bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrosynthesis of Highly Transparent Cobalt Oxide Water Oxidation Catalyst Films from Cobalt Aminopolycarboxylate Complexes
Authors: Bonke Shannon A. , Wiechen Mathias , Hocking Rosalie K. , Fang Xi‐Ya , Lupton David W. , MacFarlane Douglas R. , Spiccia Leone 
Published: April 2015

AbstractEfficient catalysis of water oxidation represents one of the major challenges en route to efficient sunlight‐driven water splitting. Cobalt oxides (CoOx) have been widely investigated as water oxidation catalysts, although the incorporation of these materials into photoelectrochemical devices has been hindered by a lack of transparency. Herein, the electrosynthesis of transparent CoOx catalyst films is described by utilizing cobalt(II) aminopolycarboxylate complexes as precursors to the oxide. These complexes allow control over the deposition rate and morphology to enable the production of thin, catalytic CoOx films on a conductive substrate, which can be exploited in integrated photoelectrochemical devices. Notably, under a bias of 1.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), the film deposited from [Co(NTA)(OH2)2]− (NTA=nitrilotriacetate) decreased the transmission by only 10 % at λ=500 nm, but still generated >80 % of the water oxidation current produced by a [Co(OH2)6]2+‐derived oxide film whose transmission was only 40 % at λ=500 nm.
Epoxidation of Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Organocatalytic Oxidation
Authors: Annese Cosimo , D'Accolti Lucia , Armuzza Valentina , Da Ros Tatiana , Fusco Caterina 
Published: April 2015

AbstractEven though many functionalization methodologies for covalent modification of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been proposed, mild but effective approaches are still needed. Here we describe the epoxidation of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with dioxirane for an environmentally friendly oxidation process with an organocatalyst. Thank to the choice of dioxiranes (accessible and easy to handle and to store), multiple oxidation cycles could be performed on the same sample, thus allowing for a final improvement in the degree of oxidation at the CNT sidewall. The obtained derivatives were then used as electrophilic platforms for successive modification with an amine, with a high degree of functionalization (about 750 μmol g–1 from TGA analysis) being obtained.
Omics for aquatic ecotoxicology: Control of extraneous variability to enhance the analysis of environmental effects
Authors: Simmons Denina B.D. , Benskin Jonathan P. , Cosgrove John R. , Duncker Bernard P. , Ekman Drew R. , Martyniuk Christopher J. , Sherry James P. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

There are multiple sources of biological and technical variation in a typical ecotoxicology study that may not be revealed by traditional endpoints but that become apparent in an omics dataset. As researchers increasingly apply omics technologies to environmental studies, it will be necessary to understand and control the main source(s) of variability to facilitate meaningful interpretation of such data. For instance, can variability in omics studies be addressed by changing the approach to study design and data analysis? Are there statistical methods that can be employed to correctly interpret omics data and make use of unattributed, inherent variability? The present study presents a review of experimental design and statistical considerations applicable to the use of omics methods in systems toxicology studies. In addition to highlighting potential sources that contribute to experimental variability, this review suggests strategies with which to reduce and/or control such variability so as to improve reliability, reproducibility, and ultimately the application of omics data for systems toxicology. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1693–1704. © 2015 SETAC
A Newcomer′s Guide to Peptide Crystallography
Authors: Spencer Ryan K. , Nowick James S. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractHerein we provide a guide for adapting the tools developed for protein X‐ray crystallography to study the structures and supramolecular assembly of peptides. Peptide crystallography involves selecting a suitable peptide, crystallizing the peptide, collecting X‐ray diffraction data, processing the diffraction data, determining the crystallographic phases and generating an electron density map, building and refining models, and depositing the crystallographic structure in the Protein Data Bank (PDB). Advances in technology make this process easy for a newcomer to adopt. This paper describes techniques for determining the X‐ray crystallographic structures of peptides: incorporation of amino acids containing heavy atoms for crystallographic phase determination, commercially available kits to crystallize peptides, modern techniques for X‐ray crystallographic data collection, and free user‐friendly software for data processing and producing a crystallographic structure.
Quantitative and Qualitative Changes of Bone in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Patients
Authors: Kocijan Roland , Englbrecht Matthias , Haschka Judith , Simon David , Kleyer Arnd , Finzel Stephanie , Kraus Sebastian , Resch Heinrich , Muschitz Christian , Engelke Klaus , Sticherling Michael , Rech Jürgen , Schett Georg 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by periarticular bone loss and new bone formation. Current data regarding systemic bone loss and bone mineral density (BMD) in PsA are conflicting. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone microstructure and volumetric BMD (vBMD) in patients with PsA and psoriasis. We performed HR-pQCT scans at the ultradistal and periarticular radius in 50 PsA patients, 30 psoriasis patients, and 70 healthy, age- and sex-related controls assessing trabecular bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), inhomogeneity of the trabecular network, cortical thickness (Ct.Th), and cortical porosity (Ct.Po), as well as vBMD. Trabecular BMD (Tb.BMD, p = 0.021, 12.0%), BV/TV (p = 0.020, –11.9%), and Tb.N (p = 0.035, 7.1%) were significantly decreased at the ultradistal radius and the periarticular radius in PsA patients compared to controls. In contrast, bone architecture of the ultradistal radius and periarticular radius was similar in patients with psoriasis and healthy controls. Duration of skin disease was associated with low BV/TV and Tb.N in patients with PsA. These data suggest that trabecular BMD and bone microstructure are decreased in PsA patients. The observation that duration of skin disease determines bone loss in PsA supports the concept of subclinical musculoskeletal disease in psoriasis patients. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Decreased Mechanical Strength and Collagen Content in SPARC-Null Periodontal Ligament Is Reversed by Inhibition of Transglutaminase Activity
Authors: Trombetta-eSilva Jessica , Rosset Emilie A , Hepfer R Glenn , Wright Gregory J , Baicu Catalin , Yao Hai , Bradshaw Amy D 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

