bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors controlling transport of graphene oxide nanoparticles in saturated sand columns
Authors: Qi Zhichong , Zhang Lunliang , Wang Fang , Hou Lei , Chen Wei 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

The authors conducted column experiments and a modeling study to understand the effects of several environmental factors on the aggregation and transport of graphene oxide nanoparticles (GONPs) in saturated quartz sand. The GONPs were negatively charged and stable under the test conditions (0–50 mM NaCl; pH 4.8–9.0), and the Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) calculation indicated that deposition of GONPs was under unfavorable attachment conditions. The GONPs exhibited high mobility even at an ionic strength of 25 mM NaCl. The transport of GONPs was insensitive to the changes of pH (from 5.1 to 9.0), but the presence of 10 mg/L Suwannee River humic acid (SRHA) considerably enhanced transport at high ionic strength (35 mM NaCl), likely via enhanced steric repulsion and significantly inhibited stacking of GO flakes. Varying flow velocity also enhanced transport at high ionic strength. In general, GONPs exhibit greater mobility compared with other carbon nanoparticles because the aggregation and transport of GONPs are more resilient to changes in solution chemistry and hydrodynamic forces that favor aggregation and deposition of nanoparticles. A 2-site transport model incorporating both the blocking-affected attachment process and straining effects can effectively model the transport of GONPs. The high mobility of GONPs should be given full consideration in assessing their environmental risks. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:998–1004. © 2014 SETAC
Risks related to car fire on innovative Poroelastic Road Surfaces—PERS
Authors: Świeczko‐Żurek Beata , Ejsmont Jerzy , Motrycz Grzegorz , Stryjek Piotr 
Published: January 2014

SummaryTo reduce tyre/road noise, the concept of poroelastic road surfaces (PERS) was invented. PERS is a road surface material that is porous, and at the same time, it is flexible because of the substantial amount of rubber granulate content (from 20% to 85%). The rubber and stone particles are bound by polyurethane resin instead of bitumen. It was feared that in case of fire, because of the high content of rubber and polyurethane, there may be considerable emission of potentially hazardous substances (such as hydrogen cyanide) from burning PERS. Tests performed by the Technical University of Gdansk show that the emission of toxic gases is rather small and that the surface does not promote car fire, even when soaked with fuel. Car fire with fuel spill on PERS is less dangerous for passengers than car fire on dense road surface as the fire is spreading much slower. The article presents results of laboratory and road experiments carried out within FP7 ‘PERSUADE’. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energy and the Environment: Outlook—Sunspot Data May Indicate End of Global Warming Trend
Authors: Lesser Jonathan A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn November 2013, yet another climate conference was held, this time in Warsaw. Like the United Nations Doha conference the previous year, the Warsaw conference devolved into a demand by less‐developed nations for climate “reparations” from developed nations, principally the United States. The demanders include China and India, which are the number‐one and number‐four carbon emitters, respectively. In fact, China led a walkout of 132 developing nations from the Warsaw conference to protest the lack of climate reparations. Nevertheless, the conference was a resounding success, assuming success to be an agreement by participating nations to publish intended carbon emissions reductions before the gabfest to be held in Paris in the fall of 2015.
Cerebellar networks in individuals at ultra high‐risk of psychosis: Impact on postural sway and symptom severity
Authors: Bernard Jessica A. , Dean Derek J. , Kent Jerillyn S. , Orr Joseph M. , Pelletier‐Baldelli Andrea , Lunsford‐Avery Jessica R. , Gupta Tina , Mittal Vijay A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractDespite known deficits in postural control in patients with schizophrenia, this domain has not been investigated in youth at ultra high‐risk (UHR) for psychosis. This is particularly relevant as postural control implicates dysfunction in the cerebellum‐a region implicated in cognitive dysmetria conceptions of schizophrenia but poorly understood in the prodrome. Here, we extended our understanding of movement abnormalities in UHR individuals to include postural control, and have linked these deficits to both symptom severity and cerebello‐cortical network connectivity. UHR and healthy control participants completed an instrumentally based balance task to quantify postural control along with a resting state brain imaging scan to investigate cerebellar networks. We also quantified positive and negative symptom severity with structured clinical interviews. The UHR group showed overall increased postural sway and decreased cerebello‐cortical resting state connectivity, relative to controls. The decreased cerebello‐cortical connectivity was seen across multiple networks. Postural sway was also correlated with cerebellar connectivity in this population and uniquely positively correlated with the severity of negative symptoms. Finally, symptom severity was also associated with cerebellar connectivity. Together, our results point to a potential deficit in sensory integration as an underlying contributor to the increased postural sway, and provide evidence of cerebellar abnormalities in UHR individuals. These results extend our understanding of the motor abnormalities of UHR individuals beyond striatum‐based dyskinesias to include postural control and sensory integration deficits, and implicate the cerebellum as a distinct neural substrate preceding the onset of psychosis. Taken together, our results extend the cognitive dysmetria framework to UHR populations. Hum Brain Mapp 35:4064–4078, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Slowly Relaxing Local Structure Perspective of Protein Dynamics by NMR Relaxation
Authors: Meirovitch Eva 
Published: January 2014

