bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Prevalence of Child Maltreatment across the Globe: Review of a Series of Meta‐Analyses
Authors: Stoltenborgh Marije , Bakermans‐Kranenburg Marian J. , Alink Lenneke R. A. , van IJzendoorn Marinus H.
Published: October 2014

In this review, we combine and compare the results of a series of meta‐analyses on the prevalence of child sexual, physical and emotional abuse and physical and emotional neglect, including 244 publications and 551 prevalence rates for the various types of maltreatment. Child maltreatment research seems to be dominated by research on sexual abuse, studies in developed parts of the world and research using self‐report measures. The overall estimated prevalence rates for self‐report studies (mainly assessing maltreatment ever during childhood) were 127/1000 for sexual abuse (76/1000 among boys and 180/1000 among girls), 226/1000 for physical abuse, 363/1000 for emotional abuse, 163/1000 for physical neglect and 184/1000 for emotional neglect. The overall estimated prevalence rates for studies using informants (mainly assessing the 1‐year prevalence of maltreatment) were four per 1000 for sexual abuse and three per 1000, respectively, for physical abuse and emotional abuse. We conclude that child maltreatment is a widespread, global phenomenon affecting the lives of millions of children all over the world, which is in sharp contrast with the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Messages:

Child maltreatment research is dominated by research on sexual abuse.

The prevalence rates for informant studies were lower than for self‐report studies.

The prevalence of child maltreatment is largely similar across the globe.

‘Research seems to be dominated by research on sexual abuse, studies in developed parts of the world and research using self‐report measures’
The Search for New Odorants: Synthesis of Animalic Fragrant and Musky/Ambery Compounds
Authors: Plessis Caroline
Published: October 2014

An overview of the recent research which allowed us to discover novel animalic odorants is presented. The new derivatives were prepared from readily available starting materials via easy reaction steps in good yields. They possess very different structures, such as bicyclic pentanols, glycolates, or tricyclic ketones, and all show interesting notes in the animalic fragrant family: from costus, leathery to ambery and musky scents, making them all attractive for different purposes.
A Novel Oxy‐Oxonia(Azonia)‐Cope Reaction: Serendipitous Discovery and Its Application to the Synthesis of Macrocyclic Musks
Authors: Zou Yue , Zhou Lijun , Ding Changming , Wang Quanrui , Kraft Philip , Goeke Andreas
Published: October 2014

This brief review, including new experimental results, is the summary of a talk at the GDCh conference ‘flavors & fragrances 2013’ in Leipzig, Germany, 11th–13th September, 2013. Musk odorants are indispensable in perfumery to lend sensuality to fine fragrances, a nourishing effect to cosmetics, and a comforting feeling to laundry. We have recently found serendipitously a new oxy‐oxonia‐Cope rearrangement. In this account, we review the background of oxonia‐sigmatropic rearrangements and the discovery of this novel reaction. Special attention is focused on the versatile lactone and lactam formation reactions via [n+4] ring enlargement and the macrocyclization in the synthesis of new macrocyclic musks. The synthesized structures provide new insights into the structureodor relationships of musks.
endo/exo Stereoselectivity in DielsAlder Reactions of α,β‐Dialkylated Conjugated Enals to Cyclic 1,3‐Dienes: Intermediates in the Synthesis of (−)‐β‐Santalol and Its Analogs
Authors: Chapuis Christian , Skuy David , de Saint Laumer Jean‐Yves , Brauchli Robert
Published: October 2014

Highly exo‐selective [4+2] cycloadditions of cyclopenta‐1,3‐diene 2a to α,β‐dialkyl conjugated enals 5 are compared with the analogous endo‐favored DielsAlder reaction of cyclohexa‐1,3‐diene 7. The exo‐stereoselectivity is lower in the homologous case of methylcyclopenta‐1,3‐diene 9. This diastereoselectivity is discussed either in terms of a retro‐homo‐DielsAlder reaction, associated with thermodynamic control, or with respect to either a competing hetero‐DielsAlder/Claisen or Cope domino pathway, or retro‐Claisen/retro‐hetero‐DielsAlder of the endo‐homo‐cycloadducts. These hypothetical mechanisms have been examined by DFT calculations at the MPW1K(CH2Cl2)/6‐31+G** level of theory for the AlCl3‐mediated cycloadditions of 5d to 2a and 7. Application of Corey's methodology to the γ‐halogeno‐α‐methyl‐substituted dienophiles 5a and 5b allowed an enantioselective preparation of known and useful intermediates for the synthesis of either the naturally occurring (−)‐β‐santalol or its potentially olfactive structural analogs.
Recent Results in the Search for New Molecules with Ambergris Odor
Authors: Panten Johannes , Surburg Horst , Hölscher Bernd
Published: October 2014

The synthesis of new odorant molecules is still a challenging task for the fragrance chemist, because now as ever it is difficult to predict the odor properties of small organic molecules. Therefore, certain tools, such as, e.g., lead‐structure optimization of existing odorants, are helpful techniques. In this article, we describe the synthesis and the odor properties of a new molecule derived by the so‐called ‘seco’ lead‐structure optimization of the ambergris compound Ambroxide®. Based on these results, more representatives with similar structures have been synthesized and evaluated for their olfactory properties.
Improved time varying inertia weight PSO for solved economic load dispatch with subsidies and wind power effects
Authors: Abedinia Oveis , Ghasemi Ali , Ojaroudi Nasser
Published: October 2014

