bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Kindergarten Number-Sense Intervention With Contrasting Practice Conditions for Low-Achieving Children
Authors: Dyson Nancy , Jordan Nancy C. , Beliakoff Amber , Hassinger-Das Brenna
Published: May 2015

The efficacy of a research-based number-sense intervention for low-achieving kindergartners was examined. Children (N= 126) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: a number-sense intervention followed by a number-fact practice session, an identical number-sense intervention followed by a number-list practice session, or a business-as-usual control group. The interventions were delivered in a small-group setting over 24 half-hour lessons. Both intervention groups performed better than controls on measures of number sense, arithmetic fluency, and general mathematics calculation achievement at immediate posttest. However, the number-fact practice condition gave children an additional advantage over the number-list practice condition on the outcomes at delayed posttest 8 weeks later. The number-fact practice condition was especially effective for producing gains in English learners.
Emotional Intelligence in Higher Education: Using Art in a Philosophical Discussion on God, Evil and Suffering
Authors: Kollontai Pauline
Published: May 2015

The use of emotional intelligence in peace-building has grown significantly during the past few years. Many projects across the world include some form of art activity to help victims of conflict, both individually and together across conflicting parties, in shaping a political process which enables a more profound understanding of each other with the aim of reconciliation and building a future where the break-down of societies into violence are less likely to occur. This led me to consider how the use of paintings/drawings, done by the victims or witnesses of conflict such as war, genocide and ethnic cleansing, could contribute to the learning experience of students undertaking an elective module on the Philosophy of Religion which addressed the issues of God, evil and suffering. The findings presented here are the result of a qualitative study I undertook with undergraduate students on this elective module over a period of three years.
Dosage compensation can buffer copy-number variation in wild yeast
Authors: Hose James , Yong Chris Mun , Sardi Maria , Wang Zhishi , Newton Michael A , Gasch Audrey P
Published: May 2015

Aneuploidy is linked to myriad diseases but also facilitates organismal evolution. It remains unclear how cells overcome the deleterious effects of aneuploidy until new phenotypes evolve. Although laboratory strains are extremely sensitive to aneuploidy, we show here that aneuploidy is common in wild yeast isolates, which show lower-than-expected expression at many amplified genes. We generated diploid strain panels in which cells carried two, three, or four copies of the affected chromosomes, to show that gene-dosage compensation functions at 10–30% of amplified genes. Genes subject to dosage compensation are under higher expression constraint in wild populations—but they show elevated rates of gene amplification, suggesting that copy-number variation is buffered at these genes. We find that aneuploidy provides a clear ecological advantage to oak strain YPS1009, by amplifying a causal gene that escapes dosage compensation. Our work presents a model in which dosage compensation buffers gene amplification through aneuploidy to provide a natural, but likely transient, route to rapid phenotypic evolution.
A new species of the lichen genus Monerolechia (Ascomycota, Physciaceae) from Australia
Authors: Elix John A.
Published: May 2015

Monerolechia norstictica Elix from Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland is described as new to science. In addition, the new combinations Monerolechia californica (H.Magn.) Elix and M. glomerulans (Müll.Arg.) Elix are made and a key is provided for the three species which occur in Australia.
History of atmospheric deposition of trace elements in lake sediments, ~1880 to 2007
Authors: Sarkar Sayantan , Ahmed Tanveer , Swami Kamal , Judd Christopher D. , Bari Abdul , Dutkiewicz Vincent A. , Husain Liaquat
Published: May 2015

We report measurements of 30 major and trace elements (TEs) in sediment cores from two high‐altitude lakes, West Pine Pond (WPP), and Clear Pond (CP), in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. The data are used to deduce atmospheric deposition histories of TEs over ~130 years. The cores were collected using a gravity corer, sliced, freeze dried, and ages determined using 210Pb and 137Cs techniques. TE data in WPP were supplemented with our earlier elemental carbon (EC) measurements. Lithophilic elements showed no systematic temporal pattern or any significant enrichment over their crustal abundances. Anthropogenic TEs exhibited distinct increases beginning ~1900, and peaked around 1920–1970, due apparently to energy‐related emissions. Peak concentrations of most TEs, except Pb and Hg, were observed at ~1921 in WPP and ~1940s in CP. Concentration of Pb peaked in 1973 in both lakes and Hg only in CP at ~1965. Lead fluxes were reflective of historical smelter production and combustion of coal and leaded gasoline. Copper and zinc fluxes mimicked corresponding primary production, while EC fluxes followed the long‐term trend for fossil and biofuel combustion. TE and EC flux trends were closely related to the growth of industrialization in the Central and Midwestern U.S. and changing fuel consumption patterns. Compared to peak values, the modern TE fluxes decreased by 25–85%, whereas EC decreased by 96%. Apparently, the regulations intended to control pollutant emissions have succeeded in reducing atmospheric concentrations of the species studied and have improved air quality.
Bayesian method for simultaneous gross error detection and data reconciliation
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Khatibisepehr Shima , Huang Biao , Li Zukui
Published: May 2015