AbstractNMR relaxation is a powerful method for elucidating structural dynamics. Standard stochastic dynamic models generate time correlation functions (TCFs) that feature physically well‐defined parameters. We developed such a model, called the slowly relaxing local structure (SRLS) approach, for proteins. SRLS is a two‐body (protein and probe) coupled‐rotator approach. Given that the protein (featuring diffusion tensor, D1) restricts the probe (featuring diffusion tensor, D2), the two “bodies” are inherently coupled dynamically. This is substantiated by a local potential, u, associated with a local ordering tensor, S. SRLS allows for general tensorial properties of D1, D2, S and the magnetic NMR tensors, and a general form of u. The TCFs are multi‐exponential, in accordance with the degree of generality of the various tensors. The traditional model‐free (MF) method is based on a different conceptualization. According to it a mode‐decoupling bi‐exponential (one term for each rotator) TCF captures adequately the detectable features of structural dynamics. Hence, stochastic approaches are unnecessary. Here, we show that this (amply proven) oversimplification leads to physically vague constructs/composites as descriptors of structural dynamics. We illustrate misleading results obtained with MF when mode coupling, or S tensor asymmetry, dominate the analysis. Finally, we delineate the substantial advantage in using SRLS TCF as quantity to be compared with its atomistic molecular dynamicsbased counterpart.
Recent Advances in Solid State NMR of Small Molecules in Confinement
Authors: Werner Mayke , Rothermel Niels , Breitzke Hergen , Gutmann Torsten , Buntkowsky Gerd 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn the past years, porous media have become a major focus of materials science, due to their versatile properties, such as high surface area, low specific weight, high surface functionality, and the ability to customize their surface properties. Applications of porous media range from catalysis to separation media to gas storage. All of the mentioned applications involve the introduction of guest molecules into the pores. For efficient application of the materials, it is essential to know the behavior of these introduced molecules in the confined state. Solid state (ss) NMR gives a unique insight into the dynamics, the guest‐host interactions, and the binding sites of porous materials and is probably the most powerful characterization method for probing a huge variety of real‐life systems. Recent results in research of microporous zeolites and periodically mesoporous silica (PMS) materials using NMR will be highlighted.
Addition of pluronics® to reducible disulfide‐bond‐containing Pluronic®–PEI–SS specifically enhances circulation time in vivo and transfection efficiency in vitro
Authors: Chen Zhenzhen , Zhang Lifen , Li Yanfeng 
Published: January 2014

