bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the role of plasma wave cascading processes in the formation of midlatitude irregularities utilizing GPS and radar observations
Authors: Eltrass A. , Scales W. A. , Erickson P. J. , Ruohoniemi J. M. , Baker J. B. H.
Published: June 2016

Recent studies reveal that midlatitude ionospheric irregularities are less understood due to lack of models and observations that can explain the characteristics of the observed wave structures. In this paper, the cascading processes of both the temperature gradient instability (TGI) and the gradient drift instability (GDI) are investigated as the cause of these irregularities. Based on observations obtained during a coordinated experiment between the Millstone Hill incoherent scatter radar and the Blackstone Super Dual Auroral Radar Network radar, a time series for the growth rate of both TGI and GDI is calculated for observations in the subauroral ionosphere under both quiet and disturbed geomagnetic conditions. Recorded GPS scintillation data are analyzed to monitor the amplitude scintillations and to obtain the spectral characteristics of irregularities producing ionospheric scintillations. Spatial power spectra of the density fluctuations associated with the TGI from nonlinear plasma simulations are compared with both the GPS scintillation spectral characteristics and previous in situ satellite spectral measurements. The spectral comparisons suggest that initially, TGI or/and GDI irregularities are generated at large‐scale size (kilometer scale), and the dissipation of the energy associated with these irregularities occurs by generating smaller and smaller (decameter scale) irregularities. The alignment between experimental, theoretical, and computational results of this study suggests that in spite of expectations from linear growth rate calculations, cascading processes involving TGI and GDI are likely responsible for the midlatitude ionospheric irregularities associated with GPS scintillations during disturbed times.
Spatial and temporal patterns of drought in the Continental U.S. during the past century
Authors: Ge Yan , Apurv Tushar , Cai Ximing
Published: June 2016

This study investigates the spatial and temporal patterns of multiple drought characteristics (duration, severity, and intensity) under different return periods during 1900–2012 in the Continental U.S. (CONUS). We find two significant patterns: Pattern I shows persistent droughts in western and eastern U.S. and the Great Plains, which experienced large variations in the drought characteristics over long time; Pattern II shows transient droughts in the interior of CONUS, which experienced short‐term variations in drought characteristics. Trend analysis shows that duration, severity, and intensity of droughts under the various return periods are increasing in most of the Pattern I regions. Moreover, spatial distributions of duration, severity, and intensity of more frequent and less severe drought events are found to be different from those of less frequent and more severe droughts in the same time period; trends in these drought characteristics at long and short return periods are different at some locations, showing the different trends of extreme and mild droughts.
Global ULF wave analysis of radial diffusion coefficients using a global MHD model for the 17 March 2015 storm
Authors: Li Zhao , Hudson Mary , Paral Jan , Wiltberger Michael , Turner Drew
Published: June 2016

The 17–18 March 2015 storm is the largest geomagnetic storm in the Van Allen Probes era to date. The Lyon‐Fedder‐Mobarry global MHD model has been run for this event using ARTEMIS data as solar wind input. The ULF wave power spectral density of the azimuthal electric field and compressional magnetic field is analyzed in the 0.5–8.3 mHz range. The lowest three azimuthal modes account for 70% of the total power during quiet times. However, during high activity, they are not exclusively dominant. The calculation of the radial diffusion coefficient is presented. We conclude that the electric field radial diffusion coefficient is dominant over the magnetic field coefficient by one to two orders of magnitude. This result contrasts with the dominant magnetic field diffusion coefficient used in most 3‐D diffusion models.
Cybervetting
Authors: Berkelaar Brenda L. , Harrison Millie A.
Published: June 2016

Cybervetting is the process by which information seekers gather online information to evaluate, or vet, information targets. Such vetting is often labeled
Internet surveillance
,
social media background checks
,
social media screening
,
online screening
,
social media profiling
, or
Facebook fired
. By taking advantage of people's regular use of social media, as well as search engines, search aggregators, and evolving Internet and communication technologies, individuals who cybervet have access to more and different information to assess the suitability of prospective or current employees, employers, romantic partners, jurors, roommates, criminals, or others. Most research on cybervetting focuses on the growing use of cybervetting by employers for personnel selection and management. Although personnel selection and management have long involved information seeking, the increased visibility of online information and the extractive potential of information technologies offer new dimensions for understanding employment relationships, with corresponding ethical, legal, and practical implications for individuals, organizations, and society.
Interorganizational Communication
Authors: Shumate Michelle , Atouba Yannick , Cooper Katherine R. , Pilny Andrew
Published: June 2016

Interorganizational communication describes the structures, forms, and processes created by the exchange of messages and the co‐creation of meaning among organizations and their stakeholders. Research in this area has its roots in the study of organizational interlocks and boundary spanners and, more recently, in the field of communication, especially when conceptualized as networks. Several theories have been used to explain the emergence of interorganizational communication. Traditional theories have focused on economic and sociological explanations. More recent theories have given primacy to communication based mechanisms. Interorganizational communication encompasses four distinct types of relations: affinity, flow, representational, and semantic. Most research to date has focused on affinity interorganizational communication, or the socially constructed relationships between organizations in which communication is implicitly assumed to facilitate the creation of shared meaning and coordination of organizational activities. The prospects for advancing research and theory in interorganizational communication depend upon attending to these types of relations.
Wang Yangming
Authors: Ivanhoe Philip J.
Published: June 2016

