bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facies architecture of submarine channel deposits on the western Niger Delta slope: Implications for grain‐size and density stratification in turbidity currents
Authors: Jobe Zane , Sylvester Zoltán , Bolla Pittaluga Michele , Frascati Alessandro , Pirmez Carlos , Minisini Daniel , Howes Nick , Cantelli Alessandro
Published: January 2017

High‐resolution bathymetry, seismic reflection, and piston core data from a submarine channel on the western Niger Delta slope demonstrate that thick, coarse‐grained, amalgamated sands in the channel thalweg/axis transition to thin, fine‐grained, bedded sands and muds in the channel margin. Radiocarbon ages indicate that axis and margin deposits are coeval. Core data show that bed thickness, grain size, and deposition rate strongly decrease with increasing height above channel thalweg and/or distance from channel centerline. A 5 times decrease in bed thickness and 1–2 ψ decrease in grain size are evident over a 20 m elevation change (approximately the elevation difference between axis and margin). A simplified in‐channel sedimentation model that solves vertical concentration and velocity profiles of turbidity currents accurately reproduces the vertical trends in grain size and bed thickness shown in the core data set. The close match between data and model suggests that the vertical distribution of grain size and bed thickness shown in this study is widely applicable and can be used to predict grain size and facies variation in data‐poor areas (e.g., subsurface cores). This study emphasizes that facies models for submarine channel deposits should recognize that grain‐size and thickness trends within contemporaneous axis‐margin packages require a change in elevation above the thalweg. The transition from thick‐bedded, amalgamated, coarser‐grained sands to thin‐bedded, nonamalgamated, finer‐grained successions is primarily a reflection of a change in elevation. Even a relatively small elevation change (e.g., 1 m) is enough to result in a significant change in grain size, bed thickness, and facies.
Semi‐intrinsic self‐healing performance of liquid‐cored microcapsules in epoxy matrix
Authors: Yilmaz Cagatay , Yildiz Mehmet , Menceloglu Yusuf
Published: January 2017

We present an experimental study on the microcapsule‐based semi‐intrinsic self‐healing behavior of low viscosity epoxy resin used in Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process. The microcapsules containing RTM epoxy resin are prepared using in situ polymerization of urea‐formaldehyde. Single type of microcapsules with six different agitation rates is prepared, resulting in microcapsules with a mean diameter ranging from 52 to 202 μm. The thermal characteristics of each microcapsule batch are investigated using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Simultaneous Thermal Analysis (STA). In addition to thermal characterization tools, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is also used as a qualitative technique to determine the composition of microcapsules. The mechanical properties of the self‐healing specimen such as Mode‐I fracture toughness and flexure strength are assessed by a universal testing machine, and the obtained results are compared with the findings in literature.
Bioarchaeology of adaptation to a marginal environment in bronze age Western China
Authors: Berger Elizabeth , Wang Hui
Published: January 2017

Objectives

This study examines human adaptation to the 4000 BP climate change event, which is said to have increased the marginality of Inner Asian environments. We propose to define “marginal” environments not in relation to a specific economic activity (e.g., agriculture), but in relation to whether humans living there are physiologically stressed.

Methods

Three sites in the Hexi Corridor of Gansu were studied, one from the early and two from the late Bronze Age (N = 125). The study includes three indicators of physiological stress: linear enamel hypoplasias (LEH); tibial periosteal lesions; and fertility. The early and late Bronze Age groups were compared to examine whether human physiological stress increased.

Results

The percent of individuals with LEH declined dramatically, indicating fewer growth disruptions. Tibial periosteal reactions also changed, from mostly active to mostly healing at the time of death, indicating that frailty declined. Fertility, which is sensitive to changes in population health and resource availability, did not change significantly.

Conclusions

Counter to the dominant narrative of environmental deterioration and subsistence system collapse, the Bronze Age residents of the Hexi Corridor show no skeletal evidence that they suffered from resource shortages or struggled to adapt in the fluctuating climate that pertained after the 4000 BP climate event. In fact, this study found that people suffered from less frailty and fewer growth disruptions after the unstable climate had persisted for some time. Therefore, in human biological terms, the Hexi Corridor did not become more marginal for human habitation during the Bronze Age.
Early life infection, but not breastfeeding, predicts adult blood telomere lengths in the Philippines
Authors: Eisenberg Dan T. A. , Borja Judith B. , Hayes M. Geoffrey , Kuzawa Christopher W.
Published: January 2017

Objectives

Telomeres are repetitive DNA at chromosomes ends that shorten with age due to cellular replication and oxidative stress. As telomeres shorten, this can eventually place limits on cell replication and contribute to senescence. Infections are common during early development and activate cellular immune responses that involve clonal expansion and oxidative stress. As such, a high infectious disease burden might shorten blood telomere length (BTL) and accelerate the pace of immune senescence.

Methods

To test this, BTL measured in young adults (21.7 ± 0.3 years old) from the Philippines (N = 1,759) were linked to prospectively collected early life data on infectious burden.

Results

As predicted, increased early life diarrheal prevalence was associated with shorter adult BTL. The association was most marked for infections experienced from 6 to 12 months, which corresponds with weaning and maximal diarrheal burden. A standard deviation increase in infections at 6–12 m predicts a 45 bp decrease in BTL, equivalent to 3.3 years of adult telomeric aging in this population. Contrary to expectations, breastfeeding duration was not associated with BTL, nor did effects vary by sex.

