bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid analysis of Δ‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol in hair using direct analysis in real time ambient ionization orbitrap mass spectrometry
Authors: Duvivier Wilco F. , van Beek Teris A. , Pennings Ed J. M. , Nielen Michel W. F. 
Published: February 2014

RATIONALEForensic hair analysis methods are laborious, time‐consuming and provide only a rough retrospective estimate of the time of drug intake. Recently, hair imaging methods using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS) were reported, but these methods require the application of MALDI matrix and are performed under vacuum. Direct analysis of entire locks of hair without any sample pretreatment and with improved spatial resolution would thus address a need.METHODSHair samples were attached to stainless steel mesh screens and scanned in the X‐direction using direct analysis in real time (DART) ambient ionization orbitrap MS. The DART gas temperature and the accuracy of the probed hair zone were optimized using Δ‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as a model compound. Since external contamination is a major issue in forensic hair analysis, sub‐samples were measured before and after dichloromethane decontamination.RESULTSThe relative intensity of the THC signal in spiked blank hair versus that of quinine as the internal standard showed good reproducibility (26% RSD) and linearity of the method (R2 = 0.991). With the DART hair scan THC could be detected in hair samples from different chronic cannabis users. The presence of THC was confirmed by quantitative liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Zones with different THC content could be clearly distinguished, indicating that the method might be used for retrospective timeline assessments. Detection of THC in decontaminated drug user hair showed that the DART hair scan not only probes THC on the surface of hair, but penetrates deeply enough to measure incorporated THC.CONCLUSIONSA new approach in forensic hair analysis has been developed by probing complete locks of hair using DART‐MS. Longitudinal scanning enables detection of incorporated compounds and can be used as pre‐screening for THC without sample preparation. The method could also be adjusted for the analysis of other drugs of abuse. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomics study of N‐acetylcysteine response in H1N1‐infected cells by using mass spectrometry
Authors: Wu Hanzhi , Song Wenjun , Gao Xiang , Liu Ning , Wang Pui , Chen Honglin , Cai Zongwei 
Published: February 2014

RATIONALEThe pathology of A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) infection associated with the interaction of virus and its host cells is not clear. N‐Acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant as well as a premier antitoxin and immune support substance. A high dose of NAC was recently reported for a therapy of H1N1 (2009) influenza pneumonia.METHODSNAC was used as a small‐molecule organic probe to investigate the protein expression of human lung carcinoma cell line (A549) infected by influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1). Differential proteins were identified from MALDI‐TOF MS and Q‐TOF MS/MS analyses.RESULTSThe obtained results showed that NAC kept cells away from apoptosis. Virus‐infected cells were arrested in G0/G1 phase. The lowest cell population of G0/G1 phase was detected when the cells were treated by 10 mM NAC for one day. Application of MS‐based proteomics allowed the identification of the differential proteins. Software analysis showed that four proteins had close relationship.CONCLUSIONSThe results indicated that NAC as a small‐molecule probe might effect the protein expression of A549 cells infected by the H1N1 virus. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three-dimensional fractional-spin gravity
Authors: Boulanger Nicolas , Sundell Per , Valenzuela Mauricio 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Using Wigner-deformed Heisenberg oscillators, we construct 3D Chern-Simons models consisting of fractional-spin fields coupled to higher-spin gravity and internal nonabelian gauge fields. The gauge algebras consist of Lorentz-tensorial Blencowe-Vasiliev higher-spin algebras and compact internal algebras intertwined by infinite-dimensional generators in lowest-weight representations of the Lorentz algebra with fractional spin. In integer or half-integer non-unitary cases, there exist truncations to gl(ℓ, ℓ ± 1) or gl(ℓ|ℓ ± 1) models. In all non-unitary cases, the internal gauge fields can be set to zero. At the semi-classical level, the fractional-spin fields are either Grassmann even or odd. The action requires the enveloping-algebra representation of the deformed oscillators, while their Fock-space representation suffices on-shell.The project was funded in part by F.R.S.-FNRS “Ulysse” Incentive Grant for Mobility in Scientific Research.
