could be classified into three groups: (1) Red Pontiac, Caesar, Kennebec, Agria and Cherie cultivars, (2) Agata and Monalisa cultivars and (3) Spirit cultivar. The results demonstrated that certain nutritional and functional parameters indicated the potential efficacy of different cultivars to satisfy the nutritional needs of consumers, improving the knowledge on the biochemical basis of potato processing to obtain higher‐quality products. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
High Pressure Crystallization of Vitamin E‐containing Radiation Cross‐linked UHMWPE
Authors: Doshi Brinda N. , Ghali Bassem , Godleski‐Beckos Christine , Lozynsky Andrew J. , Oral Ebru , Muratoglu Orhun K.
Published: January 2015

One of our aims in developing ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) joint implants is to improve the fatigue strength of cross‐linked UHMWPEs without sacrificing their wear resistance induced by cross‐linking. High pressure crystallization (HPC) of uncross‐linked UHMWPE, which results in the formation of less hindered extended chain crystals, increased fatigue strength. Vitamin E, also an antioxidant, acted synergistically with HPC and the resulting UHMWPE had increased wear and fatigue strength. In this study, we hypothesized that vitamin E‐blended, cross‐linked, and high pressure crystallized UHMWPE (X‐VEHPE) would have higher wear resistance and fatigue strength compared to radiation cross‐linked UHMWPE. To test this hypothesis, we irradiated 0.1 wt% vitamin E‐blended UHMWPE, subsequently radiation cross‐linked it to various doses and terminally high pressure crystallized it. We used bi‐directional pin‐on‐disc wear testing, tensile mechanical testing, and fatigue crack propagation resistance testing. We found that X‐VEHPE required less radiation dose and less cross‐linking to achieve the same wear rate when compared to irradiated UHMWPE and had improved fatigue resistance at the same wear rate. Therefore, this UHMWPE presented about 46 and 87% improvement in fatigue strength compared to irradiated and irradiated/melted UHMWPE and may be a feasible alternative for joint implants.
Power groups, interests and interest groups in consolidated and transitional democracies: comparing Uruguay and Costa Rica with Paraguay and Haiti
Authors: Klimovich Kristina , Thomas Clive S.
Published: January 2015

Drawing on a representative sample of four countries, this article compares two related aspects of interest group activity across Latin America. First, it identifies the elements that determine the level of interest group system development and types of group activity across the region; and second it provides insights into the relationship of the level of institutionalization of a group system to the extent of the consolidation of democracy. The representative sample is composed of Uruguay and Costa Rica in comparison with Paraguay and Haiti. These are four countries with small populations that cover the spectrum of levels of socioeconomic and political development across Latin America, from Uruguay, one of the most developed, to Haiti one of the least developed. The article argues that across a spectrum of group development in Latin America, advanced systems have more or less integrated characteristics, whereas less developed ones manifest a dual or bifurcated group activity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of conductive particles on the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of maleated polyethylene
Authors: Ramezani Kakroodi Adel , Kazemi Yasamin , Rodrigue Denis
Published: January 2015

Inclusion of conductive particles is a convenient way for the enhancement of electrical and thermal conductivities of polymers. However, improvement of the mechanical properties of such composites has remained a challenge. In this work, maleated polyethylene is proposed as a novel matrix for the production of conductive metal–thermoplastic composites with enhanced mechanical properties. The effects of two conductive particles (iron and aluminum) on the morphological, mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of maleated polyethylene were investigated. Morphological observations revealed that the matrix had excellent adhesion with both metal particles. Increase in particle concentration was shown to improve the tensile strength and modulus of the matrix significantly with iron being slightly more effective. Through‐plane electrical conductivity of maleated polyethylene was also substantially improved after adding iron particles, while percolation was observed at particle contents of around 20–30% vol. In the case of aluminum, no percolation was observed for particle contents of up to 50% vol., which was linked to the orientation of the particles in the in‐plane direction due to the squeezing flow. Inclusion of particles led to substantial increase (over 700%) in the thermal conductivities of both composites. The addition of high concentrations of metal particles to matrix led to the creation of two groups of materials: (i) composites with high electrical and thermal conductivities and (ii) composites with low electrical and high thermal conductivities. Such characteristics of the composites are expected to provide a unique opportunity for applications where a thermally conductive/electrically insulating material is desired. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of textile parameters on the in‐plane permeability characteristics of non‐crimped fabric preforms
Authors: Grössing Harald , Fauster Ewald , Weninger Markus , Schledjewski Ralf
Published: January 2015

