bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel hyperbranched polyborazine and its reactive blend with benzoxazine thermosets
Authors: Liu Yuhong , Zhang Xiying , Yang Xin 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBoron carbonitride polymers have been arising abiding interest due to their excellent thermal and mechanical properties. In this study, a novel kind of hyperbranched polymer based on boron carbonitride skeleton, polyborazine, has been synthesized by a convenient A2+B3 approach. The chemical structure of polyborazine was confirmed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). FT‐IR and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern exhibited that the boron carbonitride compound formed during the pyrolysis process contributed to the improved thermal property of polyborazine. Nevertheless, the polyborazine can catalyze the cure process of benzoxazine thermosets, and enhance the thermal stability of benzoxazine thermosets owning to the presence of the preceramic compound. The approach for fabricating reactive ceramic precursor polymer with prepolymer blend system reveals promising results for thermosets that demanding remarkable thermal stability and oxidation resistance. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Electrochemical oxidation of ionic liquids at highly boron doped diamond electrodes
Authors: Fabiańska Aleksandra , Ossowski Tadeusz , Bogdanowicz Robert , Czupryniak Justyna , Gnyba Marcin , Odzga Tomasz , Janssens Stoffel D. , Haenen Ken , Siedlecka Ewa M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAn electrochemical oxidation using a highly boron‐doped diamond (BDD) electrode has been tested for the treatment of solutions containing ionic liquids (ILs). The double‐sided Si/highly BDD electrodes were synthesized by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (MW PE CVD). Investigation of the electrode surface with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that the synthesized layers were continuous and formed densely packed grain structure. The structure of BDD was confirmed by Raman spectra analysis. The effect of IL structure as the kind of electrolyte (Na2SO4 and NaCl) has been investigated. Electrolyses were conducted in an undivided electrolytic cell under galvanostatic conditions. The efficiency of the process has been evaluated in terms of variations of IL concentrations and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. Results show that pyridinium ILs were easier removed than imidazolium salts. The intermediates of electrochemical degradation of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium salt were detected, and IL degradation pathway was proposed based on the analytical results. It was suggested that •OH radicals produced by water electrolysis attacked IL to form its derivatives with keto groups substituted to imidazolium ring. These compounds underwent ring breakage, which led to the formation of aliphatic acids that were eventually mineralized by electrolysis to CO2. Other by‐products were obtained by cutting one of the side chains substituted to N atoms in imidazolium ring. Additionally in NaCl electrolyte chloroorganic by‐products were identified.
Cryopreservation of Parathyroid Tissue after Parathyroid Surgery for Renal Hyperparathyroidism: Does it Really Make Sense?
Authors: Schneider Ralph , Ramaswamy Annette , Slater Emily P. , Bartsch Detlef K. , Schlosser Katja 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundMetachronous autotransplantation of cryopreserved parathyroid tissue is a technique for treating postoperative hypoparathyroidism after parathyroid surgery for renal hyperparathyroidism (rHPT). The aim of the present study was to evaluate our institution’s experience with metachronous autotransplantation to analyze the role of cryopreservation in the treatment of rHPT and to determine for whom and when cryopreservation of parathyroid tissue should be deemed necessary.MethodsA prospective database of patients with rHPT who underwent surgery between 1976 and 2011 was screened for patients with hypoparathyroidism who received a metachronous autotransplantation. Data were analyzed regarding clinical data, histopathological findings of the cryopreserved parathyroid tissues, and patient outcome after metachronous replantation of parathyroid tissue.ResultsFifteen of 883 patients with rHPT underwent a metachronous autotransplantation under local anesthesia at a mean time of 23 months following the last cervical surgery. Histopathology of the parathyroid tissue chosen for transplantation revealed a necrosis rate of 0 % in 14 and 70 % in one patient. Mean preoperative serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were 2.0 mmol/l and 3.7 pg/ml, respectively. Autotransplantation raised mean serum calcium and PTH levels to 2.2 mmol/l and 97.5 pg/ml, respectively, after a mean follow‐up of 78 months.ConclusionsMetachronous autotransplantation following parathyroid surgery in patients with rHPT effectively normalizes PTH and calcium levels. The success rate is high if an adequate cryopreservation procedure is applied. However, it is rarely necessary, and therefore the cryopreservation of parathyroid tissue in all patients has to be questioned, at least from an economic point of view.
