bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Musculoskeletal Sonography for Evaluation of Anatomic Variations of Extensor Tendon Synovial Sheaths in the Wrist
Authors: Draghi Ferdinando , Bortolotto Chandra , Draghi Anna Guja , Gregoli Bettina 
Published: July 2015

ObjectivesThe purpose of this article is to show the anatomic variations of extensor tendon synovial sheaths in the wrist.MethodsVideos from 157 patients that were available in the electronic database were reviewed. Sonography showed involvement of 186 tendon sheaths.ResultsWe describe our center's experience with most tendon variants described in the literature and show the sonographic appearance of the most frequent ones.ConclusionsSonography is an accepted, safe, and efficient method for evaluating conditions characterized by effusion into the synovial sheaths of the wrist extensor tendons. Knowledge of anatomy and anatomic abnormalities of these sheaths is essential for diagnosis and for correct ultrasound‐guided injection therapy or, less frequently, planning a surgical approach.
Asymmetric penetration of shocked solar wind down to 400 km altitudes at Mars
Authors: Matsunaga Kazunari , Seki Kanako , Hara Takuya , Brain David A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe penetration boundary of shocked solar wind (magnetosheath) into the Martian upper atmosphere is typically located at altitudes above 800 km. However, magnetosheath plasma occasionally penetrates into low altitudes below 400 km. Here we used Mars Global Surveyor magnetic field and electron observations from April 1999 to November 2006 to investigate the magnetosheath penetration events. We identified 1145 events and found that both solar wind dynamic pressure (Pdyn) and the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) control the occurrence of the events. The magnetosheath penetration events during low Pdyn periods tend to be distributed in low latitudes of the northern hemisphere or where the crustal magnetic field is weak, while the event locations are widely distributed in terms of the latitude under high Pdyn conditions. During low Pdyn periods, a remarkable feature is that the observational probability is approximately 2.4 times larger during periods of the “away” IMF sector than during the “toward” sector. The northern hemisphere during the away sector corresponds to the upward electric field hemisphere due to the convection of draping solar wind origin magnetic flux tubes. These results thus indicate that the magnetosheath penetrations into Martian upper atmosphere more often occur in the upward electric field hemisphere than the downward hemisphere during low Pdyn periods. Large‐amplitude undulation excited by the Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability in the upward electric field hemisphere is a candidate process to cause the asymmetric penetration during low Pdyn periods. Another possibility might be the mirror‐mode instability by the asymmetric distribution of planetary pickup ions.
cFLIP overexpression in T cells in thymoma‐associated myasthenia gravis
Authors: Belharazem Djeda , Schalke Berthold , Gold Ralf , Nix Wilfred , Vitacolonna Mario , Hohenberger Peter , Roessner Eric , Schulze Torsten. J. , Saruhan‐Direskeneli Güher , Yilmaz Vuslat , Ott German , Ströbel Philipp , Marx Alexander 
Published: July 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe capacity of thymomas to generate mature CD4+ effector T cells from immature precursors inside the tumor and export them to the blood is associated with thymoma‐associated myasthenia gravis (TAMG). Why TAMG(+) thymomas generate and export more mature CD4+ T cells than MG(−) thymomas is unknown.MethodsUnfixed thymoma tissue, thymocytes derived thereof, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), T‐cell subsets and B cells were analysed using qRT‐PCR and western blotting. Survival of PBMCs was measured by MTT assay. FAS‐mediated apoptosis in PBMCs was quantified by flow cytometry. NF‐κB in PBMCs was inhibited by the NF‐κB‐Inhibitor, EF24 prior to FAS‐Ligand (FASLG) treatment for apoptosis induction.ResultsExpression levels of the apoptosis inhibitor cellular FLICE‐like inhibitory protein (c‐FLIP) in blood T cells and intratumorous thymocytes were higher in TAMG(+) than in MG(−) thymomas and non‐neoplastic thymic remnants. Thymocytes and PBMCs of TAMG patients showed nuclear NF‐κB accumulation and apoptosis resistance to FASLG stimulation that was sensitive to NF‐κB blockade. Thymoma removal reduced cFLIP expression in PBMCs.InterpretationWe conclude that thymomas induce cFLIP overexpression in thymocytes and their progeny, blood T cells. We suggest that the stronger cFLIP overexpression in TAMG(+) compared to MG(−) thymomas allows for the more efficient generation of mature CD4+ T cells in TAMG(+) thymomas. cFLIP overexpression in thymocytes and exported CD4+ T cells of patients with TAMG might contribute to the pathogenesis of TAMG by impairing central and peripheral T‐cell tolerance.