Process measurements collected from daily industrial plant operations are essential for process monitoring, control, and optimization. However, those measurements are generally corrupted by errors, which include gross errors and random errors. Conventionally, those two types of errors were addressed separately by gross error detection and data reconciliation. Solving the simultaneous gross error detection and data reconciliation problem using the hierarchical Bayesian inference technique is focused. The proposed approach solves the following problems in a unified framework. First, it detects which measurements contain gross errors. Second, the magnitudes of the gross errors are estimated. Third, the covariance matrix of the random errors is estimated. Finally, data reconciliation is performed using the maximum a posteriori estimation. The proposed algorithm is applicable to both linear and nonlinear systems. For nonlinear case, the algorithm does not involve any linearization or approximation steps. Numerical case studies are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 3232–3248, 2015
A Mild and Efficient CH2‐Extrusion Reaction for the Enantiospecific Synthesis of Highly Configurationally Stable Tröger Bases
Authors: Pujari Sandip A. , Besnard Céline , Bürgi Thomas , Lacour Jérôme
Published: May 2015

A novel CH2‐extrusion reaction leading to the transformation of ethano‐Tröger bases into disubstituted methano derivatives is reported (yields up to 93 %). Under mild and metal‐free oxidative conditions, a loss of CH2 and a ring contraction are provoked. Despite two bond cleavages at stereogenic nitrogen and carbon centers and a temporary rupture of the bicyclic structure, a very high enantiospecificity (es≥98 %) is observed for this unusual reaction.
Formal Synthesis of Sarain A: Intramolecular Cycloaddition of an Eight‐Membered Cyclic Nitrone to Construct the 2‐Azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane Framework
Authors: Higo Takuya , Ukegawa Tomoya , Yokoshima Satoshi , Fukuyama Tohru
Published: May 2015

An enantioselective route to the tetracyclic skeleton of sarain A has been developed. Asymmetric reduction of an ynone introduced a chiral center which was transferred to the contiguous tertiary stereogenic centers through an Ireland–Claisen rearrangement. The 2‐azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane framework was constructed by an unprecedented intramolecular cycloaddition of an eight‐membered cyclic nitrone. Using the steric bias of the bicyclic system, the quaternary carbon atom was constructed by a stereoselective aldol reaction. Further ring formations were performed by ring‐closing metathesis for the 13‐membered ring and an iodoamidation reaction for the pyrrolidine ring. The present synthesis has successfully provided an alternative route to the late‐stage intermediate of Overman’s synthesis.
Light‐Triggered RNA Annealing by an RNA Chaperone
Authors: Panja Subrata , Paul Rakesh , Greenberg Marc M. , Woodson Sarah A.
Published: May 2015

Non‐coding antisense RNAs regulate bacterial genes in response to nutrition or environmental stress, and can be engineered for artificial gene control. The RNA chaperone Hfq accelerates antisense pairing between non‐coding RNAs and their mRNA targets, by a mechanism still unknown. We used a photocaged guanosine derivative in an RNA oligonucleotide to temporally control Hfq catalyzed annealing. Using a fluorescent molecular beacon as a reporter, we observed RNA duplex formation within 15 s following irradiation (3 s) of photocaged RNA complexed with Hfq. The results showed that the Hfq chaperone directly stabilizes the initiation of RNA base pairs, and suggests a strategy for light‐activated control of gene expression by non‐coding RNAs.
Solution‐Phase Dynamic Assembly of Permanently Interlocked Aryleneethynylene Cages through Alkyne Metathesis
Authors: Wang Qi , Yu Chao , Long Hai , Du Ya , Jin Yinghua , Zhang Wei
Published: May 2015

