bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antitrypanosomal Activity of a Novel Taccalonolide from the Tubers of Tacca leontopetaloides
Authors: Dike Vivian T. , Vihiior Burbwa , Bosha Joel A. , Yin Tung Mei , Ebiloma Godwin Unekwuojo , de Koning Harry P. , Igoli John O. , Gray Alexander I. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIntroductionSeveral taccalonolides with various bioactivities have been isolated from Tacca species but no studies to isolate taccalonolides with anti‐trypanosomal activity from Tacca leontopetaloides have been reported.ObjectivesTo analyse extracts of the roots of Tacca leontopetaloides, purify the extracts by column chromatography and identify isolated compounds by spectroscopic methods. The compounds and fractions will be tested for antitrypanosomal activity in vitro against Trypanosoma brucei brucei.Material and methodsDried roots or tubers of Tacca leontopetaloides, chromatographic separation and spectroscopic identification.ResultsA novel taccalonolide A propanoate and some known taccalonolides were isolated and their structures were determined by NMR and mass spectrometryConclusionSeveral taccalonolides were isolated from Tacca leontopetaloides and were found to have in vitro antitrypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei and EC50 values for the isolated compounds were from 0.79 µg/mL. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vibrational spectroscopy of synthetic and natural eumelanin
Authors: Perna Giuseppe , Lasalvia Maria , Capozzi Vito 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe report vibrational spectra of two types of eumelanin samples: a synthetic one, produced by oxidation of tyrosine with hydrogen peroxide, and a natural one, extracted from Sepia officinalis, with the aim of pointing out the differences between the main vibrational properties of such two pigments. Fourier transform infrared, Raman and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectra allow the identification of several vibrational modes involving specific monomeric units. The main differences between the spectra of the two types of eumelanin are related to (i) a larger amount of carboxylic acid in the synthetic than in the natural sample; (ii) a shift of spectral position of corresponding peaks; and (iii) a contribution of residual proteins to the signals from the natural sample. Such results suggest that vibrational techniques may be helpful for non‐destructively determining the composition of various eumelanin pigments, with potential applications in biomedical, electronic and cultural heritage fields. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Solar cell efficiency tables (version 48)
Authors: Green Martin A. , Emery Keith , Hishikawa Yoshihiro , Warta Wilhelm , Dunlop Ewan D. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractConsolidated tables showing an extensive listing of the highest independently confirmed efficiencies for solar cells and modules are presented. Guidelines for inclusion of results into these tables are outlined, and new entries since January 2016 are reviewed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measurement Error Models for Interlaboratory Comparison Measurement Data
Authors: Berni Rossella , Nikiforova Nedka D. 
Published: June 2016

Test laboratories with International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission 17025:2005 accreditation are obliged to calculate measurement uncertainty and declare the calculated value. Furthermore, they have to ensure the quality of the test results, and their participation in interlaboratory comparisons is mandatory for the accreditation. To this end, a standard procedure is available, and the laboratory's performance is also assessed by comparing its results with the reference value.While several studies consider the problem of analyzing interlaboratory comparison data, the problem still remains of how to include all the measurements (containing uncertainties and outliers) and all the dispersion effects arising during the test activity, in the analysis. This paper aims to improve the analysis of interlaboratory comparison data by focusing on an error measurement model, which considers the declared measured values and the corresponding uncertainties, and by also accounting for other dispersion effects involved in the interlaboratory activity. The problems of the small sample size and the presence of outliers are taken into account through the calculation of confidence intervals, by also evaluating the contribution of the variances estimated for the uncertainties, namely, by the signal‐to‐noise and reliability ratios. Moreover, the laboratory's performance is assessed by discriminating for the presence of outliers related to the reference value and/or to the uncertainty. The results are satisfactory in view of the issues addressed in this study, especially if we consider the specific kind of data. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modulation of Emission Intensities of Binary Films Composed of Fluorescent Amorphous Molecular Materials and p‐Toluenesulfonic Acid in Response to Exhaled Breath