Reliability and Validity of the Psoriasis Symptom Inventory in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Wilson Hilary D. , Mutebi Alex , Revicki Dennis A. , Mease Philip J. , Genovese Mark C. , Erondu Ngozi , Nirula Ajay , Yuan Feng Jing , Viswanathan Hema N. 
Published: July 2015

ObjectiveTo evaluate the measurement properties of the Psoriasis Symptom Inventory (PSI) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).MethodsThe PSI is an 8‐item, patient‐reported outcome measure of the severity of psoriasis signs and symptoms. This was a secondary analysis of pooled data from a phase II study evaluating the efficacy of brodalumab in patients with PsA. Unidimensionality and item evaluation were assessed using factor and Rasch analyses. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha (internal consistency) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for PSI scores in patients with stable disease (test–retest). Construct validity was evaluated by correlations between PSI scores and body surface area (BSA) affected by psoriasis and selected Short Form 36 (SF‐36) health survey domains. Known‐groups validity was evaluated based on BSA severity categories, and the ability to detect change was evaluated based on improvement in the subject's global assessment (SGA).ResultsThe analysis sample (n = 154) was 93.5% white and 63.0% female. The mean ± SD baseline affected BSA was 10.4% ± 15.6%, and age was 52.2 ± 11.5 years. The PSI demonstrated unidimensionality, with good item fit and correctly ordered categories, excellent internal consistency (α = 0.95), good test–retest reliability (total score ICC 0.70; item ICCs range 0.67–0.81), convergent validity based on moderate correlations with BSA (r = 0.50), discriminant validity based on small baseline correlations (r <−0.3) with the SF‐36 domains (role‐physical, role‐emotional, vitality), known groups validity based on significant differences between BSA groups, and responsiveness based on SGA improvements (P< 0.05).ConclusionThe PSI demonstrated excellent test–retest and internal consistency reliability and good construct validity in measuring psoriasis signs and symptoms severity in PsA.
Copper‐Catalyzed Aryltrifluoromethylation of N‐Phenylcinnamamides: Access to Trifluoromethylated 3,4‐Dihydroquinolin‐2(1 H)‐ones
Authors: Wang Qiang , Han Guifang , Liu Yuxiu , Wang Qingmin 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA method for copper‐catalyzed aryltrifluoromethylation of N‐phenylcinnamamides is reported. This method provides a straightforward route to a variety of CF3‐containing 3,4‐dihydroquinolin‐2(1 H)‐ones with excellent regioselectivity and diastereoselectivity.magnified image
Shades of gray mouse lemurs: Ontogeny of female dominance and dominance‐related behaviors in a nocturnal primate
Authors: Hohenbrink Sarah , Koberstein‐Schwarz Maren , Zimmermann Elke , Radespiel Ute 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe ontogeny and establishment of dominance relationships in young individuals have been investigated in various group‐living, diurnal primates but respective information is almost entirely lacking for nocturnal, non‐gregarious species. As in many other mammals male primates often represent the dominant sex, but the opposite phenomenon (female dominance) is particularly frequent in lemurs, although almost nothing is known about its development. Therefore, we investigated the development of intersexual dominance in parallel to age‐related changes in other relevant behaviors in the gray mouse lemur, a solitary forager with female dominance. In particular, the temporal trajectories of social play, marking behavior, social tolerance, and agonistic behaviors were characterized in captive dyads of three different age categories (ACs), among juveniles (ACI: 4–5 months, N = 6), adolescents (ACII: 8–9 months, N = 8) and young adults (ACIII: 12–13 months, N = 8). Data were collected during a series of three encounter experiments between one male and one female per dyad and age category (total observation time: 49.5 hr). Play behavior was observed in all age classes, although the number of playing dyads decreased with increasing age. A significant age‐dependent increase in marking behavior was found in females, especially in substrate rubbing and urine washing, but not in males. Although conflict rates did not differ significantly between ACs, females started to win more conflicts from ACII onwards, and social tolerance decreased partly with increasing age. Clear dominance relationships were not observed in ACI and first indications of dominant females were found in ACII with an increasing number in ACIII. This study provides first information about the ontogeny of female dominance in a nocturnal primate and shows that this behavior develops relatively late during ontogeny. In conclusion, this study provides evidence for significant changes in the social lives of maturing mouse lemurs and a rather late social maturation in this species. Am. J. Primatol. 77:1158–1169, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ester‐Mediated Amide Bond Formation Driven by Wet–Dry Cycles: A Possible Path to Polypeptides on the Prebiotic Earth