Highly stable permanently interlocked aryleneethynylene molecular cages were synthesized from simple triyne monomers using dynamic alkyne metathesis. The interlocked complexes are predominantly formed in the reaction solution in the absence of any recognition motif and were isolated in a pure form using column chromatography. This study is the first example of the thermodynamically controlled solution‐phase synthesis of interlocked organic cages with high stability.
SpONGE: Spontaneous Organization of Numerous‐Layer Generation by Electrospray
Authors: Jin Gyuhyung , Shin Mikyung , Kim Seung‐Hyun , Lee Haeshin , Jang Jae‐Hyung
Published: May 2015

Advanced technologies that can mimic hierarchical architectures found in nature can provide pivotal clues for elucidating numerous biological mechanisms. Herein, a novel technology, spontaneous organization of numerous‐layer generation by electrospray (SpONGE), was developed to create self‐assembled and multilayered fibrous structures. The simple inclusion of salts in a polymer solution prior to electrospraying was key to mediating the structural versatilities of the fibrous structures. The SpONGE matrix demonstrated great potential as a crucial building block capable of inducing sequential, localized drug delivery or orchestrating cellular distribution in vivo, thereby expanding its scope of use to cover a variety of biomedical applications.
Rhodium(II)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of Troponoids
Authors: Murarka Sandip , Jia Zhi‐Jun , Merten Christian , Daniliuc Constantin‐G. , Antonchick Andrey P. , Waldmann Herbert
Published: May 2015

We report a rhodium(II)‐catalyzed highly enantioselective 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction between the carbonyl moiety of tropone and carbonyl ylides to afford troponoids in good to high yields with excellent enantioselectivity. We demonstrate that α‐diazoketone‐derived carbonyl ylides, in contrast to carbonyl ylides derived from diazodiketoesters, undergo [6+3] cycloaddition reactions with tropone to yield the corresponding bridged heterocycles with excellent stereoselectivity.
CH Activation Generates Period‐Shortening Molecules That Target Cryptochrome in the Mammalian Circadian Clock
Authors: Oshima Tsuyoshi , Yamanaka Iori , Kumar Anupriya , Yamaguchi Junichiro , Nishiwaki‐Ohkawa Taeko , Muto Kei , Kawamura Rika , Hirota Tsuyoshi , Yagita Kazuhiro , Irle Stephan , Kay Steve A. , Yoshimura Takashi , Itami Kenichiro
Published: May 2015

The synthesis and functional analysis of KL001 derivatives, which are modulators of the mammalian circadian clock, are described. By using cutting‐edge CH activation chemistry, a focused library of KL001 derivatives was rapidly constructed, which enabled the identification of the critical sites on KL001 derivatives that induce a rhythm‐changing activity along with the components that trigger opposite modes of action. The first period‐shortening molecules that target the cryptochrome (CRY) were thus discovered. Detailed studies on the effects of these compounds on CRY stability implicate the existence of an as yet undiscovered regulatory mechanism.
Cyclic Group 15 Radical Cations
Authors: Brückner Angelika , Hinz Alexander , Priebe Jacqueline B. , Schulz Axel , Villinger Alexander
Published: May 2015

Singlet cyclo‐1,3‐dipnicta‐2,4‐diazane‐1,3‐diyls of the type [E(μ‐NTer)2E] (2, E=P, As, Ter=2,6‐dimesitylphenyl) can undergo a one‐electron‐oxidation utilizing silver salts of weakly coordinating anions such as [AgLn][B(C6F5)4] (L=donor solvents) to afford the novel cyclic radical cations, [E(μ‐NTer)2E]+. (3+.). When smaller and more basic anions were employed in the reaction, the anions were found to form covalent bonds to the radical centers yielding dipnictadiazanes, [FP(μ‐NTer)2PF] (5) and [(CF3CO2)P(μ‐NTer)2P(CF3CO2)] (6). A two‐electron oxidation process, resulting in the formation of dications of the type [E(μ‐NTer)2E]2+, could not be observed. Computational and EPR data revealed that the spin density is almost completely localized at the two heavier pnictogen centers E of the former 1,3‐dipnictadiazane‐1,3‐diyls. The bonding situation in the radical cations features a rare example of a transannular one‐electron π bond without having a σ bond.
DNA‐Grafted Supramolecular Polymers: Helical Ribbon Structures Formed by Self‐Assembly of Pyrene–DNA Chimeric Oligomers
Authors: Vyborna Yuliia , Vybornyi Mykhailo , Rudnev Alexander V. , Häner Robert
Published: May 2015