This article presents a new approach to economic load dispatch (ELD) problems by the considering the cost functions, impact renewable energy as wind turbin and subsidies. Economic dispatch is the short‐term determination of the optimal output of a number of electricity generation facilities, to meet the system load, at the lowest possible cost, subject to transmission and operational constraints. The main goal in the deregulated system is subsidies and analysis performance on government to minimize the total fuel cost while satisfying the load demand and operational constraints. The practical ELD problems have nonsmooth cost functions with equality and inequality constraints, which make the problem of finding the global optimum difficult when using any mathematical approaches. Accordingly, particle swarm optimization with time‐varying inertia weight (PSO‐TVIW) used for solving this problem. The effectiveness of the proposed strategy is applied over real‐world engineering problem and highly constrained. Obtained results indicate that PSO‐TVIW can successfully solve this problem. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 40–49, 2016
Finite‐time stabilization of a class of chaotic systems with matched and unmatched uncertainties: An LMI approach
Authors: Mobayen Saleh
Published: October 2014

This article investigates the sliding mode control method for a class of chaotic systems with matched and unmatched uncertain parameters. The proposed reaching law is established to guarantee the existence of the sliding mode around the sliding surface in a finite‐time. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, the conditions on the state error bound are expressed in the form of linear matrix inequalities. Simulation results for the well‐known Genesio's chaotic system are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 14–19, 2016
Coating of Alumina Fibres With Aluminium Phosphate by a Continuous Chemical Vapour Deposition Process
Authors: Stöckel Sabine , Ebert Susann , Böttcher Maike , Seifert Andreas , Wamser Thomas , Krenkel Walter , Schulze Steffen , Hietschold Michael , Gnaegi Helmut , Goedel Werner A.
Published: October 2014

We developed aluminium phosphate‐coated alumina fibres with significantly improved pull‐out properties, which may be suitable for reinforcing advanced inorganic composites qualified for operating temperatures up to 1200 °C. Aluminium phosphate layers are generated on the surface of alumina fibres using a continuous chemical vapour deposition (CVD) process: At furnace temperatures between 850 °C and 1050 °C, within a tube reactor heated by an electrical furnace, the alumina fibres are exposed to gas mixtures of phosphoryl trichloride and oxygen, inducing dense aluminium phosphate layers on the fibre surface. Mini‐composites were prepared by embedding the coated fibres into an alumina matrix.
Determination of a selection of anti‐epileptic drugs and two active metabolites in whole blood by reversed phase UPLC‐MS/MS and some examples of application of the method in forensic toxicology cases
Authors: Karinen Ritva , Vindenes Vigdis , Hasvold Inger , Olsen Kirsten Midtbøen , Christophersen Asbjørg S. , Øiestad Elisabeth
Published: October 2014

Quantitative determination of anti‐epileptic drug concentrations is of great importance in forensic toxicology cases. Although the drugs are not usually abused, they are important post‐mortem cases where the question of both lack of compliance and accidental or deliberate poisoning might be raised. In addition these drugs can be relevant for driving under the influence cases. A reversed phase ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed for the quantitative analysis of the anti‐epileptic compounds carbamazepine, carbamazepine‐10,11‐epoxide, gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, 10‐OH‐carbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, pregabalin, and topiramate in whole blood, using 0.1 mL sample volume with methaqualone as internal standard. Sample preparation was a simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile and methanol. The diluted supernatant was directly injected into the chromatographic system. Separation was performed on an Acquity UPLC® BEH Phenyl column with gradient elution and a mildly alkaline mobile phase. The mass spectrometric detection was performed in positive ion mode, except for phenobarbital, and multiple reaction monitoring was used for drug quantification. The limits of quantification for the different anti‐epileptic drugs varied from 0.064 to 1.26 mg/L in blood, within‐day and day‐to‐day relative standard deviations from 2.2 to 14.7% except for phenobarbital. Between‐day variation for phenobarbital was 20.4% at the concentration level of 3.5 mg/L. The biases for all compounds were within ±17.5%. The recoveries ranged between 85 and 120%. The corrected matrix effects were 88–106% and 84–110% in ante‐mortem and post‐mortem whole blood samples, respectively. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Possible cause of lack of positive samples on homologous blood transfusion
Authors: Krotov Grigory , Nikitina Maria , Rodchenkov Grigory
Published: October 2014

Homologous blood transfusion is a prohibited method of blood manipulation that can be used to increase the number of erythrocytes circulating in the blood stream resulting in an increased oxygen transport capacity. In doping controls, homologous blood transfusions are determined by means of a procedure based on the detection of red blood cell phenotypes by flow cytometry. In the past six years, no adverse analytical findings concerning homologous blood transfusions were reported. One explanation for that phenomenon, assuming that athletes have not completely given up this kind of manipulation, would be a more careful selection of potential donors. If such a donor has the same set of minor erythrocyte antigens as the recipient, the established methodology to detect homologous transfusion would fail. We have hypothesized that any athlete can be a potential donor for teammates with the same RhD factor and AB0 blood group. Having analyzed the phenotype of erythrocytes of 535 Russian athletes in various endurance sports, several pairs of athletes with the same phenotype were observed. Based on the frequency of occurrence of red blood cell antigens, the theoretical probability of finding a donor within a team with exactly the same phenotype was calculated, and the existing number of occurrences where two individuals share the same phenotype in the same sport was in fact five times higher than the theoretical probability. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distinct phenotypic features of neonatal murine macrophages
Authors: Winterberg Thomas , Vieten Gertrud , Meier Tatiana , Yu Yi , Busse Mandy , Hennig Christian , Hansen Gesine , Jacobs Roland , Ure Benno M. , Kuebler Joachim F.
Published: October 2014

