bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simulation of an Air‐to‐Water Heat Pump System to Evaluate the Impact of Demand‐Side‐Management Measures on Efficiency and Load‐Shifting Potential
Authors: Miara Marek , Günther Danny , Leitner Zaphod L. , Wapler Jeannette 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIncreasing variable renewable electricity generation in Germany challenges the German electricity supply in terms of mismatch between supply and demand as well as grid stability. Demand side management (DSM), a portfolio of measures to improve the energy system on the consumption side, can contribute to the ability to cope with the upcoming challenges in the future smart power grid.1 Currently, over 500 000 electrical compression heat pumps (HP) provide a potential for DSM in Germany.2, 3, 4 Whereas static load shedding for heat pumps is state‐of‐the‐art, concepts for dynamic load shifting still need to be developed. A variety of heat pump systems (HPS) and control strategies provide different potentials to shift loads. This simulation study has been performed to examine variations of a typical single‐family‐house HPS in terms of efficiency and DSM potential. Six scenarios for 2012 and six scenarios for 2030 are analyzed with varying buffer storage sizes, control strategies, and heat pump capacities. The prior condition for the realization of load shifting through thermal energy storage has been to prevent nominal room temperature changes. The presented results indicate that electrical heat pumps combined with buffer storage are suitable devices for DSM without violating the nominal room temperature. However, the load shifting caused an increased electricity consumption of up to 19 %.
Effects of triclocarban, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, and a mixture of pharmaceuticals and personal care products on fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)
Authors: Zenobio Jenny E. , Sanchez Brian C. , Archuleta Laura C. , Sepulveda Maria S. 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have been detected widely in aquatic ecosystems, but little is known about their mechanisms of toxicity. We exposed adult fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) for 48 h to triclocarban (1.4 µg/L), N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET; 0.6 µg/L), or a mixture of PPCPs consisting of atenolol (1.5 µg/L), caffeine (0.25 µg/L), diphenhydramine (0.1 µg/L), gemfibrozil (1.5 µg/L), ibuprofen (0.4 µg/L), naproxen (1.6 µg/L), triclosan (2.3 µg/L), progesterone (0.2 µg/L), triclocarban (1.4 µg/L), and DEET (0.6 µg/L). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed an upregulation in vitellogenin (vtg) in livers of females and males exposed to triclocarban. Also, an upregulation of hepatic lipoprotein lipase (lpl) and a downregulation of androgen receptor (ar) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (star) were observed in testes. The group treated with DEET only showed a significant decrease in ar in females. In contrast, the PPCP mixture downregulated vtg in females and males and expression of estrogen receptor alpha (erα), star, and thyroid hormone receptor alpha 1 (thra1) in testes. The authors' results show that the molecular estrogenic effects of triclocarban are eliminated (males) or reversed (females) when dosed in conjunction with several other PPCP, once again demonstrating that results from single exposures could be vastly different from those observed with mixtures. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:910–919. © 2013 SETAC
Chemical characterization of Brickellia cavanillesii (Asteraceae) using gas chromatographic methods
Authors: Eshiet Etetor R. , Zhu Jinqiu , Anderson Todd A. , Smith Ernest E. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractA methanol extract of lyophilized Brickellia cavanillesii was quantitatively analyzed using gas chromatographic (GC) techniques. The chromatographic methods employed were (i) GC‐flame ionization detector (GC‐FID), (ii) GC‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), and (iii) purge and trap GC‐MS (P&T GC‐MS). Thirteen compounds were identified with a quality match of 90% and above using GC‐MS. The compounds were (1) Cyclohexene, 6‐ethenyl‐6‐methyl‐1‐(1‐methylethyl)‐3‐(1‐methylethylidene)‐, (S)‐; (2) Bicylo (2.2.1) heptan‐2‐one, 1, 7, 7‐trimethyl‐(1S, 4S)‐; (3) Phenol, 2‐methoxy‐4‐(1‐propenyl)‐; (4) Benzene, 1‐(1, 5‐dimethyl‐4‐hexenyl)‐4‐methyl‐; (5) Naphthalene, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8a‐hexahydro4, 7‐dimethyl‐1‐1‐(1‐methylethyl)‐, (1S‐cis)‐; (6) Phenol, 2‐methoxy‐; (7) Benzaldehyde, 3‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxy‐; (8) 11, 13‐Eicosadienoic acid, methyl ester; (9) 2‐Furancarboxaldehyde, 5‐methyl‐; (10) Maltol; (11) Phenol; (12) Hydroquinone; (13) 1H‐Indene, 1‐ethylideneoctahydro‐7a‐methyl‐, (1E, 3a.alpha, 7a.beta.). Other compounds (14) 3‐methyl butanal; (15) (D)‐Limonene; (16) 1‐methyl‐4‐(1‐methyl ethyl) benzene; (17) Butanoic acid methyl ester; (18) 2‐methyl propanal; (19) 2‐butanone; (20) 2‐pentanone; and (21) 2‐methyl butane were also identified when P&T GC‐MS was performed. Of the 21 compounds identified, 12 were validated using chemical standards. The identified compounds were found to be terpenes, derivatives of terpenes, esters, ketones, aldehydes, and phenol‐derived aromatic compounds; these are the primary constituents of the essential oils of many plants and flowers.