AbstractTo improve the circulation time and transfection efficiency of the polyplexes used in gene delivery, a series of Pluronic®/Pluronic®F127–PEI–SS/pDNA complexes (PFPS/pDNA), based on the addition of different kinds of Pluronics® to the reducible disulfide‐bonds‐containing Pluronic®F127–PEI–SS/pDNA (FPS/pDNA) polyplexes, was prepared and evaluated in Bcap and Hela cells in vitro and in vivo. The addition of Pluronics® with molecular weights and hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLBs) different from that in the FPS/pDNA complex resulted in five PFPS(1–5)/pDNA complexes, and the correlation between the structure of the free Pluronic® and the properties of the PFPS/pDNA complexes was investigated. The addition of Pluronics® resulted in slightly larger or same‐sized nanoparticles of PFPS/pDNA at a constant N/P ratio. The PFPS copolymer displayed strong stability against DNase I digestion and serum degradation. PFPS‐4 containing added Pluronic® L35, with an intermediate HLB of 19, showed a much higher transfection efficiency and less cytotoxicity than FPS or PEI‐25 kDa in vitro. PFPS‐4 also exhibited a considerably longer blood circulation time than FPS or PEI‐25 kDa in vivo in mice, indicating that the addition of an intermediate Pluronic® can enhance the transfection efficiency of gene delivery systems. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 1268–1276, 2014.
Preliminary testing and design of permeable bioreactive barrier for phenanthrene degradation by Pseudomonas stutzeriCECT 930 immobilized in hydrogel matrices
Authors: Ferreira Laura , Rosales Emilio , Sanromán M. Angeles , Pazos Marta 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDCurrently, to allow the remediation of polluted groundwater, it is necessary to develop in situ treatments, such as permeable reactive biobarrier (PRBB). However, few bioreactive materials are known, and more studies are required. Therefore, the aim of this work was to obtain new bioreactive materials by immobilization of Pseudomonas stutzeri CECT 930 in different hydrogels.RESULTSTo determine the effectiveness of the developed bioreactive materials phenanthrene degradation was carried out in batch assays. High degradation levels were achieved after 11 days for bacteria trapped in the different hydrogel matrices. Using experiments to test the behaviour and reusability, the performance of immobilized bacteria in continuous mode was also investigated. In these experiments, P. stutzeri immobilized in agar exhibited near complete degradation with high cell retention. Finally, this new bioreactive medium was tested in a simulated PRBB.CONCLUSIONThe results show that this PRBB is stable with different hydraulic retention times without operational problems or loss of activity. Therefore, the results obtained suggest the use of P. stutzeri immobilized in agar as biofiller in a PRBB for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation in groundwater. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Microvasculature of the cerebral cortex: A vascular corrosion cast and immunocytochemical study
Authors: Scala Gaetano 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTIn mammals, the cerebral cortex microvasculature (CCM) of the neopallium plays important roles in the physiological and pathological processes of the brain. The aim of the present work is to analyze the CCM by use of the SEM‐vascular corrosion cast technique, and to examine the immunocytochemical characteristics of the CCM in adult domestic ruminants (cattle, buffalo, and sheep) by using the SEM‐immunogold technique. The CCM originated from the very small, finger‐like terminal branches of the macrovasculature of the brain. The superficial cortical arterioles were more numerous than the deep straight arterioles which proceeded toward the white matter. The surface casts of the arterioles and capillaries of the cerebral cortex showed ring‐shaped formations in the arterioles and at the origin of the capillaries. All capillaries down‐stream from these ring‐shaped formations were flaccid. Casts of the capillaries showed wrinkles due to the presence of endothelial folds, which is characteristic of varying blood pressure. Formations having intense anti‐GIFAP immunoreactivity were frequently evident along the course of the blood capillaries in the cerebral cortex. These formations were probably astrocytes that might regulate the cerebral microcirculation based on physiological and pathological stimuli, such as neuronal activation. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:257–263, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Angiotensin axis blockade, hypotension, and acute kidney injury in elective major orthopedic surgery
Authors: Nielson Erik , Hennrikus Eileen , Lehman Erik , Mets Berend 
Published: January 2014

