bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anaerobic biodegradation of MTBE in a field site above the Israeli Coastal Aquifer: evidence from δ13C compound‐specific isotope analysis
Authors: Gafni Almog , Rosenzweig Ravid , Gelman Faina , Ronen Zeev 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe fuel additive, methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE), is one of the most frequently occurring groundwater pollutants worldwide. The present study focused on assessing microbial degradation of MTBE in groundwater below a gasoline station situated above the Israeli Coastal Aquifer. Groundwater was monitored in six monitoring wells over a time period of 2.5 years.RESULTSThe site water geochemistry indicated that anaerobic conditions prevailed in two of the most contaminated wells. During a year MTBE concentrations declined from 81 to 4.2 mg L−1, concurrently, with a significant change in δ13C from −31.4 to −11.8 ‰ in a source area monitoring well. MTBE biodegradation during microcosm experiments under sulfate reducing and methanogenic conditions resulted in carbon isotopic enrichment factors (ε) of −17.2 ± 1.1 ‰.CONCLUSIONSignificant decrease in MTBE concentrations, along with pronounced changes in carbon isotope composition, indicates in situ degradation of MTBE occurring at the site. This evidence was supported by a microcosm experiment with indigenous microbial cultures. The estimated rate of biodegradation is 0.7 year−1, which is about 70% of the total natural attenuation (NA) processes. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Developmental Trajectories and Predictors of Prosocial Behavior Among Adolescents Exposed to the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake
Authors: Qin Yanyun , Zhou Ya , Fan Fang , Chen Shijian , Huang Rong , Cai Rouna , Peng Ting 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis longitudinal study examined the developmental trajectories of prosocial behavior and related predictors among adolescents exposed to the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. At 6‐, 18‐, and 30‐months postearthquake, we followed a sample of 1,573 adolescents. Self‐report measures were used to assess earthquake exposure, postearthquake negative life events, prosocial behavior, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, social support, and coping style. Data were analyzed using growth mixture modeling and multinomial logistic regressions. Four trajectories of postearthquake prosocial behavior were identified in the sample: (a) high/enhancing (35.0%), (b) high/stable (29.4%), (c) low/declining (33.6%), and (d) low/steeply declining (2.0%). Female gender, more social support, and greater positive coping were significant factors related to a higher probability of developing the high/enhancing trajectory. These findings may be helpful for us to identify adolescents with poor prosocial behavior after exposure to earthquakes so as to provide them with appropriate intervention.
Block‐Structured 1,4‐d‐Glucans by Transglycosidation of Cellulose Ethers
Authors: Rother Marko , Radke Wolfgang , Mischnick Petra 
Published: February 2016

Multiblock structured glucan ethers are prepared for the first time by BF3·OEt2 promoted transglycosidation of two cellulose ether homopolymers. First, model studies are performed with equimolar mixtures of methyl cellulose (MC) and deuteromethyl cellulose (MC‐d3), varying the amount of Lewis acid and temperature. Reaction is monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry after partial hydrolysis of products. Cross reaction is proved and the decrease of average block length with time is monitored and found to approximate random distribution. The method is successfully applied to a mixture of ethyl cellulose and MC. Decreases of molecular weight, of dispersity, and of glass transition temperature Tg with reaction time are followed.
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Tuning the Surface Properties of Polypyrrole Films for Modulating Bacterial Adhesion
Authors: Golabi Mohsen , Turner Anthony P. F. , Jager Edwin W. H. 
Published: February 2016

Tuning the physical–chemical properties of polypyrrole (PPy) opens up potentially exciting new applications, especially in the area of bacterial adhesion. Polypyrrole is electrochemically synthesized under various conditions and the physical properties of the films and their effects on bacterial adhesion are characterized. Five types of dopants—chloride (Cl), perchlorate (ClO4), p‐toluene‐sulfonate (ToS), dodecylbenzene sulfonate (DBS), and poly sodium styrene sulfonate (PSS)—are used to fabricate PPy films at two different constant potentials (0.500 and 0.850 V) with and without Fe3+. Their thickness, roughness, and wettability are measured. The adhesion tendency of Escherichia coli, as a model bacterium, to the four polymers is studied. E. coli shows greater adhesion tendency to the hydrophobic, rough surface of PPy‐DBS, and less adhesion tendency to the smooth and hydrophilic surface of PPy‐PSS. The results facilitate the choice of appropriate electropolymerization conditions to modulate bacterial adhesion.