The periodontal ligament (PDL) is a critical tissue that provides a physical link between the mineralized outer layer of the tooth and the alveolar bone. The PDL is composed primarily of nonmineralized fibrillar collagens. Expression of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC/osteonectin), a collagen-binding matricellular protein, has been shown to be essential for collagen homeostasis in PDL. In the absence of SPARC, PDL collagen fibers are smaller and less dense than fibers that constitute WT PDL. The aim of this study was to identify cellular mechanisms by which SPARC affected collagen fiber assembly and morphology in PDL. Cross-linking of fibrillar collagens is one parameter that is known to affect insoluble collagen incorporation and fiber morphology. Herein, the reduction in collagen fiber size and quantity in the absence of SPARC expression was shown to result in a PDL with reduced molar extraction force in comparison to that of WT mice (C57Bl/6J). Furthermore, an increase in transglutaminase activity was found in SPARC-null PDL by biochemical analyses that was supported by immunohistochemical results. Specifically, collagen I was identified as a substrate for transglutaminase in PDL and transglutaminase activity on collagen I was found to be greater in SPARC-null tissues in comparison to WT. Strikingly, inhibition of transglutaminase activity in SPARC-null PDL resulted in increases in both collagen fiber thickness and in collagen content, whereas transglutaminase inhibitors injected into WT mice resulted in increases in collagen fiber thickness only. Furthermore, PDL treated with transglutaminase inhibitors exhibited increases in molar extraction force in WT and in SPARC-null mice. Thus, SPARC is proposed to act as a critical regulator of transglutaminase activity on collagen I with implications for mechanical strength of tissues. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Glutathione Depletion Induces Spermatogonial Cell Autophagy
Authors: Mancilla Héctor , Maldonado Rodrigo , Cereceda Karina , Villarroel‐Espíndola Franz , Montes de Oca Marco , Angulo Constanza , Castro Maite A. , Slebe Juan C. , Vera Juan C. , Lavandero Sergio , Concha Ilona I. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTThe development and survival of male germ cells depend on the antioxidant capacity of the seminiferous tubule. Glutathione (GSH) plays an important role in the antioxidant defenses of the spermatogenic epithelium. Autophagy can act as a pro‐survival response during oxidative stress or nutrient deficiency. In this work, we evaluated whether autophagy is involved in spermatogonia‐type germ cell survival during severe GSH deficiency. We showed that the disruption of GSH metabolism with l‐buthionine‐(S,R)‐sulfoximine (BSO) decreased reduced (GSH), oxidized (GSSG) glutathione content, and GSH/GSSG ratio in germ cells, without altering reactive oxygen species production and cell viability, evaluated by 2′,7′‐dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence and exclusion of propidium iodide assays, respectively. Autophagy was assessed by processing the endogenous protein LC3I and observing its sub‐cellular distribution. Immunoblot and immunofluorescence analysis showed a consistent increase in LC3II and accumulation of autophagic vesicles under GSH‐depletion conditions. This condition did not show changes in the level of phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) or the ATP content. A loss in S‐glutathionylated protein pattern was also observed. However, inhibition of autophagy resulted in decreased ATP content and increased caspase‐3/7 activity in GSH‐depleted germ cells. These findings suggest that GSH deficiency triggers an AMPK‐independent induction of autophagy in germ cells as an adaptive stress response. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 2283–2292, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic Approaches To Identifying Novel Osteoporosis Drug Targets
Authors: Brommage Robert 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTDuring the past two decades effective drugs for treating osteoporosis have been developed, including anti‐resorptives inhibiting bone resorption (estrogens, the SERM raloxifene, four bisphosphonates, RANKL inhibitor denosumab) and the anabolic bone forming daily injectable peptide teriparatide. Two potential drugs (odanacatib and romosozumab) are in late stage clinical development. The most pressing unmet need is for orally active anabolic drugs. This review describes the basic biological studies involved in developing these drugs, including the animal models employed for osteoporosis drug development. The genomics revolution continues to identify potential novel osteoporosis drug targets. Studies include human GWAS studies and identification of mutant genes in subjects having abnormal bone mass, mouse QTL and gene knockouts, and gene expression studies. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that Wnt signaling plays a major role in regulating bone formation and continued study of this complex pathway is likely to lead to key discoveries. In addition to the classic Wnt signaling targets DKK1 and sclerostin, LRP4, LRP5/LRP6, SFRP4, WNT16, and NOTUM can potentially be targeted to modulate Wnt signaling. Next‐generation whole genome and exome sequencing, RNA‐sequencing and CRISPR/CAS9 gene editing are new experimental techniques contributing to understanding the genome. The International Knockout Mouse Consortium efforts to knockout and phenotype all mouse genes are poised to accelerate. Accumulating knowledge will focus attention on readily accessible databases (Big Data). Efforts are underway by the International Bone and Mineral Society to develop an annotated Skeletome database providing information on all genes directly influencing bone mass, architecture, mineralization or strength. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 2139–2145, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Understanding and managing cancer‐related weight loss and anorexia: insights from a systematic review of qualitative research
Authors: Cooper Christine , Burden Sorrel T. , Cheng Huilin , Molassiotis Alex 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study was to summarize the existing qualitative literature in order to develop the evidence base for understanding and managing weight loss and anorexia, in order to make recommendations for clinical practice. A systematic search was performed to retrieve English language studies using electronic search and manual checks of selected reference lists. Keywords included qualitative, cancer cachexia, weight loss, anorexia, appetite, malnutrition, food, eating, and drinking. The selection and appraisal of papers were undertaken by two reviewers. Twenty‐one qualitative articles were included in the review. There were three major findings emerging from the previous qualitative studies including ‘the multidimensionality of weight loss and anorexia experience’, ‘patients and caregivers' responses to coping with weight loss and anorexia’, and ‘clinical assessment and management of weight loss and anorexia’. The literature review revealed the multidimensional nature of cachexia and weight loss experience by patients and caregivers, which was not recognized and adequately managed by healthcare professionals. Future research in this area would be helpful in enabling a deeper understanding of the complexity of cachexia and weight loss experience in order to move forward to develop an optimal model of supportive care for patients and caregivers.
Development of a gluten‐free rice noodle by utilizing protein–polyphenol interaction between soy protein isolate and extract of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus
Authors: Lee Da‐Som , Kim Yang , Song Youngwoon , Lee Ji‐Hye , Lee Suyong , Yoo Sang‐Ho 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe potential of the protein–polyphenol interaction was applied to crosslinking reinforced protein networks in gluten‐free rice noodles. Specifically, inter‐component interaction between soy protein isolate and extract of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus fruit (ogaja) was examined with a view to improving its quality.RESULTSIn a components‐interacting model system, a mixture of soy protein isolate (SPI) and ogaja extract (OE) induced a drastic increase in absorbance at 660 nm by haze formation, while the major anthocyanin of ogaja, cyanidin‐3‐O‐sambubioside, sparsely interacted with SPI or gelatin. Individual or combined treatment of SPI and OE on rice dough decreased all the viscosity parameters in rapid visco analysis. However, SPI‐OE treatment significantly increased all the texture parameters of rice dough derived from Mixolab® analysis (P < 0.05). Incorporation of SPI in rice dough significantly reduced endothermic ΔH, and SPI–OE treatment further decreased this value. SPI–OE interaction significantly increased the tensile properties of cooked noodle and decreased 53.7% of cooking loss compared to the untreated rice noodle.CONCLUSIONSPI–OE treatment caused a considerable reinforcement of the network as shown by reducing cooking loss and suggested the potential for utilizing protein–polyphenol interaction for gluten‐free rice noodle production. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
The Role of Legumes in Plant Community Succession of Degraded Grasslands in Northern China
Authors: Hu Guozheng , Liu Hongyan , Yin Yi. , Song Zhaoliang 
Published: April 2015

