bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of citric acid on the properties and stability of starch‐polycaprolactone based films
Authors: Ortega‐Toro Rodrigo , Collazo‐Bigliardi Sofía , Talens Pau , Chiralt Amparo 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTThe influence of citric acid (CA) on structural and physicochemical properties of blend films based on corn starch and polycaprolactone (PCL) was studied. Films were obtained by melt blending of starch and PCL and compression molding. Phase separation of polymers observed by scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope was reduced by CA incorporation. CA affected both starch and PCL crystallization as deduced from the X‐ray diffraction patterns and values of melting enthalpy. Glass transition of starch was reduced by PCL incorporation, while this occurred to a greater extent in films containing CA. Obtained results point to enhanced interactions between PCL and starch chains in films with CA, although this only quantitatively benefits the film properties at a low PCL ratio. Compounding starch with small amounts of PCL, using glycerol and CA, can supply films with better functional properties than net starch films. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 42220.
Preparation and characterization of novel chitosan‐based mixed matrix membranes resistant in alkaline media
Authors: García‐Cruz Leticia , Casado‐Coterillo Clara , Iniesta Jesús , Montiel Vicente , Irabien Ángel 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTIn this work, mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) based on chitosan (CS) and different fillers (room temperature ionic liquid [emim][OAc] (IL), metallic Sn powder, layered titanosilicate AM‐4 and layered stannosilicate UZAR‐S3) were prepared by solution casting. The room temperature electrical conductivity and electrochemical response in strong alkaline medium were measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The ionic conductivity of pure CS membranes was enhanced, from 0.070 to 0.126 mS cm−1, for the pristine CS and Sn/CS membranes, respectively, as a function of the hydrophilic nature of the membrane and the coordination state of Sn. This hydrophilic and charge nature was corroborated by water uptake measurements, where only the introduction of IL in the CS membrane led to a water uptake of 3.96 wt %, 20 or 30 times lower than the other membranes. Good thermal and chemical stability in alkaline media were observed by thermogravimetric analyses and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses, respectively, and good interaction between CS and the fillers observed by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and CV. Thus, thin CS‐based MMMs (40–139 µm), resistant in high alkaline media, show higher conductivity than pure CS membranes, especially those fillers containing tin, and although the electrochemical performance is lower than commercially available anion‐exchange membranes they have potential in pervaporation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42240.
Evaluation of typical rheological models fitting for polycarbonate squeeze flow
Authors: Cao Wei , Wang Tao , Yan Yue , Qi Yanhui , Zhang Shixun , Li Qian , Shen Changyu 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTHigh viscous polycarbonate melt exhibits some special rheological characters different from generalized Newtonian fluid during squeezing. It is necessary to evaluate whether the typical rheological models are suitable for polycarbonate squeeze. To avoid the difficult of measuring the inner melt rheological behavior directly, this study presents a method of measuring the compressing force applied on the upper disc of the rheometer to reveal the melt rheology indirectly. The finite difference method (FDM) was employed to discretize the governing equations and constitutive equations established on cylinder coordinate system and to simulate the compressing force. The experiments were carried out under four temperatures and three compressing velocities to test the validations of Leonov, Phan‐Thien–Tanner (PTT), eXtended Pom‐Pom (XPP), and Cross Williams‐Landel‐Ferry (Cross‐WLF) models. The experimental results show the unique character of compressing force evolution as ‘steep—steady—steep—steady’ pattern. Comparison between experiments and simulations reveals that both viscoelastic and viscous models can predict the two steady regions correctly, but only viscoelastic models can simulate the steep increase and decrease of the compressing force. Among the evaluated viscoelastic models, XPP is the most suitable to describe polycarbonate melt compression flow. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42279.