Synthesis of methyl ketones by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Park John , Rodríguez-Moyá María , Li Mai , Pichersky Eran , San Ka-Yiu , Gonzalez Ramon 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Methyl ketones are a group of highly reduced platform chemicals with widespread applications in the fragrance, flavor and pharmacological industries. Current methods for the industrial production of methyl ketones include oxidation of hydrocarbons, but recent advances in the characterization of methyl ketone synthases from wild tomato have sparked interest towards the development of microbial platforms for the industrial production of methyl ketones. A functional methyl ketone biosynthetic pathway was constructed in Escherichia coli by over-expressing two genes from Solanum habrochaites: shmks2, encoding a 3-ketoacyl-ACP thioesterase, and shmks1, encoding a beta-decarboxylase. These enzymes enabled methyl ketone synthesis from 3-ketoacyl-ACP, an intermediate in the fatty acid biosynthetic cycle. The production of 2-nonanone, 2-undecanone, and 2-tridecanone by MG1655 pTH-shmks2-shmks1 was initially detected by nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses at levels close to 6 mg/L. The deletion of major fermentative pathways leading to ethanol (adhE), lactate (ldhA), and acetate (pta, poxB) production allowed for the carbon flux to be redirected towards methyl ketone production, doubling total methyl ketone concentration. Variations in methyl ketone production observed under different working volumes in flask experiments led to a more detailed analysis of the effects of oxygen availability on methyl ketone concentration in order to determine optimal levels of oxygen. The methyl ketone concentration achieved with MG1655 ∆adhE ∆ldhA ∆poxB ∆pta pTrcHis2A-shmks2-shmks1, the best performer strain in this study, was approximately 500 mg/L, the highest reported for an engineered microorganism. Through the establishment of optimal operating conditions and by executing rational metabolic engineering strategies, we were able to increase methyl ketone concentrations by almost 75-fold from the initial confirmatory levels.
Direct and vicarious conspicuous consumption: Identification with low‐status groups increases the desire for high‐status goods
Authors: Mazzocco Philip J. , Rucker Derek D. , Galinsky Adam D. , Anderson Eric T. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe current research examines whether direct and vicarious identification with a low‐status group affects consumers' desire for objects associated with status. Experiment 1 found that individuals who belonged to and identified with a status social category associated with relatively lower status (Blacks) exhibited an enhanced desire for high‐status products compared to Blacks who did not identify with their race or individuals who belonged to a social category associated with higher status (Whites). In Experiments 2 and 3, White participants led to vicariously identify through perspective taking with Blacks (Experiment 2), or a low‐status occupational group (Experiment 3) exhibited an increased desire for high‐status products. Experiment 4 provided meditational evidence for a status based explanation for the relationship between identification with a low‐status group and a desire for high‐status products. The present work makes new inroads into understanding one factor that might lead minorities to engage in greater conspicuous consumption and provides evidence that conspicuous consumption can be elicited vicariously.
Reliability and Consensus of Experienced Wine Judges: Expertise Within and Between?