Conclusions

These findings show that infancy diarrheal disease predicts a marker of cellular aging in adult immune cells. These findings suggest that early life infectious burden may influence late life health, or alternatively, that short TL in early life increases infectious disease susceptibility.
Trends in cardiometabolic parameters among Spanish children from 2006 to 2010: The Cuenca study
Authors: Arellano‐Ruiz Paola , García‐Hermoso Antonio , Martínez‐Vizcaíno Vicente , Salcedo‐Aguilar Fernando , Garrido‐Miguel Miriam , Solera‐Martinez Montserrat
Published: January 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the trends in cardiometabolic risk factors among schoolchildren in Cuenca, Spain, from 2006 to 2010.

Methods

Data were taken from two cross‐sectional surveys conducted in 2006 and 2010 among schoolchildren aged 8–12 years from 20 public schools in the province of Cuenca. The final sample consisted of 2148 participants with measured anthropometric variables, biochemical assessment, and blood pressure.

Results

We observed an increase in mean serum total cholesterol (8.5 mg/dL and 10.7 mg/dL), LDL‐cholesterol (13.7 mg/dL and 17.3 md/dL), triglycerides (3.6 mg/dL and 2.6 md/dL), fasting insulin (1.2 µU/mL and 0.3 µU/mL) and HOMA‐IR (0.2 and 0.02) and a decrease in mean serum HDL‐cholesterol (4.4 mg/dL and 5.7 mg/dL), systolic blood pressure (3.8 mmHg and 5.4 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (0.8 mmHg and 2.0 mmHg) in both sexes. In girls, mean arterial pressure (3.2 mmHg) also decreased in this period. In addition, we found an increase in the prevalence of adverse total cholesterol concentration (≥200 mg/dL) (7.8% and 8.9%), HDL‐cholesterol concentration (<40 mg/dL) (1.9% in boys and 3.5% in girls) and LDL cholesterol concentration (≥130mg/dL) (4.8% and 5.8%) in boys and girls, respectively.

Conclusions

There has been a worsening of the lipid profile in schoolchildren from Cuenca, independent of weight status and age.
Utility of osteon circularity for determining species and interpreting load history in primates and nonprimates
Authors: Keenan Kendra E. , Mears Chad S. , Skedros John G.
Published: January 2017

Objectives

Histomorphological analyses of bones are used to estimate an individual's chronological age, interpret a bone's load history, and differentiate species. Among various histomorphological characteristics that can influence mechanical properties of cortical bone, secondary osteon (Haversian system) population density and predominant collagen fiber orientation are particularly important. Cross‐sectional shape characteristics of secondary osteons (On.Cr = osteon circularity, On.El = osteon ellipticality) are considered helpful in these contexts, but more robust proof is needed. We sought to determine if variations in osteon shape characteristics are sufficient for accurately differentiating species, load‐complexity categories, and regional habitual strain‐mode distributions (e.g., tension vs. compression regions).

Materials and Methods

Circularly polarized light images were obtained from 100‐micron transverse sections from diaphyses of adult deer calcanei; sheep calcanei, radii, and tibiae; equine calcanei, radii, and third metacarpals (MC3s); chimpanzee femora; and human femora and fibulae. Osteon cross‐sectional area (On.Ar), On.Cr, and On.El were quantified indiscriminately and in the contexts of load‐complexity and regional strain‐mode distributions.

Results

On.Cr and On.El, when examined independently in terms of all data, or mean (nested) data, for each bone, exceeded 80% accuracy in the inter‐species comparisons only with respect to distinguishing humans from nonhumans. Correct classification among the nonhuman species was <70%. When On.Cr and On.El were coupled together and with On.Ar in discriminant function analyses (nested and unnested data) there were high misclassifications in all but human vs. nonhuman comparisons.

Discussion

Frequent misclassifications in nonhuman comparisons might reflect influences of habitual load complexity and/or strain‐mode distributions, or other factors not accounted for by these two considerations.
Glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoglobulin G as biomarker of autoimmune astrocytopathy: Analysis of 102 patients
Authors: Flanagan Eoin P. , Hinson Shannon R. , Lennon Vanda A. , Fang Boyan , Aksamit Allen J. , Morris P. Pearse , Basal Eati , Honorat Josephe A. , Alfugham Nora B. , Linnoila Jenny J. , Weinshenker Brian G. , Pittock Sean J. , McKeon Andrew
Published: January 2017

Objective

A novel autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) disorder with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)‐IgG as biomarker was recently characterized. Here, 102 patients with GFAP‐IgG positivity are described.

Methods

The 102 included patients had: (1) serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or both that yielded a characteristic astrocytic pattern of mouse tissue immunostaining; (2) confirmation of IgG reactive with specific GFAP isoforms (α, ɛ, or κ) by cell‐based assays; and (3) clinical data available. Control specimens (n = 865) were evaluated by tissue (n = 542) and cell‐based (n = 323) assays.

Results

Median symptom onset age was 44 years (range = 8–103), and 54% were women. The predominant phenotype (83 patients; 81%) was inflammation of meninges, brain, spinal cord, or all 3 (meningoencephalomyelitis). Among patients, highest specificity for those phenotypes was observed for CSF testing (94%), and highest sensitivity was for the GFAPα isoform (100%). Rare GFAP‐IgG positivity was encountered in serum controls by tissue‐based assay (0.5%) or cell‐based assay (1.5%), and in CSF controls by cell‐based assay (0.9%). Among patients, striking perivascular radial enhancement was found on brain magnetic resonance imaging in 53%. Although cases frequently mimicked vasculitis, angiography was uniformly negative, and spinal imaging frequently demonstrated longitudinally extensive myelitic lesions. Diverse neoplasms encountered were found prospectively in 22%. Ovarian teratoma was most common and was predicted best when both N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor–IgG and aquaporin‐4–IgG coexisted (71%). Six patients with prolonged follow‐up had brisk corticosteroid response, but required additional immunosuppression to overcome steroid dependency.