Alaska Airline's Kris Kutchera advocates for STEM education
Authors: Hardin Steve 
Published: April 2015

EDITOR'S SUMMARYKris Kutchera, vice president for information technology for Air Alaska Group, shared her passion for education in a plenary session at the ASIS&T 2014 Annual Meeting. Kutchera learned early that study and preparation lead to competence, and she shares her values through Air Alaska's commitment to youth and education. Her concentration in STEM subjects led her to information technology, applied to airline operations in a variety of ways from equipment weight reduction for fuel efficiency to passenger kiosks with virtual assistants and biometric finger scanning. Such innovative changes rise from understanding of business drivers and goals. Alaska Airlines trains all personnel in business basics and seeks out those with leadership and technical skills. Kutchera applauded ASIS&T members for promoting education that puts knowledge and information in action in STEM careers.
Intensive care admission of cancer patients: a comparative analysis
Authors: Bos Monique M. E. M. , Verburg Ilona W. M. , Dumaij Ineke , Stouthard Jacqueline , Nortier Johannes W. R. , Richel Dick , van der Zwan Eric P.A. , de Keizer Nicolette F. , de Jonge Evert 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study was to obtain insight into which proportion of cancer patients is admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and how their survival, demographic, and clinical characteristics relate to cancer patients not admitted to the ICU. Data from patients registered with cancer between 2006 and 2011 in four hospitals in the Netherlands were linked to the Dutch National Intensive Care Evaluation registry. About 36,860 patients with cancer were identified, of whom 2,374 (6.4%) were admitted to the ICU. Fifty‐six percent of ICU admissions were after surgery, whereas 44% were for medical reasons. The risk for ICU admission was highest among cancer patients treated with surgery either alone or combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Only 80 of 1,073 medical ICU admissions (3.3%) were for cancer‐specific reasons. Although more women (54.0%) than men were registered with cancer, the proportion of male cancer patients admitted to an ICU was much higher (9.3 vs. 4.0%, P < 0.001). Five‐year survival of cancer patients admitted to the ICU was substantial (41%) although median survival was much lower (1,104 days) than in patients not admitted to the ICU (median survival time not reached, P < 0.001). These results show that one out of 16 cancer patients was admitted to an ICU and that ICU support for this group should not be considered futile.
Prognostic factors and sites of metastasis in unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer
Authors: Peixoto Renata D'Alpino , Speers Caroline , McGahan Colleen E. , Renouf Daniel J. , Schaeffer David F. , Kennecke Hagen F. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractDue to differences in natural history and therapy, clinical trials of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer have recently been subdivided into unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and metastatic disease. We aimed to evaluate prognostic factors in LAPC patients who were treated with first‐line chemotherapy and describe patterns of disease progression. Patients with LAPC who initiated first‐line palliative chemotherapy, 2001–2011 at the BC Cancer Agency were included. A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify clinicopathologic variables, treatment, and subsequent sites of metastasis. Kaplan–Meier and Cox‐regression survival analyses were performed. A total of 244 patients were included in this study. For the majority of patients (94.3%), first‐line therapy was single‐agent gemcitabine. About 144 (59%) patients developed distant metastatic disease and the most frequent metastatic sites included peritoneum/omentum (42.3%), liver (41%), lungs (13.9%), and distant lymph nodes (9%). Median overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort was 11.7 months (95% CI, 10.6–12.8). Development of distant metastases was associated with significantly inferior survival (HR 3.56, 95% CI 2.57–4.93), as was ECOG 2/3 versus 0/1 (HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.28–2.23), CA 19.9 > 1000 versus ≤1000 (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.19–2.14) and female gender, (HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.19–2.08). In this population‐based study, 41% of LAPC patients treated with first‐line chemotherapy died without evidence of distant metastases. Prognostic factors for LAPC were baseline performance status, elevated CA 19.9, gender, and development of distant metastasis. Results highlight the heterogeneity of LAPC and the importance of locoregional tumor control.
