bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of interpolation techniques for the creation of gridded daily precipitation (1 × 1 km2); Cyprus, 1980–2010
Authors: Camera Corrado , Bruggeman Adriana , Hadjinicolaou Panos , Pashiardis Stelios , Lange Manfred A. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractHigh‐resolution gridded daily data sets are essential for natural resource management and the analyses of climate changes and their effects. This study aims to evaluate the performance of 15 simple or complex interpolation techniques in reproducing daily precipitation at a resolution of 1 km2 over topographically complex areas. Methods are tested considering two different sets of observation densities and different rainfall amounts. We used rainfall data that were recorded at 74 and 145 observational stations, respectively, spread over the 5760 km2 of the Republic of Cyprus, in the Eastern Mediterranean. Regression analyses utilizing geographical copredictors and neighboring interpolation techniques were evaluated both in isolation and combined. Linear multiple regression (LMR) and geographically weighted regression methods (GWR) were tested. These included a step‐wise selection of covariables, as well as inverse distance weighting (IDW), kriging, and 3D‐thin plate splines (TPS). The relative rank of the different techniques changes with different station density and rainfall amounts. Our results indicate that TPS performs well for low station density and large‐scale events and also when coupled with regression models. It performs poorly for high station density. The opposite is observed when using IDW. Simple IDW performs best for local events, while a combination of step‐wise GWR and IDW proves to be the best method for large‐scale events and high station density. This study indicates that the use of step‐wise regression with a variable set of geographic parameters can improve the interpolation of large‐scale events because it facilitates the representation of local climate dynamics.
9q31.1q31.3 deletion in two patients with similar clinical features: A newly recognized microdeletion syndrome?
Authors: Mucciolo M. , Magini P. , Marozza A. , Mongelli P. , Mencarelli M.A. , Hayek G. , Tavalazzi F. , Mari F. , Seri M. , Renieri A. , Graziano C. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTInterstitial deletions of the long arm of chromosome 9 are rare and most patients have been detected by conventional cytogenetic techniques. Disparities in size and localization are large and no consistent region of overlap has been delineated. We report two similar de novo deletions of 6.3 Mb involving the 9q31.1q31.3 region, identified in two monozygotic twins and one unrelated patient through array‐CGH analysis. By cloning the deletion breakpoints, we could show that these deletions are not mediated by segmental duplications. The patients displayed a distinct clinical phenotype characterized by mild intellectual disability, short stature with high body mass index, thick hair, arched eyebrows, flat profile with broad chin and mild prognathism, broad, and slightly overhanging tip of the nose, short neck with cervical gibbus. The twin patients developed a metabolic syndrome (type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, vascular hypertension) during the third decade of life. Although long‐term follow‐up and collection of additional patients will be needed to obtain a better definition of the phenotype, our findings characterize a previously undescribed syndromic disorder associated with haploinsufficiency of the chromosome 9q31.1q31.3 region. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ecological divergence and talar morphology in gorillas
Authors: Dunn Rachel H. , Tocheri Matthew W. , Orr Caley M. , Jungers William L. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTGorillas occupy a variety of habitats from the west coast to eastern central Africa. These habitats differ considerably in altitude, which has a pronounced effect on forest ecology. Although all gorillas are obligate terrestrial knuckle‐walking quadrupeds, those that live in lowland habitats eat fruits and climb more often than do those living in highland habitats. Here we test the hypothesis that gorilla talus morphology falls along a morphocline that tracks locomotor function related to a more inverted or everted foot set. This proposed morphocline predicts that gorillas living in lowland habitats may have a talocrural joint configured to facilitate a more medially oriented foot during climbing, suggesting that they may be more adaptively committed to arboreality than gorillas living in highland habitats. To quantify the relative set of the foot in gorillas, we chose two three‐dimensional measurements of the talocrural joint: mediolateral curvature of the trochlea and relative surface area of the lateral malleolus. Our results show that, in comparison to their eastern counterparts, western gorillas have talar features that reflect a more medially directed sole of the foot. This morphology likely facilitates foot placement in a wider range of positions and minimization of shearing stresses across the joint when the foot is loaded on more curved or vertically oriented substrates as occurs during climbing and other arboreal behaviors. In contrast, eastern gorilla talar morphology is consistent with habitual placement of the foot with the sole directed more inferiorly, suggesting more effective loading during plantigrade push‐off on terrestrial substrates. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:526–541, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Disentangling basal and accumulated body mass for cross‐population comparisons