Authors: Nakano Hideyuki , Nishimura Tomohiro , Nagata Eisuke , Ichikawa Ryoji 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe have found that fluorescence emission of binary films composed of fluorescent amorphous molecular materials, 4‐[bis(4‐methylphenylaryl)amino]benzaldehyde (BMABA) and 4‐[bis(4‐methylphenylaryl)amino]acetophenone (BMAAP), with p‐toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH) was quenched at ambient dry atmosphere but enhanced when we breathed onto their films. When pausing the breath, the emission was again quenched. Moisture in the exhaled breath was suggested to play a role for such phenomena. It was suggested that some BMABA and BMAAP molecules were protonated in their films as prepared at ambient dry atmosphere and that protonation and deprotonation took place corresponding to change in surrounding humidity, resulting in modulation of emission intensity.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Desulfitative C–C Cross Coupling: The Synthesis of 6‐Aza‐Tetrahydroquinazolines and their Solvatochromism
Authors: Rajaguru Kandasamy , Mariappan Arumugam , Beneto Arockiam Jesin , Sivaraman Gandhi , Muthusubramanian Shanmugam , Siva Ayyanar , Bhuvanesh Nattamai 
Published: June 2016

AbstractA convenient nickel catalyzed approach towards the synthesis of diversely substituted 6‐aza‐tetrahydroquinazolines from pyrido‐pyrimidine‐2‐thione motifs with organo boronic acids by non‐basic desulfitative C−C cross coupling strategy is described. The absorption and emission spectral studies on some of the synthesised compounds reveal the existent of D‐π‐A−D systems displaying solvatochromism.
Tapered Optical Fiber Probe with a Double–substrate Strategy for Surface–enhanced Raman Scattering Detection
Authors: Cao Jie , Mao Qinghe 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe present a double‐substrate fiber probe for the improvement of SERS detection sensitivity by the laser‐induced deposition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the taper surface of the optical fiber and the addition of highly active AgNPs (prepared by an autoclave reaction method) in the analyte solution. The SERS performance of such fiber probe was evaluated by using 4‐aminothiophenol (4‐ATP) as a target analyte molecule, and the results indicate that double SERS substrate displays higher SERS enhancement compared to each substrate alone or a simple sum of the signals from the two separate substrates. Furthermore, the detection limit of double‐substrate fiber probe for 4‐ATP aqueous solution can be down to 10−10 M.
Synthesis of ZIF‐8 Hollow Spheres via MOF‐to‐MOF Conversion
Authors: Xu Xiaona , Sun Ying , Zhang Qing , Wang Sixia , Zhang Lin , Wu Zhengming , Lu Guang 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe report herein the synthesis of ZIF‐8 hollow spheres with uniform size and shell thickness from monodisperse MOF‐5 cubes via the MOF‐to‐MOF conversion strategy. The ZIF‐8 hollow spheres were obtained by reacting micron‐sized MOF‐5 cubes in the 2‐methylimidazole solution under the optimized experimental conditions. Their chemical composition, crystallinity, porosity, and thermal stability were well characterized and their formation was investigated by time‐dependent electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The porous nature of MOF‐5 and the stronger coordination interaction between 2‐methylimidazole and Zn ions are believed to be responsible for the formation of the ZIF‐8 hollow spheres.
Enzymatic Interesterification of Lauric Fat Blends Formulated by Grouping Triacylglycerol Melting Points
Authors: Nusantoro B. P. , Xanthina M. , Kadivar S. , Yanty N. A. M. , Dewettinck K. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractLauric fat blends (appreciable amount of lauric fat with liquid oil and hard fat) initially formulated for shortening production by grouping triacylglycerol (TAG) melting points were further modified by enzymatic interesterification (EIE) to improve their key functionalities as plastic fats. At a similar fat blend formulation, only the high melting fat and medium melting fat were interesterified in binary‐EIE. Meanwhile, both fats and the liquid oil were interesterified in ternary‐EIE. The solid fat content (SFC) of all binary‐EIE blends was generally retained as similar in the temperature range between 0 and 20 °C when the amount of unsaturated TAGs was limited by excluding the liquid oil during EIE. However, the SFC was significantly reduced at temperatures above 20 °C compared to that of the initial blends. Furthermore, the melting point of binary‐EIE blends at BH50H15 formulation prepared with palm stearin and fully hydrogenated rapeseed oil as the hard fat was found to be drastically reduced from 54.6 to 35.3 °C and from 62.8 to 39.2 °C, respectively. In contrast, the SFC of ternary‐EIE blends was generally reduced when more unsaturated TAGs were available for EIE by including the liquid oil. However, higher SFC was noticed at temperatures around 10 °C in ternary‐EIE blends, as the amount of high‐melting fractions in their initial blends was increased from BH50H5 to BH50H15. Eventually, both binary and ternary‐EIE were also found to significantly alter the crystal microstructure of lauric fat blends, in terms of crystal morphology, size and network density.