Authors: Ashton Robert H. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThis paper considers the levels of reliability and consensus of wine quality judgments found in studies of experienced wine judges. Both reliability, which concerns the similarity of repeat judgments of a particular wine by the same judge, and consensus, which concerns the similarity of judgments of a particular wine across judges, are necessary requirements for expertise in wine judging. Reliability and consensus levels found in wine judging are compared to those documented by a large body of research in six other fields: medicine, clinical psychology, business, auditing, personnel management, and meteorology. In all fields, including wine judging, reliability is greater than consensus. Both reliability and consensus are, on average, substantially lower in wine judging than in other fields, although tremendous variability exists across judges in every field. Overall, little support is found for the idea that experienced wine judges should be regarded as experts. (JEL Classification: C91)
Beneficial effect of a weight-stable, low-fat/low-saturated fat/low-glycaemic index diet to reduce liver fat in older subjects
Authors: Utzschneider Kristina M. , Bayer-Carter Jennifer L. , Arbuckle Matthew D. , Tidwell Jaime M. , Richards Todd L. , Craft Suzanne 
Published: July 2012

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia and can progress to steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. We sought to determine whether dietary fat and saturated fat content alter liver fat in the absence of weight change in an older population. Liver fat was quantified by magnetic resonance spectroscopy before and after 4 weeks on an isoenergetic low-fat/low-saturated fat/low-glycaemic index (LGI) (LSAT: 23 % fat/7 % saturated fat/GI < 55) or a high-fat/high-saturated fat/high-GI (HSAT: 43 % fat/24 % saturated fat/GI>70) diet in older subjects. In the present study, twenty subjects (seven males/thirteen females; age 69·3 (sem1·6) years, BMI 26·9 (sem0·8) kg/m2) were randomised to the LSAT diet and fifteen subjects (six males/nine females; age 68·6 (sem1·8) years, BMI 28·1 (sem0·9) kg/m2) to the HSAT diet. Weight remained stable. Liver fat decreased significantly on the LSAT diet (median 2·2 (interquartile range (IQR) 3·1) to 1·7 (IQR 1·8) %,P= 0·002) but did not change on the HSAT diet (median 1·2 (IQR 4·1) to 1·6 (IQR 3·9) %). The LSAT diet lowered fasting glucose and total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol and raised TAG (P< 0·05), while the HSAT diet had no effect on glucose or HDL-cholesterol but increased total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (P< 0·05). Fasting insulin and homeostasis model of insulin resistance did not change significantly on either diet, but the Matsuda index of insulin sensitivity improved on the LSAT diet (P< 0·05). Assignment to the LSATv.HSAT diet was a predictor of changes in lipid parameters but not liver fat. We conclude that diet composition may be an important factor in the accumulation of liver fat, with a low-fat/low-saturated fat/LGI diet being beneficial.
Prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia and its major determinants in rural Chinese hypertensive patients aged 45–75 years
Authors: Wang Yu , Li Xiaoying , Qin Xianhui , Cai Yefeng , He Mingli , Sun Liming , Li Jianping , Zhang Yan , Tang Genfu , Wang Binyan , Sun Ningling , Xu Xin , Liu Lisheng , Xu Xiping , Huo Yong 
Published: July 2012

We aimed to investigate the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia (total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) ≥ 10 μmol/l) and its major determinants in rural Chinese hypertensive patients. A cross-sectional investigation was carried out in Lianyungang of Jiangsu province, China. This analysis included 13 946 hypertensive adults. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia was 51·6 % (42·7 % in women and 65·6 % in men). The OR of hyperhomocysteinaemia were 1·52 (95 % CI 1·39, 1·67) and 2·32 (95 % CI 2·07, 2·61) for participants aged 55–65 and 65–75 v. 45–55 years; 1·27 (95 % CI 1·18, 1·37) for participants with a BMI ≥ 25 v. < 25 kg/m2; 1·14 (95 % CI 1·06, 1·23) for participants with v. without antihypertensive treatment; 1·09 (95 % CI 1·00, 1·18) for residents inland v. coastal; 0·89 (95 % CI 0·82, 0·97) and 0·83 (95 % CI 0·74, 0·92) for participants with moderate and high v. low physical activity levels; 1·54 (95 % CI 1·41, 1·68) and 2·47 (95 % CI 2·17, 2·81) for participants with a glomerular filtration rate 60–90 and < 60 v. ≥ 90 ml/min per 1·73 m2; and 1·20 (95 % CI 1·07, 1·35) and 3·81 (95 % CI 3·33, 4·36) for participants with CT and TT v. CC genotype at methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C>T polymorphism, respectively. Furthermore, higher tHcy concentrations were observed in smokers of both sexes (men: geometric mean 12·1 (interquartile range (IQR) 9·2–14·5) v. 11·9 (IQR 9·3–14·0) μmol/l, P= 0·005; women: geometric mean 10·3 (IQR 8·3–13·0) v. 9·6 (IQR 7·8–11·6) μmol/l, P= 0·010), and only in males with hypertension grade 3 (v. grade 1 or controlled blood pressure) (geometric mean 12·1 (IQR 9·2–14·4) v. 11·7 (IQR 9·2–14·0), P= 0·016) and in male non-drinkers (yes v. no) (geometric mean 12·3 (IQR 9·4–14·8) v. 11·7 (IQR 9·1–13·9), P= 0·014). In conclusion, there was a high prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia in Chinese hypertensive adults, particularly in the inlanders, who may benefit greatly from tHcy-lowering strategies, such as folic acid supplementation and lifestyle change.