The controlled arraying of DNA strands on adaptive polymeric platforms remains a challenge. Here, the noncovalent synthesis of DNA‐grafted supramolecular polymers from short chimeric oligomers is presented. The oligomers are composed of an oligopyrenotide strand attached to the 5′‐end of an oligodeoxynucleotide. The supramolecular polymerization of these oligomers in an aqueous medium leads to the formation of one‐dimensional (1D) helical ribbon structures. Atomic force and transmission electron microscopy show rod‐like polymers of several hundred nanometers in length. DNA‐grafted polymers of the type described herein will serve as models for the development of structurally and functionally diverse supramolecular platforms with applications in materials science and diagnostics.
Orthogonal Light‐Induced Self‐Assembly of Nanoparticles using Differently Substituted Azobenzenes
Authors: Manna Debasish , Udayabhaskararao Thumu , Zhao Hui , Klajn Rafal
Published: May 2015

Precise control of the self‐assembly of selected components within complex mixtures is a challenging goal whose realization is important for fabricating novel nanomaterials. Herein we show that by decorating the surfaces of metallic nanoparticles with differently substituted azobenzenes, it is possible to modulate the wavelength of light at which the self‐assembly of these nanoparticles is induced. Exposing a mixture of two types of nanoparticles, each functionalized with a different azobenzene, to UV or blue light induces the selective self‐assembly of only one type of nanoparticles. Irradiation with the other wavelength triggers the disassembly of the aggregates, and the simultaneous self‐assembly of nanoparticles of the other type. By placing both types of azobenzenes on the same nanoparticles, we created unique materials (“frustrated” nanoparticles) whose self‐assembly is induced irrespective of the wavelength of the incident light.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions of o‐Carboranyl with Aryl Iodides: Facile Synthesis of 1‐Aryl‐o‐Carboranes and 1,2‐Diaryl‐o‐Carboranes
Authors: Tang Cen , Xie Zuowei
Published: May 2015

A nickel‐catalyzed arylation at the carbon center of o‐carborane cages has been developed, thus leading to the preparation of a series of 1‐aryl‐o‐carboranes and 1,2‐diaryl‐o‐carboranes in high yields upon isolation. This method represents the first example of transition metal catalyzed C,C′‐diarylation by cross‐coupling reactions of o‐carboranyl with aryl iodides.
Crystallization behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐neopentyl terephthalate‐co‐ethylene isophthalate‐co‐neopentyl isophthalate) copolyester and its application in laminated tin‐free steel
Authors: Ding Liping , Xie Long , Cao Jianyun , Bai Yongping
Published: May 2015

A low crystallinity, the copolyester poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐neopentyl terephthalate‐co‐ethylene isophthalate‐co‐neopentyl isophthalate) (PENIT) was synthesized and applied for laminated tin‐free steel. The structures and thermal properties of the copolyester were characterized by 1H‐NMR, thermogravimetry analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and polarized optical microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and polarized optical microscopy results show that the crystallization ability of the copolyester decreased obviously. Meanwhile, the peel strength, crystallinity, and water‐vapor permeability of the copolyester film were also measured at varied lamination temperatures. The result confirm that an improvement in the lamination temperature led to an increased ratio of amorphous PENIT to crystalline PENIT and decreased structural orientation, and the decrease in the structural orientation sped up the increase in the rate of water‐vapor permeability. On the basis of the purpose of reducing a detrimental effect on the corrosion resistance caused by water permeation, a reasonable lamination temperature was selected. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42308.
Anatomical Variations in the Pseudosylvian Fissure Morphology of Brachy‐, Dolicho‐, and Mesaticephalic Dogs
Authors: Carreira L. Miguel , Ferreira Antonio
Published: May 2015

The purpose of the study is the following: (1) to anatomically characterize the right and the left pseudosylvian fissure (Psf) morphology; (2) to determine Psf variations between both hemispheres and between the three considered groups; and (3) to understand how these variations may influence brain surgery for dogs. Also we sought to determine whether there are any potential differences between brachy‐ (B), dolicho‐ (D), and mesaticephalic (M) dogs. The present study considered 138 brain hemispheres (N = 138) from 69 adult dog cadavers and used bregma craniometric point (b‐ the junction of coronal and sagittal cranial vault sutures) to characterize the Psf location on the superolateral brain surface. For statistical analysis, P values <0.05 were considered significant. The Psf was easily identified in all specimens at both hemispheres. Statistically significant differences for Psf width were registered between the groups, presenting M as the narrowest Psf regions. Fissure body length can be sorted in ascending order as D < M < B in both hemispheres, with the left Psf bigger than the right for all considered skulls. The greatest difference was registered in the B group with the left Psf 25.0% bigger than the right. Bregma has proved to be useful to appoint Psf location as more superior or inferior in the encephalic lateral surface, exhibiting in all groups the left Psf a superior position. For the groups the most inferior location was registered in M and the most superior in D. Understanding the Psf morphology and anatomical variations may provide important information to ensure safer intracranial procedures. Anat Rec, 298:1255–1260, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Histone H3k9 and H3k27 Acetylation Regulates IL‐4/STAT6‐Mediated Igε Transcription in B Lymphocytes
Authors: Fu Xiao , Wang Xinting , Duan Zhongchao , Zhang Chunyan , Fu Xue , Yang Jie , Liu Xin , He Jinyan
Published: May 2015