Wang Yangming (1472–1529) is best known for his teachings regarding the nature of the self, moral action, and self‐cultivation. In order to understand his views on these ethical matters, one needs to understand a bit about his metaphysical beliefs, which for the most part were shared by all neo‐Confucian thinkers.
Bullying
Authors: Schott Robin May
Published: June 2016

Bullying belongs to the broad family of concepts relating to negative behavior, including abuse, cruelty, discrimination, disrespect, exclusion, harassment, hostility, humiliation, intimidation, psychological terror, threats, and violence. Someone who is bullied is not respected, treated with dignity, or given the appropriate recognition. Bullying takes place in a wide variety of contexts, including schools, workplace, and cyberspace. What typically makes these environments home to bullying is that it is difficult for individuals to leave. Although much research has understood bullying in terms of a single perpetrator with an intention to do harm, recent research understands bullying in terms of social dynamics. Bullying takes place in the context of a group and it typically reinforces the norms and practices within an institution and society. It typically involves the participation of either active or passive bystanders. Bystanders’ inaction is not just a failure to commit harm but is itself an active factor in the destructive dynamics. There is no one‐size‐fits‐all solution to addressing bullying, and institutions need to develop multiperspectival and flexible intervention strategies. But one can carry certain analytical questions with one: do anti‐bullying strategies produce dignity or new forms of contempt? Are they attentive to the variety of exclusion practices?
Carritt, E. F.
Authors: Skelton Anthony
Published: June 2016

E. F. Carritt (1876–1964) was educated at and taught at the University of Oxford. He made substantial contributions both to aesthetics and to moral philosophy. The focus of this entry is his work in moral philosophy. His most notable works in this field are
The Theory of Morals
(1928) and
Ethical and Political Thinking
(1947). Carritt developed views in metaethics and in normative ethics. In metaethics he defends a cognitivist, non‐naturalist moral realism and was among the first to respond to A. J. Ayer's emotivist challenge to this view. In normative ethics he advocates a deontological view in which there is a plurality of obligations and of non‐instrumental goods. In the context of defending this view, he raised some penetrating and novel criticisms of ideal utilitarianism. He held that it is not acceptable to revise our reflective common‐sense moral attitudes in the face of philosophical moral theories, and that moral philosophy is only indirectly practical.
Nanoparticulate Mineralized Collagen Scaffolds and BMP‐9 Induce a Long‐Term Bone Cartilage Construct in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Ren Xiaoyan , Weisgerber Daniel W. , Bischoff David , Lewis Michael S. , Reid Russell R. , He Tong‐Chuan , Yamaguchi Dean T. , Miller Timothy A. , Harley Brendan A. C. , Lee Justine C.
Published: June 2016

Engineering the osteochondral junction requires fabrication of a microenvironment that supports both osteogenesis and chondrogenesis. Multiphasic scaffold strategies utilizing a combination of soluble factors and extracellular matrix components are ideally suited for such applications. In this work, the contribution of an osteogenic nanoparticulate mineralized glycosaminoglycan scaffold (MC‐GAG) and a dually chondrogenic and osteogenic growth factor, BMP‐9, in the differentiation of primary human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) is evaluated. Although 2D cultures demonstrate alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization of hMSCs induced by BMP‐9, MC‐GAG scaffolds do not demonstrate significant differences in the collagen I expression, osteopontin expression, or mineralization. Instead, BMP‐9 increases expression of collagen II, Sox9, aggrecan (ACAN), and cartilage oligomeric protein. However, the hypertrophic chondrocyte marker, collagen X, is not elevated with BMP‐9 treatment. In addition, histologic analyses demonstrate that while BMP‐9 does not increase mineralization, BMP‐9 treatment results in an increase of sulfated glycosaminoglycans. Thus, the combination of BMP‐9 and MC‐GAG stimulates chondrocytic and osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs.
Balancing Surface Hydrophobicity and Polarizability of Fluorinated Dielectrics for Organic Field‐Effect Transistors with Excellent Gate‐Bias Stability and Mobility
Authors: Jang Mi , Lee Minjung , Shin Hwanho , Ahn Joongyu , Pei Mingyuan , Youk Ji Ho , Yang Hoichang
Published: June 2016