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Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2: Measures of saccade changes improve power for clinical trials
Authors: Rodríguez‐Labrada Roberto , Velázquez‐Pérez Luis , Auburger Georg , Ziemann Ulf , Canales‐Ochoa Nalia , Medrano‐Montero Jacqueline , Vázquez‐Mojena Yaimeé , González‐Zaldivar Yanetza 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTBackgroundSaccadic eye movement abnormalities are common in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2, but it is unclear how these alterations progress over time. The aim of this study was to assess the progression of saccade involvement in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 patients, identify its main determinants, and evaluate its usefulness as outcome measures in clinical trials.MethodsA prospective 5‐year follow‐up study was performed with 30 spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 patients and their matched healthy controls, who were evaluated a total of four times by clinical and electrooculographical assessments of horizontal saccades and by the scoring of ataxia.ResultsPatients showed significant decreases in saccade peak velocity and saccade accuracy as well as increases of saccadic latency during the follow‐up period. Annual progression rates were significantly higher in patients compared to controls. Faster progression rates of saccade slowing were associated with higher trinucleotide cytosine‐adenine‐guanine repeat expansions. Sample‐size estimates for two‐arm trials would require 19 patients per group to detect a 50% reduction in disease progression using saccade peak velocity as outcome variable, but 44 and 124 patients using saccade latency and accuracy, respectively (power, 80%; alpha = 0.05).ConclusionsElectrooculographical measures of saccade changes are useful for the objective quantification of disease course in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2. The progression rate of saccade slowing is influenced by the expansion size, providing novel insight into the cumulative polyglutamine neurotoxicity, and supporting the usefulness of saccade peak velocity as a sensitive biomarker during the natural history of the disease, and as suitable outcome measure for therapeutic trials. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Investigation of a hybrid polygonal finite element formulation for confined and unconfined seepage
Authors: Karchewski Brandon , Pekinasova Anna , Stolle Dieter , Guo Peijun 
Published: February 2016

SummaryThis study presents a formulation for field problems using hybrid polygonal finite elements, taking steady state seepage through a porous material as the focus. We make comparisons with a conventional finite element formulation based on a single primary variable, focussing on the advantages of the hybrid formulation in terms of flux field accuracy and extension to convex polygonal shaped elements. For the unconfined case, we adopt a head dependent hydraulic conductivity that does not require remeshing. The performance of the hybrid polygonal element formulation is demonstrated through a series of numerical examples. The results show a sensitivity of the location of the free surface in unconfined seepage to mesh configuration for hybrid quadrilateral meshes with various aspect ratios, but not for hybrid polygonal meshes with various orientations and irregularity. Examination of the free surface location results for several conforming shape function options shows an insensitivity to choice of interpolation function, provided that it conforms with the assumptions in the formulation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can response to dietary restriction predict weight loss after Roux‐en‐Y gastroplasty?
Authors: Azar Mirna , Nikpay Majid , Harper Mary‐Ellen , McPherson Ruth , Dent Robert 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveTo determine whether weight loss (WL) with 6 weeks of a low‐calorie liquid diet as part of a behavioral program (LCDBP) predicts subsequent weight change in response to a laparoscopic Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB).MethodsOf 4698 LCDBP patients, 403 went on to RYGB and 222 were evaluable. We determined correlations between percent WL (% WL) in 6 weeks of LCDBP with % WL at 4, 12, 24, 36, and 52 weeks after RYGB.ResultsThere was a positive correlation between the slope of WL in the first 6 weeks of LCDBP and over 4 and 12 weeks after RYGB: r = 0.15 (CI = 0.003‐0.285, P = 0.045) and r = 0.22 (CI = 0.08‐0.35, P = 0.0017), respectively. The association was also apparent at 24 weeks in females but not in males. There was a statistically significant correlation between % WL at 26 weeks of LCDBP and 52 weeks postsurgery (r = 0.20, CI = 0.05‐0.34, P = 0.01). Finally, % WL at 6 weeks also predicted % WL at 26 weeks of dietary intervention (r = 0.52, CI = 0.40‐0.62, P = 2.40 × 10−14).ConclusionsWL in response to 6 weeks of LCDBP is predictive of weight for at least 12 weeks following RYGB.