IL‐4 activates STAT6 and causes the subsequent up‐regulation of Ig heavy chain germline Igε via chromatin remodeling involved in B lymphocytes development. STAT6 acts as a molecular switch to regulate the higher‐order chromatin remodeling via dynamically orchestrating co‐activators (CBP/Tudor‐SN) and co‐repressors (HDAC1/PSF). Here, we demonstrated that STAT6/Tudor‐SN/PSF form a complex, balancing the acetylation and deacetylation states to co‐regulate IL‐4/STAT6 gene transcription. In addition, we confirmed that IL‐4 treatment increased the HATs activity in Ramos cells. As “active” markers, the expression of H3K9ac and H3K27ac increased after treatment with IL‐4. However, transcriptional repressors such as H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 decreased in response to IL‐4 stimulation. Moreover, IL‐4 treatment enhanced H3 acetylation at the Igε promoter regions. Our results revealed that the Igε gene transcription is regulated by histone modifications in the IL‐4/STAT6 pathway. The study will provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Anat Rec, 298:1431–1439, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
meso‐Aryl [28]Hexaphyrin Silicon Complexes Bearing Various Si‐Substituents and 1,16‐Dihydrohexaphyrin bis‐Chlorosilicon Complex
Authors: Ishida Shin‐ichiro , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: May 2015

Herein, the synthesis of Möbius aromatic [28]hexaphyrin silicon complexes bearing various Si‐substituents from reactions of [28]hexaphyrin 1 with suitable silicon sources in the presence of a base is reported. Si‐substituents newly introduced are vinyl (4), phenyl (6), hydroxy (7), and hydride groups (8). X‐ray crystallographic analysis of complexes 6 and 7 has shown trigonal bipyramidal penta‐coordinated silicon atoms, which are favorable for the hexaphyrin ligands to take on smoothly twisted Möbius conformations. N‐fused Si‐vinyl complex 5 was also isolated and structurally well characterized. Through these studies, the Si‐substituent effect has been shown to be relatively small. Reaction of 1 with HSiCl3 in CH2Cl2 gave 1,16‐dihydrohexaphyrin bis‐chlorosilicon complex 9, probably through intramolecular hydride transfer from the silane to the pyrrolic α‐carbon.
Catalytic Asymmetric 1,4‐Addition Reactions of Simple Alkylnitriles
Authors: Yamashita Yasuhiro , Sato Io , Suzuki Hirotsugu , Kobayashi Shū
Published: May 2015

The development of catalytic asymmetric carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions of alkylnitriles that do not have an activating group at the α‐position, under proton‐transfer conditions, is a challenging research topic. Here, we report catalytic asymmetric direct‐type 1,4‐addition reactions of alkylnitriles with α,β‐unsaturated amides by using a catalytic amount of potassium hexamethyldisilazide (KHMDS) with a chiral macro crown ether. The desired reactions proceeded in high yields with good diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. To our knowledge, this is the first example of catalytic asymmetric direct‐type 1,4‐addition reaction of alkylnitriles without any activating group at the α‐position.
Isolation and Cr(VI) reduction characteristics of quinone respiration in Mangrovibacter plantisponsor strain CR1
Authors: Lian Jing , Li Zifu , Xu Zhifang , Guo Jianbo , Hu Zhenzhen , Guo Yankai , Li Min , Yang Jingliang
Published: May 2015