The Optimization of the Production of Methyl Esters from Corn Oil Using Barium Hydroxide as a Heterogeneous Catalyst
Authors: Mustata Fanica , Bicu Ioan 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIn recent years, vegetable oils, as renewable raw materials, became a promising feedstock for chemicals and biodiesel production. The main products derived from oils are esters of fatty acids, especially methyl esters, obtained by their transesterification with methanol, in presence of acid or alkaline catalysts. The use of such catalysts implies the need for washing operations, which leads to environmental pollution. In the present paper, the response surface methodology based on a central composite design, has been developed to optimize the process of transesterification of corn oil. Ba(OH)2 in presence of diethyl ether was used as catalyst. A quadratic polynomial equation was obtained. It correlates the reaction parameters [methanol/oil molar ratio (xr), reaction time (xt) and catalyst concentration (xc)] with methyl esters yield. Analysis of variance analysis showed that only methanol/oil molar ratio and catalyst concentration have had the most significant influences on the conversion. The maximum methyl esters yield was obtained using the following optimum parameters: methanol/corn oil ratio of 11.32, reaction time of 118 min and catalyst concentration of 3.6 wt%.
Renewable Source Based Non‐biodegradable Polyurethane Coatings from Polyesteramide Prepared in One‐Pot Using Oleic Acid
Authors: Rajput Sandip D. , Gite Vikas V. , Mahulikar Pramod P. , Thamke Viresh R. , Kodam Kisan M. , Kuwar Anil S. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe highlight of the work was the preparation of polyesteramide in a one‐pot reaction which avoids isolation of diethanol amide as it is normally required in polyesteramide preparation. In the present work, oleic acid was reacted with diethanol amine resulting in diethanol amide which further reacted with phthalic anhydride in the same reaction vessel without isolation and purification. Therefore the reaction is a one‐pot, time‐saving and cost‐effective method as it requires minimum solvent and processing steps. In addition to this, the fatty acid used was a single fatty acid (oleic acid) that provides selective physico‐ chemical and anticorrosive properties for the resin. FT‐IR and 1H‐NMR spectroscopic studies confirmed the structure of the polyesteramide. End group analysis and molecular weight were used to calculate the stoichiometric balance of the NCO/OH ratio in the preparation of polyurethane. The prepared resin was converted to polyurethane coatings by reacting with toluene diisocyanate and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. Thermal stability, physico‐chemical and coating properties of the polyurethane coatings were investigated. The polyurethane prepared showed a non‐biodegradable nature so that it is of commercial interest and value for applications in various fields. Study of coatings was also carried out for properties like adhesion, impact resistance, pencil hardness and the bending test.
From sarcopenia to frailty: a road less traveled
Authors: Morley John E. , von Haehling Stephan , Anker Stefan D. , Vellas Bruno 
Published: February 2014

The physical frailty phenotype consists of fatigue, weight loss, and loss of muscle power. Sarcopenia has been shown to be a major cause of frailty. Six societies including SCWD published a consensus suggesting that all persons older than 70 years of age should be screened for frailty when seeing health professionals. Simple screening tests such as the FRAIL (fatigue, resistance, aerobic, illness, and loss of weight) scale can be used. It is felt that frailty can be treated by exercise (resistance and aerobic), high quality protein, vitamin D, and treatment of the common causes of fatigue. It is expected that this approach will decrease disability in older persons.
DIVIDEND OPTIMIZATION FOR A REGIME-SWITCHING DIFFUSION MODEL WITH RESTRICTED DIVIDEND RATES
Authors: Zhu Jinxia 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe consider the optimal dividend control problem to find an optimal strategy under the constraint that dividend rates is restricted such that the expected total discounted dividends are maximized for an insurance company. The evolution of the reserve is modeled by a diffusion process with drift and volatility coefficients modulated by an observable Markov chain. We consider the regime-switching threshold strategy which pays out dividends at the maximal possible rate when the current reserve is above some critical level dependent on the regime of the Markov chain at the time, and pays nothing when the reserve is below that level. We give sufficient conditions under which such type of strategy is optimal for the regime-switching model.