(n + 1)-TENSOR NORMS OF LAPRESTÉ'S TYPE
Authors: LÓPEZ MOLINA J. A. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWe study an (n + 1)-tensor norm αr extending to (n + 1)-fold tensor products, the classical one of Lapresté in the case n = 1. We characterise the maps of the minimal and the maximal multi-linear operator ideals related to αr in the sense of Defant and Floret (A. Defant and K. Floret, Tensor norms and operator ideals, North Holland Mathematical Studies, no. 176 (North Holland, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1993). As an application we give a complete description of the reflexivity of the αr-tensor product (⊗j = 1n + 1 ℓuj, αr).
Influence of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide and supplementary irrigation on greenhouse gas emissions from a spring wheat crop in southern Australia
Authors: LAM S. K. , CHEN D. , NORTON R. , ARMSTRONG R. , MOSIER A. R. 
Published: July 2012

SUMMARYThe effect of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from semi-arid cropping systems is poorly understood. Closed static chambers were used to measure the fluxes of nitrous oxide (N2O), CO2and methane (CH4) from a spring wheat (Triticum aestivumL. cv. Yitpi) crop-soil system at the Australian grains free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (AGFACE) facility at Horsham in southern Australia in 2009. The targeted atmospheric CO2concentrations (hereafter CO2concentration is abbreviated as [CO2]) were 390 (ambient) and 550 (elevated) μmol/mol for both rainfed and supplementary irrigated treatments. Gas measurements were conducted at five key growth stages of wheat. Elevated [CO2] increased the emission of N2O and CO2by 108 and 29%, respectively, with changes being greater during the wheat vegetative stage. Supplementary irrigation reduced N2O emission by 36%, suggesting that N2O was reduced to N2in the denitrification process. Irrigation increased CO2flux by 26% at ambient [CO2] but not at elevated [CO2], and had no impact on CH4flux. The present results suggest that under future atmospheric [CO2], agricultural GHG emissions at the vegetative stage may be higher and irrigation is likely to reduce the emissions from semi-arid cropping systems.
A review of factors influencing milk urea concentration and its relationship with urinary urea excretion in lactating dairy cattle
Authors: SPEK J. W. , DIJKSTRA J. , VAN DUINKERKEN G. , BANNINK A. 
Published: July 2012

SUMMARYMilk urea nitrogen (MUN) concentration in dairy cows may serve as an on-farm indicator to guide nutritional strategies and to help reduce emissions of nitrogen (N) to the environment. Excretion of urinary urea nitrogen (UUN) is positively related to MUN, but the relationship is highly variable. The accuracy of MUN as a predictor of UUN may improve when various factors that affect this relationship can be taken into account. The current review discusses the impact of a number of UUN : MUN ratio influencing factors related to: physiological mechanisms in the dairy cow, farm management, differences between individual cows, nutrition and analysis methods for MUN. Factors related to variation in water intake, urine production, dietary protein level, body weight (BW) and time and frequency of feeding and milking are shown to affect MUN and its relationship with UUN. In addition, a number of factors are discussed that are likely to affect this relationship such as biological rhythm, renal reabsorption of urea during periods of protein deficiency and breeding value for MUN. Accounting for these above-mentioned factors in the relationship between MUN and UUN might substantially improve the applicability and accuracy of MUN as a predictor of protein utilization efficiency and UUN.
MAPK14 and CNR1 gene variant interactions: effects on brain volume deficits in schizophrenia patients with marijuana misuse
Authors: Onwuameze O. E. , Nam K. W. , Epping E. A. , Wassink T. H. , Ziebell S. , Andreasen N. C. , Ho B.-C. 