Neonates rely on their innate immune system. Resident tissue macrophages are considered to be initiators and regulators of the innate immune response and thus, appear to be especially important to neonates. We hypothesized that the phenotype and function of neonatal tissue macrophages differ from their adult counterparts. Peritoneal macrophages from neonatal (<24 h) and adult (6 weeks old) C57BL/6J mice were isolated and analyzed by high‐content chipcytometry. After stimulation for 6 h with LPS (0, 1, 10, 100 ng/mL), macrophage transcriptome was analyzed by microarray and cytokine release was measured using multiparametric bead assays. Antigen presenting capacity was compared by T‐cell stimulation assays. We observed that neonatal murine peritoneal macrophages are characterized by selective lack of expression of F4/80, MHC class II, and costimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86). Furthermore, we found differences in the transcriptome between neonatal and adult macrophages, unstimulated and after LPS stimulation. Although neonatal macrophages showed a significantly increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines upon LPS stimulation, their potential to induce T‐cell proliferation was significantly reduced. In conclusion, we observed a distinct phenotype of the neonatal macrophage population. The specific functions of this macrophage population could help to understand the excessive inflammatory reactions observed in the very young.
Recommendations on practice of conditioned pain modulation (CPM) testing
Authors: Yarnitsky D. , Bouhassira D. , Drewes A.M. , Fillingim R.B. , Granot M. , Hansson P. , Landau R. , Marchand S. , Matre D. , Nilsen K.B. , Stubhaug A. , Treede R.D. , Wilder‐Smith O.H.G.
Published: October 2014

Protocols for testing conditioned pain modulation (CPM) vary between different labs/clinics. In order to promote research and clinical application of this tool, we summarize the recommendations of interested researchers consensus meeting regarding the practice of CPM and report of its results.
Torsion design implications from shake‐table responses of an RC low‐rise building model having irregularities at the ground story
Authors: Lee Han Seon , Hwang Kyung Ran
Published: October 2014

A 1:5 scale five‐story RC building model having the irregularities of a soft/weak story and torsion at the ground story was subjected to a series of earthquake simulation tests. The test results reveal the following: The eccentricity varied from zero to infinity with the values of base shear and torque bounded by some limits. As the intensity of table excitations increased, representing earthquakes with return periods from 50 to 2500 years in Korea, the range of eccentricities at the peak values in the time histories of drift and base shear decreased from approximately ±30% to within ±10% of the transverse dimension of the model. The inertial torque was resisted by both longitudinal and transverse frames, in proportion to their instantaneous rigidity. Yielding of the longitudinal frames under severe table excitations caused a substantial loss in their instantaneous torsional resistance and thereby transferred most of the large torque to the transverse frames, resulting in a significantly degraded torsional stiffness with an enlarged torsional deformation despite almost zero eccentricity. From these observations, it is clear that the eccentricity in itself cannot represent the critical torsional behaviors. To overcome this problem, the demand in torque shall be determined in a direct relationship with the base or story shear, given as an ellipse constructed with the maximum points in its principal axes located by the two adjacent torsion‐dominant modal spectral values. This approach provides a simple but transparent design tool by enabling comparison between demand and supply in shear force–torque diagrams. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The displacement coefficient method in near‐source conditions
Authors: Baltzopoulos Georgios , Chioccarelli Eugenio , Iervolino Iunio
Published: October 2014

The use of nonlinear static procedures for performance‐based seismic design (PBSD) and assessment is a well‐established practice, which has found its way into modern codes for quite some time. On the other hand, near‐source (NS) ground motions are receiving increasing attention, because they can carry seismic demand systematically different and larger than that of the so‐called ordinary records. This is due to phenomena such as rupture forward directivity (FD), which can lead to distinct pulses appearing in the velocity time‐history of the ground motion. The framework necessary for taking FD into account in probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) has recently been established. The objective of the present study is to discuss the extension of nonlinear static procedures, specifically the displacement coefficient method (DCM), with respect to the inelastic demand associated with FD. In this context, a methodology is presented for the implementation of the DCM toward estimating NS seismic demand, by making use of the results of NS‐PSHA and a semi‐empirical equation for NS‐FD inelastic displacement ratio. An illustrative application of the DCM, with explicit inclusion of NS‐pulse‐like effects, is given for a set of typical plane R/C frames designed under Eurocode provisions. Different scenarios are considered in the application and nonlinear dynamic analysis results are obtained and discussed with respect to the static procedure estimates. Conclusions drawn from the results may help to assess the importance of incorporating NS effects in PBSD. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Advances in theory of plastic mechanism control: closed form solution for MR‐Frames
Authors: Montuori Rosario , Nastri Elide , Piluso Vincenzo
Published: October 2014