It is demonstrated that treating dielectrics with fluorinated polymers, which have excellent hydrophobicity, chemical inertness, and the lowest polarizability, yields a semiconductor‐compatible surface energy and excellent charge detrapping characteristics. Fluorocopolymers, polystyrene‐random‐poly(2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorostyrene) (PS‐r‐PPFS) copolymers with different 2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorostyrene (PFS) loadings, are synthesized to modify a SiO2 gate dielectric using radical polymerization. Surface energy (γ) of the copolymer‐treated SiO2 dielectrics decreases from 40.7 to 24.0 mJ m−2 with increasing PFS mol% in the copolymer. Pentacene organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) show field‐effect mobility (μFET) values ranging from 0.82 (for 0 mol% PFS) to 0.25 cm2 V−1 s−1 (for 100 mol% PFS). Enhancing the bias stress stability without affecting the μFET value is achieved via the introduction of a small mol% fluorocarbon segments onto the PS‐r‐PPFS backbone. 15 mol% PFS‐loaded fluorocopolymer‐coated SiO2 substrate yields a γ value of 35 mJ m−2, close to that (38 mJ m−2) of the lowest‐γ crystal surface of pentacene, and the corresponding OFETs have μFET values up to 0.81 cm2 V−1 s−1 and excellent gate‐bias stress stability in comparison to the rich fluorinated dielectric systems, which has degraded μFET values ranging from 0.2 to 0.4 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Quaternary Iodide K(Ca,Sr)I3:Eu2+ Single‐Crystal Scintillators for Radiation Detection: Crystal Structure, Electronic Structure, and Optical and Scintillation Properties
Authors: Wu Yuntao , Li Qi , Chakoumakos Bryan C. , Zhuravleva Mariya , Lindsey Adam C. , Johnson Jesse Ashby , Stand Luis , Koschan Merry , Melcher Charles L.
Published: June 2016

A mixed crystal strategy is reported as an effective approach to improving the performances of inorganic scintillators for radiation detection applications. The aim of this work is to optimize ternary iodide KCaI3:Eu2+ single crystals via partial Sr2+ substitution, and to provide physical insights and a strategy of designing promising halide scintillators. The ∅22 mm × 50 mm long K(Ca,Sr)I3:Eu2+ single crystals are grown by the Bridgman method. Crystal structure refinements verify the phase purity and the orthorhombic crystal system with a space group of Cmcm (No. 63) in the solid solutions. An energy resolution of 2.5 ± 0.1% at 662 keV and a light yield of 74 000 ± 4000 photons per MeV can be achieved for a 4 mm cube KCa0.835Sr0.165I3:Eu2+. It is for the first time that a halide solid solution is synthesized with a competitive scintillating performance as current state‐of‐the‐art scintillators, such as SrI2:Eu2+ and LaBr3:Ce3+. A combination of first‐principles calculations and optical characterization experiments is employed to construct the host material band edges and the relative positions of 5d and 4f energy levels of the Eu2+ activation center. The origins of the improvement of light yield and scintillation response nonproportionality are proposed from experimental and theoretical insights.
Radiation‐Synthesized Acrylamide/Crotonic Acid Hydrogels for Selective Mercury (II) Ion Adsorption
Authors: Saraydın Dursun , Yıldırım Ebru Şahin , Karadağ Erdener , Güven Olgun
Published: June 2016

In this study, swelling and selective mercury adsorption behavior of novel radiation cross‐linked acrylamide/crotonic acid (AAm/CA) copolymers have been investigated in aqueous mercury (II) ion solutions. Swelling experiments were performed in water and in the solution of mercury (II) ions at 25°C, gravimetrically. The equilibrium swelling (S) values of AAm/CA hydrogels were calculated as 11.00 g fluid (g gel)−1 (in mercury (II) ion solution)—35.90 g fluid (g gel)−1 (in water). For sorption of mercury (II) ions onto AAm/CA, hydrogels were studied by batch sorption technique at 25°C. Adsorption kinetics of the hydrogel‐mercury (II) ion system was investigated and some kinetics parameters were calculated. In the experiments of the adsorption, L2‐type (Langmiur type‐2) adsorption in the Giles classification system was found. In addition, the influences of mercury (II) ion concentration, irradiation dose and CA content in hydrogels, temperature of medium, and counter ions in the mercury compounds were investigated. Selectivity test of the hydrogel was made in aqueous solution of other metal ions such as copper (II), lead (II), and cadmium (II) ions. AAm/CA hydrogels‐sorbed mercury (II) ions from the solution of mercury, while the hydrogel did not sorb any heavy metal ions.
Communication delays and data losses in distributed adaptive high‐gain EKF
Authors: Rashedi Mohammad , Liu Jinfeng , Huang Biao
Published: June 2016

In this work, we consider distributed adaptive high‐gain extended Kalman filtering for nonlinear systems subject to data losses and delays in communications. Specifically, we consider a class of nonlinear systems that consist of several subsystems interacting with each other via their states. A local adaptive high‐gain extended Kalman filter is designed for each subsystem and the distributed estimators communicate to exchange the information. Each subsystem estimator takes the advantage of a predictor accounting for the delays and data losses simultaneously. The predictor of each subsystem is used to generate state predictions of interacting subsystems for interaction compensation. To get a reliable prediction, the predictors are designed based on a prediction‐update algorithm. The convergence of the proposed distributed state estimation is ensured under sufficient conditions handling communication delays and data losses. Finally, a chemical process example is used to evaluate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed design. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 4321–4333, 2016
Quality of life in adolescents and adults with CHARGE syndrome
Authors: Hartshorne Nancy , Hudson Alexandra , MacCuspie Jillian , Kennert Benjamin , Nacarato Tasha , Hartshorne Timothy , Blake Kim
Published: June 2016