Authors: Hruschka Daniel J. , Hadley Craig , Brewis Alexandra 
Published: December 2013

AbstractMeasures of human body mass confound 1) well‐established population differences in body form and 2) exposure to obesogenic environments, posing challenges for using body mass index (BMI) in cross‐population studies of body form, energy reserves, and obesity‐linked disease risk. We propose a method for decomposing population BMI by estimating basal BMI (bBMI) among young adults living in extremely poor, rural households where excess body mass accumulation is uncommon. We test this method with nationally representative, cross‐sectional Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) collected from 69,916 rural women (20–24 years) in 47 low‐income countries. Predicting BMI by household wealth, we estimate country‐level bBMI as the average BMI of young women (20–24 years) living in rural households with total assets <400 USD per capita. Above 400 USD per capita, BMI increases with both wealth and age. Below this point, BMI hits a baseline floor showing little effect of either age or wealth. Between‐country variation in bBMI (range of 4.3 kg m−2) is reliable across decades and age groups (R2 = 0.83–0.88). Country‐level estimates of bBMI show no relation to diabetes prevalence or country‐level GDP (R2 < 0.05), supporting its independence from excess body mass. Residual BMI (average BMI minus bBMI) shows better fit with both country‐level GDP (R2 = 0.55 vs. 0.40) and diabetes prevalence (R2 = 0.23 vs. 0.17) than does conventional BMI. This method produces reliable estimates of bBMI across a wide range of nationally representative samples, providing a new approach to investigating population variation in body mass. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:542–550, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A benzoxazole sulfenamide accelerator: Synthesis, structure, property, and implication in rubber vulcanization mechanism
Authors: Rong Guangzhuo , Chen Yusheng , Wang Lei , Li Joanne , Wang Junfeng , Panzer Matthew J. , Pang Yi 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTA benzoxazole sulfenamide and its related zinc compound were synthesized and characterized, which are shown to be useful accelerators for sulfur vulcanization. In comparison with the benzothiazole accelerator, the benzoxazole sulfenamide revealed nearly no reversion, an improved feature that is desirable for tire industry. Through the synthesis of the zinc complex 9, which was assumed to be an accelerator‐activator for vulcanization, the study aimed to shed some light on the vulcanization mechanism. The crystal structure of the zinc complex 9 showed that two benzoxazole‐2‐thiol ligands were attached to the zinc center in different isomeric forms, with one in the thio form (linked via sulfur atom) while the other in thio–keto form (linked via nitrogen atom). Lack of the vulcanization accelerator activity from 9 led to the assumption that the sulfurating species might be zinc complexes containing only one benzoxazole‐2‐thiol ligand. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 39699.
Modification of β‐cyclodextrin for rapidly decolorizing the dye‐containing wastewaters by flocculation
Authors: Tian Xiuzhi , Zhang Jing , Jiang Xue 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTTo strengthen the role of polymer bridging during the flocculation process and thus raise the speed of decolorizing the dye‐containing wastewaters, β‐cyclodextrin–acrylamide–[2‐(Acryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethyl ammonium chloride copolymer (poly[AM(β‐CD)‐AETAC]) with relatively high intrinsic viscosity (84.3 mL g−1) and cationicity (24.5%) was prepared by solution polymerization. The successful preparation of copolymer was demonstrated by FT‐IR and 1H‐NMR characterizations. Its excellent decolorization performances as a new flocculant were evaluated with the C.I. reactive orange 5 (RO 5) and C.I. reactive blue 19 (RB 19) solutions using a jar test method. Both the nature of anionic dyes and the pH of dye solutions influence the decolorization effectiveness. For both the RB 19 and RO 5 solutions (0.10 g L−1), it can be rapidly decolorized in a wide range of pH (2–7) and flocculant concentration (0.12–0.26 g L−1). For the given dye/flocculant solution system, both charge neutralization and polymer bridging contribute to the decolorization mechanism. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 39940.