In Vivo Analysis of Arg-Gly-Asp Sequence/Integrin α5β1-Mediated Signal Involvement in Embryonic Enchondral Ossification by Exo Utero Development System
Authors: Inoue Takayuki , Hashimoto Ryuju , Matsumoto Akihiro , Jahan Esrat , Rafiq Ashiq Mahmood , Udagawa Jun , Hatta Toshihisa , Otani Hiroki 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACT

Enchondral ossification is a fundamental mechanism for longitudinal bone growth during vertebrate development. In vitro studies suggested that functional blockade with RGD peptides or with an antibody that interferes with integrin α5β1–ligand interactions inhibited pre-hypertrophic chondrocyte differentiation. The purpose of this study is to elucidate in vivo the roles of the integrin α5β1-mediated signal through the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence in the cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) interaction in embryonic enchondral ossification by an exo utero development system. We injected Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) peptides and anti-integrin α5β1 antibody (α5β1 ab) in the upper limbs of mouse embryos at embryonic day (E) 15.5 (RGDS-injected limbs, α5β1 ab-injected limbs), and compared the effects on enchondral ossification with those found in the control limbs (Arg-Gly-Glu-Ser peptide-, mouse IgG-, or vehicle-injected, and no surgery) at E16.5. In the RGDS-injected limbs, the humeri were shorter and there were fewer BrdU-positive cells than in the control limbs. The ratios of cartilage length and area to those of the humerus were higher in the RGDS-injected limbs. The ratios of type X collagen to type 2 collagen mRNA and protein (Coll X/Coll 2) were significantly lower in the RGDS-injected limbs. In those limbs, TUNEL-positive cells were hardly observed, and the ratios of fractin to the Coll X/Coll 2 ratio were lower than in the control limbs. Furthermore, the α5β1 ab-injected limbs showed results similar to those of RGDS-injected limbs. The present in vivo study by exo utero development system showed that RGDS and α5β1 ab injection decreased chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in enchondral ossification, and suggested that the integrin α5β1-mediated ECM signal through the RGD sequence is involved in embryonic enchondral ossification. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Single‐dose pharmacokinetic studies of abiraterone acetate in men with hepatic or renal impairment
Authors: Marbury Thomas , Lawitz Eric , Stonerock Robert , Gonzalez Martha , Jiao James , Breeding Jim , Haqq Christopher , Verboven Peter , Stieltjes Hans , Yu Margaret , Molina Arturo , Acharya Milin , Chien Caly , Tran NamPhuong 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThree open‐label, single‐dose studies investigated the impact of hepatic or renal impairment on abiraterone acetate pharmacokinetics and safety/tolerability in non‐cancer patients. Patients (n = 8 each group) with mild/moderate hepatic impairment or end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), and age‐, BMI‐matched healthy controls received a single oral 1,000 mg abiraterone acetate (tablet dose); while patients (n = 8 each) with severe hepatic impairment and matched healthy controls received 125‐ and 2,000‐mg abiraterone acetate (suspension doses), respectively (systemic exposure of abiraterone acetate suspension is approximately half to that of tablet formulation). Blood was sampled at specified timepoints up to 72 or 96 hours postdose to measure plasma abiraterone concentrations. Abiraterone exposure was comparable between healthy controls and patients with mild hepatic impairment or ESRD, but increased by 4‐fold in patients with moderate hepatic impairment. Despite a 16‐fold reduction in dose, abiraterone exposure in patients with severe hepatic impairment was about 22% and 44% of the Cmax and AUC∞ of healthy controls, respectively. These results suggest that abiraterone pharmacokinetics were not changed markedly in patients with ESRD or mild hepatic impairment. However, the capacity to eliminate abiraterone was substantially compromised in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment. A single‐dose administration of abiraterone acetate was well‐tolerated.