Health‐related Quality of Life and the Impact of Childhood Neurologic Disability Scale were collected for 53 patients with CHARGE syndrome aged 13–39 years with a mean academic level of 4th grade. The most prevalent new and ongoing issues included bone health issues, sleep apnea, retinal detachment, anxiety, and aggression. Sleep issues were significantly correlated with anxiety, self‐abuse, conduct problems, and autistic‐like behaviors. Problems with overall health, behavior, and balance most affected the number of social activities in the individual's life. Sensory impairment most affected relationships with friends. Two contrasting case studies are presented and demonstrate that the quality of life exists on a broad spectrum in CHARGE syndrome, just as its physical features range from mild to very severe. A multitude of factors, including those beyond the physical manifestations, such as anxiety and sleep problems, influence quality of life and are important areas for intervention. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CFPB Delivers Its Proposed Class Waiver Ban
Authors: Bleemer Russ
Published: June 2016

The Albuquerque, N.M., public forum that introduced the consumer financial services industry to new restrictions on how it may use arbitration last month delivered the blow many practitioners either feared or welcomed.
Hexaazatrinaphthylene Derivatives: Efficient Electron‐Transporting Materials with Tunable Energy Levels for Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhao Dongbing , Zhu Zonglong , Kuo Ming‐Yu , Chueh Chu‐Chen , Jen Alex K.‐Y.
Published: June 2016

Hexaazatrinaphthylene (HATNA) derivatives have been successfully shown to function as efficient electron‐transporting materials (ETMs) for perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). The cells demonstrate a superior power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.6 % with negligible hysteresis. This study provides one of the first nonfullerene small‐molecule‐based ETMs for high‐performance p–i–n PVSCs.
Single particle imaging of mRNAs crossing the nuclear pore: Surfing on the edge
Authors: Palazzo Alexander F. , Truong Mathew
Published: June 2016

Six years ago, the Singer lab published a landmark paper which described how individual mRNA particles cross the nuclear pore complex in mammalian tissue culture cells. This involved the simultaneous imaging of mRNAs, each labeled by a large number of tethered fluorescent proteins and fluorescently tagged nuclear pore components. Now two groups have applied this technique to the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Their results indicate that in the course of nuclear export, mRNAs likely engage complexes that are present on either side of the pore and that these interactions are modulated by proteins present in the messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) complex. These findings lend support to the notion that just before and/or after the completion of nuclear export, mRNPs undergo one or more maturation steps that prepare the packaged mRNAs for translation. These results represent new and exciting insights into the mechanism of mRNA nuclear export.
IRAK regulates macrophage foam cell formation by modulating genes involved in cholesterol uptake and efflux
Authors: Rana Minakshi , Kumar Amit , Tiwari Rajiv Lochan , Singh Vishal , Chandra Tulika , Dikshit Madhu , Barthwal Manoj Kumar
Published: June 2016

Interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase‐1 (IRAK1) is linked to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis; however, its role in macrophage foam cell formation is not known. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of IRAK1 in lipid uptake, biosynthesis, and efflux in THP‐1 derived macrophages and human monocyte‐derived macrophages (HMDMs). Ox‐LDL (40 μg/mL, 15 minutes–48 hours) treatment induced time‐dependent increase in IRAK1, IRAK4, and Stat1 activation in THP‐1 derived macrophages. IRAK1/4 inhibitor (INH) or IRAK1 siRNA significantly attenuated cholesterol accumulation, DiI‐Ox‐LDL binding, and uptake while cholesterol efflux to apoAI and HDL was enhanced in THP‐1 derived macrophages and HMDMs. Ox‐LDL treatment significantly increased the mRNA expression of CD36, LOX‐1, SR‐A, ABCA1, ABCG1, Caveolin‐1, CYP27A1 while that of SR‐BI was decreased. IRAK1/4 inhibition or IRAK1 knockdown, however, attenuated Ox‐LDL‐induced CD36 expression; augmented ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression while expression of others was unaffected in THP‐1 derived macrophages and HMDMs. Moreover, IRAK1/4 inhibition had no significant effect on genes involved in lipid biosynthesis. In IRAK1/4 INH pre‐treated THP‐1 derived macrophages Ox‐LDL‐induced Stat1 phosphorylation and its binding to CD36 promoter was significantly attenuated while LXRα expression and its binding to the ABCA1/ABCG1 locus, NFATc2 activation and its binding to ABCA1 locus was enhanced. The present study thus demonstrates that IRAK regulates lipid accumulation by modulating CD36‐mediated uptake and ABCA1‐, ABCG1‐dependent cholesterol efflux. Therefore, IRAK1 can be a potential target for preventing macrophage foam cell formation.
Phase separation and mechanical properties of an elastomeric biomaterial from spider wrapping silk and elastin block copolymers
Authors: Muiznieks Lisa D. , Keeley Fred W.
Published: June 2016