Maternal BMI, gestational diabetes, and weight gain in relation to childhood obesity: The mediation effect of placental weight
Authors: Ouyang Fengxiu , Parker Margaret G. , Luo Zhong‐Cheng , Wang Xia , Zhang Hui‐Juan , Jiang Fan , Wang Xiaobin , Gillman Matthew W. , Zhang Jun 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveHigh prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), excessive gestational weight gain (GWG), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are associated with the risk of childhood obesity. This study aims to examine the extent to which these effects may be mediated through the placenta.MethodsData included 33,893 mothers and their singleton infants from birth to 7 years old (total 154,590 visits) in the Collaborative Perinatal Project, a U.S. multicenter prospective cohort study from 1959 to 1976. The placentas were weighed after removing cord and membranes. We performed sequential generalized estimating equation‐linear models excluding and including placental weight to evaluate its mediation effect.ResultsIn this population, 21.7% of mothers had overweight or obesity, 17.3% had excessive GWG, and 350 (1%) had diagnosed GDM; in addition, 7.2% children had obesity. After adjustment for prepregnancy BMI and other covariates, childhood BMI was 0.23 (95% CI: 0.05, 0.40) kg/m2 higher for children born to mothers with GDM versus those without GDM. Inclusion of placental weight in the model attenuated the association by 52% to 0.11 (95% CI: −0.06, 0.28) and similarly attenuated the associations with childhood BMI for GWG by 25% and maternal prepregnancy BMI by 17%.ConclusionsPlacental weight partly mediates the effects of prepregnancy BMI, excessive GWG, and GDM on childhood BMI.
CCR4 frameshift mutation identifies a distinct group of adult T cell leukaemia/lymphoma with poor prognosis
Authors: Yoshida Noriaki , Miyoshi Hiroaki , Kato Takeharu , Sakata‐Yanagimoto Mamiko , Niino Daisuke , Taniguchi Hiroaki , Moriuchi Yukiyoshi , Miyahara Masaharu , Kurita Daisuke , Sasaki Yuya , Shimono Joji , Kawamoto Keisuke , Utsunomiya Atae , Imaizumi Yoshitaka , Seto Masao , Ohshima Koichi 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAdult T cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is an intractable T cell neoplasm caused by human T cell leukaemia virus type 1. Next‐generation sequencing‐based comprehensive mutation studies have revealed recurrent somatic CCR4 mutations in ATLL, although clinicopathological findings associated with CCR4 mutations remain to be delineated. In the current study, 184 cases of peripheral T cell lymphoma, including 113 cases of ATLL, were subjected to CCR4 mutation analysis. This sequence analysis identified mutations in 27% (30/113) of cases of ATLL and 9% (4/44) of cases of peripheral T cell lymphoma not otherwise specified. Identified mutations included nonsense (NS) and frameshift (FS) mutations. No significant differences in clinicopathological findings were observed between ATLL cases stratified by presence of CCR4 mutation. All ATLL cases with CCR4 mutations exhibited cell‐surface CCR4 positivity. Semi‐quantitative CCR4 protein analysis of immunohistochemical sections revealed higher CCR4 expression in cases with NS mutations of CCR4 than in cases with wild‐type (WT) CCR4. Furthermore, among ATLL cases, FS mutation was significantly associated with a poor prognosis, compared with NS mutation and WT CCR4. These results suggest that CCR4 mutation is an important determinant of the clinical course in ATLL cases, and that NS and FS mutations of CCR4 behave differently with respect to ATLL pathophysiology. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitor and β‐Blocker Use Reduce the Risk of Primary Liver Cancer? A Case–Control Study Using the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink
Authors: Hagberg Katrina Wilcox , Sahasrabuddhe Vikrant V. , McGlynn Katherine A. , Jick Susan S. 