BACKGROUNDPatients presenting for surgery with angiotensin axis blockade (AAB) from therapy with either angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers experience an increased incidence of perioperative hypotension. Acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients receiving preoperative AAB has been demonstrated after lung, vascular, and cardiac surgery. However, there is little literature evaluating the hypotensive and renal effects of preoperative AAB and major orthopedic surgery.METHODSWe performed a retrospective chart review of 1154 patients who underwent spinal fusion, total knee arthroplasty, or total hip arthroplasty during the 2010 calendar year in our academic medical center.RESULTSA total of 922 patients met inclusion criteria, 343 (37%) received preoperative AAB. Postinduction hypotension (systolic blood pressure ≤80 mm Hg for 5 minutes) was significantly higher in patients receiving AAB when compared to those not so treated (12.2% vs 6.7%; odds ratio [OR]: 1.93, P = 0.005). Of the 922 patients, 798 had documented measurements of both preoperative and postoperative creatinine. Postoperative AKI was significantly higher in patients receiving AAB therapy (8.3% vs 1.7%; OR: 5.40, P < 0.001), remaining significant after adjusting for covariates including hypotension (OR: 2.60, P = 0.042). Developing AKI resulted in a significantly higher mean length of stay (5.76 vs 3.28 days, P < 0.001) but no difference in 2‐year mortality.CONCLUSIONSPatients undergoing major elective orthopedic surgery who receive preoperative AAB therapy,have an associated increased risk of postinduction hypotension and postoperative acute kidney injury resulting in a greater hospital length of stay. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:283–288. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
Adjustable thermoplastic mandibular advancement device for obstructive sleep apnea: Outcomes and practicability
Authors: Banhiran Wish , Kittiphumwong Phantipar , Assanasen Paraya , Chongkolwatana Cheerasook , Metheetrairut Choakchai 
Published: January 2014

Objectives/HypothesisTo assess outcomes including efficacy, adverse effects, and quality of life (QOL) of an adjustable thermoplastic mandibular advancement device (AT‐MAD) fitted by an otolaryngologist for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment.Study DesignProspective, nonrandomized, before‐after study.MethodsSixty‐four adult patients (40 men and 24 women) were recruited. Inclusion criteria were OSA patients who had failed or refused treatment with continuous positive airway pressure and surgery. Exclusion criteria were insufficient teeth, active intraoral disease, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Outcomes were measured using polysomnography, symptom questionnaires, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ) before treatment and 4 to 6 months thereafter.ResultsMean apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) and ESS scores decreased from 17.7 ± 14.6 to 7.5 ± 10.9 and from 8.7 ± 4.9 to 6.5 ± 4.4, respectively, after treatment (P < .001). Thirty‐nine patients (60.9%) achieved post‐treatment AHI of <5, with the highest success rate in those with mild OSA (75%). FOSQ global scores increased from 16.4 ± 2.8 to 17.7 ± 3.0 (P < .05), along with most FOSQ subscale scores. Thirty‐four patients (53.1%) regularly used the device for ≥5 nights per week. Adverse effects include TMJ discomfort, dry mouth, and excessive salivation, which were largely tolerable. Only four patients withdrew from the study because of adverse effects.ConclusionsThis is the first study in Asians demonstrating that an AT‐MAD, if done properly, is a practical short‐term treatment of OSA, with good outcomes including improved QOL. Its advantages are its low cost and ready‐to‐use nature. However, further randomized controlled trials are required.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope 124:2427–2432, 2014
The behavior of mastoidectomy cavities following modified radical mastoidectomy
Authors: Thiel Gundula , Rutka John A. , Pothier David D. 
Published: January 2014