Elastin and silk spidroins are fibrous, structural proteins with elastomeric properties of extension and recoil. While elastin is highly extensible and has excellent recovery of elastic energy, silks are particularly strong and tough. This study describes the biophysical characterization of recombinant polypeptides designed by combining spider wrapping silk and elastin‐like sequences as a strategy to rationally increase the strength of elastin‐based materials while maintaining extensibility. We demonstrate a thermo‐responsive phase separation and spontaneous colloid‐like droplet formation from silk‐elastin block copolymers, and from a 34 residue disordered region of Argiope trifasciata wrapping silk alone, and measure a comprehensive suite of tensile mechanical properties from cross‐linked materials. Silk‐elastin materials exhibited significantly increased strength, toughness, and stiffness compared to an elastin‐only material, while retaining high failure strains and low energy loss upon recoil. These data demonstrate the mechanical tunability of protein polymer biomaterials through modular, chimeric recombination, and provide structural insights into mechanical design. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 105: 693–703, 2016.
Image‐based embroidery modeling and rendering
Authors: Cui Dele , Sheng Yun , Zhang Guixu
Published: June 2016

Embroidery is a traditional handicraft of sewing stitches into fabric or other materials in different patterns, and this ancient non‐photorealistic art form has not drawn enough attention thus far. In this paper, we present an image‐based method to simulate the traditional embroidery art. The method combines stroke‐based rendering techniques with the Phong lighting model to create picturesque embroidery‐like images. We first build a 3D stitch model and derive some most commonly used stitch patterns from it. Then we preprocess the input image by segmenting it into regions, from which the parameters to specify stitch patterns are obtained. Finally, we apply stitches back onto the desired regions and render them under a virtual light source. Experimental results show that our method, different from the existing schemes, is capable of performing fine embroidery simulations with the effects of lighting and shading based on an input image. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patterns in Volatile Emission of Different Aerial Parts of Caper (Capparis spinosa L.)
Authors: Ascrizzi Roberta , Cioni Pier Luigi , Giusti Giulia , Pistelli Luisa , Flamini Guido
Published: June 2016

We analyzed the spontaneous volatile emission of different aerial parts of the caper (Capparis spinosa L.) by HS‐SPME‐GC/MS. We identified 178 different compounds of which, in different proportions based on the sample type, the main ones were (E)‐β‐ocimene, methyl benzoate, linalool, β‐caryophyllene, α‐guaiene, germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, germacrene B, (E)‐nerolidol, isopropyl tetradecanoate, and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone. The multivariate statistical analyses seem to point out that the parameter leading the emission patterns is the function of the analyzed sample; the flower samples showed differences in the emission profile between their fertile and sterile portions and between the other parts of the plant. The green parts emission profiles group together in a cluster and are different from those of seeds and fruits. We also hydrodistilled fully bloomed caper flowers, whose volatile oil showed significant differences in the composition from those of other parts of the plant reported.
Responsive Fluorescent PNA Analogue as a Tool for Detecting G‐quadruplex Motifs of Oncogenes and Activity of Toxic Ribosome‐Inactivating Proteins
Authors: Sabale Pramod M. , Srivatsan Seergazhi G.
Published: June 2016

Fluorescent oligomers that are resistant to enzymatic degradation and report their binding to target oligonucleotides (ONs) by changes in fluorescence properties are highly useful in developing nucleic‐acid‐based diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. Here, we describe the synthesis and photophysical characterization of fluorescent peptide nucleic acid (PNA) building blocks made of microenvironment‐sensitive 5‐(benzofuran‐2‐yl)‐ and 5‐(benzothiophen‐2‐yl)‐uracil cores. The emissive monomers, when incorporated into PNA oligomers and hybridized to complementary ONs, are minimally perturbing and are highly sensitive to their neighboring base environment. In particular, benzothiophene‐modified PNA reports the hybridization process with significant enhancement in fluorescence intensity, even when placed in the vicinity of guanine residues, which often quench fluorescence. This feature was used in the turn‐on detection of G‐quadruplex‐forming promoter DNA sequences of human proto‐oncogenes (c‐myc and c‐kit). Furthermore, the ability of benzothiophene‐modified PNA oligomer to report the presence of an abasic site in RNA enabled us to develop a simple fluorescence hybridization assay to detect and estimate the depurination activity of ribosome‐inactivating protein toxins. Our results demonstrate that this approach with responsive PNA probes will provide new opportunities to develop robust tools to study nucleic acids.
Recoverable Dendritic Phase‐Transfer Catalysts that Contain (+)‐Cinchonine‐Derived Ammonium Salts
Authors: Rull Jordi , Jara José Juan , Sebastián Rosa M. , Vallribera Adelina , Nájera Carmen , Majoral Jean‐Pierre , Caminade Anne‐Marie
Published: June 2016

Four new phosphorus dendrimeric phase‐transfer catalysts are prepared that contain 12 (+)‐cinchoninium salts on the surface obtained by the quaternisation of the quinuclidinic N atom. The asymmetric alkylation of a glycinate Schiff base with benzyl bromide is used as a benchmark reaction, and the dendrimeric catalyst that contains an allyl group on the O‐9 hydroxy group of the cinchonine units is the most active. The recovery and reuse of the catalyst are possible for five consecutive runs without loss of activity and with only a slight decrease in enantioselectivity. If other electrophiles are used, substituted benzyl bromides give better results than other activated alkyl bromides to afford the corresponding R amino acid derivatives. A comparison of these results with those reported previously for similar cinchoninium salts shows that dendrimers could be a better support than other polymers for this type of organocatalysis.
Electrostatic Discharges of Droplets of Various Liquids during Splash Filling
Authors: Thulin Anders , Molander Anders , Pidoll Ulrich von
Published: June 2016