Material parameters such as the permeability of dry reinforcing textiles are key variables for modern composite production using liquid composite molding (LCM) technique. Nowadays numerical filling simulations are required for predicting the mold filling behavior. Inaccurate predictions can lead to a high risk of air inclusion and corresponding need for cost‐intense revision of the mold design. Permeability values of the textiles used in the process are basic requirements for a numerical filling simulation, since the permeability is directly linked to the filling behavior. Nevertheless, the permeability values of non‐crimped fabrics (NCF) which are used for aerospace and automotive structures are rare. In this study the influence of textile parameters of NCF on the in‐plane permeability has been investigated using a capacitive in‐plane permeability measurement technology. The results show the influence of the roving filament number as well as the used stitch length on the in‐plane permeability. It is confirmed that the textile grammage is not affecting the in‐plane permeability of NCF reinforcements. The results of this study are valuable for textile selection with specific permeability data as well as for numerical filling simulations. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1854–1863, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study on the Formation of Ag Filaments on β‐Ag2MoO4Induced by Electron Irradiation
Authors: Andrés Juan , Ferrer Mateus M. , Gracia Lourdes , Beltran Armando , Longo Valeria M. , Cruvinel Guilherme H. , Tranquilin Ricardo L. , Longo Elson
Published: January 2015

A combined experimental and theoretical study is presented to understand the novel observed nucleation and early evolution of Ag filaments on β‐Ag2MoO4crystals, driven by an accelerated electron beam from an electronic microscope under high vacuum. The growth process, chemical composition, and the element distribution in these filaments are analyzed in depth at the nanoscale level using field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) characterization. To complement experimental results, chemical stability, structural and electronic aspects have been studied systematically using first‐principles electronic structure theory within a quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) framework. The Ag nucleation and formation on β‐Ag2MoO4are a result of structural and electronic changes of the AgO4tetrahedral cluster as a constituent building block of β‐Ag2MoO4, consistent with Ag metallic formation. The formation of Ag filament transforms the β‐Ag2MoO4semiconductor fromn‐top‐type concomitant with the appearance of Ag defects.
Urine proteomic studies in preeclampsia
Authors: Kolialexi Aggeliki , Mavreli Danai , Tounta Georgia , Mavrou Ariadni , Papantoniou Nikolas
Published: January 2015

Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disorder of pregnancy that develops after 20 wk of gestation in previously normotensive women and complicates 5–8% of pregnancies. This rapidly progressive syndrome is usually diagnosed when the mother develops hypertension and proteinuria. The only effective treatment is delivery of the baby although early low‐dose aspirin has been shown to significantly reduce the risk for PE. Recent advances in proteomic methods of protein separation, identification, and quantitation may allow for the identification of proteins and peptides that could facilitate early detection of disease, improve assessment of prognosis, and allow closer monitoring of women at risk for PE. This review summarizes all currently available markers for prediction and diagnosis of PE and presents urine proteomic studies performed for the identification of novel biomarkers.
Native fold and docking pose discrimination by the same residue‐based scoring function
Authors: Sarti Edoardo , Granata Daniele , Seno Flavio , Trovato Antonio , Laio Alessandro
Published: January 2015