Objectives/HypothesisAn analysis of the frequency and intensity of postoperative aftercare required for modified radical mastoidectomy (MRM) and patterns of healing in the postoperative period.Study DesignA retrospective review of all primary modified radical mastoidectomies carried out for cholesteatoma under the care of the senior author between the years of 2004 and 2009 with minimum follow‐up of 2 years.MethodsThe time and number of interventions required to achieve a stable and dry mastoid cavity were collected. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal analysis of the behavior of the cavities was carried out.ResultsOverall, 73 cases (71 patients) were identified. Patients were followed up for a median of 45.7 months (interquartile range, 31.8–70.5). After initial debridement, most cavities settled rapidly, but this was not always predictable, with a large proportion requiring further clinical intervention after the cavity was stable, sometimes for prolonged periods of time. At the time of analysis, 73% had achieved a stable cavity, 17 (23%) still required attention (nine for wax removal and eight for debridement); two were lost to follow‐up. No revision surgeries were required. At 6 months, 36% of cavities were settled, 42% at 1 year, 53% at 18 months, and 62% at 2 years. After two standard postoperative visits, a total of 632 visits were made by these patients.ConclusionsFollowing MRM, the majority of patients achieve a dry, self‐cleaning mastoid cavity. This might require periods of intense care interspersed with periods of quiescence. These results allow the benefits of this procedure to be put in the context of the entire patient journey.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope 124:2380–2385, 2014
Epoxy‐Amine Resins with Controlled Reactivity
Authors: Burkhart Alexander , Fischer Julian , Mondrzyk Adam , Ritter Helmut 
Published: January 2014

The control of reactivity of several bis(N‐glycidylsulfonamides) by aromatic substituents is presented. Therefore, disulfonamides with electron‐withdrawing or electron‐donating aryl moieties and a linear, branched, or oxygen‐substituted spacer are synthesized and further N‐alkylated with epichlorohydrin. Their curing times with N,N‐dimethyl aminopropyl amine in comparison with standard bisphenol A diglycidyl ether are measured by oscillatory rheology. A dependence of curing time with the Hammett σ‐value is found.
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Inactivation of mTor arrests bovine oocytes in the metaphase‐I stage, despite reversible inhibition of 4E‐BP1 phosphorylation
Authors: Mayer Sophia , Wrenzycki Christine , Tomek Wolfgang 
Published: January 2014

SUMMARYThe mammalian target of rapamycin (mTor), a Ser/Thr protein kinase, is implicated in the phosphorylation‐triggered inactivation of translation repressors, the so‐called eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)‐binding proteins (4E‐BPs). Previous observations in porcine and bovine oocytes revealed an increasing phosphorylation of 4E‐BP1 during meiotic maturation. This factor is hypophosphorylated in the germinal‐vesicle (GV) stage and its phosphorylation peaks in the metaphase II (M II) stage. In the present approach we intended to block 4E‐BP1 phosphorylation specifically to impair initiation of translation and elucidate effects on resumption of meiosis. Torin2, which acts as an active‐site mTor inhibitor, reduces 4E‐BP1 phosphorylation without any effect on eIF4E and arrests up to 60% of the oocytes in the M I stage. Effects of Torin2 treatment, analyzed by site‐specific substrate phosphorylation, were also observed at protein kinase B (Akt or PKB), and cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs). Only minor side effects were found at protein kinase A, C (PKA, PKC), ATM/ATR (Ataxia telangiectasia mutated/AT and Rad3‐related protein), and the mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) ERK1,2. The inhibition of 4E‐BP1 phosphorylation by Torin2 is reversible when cultivating oocytes for additional 24 hr in Torin2‐free medium. Even so, oocytes persist in the M I stage. This may indicate the necessity of spatiotemporally regulated translation during meiosis, which cannot be restored later. In conclusion, Torin2 enables an effective and specific inhibition of 4E‐BP1 phosphorylation, which may be valuable to investigate maturation specific protein synthesis in more detail. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 81: 363–375, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A review of floating photovoltaic installations: 2007–2013
Authors: Trapani Kim , Redón Santafé Miguel 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe paper gives a review of the various projects that have been realised in throughout the years. These have all been in enclosed water bodies such as reservoirs, ponds and small lakes. The main motivation for the floating photovoltaic (PV) panels was the land premium, especially for agricultural sites were the land was more valuable for growth of the crops (in these cases, grapes because the sites were wineries). The PV panels of the existing projects are mounted on a rigid pontoon structure and vary between horizontal and tilted installations. Future concepts proposed for marine and large lacusterine sites are envisaged to incorporate laminated thin film PV, which would allow the structure to be flexible and able to yield with the oncoming waves, and submergible arrays, which would be submerged in harsh weather conditions. Interest and research has been developing in this niche field throughout the years and has currently reached the megawatt scale with even bigger plans for the future. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.