When filling a tank with liquid via a tube, the tube may either reach nearly to the bottom of the tank or end at a certain distance above the bottom, allowing the liquid to splash into the tank from a certain height. Up to now, the electrostatics experts do not know exactly whether splash filling may create an electrostatic hazard or not. For this reason, the research project Splash Filling was started. The first part of this project has already been published in this journal. This work is the second part of this project and answers the question whether electrostatic discharges do occur during splash filling of several liters and which safety precautions may be necessary.
Donor/Acceptor‐Stabilized 1‐Silaketene: Reversible [2+2] Cycloaddition with Pyridine and Evolution by an Olefin Metathesis Reaction
Authors: Reyes Morelia Lopez , Troadec Thibault , Rodriguez Ricardo , Baceiredo Antoine , Saffon‐Merceron Nathalie , Branchadell Vicenç , Kato Tsuyoshi
Published: June 2016

The reaction of silacyclopropylidene 1 with benzaldehyde generates a 1‐silaketene complex 2 by a formal atomic silicon insertion into the C=O bond of the aldehyde. The highly reactive 1‐silaketene 2 undergoes a reversible [2+2] cycloaddition with pyridine to give sila‐β‐lactam 3. Of particular interest, in the presence of 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), 1‐silaketene complex 2 evolves through an intramolecular olefin metathesis reaction, generating a new 1‐silaketene complex 8 and cis‐stilbene. Theoretical studies suggest that the reaction proceeds through the formation of a transient silacyclobutanone, a four‐membered‐ring intermediate, similar to that proposed by Chauvin and co‐workers for the transition‐metal‐based olefin metathesis.
Swarm cuckoo search for closed‐loop parameter identifications from different input signals
Authors: Jin Qibing , Wang Qi , Qi Linfeng , Jiang Beiyan , He En
Published: June 2016

Most identification methods can only be applied to closed‐loop parameter identification by specific input signals. In order to solve the parameter estimation problem of a closed‐loop system with different test signals, a novel improved optimization method called the swarm cuckoo search is proposed. The swarm cuckoo search algorithm adopts a special approach of computing discovered probability, and it is different from other cuckoo search algorithms. The proposed algorithm has a strong ability to locate the global minimums with random initial values in the search range. Additionally, simulations also indicate that the proposed algorithm can increase the accuracy of the parameters when compared with particle swarm optimization algorithm.
Methotrexate Polyglutamate Monitoring in Patients With Crohn's Disease
Authors: Fischer Monika , Siva Shivi , Cook Gwendolyn K. , Jones David R. , Fadda Hala M.
Published: June 2016

Methotrexate is an efficacious immunosuppressant for induction and maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease. The goal of this pilot study was to determine whether total or individual methotrexate glutamate levels (MTXGlun) in red blood cells correlate with disease activity and adverse events in Crohn's disease. A cross‐sectional study was undertaken with 12 patients on a stable dose of 25 mg weekly methotrexate (oral or subcutaneous). Clinical disease activity was assessed by the Harvey‐Bradshaw Index (HBI), and biologic disease activity was measured by inflammatory markers. Concentrations of individual MTXGlun levels were measured in red blood cells (RBCs) using high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. No association was observed between RBC individual (MTXGlun) or total methotrexate glutamate concentrations and clinical disease activity (HBI score) or inflammatory markers or adverse events. Although Crohn's disease patients in remission appeared to generally have higher RBC total longer‐chain methotrexate polyglutamate (MTXGlu3+4+5) concentrations compared with those with active disease, a definitive association between RBC MTXGlu3+4+5 levels and clinical disease activity could not be established. Larger longitudinal studies in patients with diverse disease activity are needed to establish the value of MTXGlun levels as indicators of treatment efficacy and clinical outcome.
Effect of Nutrient Availability on Progenitor Cells in Zebrafish (Danio Rerio)
Authors: Benítez‐Santana Tibiábin , Simion Matthieu , Corraze Geneviève , Médale Françoise , Joly Jean‐Stéphane
Published: June 2016

In zebrafish brains, populations of continuously proliferating cells are present during an entire life span. Under normal conditions, stem cells give rise to rapidly proliferating progenitors that quickly exit the cell cycle and differentiate. Hence fish are favorable models to study what regulates postembryonic neurogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine if optic tectum (OT) cell proliferation is halted during nutritional deprivation (ND) and whether or not it can be restored with refeeding. We examined the effect of ND on the proliferation of Neuroepithelial/Ependymal Progenitor cell (NeEPC) and transitory‐amplifying progenitors (TAPs). Following ND, no PCNA immunostaining was found in OT of starved fish, while positive cell populations of PCNA positive progenitors are found at its periphery in control fish. This indicated that active proliferation stopped. To label retaining progenitor cells, BrdU was applied and a chase‐period was accompanied by ND. Positive NeEPCs were detected in the external tectum marginal zone of starved fish suggesting that these progenitors are relatively immune to ND. Moreover in the internal tectum marginal zone labeled retaining cells were observed leaving the possibility that some arrested TAPs were present to readily restart proliferation when nutrition was returned. Our results suggest that neurogenesis was maintained during ND and that a normal proliferative situation was recovered after refeeding. We point to the mTOR pathway as a necessary pathway in progenitors to regulate their mitosis activity. Thus, this study highlights mechanisms involved in neural stem and progenitor cell homeostatic maintenance in an adverse situation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 26–38, 2017
Major histocompatibility complex classII DABalleles associated with intestinal parasite load in the vulnerable Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes)
Authors: Lei Wei , Zhou Xiaoping , Fang Wenzhen , Lin Qingxian , Chen Xiaolin
Published: June 2016