Structure prediction and quality assessment are crucial steps in modeling native protein conformations. Statistical potentials are widely used in related algorithms, with different parametrizations typically developed for different contexts such as folding protein monomers or docking protein complexes. Here, we describe BACH‐SixthSense, a single residue‐based statistical potential that can be successfully employed in both contexts. BACH‐SixthSense shares the same approach as BACH, a knowledge‐based potential originally developed to score monomeric protein structures. A term that penalizes steric clashes as well as the distinction between polar and apolar sidechain‐sidechain contacts are crucial novel features of BACH‐SixthSense. The performance of BACH‐SixthSense in discriminating correctly the native structure among a competing set of decoys is significantly higher than other state‐of‐the‐art scoring functions, that were specifically trained for a single context, for both monomeric proteins (QMEAN, Rosetta, RF_CB_SRS_OD, benchmarked on CASP targets) and protein dimers (IRAD, Rosetta, PIE*PISA, HADDOCK, FireDock, benchmarked on 14 CAPRI targets). The performance of BACH‐SixthSense in recognizing near‐native docking poses within CAPRI decoy sets is good as well. Proteins 2015; 83:621–630. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Systematic solution to homo‐oligomeric structures determined by NMR
Authors: Martin Jeffrey W. , Zhou Pei , Donald Bruce R.
Published: January 2015

Protein structure determination by NMR has predominantly relied on simulated annealing‐based conformational search for a converged fold using primarily distance constraints, including constraints derived from nuclear Overhauser effects, paramagnetic relaxation enhancement, and cysteine crosslinkings. Although there is no guarantee that the converged fold represents the global minimum of the conformational space, it is generally accepted that good convergence is synonymous to the global minimum. Here, we show such a criterion breaks down in the presence of large numbers of ambiguous constraints from NMR experiments on homo‐oligomeric protein complexes. A systematic evaluation of the conformational solutions that satisfy the NMR constraints of a trimeric membrane protein, DAGK, reveals 9 distinct folds, including the reported NMR and crystal structures. This result highlights the fundamental limitation of global fold determination for homo‐oligomeric proteins using ambiguous distance constraints and provides a systematic solution for exhaustive enumeration of all satisfying solutions. Proteins 2015; 83:651–661. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Towards single‐trap spectroscopy: Generation‐recombination noise in UTBOX SOI nMOSFETs
Authors: Simoen Eddy , Cretu Bogdan , Fang Wen , Aoulaiche Marc , Routoure Jean‐Marc , Carin Regis , dos Santos Sara , Luo Jun , Zhao Chao , Martino Joao Antonio , Claeys Cor
Published: January 2015

An overview is given on the possibilities of using generation‐recombination (GR) noise as a tool for defect spectroscopy in semiconductor materials and devices. The method is illustrated by n‐channel MOSFETs fabricated on silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) substrates with an ultra‐thin buried oxide (UTBOX). As will be shown, the use of fully depleted (FD) UTBOX devices offers some unique opportunities and challenges. In the first instance, one can apply the standard GR noise spectroscopy in function of the temperature to derive the relevant deep‐level parameters like the activation energy, the capture cross section and the concentration. In addition, some new type of spectroscopy can be applied to defects in the silicon film by exploiting the front‐ and/or back‐gate bias dependence of the Lorentzian noise parameters. Finally, it is shown that for small geometry transistors the GR noise is generated by one or only a few centres. This becomes obvious in the time domain, where the channel current exhibits random telegraph signal (RTS) fluctuations. The up and down time constants and the relative RTS amplitude can be used to derive the GR centre parameters and, moreover, its spatial location, when combined with numerical device simulations. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterization of TiO2 antireflection coatings elaborated by APCVD for monocrystalline silicon solar cells
Authors: Hocine D. , Belkaid M. S. , Pasquinelli M. , Escoubas L. , Torchio P. , Moreau A.
Published: January 2015