Numerical evaluation of the correlation between the normal variation in the sagittal alignment of the lumbar spine and the spinal loads
Authors: Galbusera Fabio , Brayda‐Bruno Marco , Costa Francesco , Wilke Hans‐Joachim 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTWe present a numerical approach to reproduce various patterns of spino‐pelvic organization. We wanted to predict the spinal loads in two static conditions (standing and holding a weight in the hands) based on parameters describing the shape of the lumbar spine: type following Roussouly classification, sacral slope, apex, inflection point and lumbar lordosis. Four hundred eighty finite element models including trunk muscles and representing the entire range of normal variability were created. The models predicted that, in the case of a moderate external load of 50 N, a lordotic and well balanced spine (e.g., type 3) could reduce the muscle activation in comparison with a more lordotic (type 4) spine, with negligible differences compared to a more straight spine (type 2). However, such a sagittal configuration was not correlated with a minimization of the loading state in the intervertebral discs, especially regarding anteroposterior shear loads. In the standing posture without any additional load, a less lordotic and more vertical spine (e.g., types 1 and 2) was sufficient to ensure a condition of minimal spinal loads. Despite a number of limitations, inverse statics numerical models of spine biomechanics including trunk muscles appear to be a promising tool to fill the knowledge gap between the clinical observations of the correlations between the spino‐pelvic organization and the consequent spinal disorders. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:537–544, 2014.
Relationship between histologic response and the degree of tumor shrinkage after chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Suzuki Toshiyuki , Sadahiro Sotaro , Tanaka Akira , Okada Kazutake , Saito Gota , Kamijo Akemi , Akiba Takeshi , Kawada Shuichi 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundPreoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) significantly decreases local recurrence in advanced rectal cancer. We studied whether the degree of tumor shrinkage can be used as a predictor of histologic response.MethodsThe subjects were 114 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent total mesorectal excision after receiving radiotherapy combined with uracil/tegafur (UFT) or S‐1. The degree of tumor shrinkage based on barium enema examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were assessed before CRT and immediately before surgery.ResultsA histologic complete response (ypCR), histologic marked regression, T and N downstaging were associated with significantly higher tumor‐shrinkage rates on barium enema (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01, respectively) as well as on MRI (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, and P = 0.01, respectively). On multivariate analysis, ypCR and histologic marked regression were significantly related only to tumor‐shrinkage rates on barium enema (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively), and were not related to tumor‐shrinkage rates on MRI.ConclusionsThe degree of tumor shrinkage is closely related to the final histologic response. Two‐dimensionally evaluated tumor‐shrinkage rates based on barium enema are adequate for the prediction of histologic response. J. Surg. Oncol 2014; 109:659–664. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Population dynamics of double‐crested cormorants in two interior breeding areas
Authors: Chastant Jennifer E. , King D. Tommy , Weseloh D.V. Chip , Moore David J. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTBecause of rapid population expansion, conflicts between double‐crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) and humans have increased, particularly at aquaculture facilities in the Lower Mississippi River Valley (LMRV), United States. Although key demographic information on the Interior population is sparse, management decisions for population reduction are already in place across their breeding range. New evidence suggests the Appalachian Mountains may act as a migration divide for Interior cormorants, causing some birds to migrate between LMRV and the western Great Lakes, whereas others migrate between Florida and the eastern Great Lakes. Most of the banded cormorants recovered near LMRV aquaculture facilities were banded as nestlings at colonies from the central Great Lakes west to the northern Great Plains. We selected 2 geographically distinct Interior cormorant breeding areas: west of the Great Lakes in Lake of the Woods (LOW) and eastern Lake Ontario (ELO), located on either side of the migration divide in the province of Ontario, Canada, to study population dynamics. We used age‐specific classes for our mark‐recapture analysis (Program MARK) on data collected from 9,498 color‐banded cormorants during the breeding seasons of 2000–2008. Adult survival was the same for both areas (LOW = 0.84 ± 0.09 SE, ELO = 0.83 ± 0.05 SE). Finite rates of population growth (λ) were also similar (LOW = 1.01, ELO = 0.97) and sensitivity analyses indicated that adult survival was the most influential vital rate contributing to λ for both breeding areas. However, young‐of‐the‐year survival estimates were distinctly less in ELO (0.19 ± 0.02 SE) than in LOW (0.45 ± 0.10 SE) and sensitivity analysis revealed that young‐of‐the‐year survival played a key role in ELO population growth. Moreover, ELO breeding area fidelity (F) was much greater (0.94 ± 0.05 SE) than the F estimates for all age classes in LOW (between 0.68 ± 0.19 SE and 0.80 ± 0.13 SE). Considering these regional demographic differences, we recommend that future management efforts be based on migratory flyways within the Interior population. © 2013 The Wildlife Society
