bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Q2Q1 integrated finite element method with the semi‐implicit consistent CSF for solving incompressible two‐phase flows with surface tension effect
Authors: Choi Sanghun , Cho Myung Hwan , Choi Hyoung Gwon , Yoo Jung Yul 
Published: October 2015

SummaryAn integrated finite element method (FEM) is proposed to simulate incompressible two‐phase flows with surface tension effects, and three different surface tension models are applied to the FEM to investigate spurious currents and temporal stability. A Q2Q1 element is adopted to solve the continuity and Navier–Stokes equations and a Q2‐iso‐Q1 to solve the level set equation. The integrated FEM solves pressure and velocity simultaneously in a strongly coupled manner; the level set function is reinitialized by adopting a direct approach using interfacial geometry information instead of solving a conventional hyperbolic‐type equation. In addition, a consistent continuum surface force (consistent CSF) model is utilized by employing the same basis function for both surface tension and pressure variables to damp out spurious currents and to estimate the accurate pressure distribution. The model is further represented as a semi‐implicit manner to improve temporal stability with an increased time step. In order to verify the accuracy and robustness of the code, the present method is applied to a few benchmark problems of the static bubble and rising bubble with large density and viscosity ratios. The Q2Q1‐integrated FEM coupled with the semi‐implicit consistent CSF demonstrates the significantly reduced spurious currents and improved temporal stability. The numerical results are in good qualitative and quantitative agreements with those of the existing studies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies of Substituents Impact on the Photophysical Properties of 8‐Hydroxyquinoline Derivatives
Authors: Gao Li‐Bin , Kang Wu‐Kui , Yan Shi‐Hai , Yang Chun‐Peng 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTFive new 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives L1–L5 were synthesized and characterized by different techniques, such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), electrospray ionization mass spectra, elemental analysis, ultraviolet–visible, and photoluminescence spectra. The structure of (E)‐2‐{2‐[5‐(phenylethynyl) thiophen‐2‐yl]ethenyl}quinolin‐8‐ol (L3) was confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. In this structure, intermolecular hydrogen bonds were found between OH hydrogen donors of one monomer and the oxygen atom of the next one. Photophysical studies show that different substitutes affect the absorption wavelength and emission color.
Combining a NHS ester and glutaraldehyde improves crosslinking prior to MALDI MS analysis of intact protein complexes
Authors: Boeri Erba Elisabetta , Klein Pierre Andre , Signor Luca 
Published: October 2015

Protein complexes play pivotal roles in cellular life. Nevertheless, their characterization remains a substantial challenge. Mass spectrometry (MS) is an emerging tool to study protein assemblies, and electrospray ionization (ESI) is often used because it preserves non‐covalent interactions. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) represents an important alternative to ESI because it is more tolerant to salts and detergents (e.g. necessary in the case of membrane complex analyses). Prior to MALDI‐MS, the subunits should be crosslinked (XLed). Moreover, crosslinking (XLing) is useful when constraint distances are determined to obtain low‐resolution structural information.Here we report a novel XLing approach to study protein complexes with MALDI‐MS. We investigated two tetramers (i.e. alcohol dehydrogenase and aldolase) larger than 140 kDa at two pH values (7.2 and 8.0). We tested two different crosslinkers (XLers) (i.e. BS3 and glutaraldehyde), used separately or in combination. We utilized gentle agitation and ultracentrifugation. Our data shows that the pH influenced the XLing when using a single XLer. Combining two XLers was demonstrated to be more efficient than using a reagent alone. In particular, the combination determined a higher degree of XLing and lower mass shift. This could suggest a ranking in target amino acid availability. First residues at specific distances are linked by BS3, then glutaraldehyde binds residues that are still available at larger distances. Ultracentrifugation and gentle agitation both provide similar degrees of XLing, but the former method determined a lower mass increment resulting from redundant XLing. To conclude, we present an efficient dual XLing approach for determining mass and stoichiometry of protein assemblies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of mass spectrometric data using principal component analysis for determination of the effects of organic lakes on protein binder identification
Authors: Hrdlickova Kuckova Stepanka , Rambouskova Gabriela , Hynek Radovan , Cejnar Pavel , Oltrogge Doris , Fuchs Robert 
Published: October 2015

Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation–time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry is commonly used for the identification of proteinaceous binders and their mixtures in artworks. The determination of protein binders is based on a comparison between the m/z values of tryptic peptides in the unknown sample and a reference one (egg, casein, animal glues etc.), but this method has greater potential to study changes due to ageing and the influence of organic/inorganic components on protein identification. However, it is necessary to then carry out statistical evaluation on the obtained data. Before now, it has been complicated to routinely convert the mass spectrometric data into a statistical programme, to extract and match the appropriate peaks. Only several ‘homemade’ computer programmes without user‐friendly interfaces are available for these purposes.In this paper, we would like to present our completely new, publically available, non‐commercial software, ms‐alone and multiMS‐toolbox, for principal component analyses of MALDI‐TOF MS data for R software, and their application to the study of the influence of heterogeneous matrices (organic lakes) for protein identification. Using this new software, we determined the main factors that influence the protein analyses of artificially aged model mixtures of organic lakes and fish glue, prepared according to historical recipes that were used for book illumination, using MALDI‐TOF peptide mass mapping. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Health benefit of fucosterol from marine algae: a review
Authors: Abdul Qudeer Ahmed , Choi Ran Joo , Jung Hyun Ah , Choi Jae Sue 
Published: October 2015

AbstractSeaweeds belong to a group of marine plants known as algae, which are consumed as sea vegetables in several Asian countries. Recent studies have focused on the biological and pharmacological activities of seaweeds and their highly bioactive secondary metabolites because of their potential in the development of new pharmaceutical agents. Although several varieties of bioactive novel compounds such as phlorotannins, diterpenes and polysaccharides from seaweeds have already been well scrutinized, fucosterol as a phytosterol still needs to reinvent itself. Fucosterol (24‐ethylidene cholesterol) is a sterol that can be isolated from algae, seaweed and diatoms. Fucosterol exhibits various biological therapeutics, including anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antihyperlipidemic, antifungal, antihistaminic, anticholinergic, antiadipogenic, antiphotodamaging, anti‐osteoporotic, blood cholesterol reducing, blood vessel thrombosis preventive and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. In this review, we address some potential approaches for arbitrating novel fucosterol biologics in the medical field, focusing on the selection of personalized drug candidates and highlighting the challenges and opportunities regarding medical breakthroughs. We also highlight recent advances made in the design of this novel compound, as the significant health benefits from using these optimized applications apply to the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of an equol‐producing bacterium isolated from human faeces on isoflavone and lignan metabolism in mice
Authors: Tamura Motoi , Hori Sachiko , Nakagawa Hiroyuki , Yamauchi Satoshi , Sugahara Takuya 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDEquol is a metabolite of daidzein that is produced by intestinal microbiota. The oestrogenic activity of equol is stronger than daidzein. Equol‐producing bacteria are believed to play an important role in the gut. The rod‐shaped and Gram‐positive anaerobic equol‐producing intestinal bacterium Slackia TM‐30 was isolated from healthy human faeces and its effects on urinary phyto‐oestrogen, plasma and faecal lipids were assessed in adult mice.RESULTSThe urinary amounts of equol in urine were significantly higher in mice receiving the equol‐producing bacterium TM‐30 (BAC) group than in the control (CO) group (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the urinary amounts of daidzein, dihydrodaidzein, enterodiol, and enterolactone between the BAC and CO groups. No significant differences in the plasma lipids were observed between the two groups. The lipid content (% dry weight) in the faeces sampled on the final day of the experiment tended to be higher in the BAC group than in the CO group (P = 0.07).CONCLUSIONAdministration of equol‐producing bacterium TM‐30 affected the urinary amounts of phyto‐oestrogens and the faecal lipid contents of mice. The equol‐producing bacterium TM‐30 likely influences the metabolism of phyto‐oestrogen via changes in the gastrointestinal environment. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Selected chemical compounds in firm and mellow persimmon fruit before and after the drying process
Authors: Senica Mateja , Veberic Robert , Grabnar Jana Jurhar , Stampar Franci , Jakopic Jerneja 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDPersimmon is a seasonal fruit and only available in fresh form for a short period of each year. In addition to freezing, drying is the simplest substitute for the fresh fruit and accessible throughout the year. The effect of mellowing and drying was evaluated in ‘Tipo’ persimmon, an astringent cultivar.RESULTS‘Tipo’ firm fruit contained high levels of tannins (1.1 mg g−1 DW), which were naturally decreased to 0.2 mg g−1 DW after mellowing. The drying process greatly impacted the contents of carotenoids, total phenols, individual phenolics, tannins, organic acids, sugars and colour parameters in firm and mellow fruit. The reduction of tannins, phenolic compounds and organic acids were accompanied by the increase of sugars and carotenoids, improving the colour of the analysed samples.CONCLUSIONThese results showed that the drying process improved the quality of persimmon products and extended their shelf life. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Land Cover Transition in Northern Tanzania
Authors: Ouedraogo Issa , Barron Jennie , Tumbo Siza D. , Kahimba Frederic C. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractLand conversion in sub‐Saharan Africa has profound biophysical, ecological, political and social consequences for human well‐being and ecosystem services. Understanding the process of land cover changes and transitions is essential for good ecosystem management policy that would lead to improved agricultural production, human well‐being and ecosystems health. This study aimed to assess land cover transitions in a typical semi‐arid degraded agro‐ecosystems environment within the Pangani river basin in northern Tanzania. Three Landsat images spanning over 30 years were used to detect random and systematic patterns of land cover transition in a landscape dominated by crop and livestock farming. Results revealed that current land cover transition is driven by a systematic process of change dominated by the following: (i) transition from degraded land to sparse bushland (10·8%); (ii) conversion from sparse bushland to dense bushland in lowland areas (6·0%); (iii) conversion from bushland to forest (4·8%); and (iv) conversion from dense bushland to cropland in the highlands (4·5%). Agricultural lands under water harvesting technology adoption show a high degree of persistence (60–80%) between time slices. This suggests that there is a trend in land‐use change towards vegetation improvement in the catchment with a continuous increase in the adoption of water harvesting technologies for crop and livestock farming. This can be interpreted as a sign of agricultural intensification and vegetation regrowth in the catchment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glabridin, an isoflavan from licorice root, upregulates paraoxonase 2 expression under hyperglycemia and protects it from oxidation
Authors: Yehuda Itamar , Madar Zecharia , Leikin‐Frenkel Alicia , Szuchman‐Sapir Andrea , Magzal Faiga , Markman Gilad , Tamir Snait 
Published: October 2015