In this work, high quality titanium dioxide thin films were grown by an efficient, less expensive and rapid method of Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition (APCVD) from TiCl4 precursor for application as antireflection coatings on monocrystalline silicon solar cells with the aim to reduce the front surface reflection losses. The microstructural, electrical and optical properties of the produced coatings were successfully characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Four Point Probe (FPP) and Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE). The produced coatings were uniform, homogenous and relatively smooth. The density of the deposited TiO2 films is found to be ρ ′ = 3.11 g/cm3. The porosity of these films is estimated to ϕ = 24%. A perfect agreement between the AFM results and the ellipsometric results was confirmed. The refractive index of our TiO2 thin films was found to be n = 2.25 at the wavelength λ = 550 nm, with a thickness of 56.2 nm. Our results show the possibility to fabricate TiO2 layers with the optimal optical qualities required for antireflection coating, using the APCVD technique. An excellent agreement is reached between our experimental results and calculated results for TiO2 single‐layer antireflection coating on monocrystalline silicon solar cells. The electrical resistivity of the deposited TiO2 films at 450°C annealed at 450°C for 1 hr, was found to be ρ = 1.7 × 10‐3 Ω.cm. The sheet resistance of our TiO2 films was equal to R□ = 303 Ω/□. The obtained results demonstrate the real opportunity of the APCVD technique to prepare high quality antireflection coatings for high efficiency silicon solar cells. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Accurate measurement of atomic segregation to grain boundaries or to planar faults by analytical transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Walther Thomas
Published: January 2015

A method of analytical transmission electron microscopy is described that has been successfully applied to study dopant segregation to inversion domain boundaries in zinc oxide, to quantify the thicknesses of sub‐nanometre thin epitaxial layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy of indium arsenide (InAs) on gallium arsenide (GaAs) or silicon/germanium on silicon and proved the absence of any gettering of As or Ga dopants at Sigma=3 {111} grain boundaries in silicon, with a precision of <1 atom/nm2 in each case. Here, the case study of InAs/GaAs is reviewed in detail and the procedure for quantification of full hyperspectral data sets is explained. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
HVPE homoepitaxy on freestanding AlN substrate with trench pattern
Authors: Watanabe Yoshinobu , Miyake Hideto , Hiramatsu Kazumasa , Iwasaki Yosuke , Nagata Shunro
Published: January 2015

Conditions on chemical surface treatment and thermal treatment of sublimation‐freestanding AlN substrates were investigated to remove damage layers on surfaces for high‐quality and crack‐free AlN films grown by hydride vapour phase epitaxy (HVPE). By wet etching, the residue on the surface was removed and the polishing scratches were reduced. Atomic steps were formed on the surface by the subsequent thermal treatment at 1450 °C for 10 min, and surface layer of 220 nm in thickness was removed, Homoepitaxial growth on freestanding AlN substrate with trench pattern was also performed. A crack‐free AlN film with atomic steps was obtained on the trench‐patterned bulk AlN substrate, and the emission at the band edge near 206.9 nm was dominant. The wavelength of luminescence from cross‐sectional and surface of the HVPE‐AlN layer was maintained. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An assessment of kriging‐based rain‐gauge–radar merging techniques
Authors: Jewell Sharon A. , Gaussiat Nicolas
Published: January 2015

Networks of rain‐gauges provide an accurate but highly localized measure of rainfall, with limited coverage and resolution, whereas radars provide rain‐rate and accumulation estimates over wide areas at high spatial and temporal resolution but low accuracy. When quantifying rainfall accumulations for applications such as flood forecasting, combining the two sets of data can be beneficial for producing a high‐resolution merged product with a lower error than the gauge‐only or the radar‐only product. In this study, three kriging methods (kriging with external drift (KED), kriging with radar‐based error correction (KRE) and ordinary kriging (OK)) as well as a multiquadric (MQ) scheme have been used to merge radar and gauge data. The results were cross‐validated with true rainfall readings at the surface for a number of different meteorological events covering England and Wales. Overall, all the merging schemes trialled produced a merged product that was superior to the individual radar or gauge data. The KED was the best performing method across all rainfall thresholds and meteorological conditions, with the use of a parametric variogram best suited to short (15 min) accumulation periods and a non‐parametric variogram preferable for hourly accumulations. The study also shows that the merged product deteriorates when the gauge‐network density is reduced; exceptions to this are made in situations where spatially isolated rainfall is observed by the radar and where the gauges that are found least likely to represent the rainfall are carefully removed prior to merging. The latter process was found to improve the quality of the merged product, regardless of the meteorological conditions, providing a viable method for producing a KED‐based merging scheme that is applicable to all meteorological conditions.
A multivariate Bayesian model for embryonic growth
Authors: Willemsen Sten P. , Eilers Paul H. C. , Steegers‐Theunissen Régine P. M. , Lesaffre Emmanuel
Published: January 2015