Interpretation

GFAPα‐IgG, when detected in CSF, is highly specific for an immunotherapy‐responsive autoimmune CNS disorder, sometimes with paraneoplastic cause. Ann Neurol 2017;81:298–309
A Boronic Acid Conjugate of Angiogenin that Shows ROS‐Responsive Neuroprotective Activity
Authors: Hoang Trish T. , Smith Thomas P. , Raines Ronald T.
Published: January 2017

Angiogenin (ANG) is a human ribonuclease that is compromised in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ANG also promotes neovascularization, and can induce hemorrhage and encourage tumor growth. The causal neurodegeneration of ALS is associated with reactive oxygen species, which are also known to elicit the oxidative cleavage of carbon–boron bonds. We have developed a synthetic boronic acid mask that restrains the ribonucleolytic activity of ANG. The masked ANG does not stimulate endothelial cell proliferation but protects astrocytes from oxidative stress. By differentiating between the two dichotomous biological activities of ANG, this strategy could provide a viable pharmacological approach for the treatment of ALS.
Defining critical habitat conditions for the conservation of three endemic and endangered cyprinids in a Mediterranean intermittent river before the onset of drought
Authors: Vardakas Leonidas , Kalogianni Eleni , Papadaki Christina , Vavalidis Theocharis , Mentzafou Angeliki , Koutsoubas Drosos , Skoulikidis Th. Nikolaos
Published: January 2017

Identifying key factors in species' habitat requirements can be of use in defining critical habitats for their conservation, as well as in assisting the prioritization of habitat restoration actions. So far, most studies on habitat use by freshwater fishes have been focused on widespread and economically important species (e.g. salmonids).

This study aimed to identify the early summer habitat use (i.e. before the start of the drought period) of three endemic and endangered Greek cyprinids – the Evrotas chub Squalius keadicus, the Spartian minnowroach Tropidophoxinellus spartiaticus and the Evrotas minnow Pelasgus laconicus, with regard to depth, water velocity, substrate and macrophyte cover. In the case of the chub, habitat use by juvenile and adult fish was assessed separately. Data were collected for each fish group from four habitat types (riffles, runs, glides, pools) by using a modified point‐abundance sampling with an electrofishing device. In total, 120 sampling points were sampled, in two near‐reference perennial reaches of the Evrotas River (southern Greece) in early summer 2014, when there was continuous flow and full connectivity between habitats.

All three target species had their highest densities in deeper habitats with low water velocities and depositional substrates such as pools and runs. A high overlap in habitat use was evident for the three species. Habitat use curves based on microhabitat data were created for all species. Μinnowroaches, minnows and large chubs actively selected deep habitats. Minnowroaches and minnows favoured slow‐flowing, vegetated habitats with fine substrate located close to the river bank, while chubs had no clear affinity for particular velocities or substrate types. However, size class comparisons in chub indicated differences in both water depth and velocity.

Overall, the results of this study provide the first detailed report of the habitat use of these endangered fish species. These patterns of habitat use highlight the importance of deep habitats that must be preserved as refugia while the drought events progress.
Intraseasonal rainfall variability in the Bay of Bengal during the Summer Monsoon: coupling with the ocean and modulation by the Indian Ocean Dipole
Authors: Jongaramrungruang Siraput , Seo Hyodae , Ummenhofer Caroline C.
Published: January 2017

The Indian Summer Monsoon rainfall exhibits pronounced intraseasonal variability in the Bay of Bengal (BoB). This study examines the intraseasonal rainfall variability with foci on the coupling with sea surface temperatures (SST) and its interannual modulation. The lagged composite analysis reveals that, in the northern BoB, SST warming leads the onset of intraseasonal rainfall by 5 days. Latent heat flux is reduced before the rain event but is greatly amplified during the rainfall maxima. Further analysis reveals that this intraseasonal rainfall‐SST relationship through latent heating is strengthened in negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) years when the bay‐wide local SST is anomalously warm. Latent heat flux is further increased during the intraseasonal rainfall maxima leading to strengthened rainfall variability. The moisture budget analysis shows this is primarily due to stronger low‐level moisture convergence in negative IOD years. The results provide important predictive information on the monsoon rainfall and its active/break cycles.
Airline flight scheduling for oligopolistic competition with direct flights and a point to point network
Authors: Tang Ching‐Hui , Hsu Yueh‐Ling
Published: January 2017

In this research, we consider a flight scheduling problem for oligopolistic competition with direct flights and a point to point network. In this type of market situation, passengers are sensitive to the departure time of a flight rather than the transfer time. The airline needs to carefully consider the departure times of their competitors when determining their own. Therefore, unlike past approaches which have only considered one departure time for a competitor's flight, a flight scheduling framework is developed which takes into consideration possible competitor departure times. The framework includes two dependent stages which are repeatedly solved during the solution process. In addition, an upper bound model is also designed to evaluate the solution quality. Numerical tests are performed using data for Taiwan's outlying island route which is characterized by the above market situation. Satisfactory results are obtained, showing the good performance of the framework. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Randomized clinical trial of extended versus single-dose perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis for acute calculous cholecystitis
Authors: Loozen C S , Kortram K , Kornmann V N N , van Ramshorst B , Vlaminckx B , Knibbe C A J , Kelder J C , Donkervoort S C , Nieuwenhuijzen G A P , Ponten J E H , van Geloven A A W , van Duijvendijk P , Bos W J W , Besselink M G H , Gouma D J , van Santvoort H C , Boerma D
Published: January 2017