Retrospective analysis of clinicopathological features of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas
Authors: Ugras Nesrin , Yerci Ömer , Coşkun Sinem Kantarcıoğlu , Ocakoğlu Gökhan , Sarkut Pınar , Dündar Halit Ziya 
Published: June 2016

AbstractSolid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas is a rare neoplasm that accounts for 2–3% of all primary pancreatic neoplasms. This study aimed to characterize clinicopathological features associated with SPNs and to retrospectively evaluate the relationship of these features with predictive parameters associated with aggressive behavior. We reviewed 16 cases of SPN of the pancreas that had been diagnosed between 2005 and 2014 at our pathology department. A total of 16 cases, 15 female and one male, were evaluated in this study. The patient age ranged from 13 years to 63 years with a median of 35.70 years. The mean tumor diameter ranged from 2 cm to 18 cm with a mean diameter of 5.90 cm. We identified a significant association between the presence of clear cells and perineural invasion (p = 0.019), which was considered to be a predictive factor for aggressive behavior. Other features (i.e., localization, nuclear grooves, central hyalinization, myxoid stroma, eosinophilic bodies, foamy histiocyte aggregates, multinucleated cells, and calcification) were not significantly associated with predictive factors for aggressive behavior. One patient died as a result of a pancreatic fistula that developed as a postoperative complication. The remaining 15 patients are alive and have not demonstrated any signs of recurrence or metastasis. The current study suggested that the presence of clear cells might serve as a possible prognostic indicator of perineural invasion, which is a predictive parameter associated with aggressive behavior in SPN.
Beneficial Effects of Dry Needling for Treatment of Chronic Myofascial Pain Persist for 6 Weeks After Treatment Completion
Authors: Gerber Lynn H. , Sikdar Siddhartha , Aredo Jacqueline V. , Armstrong Katee , Rosenberger William F. , Shao Hui , Shah Jay P. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBackgroundDry needling is an effective treatment for reducing pain associated with active myofascial trigger points (a‐MTrPs) in the short term. The duration of the benefits of this treatment have not been fully assessed.ObjectiveTo determine whether the benefits of dry needling (DN) of a‐MTrPs are sustained 6 weeks posttreatment.DesignFollow‐up of a prospective study.SettingUniversity.ParticipantsA total of 45 patients (13 male and 32 female) with cervical pain >3 months and a‐MTrPs in the upper trapezius who completed 3 DN treatments and who were evaluated 6 weeks posttreatment.InterventionsNone.Main Outcome MeasuresPrimary outcomes were changes from baseline to follow‐up in scores for the verbal analogue scale (VAS), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and MTrP status. MTrPs were rated as active (spontaneously painful), latent (painful only on compression), and nonpalpable nodule. Responders were patients whose MTrP status changed from active to latent or nonpalpable nodule (resolved). Secondary outcomes were pain pressure threshold (PPT), Profile of Mood States, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), MOS 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36), and cervical range of motion.ResultsPain measures remained significantly improved 6 weeks posttreatment (P < .003), as did the SF‐36 physical functioning score (0.01) and ODI (P = .002). Side bending and PPT for subjects with unilateral MTrPs had sustained improvement (P = .002). The number of subjects with sustained MTrP response at 6 weeks was significant (P < .001). Comparing responders to nonresponders, the changes in VAS and BPI were statistically significant (P = .006, P = .03) but the change in PPT was not. Patients with higher baseline VAS scores had a higher risk of not responding to DN; those with a greater drop in VAS score from baseline had a higher probability of sustained response. A 1‐unit decrease in VAS at baseline resulted in a 6.3‐fold increase in the odds of being a responder versus a nonresponder (P = .008).ConclusionsIn this study, there was sustained reduction of pain scores after completion of DN, which is more likely with a greater drop in VAS score. Patients with higher baseline VAS scores are less likely to respond to DN. Early intervention toward significant pain reduction is likely to be associated with sustained clinical response.Level of EvidenceIV