Sustainability of elephant hunting across international borders in southern Africa: A case study of the greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area
Authors: Selier Sarah‐Anne Jeanetta , Page Bruce R. , Vanak Abi Tamim , Slotow Rob 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTTrophy hunting of African elephant is often implemented as an income generator for communities surrounding protected areas. However, the sustainability of hunting on elephant populations, especially with regards to international cross‐border populations has not previously been evaluated. We assessed the effects of trophy hunting on the population dynamics and movements of elephant in the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area, which is spread across the junction of Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Currently, no common policy exits in quota setting for cross‐border species, and each country determines their own quota based on limited data. Using VORTEX, we determined the sustainability of current quotas of elephant off‐take under different ecological and hunting scenarios. We used distribution data from 6 aerial surveys and hunting data per region to determine the disturbance effect of hunting on bulls and breeding herds separately. Hunting of bulls had a direct effect in reducing bull numbers but also an indirect effect due to disturbance that resulted in movement of elephants out of the areas in which hunting occurred. The return interval was short for bulls but longer for females. Only a small number of bulls (<10/year) could be hunted sustainably. At current rates of hunting, under average ecological conditions, trophy bulls will disappear from the population in less than 10 years. We recommend a revision of the current quotas within each country for the Greater Mapungubwe elephant population, and the establishment of a single multi‐jurisdictional (cross‐border) management authority regulating the hunting of elephant and other cross‐border species. © 2013 The Wildlife Society
Tribology, surface chemistry and morphology of WS2 tribofilms generated by the ANS triboconditioning process
Authors: Zhmud Boris , Tomanik Eduardo , Xavier Fabio‐Antonio 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTTriboconditioning is a mechanochemical surface finishing process developed for improving the tribological properties of mechanical components made of steel or cast iron. The process combines elements of extreme pressure mechanical burnishing of the component surface with a tribochemical deposition of a low‐friction anti‐wear film of tungsten disulphide (WS2). This allows one to produce, in a single finishing operation, a smoother surface with a significantly reduced coefficient of boundary friction and improved wear‐resistance and load‐carrying capacity.This study presents results of tribological rig tests carried out with valve train components and cylinder bores that underwent the triboconditioning treatment. The results show significant improvement in the tribological properties of triboconditioned components. The improvement is attributed to the formation of WS2 tribofilms at the component surface and a modified surface roughness profile with reduced core roughness (Rk) and peak height (Rpk). Elemental composition of the tribofilms generated by the triboconditioning process has been studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy the surface profile of the treated components has been studied using vertical scanning interferometry and the internal structure of the tribofilms has been studied with focused ion beam–transmission electron microscope technique. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Polymer Concentration on Structure and Properties of Zwitterionic Nanocomposite Gels
Authors: Ning Jinyan , Li Guang , Haraguchi Kazutoshi 
Published: December 2013

Zwitterionic nanocomposite gels (Zw‐NC gels) composed of a zwitterionic sulfobetaine copolymer and inorganic clay (hectorite) are synthesized through the in situ free‐radical copolymerization of N,N‐dimethyl(acrylamidopropyl)ammonium propanesulfonate (90 mol%) and N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (10 mol%) with exfoliated clay platelets in an aqueous medium. The effects of polymer concentration (Cp) on the dynamic viscoelasticity, tensile mechanical properties, transparency, and the thermosensitivity with the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) of the Zw‐NC gels are investigated in the range Cp = 26–260 g L−1 and are compared with those of chemically cross‐linked zwitterionic gels. All the mechanical and thermosensitive properties strongly change depending on the type of network and Cp. The Cp‐induced changes in the polymer‐clay structure of the Zw‐NC gel are discussed based on the mechanical, optical, and thermosensitive properties, and on transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction measurements.