Background

Many patients who have surgery for acute cholecystitis receive postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis, with the intent to reduce infectious complications. There is, however, no evidence that extending antibiotics beyond a single perioperative dose is advantageous. This study aimed to determine the effect of extended antibiotic prophylaxis on infectious complications in patients with mild acute cholecystitis undergoing cholecystectomy.

Methods

For this randomized controlled non-inferiority trial, adult patients with mild acute calculous cholecystitis undergoing cholecystectomy at six major teaching hospitals in the Netherlands, between April 2012 and September 2014, were assessed for eligibility. Patients were randomized to either a single preoperative dose of cefazolin (2000 mg), or antibiotic prophylaxis for 3 days after surgery (intravenous cefuroxime 750 mg plus metronidazole 500 mg, three times daily), in addition to the single dose. The primary endpoint was rate of infectious complications within 30 days after operation.

Results

In the intention-to-treat analysis, three of 77 patients (4 per cent) in the extended antibiotic group and three of 73 (4 per cent) in the standard prophylaxis group developed postoperative infectious complications (absolute difference 0·2 (95 per cent c.i. –8·2 to 8·9) per cent). Based on a margin of 5 per cent, non-inferiority of standard prophylaxis compared with extended prophylaxis was not proven. Median length of hospital stay was 3 days in the extended antibiotic group and 1 day in the standard prophylaxis group.

Conclusion

Standard single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis did not lead to an increase in postoperative infectious complications in patients with mild acute cholecystitis undergoing cholecystectomy. Registration number: NTR3089 (www.trialregister.nl).
Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant and Anti‐proliferative Capacities of Dried Leaf and Its Extract from Xao tam phan (Paramignya trimera)
Authors: Nguyen Van Tang , Sakoff Jennette A. , Scarlett Christopher J.
Published: January 2017

Xao tam phan (Paramignya trimera) has been used for the treatment of cancer and cancer‐like aliments. Among different parts of the P. trimera plant, leaf is considered as a residual part after harvesting of the root. This study aimed to determine the physiochemical properties and the antioxidant and anti‐proliferative capacities of P. trimera leaf (PTL) using microwave drying for the preparation of dry sample; MeOH and microwave‐assisted extraction for the preparation of crude extract; and freeze‐drying for the preparation of powdered extract. The results showed that total phenolic, total flavonoid, proanthocyanidin, and saponin contents of PTL prepared by microwave drying at 450 W were 25.4 mg gallic acid equiv. (GAE), 86.3 mg rutin equiv. (RE), 5.6 mg catechin equiv. (CE), and 702.1 mg escin equiv. (EE) per gram dried sample, respectively. Gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, ellagic acid, rutin, and quercetin were identified in the PTL MeOH extract. Dried PTL displayed potent antioxidant activity, while the powdered PTL extract exhibited great anti‐proliferative capacity on various cancer cell lines including MiaPaCa‐2 (pancreas), HT29 (colon), A2780 (ovarian), H460 (lung), A431 (skin), Du145 (prostate), BE2‐C (neuroblastoma), MCF‐7 (breast), MCF‐10A (normal breast), and U87, SJ‐G2, and SMA (glioblastoma). Anti‐proliferative capacity on pancreatic cancer cells (MiaCaPa2, BxPc3, and CFPAC1) of PTL extract (200 μg/ml) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of ostruthin (20 μg/ml) and gemcitabine (50 nm), and to be comparable to the powdered P. trimera root extract and a saponin‐enriched extract from quillajia bark (a commercial product). The findings from this study allow us to conclude that the PTL is a rich source of phytochemicals that possess promising antioxidant and anti‐proliferative activities, therefore it shows potential as lead compounds for application in the nutraceutical, medicinal and pharmaceutical industries.
Kemp Elimination Catalyzed by Naturally Occurring Aldoxime Dehydratases
Authors: Miao Yufeng , Metzner Richard , Asano Yasuhisa
Published: January 2017

Recently, the Kemp elimination reaction has been extensively studied in computational enzyme design of new catalysts, as no natural enzyme has evolved to catalyze this reaction. In contrast to in silico enzyme design, we were interested in searching for Kemp eliminase activity in natural enzymes with catalytic promiscuity. Based on similarities of substrate structures and reaction mechanisms, we assumed that the active sites of naturally abundant aldoxime dehydratases have the potential to catalyze the non‐natural Kemp elimination reaction. We found several aldoxime dehydratases that are efficient catalysts of this reaction. Although a few natural enzymes have been identified with promiscuous Kemp eliminase activity, to the best of our knowledge, this is a rare example of Kemp elimination catalyzed by naturally occurring enzymes with high catalytic efficiency.
A Sol–Gel Ruthenium–Niobium–Silicon Mixed‐Oxide Bifunctional Catalyst for the Hydrogenation of Levulinic Acid in the Aqueous Phase
Authors: Minieri Luciana , Esposito Serena , Russo Vincenzo , Bonelli Barbara , Di Serio Martino , Silvestri Brigida , Vergara Alessandro , Aronne Antonio
Published: January 2017