Published: July 2012

BackgroundAdolescent marijuana use is associated with increased risk for schizophrenia. We previously reported that marijuana misuse in conjunction with specific cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) genetic variants (rs12720071-G-allele carriers) contributed to white-matter (WM) brain volume deficits in schizophrenia patients. In this study, we assessed the influence of another cannabinoid-related gene, mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14), and potential MAPK14–CNR1 gene–gene interactions in conferring brain volume abnormalities among schizophrenia patients with marijuana abuse/dependence. MAPK14 encodes a member of the MAPK family involved in diverse cellular processes, including CNR1-induced apoptosis.MethodWe genotyped 235 schizophrenia patients on nine MAPK14 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (tSNPs). Approximately one quarter of the sample had marijuana abuse or dependence. Differential effects of MAPK14 tSNPs on brain volumes across patients with versus without marijuana abuse/dependence were examined using ANCOVA.ResultsOf the MAPK14 tSNPs, only rs12199654 had significant genotype effects and genotype × marijuana misuse interaction effects on WM volumes. rs12199654-A homozygotes with marijuana abuse/dependence had significantly smaller total cerebral and lobar WM volumes. The effects of MAPK14 rs12199654 on WM volume deficits remained significant even after controlling for the CNR1 rs12720071 genotype. There were significant main effects of the MAPK14 CNR1 diplotype and diplotype × marijuana interaction on WM brain volumes, with both genetic variants having additive contributions to WM volume deficits only in patients with marijuana misuse.ConclusionsGiven that CNR1-induced apoptosis is preceded by increased MAPK phosphorylation, our study suggests that potential MAPK14–CNR1 gene–gene interactions may mediate brain morphometric features in schizophrenia patients with heavy marijuana use.
An updated and conservative systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological evidence on psychotic experiences in children and adults: on the pathway from proneness to persistence to dimensional expression across mental disorders
Authors: Linscott R. J. , van Os J. 
Published: July 2012

BackgroundThe psychosis-proneness–persistence–impairment model of psychotic disorder incorporates notions of both phenomenological and temporal continuity (persistence) of psychotic experiences (PE), but not structural continuity. Specific testable propositions of phenomenological continuity and persistence are identified.MethodPropositions are tested by systematic reviews of the epidemiology of PE, persistence of PE and disorder outcomes, and meta-analyses (including Monte Carlo permutation sampling, MCPS) of reported rates and odds ratios (ORs).ResultsEstimates of the incidence and prevalence of PE obtained from 61 cohorts revealed a median annual incidence of 2.5% and a prevalence of 7.2%. Meta-analysis of risk factors identified age, minority or migrant status, income, education, employment, marital status, alcohol use, cannabis use, stress, urbanicity and family history of mental illness as important predictors of PE. The mode of assessment accounted for significant variance in the observed rates. Across cohorts, the probability of persistence was very strongly related to the rate of PE at baseline. Of those who report PE, ∼20% go on to experience persistent PE whereas for ∼80%, PE remit over time. Of those with baseline PE, 7.4% develop a psychotic disorder outcome.ConclusionsCompelling support is found for the phenomenological and temporal continuity between PE and psychotic disorder and for the fundamental proposition that this relationship is probabilistic. However, imprecision in epidemiological research design, measurement limitations and the epiphenomenological nature of PE invite further robust scrutiny of the continuity theory.
A long-term predictive validity study: Can the CDI Short Form be used to predict language and early literacy skills four years later?
Authors: CAN DILARA DENIZ , GINSBURG-BLOCK MARIKA , GOLINKOFF ROBERTA MICHNICK , HIRSH-PASEK KATHRYN 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTThis longitudinal study examined the predictive validity of the MacArthur Communicative Developmental Inventories-Short Form (CDI-SF), a parent report questionnaire about children's language development (Fenson, Pethick, Renda, Cox, Dale & Reznick, 2000). Data were first gathered from parents on the CDI-SF vocabulary scores for seventy-six children (mean age=1 ; 10). Four years later (mean age=6 ; 1), children were assessed on language outcomes (expressive vocabulary, syntax, semantics and pragmatics) and code-related skills, including phonemic awareness, word recognition and decoding skills. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that early expressive vocabulary accounted for 17% of the variance in picture vocabulary, 11% of the variance in syntax, and 7% of the variance in semantics, while not accounting for any variance in pragmatics in kindergarten. CDI-SF scores did not predict code-related skills in kindergarten. The importance of early vocabulary skills for later language development and CDI-SF as a valuable research tool are discussed.