The Immediate Physical and Mental Health Crisis in Residents Proximal to the Evacuation Zone After Japan's Nuclear Disaster: An Observational Pilot Study
Authors: Tsubokura Masaharu , Hara Kazuo , Matsumura Tomoko , Sugimoto Amina , Nomura Shuhei , Hinata Masamitsu , Shibuya Kenji , Kami Masahiro 
Published: February 2014

AbstractObjectiveThe 2011 earthquake and Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan have had devastating effects on residents near the damaged nuclear power plant, but quantifying its effect on their health has been difficult.MethodsAmong the 564 residents of Iitate Village and Soma City who enrolled in this study, we evaluated the changes of clinical parameters in 155 participants who underwent annual health evaluations in the previous year and after the earthquake. Psychological distress was also measured by using patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9).ResultsParticipants (median age, 64 years) showed significant post-disaster increases in body weight, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and triglyceride levels. PHQ-9 scores of 10 or greater were found in 12% of the subjects, indicating that a substantial number had major depression.ConclusionsThe findings in this study showed substantial deterioration in clinical parameters related to lifestyle diseases and the presence of general psychological distress among residents living near the damaged nuclear power plant after the Fukushima Daiichi disaster. In addition to controlling the levels of radiation exposure, aggressive management of immediate physical and mental health crisis for residents may be necessary in future nuclear accidents. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1–7)
Streak instabilities in boundary layers beneath free-stream turbulence
Authors: Hack M. J. P. , Zaki T. A. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe secondary instability of boundary layer streaks is investigated by means of direct stability analysis. The base flow is computed in direct simulations of bypass transition. The random nature of the free-stream perturbations causes the formation of a spectrum of streaks inside the boundary layer, with breakdown to turbulence initiated by the amplification of localized instabilities of individual streaks. The capability of the instability analysis to predict the instabilities which are observed in the direct numerical simulation is established. Furthermore, the analysis is shown to identify the particular streaks that break down to turbulence farther downstream. Two particular configurations of streaks regularly induce the growth of these localized instabilities: low-speed streaks that are lifted towards the edge of the boundary layer, and the local overlap between high-speed and low-speed streaks inside the boundary layer. It is established that the underlying modes can be ascribed to the general classification of inner and outer modes which was introduced by Vaughan & Zaki (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 681, 2011, pp. 116–153). Statistical evaluations show that Blasius boundary layers favour the amplification of outer instabilities. Adverse pressure gradient promotes breakdown to turbulence via the inner mode.
Cooked navy and black bean diets improve biomarkers of colon health and reduce inflammation during colitis
Authors: Zhang Claire , Monk Jennifer M. , Lu Jenifer T. , Zarepoor Leila , Wu Wendy , Liu Ronghua , Pauls K. Peter , Wood Geoffrey A. , Robinson Lindsay , Tsao Rong , Power Krista A. 
Published: February 2014

Common beans contain non-digestible fermentable components (SCFA precursors) and phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids and anthocyanins) with demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. The objective of the present study was to assess the in vivo effect of cooked whole-bean flours, with differing phenolic compound levels and profiles, in a mouse model of acute colitis. C57BL/6 mice were fed a 20 % navy bean or black bean flour-containing diet or an isoenergetic basal diet (BD) for 2 weeks before the induction of experimental colitis via 7 d dextran sodium sulphate (DSS, 2 % (w/v) in the drinking-water) exposure. Compared with the BD, both bean diets increased caecal SCFA and faecal phenolic compound concentrations (P< 0·05), which coincided with both beneficial and adverse effects on colonic and systemic inflammation. On the one hand, bean diets reduced mRNA expression of colonic inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-9, IFN-γ and IL-17A) and increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 (P< 0·05), while systemically reduced circulating cytokines (IL-1β, TNFα, IFNγ, and IL-17A, P< 0·05) and DSS-induced oxidative stress. On the other hand, bean diets enhanced DSS-induced colonic damage as indicated by an increased histological injury score and apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3 and FasL mRNA expression) (P< 0·05). In conclusion, bean-containing diets exerted both beneficial and adverse effects during experimental colitis by reducing inflammatory biomarkers both locally and systemically while aggravating colonic mucosal damage. Further research is required to understand the mechanisms through which beans exert their effects on colonic inflammation and the impact on colitis severity in human subjects.