In situ control of co‐continuous phase morphology for PS/PS‐co‐TMI/PA6 blend
Authors: Zhang Cai‐Liang , Zhang Tao , Feng Lian‐Fang 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTThe emulsification efficiency of PS‐co‐TMI, a copolymer polymerized by styrene and 3‐isopropenyl‐α,α‐dimethylbenzene isocyanate (TMI), for polystyrene (PS)/polyamide 6 (PA6) blend was studied. During the mixing process, an effective emulsifier PS‐g‐PA6 was generated, which was demonstrated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. PS‐g‐PA6 generated by PS‐co‐TMI with high TMI content was found to contain some unreacted isocyanate active groups which reduced using efficiency of PS‐co‐TMI. Irrespective of TMI content in PS‐co‐TMI, the dosage of PS‐co‐TMI reached 20 wt %, unreacted PS‐co‐TMI was detected. These results indicated that reactive emulsification limits for both active groups' content and reactive precursors' dosage. After the rational addition of PS‐co‐TMI into PS/PA6 system, phase sizes of co‐continuous structure were reduced conspicuously. However, co‐continuous structure was evolved into matrix‐dispersed structure while the dosage of PS‐co‐TMI reached 20 wt %. Emulsification efficiencies of PS‐co‐TMI with different TMI contents, 2.2, 4.1, and 7.5 wt %, were compared. The results revealed PS‐co‐TMI with 2.2 wt % TMI content had the highest reactive emulsification efficiency because of the block‐copolymer‐inclined emulsifier generated in the mixing process. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 39972.
Temperature‐, pH‐, and ion‐stimulus‐responsive swelling behaviors of poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) gel containing cholic acid
Authors: Li Cancan , Wang Guojie , Gao Hongyi , Zhai Maolin , Li Jiuqiang 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTPoly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) hydrogels containing cholic acid (PDMAEMA–CA) were synthesized by radiation crosslinking. The introduction of 10 and 20 mol% cholic acid (CA) into the poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) hydrogel decreased the maximum swelling ratio (SR) of the gel from 40 to 6 and 5, respectively. The incorporation of CA with dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate led to a decrease in the lower critical swelling temperature of the gel from 44 to 42°C but did not exert big influence on the ion‐stimulus‐responsive properties of the gel. However, the pH sensitivity of the PDMAEMA–CA gel was quite different from that of PDMAEMA gel. The SR of PDMAEMA gel decreased at pH 2.5, whereas the SRs of the PDMAEMA–CA gels showed a convex‐upward function of pH; that is, SR of the PDMAEMA–10% CA gel first increased (pH 1.2–3.2) and then decreased (pH 3.2–11.9) with increasing pH. The pH‐stimulus‐responsive swelling behavior of the PDMAEMA–20% CA gel was similar to that of the PDMAEMA–10% CA gel except for the unique swelling behavior exhibited in the lower pH region. The unique decrease in SR in strong acidic solutions was attributed to aggregations driven by the hydrophobic interactions between CA molecules. Phase separation of the gel in strongly acidic solutions was observed; that is, the margin of the swollen gel was transparent and elastic (cellular structure), whereas the core of it was opaque (aggregated structure) as recorded by scanning electron microscopy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 39998.