Corticalization of motor control in humans is a consequence of brain scaling in primate evolution
Authors: Herculano‐Houzel Suzana , Kaas Jon H. , de Oliveira‐Souza Ricardo 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTControl over spinal and brainstem somatomotor neurons is exerted by two sets of descending fibers, corticospinal/pyramidal and extrapyramidal. Although in nonhuman primates the effect of bilateral pyramidal lesions is mostly limited to an impairment of the independent use of digits in skilled manual actions, similar injuries in humans result in the locked‐in syndrome, a state of mutism and quadriplegia in which communication can be established only by residual vertical eye movements. This behavioral contrast makes humans appear to be outliers compared with other primates because of our almost total dependence on the corticospinal/pyramidal system for the effectuation of movement. Here we propose, instead, that an increasing preponderance of the corticospinal/pyramidal system over motor control is an expected consequence of increasing brain size in primates because of the faster scaling of the number of neurons in the primary motor cortex over the brainstem and spinal cord motor neuron pools, explaining the apparent uniqueness of the corticalization of motor control in humans. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:448–455, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Using cytochrome P4501A1 expression in liver and blubber to understand effects of persistent organic pollutant exposure in stranded Pacific Island cetaceans
Authors: Bachman Melannie J. , Foltz Kerry M. , Lynch Jennifer M. , West Kristi L. , Jensen Brenda A. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Elevated levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been reported in tropical Pacific Island cetaceans and their environment. In addition, recent health concerns in cetacean populations have warranted investigation into potential physiological effects from POP exposure for this region. Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) is a candidate for examining such effects. This well-studied biomarker of exposure and effect was examined in stranded cetacean liver using immunoblot (n = 39, 16 species) and blubber using immunohistochemistry (n = 23, 10 species). Paired tissue samples allowed for CYP1A1 comparisons not only between species but also within each individual animal to examine differences between tissue types. Liver CYP1A1 expression correlated positively and significantly with blubber concentrations of all POP categories (n = 39, p &lt; 0.050) except octachlorostyrene and pentachlorobenzene (p &gt; 0.100). Among Stenella species, liver CYP1A1 tissue expression was correlated negatively with the sum of all blubber layer endothelial cell CYP1A1 expression (n = 14, p = 0.049). Overall, elevated expression of liver CYP1A1 confirms its use as a biomarker of POP exposure to cetaceans stranded in the tropical Pacific basin. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1989–1995. © 2015 SETAC
Ecotoxicity of bare and coated silver nanoparticles in the aquatic midge, Chironomus riparius
Authors: Park Sun-Young , Chung Jiwoong , Colman Benjamin P. , Matson Cole W. , Kim Younghun , Lee Byung-Cheon , Kim Phil-Je , Choi Kyunghee , Choi Jinhee 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Although sediment is generally considered to be the major sink for nanomaterials in aquatic environments, few studies have addressed the ecotoxicity of nanomaterials in the presence of sediment. In the present study, the ecotoxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with a range of organic coatings was examined in a freshwater sediment-dwelling organism, Chironomus riparius, using acute and chronic ecotoxicity endpoints, including molecular indicators. The toxicity of AgNPs coated with different organic materials, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum arabic, and citrate, to C. riparius was compared with that of bare-AgNPs and AgNO3 (ionic silver). Total silver concentration was also measured to monitor the behavior of the AgNPs in water and sediment and to determine how ion dissolution affects the toxicity of all AgNPs. The coated- and bare-AgNPs caused DNA damage and oxidative stress-related gene expression. In addition, the bare-AgNPs and AgNO3 had a significant effect on development and reproduction. The surface coatings generally mitigated the toxicity of AgNPs to C. riparius, which can be explained by the reduced number of ions released from coated-AgNPs. Citrate-AgNPs caused the most significant alteration at the molecular level, but this did not translate to higher-level effects. Finally, comparing previously conducted studies on AgNP-induced gene expression without sediments, the authors show that the presence of sediment appears to mitigate the toxicity of AgNPs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:2023–2032. © 2015 SETAC
Routes of uptake of diclofenac, fluoxetine, and triclosan into sediment-dwelling worms
Authors: Karlsson Maja V. , Marshall Stuart , Gouin Todd , Boxall Alistair B.A. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