The maintenance of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphism has been hypothesized to result from many mechanisms such asrare‐allele advantage,heterozygote advantage, andallele counting. In the study reported herein, 224 vulnerable Chinese egrets (Egretta eulophotes) were used to examine these hypotheses as empirical results derived from bird studies are rare. Parasite survey showed that 147 (65.63%) individuals were infected with 1–3 helminths, and 82.31% of these infected individuals carriedAscaridiasp. Using asymmetric polymerase chain reaction technique, 10DAB1, twelveDAB2, and threeDAB3 exon 2 alleles were identified at each single locus. A significant association of the rare alleleEgeu‐DAB2*05 (allele frequency: 0.022) with helminth resistance was found for all helminths, as well as for the most abundant morphotypeAscaridiasp. in the separate analyses.Egeu‐DAB2*05 occurred frequently in uninfected individuals, and individuals carryingEgeu‐DAB2*05 had significantly lower helminth morphotypes per individual (HMI) (the number of HMI) and the fecal egg count values. Further, the parasite infection measurements were consistently lower in individuals with an intermediate number of different alleles in the duplicatedDABloci. Significantly, heterozygosity within eachDABlocus was not correlated with any parasite infection measurements. These results indicate that the diversity inMHCEgeu‐DABgene is associated with intestinal parasite load and maintained by pathogen‐driven selection that probably operate through both therare‐allele advantageand theallele counting strategy, and suggest thatEgeu‐DAB2*05 might be a valuable indicator of better resistance to helminth diseases in the vulnerable Chinese egret.
Asymmetrical competition between aquatic primary producers in a warmer and browner world
Authors: Vasconcelos Francisco Rivera , Diehl Sebastian , Rodríguez Patricia , Hedström Per , Karlsson Jan , Byström Pär
Published: June 2016

In shallow lakes, pelagic and benthic producers engage in spatially asymmetrical resource competition. Pelagic producers intercept the flux of light to the benthic habitat and benthic producers intercept the flux of sediment‐derived nutrients to the pelagic habitat. In boreal and subarctic regions, climate change is affecting this interaction both directly through warming and indirectly through increased loading with colored dissolved organic matter (cDOM) from the catchment (“brownification”). We use a dynamical ecosystem model to explore the consequences of these changing environmental conditions for lake primary production and compare model predictions with the results of an experiment in which we manipulated water temperature and cDOM supply in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The experiment was performed in field mesocosms large enough to harbor reproducing fish populations and was run over an entire growing season. In agreement with model predictions, benthic algal production and biomass declined and pelagic algal production and biomass increased with browning. Pelagic nutrient concentrations diverged over time between low and high cDOM treatments, suggesting that browning alleviated pelagic algal nutrient limitation by shading benthic competitors and preventing them from intercepting the release of nutrients from the sediment. Warming considerably reduced benthic and pelagic algal production as well as pelagic algal biomass and total phosphorus. The warming results are only in partial accordance with model expectations, but can be explained by an indirectly inferred, positive response of macrophyte production (which was not included in the model) to warming. Our study suggests that lake ecosystem responses to climate change are mediated by cross‐habitat feedbacks between benthic and pelagic producers.
Organismal homeostasis buffers the effects of abiotic change on community dynamics
Authors: Ghedini Giulia , Connell Sean D.
Published: June 2016

The problem of linking fine‐scale processes to broad‐scale patterns remains a central challenge of ecology. As rates of abiotic change intensify, there is a critical need to understand how individual responses aggregate to generate compensatory dynamics that stabilize community processes. Notably, while local and global resource enhancement (e.g., nutrient and CO2 release) can reverse dominance relationship between key species (e.g., shifts from naturally kelp‐dominated to turf‐dominated systems), herbivores can counter these shifts by consuming the additional productivity of competing species (e.g., turfs). Here, we test whether consumer plasticity in energy intake to maintain growth in varying environments can underpin changes in consumption that buffer varying levels of productivity. In response to carbon and nutrient enrichment, herbivores increased consumption of higher‐quality food, which acted as a buffer against enhanced production, while maintaining organismal processes across varying abiotic conditions (i.e., growth). These results not only suggest plasticity in feeding behavior, but also in energy acquisition and utilization to maintain organismal processes. Such plasticity may not only underpin organismal homeostasis, but also compensatory dynamics that emerge from the aggregate of these responses to buffer change in community processes.
Reliability and validity of a self‐administration version of DEMQOL‐Proxy
Authors: Hendriks A. A. Jolijn , Smith Sarah C. , Chrysanthaki Theopisti , Black Nick
Published: June 2016

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of a self‐administered version of DEMQOL‐Proxy, a disease‐specific instrument that measures health‐related quality of life in people with dementia.