In this paper new advances in the application of ‘Theory of Plastic Mechanism Control’ (TPMC) are presented. TPMC is aimed at the design of structures assuring a collapse mechanism of global type. The theory has been developed in the nineties with reference to moment‐resisting frames (MRFs) and progressively extended to all the main structural typologies commonly adopted as seismic‐resistant structural systems. In particular, the outcome of the theory is the sum of the plastic moments of the columns required, at each storey, to prevent undesired failure modes, i.e. partial mechanisms and soft‐storey mechanisms. The theory is used to provide the design conditions to be satisfied, in the form of a set of inequalities where the unknowns are constituted by the column plastic moments. This set of inequalities was originally solved by means of an algorithm requiring an iterative procedure. The advances presented in this paper are constituted by the identification of a ‘closed form solution’ and by the use of TPMC in a more systematic design approach. This result is very important, because the practical application of TPMC can now be carried out even with very simple hand calculations. The practical application of TPMC is herein presented with reference to the design of a multi‐storey frame whose pattern of yielding is validated by means of both push‐over analysis and incremental dynamic analyses. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An efficient and accurate algebraic interface capturing method for unstructured grids in 2 and 3 dimensions: The THINC method with quadratic surface representation
Authors: Xie B. , Ii S. , Xiao F.
Published: October 2014

We present in this paper an efficient and accurate volume of fluid (VOF) type scheme to compute moving interfaces on unstructured grids with arbitrary quadrilateral mesh elements in 2D and hexahedral elements in 3D. Being an extension of the multi‐dimensional tangent of hyperbola interface capturing (THINC) reconstruction proposed by the authors in Cartesian grid, an algebraic VOF scheme is devised for arbitrary quadrilateral and hexahedral elements. The interface is cell‐wisely approximated by a quadratic surface, which substantially improves the numerical accuracy. The same as the other THINC type schemes, the present method does not require the explicit geometric representation of the interface when computing numerical fluxes and thus is very computationally efficient and straightforward in implementation. The proposed scheme has been verified by benchmark tests, which reveal that this scheme is able to produce high‐quality numerical solutions of moving interfaces in unstructured grids and thus a practical method for interfacial multi‐phase flow simulations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐Conventional Electrochemical Techniques for Assembly of Electrodes on Glassy Carbon‐Like PPF Materials and Their Use in a Glucose Microfluidic Fuel‐Cell
Authors: Dector A. , Arjona N. , Guerra‐Balcázar M. , Esquivel J. P. , Campo F. J. Del , Sabaté N. , Ledesma‐García J. , Arriaga L. G.
Published: October 2014

This paper addresses the electrochemical growth of PtAg and Au nanoparticles on pyrolyzed photoresist films (PPFs). The PtAg/PPF electrode was evaluated toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the absence and presence of glucose; meanwhile the electrocatalytic activity of Au/PPF was investigated for the glucose electrooxidation reaction (GOR) in 0.3 M KOH in the absence and presence of air as an oxygen source. The results obtained using the electrochemical studies showed that the PtAg/PPF electrode exhibited tolerance toward the ORR in the presence of low glucose concentrations. Moreover, Au/PPF showed good affinity toward glucose oxidation at high concentrations (50 and 100 mM) in the presence of oxygen instead further oxidations of glucose by‐products. Both electrocatalysts were evaluated as the cathode (PtAg/PPF) and the anode (Au/PPF) in a glucose microfluidic fuel cell (G‐μFC) constructed using a UV‐lithography technique and several sheets of different polymeric materials. The G‐μFC was tested using 100 mM glucose with 0.3 M KOH as electrolyte in the absence of an external source of nitrogen or oxygen as the fuel at zero flow rate; this cell reached a maximum power density of 0.085 mW cm−2 using a low Pt loading (approximately 20% of weight percentage) mixed with non‐noble materials, such as Ag.
Development and validation of a “capture‐fusion” model to study drug sensitivity of patient‐derived hepatitis C
Authors: Cunningham Morven E. , Javaid Alia , Waters Jenny , Davidson‐Wright Joseph , Wong Joshua L.C. , Jones Meleri , Foster Graham R.
Published: October 2014

Emerging therapies for chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection involve inhibition of viral enzymes with drug combinations. Natural, or treatment‐induced, enzyme polymorphisms reduce efficacy. We developed a phenotyping assay to aid drug selection based on viral transfer from monocytes to hepatocytes. We studied HCV in monocytes from infected patients and developed a model in which patient‐derived HCV is “captured” by the cell line THP‐1 and replication assessed after fusion to hepatoma cells. We found that monocytes from HCV‐infected patients harbor virus that replicates when cells are fused to hepatocytes. THP‐1 cells incubated with infected sera capture HCV, which replicates when fused to hepatocytes. Inhibitable replication of all HCV genotypes was achieved (42 of 52 isolates). We measured sensitivity of telaprevir (TVR) and alisporivir (AVR) in different genotypes, and showed differences in 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) correlating with clinical response (TVR IC50 for genotype (G)1 was 0.042 ± 0.003 vs. 0.117 ± 0.015 μM for G3, whereas AVR IC50 for G1 was 0.139 ± 0.013 vs. 0.044 ± 0.007 μM for G3). We tested TVR‐resistant viral isolates and identified changes in IC50. One patient with a poor clinical response to TVR and wild‐type viral sequence showed reduced TVR sensitivity in our assay. We studied samples from a 2‐week TVR monotherapy study in which 5 of 8 patients with G3 HCV did not respond whereas 3 of 8 patients did. The “capture‐fusion” assay correctly identified responders. Conclusion: The capture‐fusion model represents a promising new technique that may help identify appropriate treatment strategies for patients with chronic HCV infection. (Hepatology 2015;61:1192–1204)
Two New Dammarane‐Type Triterpenoid Saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum
Authors: Shi Lin , Tan De‐Hong , Liu Yun‐En , Hou Ming‐Xiao , Zhao Yu‐Qing
Published: October 2014