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Broadband Absorbing Polyporphyrin Membrane as Singlet Oxygen Photosensitizer for Photo‐oxidation
Authors: Wu Wen‐Ting , Zhan Li‐Ying , Fan Wei‐Yu , Wu Xue‐Yan , Pan Qian‐Wei , Huang Ling , Li Zhong‐Tao , Zheng Jing‐Tang , Wang Ye‐Fei , Wu Ming‐Bo 
Published: December 2013

A novel polymer membrane (TPP‐M) with strong light harvesting ability within the entire visible‐ light spectrum has been prepared, in which the meso‐tetrakis(4‐cyanophenyl) porphyrin (TPP‐1) as a functional unit is highly crosslinked through an aromatic nitrile trimerization reaction. The designed triazine framework controls the size of the π‐conjugation and retains the excellent photophysical properties of monomeric porphyrin, such as strong absorption and high singlet oxygen quantum yield. Due to these excellent photophysical properties and low solubility in common organic solvents, polyporphyrin membranes, as efficient singlet oxygen (1O2) sensitizers, could be easily recycled and reused for the photo‐oxidation of 1,5‐dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN).
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Stimuli‐Responsive Nanocomposite: Potential Injectable Embolization Agent
Authors: Chen Xiuli , Huang Lin , Sun Hao‐Jan , Cheng Stephen Z. D. , Zhu Mingqiang , Yang Guang 
Published: December 2013

Liver cancer remains a significant medical problem and one promising therapeutic approach is to embolize the tumor. One emerging embolization strategy is to use thermoresponsive materials that can be injected but gel at the tumor site. It is now reported on thermoresponsive nanocomposites generated by grafting poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) chains on bacterial cellulose nanowhiskers. Chemical and physical evidences are provided for grafting and demonstrated a sol–gel transition when the temperature is increased above 34.3 °C. Cytotoxicity test in human umbilical vein endothelial cells indicates the excellent biocompatibility of these nanocomposites for use as embolic materials. These results suggest that the nanocomposites offer appropriate properties for embolization of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Visualization of VirE2 protein translocation by the Agrobacterium type IV secretion system into host cells
Authors: Sakalis Philippe A. , van Heusden G. Paul H. , Hooykaas Paul J. J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractType IV secretion systems (T4SS) can mediate the translocation of bacterial virulence proteins into host cells. The plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens uses a T4SS to deliver a VirD2‐single stranded DNA complex as well as the virulence proteins VirD5, VirE2, VirE3, and VirF into host cells so that these become genetically transformed. Besides plant cells, yeast and fungi can efficiently be transformed by Agrobacterium. Translocation of virulence proteins by the T4SS has so far only been shown indirectly by genetic approaches. Here we report the direct visualization of VirE2 protein translocation by using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and Split GFP visualization strategies. To this end, we cocultivated Agrobacterium strains expressing VirE2 tagged with one part of a fluorescent protein with host cells expressing the complementary part, either fused to VirE2 (for BiFC) or not (Split GFP). Fluorescent filaments became visible in recipient cells 20–25 h after the start of the cocultivation indicative of VirE2 protein translocation. Evidence was obtained that filament formation was due to the association of VirE2 with the microtubuli.