Published: February 2016

Study ObjectiveIt has been suggested that use of the antihypertensive drugs angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and β‐blockers may decrease the risk of primary liver cancer; thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate whether use of ACE inhibitors and/or β‐blockers is associated with a lower risk of liver cancer.DesignNested case–control study.Data SourceUnited Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink.PatientsWe identified 490 cases with hypertension and a first‐time (incident) diagnosis of primary liver cancer between 1988 and 2011. To account for an induction period, the index date was defined as the date of the first recorded liver cancer diagnosis minus 1 year. Controls were selected from patients with hypertension in the CPRD during the study period with a recorded diagnosis of hypertension who had no diagnosis of liver cancer and were free of any other cancer (except nonmelanoma skin cancer) before the index date; they were matched up to a 4:1 ratio to cases based on index date (same index date as that of their matched case), age (same year of birth), sex, general practice, and number of years of recorded history in the CPRD before the index date (1909 controls). Both cases and controls were required to have at least 2 years of recorded activity in the database before the index date.Measurements and Main ResultsExposure was defined as receipt of two or more prescriptions for ACE inhibitors and/or β‐blockers before the index date; the reference group was nonuse (0–1 prescription) of ACE or β‐blocker prescriptions before the index date. We also examined the effect of duration of use and, separately, the effect of individual drugs within each medication class on risk of liver cancer, and conducted analyses restricted to patients without liver disease or diabetes mellitus. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). No association was found between use of ACE inhibitors and/or β‐blockers and the risk of liver cancer compared with nonuse (adjusted OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.85–1.55). No significant differences were noted in risk by duration of use or by individual drugs, or after restricting the analyses to patients without diabetes or liver disease.ConclusionUse of ACE inhibitors and/or β‐blockers was not associated with reduced risk of primary liver cancer compared with nonuse of these drugs in persons with hypertension.
Combustion of Boron Particles in Premixed Methane/Air Flames
Authors: Veith Jan , Pfitzner Michael 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBecause of its high energy density, boron particles have been a subject of interest for the use as propellant in propulsion systems for many years. A cheap and fast opportunity to investigate multiphase reacting flows in such systems is offered by numerical simulations. Therefore, a detailed knowledge of the chemistry and kinetics of boron combustion in different gaseous surroundings is required. The main topic of this contribution is the experimental investigation of the influence of the equivalence ratio of reacting methane‐air mixtures on the combustion time of boron particles. Additionally, numerical calculations were performed using a combustion model proposed by Yeh et al. [1] and modified by Hussmann et al. [2, 3]. The experimental results show that for small particles there exists an optimal stoichiometry, at which the combustion time of boron particles is minimized. High equivalence ratios yield larger burning times because of a low concentration of oxygen. Low equivalence ratios are accompanied by low flame temperatures also leading to large burning times, because of a slow reactive evaporation of the boron‐oxide layer. With increasing particle size the burning process is dominated by the evaporation process. Numerical results are in a good agreement with the experiments for small particles. For larger particles, the predicted burning time is too high due to the fact that boron particles cannot be treated as a sphere as assumed in the original model. By implementing a sphericity factor good agreement with the experiments can be achieved.