Authors: Forsythe Jay G. , Yu Sheng‐Sheng , Mamajanov Irena , Grover Martha A. , Krishnamurthy Ramanarayanan , Fernández Facundo M. , Hud Nicholas V. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAlthough it is generally accepted that amino acids were present on the prebiotic Earth, the mechanism by which α‐amino acids were condensed into polypeptides before the emergence of enzymes remains unsolved. Here, we demonstrate a prebiotically plausible mechanism for peptide (amide) bond formation that is enabled by α‐hydroxy acids, which were likely present along with amino acids on the early Earth. Together, α‐hydroxy acids and α‐amino acids form depsipeptides—oligomers with a combination of ester and amide linkages—in model prebiotic reactions that are driven by wet–cool/dry–hot cycles. Through a combination of ester–amide bond exchange and ester bond hydrolysis, depsipeptides are enriched with amino acids over time. These results support a long‐standing hypothesis that peptides might have arisen from ester‐based precursors.
Modeling study of silica membrane performance for hydrogen separation
Authors: Aghaeinejad‐Meybodi Abbas , Ghasemzadeh Kamran , Babaluo Ali Akbar , Morrone Pietropaolo , Basile Angelo 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe main aim of this work is the presentation of quantitative analysis of silica membrane for hydrogen separation from methanol steam reforming products to produce high purity hydrogen. This study uses a single stage silica membrane in three different flow patterns, namely cocurrent, countercurrent and cross flow, for separation of a typical methanol steam reforming products stream. The modeling results showed that the silica membrane presents noticeable performance to produce high purity hydrogen. In particular, by considering the stage cut, it was found that the hydrogen molar fraction in the permeate side was decreased by increasing the stage cut from 0.1 to 0.65, whereas the carbon monoxide molar fraction increased for all of the flow patterns. In addition, a similar effect was observed for membrane surface area. Moreover, the retentate side pressure effect was positive on the silica membrane performance, although the improvement of silica membrane performance was not considerable for more than a pressure gradient of 3 bar. This analysis indicated that by using single stage silica membrane, 99% hydrogen molar fraction and 0.4% carbon monoxide molar fraction in the permeate side can be achieved for a pressure gradient equal to 3 bar. © 2015 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of a novel cellulose acetate imprinted membrane assisted with chitosan‐wrapped multi‐walled carbon nanotubes for selective separation of salicylic acid from industrial wastewater
Authors: Meng Minjia , He Zhihui , Yan Li , Yan Yongsheng , Sun Fengquan , Liu Yan , Liu Shijuan 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTHighly selective cellulose acetate (CA) blend imprinted membranes for salicylic acid (SA) removal were synthesized by phase inversion technique with chitosan as a functional polymer and chitosan‐wrapped multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (CHI‐wrapped MWCNTs) as the additives. The surface and cross‐sectional morphology of membranes were strongly affected by the amount of CHI‐wrapped MWCNTs. As compared to M1‐MIM, M2‐MIM, and M4‐MIM, the M3‐MIM with 2.0 wt % CHI‐wrapped MWCNTs showed higher membrane flux, faster kinetic, binding capacity and better selectivity for SA. The experimental data of adsorption kinetic were well fitted to the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model by multiple regression analysis. The M3‐MIM had the maximum adsorption capacity for SA. The selectivity coefficients of SA to p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (p‐HB) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) over M3‐MIM were 6.3090 and 6.0019, respectively, showing that M3‐MIM had excellent binding affinity and selectivity for separation of SA from SA‐contained aqueous solution. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42654.