NMR water self‐diffusion and relaxation studies on sodium polyacrylate solutions and gels in physiologic ionic solutions
Authors: Bai Ruiliang , Basser Peter J. , Briber Robert M. , Horkay Ferenc 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTWater self‐diffusion coefficients and longitudinal relaxation rates in sodium polyacrylate solutions and gels were measured by NMR, as a function of polymer content and structure in a physiological concentration range of monovalent and divalent cations, Ca2+and Na+. Several physical models describing the self‐diffusion of the solvent were applied and compared. A free‐volume model was found to be in good agreement with the experimental results over a wide range of polymer concentrations. The longitudinal relaxation rate exhibited linear dependence on polymer concentration below a critical concentration and showed non‐linear behavior at higher concentrations. Both the water self‐diffusion and relaxation were less influenced by the polymer in the gel state than in the uncrosslinked polymer solutions. The effect of Na+on the mobility of water molecules was practically undetectable. In contrast, addition of Ca2+strongly increased the longitudinal relaxation rate while its effect on the self‐diffusion coefficient was much less pronounced. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.,2014,131, 40001.
Mechanical, dielectric, and electromechanical properties of silicone dielectric elastomer actuators
Authors: Kim Il Jin , Min Kyoungho , Park Hyunchul , Hong Soon Man , Kim Woo Nyon , Kang Seung Hyun , Koo Chong Min 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTSilicone elastomer actuators were investigated to develop a simple and industrially scalable product with improved mechanical properties, such as a low modulus, high tearing strength, and good resilience, and enhanced electromechanical actuation properties. Silicone elastomers were fabricated via a hydrosilylation addition reaction with a vinyl‐end‐functionalized poly(dimethyl siloxane) (V), a multivinyl‐functionalized silicone resin, and a crosslinker in the presence of a platinum catalyst. For the larger electromechanical actuation response, the silicone dielectric elastomer actuator had to have a larger molecular weight of poly(dimethyl siloxane), a smaller hardener content, and a resin‐free composition. However, the silicone elastomer actuators needed to include a small amount of resin to improve the tearing strength. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 40030.
Adsorption behaviors of Cr(III) on carboxylated collagen fiber
Authors: Qiang Taotao , Bu Qiaoqiao , Ren Longfang , Wang Xuechuan 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTCarboxylated collagen fiber (CCF) was prepared by modifying collagen fiber with glyoxylic acid. The structure of CCF was characterized and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. CCF was an effective adsorbent for the removal of Cr(III) from aqueous solutions, and the adsorption capacity of Cr(III) increased by 74.13% after modification. The adsorption isotherm, as well as the kinetics of the adsorption of Cr(III) on CCF, was studied. The results showed that the adsorption isotherm of Cr(III) could be well described by the Freundlich equation, and the adsorption capacity increased slightly with increasing temperature, but the influence was not so obvious. The adsorption kinetic investigations indicated that the adsorption rate of Cr(III) on CCF could be well described by the pseudo‐second‐order rate model, and that the adsorption capacity calculated using the pseudo‐second‐order rate model was close to that from actual measurements. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40285.