A mixed‐oxide nanomaterial with composition (RuO2)0.038(Nb2O5)0.024(SiO2)0.938 was prepared by a one‐pot sol–gel route. The synthesis was entirely performed at room temperature, by using easy‐to‐handle precursors and avoiding the employment of any toxic and/or polluting reactant. One of the samples was synthesised in the presence of a non‐ionic surfactant acting as both pore directing agent and metal complexing agent, obtaining a high‐specific‐surface‐area material characterized by a very good dispersion of the metallic species. In both cases, nanomaterials characterized by a complete reducibility of Ru species were obtained. The reduced nanomaterials acted as effective bifunctional catalysts in the hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA) to γ‐valerolactone, performed under mild conditions in the aqueous phase. The catalyst prepared without surfactant showed good stability and no activity loss during all the performed cycles. By contrast, some deactivation phenomena took place with the surfactant‐templated catalyst. These phenomena were ascribed to both the partial surface oxidation and the surface adsorption of LA molecules giving deactivation during the second run.
High‐Yield Synthesis of Ethyl Lactate with Mesoporous Tin Silicate Catalysts Prepared by an Aerosol‐Assisted Sol–Gel Process
Authors: Godard Nicolas , Vivian Alvise , Fusaro Luca , Cannavicci Lorenzo , Aprile Carmela , Debecker Damien P.
Published: January 2017

An aerosol‐assisted sol–gel method is used to prepare mesoporous tin silicate catalysts that exhibit a record activity in the synthesis of ethyl lactate from dihydroxyacetone and ethanol. The method is based on the formation of an aerosol from a solution of precursors and surfactant. During the fast drying of the droplets, the surfactant self‐assembles and the Sn‐silica matrix is formed by polycondensation reactions. After calcination, the resulting material is composed of a true tin‐silicon mixed oxide in the form of spherical microparticles with calibrated mesopores of 5–6 nm. Sn species are incorporated in the silica network, mainly in the form of single sites. This makes these catalysts highly active for the targeted reaction, as shown by record turnover numbers. The catalyst is recyclable and truly heterogeneous as it can be reused for several cycles and it does not leach.
The Immobilization of Fructose Dehydrogenase on Nanoporous Gold Electrodes for the Detection of Fructose
Authors: Siepenkoetter Till , Salaj‐Kosla Urszula , Magner Edmond
Published: January 2017

Nanoporous gold electrodes were utilized as a support for the detection of d‐fructose. The immobilization of fructose dehydrogenase was achieved by adsorption on thiol‐ and diazonium‐bound carboxylic acid functional groups and subsequent crosslinking through cabodiimide‐initiated amide bond formation. The biosensor showed a linear response in the range 0.05–0.3 mM of d‐fructose with a sensitivity of 3.7±0.2 μA cm−2 mM−1 and a limit of detection of 1.2 μM. The response of the biosensor in a range of natural sweeteners and beverages compared very favorably to the results obtained by a commercially available kit. Accurate readings were obtainable after a very fast response time of less than 5 seconds. The biosensor showed high specificity towards d‐fructose in the presence of interfering sugars.
Analysis of time‐resolved laser‐induced breakdown spectra by mean field‐independent components analysis (MFICA) and multivariate curve resolution–alternating least squares (MCR‐ALS)
Authors: El Rakwe Maria , Rutledge Douglas Neil , Moutiers Gilles , Sirven Jean‐Baptiste
Published: January 2017

Laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is an analytical technique allowing the determination of elemental concentrations in a variety of matrices in the solid, liquid, and gaseous phases. Because of the inherent complexity of the signal and to the high dimensionality of experimental data, chemometrics has been more and more applied in LIBS to perform samples identification or quantitative measurements. But multivariate methods can also be used for the description and physical interpretation of the plasma, particularly to exploit the temporal dimension of the LIBS signal, which is usually neglected in spectrochemical measurements.

In this work, time‐resolved spectra of a pure aluminum sample were treated with 2 methods, mean field‐independent components analysis and multivariate curve resolution–alternating least squares, applying non‐negativity constraints for scores and components in both cases. Results obtained were compared with reference univariate measurements of the emission of the species of interest (ions, neutral atoms, and molecules). The interpretation of scores and components provided a physical description of phenomena that take place between species in the plasma, like ionic recombination and molecules formation. Overall, mean field‐independent components analysis and multivariate curve resolution–alternating least squares yield equivalent solutions with our dataset. This new approach is very promising for the treatment of time‐resolved data obtained by LIBS.
Covalent Capturing of Transient SUMO–SIM Interactions Using Unnatural Amino Acid Mutagenesis and Photocrosslinking
Authors: Taupitz Kim F. , Dörner Wolfgang , Mootz Henning D.
Published: January 2017

The weak interaction between the post‐translational modifier SUMO (small ubiquitin‐like modifier) and proteins containing the SUMO‐interacting motif (SIM) poses limitations to the identification of interaction partners of SUMOylated proteins and to the mapping of the interfaces. To overcome these limitations, genetically encoded photocrosslinker amino acids were incorporated close to the SIM‐interaction groove in human SUMO1. UV irradiation resulted in the desired covalent crosslinks both in a purified protein environment and in cell extracts.
Ruthenium‐Catalyzed meta‐Selective C−H Mono‐ and Difluoromethylation of Arenes through ortho‐Metalation Strategy
Authors: Li Zhong‐Yuan , Li Liang , Li Qi‐Li , Jing Kun , Xu Hui , Wang Guan‐Wu
Published: January 2017