Two new dammarane‐type triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the EtOH extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino. Their structural elucidations were accomplished mainly on the basis of the interpretation of spectroscopic data, such as IR, NMR, and HR‐TOF‐MS. Their liver fibrosis inhibitory activities were evaluated against hepatic stellate cells using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Thus, G. pentaphyllum can be used as ingredient for ancillary drugs or functional food.
Biosynthesis of Bromoroquefortines in a High Saline Medium by Penicillium chrysogenum, a Terrestrial Endophyte Collected from Coffea arabica
Authors: da Silva José Vinicius , Fill Taicia Pacheco , Lotufo Letícia Veras , do Ó. Pessoa Cláudia , Rodrigues‐Filho Edson
Published: October 2014

Roquefortine C (1) and 11‐bromoroquefortine C (4) were isolated from Penicillium chrysogenum, an endophyte obtained from green leaves of Coffea arabica, during induction experiments by adding halide salts to the culture media. In our studies, 11‐bromoroquefortine D and 11‐bromo‐17‐hydroxybromoroquefortine C were identified by LC/HR‐MS. It is the first time that bromoroquefortine C and D are described as halogenated natural products. These halo alkaloids were shown to be biosynthesized from brominated tryptophan as the biosynthetic precursor. Cytotoxic and antibiotic assays using roquefortine C and 11‐bromoroquefortine C showed that the presence of the 11‐Br substituent impairs some biological activities of this alkaloid.
An Approach to the Synthesis of Spiro[indene‐pyridoisoquinoline] Derivatives via 1,4‐Dipolar Cycloaddition of Isoquinoline and Acetylene Esters, and (1,3‐Dihydro‐1,3‐dioxo‐2H‐inden‐2‐ylidene)malononitrile
Authors: Alizadeh Abdolali , Sadeghi Vahideh , Bayat Fahimeh , Zhu Long‐Guan
Published: October 2014

A concise and efficient approach to the spiro‐tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives has been developed by 1,4‐dipolar cycloaddition of zwitterions resulting from isoquinoline and acetylene esters and (1,3‐dihydro‐1,3‐dioxo‐2H‐inden‐2‐ylidene)malononitrile in MeCN at room temperature. The significance of this method lies in good yields and ease of product purification, and no inert atmosphere is required. The structures of the products were confirmed spectroscopically (IR, 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR, and EI‐MS) and by elemental analyses. A plausible mechanism for this reaction is proposed (Scheme).
Lycopodium Alkaloids from Huperzia serrata
Authors: Ying You‐Min , Liu Xiao‐Sa , Tong Cui‐Ping , Wang Jian‐Wei , Zhan Zha‐Jun , Shan Wei‐Guang
Published: October 2014

Three new lycopodium alkaloids, huperserramines A–C (1–3, resp.), along with 15 known ones, lycopodine‐6α,11α‐diol (4), lycoposerramine H (5), lycoposerramine I (6), lycopodine‐6α‐ol (7), lycoposerramine M (8), diphaladine A (9), lycoposerramine K (10), lycoposerramine W (11), huperzine M (12), luciduline (13), phlegmariuine N (14), huperzine A (15), huperzine B (16), lycodine (17), and lycoposerramine R (18), were isolated from the whole plant of Huperzia serrata. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods, including 2D‐NMR and MS analyses. All the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and α‐glucosidase. As a result, lycopodine‐6α,11α‐diol (4) exhibited more potent α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 148±5.5 μM) than the positive control acarbose (IC50 376.3±2.7 μM).
Soil property variation mapping through data mining of soil category maps
Authors: Du Fei , Zhu A‐Xing , Band Lawrence , Liu Jing
Published: October 2014

Spatial information on soil properties is an important input to hydrological models. In current hydrological modelling practices, soil property information is often derived from soil category maps by the linking method in which a representative soil property value is linked to each soil polygon. Limited by the area‐class nature of soil category maps, the derived soil property variation is discontinuous and less detailed than high resolution digital terrain or remote sensing data. This research proposed dmSoil, a data‐mining‐based approach to derive continuous and spatially detailed soil property information from soil category maps. First, the soil–environment relationships are extracted through data mining of a soil map. The similarity of the soil at each location to different soil types in the soil map is then estimated using the mined relationships. Prediction of soil property values at each location is made by combining the similarities of the soil at that location to different soil types and the representative soil property values of these soil types. The new approach was applied in the Raffelson Watershed and Pleasant Valley in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin, United States to map soil A horizon texture (in both areas) and depth to soil C horizon (in Pleasant Valley). The property maps from the dmSoil approach capture the spatial gradation and details of soil properties better than those from the linking method. The new approach also shows consistent accuracy improvement at validation points. In addition to the improved performances, the inputs for the dmSoil approach are easy to prepare, and the approach itself is simple to deploy. It provides an effective way to derive better soil property information from soil category maps for hydrological modelling. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distribution of high‐risk human papillomavirus genotypes in HPV‐infected women in Beijing, China
Authors: Lu Shuang , Cong Xiao , Li Min , Chang FengXia , Ma Liang , Cao Yong Tong
Published: October 2014