The investigation of the interaction between orientin and bovine serum albumin by spectroscopic analysis
Authors: Toprak Mahmut , Arık Mustafa 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTIn this paper, the interaction between orientin and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was examined using fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy. The analysis of the quenching mechanism was done using Stern–Volmer plots which exhibit upward (positive) deviation. A linear response to orientin was shown in the concentration range between 3 and 50 μM. The experimental results showed the presence of a static quenching process between orientin and BSA. The thermodynamic parameters ΔH, ΔS and ΔG were also calculated and suggested that the hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions played an important role in the interaction between orientin and BSA. Furthermore, the distances between BSA and orientin were determined according to Förster non‐radiation energy transfer theory. In addition, the results of the synchronous fluorescence obtained indicated that the binding of orientin with BSA could affect conformation in BSA. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toll‐like receptors: Role in inflammation and therapeutic potential
Authors: Kay Emma , Scotland Ramona S. , Whiteford James R. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractInflammation is an essential process in response to injury and infection. However, under certain circumstances dis‐regulation of this process can lead to pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, lupus, and is a contributory factor in the progression of many cancers. The Toll‐like family of receptors (TLRs) has major roles in the initiation of the inflammatory response and as such has attracted much focus for their potential as therapeutic targets. Here we review the role of TLRs in the inflammatory response and associated disease and examine how this important family of molecules might be targeted for therapeutic benefit. © 2013 BioFactors, 40(3):284–294, 2014
Using an ePortfolio system as an electronic laboratory notebook in undergraduate biochemistry and molecular biology practical classes
Authors: Johnston Jill , Kant Sashi , Gysbers Vanessa , Hancock Dale , Denyer Gareth 
Published: December 2013

AbstractDespite many apparent advantages, including security, back‐up, remote access, workflow, and data management, the use of electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) in the modern research laboratory is still developing. This presents a challenge to instructors who want to give undergraduate students an introduction to the kinds of data curation and notebook keeping skills that will inevitably be required as ELNs penetrate normal laboratory practice. An additional problem for the teacher is that ELNs do not generally have student‐administrative functions and are prohibitively expensive. In this report, we describe the use and impact of an ePortfolio system as a surrogate ELN. Introduction of the system led to several pedagogic outcomes, namely: increased preparedness of students for class, encouragement of creativity and reflection with respect to experimental methods, greatly enhanced engagement between students and tutors, and it gave instructors the ability to scrutinize original data files and monitor student‐tutor feedback cycles. However, implementation led to a disruption of tutor workloads and incurred new levels of accountability that threatened to undermine the initiative. Through course evaluations and other reflective processes, we reached an appreciation of how an ELN should be introduced into practical class teaching so that it not only becomes an appropriate aid for teaching the laboratory experience, but also becomes a life‐long resource for students. © 2013 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 42(1):50–57, 2014
Remembering the forest while viewing the trees: Evolutionary thinking in the teaching of molecular biology
Authors: Saraswati Sitaraman , Sitaraman Ramakrishnan 
Published: December 2013

AbstractGiven the centrality of evolutionary theory to the study of biology, we present a strategy for reinforcing its importance by appropriately recontextualizing classic and well‐known experiments that are not explicitly linked with evolution in conventional texts. This exercise gives students an appreciation of the applicability of the theory of evolution in diverse contexts, including those where it is not explicitly mentioned. © 2013 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 42(2):162–164, 2014.
A molecular genetic lab to generate inclusive and exclusive forensic evidence: Two suspects, a victim, and a bloodstained T‐shirt
Authors: Smit Julie , Heath Daniel D. , Walter Ryan P. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractMolecular genetic laboratory exercises can be ineffective due the student's lack of connection to the complex and sequential protocols. In this inquiry‐based molecular genetic laboratory exercise, we harness students' fascination with human forensics and provide a real‐life scenario using biomolecular techniques to identify “whose blood is on the t‐shirt.” We use fish blood to create realistic blood stains on clothing and challenge the students to use DNA analyses to clear or implicate suspects. Safety concerns are minimized through the use of fish blood, while maximizing both realism and the likelihood of student success due to fishes' nucleated red blood cells. The goal in designing this laboratory exercise was to create a feasible protocol for large (over 300 students) second year university courses. During two 3 hour laboratory sessions, students learn and apply clean/sterile technique, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphisms, and agarose gel electrophoresis. The students also learn to interpret the resulting gel bands in terms of inclusive or exclusive evidence. Students have consistently ranked this lab as their favorite of five taken as part of a second year Genetics course. © 2013 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 42(3):XXXXX–XXXXX, 2014.
Commentary: PhDs in biochemistry education—5 years later
Authors: Offerdahl Erika G. , Momsen Jennifer L. , Osgood Marcy 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIn this commentary, the discussion of PhDs in biochemistry education research is expanded to explore a number of diverse pathways leading to a competitive research program in biochemistry education research. © 2013 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 42(2):103–105, 2014.