The first example for the ruthenium‐catalyzed ligand‐directed meta‐selective C−H mono‐ and difluoromethylation is developed, affording a variety of new meta‐mono‐ and difluoromethylated 2‐phenylpyridines, 2‐phenylpyrimidines, and 1‐phenylpyrazoles in moderate‐to‐good yields. This new transformation exhibits broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and high efficiency, and offers a practical approach to synthesize mono‐ and difluoromethylated arenes. Mechanistic studies indicate that a reaction pathway involving palladium‐initiated radical species is involved in the catalytic cycle. The new dual catalytic system consisting of compatible ruthenium(II) and palladium(0) complexes enables the key processes of C−H activation and mono‐/difluoromethyl‐radical formation to occur and achieves the meta‐selective functionalization efficiently. In addition, the present protocol can also be extended to non‐fluoromethylation.
Amine regeneration tests on MEA, DEA, and MMEA with respect to cabamate stability analyses
Authors: Shi Huancong , Zhou Yunlong , Si Mengyin , Zuo Yuanhui , Kang Shifei , Wang Yangang , Cui Lifeng , Idem Raphael , Tontiwachwuthikul Paitoon , Liang Zhiwu
Published: January 2017

The CO2 desorption analyses of several amines were performed to reveal the behaviour of the amine regeneration process. A typical primary amine (MEA) and two other secondary amines (MMEA and DEA) were selected, in preparation for amine solutions under different concentrations, from 1–7 mol/L. The regeneration curves were generated and plotted to describe the process. It was discovered that the specific CO2 loadings (mol/mol) that distinguish the amine regeneration curves into different regions were the same for the specific amine, despite different concentrations. These points were defined as “turning points” on regeneration curves. The turning points of MEA, MMEA, and DEA are located at CO2 loadings of 0.40 mol/mol, 0.38 mol/mol, and 0.28 mol/mol, respectively. The carbamate stabilities of the three amines were compared with each other based on the slope of regeneration curves at slow region. The amine regeneration tests compared the relative heat duty at the first 2 h: MMEA > MEA > > DEA, which is the same order as carbamate stability.
Economic trends for temperature of sugarcane bagasse pyrolysis
Authors: Gonçalves Edvan Vinícius , Seixas Fernanda Lini , de Souza Scandiuzzi Santana Lindinalva Rocha , Scaliante Mara Heloisa Neves Olsen , Gimenes Marcelino Luis
Published: January 2017

This work examines some aspects of sugarcane bagasse pyrolysis. Fixed bed pyrolysis was performed varying the final process temperature. Product yields and the variation of quality properties (calorific values) of bio‐oil, biochar, and non‐condensable gas were investigated. A mathematical model to simulate the trend of temperature that maximizes a marginal gain was developed considering the regression equations for yields and prices of products (related to market prices and calorific value of conventional fuels) and for the amount of biomass used to supply energy to the process. Two methodologies were adopted to calculate the optimum process temperature. The results showed very close temperatures (600 and 602 °C) for the best performing simulations of endogenous and fixed prices methods, with little difference between the yields of products, but with good variation between the marginal gains ($124.9/tonne and $129.8/tonne). Finally, the results of endogenous prices method for the fixed bed reactor were compared to the vacuum and fast pyrolysis reactors.
Generierung einer mikro‐ und nanostrukturierten Kupferoberfläche mit Lotos‐Effekt – Ein Versuch für die Sekundarstufen I und II
Authors: Bethke Christine , Adelung Rainer , Schwarzer Stefan
Published: January 2017

Es gibt eine Vielzahl an Produkten auf dem Markt, die durch die Natur inspiriert wurden. Aufgrund der enormen Alltagsrelevanz sollte die relativ neue Wissenschaftsdisziplin Bionik zunehmend Einzug in den Schulunterricht finden. In diesem Artikel wird ein Versuch vorgestellt, mit dem der Lotos‐Effekt in den Regelunterricht der allgemeinbildenden Schulen eingeführt werden kann. Durch die Verwendung geeigneter Chemikalien wird eine hydrophile Kupferoberfläche so modifiziert, dass diese superhydrophobe und damit selbstreinigende Eigenschaften aufweist. Für die Erklärung des extrem wasserabweisenden Charakters des modifizierten Kupferplättchens muss die Oberflächenstruktur näher betrachtet werden. Folglich bietet der Versuch die schrittweise Erarbeitung der beobachtbaren Struktur‐Eigenschafts‐Beziehungen an und kann sowohl in der Sekundarstufe I (Wahlpflichtunterricht) als auch in der Sekundarstufe II (Chemie) eingesetzt werden. Er ermöglicht, einen forschend‐entwickelnden Ansatz in den Unterricht zu integrieren. Auch war der Versuch Anlass für Schülerinnen und Schüler, weitergehende experimentelle Fragestellungen zu bearbeiten und ihre Ergebnisse einem größeren Publikum im Rahmen eines Wettbewerbs vorzustellen.
Trifluoromethyl: An Amphiphilic Noncovalent Bonding Partner
Authors: Esterhuysen Catharine , Heßelmann Andreas , Clark Timothy
Published: January 2017