A Cr(VI)‐reducing Mangrovibacter plantisponsor strain, CR1, was isolated from tannery effluent sludge and had quinone respiration characteristics. Its chromate (CrO42−) resistance, quinone respiration characteristics, and Cr(VI) reduction efficiencies were evaluated in detail. Strain CR1 exhibited a high Cr(VI) resistance with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 32 mM in LB medium, and its quinone respiration could occur when an electron donor and strain CR1 both existed in the reaction system. Cr(VI) reduction by strain CR1 was significantly enhanced by a factor of 0.4–4.3 with five different quinone compounds: anthraquinone‐2,7‐disulfonate, anthraquinone‐1‐sulfonate, anthraquinone‐2‐sulfonate (AQS), anthraquinone‐2,6‐disulfonate, and anthraquinone‐1,5‐disulfonate. AQS was the best electron shuttle among them, and the greatest enhancement to the Cr(VI) bio‐reduction was achieved with 0.96 mM AQS. The correlation between the reaction constant k (mg Cr(VI) g−1 dry cell weight H−1) and thermodynamic temperature T (K) was expressed as an Arrhenius equation ; the activation energy Ea was 63.71 kJ mol−1, and the pre‐exponential factor A was 1.35 × 1012 mg Cr(VI) g−1 dry cell weight H−1. During the Cr(VI) reduction process, the pH tended to become neutral, and the oxidation–reduction potential decreased to −440 mV. The efficient reduction of Cr(VI) mediated by a quinone respiration strain shows potential for the rapid anaerobic removal of Cr(VI).
Unnoticed, Untapped, and Underappreciated: Clients' Perceptions of their Public Defenders
Authors: Campbell Christopher , Moore Janet , Maier Wesley , Gaffney Mike
Published: May 2015

The challenge of providing high‐quality public defense services continues to be a concern at federal, state, and local levels. Some scholars have alluded to a potential solution in client‐centered representation, but research in this area is sparse at best. Such a lack of understanding leaves in its place speculation, particularly as to the potential importance of client perceptions in shaping broader system legitimacy. To fill this gap and create an empirical platform for future research, an exploratory pilot study was launched with the Hamilton County, Ohio Public Defender's Office, which used mixed methodologies to assess client attitudes toward public defenders as a potential resource for aiding the improvement of indigent representation. Findings from this pilot study suggest that there are five factors a public defense attorney should address that may prove to be very important in obtaining client satisfaction and cooperation: engaging the client for input, listening to the client, examining the prosecutor's evidence, focusing on the client's case during meetings, and informing the client of potential consequences. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FTIR spectroscopy for the detection and evaluation of live attenuated viruses in freeze dried vaccine formulations
Authors: Hansen Laurent , De Beer Thomas , Pierre Karin , Pastoret Soumya , Bonnegarde‐Bernard Astrid , Daoussi Rim , Vervaet Chris , Remon Jean Paul
Published: May 2015

This article examines the applicability of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to detect the applied virus medium volume (i.e., during sample filling), to evaluate the virus state and to distinguish between different vaccine doses in a freeze dried live, attenuated vaccine formulation. Therefore, different formulations were freeze dried after preparing them with different virus medium volumes (i.e., 30, 100, and 400 µl) or after applying different pre‐freeze‐drying sample treatments (resulting in different virus states); i.e., (i) as done for the commercial formulation; (ii) samples without virus medium (placebo); (iii) samples with virus medium but free from antigen; (iv) concentrated samples obtained via a centrifugal filter device; and (v) samples stressed by 96h exposure to room temperature; or by using different doses (placebo, 25‐dose vials, 50‐dose‐vials and 125‐dose vials). Each freeze‐dried product was measured directly after freeze‐drying with FTIR spectroscopy. The collected spectra were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and evaluated at three spectral regions, which might provide information on the coated proteins of freeze dried live, attenuated viruses: (i) 1700–1600 cm−1 (amide I band), 1600–1500 cm−1 (amide II band) and 1200–1350 cm−1 (amide III band). The latter spectral band does not overlap with water signals and is hence not influenced by residual moisture in the samples. It was proven that FTIR could distinguish between the freeze‐dried samples prepared using different virus medium volumes, containing different doses and using different pre‐freeze‐drying sample treatments in the amide III region. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:1107–1118, 2015
An efficient lane model for complex traffic simulation
Authors: Mao Tianlu , Wang Hua , Deng Zhigang , Wang Zhaoqi
Published: May 2015

Traffic simulation heavily relies on lane model. This paper presents a novel method to model lanes based on the road axis under the Frenet frame. The road axis is generated from the geographic information system data after curve approximation, discretization, and compression. This lane model couples mileage information with three‐dimensional geometric information, so it offers an easy and fast position transformation from mileage to the Cartesian coordinate. It also keeps strictly consistent for mileage among neighboring lanes so that it facilitates lane‐change processing. Compared with existing methods that depict lanes as simple polylines or curves, the proposed lane model is more functional and more efficient, especially for complex traffic simulation with a large number of lane‐changes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous estimation of elasticity for multiple deformable bodies
Authors: Yang Shan , Lin Ming
Published: May 2015

Material property has great importance in deformable body simulation and medical robotics. The elasticity parameters, such as Young's modulus of the deformable bodies, are important to make realistic animations.