To investigate the distribution of high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in infected women from Beijing, China, samples were obtained during routine gynecologic examinations and DNA was extracted from the samples, and PCR was performed to distinguish the 13 high‐risk HPV subtypes (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 68). Samples were obtained from 1160 women (20–75 years old), and 470 cases of high‐risk HPV infection were diagnosed. HPV 52, HPV 16, HPV 58, HPV 51, and HPV 39 were the most common genotypes accounting for 22.8%, 22.3%, 20.0%, 14.3%, and 13.6% of cases, respectively. The highest infection rates were found in 20–30 year‐old patients (35.1%). HPV 16 infection was the highest in the 31–40 year‐old group, and HPV 52, HPV 58, and HPV 39 infections were highest in the 20–30 year‐old group. Some patients were infected with multiple high‐risk HPV subtypes. Of the 470 patients with positive HPV tests, 65.7% of women were infected with a single high‐risk HPV subtype, 23.2%, of women were infected with two high‐risk HPV subtypes, 7.7% were infected with three subtypes, and 3.4% of women were infected with more than three high‐risk HPV subtypes. In this study, HPV 16 and HPV 52 were the most common subtypes found in patients with cervical lesions. J. Med. Virol. 87:504–507, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hepatitis E virus seroprevalence among hemodialysis and hemophiliac patients in Tunisia (North Africa)
Authors: Ben‐Ayed Yousr , Hannachi Hela , Ben‐Alaya‐Bouafif Nissaf , Gouider Emna , Triki Henda , Bahri Olfa
Published: October 2014

The aims of this study are to determine seroprevalence of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in Tunisian blood donors and to evaluate its risk of parenteral transmission. Sera collected from 426 blood donors were tested for HEV IgG by indirect ELISA. Individuals were recruited from two national transfusion centers, in the North and the South of the country. Seroprevalence of HEV IgG was then compared with two other groups with increased risk of exposure to parenterally transmitted agents: 80 hemophiliac and 286 hemodialysis patients. Among blood donors, the seroprevalence was estimated to be 4.5%. It was significantly higher in the hemophiliac and hemodialysis groups with 7.5% and 10.2%, respectively, (P = 0.002). No significant correlation was observed for this IgG 1 seroprevalence between age and sex among three studied groups. These results suggest that HEV has a high risk of parenteral transmission and confirm that the low endemicity of hepatitis E in Tunisia was observed. J. Med. Virol. 87:441–445, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Targeted therapy in sarcomas other than GIST tumors
Authors: Sborov Douglas , Chen James L.
Published: October 2014

Non‐GIST soft tissue sarcomas are a heterogeneous grouping of mesenchymal tumors that comprise less than 1% of adult malignancies. Treatment continues to be based on cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens. However, characterization of the molecular pathway deregulations that drive these tumors has led to the emergence of more customized treatment options. In this review, we focus on the multitude of molecular inhibitors targeting angiogenesis and cell cycle pathways being tested in clinical trials.J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:632–640. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increased risk of insulin resistance in rat offsprings exposed prenatally to white rice
Authors: Imam Mustapha Umar , Ismail Maznah , Ooi Der‐Jiun , Sarega Nadarajan , Ishaka Aminu
Published: October 2014

White rice (WR) is a major staple food for people in developing countries and it may be responsible for the growing incidence of type 2 diabetes. Nonpregnant Female Sprague Dawley rats fed with WR or brown rice (BR) for 8 weeks were mated with age‐matched male rats maintained on normal pellet over the same period. Offsprings were fed normal pellet after weaning until 8 weeks postdelivery. Rats fed with WR and their offsprings showed worsened oral glucose tolerance test, lower serum adiponectin levels, and higher weights, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, serum retinol binding protein‐4 levels, and leptin levels, compared with the normal and BR groups, suggesting an increased risk of insulin resistance. Furthermore, transcriptional levels of genes involved in insulin signaling showed different expression patterns in the liver, muscle, and adipose tissues of mothers and offsprings in both WR and BR groups. The results propose that the cycle of WR‐induced insulin resistance in offsprings due to prenatal exposure, followed by their consumption of WR later in life may contribute to diabetes incidents. These findings are worth studying further.
Multi‐functional heparin–biotin/heparin/calcium carbonate/calcium phosphate nanoparticles for targeted co‐delivery of gene and drug
Authors: Liang Ping , Wang Chao‐Qun , Chen Hong , Zhuo Ren‐Xi , Cheng Si‐Xue
Published: October 2014