The present study investigated the route and degree of uptake of 2 ionizable pharmaceuticals (diclofenac and fluoxetine) and 1 ionizable compound used in personal care products (triclosan) into the sediment-dwelling worm Lumbriculus variegatus. Studies were done on complete worms (“feeding”) and worms where the head was absent (“nonfeeding”) using 14C-labeled ingredients. Biota sediment accumulation factors (BSAF), based on uptake of 14C, for feeding worms increased in the order fluoxetine (0.3) &lt; diclofenac (0.5) &lt; triclosan (9), which is correlated with a corresponding increase in log octanol–water partition coefficient. Biota sediment accumulation factor estimates are representative of maximum values because the degree of biotransformation in the worms was not quantified. Although no significant differences were seen between the uptake of diclofenac and that of fluoxetine in feeding and nonfeeding worms, uptake of the more hydrophobic antimicrobial, triclosan, into the feeding worms was significantly greater than that in the nonfeeding worms, with the 48-h BSAF for feeding worms being 36% higher than that for the nonfeeding worms. The results imply that dietary uptake contributes to the uptake of triclosan, which may be a result of the high hydrophobicity of the compound. Models that estimate exposure of ionizable substances may need to consider uptake from both the water column and food, particularly when assessing risks from dynamic exposures to organic contaminants. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:836–842. © 2015 SETAC
Identification of ester metabolites from petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation in groundwater using GC×GC-TOFMS
Authors: O'Reilly Kirk T. , Mohler Rachel E. , Zemo Dawn A. , Ahn Sungwoo , Tiwary Asheesh K. , Magaw Renae I. , Espino Devine Catalina , Synowiec Karen A. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

In an effort to understand the nature and toxicity of petroleum hydrocarbon degradation metabolites, 2-dimensional gas chromatography linked to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GC×GC-TOFMS) was used to conduct nontargeted analysis of the extracts of 61 groundwater samples collected from 10 fuel release sites. An unexpected result was the tentative identification of 197 unique esters. Although esters are known to be part of specific hydrocarbon degradative pathways, they are not commonly considered or evaluated in field studies of petroleum biodegradation. In addition to describing the compounds identified, the present study discusses the role for nontargeted analysis in environmental studies. Overall, the low toxicological profile of the identified esters, along with the limited potential for exposure, renders them unlikely to pose any significant health risk. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1959–1961. © 2015 The Authors. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc., on behalf of SETAC.
A meta‐analysis of neuroimaging studies on divergent thinking using activation likelihood estimation
Authors: Wu Xin , Yang Wenjing , Tong Dandan , Sun Jiangzhou , Chen Qunlin , Wei Dongtao , Zhang Qinglin , Zhang Meng , Qiu Jiang 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn this study, an activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta‐analysis was used to conduct a quantitative investigation of neuroimaging studies on divergent thinking. Based on the ALE results, the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies showed that distributed brain regions were more active under divergent thinking tasks (DTTs) than those under control tasks, but a large portion of the brain regions were deactivated. The ALE results indicated that the brain networks of the creative idea generation in DTTs may be composed of the lateral prefrontal cortex, posterior parietal cortex [such as the inferior parietal lobule (BA 40) and precuneus (BA 7)], anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) (BA 32), and several regions in the temporal cortex [such as the left middle temporal gyrus (BA 39), and left fusiform gyrus (BA 37)]. The left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA 46) was related to selecting the loosely and remotely associated concepts and organizing them into creative ideas, whereas the ACC (BA 32) was related to observing and forming distant semantic associations in performing DTTs. The posterior parietal cortex may be involved in the semantic information related to the retrieval and buffering of the formed creative ideas, and several regions in the temporal cortex may be related to the stored long‐term memory. In addition, the ALE results of the structural studies showed that divergent thinking was related to the dopaminergic system (e.g., left caudate and claustrum). Based on the ALE results, both fMRI and structural MRI studies could uncover the neural basis of divergent thinking from different aspects (e.g., specific cognitive processing and stable individual difference of cognitive capability). Hum Brain Mapp 36:2703–2718, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hyperbranched polytriazine grafted reduced graphene oxide and its application