Emerging pests and diseases of South‐east Asian cassava: a comprehensive evaluation of geographic priorities, management options and research needs
Authors: Graziosi Ignazio , Minato Nami , Alvarez Elizabeth , Ngo Dung Tien , Hoat Trinh Xuan , Aye Tin Maung , Pardo Juan Manuel , Wongtiem Prapit , Wyckhuys Kris AG 
Published: February 2016

AbstractCassava is a major staple, bio‐energy and industrial crop in many parts of the developing world. In Southeast Asia, cassava is grown on >4 million ha by nearly 8 million (small‐scale) farming households, under (climatic, biophysical) conditions that often prove unsuitable for many other crops. WhileSEAsian cassava has been virtually free of phytosanitary constraints for most of its history, a complex of invasive arthropod pests and plant diseases has recently come to affect local crops. We describe results from a region‐wide monitoring effort in the 2014 dry season, covering 429 fields across five countries. We present geographic distribution and field‐level incidence of the most prominent pest and disease invaders, introduce readily‐available management options and research needs. Monitoring work reveals that several exotic mealybug and (red) mite species have effectively colonisedSEAsia's main cassava‐growing areas, occurring in respectively 70% and 54% of fields, at average field‐level incidence of 27 ± 2% and 16 ± 2%. Cassava witches broom (CWB), a systemic phytoplasma disease, was reported from 64% of plots, at incidence levels of 32 ± 2%. Although all main pests and diseases are non‐natives, we hypothesise that accelerating intensification of cropping systems, increased climate change and variability, and deficient crop husbandry are aggravating both organism activity and crop susceptibility. Future efforts need to consolidate local capacity to tackle current (and future) pest invaders, boost detection capacity, devise locally‐appropriate integrated pest management (IPM) tactics, and transfer key concepts and technologies toSEAsia's cassava growers. Urgent action is needed to mobilise regional as well as international scientific support, to effectively tackle this phytosanitary emergency and thus safeguard the sustainability and profitability of one of Asia's key agricultural commodities. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Transnational Mobilities as a Way of Life Among Older Migrants from Southern Europe
Authors: Bolzman Claudio , Kaeser Laure , Christe Etienne 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTThis paper focuses on older Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese migrants who spent their working lives in Switzerland and explores their different forms of geographical mobility between Switzerland and their home countries. Although drawing inspiration from the transnationalism literature and the new mobilities paradigm, we do not neglect a more structural perspective that stresses the constraints endured by older migrants when they try to build mobile lives. We approach the issue of transnational mobility using mainly quantitative data from the survey Vivre–Leben–Vivere, which focuses on the living conditions and health of individuals aged 65 years and above currently living in Switzerland. Within this survey, an oversample of approximately 300 older immigrants of Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese origin aged between 65 and 79 years was conducted in Geneva and Basel. The quantitative data are complemented by material from interviews with three Spanish families living in Geneva. Our data show that to ‘settle in Switzerland’ or to return home does not imply that older immigrants' transnational mobility ceases. To some extent, it could be argued that they never really ‘settled’ and transnational mobility is a way of life that is more adapted to the duality of resources and references that they have built up during their adult life. Their geographical mobility can take different forms and is adapted to legal constraints, to family configurations, and to individual situations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optical crosstalk analysis of micro‐pixelated GaN‐based light‐emitting diodes on sapphire and Si substrates
Authors: Li K. H. , Cheung Y. F. , Tang C. W. , Zhao C. , Lau K. M. , Choi H. W. 
Published: February 2016

With the aid of depth‐resolved confocal microscopy, the optical crosstalk phenomenon in GaN‐based micro‐pixel light‐emitting diodes (μ‐LEDs) on Si substrates are thoroughly investigated and compared with its counterpart on sapphire substrate. Noticeable optical crosstalk is invariably present in GaN‐on‐sapphire devices as the thick transparent sapphires beneath the μ‐LEDs serve as optical waveguides to favor lateral propagation of the emitted light, eventually causing unwanted noise signals. μ‐LEDs adopting the GaN‐on‐Si platform can effectively suppress unwanted optical crosstalk and sustain superior performance at different injection currents, which are well‐suited for a wide range of μ‐LED applications.Light intensity maps illustrating crosstalk performances of GaN‐on‐sapphire μ‐LEDs with backsides coated with (left) Al mirror and (middle) black paint, and (right) GaN‐on‐Si μ‐LED, captured by confocal microscopy.