Do sleep-deprived adolescents make less-healthy food choices?
Authors: Kruger Allison K. , Reither Eric N. , Peppard Paul E. , Krueger Patrick M. , Hale Lauren 
Published: February 2014

Short sleep duration among children and adolescents has been reported to be associated with elevated BMI and other adverse health outcomes. Food choices are one proposed mechanism through which this association may occur. In the present study, we examined whether self-reported habitual sleep duration is associated with vegetable and fruit consumption and fast food consumption. Using cross-sectional data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n13 284), we estimated three nested logistic regression models for two outcome variables: daily vegetable and fruit consumption and previous week's fast food consumption. The adjusted models included demographic and social/behavioural covariates. Self-reported habitual short sleep duration ( < 7 h/night) was associated with reduced odds of vegetable and fruit consumption compared with the recommended sleep duration (>8 h/night) (OR 0·66,P <0·001), even after adjusting for demographic and social/behavioural factors (OR 0·75,P <0·001). Short sleep duration was also associated with increased odds of fast food consumption (OR 1·40,P <0·001) even after adjustment (OR 1·20,P <0·05). Food choices are significantly associated with sleep duration and may play an important role in the mediation of the association between sleep and health among adolescents.
Apomictic parthenogenesis in a parasitoid waspMeteorus pulchricornis, uncommon in the haplodiploid order Hymenoptera
Authors: Tsutsui Y. , Maeto K. , Hamaguchi K. , Isaki Y. , Takami Y. , Naito T. , Miura K. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAlthough apomixis is the most common form of parthenogenesis in diplodiploid arthropods, it is uncommon in the haplodiploid insect order Hymenoptera. We found a new type of spontaneous apomixis in the Hymenoptera, completely lacking meiosis and the expulsion of polar bodies in egg maturation division, on the thelytokous strain of a parasitoid waspMeteorus pulchricornis(Wesmael) (Braconidae, Euphorinae) on pest lepidopteran larvaeSpodoptera litura(Fabricius) (Noctuidae). The absence of the meiotic process was consistent with a non-segregation pattern in the offspring of heterozygous females, and no positive evidence was obtained for the induction of thelytoky by any bacterial symbionts. We discuss the conditions that enable the occurrence of such rare cases of apomictic thelytoky in the Hymenoptera, suggesting the significance of fixed heterosis caused by hybridization or polyploidization, symbiosis with bacterial agents, and occasional sex. Our finding will encourage further genetic studies on parasitoid wasps to use asexual lines more wisely for biological control.
Invasion rate of deer ked depends on spatiotemporal variation in host density
Authors: Meier C. M. , Bonte D. , Kaitala A. , Ovaskainen O. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractInvasive parasites are of great global concern. Understanding the factors influencing the spread of invading pest species is a first step in developing effective countermeasures. Growing empirical evidence suggests that spread rates are essentially influenced by spatiotemporal dynamics of host–parasite interactions, yet approaches modelling spread rate have typically assumed static environmental conditions. We analysed invasion history of the deer ked (Lipoptena cervi) in Finland with a diffusion–reaction model, which assumed either the movement rate, the population growth rate, or both rates may depend on spatial and temporal distribution of moose (Alces alces), the main host of deer ked. We fitted the model to the data in a Bayesian framework, and used the Bayesian information criterion to show that accounting for the variation in local moose density improved the model's ability to describe the pattern of the invasion. The highest ranked model predicted higher movement rate and growth rate of deer ked with increasing moose density. Our results suggest that the historic increase in host density has facilitated the spread of the deer ked. Our approach illustrates how information about the ecology of an invasive species can be extracted from the spatial pattern of spread even with rather limited data.