Authors: Liu Chao , Yan Hongxia , Yuan Lingxia , Chen Zhengyan , Zhang Mengmeng 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTIn this article, cyanuric chloride (CC) and hexamethylenediamine (HMD) as raw material, the grafting of hyperbranched polytriazine onto reduced graphene oxide surface (HBP‐RGO) was achieved by the repeated nucleophilic substitution between chlorine groups of CC and amino groups of HMD, respectively. The Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic, Raman, transmission electron microscopic, thermogravimetric, and atomic force microscopic analysis showed that HBP‐RGO had been successfully prepared and the HBP had a dendritic structure on the surface of RGO. And then, the HBP‐RGO was added into polystyrene (PS) and the HBP‐RGO/PS composite was prepared by solution mixing. The micro‐morphology, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity of RGO/PS and HBP‐RGO/PS composites were characterized and compared. The scanning electron microscopic analysis showed that the HBP‐RGO can uniformly disperse in PS. Meanwhile, the HBP‐RGO/PS composite showed good thermal stability and electrical conductivity, the percolation threshold of the composites is low as 0.32 vol %. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 2132–2140
The role of LARP1 in translation and beyond
Authors: Deragon Jean‐Marc , Bousquet‐Antonelli Cécile 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe LARP1 proteins form an evolutionarily homogeneous subgroup of the eukaryotic superfamily of La‐Motif (LAM) containing factors. Members of the LARP1 family are found in most protists, fungi, plants, and animals. We review here evidence suggesting that LARP1 are key versatile messenger RNA (mRNA)‐binding proteins involved in regulating important biological processes such as gametogenesis, embryogenesis, sex determination, and cell division in animals, as well as acclimation to stress in yeasts and plants. LARP1 proteins perform all these essential tasks likely by binding to key mRNAs and regulating their stability and/or translation. In human, the impact of LARP1 over cell division and proliferation is potentially under the control of the TORC1 complex. We review data suggesting that LARP1 is a direct target of this master signaling hub. TOR‐dependent LARP1 phosphorylation could specifically enhance the translation of TOP mRNAs providing a way to promote translation, growth, and proliferation. Consequently, LARP1 is found to be significantly upregulated in many malignant cell types. In plants, LARP1 was found to act as a cofactor of the heat‐induced mRNA degradation process, an essential acclimation strategy leading to the degradation of more than 4500 mRNAs coding for growth and development housekeeping functions. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the LARP1 proteins (Slf1p and Sro9p) are important, among other things, for copper resistance and oxidative stress survival. LARP1 proteins are therefore emerging as critical ancient mRNA‐binding factors that evolved common as well as specific targets and regulatory functions in all eukaryotic lineages. WIREs RNA 2015, 6:399–417. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1282This article is categorized under:

Translation > Translation Mechanisms
RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability
Targeting cancer with sesterterpenoids: the new potential antitumor drugs
Authors: Zhang Caiguo , Liu Yan 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Cancer remains a major cause of death in the world to date. A variety of anticancer drugs have been used in clinical chemotherapy, acting on the particular oncogenic abnormalities that are responsible for malignant transformation and progression. Interestingly, some of these anticancer drugs are developed from natural sources such as plants, marine organisms, and microorganisms. Over the past decades, a family of naturally occuring molecules, namely sesterterpenoids, has been isolated from different organisms and they exhibit significant potential in the inhibition of tumor cells in vitro, while the molecular targets of these compounds and their functional mechanisms are still obscure. In this review, we summarize and discuss the functions of these sesterterpenoids in the inhibition of cancer cells. Moreover, we also highlight and discuss chemical structure–activity relationships of some compounds, demonstrating their pervasiveness and importance in cancer therapy.
Cryo-electron microscopy for structural biology: current status and future perspectives
Authors: Wang HongWei 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Recently, significant technical breakthroughs in both hardware equipment and software algorithms have enabled cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to become one of the most important techniques in biological structural analysis. The technical aspects of cryo-EM define its unique advantages and the direction of development. As a rapidly emerging field, cryo-EM has benefitted from highly interdisciplinary research efforts. Here we review the current status of cryo-EM in the context of structural biology and discuss the technical challenges. It may eventually merge structural and cell biology at multiple scales.