D.08 ACT DMD (Ataluren Confirmatory Trial in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy): effect of Ataluren on timed function tests (TFT) in nonsense mutation (nm) DMD
Authors: Goemans N , Campbell C , McDonald CM , Voit T , Luo X , Elfring G , Kroger H , Riebling P , Ong T , Spiegel R , Peltz SW , Bushby K 
Published: June 2016

Background: Ataluren is the first drug to treat the underlying cause of nmDMD. Methods: ACT DMD is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind study. Males 7-16 years with nmDMD and a screening six-minute walk distance (6MWD) ≥150 m and <80%-predicted were randomized to ataluren 40 mg/kg/day or placebo for 48 weeks. A pre-specified subgroup included patients with baseline 6MWD 300-400 m. A meta-analysis of the overall ACT DMD population and the ‘ambulatory decline phase’ subgroup of the Phase 2b study (those patients meeting ACT DMD entry criteria) was pre-specified in the statistical plan. Results: In the overall ACT DMD population (N=228), changes in TFTs favored ataluren over placebo: 10-meter walk/run, -1.2s (p=0.117); 4-stair climb, -1.8s (p=0.058); 4-stair descend, -1.8s (p=0.012). In the pre-specified subgroup (n=99), these differences increased to -2.1s, -3.6s, and -4.3s, respectively, and were statistically significant (p<0.01) for 4-stair climb and descend. Results are supported by the meta-analysis (N=291), which demonstrated significant differences (p<0.05) in 10-meter walk/run, 4-stair climb, 4-stair descend. Conclusions: TFT results showed a benefit for ataluren in ACT DMD, and a larger treatment effect in the pre-specified baseline 6MWD 300-400 m subgroup as well as the pre-specified meta-analysis of ACT DMD and the Phase 2b study decline subgroup.Supported By: PTC Therapeutics Inc.
Typology of eaters based on conventional and organic food consumption: results from the NutriNet-Santé cohort study
Authors: Baudry Julia , Touvier Mathilde , Allès Benjamin , Péneau Sandrine , Méjean Caroline , Galan Pilar , Hercberg Serge , Lairon Denis , Kesse-Guyot Emmanuelle 
Published: June 2016

AbstractLimited information is available on large-scale populations regarding the socio-demographic and nutrient profiles and eating behaviour of consumers, taking into account both organic and conventional foods. The aims of this study were to draw up a typology of consumers according to their eating habits, based both on their dietary patterns and the mode of food production, and to outline their socio-demographic, behavioural and nutritional characteristics. Data were collected from 28 245 participants of the NutriNet-Santé study. Dietary information was obtained using a 264-item, semi-quantitative, organic FFQ. To identify clusters of consumers, principal component analysis was applied on sixteen conventional and sixteen organic food groups followed by a clustering procedure. The following five clusters of consumers were identified: (1) a cluster characterised by low energy intake, low consumption of organic food and high prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes; (2) a cluster of big eaters of conventional foods with high intakes of SFA and cholesterol; (3) a cluster with high consumption of organic food and relatively adequate nutritional diet quality; (4) a group with a high percentage of organic food consumers, 14 % of which were either vegetarians or vegans, who exhibited a high nutritional diet quality and a low prevalence of inadequate intakes of most vitamins except B12; and (5) a group of moderate organic food consumers with a particularly high intake of proteins and alcohol and a poor nutritional diet quality. These findings may have implications for future aetiological studies investigating the potential impact of organic food consumption.