A facile strategy for the fabrication of multi‐functional polymer/inorganic hybrid nanoparticles for efficient gene and drug co‐delivery was developed. A therapeutic gene (p53 plasmid) and a chemotherapy drug (doxorubicin hydrochloride, DOX) were co‐loaded simultaneously in hybrid nanoparticles during co‐precipitation with high encapsulation efficiency. The prepared heparin–biotin/heparin/CaCO3/calcium phosphate/DNA/DOX (HPB/HP/CaCO3/CaP/DNA/DOX) nanoparticles exhibited pH sensitivity and tumor‐targeting property due to the presence of the CaCO3/CaP inorganic component and biotin moiety in the polymer chain, respectively. For comparison, HPB/HP/CaCO3/CaP/DOX hybrid nanoparticles for drug delivery were also fabricated. The cell inhibition effects of different nanoparticles on HeLa cells were evaluated using methylthiazole tetrazolium assay. In vitro study indicated that the gene and drug co‐delivery system (HPB/HP/CaCO3/CaP/DNA/DOX) showed a stronger cell growth inhibition effect as compared with the drug delivery system (HPB/HP/CaCO3/CaP/DOX), indicating that HPB/HP/CaCO3/CaP/DNA/DOX hybrid nanoparticles could effectively mediate gene transfection and deliver the drug. The hybrid nanoparticles with good biocompatibility have great promise for gene and drug co‐delivery. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Dynamic covalent polypeptides showing tunable secondary structures and thermoresponsiveness
Authors: Yan Jiatao , Liu Kun , Zhang Xiuqiang , Li Wen , Zhang Afang
Published: October 2014

Lysine‐based polypeptides can be afforded with steerable secondary structures and tunable thermoresponsiveness through dynamic covalent OEGylation. These polypeptides were formed through dynamic imine linkage via reactions of amino moieties from poly(l‐lysine)s with aldehydes from oligoethylene glycol (OEG)‐based dendrons. In addition to solution concentrations and pH values, macromolecular effect was found to play an important role on the imine formation. OEGylated polypeptides showed characteristic thermoresponsive properties, and their phase transition temperatures were governed predominately by terminal groups and the coverage of OEG dendrons. Notably, thermally induced aggregation would enhance the imine formation even at elevated temperature. In contrast to the covalent polypeptide representatives, the dynamic covalent polypeptides conveyed different thermoresponsiveness due to imine linkages, and their phase transition temperatures could be tuned simply by varying ratios of OEG dendrons with different hydrophilicity. Furthermore, helical conformation of these polypeptides was enhanced with attachment of OEG dendrons, and could be reversibly switched through thermally induced aggregation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 33–41
Enhancement‐mode AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with thin and high Al composition barrier layers using O2 plasma implantation
Authors: Zhang Kai , Chen Xing , Mi Minhan , Zhao Shenglei , Chen Yonghe , Zhang Jincheng , Ma Xiaohua , Hao Yue
Published: October 2014

We report normally off AlGaN/GaN high‐electron mobility transistors realized by using the thin and high Al composition barrier design in conjunction with O2 plasma implantation. The AlGaN barrier layer under the gate is selectively treated by low‐energy O2 plasma in order to positively shift the threshold voltage of devices. The obtained enhancement‐mode HEMT exhibits a threshold voltage (VTH) of +1 V, a high peak transconductance of ∼230 mS mm−1, and a maximum drain current of 424 mA mm−1 at a gate bias of 3 V for a gate length of 0.6 µm. A suppressed gate reverse leakage current and a high breakdown voltage of 450 V are achieved. Moreover, gradually partial oxidation of AlGaN barrier layer is determined to be responsible for the plasma‐induced VTH modulation effect through a systematic investigation. The results indicate O2 plasma implantation can be a promising method for fabrication of enhancement‐mode GaN‐based devices.
Laser ablation atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry imaging of phytochemicals from sage leaves
Authors: Vaikkinen Anu , Shrestha Bindesh , Koivisto Juha , Kostiainen Risto , Vertes Akos , Kauppila Tiina J.
Published: October 2014

RATIONALE

Despite fast advances in ambient mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), the study of neutral and nonpolar compounds directly from biological matrices remains challenging. In this contribution, we explore the feasibility of laser ablation atmospheric pressure photoionization (LAAPPI) for MSI of phytochemicals in sage (Salvia officinalis) leaves.

METHODS

Sage leaves were studied by LAAPPI‐time‐of‐flight (TOF)‐MSI without any sample preparation. Leaf mass spectra were also recorded with laser ablation electrospray ionization (LAESI) mass spectrometry and the spectra were compared with those obtained by LAAPPI.

RESULTS

Direct probing of the plant tissue by LAAPPI efficiently produced ions from plant metabolites, including neutral and nonpolar terpenes that do not have polar functional groups, as well as oxygenated terpene derivatives. Monoterpenes and monoterpenoids could also be studied from sage by LAESI, but only LAAPPI was able to detect larger nonpolar compounds, such as sesquiterpenes and triterpenoid derivatives, from the leaf matrix. Alternative MSI methods for nonpolar compounds, such as desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization (DAPPI), do not achieve as good spatial resolution as LAAPPI (<400 µm).

CONCLUSIONS

We show that MSI with LAAPPI is a useful tool for concurrently studying the distribution of polar and nonpolar compounds, such as phytochemicals, directly from complex biological samples, and it can provide information that is not available by other, established methods. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of contamination and pre‐treatment on stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of charred plant remains
Authors: Vaiglova Petra , Snoeck Christophe , Nitsch Erika , Bogaard Amy , Lee‐Thorp Julia
Published: October 2014

RATIONALE

Stable isotope analysis of archaeological charred plants has become a useful tool for interpreting past agricultural practices and refining ancient dietary reconstruction. Charred material that lay buried in soil for millennia, however, is susceptible to various kinds of contamination, whose impact on the grain/seed isotopic composition is poorly understood. Pre‐treatment protocols have been adapted in distinct forms from radiocarbon dating, but insufficient research has been carried out on evaluating their effectiveness and necessity for stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis.