Effects of plant availability on population size and dynamics of an insect community: diamondback moth and two of its parasitoids
Authors: Soufbaf M. , Fathipour Y. , Karimzadeh J. , Zalucki M.P. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractTo understand the effect of plant availability/structure on the population size and dynamics of insects, a specialist herbivore in the presence of two of its parasitoids was studied in four replicated time-series experiments with high and low plant availabilities; under the latter condition, the herbivore suffered from some periods of resource limitation (starvation) and little plant-related structural refuges. Population dynamics of the parasitoidCotesia vestaliswas governed mainly by the delayed density-dependent process under both plant setups. The parasitoid,Diadegma semiclausum, under different plant availabilities and different coexistence situations (either +competitor or –competitor) showed dynamics patterns that were governed mainly by the delayed density process (significant lags at weeks 2–4). Both the competing parasitoids did not experience beneficial or costly interferences from each other in terms of their own population size when the plant resource was limited. Variation in thePlutella xylostellapopulation under limited plant availability is higher than that under the other plant setup. For both parasitoids, under limited plant setup, the extinction risk was lower when parasitoids were engaged in competition, while under the unlimited plant setup, the mentioned risk was higher when parasitoids competed. In this situation, parasitoids suffered from two forces, competition and higher escaped hosts.
Shifts in Sino-Islamic Discourse: Modelling religious authority through language and travel
Authors: PETERSEN KRISTIAN 
Published: February 2014

AbstractDuring the nineteenth century, many Sino-Muslim scholars were seeking a more robust relationship with their Arab co-religionists. The efforts of Ma Dexin 馬德新 (1794–1874) exemplify this shift to strengthen ties with the Muslim community outside China and situate Sino-Islamic scholarship in widespread Islamic discourses. Ma's writings provided Sino-Muslims with discursive and pragmatic tools for engaging a global Muslim community. For Ma, Muslim cooperation was negotiated through the means of religious education, which was enabled through travel and language. In this paper, I demonstrate how Ma Dexin modelled the importance of global connections of inter-Asian networks of religious learning by exemplifying the value of Middle Eastern travel and fluency in Arabic. I employ Ma's Chinese and Arabic written works in relation to those of Wang Daiyu 王岱輿 (circa1590–1658) and Liu Zhi 劉智 (circa1670–1724) to illustrate how he differed significantly from previous Sino-Muslim authors with regard to the use of Arabic within the Sino-Islamic intellectual tradition and in his emphatic urgings to perform the hajj pilgrimage. Finally, I briefly show how his divergent position was embraced, as exhibited through the efforts of one of his intellectual inheritors, Ma Lianyuan 馬聯元 (1841–1903).
British Raj to China's Hong Kong: The rise of madrasas for ethnic Muslim youth
Authors: HO WAI-YIP 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe madrasa, the Islamic institution of learning, has for centuries occupied a central role in the transmission of religious knowledge and the shaping of the identity of the global Muslim community (umma). This paper explores the sharp rise in the number of madrasas in contemporary Hong Kong. It examines, in particular, how South Asian Muslim youth, after receiving a modern education in a conventional day school, remain faithful to their religious tradition by spending their evenings at a madrasa studying and memorizing the Qur'an. Engaging with the stereotypical bias of Islamophobia and national security concerns regarding the ties of madrasas to Islamic terrorist movements over the last decade, this paper argues that the burgeoning South Asian madrasa networks have to be understood in the context of Hong Kong's tripartite Islamic traditions—South Asian Muslim, Chinese Hui Muslims, and Indonesian Muslims—and within each Muslim community's unique expression of Islamic piety. Furthermore, the paper also identifies factors contributing to the increase in madrasas in Hong Kong after the transition from British colonial rule to China's resumption of sovereign power in 1997.