Further, in medical applications, the (recovered) elasticity parameters can assist surgeons to perform better pre‐op surgical planning and enable medical robots to carry out personalized surgical procedures. Previous elasticity parameters estimation methods are limited to recover one elasticity parameter of one deformable body at a time. In this paper, we propose a novel elasticity parameter estimation algorithm that can recover the elasticity parameters of multiple deformable bodies or multiple regions of one deformable body simultaneously from (at least two sets of) images. We validate our algorithm with both synthetic test cases and real patient computed tomography images. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effective skeletons extraction for animated surfaces based on geometry propagation
Authors: Pang Zhiqiang , Zhao Yong , Xiao Chunxia
Published: May 2015

We introduce a registration‐based propagation strategy to extract temporally coherent skeletons from the animated surfaces. We first extract complete skeletons for the key frames of the animated surfaces, and present a spatio‐temporal L1‐medial skeleton extraction method to extract the initial skeletons for the immediate frames between the key frames. As these initial skeletons may not be complete, we then develop a global skeleton alignment method, which effectively warps the key skeleton to these initial skeletons subsequently. By using the geometry merging, we propagate the geometry of the warped key skeleton to the initial skeletons, and produce temporally coherent skeletons for the input animated surfaces. Our system can be applied to the raw scanned animated object and requires only minimal user interaction to extract complete and temporally coherent animated skeletons. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nitrogen‐Doped Inverse Opal Carbons Derived from an Ionic Liquid Precursor for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zhang Shiguo , Kwon Hoi‐Min , Li Zhe , Ikoma Ai , Dokko Kaoru , Watanabe Masayoshi
Published: May 2015

Three‐dimensionally macroporous nitrogen‐doped carbon materials are fabricated via carbonization of an ionic‐liquid‐based small molecule precursor, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium dicyanamide, using opal silica colloidal crystals as a hard template. As compared to traditional polymerizable monomer‐based precursors such as furfuryl alcohol, the entire process involving ionic liquid does not require any acid catalyst and prepolymerization step. More importantly, nitrogen heteroatoms can be incorporated into the carbon skeleton in situ. The obtained inverse opal carbons possess large surface areas and pore volumes, and high nitrogen content. When acting as metal‐free electrocatalysts, the inverse opal carbons exhibit high catalytic activity and selectivity towards the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline electrolyte, much better than that of the furfuryl‐alcohol‐derived inverse opal carbon and close to that of commercial Pt/C catalysts.
Tailoring RuII Pyridine/Triazole Oxygenation Catalysts and Using Photoreactivity to Probe their Electronic Properties
Authors: Weisser Fritz , Stevens Hendrik , Klein Johannes , van der Meer Margarethe , Hohloch Stephan , Sarkar Biprajit
Published: May 2015

Tuning of ligand properties is at the heart of influencing chemical reactivity and generating tailor‐made catalysts. Herein, three series of complexes [Ru(L)(Cl)(X)]PF6 (X=DMSO, PPh3, or CD3CN) with tripodal ligands (L1–L5) containing pyridine and triazole arms are presented. Triazole‐for‐pyridine substitution and the substituent at the triazole systematically influence the redox behavior and photoreactivity of the complexes. The mechanism of the light‐driven ligand exchange of the DMSO complexes in CD3CN could be elucidated, and two seven‐coordinate intermediates were identified. Finally, tuning of the ligand framework was applied to the catalytic oxygenation of alkanes, for which the DMSO complexes were the best catalysts and the yield improved with increasing number of triazole arms. These results thus show how click‐derived ligands can be tuned on demand for catalytic processes.
Nonaqueous Lyotropic Ionic Liquid Crystals: Preparation, Characterization, and Application in Extraction
Authors: Liu Xianxian , Yang Qiwei , Bao Zongbi , Su Baogen , Zhang Zhiguo , Ren Qilong , Yang Yiwen , Xing Huabin
Published: May 2015