Male white grub beetles prefer the pheromone composition of young females in the field
Authors: Fujiwara-Tsujii N. , Yasui H. , Wakamura S. , Nagayama A. , Arakaki N. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractFemales of the white grub beetle, Dasylepida ishigakiensis, release both (R)- and (S)-2-butanol as sex pheromones, but the males are only attracted to (R)-2-butanol. In laboratory-reared females, the proportion of the (R)-isomer decreased significantly as their calling opportunities increased and as they aged. We examined whether such qualitative changes also occur in field populations. We collected virgin females from the field and then trapped and analysed the volatiles emitted during their first and second callings. The ratio of (R)- to (S)-2-butanol (R/S) was 78:22 at the first calling, but shifted to 39:61 at the second calling. While investigating the composition of the female pheromones, the question arose as to whether the male preferences change in response to the shift in female pheromone composition. To answer this question, we observed the behaviour of young and old males in response to various R/S ratios as lures in the laboratory and in the field. In the flight tunnel assay of laboratory-reared individuals, young males touched female models with a 9:1 R/S ratio lure less than those with pure (R)-2-butanol; however, older males touched the two groups with equivalent frequency. In the field trap test, older males were much more attracted to (R)-2-butanol-scented lures. When we tested using lures with the same amount of (R)-2-butanol but added different amounts of the (S)-isomer, we found that increased levels of (S)-2-butanol resulted in lower attractiveness to males. (S)-2-butanol was confirmed to have an inhibitive activity in the attractiveness of (R)-2-butanol.
Habitat management of organic vineyard in Northern Italy: the role of cover plants management on arthropod functional biodiversity
Authors: Burgio G. , Marchesini E. , Reggiani N. , Montepaone G. , Schiatti P. , Sommaggio D. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe effect of cover plants on arthropod functional biodiversity was investigated in a vineyard in Northern Italy, through a 3-year field experiment. The following six ground cover plants were tested: Sweet Alyssum; Phacelia; Buckwheat; Faba Bean; Vetch and Oat; control. Arthropods were sampled using different techniques, including collection of leaves, vacuum sampling and sweeping net. Ground cover plant management significantly affected arthropod fauna, including beneficial groups providing ecosystem services like biological control against pests. Many beneficial groups were attracted by ground cover treatments in comparison with control, showing an aggregative numerical response in the plots managed with some of the selected plant species. Alyssum, Buckwheat and ‘Vetch and Oat’ mixture showed attractiveness on some Hymenoptera parasitoid families, which represented 72.3% of the insects collected by sweeping net and 45.7 by vacuum sampling. Phytoseiidae mites showed a significant increase on leaves of the vineyard plots managed with ground covers, in comparison with control, although they did not show any difference among the treatments. In general, the tested ground cover treatments did not increase dangerous Homoptera populations in comparison with control, with the exception of Alyssum. The potential of ground cover plant management in Italian vineyards is discussed: the overall lack of potential negative effects of the plants tested, combined with an aggregative numerical response for many beneficials, seems to show a potential for their use in Northern Italy vineyards.
PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW AND EU EXTERNAL RELATIONS: THINK LOCAL ACT GLOBAL, OR THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL?
Authors: Mills Alex 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn the European Union, private international law has almost exclusively been developed through the adoption of internal acts (particularly EU Regulations) in the pursuit of internal goals (principally, enhancing the efficient functioning of the internal market, and more recently and broadly the construction of an area of freedom, security and justice). This focus has and must come under challenge in light of two developments. The first is the apparent establishment of EU exclusive external competence in the field of private international law, creating the opportunity for external action by the EU. The second is the increased recognition that internal action by the EU has external effects, which should be viewed not merely as incidental but also as potentially instruments of external policy. In conjunction, these developments demand consideration of what role private international law could and should play as part of EU external relations. This article critically examines a range of possible techniques which might be adopted in relation to this new external dimension of EU private international law. These methods are not necessarily unique to private international law or the EU, and thus this article also provides a case study of the range of legal techniques which can be used by international actors to project policies externally.