METHODS

The effects of previously used pre‐treatment protocols on the isotopic composition of archaeological and modern sets of samples were investigated. An archaeological sample was also artificially contaminated with carbonates, nitrates and humic acid and subjected to treatment aimed at removing the introduced contamination. The presence and removal of the contamination were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and δ13C and δ15N values.

RESULTS

The results show a ca 1‰ decrease in the δ15N values of archaeological charred plant material caused by harsh acid treatments and ultra‐sonication. This change is interpreted as being caused by mechanical distortion of the grains/seeds rather than by the removal of contamination. Furthermore, specific infrared peaks have been identified that can be used to detect the three types of contaminants studied. We argue that it is not necessary to try to remove humic acid contamination for stable isotope analysis. The advantages and disadvantages of crushing the grains/seeds before pre‐treatment are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend the use of an acid‐only procedure (0.5 M HCl for 30 min at 80°C followed by three rinses in distilled water) for cleaning charred plant remains. This study fills an important gap in plant stable isotope research that will enable future researchers to evaluate potential sources of isotopic change and pre‐treat their samples with methods that have been demonstrated to be effective. © 2014 The Authors. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Nitrate isotopic composition reveals nitrogen deposition and transformation dynamics along the canopy–soil continuum of a suburban forest in Japan
Authors: Shi Jun , Ohte Nobuhito , Tokuchi Naoko , Imamura Naohiro , Nagayama Miyuki , Oda Tomoki , Suzuki Masakazu
Published: October 2014

RATIONALE

Heavy nitrogen (N) deposition often causes high nitrate (NO3–) accumulation in soils in temperate forested ecosystems. To clarify the sources and production pathways of this NO3–, we investigated NO3– isotope signatures in deposition processes along the canopy–soil continuum of a suburban forest in Japan.

METHODS

The stable isotopes of N and oxygen (O) were used to trace the source and transformation dynamics of nitrate (NO3–) in two forest stands: a plantation of Cryptomeria japonica (coniferous tree; CJ) and a natural secondary forest of Quercus acutissima (broadleaf, deciduous tree; QA). The NO3– and ammonium (NH4+) concentrations were measured, as well as the δ15N and δ18O values of NO3–, in rainfall, throughfall, stem flow, litter layer water, and soil water (10, 30, and 70 cm depths).

RESULTS

Seasonal variations were observed in the δ15N values of throughfall and stem flow NO3– at both sites, and in the δ18O values of throughfall and stem flow NO3– at the QA site. The range in the δ18O values of rainfall and throughfall NO3– was large (65–70‰) but decreased dramatically to 2–5‰ in soil water at both sites. At the QA site, the δ18O values of stem flow NO3– decreased to 40‰ during several rain events, especially in the growing season.

CONCLUSIONS

NO3– from atmospheric deposition was replaced by microbially generated NO3– mainly in the organic horizon and surface portion of the mineral soil under excess N deposition in this suburban forest. Microbial activity, including both immobilization and nitrification in organic‐rich horizons near the surface, contributed to incorporating atmospheric NO3– quickly into the internal microbial N cycle. We also found evidence of microbial nitrification in the canopy of the QA stand during the growing season. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel high‐temperature combustion based system for stable isotope analysis of dissolved organic carbon in aqueous samples. II: optimization and assessment of analytical performance
Authors: Kirkels F. M. S. A. , Cerli C. , Federherr E. , Gao J. , Kalbitz K.
Published: October 2014

RATIONALE

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) plays an important role in carbon cycling, making precise and routine measurement of δ13C values and DOC concentration highly desirable. A new promising system has been developed for this purpose. However, broad‐scale application of this new technique requires an in‐depth assessment of analytical performance, and this is described here.

METHODS

A high‐temperature combustion Total Organic Carbon analyzer was interfaced with continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (TOC/IRMS) for the simultaneous analysis of the bulk DOC concentration and δ13C signature. The analytical performance (precision, memory effects, linearity, volume/concentration effects, accuracy) was thoroughly evaluated, including realistic and challenging conditions such as low DOC concentrations and natural DOC.

RESULTS

High precision (standard deviation, SD predominantly ≤0.15 ‰) and accuracy (R2 = 0.9997) were achieved for the δ13C analysis of a broad diversity of DOC solutions. Simultaneously, good results were obtained for the measurement of DOC concentration. Assessment of natural abundance and slightly 13C‐enriched DOC, a wide range of concentrations (~0.2–150 mgC/L) and injection volumes (0.05–3 mL), demonstrated minor/negligible memory effects, good linearity and flexible usage. Finally, TOC/IRMS was successfully applied to determine low DOC concentrations (<2 mgC/L) and DOC from diverse terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments (SD ≤0.23 ‰).

CONCLUSIONS

TOC/IRMS enables fast and reliable measurement of DOC concentrations and δ13C values in aqueous samples, without pre‐concentration and freeze‐drying. Further investigations should focus on complex, saline matrices and very low DOC concentrations, to achieve a potential lower limit of 0.2 mgC/L. Thus, TOC/IRMS will give DOC research in terrestrial and aquatic environments a huge impulse with high‐resolution, routine δ13C analysis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.