Methods

The sample consisted of 173 informal carers of people with dementia, aged 29 to 89 years old. Carers were mostly female, White/White British and closely related to the patient. They completed DEMQOL‐Proxy (self‐administered), EQ‐5D‐3L (proxy reported about the person with dementia), EQ‐5D‐3L (self‐reported about their own health) and the Zarit Burden Interview. Using well‐established methods from classical test theory, we evaluated scale level acceptability, reliability and convergent, discriminant and known‐groups validity of DEMQOL‐Proxy.

Results

DEMQOL‐Proxy (self‐administered) showed high acceptability (3.5% missing data and 0% scores at floor or ceiling), high internal consistency reliability (α = 0.93) and good convergent and discriminant validity. Amongst others, we found a moderately high correlation with EQ‐5D‐3L proxy reported (r = 0.52) and low to essentially zero correlations with EQ‐5D‐3L self‐reported (r = 0.20) and carer and patient background variables (r ≤ 0.20). As predicted, DEMQOL‐Proxy (self‐administered) showed a modest correlation with DEMQOL (r = 0.32). Known‐groups differences on health‐related quality of life (comparing people with versus people without cognitive impairment) were of moderate effect size (d = 0.38) and in the expected direction.

Conclusions

DEMQOL‐Proxy (self‐administered) has comparable acceptability, reliability and validity with DEMQOL‐Proxy (interviewer administered). DEMQOL‐Proxy (self‐administered) can be used in a wider variety of contexts than its interviewer‐administered version, including routine use in busy clinics. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Both muscle mass and muscle strength are inversely associated with depressive symptoms in an elderly Chinese population
Authors: Wu Hongmei , Yu Bin , Meng Ge , Liu Fangfang , Guo Qi , Wang Jiazhong , Du Huanmin , Zhang Wen , Shen Suxing , Han Peipei , Dong Renwei , Wang Xiuyang , Ma Yixuan , Chen Xin , Niu Kaijun
Published: June 2016

Objective

Few population studies have examined the association between skeletal muscle and depressive symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine whether low muscle mass and muscle strength were associated with the depressive symptoms in elderly Chinese.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 1046 elderly in Tianjin, China. Depressive symptoms were examined using the 30‐item Geriatric Depression Scale. A Geriatric Depression Scale score of ≥11 was used to indicate depressive symptoms. Skeletal muscle mass was indicated using a skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) that was measured by bioimpedance analysis and muscle strength was measured by dynamometer.

Results

In a multiple logistic regression analysis, subjects in the lowest quartile of SMI or muscle strength had a significantly higher risk for depressive symptoms compared with those in the fourth quartile. The odds ratios and 95% confidence interval for depressive symptoms risk in the lowest quartile of SMI compared with the highest after adjusting for potential confounding factors were 10.1 (2.25, 58.3) in men and 3.17 (1.07, 9.95) in women. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for depressive symptoms risk in the lowest quartile of muscle strength compared with the highest after adjusting for potential confounding factors were 2.55 (1.02, 6.67) in men and 4.18 (1.83, 10.2) in women.

Conclusions

Both muscle mass and muscle strength are inversely associated with depressive symptoms in elderly Chinese. These findings may provide novel insights linking skeletal muscle and depressive symptoms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PBX3 is a putative biomarker of aggressive prostate cancer
Authors: Ramberg Håkon , Grytli Helene Hartvedt , Nygård Ståle , Wang Wanzhong , Ögren Olov , Zhao Sen , Løvf Marthe , Katz Betina , Skotheim Rolf I. , Bjartell Anders , Eri Lars Magne , Berge Viktor , Svindland Aud , Taskén Kristin Austlid
Published: June 2016

There is a great need to identify new and better prognostic and predictive biomarkers to stratify prostate cancer patients for optimal treatment. The aims of this study were to characterize the expression profile of pre‐B cell leukemia homeobox (PBX) transcription factors in prostate cancer with an emphasis on investigating whether PBX3 harbours any prognostic value. The expression profile of PBX3 and PBX1 in prostate tissue was determined by immunohistochemical and immunoblot analysis. Furthermore, the expression of PBX3 transcript variants was analyzed by RT‐PCR, NanoString Technologies®, and by analyzing RNA sequence data. The potential of PBX3 to predict prognosis, either at mRNA or protein level, was studied in four independent cohorts. PBX3 was mainly expressed in the nucleus of normal prostate basal cells, while it showed cytosolic expression in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer cells. We detected four PBX3 transcript variants in prostate tissue. Competing risk regression analysis revealed that high PBX3 expression was associated with slower progression to castration resistant prostate cancer (sub‐hazard ratio (SHR) 0.18, 95% CI: 0.081–0.42, p values < 0.001). PBX3 expression had a high predictive accuracy (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.82) when combined with Gleason score and age. Patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, with high levels of PBX3 mRNA, had improved prostate cancer specific survival compared to patients expressing low levels (SHR 0.21, 95% CI: 0.46–0.93, p values < 0.001, and AUC = 0.75). Our findings strongly indicate that PBX3 has potential as a biomarker, both as part of a larger gene panel and as an immunohistochemical marker, for aggressive prostate cancer.