ScopeHyperglycemia is associated with oxidative stress, which accelerates cardiovascular complications. This study investigates the potential of glabridin to regulate paraoxonase 2 (PON2) levels, in vivo, and explores the glabridin protective effect on PON2 through tryptophan‐fluorescence quenching and mass spectrometry.Methods and resultsAdult mouse offspring of saturated fatty acids fed mothers, which developed hyperglycemia after exposure to a high fat diet in their adult life, had lower levels of heart PON2 mRNA and protein expression than did the control mice (64 and 26%, respectively). Glabridin supplementation significantly upregulated PON2 mRNA and protein expression in the liver (2.1‐fold and 2.6‐fold, respectively) and heart (2.5‐fold and 1.6‐fold, respectively) in these mice. In vitro studies demonstrated that the fluorescence quenching of PON2 by glabridin was a result of the formation of a glabridin–PON2 interaction. The binding constant (7.61 × 105 M−1) and the ΔG (–33.55kJ/mol) indicated that this interaction was driven by a hydrophobic force, which confers protection against CuSO4‐induced PON2 oxidation.ConclusionSuch results indicate that glabridin preserves the anti‐atherogenic abilities of PON2 by maintaining its levels, in vivo. The glabridin–PON2 interaction may be the mechanism by which glabridin protects PON2 from oxidation, thus contributing to the protection of PON2 activity in hyperglycemia.
The Learning Process and Technological Change in Wind Power: Evidence from China's CDM Wind Projects
Authors: Tang Tian , Popp David 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a project‐based carbon trade mechanism that subsidizes the users of climate‐friendly technologies and encourages technology transfer. The CDM has provided financial support for a large share of Chinese wind projects since 2002. Using pooled cross‐sectional data of 486 registered CDM wind projects in China from 2002 to 2009, we examine the determinants of technological change in wind power from a learning perspective. We use a spatial error model to estimate the effects of different channels of learning—learning through R&D in wind turbine manufacturing, learning from a firm's previous wind project experience, spillovers from industry‐wide project experience, and learning through the network interaction between project developer and turbine manufacturer—on technological change, measured as reductions in projected costs or as increased capacity factor across CDM wind projects. While we find that a project developer's previous experience matters, interactions between a wind project developer and its partner foreign turbine manufacturer lead to the largest cost reductions and capacity factor improvement. We also find that spillovers from industry‐wide experience only exist for wind farm installation. The evidence of industry‐wide spillovers and the joint learning within partnerships between project developers and foreign turbine manufacturers supports the subsidies to users of wind technologies, and policy regimes that promote international collaboration and technology transfer.
Model systems of human papillomavirus‐associated disease
Authors: Doorbar John 
Published: October 2015