AbstractLegume species were more and more commonly introduced to degraded grassland for human‐aided restoration. This study aimed to test whether the natural spread of legume contributes to reversal of grassland degradation through making an extensive grassland vegetation and soil survey in Inner Mongolia of China. The results showed that legume biomass increased along a gradient of soil coarsening that was also a gradient of grassland degradation. The total biomass rather than legume biomass was limited by mean annual precipitation at plot level. The presence of legumes increased species richness in degraded steppe vegetation. Constancy of intermediate and climax species of vegetation succession at sites with legumes was higher than that at sites without legumes, implying that legumes might contribute positively to the reversal of grassland degradation. Our study suggests that naturally distributed legumes could benefit the reversal of grassland degradation through promoting plant community succession rather than total plant biomass. Planting legumes would be an effective measure to accelerate the recovery process of degraded grassland with coarsened soil in regions similar to our study region. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microbial and Enzyme Activities of Saline and Sodic Soils
Authors: Singh Kripal 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSalinization and sodication are abiotic soil factors, important hazards to soil fertility and consequently affect the crop production. Soil salinization is of great concern for irrigated agriculture in arid and semi‐arid regions of the world; sodicity is characterized by an excessively high concentration of sodium (Na) in their cation exchange system. In recent times, attention has been turned to study the impacts of these factors (salinity and sodicity) on soil microbial activities. Microbial activities play central role in degradation and decomposition of soil organic matter, mineralization of nutrients and stabilization of soil aggregates. To understand the ecology of soil system, therefore, it is important to be conversant with the soil microbial activities, which show quick response to little change in the soil environment. Microbial activities (generally measured as C–N dynamics, soil respiration–basal respiration, or CO2 emission), microbial abundance, microbial biomass, quotients (microbial and metabolic) and microbial community structure, and soil enzymes have been considered as potential indicators to assess the severity of the land degradation and the effectiveness of land use management. Therefore, it is important to synthesize the available information regarding microbial activities in use and management of salt‐affected soils. The reclamation and management of such soils and their physico‐chemical properties have been reviewed well in the literature. In this review, an attempt has been made to compile the current knowledge about the effects of soil salinization and sodication on microbial and enzyme activities and identify research gaps for future research. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Failure criteria for cohesive‐frictional materials based on Mohr–Coulomb failure function
Authors: Jiang Hua 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThis study presents two three‐parameter failure criteria for cohesive‐frictional materials based on the Mohr–Coulomb failure function. One proposed failure criterion can be linked to Mogi's empirical formula and incorporates the well‐known Von‐Mises, Drucker–Prager, and Linear Mogi criteria as special cases. Another one with smooth and convex cross sections contains a general Lode dependence in the deviatoric plane and includes the Matsuoka–Nakai and Lade–Duncan Lode dependences as special cases. The effect of the intermediate principal stress on the strength of the material can be taken into account in both criteria. The proposed criteria are numerically calibrated against polyaxial data sets of many different types of rocks and concrete. The comparison results show that the performance of the proposed criteria is excellent, and the failure criterion with a general Lode dependence performs better than the other one for concrete. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A conservative embedded boundary method for an inviscid compressible flow coupled with a fragmenting structure
Authors: Puscas Maria Adela , Monasse Laurent , Ern Alexandre , Tenaud Christian , Mariotti Christian 
Published: April 2015