The traditional “Fδ−” picture of fluorine suggests that it can only interact with electrophilic centers such as backbone‐carbonyl carbon atoms or hydrogen‐bond donors in proteins. We show that this view, which neglects polarization, is incomplete and the trifluoromethyl groups can act both as electrophiles and nucleophiles to form noncovalent interactions. The underlying polarization mechanism is based on the anomeric effect and is only fully operative if the geometry is allowed to relax. MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ calculations on model systems demonstrate the effect of the unusual group polarizability of trifluoromethyl. A survey of the Protein Databank reveals more than 600 weak interactions involving a trifluorotoluene moiety. The unique combination of the anomeric effect and the group‐polarization process associated with it in CF3 allows its most negative molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) on the surface in contact with a nucleophile to become zero, so that the area of positive MEP on the backside of the carbon atom becomes dominant. However, the reverse polarization is also facile, so that CF3 can also act as an H‐bond acceptor for cations such as the guanidinium group of arginine.
The changing of the guard
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: January 2017

Over the decades of my career, I have worked with and for nine presidents. As I near the end of my career, I am beginning to work with the tenth. I don't fear working with someone new this late in my work life; I've had a positive collegial relationship with every president with whom I've ever worked. Here are some tips for working well with any president, regardless of the role you play at the college.
Create ADA‐compliant learning experiences for all students
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: January 2017

ANAHEIM, Calif. — With distance learning options at an all‐time high, creating online course design that is both pedagogically sound and accessible for all students is at a premium. Key to that goal is understanding the difference between providing accessible content and providing accommodations and how an institution can meet both needs. In a session at the annual Educause conference, Sheryl Burgstahler, director of accessible technology services at the University of Washington; and Martin LaGrow, senior academic consultant from Ellucian, shared strategies to create Americans with Disabilities Act–compliant course design and learn from common problems with specific inaccessible technology that institutions face when creating online course content.
The shifting phenological landscape: Within‐ and between‐species variation in leaf emergence in a mixed‐deciduous woodland
Authors: Cole Ella F. , Sheldon Ben C.
Published: January 2017

Many organisms rely on synchronizing the timing of their life‐history events with those of other trophic levels—known as phenological matching—for survival or successful reproduction. In temperate deciduous forests, the extent of matching with the budburst date of key tree species is of particular relevance for many herbivorous insects and, in turn, insectivorous birds. In order to understand the ecological and evolutionary forces operating in these systems, we require knowledge of the factors influencing leaf emergence of tree communities. However, little is known about how phenology at the level of individual trees varies across landscapes, or how consistent this spatial variation is between different tree species. Here, we use field observations, collected over 2 years, to characterize within‐ and between‐species differences in spring phenology for 825 trees of six species (Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Fagus sylvatica, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, and Acer pseudoplatanus) in a 385‐ha woodland. We explore environmental predictors of individual variation in budburst date and bud development rate and establish how these phenological traits vary over space. Trees of all species showed markedly consistent individual differences in their budburst timing. Bud development rate also varied considerably between individuals and was repeatable in oak, beech, and sycamore. We identified multiple predictors of budburst date including altitude, local temperature, and soil type, but none were universal across species. Furthermore, we found no evidence for interspecific covariance of phenology over space within the woodland. These analyses suggest that phenological landscapes are highly complex, varying over small spatial scales both within and between species. Such spatial variation in vegetation phenology is likely to influence patterns of selection on phenology within populations of consumers. Knowledge of the factors shaping the phenological environments experienced by animals is therefore likely to be key in understanding how these evolutionary processes operate.
Incidence of Wolbachia in aquatic insects
Authors: Sazama Eric J. , Bosch Michael J. , Shouldis Carmelita S. , Ouellette Scot P. , Wesner Jeff S.
Published: January 2017

Wolbachia is a genus of intracellular bacteria typically found within the reproductive systems of insects that manipulates those systems of their hosts. While current estimates of Wolbachia incidence suggest that it infects approximately half of all arthropod species, these estimates are based almost entirely on terrestrial insects. No systematic survey of Wolbachia in aquatic insects has been performed. To estimate Wolbachia incidence among aquatic insect species, we combined field‐collected samples from the Missouri River (251 samples from 58 species) with a global database from previously published surveys. The final database contained 5,598 samples of 2,687 total species (228 aquatic and 2,459 terrestrial). We estimate that 52% (95% CrIs: 44%–60%) of aquatic insect species carry Wolbachia, compared to 60% (58%–63%) of terrestrial insects. Among aquatic insects, infected orders included Odonata, Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Ephemeroptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, and Plecoptera. Incidence was highest within aquatic Diptera and Hemiptera (69%), Odonata (50%), and Coleoptera (53%), and was lowest within Ephemeroptera (13%). These results indicate that Wolbachia is common among aquatic insects, but incidence varies widely across orders and is especially uncertain in those orders with low sample sizes such as Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera.
Facilitation between woody and herbaceous plants that associate with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in temperate European forests
Authors: Veresoglou Stavros D. , Wulf Monika , Rillig Matthias C.
Published: January 2017