Most longitudinal growth curve models evaluate the evolution of each of the anthropometric measurements separately. When applied to a ‘reference population’, this exercise leads to univariate reference curves against which new individuals can be evaluated. However, growth should be evaluated in totality, that is, by evaluating all body characteristics jointly. Recently, Cole et al. suggested the Superimposition by Translation and Rotation (SITAR) model, which expresses individual growth curves by three subject‐specific parameters indicating their deviation from a flexible overall growth curve. This model allows the characterization of normal growth in a flexible though compact manner. In this paper, we generalize the SITAR model in a Bayesian way to multiple dimensions. The multivariate SITAR model allows us to create multivariate reference regions, which is advantageous for prediction. The usefulness of the model is illustrated on longitudinal measurements of embryonic growth obtained in the first semester of pregnancy, collected in the ongoing Rotterdam Predict study. Further, we demonstrate how the model can be used to find determinants of embryonic growth. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A heteroscedastic measurement error model for method comparison data with replicate measurements
Authors: Nawarathna Lakshika S. , Choudhary Pankaj K.
Published: January 2015

Measurement error models offer a flexible framework for modeling data collected in studies comparing methods of quantitative measurement. These models generally make two simplifying assumptions: (i) the measurements are homoscedastic, and (ii) the unobservable true values of the methods are linearly related. One or both of these assumptions may be violated in practice. In particular, error variabilities of the methods may depend on the magnitude of measurement, or the true values may be nonlinearly related. Data with these features call for a heteroscedastic measurement error model that allows nonlinear relationships in the true values. We present such a model for the case when the measurements are replicated, discuss its fitting, and explain how to evaluate similarity of measurement methods and agreement between them, which are two common goals of data analysis, under this model. Model fitting involves dealing with lack of a closed form for the likelihood function. We consider estimation methods that approximate either the likelihood or the model to yield approximate maximum likelihood estimates. The fitting methods are evaluated in a simulation study. The proposed methodology is used to analyze a cholesterol dataset. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrahigh Capacity Due to Multi‐Electron Conversion Reaction in Reduced Graphene Oxide‐Wrapped MoO2 Porous Nanobelts
Authors: Tang Wei , Peng Cheng Xin , Nai Chang Tai , Su Jie , Liu Yan Peng , Reddy M. V. Venkatashamy , Lin Ming , Loh Kian Ping
Published: January 2015

Multivalent transition metal oxides (MOx) containing redox centers which can theoretically accept more than one electron have been suggested as promising anode materials for high‐performance lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The Li‐storage mechanism of these oxides is suggested to involve an unusual conversion reaction leading to the formation of metallic nanograins and Li2O; however, a full‐scale conversion reaction is seldom observed in molybdenum dioxide (MoO2) at room temperature due to slow kinetics. Herein, a full‐scale multi‐electron conversion reaction, leading to a high reversible capacity (974 mA h g−1 charging capacity at 60 mA g−1) in LIBs, is realized in a hybrid consisting of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheet‐wrapped MoO2 porous nanobelts (rGO/MoO2 NBs). The rGO wrapping layers stabilize the nanophase transition in MoO2 and alleviate volume swing effects during lithiation/delithiation processes. This enables the hybrid to exhibit great cycle stability (tested to around 1900 cycles) and ultrafast rate capability (tested up to 50 A g−1).