AbstractHuman papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause a range of serious diseases, including the vast majority of cervical cancers, most anal cancers and around half of head and neck cancers. They are also responsible for troublesome benign epithelial lesions, including genital warts and laryngeal papillomas, and in some individuals HPVs lead to recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and other difficult‐to‐manage diseases. As a result, there is a great need for model systems that accurately mimic papillomavirus infections in humans. This is complicated by the diverse variety of HPVs, which now number over 200 types, and the different strategies they have evolved to persist in the population. The most well‐developed models involve the culture of HPV‐containing keratinocytes in organotypic raft culture, an approach which appears to accurately mimic the life cycle of several of the high‐risk cancer‐associated HPV types. Included amongst these are HPV16 and 18, which cause the majority of cervical cancers. The low‐risk HPV types persist less well in tissue‐culture models, and our ability to study the productive life cycle of these viruses is more limited. Although ongoing research is likely to improve this situation, animal models of papillomavirus disease can provide considerable basic information as to how lesions form, regress and can be controlled by the immune system. The best studied are cottontail rabbit papillomavirus, rabbit oral papillomavirus and, more recently, mouse papillomavirus (MmuPV), the last of which is providing exciting new insights into viral tropisms and immune control. In addition, transgenic models of disease have helped us to understand the consequences of persistent viral gene expression and the importance of co‐factors such as hormones and UV irradiation in the development of neoplasia and cancer. It is hoped that such disease models will eventually lead us to better understanding and better treatments for human disease. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Models of endometriosis and their utility in studying progression to ovarian clear cell carcinoma
Authors: King Claire M , Barbara Cynthia , Prentice Andrew , Brenton James D , Charnock‐Jones D Stephen 
Published: October 2015

AbstractEndometriosis is a common benign gynaecological condition affecting at least 10% of women of childbearing age and is characterized by pain – frequently debilitating. Although the exact prevalence is unknown, the economic burden is substantial (∼$50 billion a year in the USA alone) and it is associated with considerable morbidity. The development of endometriosis is inextricably linked to the process of menstruation and thus the models that best recapitulate the human disease are in menstruating non‐human primates. However, the use of these animals is ethically challenging and very expensive. A variety of models in laboratory animals have been developed and the most recent are based on generating menstrual‐like endometrial tissue that can be transferred to a recipient animal. These models are genetically manipulable and facilitate precise mechanistic studies. In addition, these models can be used to study malignant transformation in epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Epidemiological and molecular evidence indicates that endometriosis is the most plausible precursor of both clear cell and endometrioid ovarian cancer (OCCA and OEA, respectively). While this progression is rare, understanding the underlying mechanisms of transformation may offer new strategies for prevention and therapy. Our ability to pursue this is highly dependent on improved animal models but the current transgenic models, which genetically modify the ovarian surface epithelium and oviduct, are poor models of ectopic endometrial tissue. In this review we describe the various models of endometriosis and discuss how they may be applicable to developing our mechanistic understanding of OCCA and OEA. © 2015 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Benefit–Risk Assessment, Communication, and Evaluation (BRACE) throughout the life cycle of therapeutic products: overall perspective and role of the pharmacoepidemiologist
Authors: Radawski Christine , Morrato Elaine , Hornbuckle Kenneth , Bahri Priya , Smith Meredith , Juhaeri Juhaeri , Mol Peter , Levitan Bennett , Huang Han‐Yao , Coplan Paul , Li Hu ,   on behalf of the BRACE Special Interest Group
Published: October 2015

AbstractPurposeOptimizing a therapeutic product's benefit–risk profile is an on‐going process throughout the product's life cycle. Different, yet related, benefit–risk assessment strategies and frameworks are being developed by various regulatory agencies, industry groups, and stakeholders. This paper summarizes current best practices and discusses the role of the pharmacoepidemiologist in these activities, taking a life‐cycle approach to integrated Benefit–Risk Assessment, Communication, and Evaluation (BRACE).MethodsA review of the medical and regulatory literature was performed for the following steps involved in therapeutic benefit–risk optimization: benefit–risk evidence generation; data integration and analysis; decision making; regulatory and policy decision making; benefit–risk communication and risk minimization; and evaluation. Feedback from International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology members was solicited on the role of the pharmacoepidemiologist. The case example of natalizumab is provided to illustrate the cyclic nature of the benefit–risk optimization process.ResultsNo single, globally adopted benefit–risk assessment process exists. The BRACE heuristic offers a way to clarify research needs and to promote best practices in a cyclic and integrated manner and highlight the critical importance of cross‐disciplinary input. Its approach focuses on the integration of BRACE activities for risk minimization and optimization of the benefit–risk profile.ConclusionThe activities defined in the BRACE heuristic contribute to the optimization of the benefit–risk profile of therapeutic products in the clinical world at both the patient and population health level. With interdisciplinary collaboration, pharmacoepidemiologists are well suited for bringing in methodology expertise, relevant research, and public health perspectives into the BRACE process. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.