In late‐successional environments, low in available nutrient such as the forest understory, herbaceous plant individuals depend strongly on their mycorrhizal associates for survival. We tested whether in temperate European forests arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) woody plants might facilitate the establishment of AM herbaceous plants in agreement with the mycorrhizal mediation hypothesis. We used a dataset spanning over 400 vegetation plots in the Weser‐Elbe region (northwest Germany). Mycorrhizal status information was obtained from published resources, and Ellenberg indicator values were used to infer environmental data. We carried out tests for both relative richness and relative abundance of herbaceous plants. We found that the subset of herbaceous individuals that associated withAMprofited when there was a high cover ofAMwoody plants. These relationships were retained when we accounted for environmental filtering effects using path analysis. Our findings build on the existing literature highlighting the prominent role of mycorrhiza as a coexistence mechanism in plant communities. From a nature conservation point of view, it may be possible to promote functional diversity in the forest understory through introducingAMwoody trees in stands when absent.
CLO‐PLA: a database of clonal and bud‐bank traits of the Central European flora
Authors: Klimešová Jitka , Danihelka Jiří , Chrtek Jindřich , de Bello Francesco , Herben Tomáš
Published: January 2017

This dataset presents comprehensive and easy‐to‐use information on 29 functional traits of clonal growth, bud banks, and lifespan of members of the Central European flora. The source data were compiled from a number of published sources (see the reference file) and the authors’ own observations or studies. In total, 2,909 species are included (2,745 herbs and 164 woody species), out of which 1,532 (i.e., 52.7% of total) are classified as possessing clonal growth organs (1,480, i.e., 53.9%, if woody plants are excluded). This provides a unique, and largely unexplored, set of traits of clonal growth that can be used in studies on comparative plant ecology, plant evolution, community assembly, and ecosystem functioning across the large flora of Central Europe. It can be directly imported into a number of programs and packages that perform trait‐based and phylogenetic analyses aimed to answer a variety of open and pressing ecological questions.
Activation of CS2 and COS at a Rhodium(I) Germyl Complex: Generation of CS and Carbido Complexes
Authors: Ahrens Theresia , Schmiedecke Bastian , Braun Thomas , Herrmann Roy , Laubenstein Reik
Published: January 2017

Treatment of the germyl complex [Rh(GePh3)(PEt3)3] (1) with CS2 afforded the rhodium thiocarbonyl complex trans‐[Rh(SGePh3)(CS)(PEt3)2] (2) by phosphine dissociation and C–S bond activation. The analogous reaction with COS gave the structurally related carbonyl complex trans‐[Rh(SGePh3)(CO)(PEt3)2] (3). Low‐temperature NMR measurements revealed initial formation of the intermediates mer‐[Rh(GePh3)(η2‐CS2)(PEt3)3] (4) and mer‐[Rh(GePh3)(η2‐COS)(PEt3)3] (5). Reactions of 2 towards CO and HCl led to the replacement of the thiocarbonyl or germylthiolato ligand yielding complex 3 and trans‐[Rh(Cl)(CS)(PEt3)2] (6), respectively. The germylthiolato complex trans‐[Rh(SGePh3)(CS)(PEt3)2] (2) reacted with the boryl complex [Rh(Bpin)(PEt3)3] (7; pin = pinacolato) to afford the rhodium µ‐carbido complex trans,trans‐[{Rh(SBpin)(PEt3)2}(µ‐C){Rh(SGePh3)(PEt3)2}] (8). Complex 8 is not stable in solution and rearranges to form the symmetrical µ‐carbido complexes trans,trans‐[Rh2(µ‐C)(SGePh3)2(PEt3)4] (9) and trans,trans‐[Rh2(µ‐C)(SBpin)2(PEt3)4] (10). The molecular structures of 2 and 9 were determined by X‐ray crystallography.
Resorcinarene‐Based o‐Biarylphosphines in Palladium‐Catalysed Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling Reactions of Bulky Substrates
Authors: Elaieb Fethi , Sémeril David , Matt Dominique
Published: January 2017

Two o‐biarylphosphines, in which the arene ring remote from the phosphorus atom is part of a resorcin[4]arene cavitand, have been synthesised, characterised by X‐ray diffraction and assessed in the cross‐coupling reactions of bulky aryl chlorides with sterically hindered arylboronic acids. Only atropisomers with externally located P atoms were obtained. The resorcinarene ligand with the o‐PCy2C6H4 substituent was found to be more efficient than the Buchwald analogue SPhos in catalysing coupling reactions, reacting around 1.4 times faster. Its superior performance has been attributed to the permanent exo positioning of the metal centre, which engenders steric interactions with two pentyl substituents and therefore facilitates the reductive elimination step.
Self‐Assembly of Polymeric Micelles Made of Asymmetric Polystyrene‐b‐Polyacrylic Acid‐b‐Polyethylene Oxide for the Synthesis of Mesoporous Nickel Ferrite
Authors: Tanaka Shunsuke , Bastakoti Bishnu Prasad , Yusa Yunqi Li Shin‐ichi , Ishii Daisuke , Kani Kenya , Fatehmulla Amanullah , Farooq Wazirzada Aslam , Shiddiky Muhammad J. A. , Bando Yoshio , Kaneti Yusuf Valentino , Yamauchi Yusuke , Hossain Md. Shahriar A.
Published: January 2017

In this work, we report the synthesis of mesoporous nickel ferrite with an average pore size of 22 nm by using the laboratory‐synthesized asymmetric polystyrene‐b‐polyacrylic acid‐b‐polyethylene oxide (PS‐b‐PAA‐b‐PEO) triblock copolymer as a soft template. Here, PS acts as a pore‐forming agent, whereas PAA acts as a reaction site for the metal ions owing to its strong electrostatic interaction with positively charged metal ions. Furthermore, the PEO polymer provides stability for the micelles in solution and also promotes the orderly organization of the composite particles during assembly of the micelles.