SummaryWe present an embedded boundary method for the interaction between an inviscid compressible flow and a fragmenting structure. The fluid is discretized using a finite volume method combining Lax–Friedrichs fluxes near the opening fractures, where the density and pressure can be very low, with high‐order monotonicity‐preserving fluxes elsewhere. The fragmenting structure is discretized using a discrete element method based on particles, and fragmentation results from breaking the links between particles. The fluid‐solid coupling is achieved by an embedded boundary method using a cut‐cell finite volume method that ensures exact conservation of mass, momentum, and energy in the fluid. A time explicit approach is used for the computation of the energy and momentum transfer between the solid and the fluid. The embedded boundary method ensures that the exchange of fluid and solid momentum and energy is balanced. Numerical results are presented for two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional fragmenting structures interacting with shocked flows. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An adaptive spectral Galerkin stochastic finite element method using variability response functions
Authors: Giovanis Dimitris G. , Papadopoulos Vissarion , Stavroulakis George 
Published: April 2015

SummaryA methodology is proposed in this paper to construct an adaptive sparse polynomial chaos (PC) expansion of the response of stochastic systems whose input parameters are independent random variables modeled as random fields. The proposed methodology utilizes the concept of variability response function in order to compute an a priori low‐cost estimate of the spatial distribution of the second‐order error of the response, as a function of the number of terms used in the truncated Karhunen–Loève (KL) expansion. This way the influence of the response variance to the spectral content (correlation structure) of the random input is taken into account through a spatial variation of the truncated KL terms. The criterion for selecting the number of KL terms at different parts of the structure is the uniformity of the spatial distribution of the second‐order error. This way a significantly reduced number of PC coefficients, with respect to classical PC expansion, is required in order to reach a uniformly distributed target second‐order error. This results in an increase of sparsity of the coefficient matrix of the corresponding linear system of equations leading to an enhancement of the computational efficiency of the spectral stochastic finite element method. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.