Microstructure and multifunctional properties of liquid + polymer bicomponent structural electrolytes: Epoxy gels and porous monoliths
Authors: Gienger Edwin B. , Nguyen Phuong‐Anh T. , Chin Wai , Behler Kristopher D. , Snyder James F. , Wetzel Eric D. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTMultifunctional structural batteries and supercapacitors have the potential to improve performance and efficiency in advanced lightweight systems. A critical requirement is a structural electrolyte with superior multifunctional performance. We present here structural electrolytes prepared by the integration of liquid electrolytes with structural epoxy networks. Two distinct approaches were investigated: direct blending of an epoxy resin with a poly(ethylene‐glycol) (PEG)‐ or propylene carbonate (PC)‐based liquid electrolyte followed by in‐situ cure of the resin; and formation of a porous neat epoxy sample followed by backfill with a PC‐based electrolyte. The results show that in situ cure of the electrolytes within the epoxy network does not lead to good multifunctional performance due to a combination of plasticization of the structural network and limited percolation of the liquid network. In contrast, addition of a liquid electrolyte to a porous monolith results in both good stiffness and high ionic conductivity that approach multifunctional goals. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42681.
Epoxy/montmorillonite nanocomposites for improving aircraft radome longevity
Authors: García Carla , Fittipaldi Mauro , Grace Landon R. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTThe potential of nanoclay reinforcement to improve radome performance and longevity is quantified via a resonant technique. Epoxies used for radome applications are susceptible to environmental degradation through moisture absorption. Moisture in composite systems can degrade mechanical and dielectric properties, which is of particular concern in radome applications where low dielectric properties are crucial for maintaining radar transparency. The addition of nanoclay may prove a viable method for dielectric and structural performance improvement through moisture absorption minimization. The dielectric properties of an epoxy/montmorillonite nanocomposite are evaluated as a function of nanoclay weight percentage and moisture content using a split‐post dielectric resonator operating at 10 GHz. An increase of 25% in relative permittivity and 480% in loss tangent is observed for nanocomposites contaminated with 8.4% water by weight in the most extreme case. The addition of 2% nanoclay by weight effectively delayed a 16% degradation in relative permittivity by 760 hours. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42691.
Characterization of recycled styrene butadiene rubber ground tire rubber: Combining X‐ray fluorescence, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamical thermal analysis for quality control
Authors: Liang Huan , Rodrigue Denis , Brisson Josée 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTAppraisal of the main rubber characterization techniques for styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) was performed on standard SBR samples as well as recycled ground tire rubber (GTR) from an industrial tire recycling facility, containing a blend of SBR and natural rubber. The aim of the work was to provide additional information relevant to quality control in the field of rubber recycling. Benchmark characterization of industrial samples by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, solid‐state proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and elemental (CHNS) analysis are reported. X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry is shown to be rapid and quantitative for determining the zinc content in an industrial context. Thermogravimetric analysis, already used to determine carbon black and inorganic material content in rubbers and GTR, is recommended for determination of monomer weight ratios of SBR sources not containing other rubbers, but not for GTR. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements of the glass‐transition show that changes in monomer ratio affect glass‐transition temperature values, and therefore, DSC can be used to detect changes in rubber composition from batch to batch. These results show that DSC and X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy characterization techniques can be used for GTR and may lead to more thorough and rapid quality control procedures of these complex samples. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42692.
Preparation of zinc‐oxide‐free natural rubber nanocomposites using nanostructured magnesium oxide as cure activator
Authors: Roy Kumarjyoti , Alam Md. Najib , Mandal Swapan Kumar , Debnath Subhas Chandra 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTThe effect of sol–gel synthesized magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles as cure activator is studied for the first time in the vulcanization of natural rubber (NR) and compared with conventional zinc oxide (ZnO) in terms of cure, mechanical, and thermal properties. The NR vulcanizate with 1 phr (Parts per hundred parts of rubber) nano MgO shows an excellent improvement in the curing characteristics and the value of cure rate index is about 400% greater for NR vulcanizate containing 1 phr nano MgO in comparison to the NR vulcanizate with 5 phr conventional ZnO. Both mechanical and thermal properties of NR vulcanizate are found to be satisfactory in the presence of 1 phr nano MgO as cure activator in comparison to conventional NR vulcanizate. This study shows that only 1 phr nano MgO can successfully replace 5 phr conventional ZnO with better resulting properties in the sulfur vulcanization of NR. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42705.
Gene‐Based Meta‐Analysis of Genome‐Wide Association Study Data Identifies Independent Single‐Nucleotide Polymorphisms in ANXA6 as Being Associated With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Asian Populations
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhang Lu , Zhang Yan , Yang Jing , Guo Mengbiao , Sun Liangdan , Pan Hai‐Feng , Hirankarn Nattiya , Ying Dingge , Zeng Shuai , Lee Tsz Leung , Lau Chak Sing , Chan Tak Mao , Leung Alexander Moon Ho , Mok Chi Chiu , Wong Sik Nin , Lee Ka Wing , Ho Marco Hok Kung , Lee Pamela Pui Wah , Chung Brian Hon‐Yin , Chong Chun Yin , Wong Raymond Woon Sing , Mok Mo Yin , Wong Wilfred Hing Sang , Tong Kwok Lung , Tse Niko Kei Chiu , Li Xiang‐Pei , Avihingsanon Yingyos , Rianthavorn Pornpimol , Deekajorndej Thavatchai , Suphapeetiporn Kanya , Shotelersuk Vorasuk , Ying Shirley King Yee , Fung Samuel Ka Shun , Lai Wai Ming , Garcia‐Barceló Maria‐Mercè , Cherny Stacey S. , Sham Pak Chung , Cui Yong , Yang Sen , Ye Dong Qing , Zhang Xue‐Jun , Lau Yu Lung , Yang Wanling 
Published: July 2015

ObjectivePrevious genome‐wide association studies (GWAS), which were mainly based on single‐variant analysis, have identified many systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility loci. However, the genetic architecture of this complex disease is far from being understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether using a gene‐based analysis may help to identify novel loci, by considering global evidence of association from a gene or a genomic region rather than focusing on evidence for individual variants.MethodsBased on the results of a meta‐analysis of 2 GWAS of SLE conducted in 2 Asian cohorts, we performed an in‐depth gene‐based analysis followed by replication in a total of 4,626 patients and 7,466 control subjects of Asian ancestry. Differential allelic expression was measured by pyrosequencing.ResultsMore than one‐half of the reported SLE susceptibility loci showed evidence of independent effects, and this finding is important for understanding the mechanisms of association and explaining disease heritability. ANXA6 was detected as a novel SLE susceptibility gene, with several single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) contributing independently to the association with disease. The risk allele of rs11960458 correlated significantly with increased expression of ANXA6 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from heterozygous healthy control subjects. Several other associated SNPs may also regulate ANXA6 expression, according to data obtained from public databases. Higher expression of ANXA6 in patients with SLE was also reported previously.ConclusionOur study demonstrated the merit of using gene‐based analysis to identify novel susceptibility loci, especially those with independent effects, and also demonstrated the widespread presence of loci with independent effects in SLE susceptibility genes.
Engineering of alanine dehydrogenase from Bacillus subtilis for novel cofactor specificity
Authors: Lerchner Alexandra , Jarasch Alexander , Skerra Arne 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe l‐alanine dehydrogenase of Bacillus subtilis (BasAlaDH), which is strictly dependent on NADH as redox cofactor, efficiently catalyzes the reductive amination of pyruvate to l‐alanine using ammonia as amino group donor. To enable application of BasAlaDH as regenerating enzyme in coupled reactions with NADPH‐dependent alcohol dehydrogenases, we alterated its cofactor specificity from NADH to NADPH via protein engineering. By introducing two amino acid exchanges, D196A and L197R, high catalytic efficiency for NADPH was achieved, with kcat/KM = 54.1 µM−1 Min−1 (KM = 32 ± 3 µM; kcat = 1,730 ± 39 Min−1), almost the same as the wild‐type enzyme for NADH (kcat/KM = 59.9 µM−1 Min−1; KM = 14 ± 2 µM; kcat = 838 ± 21 Min−1). Conversely, recognition of NADH was much diminished in the mutated enzyme (kcat/KM = 3 µM−1 Min−1). BasAlaDH(D196A/L197R) was applied in a coupled oxidation/transamination reaction of the chiral dicyclic dialcohol isosorbide to its diamines, catalyzed by Ralstonia sp. alcohol dehydrogenase and Paracoccus denitrificans ω‐aminotransferase, thus allowing recycling of the two cosubstrates NADP+ and l‐Ala. An excellent cofactor regeneration with recycling factors of 33 for NADP+ and 13 for l‐Ala was observed with the engineered BasAlaDH in a small‐scale biocatalysis experiment. This opens a biocatalytic route to novel building blocks for industrial high‐performance polymers.