A class of new ionic liquid (IL)‐based nonaqueous lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) and the development of an efficient IL extraction process based on LC chemistry are reported. The nonaqueous LLCs feature extraordinarily high extraction capacity, excellent separation selectivity, easy recovery, and biocompatibility. This work also demonstrates that the introduction of self‐assembled anisotropic nanostructures into an IL system is an efficient way to overcome the intrinsically strong polarity of ILs and enhances the molecular recognition ability of ILs. The distribution coefficients of IL‐based LLCs for organic compounds with H‐bond donors reached unprecedented values of 50–60 at very high feed concentrations (>100 mg mL−1), which are 800–1000 times greater than those of common ILs as well as traditional organic and polymer extractants. The IL‐based nonaqueous LLCs combining the unique properties of ILs and LCs open a new avenue for the development of high‐performance extraction methods.
Corannulene Molecular Rotor with Flexible Perfluorobenzyl Blades: Synthesis, Structure and Properties
Authors: San Long K. , Clikeman Tyler T. , Dubceac Cristina , Popov Alexey A. , Chen Yu‐Sheng , Petrukhina Marina A. , Strauss Steven H. , Boltalina Olga V.
Published: May 2015

Two members of a new class of organic‐acceptor perfluorobenzyl corannulenes were prepared by gas‐phase and highly‐selective solution‐phase reactions at elevated temperatures. The peculiar single‐crystal X‐ray structure of C5‐C20H5(CF2C6F5)5 revealed two high‐energy conformers with drastically different bowl depths and orientations of perfluorobenzyl blades; the conformers are alternating in columnar packing arrangements and every pair is sandwiched by toluene molecules.
N‐Protected 1,2‐Oxazetidines as a Source of Electrophilic Oxygen: Straightforward Access to Benzomorpholines and Related Heterocycles by Using a Reactive Tether
Authors: Javorskis Tomas , Sriubaitė Simona , Bagdžiūnas Gintautas , Orentas Edvinas
Published: May 2015

A hitherto unknown reactivity of a strained four‐membered heterocycle, 1,2‐oxazetidine, is reported. When reacted with organometallic compounds, this reagent provides electrophilic oxygen with a nitrogen‐terminated two‐carbon‐atom tether. The synthetic versatility of the products obtained was demonstrated in various transformations, leading to efficient synthesis of six‐, seven‐, and eight‐membered heterocyclic systems of pharmaceutical importance.
Reactivity of Cationic Agostic and Carbene Structures Derived from Platinum(II) Metallacycles
Authors: Campos Jesús , Ortega‐Moreno Laura , Conejero Salvador , Peloso Riccardo , López‐Serrano Joaquín , Maya Celia , Carmona Ernesto
Published: May 2015

This paper describes the formation of new platinacyclic complexes derived from the phosphine ligands PiPr2Xyl, PMeXyl2, and PMe2Ar (Xyl=2,6‐Me2C6H3 and Ar=2,6‐(2,6‐Me2C6H3)2‐C6H3) as well as reactivity studies of the trans‐[Pt(C^P)2] bis‐metallacyclic complex 1 a derived from PiPr2Xyl. Protonation of compound 1 a with [H(OEt2)2][BArF] (BArF=B[3,5‐(CF3)2C6H3]4) forms a cationic δ‐agostic structure 4 a, whereas α‐hydride abstraction employing [Ph3C][PF6] produces a cationic platinum carbene trans‐[Pt{PiPr2(2,6‐CH(Me)C6H3}{PiPr2(2,6‐CH2(Me)C6H3}][PF6] (8). Compounds 4 a and 8 react with H2 to yield the same 1:3 equilibrium mixture of 4 a and trans‐[PtH(PiPr2Xyl)2][BArF] (6), in which one of the phosphine ligands participates in a δ‐agostic interaction. DFT calculations reveal that H2 activation by 8 occurs at the highly electrophilic alkylidene terminus with no participation of the metal. The two compounds 4 a and 8 experience C–C coupling reactions of a different nature. Thus, 4 a gives rise to complex trans‐[PtH{(E)‐1,2‐bis(2‐(PiPr2)‐3‐MeC6H3)CHCH}] (7) that contains a tridentate diphosphine–alkene ligand, through agostic CH oxidative cleavage and C–C reductive coupling steps, whereas the C–C coupling reaction in 8 involves classical migratory insertion of its [PtCH] and [PtCH2] bonds promoted by platinum coordination of CO or CNXyl. The mechanisms of the CC bond‐forming reactions have also been investigated by computational methods.
Iridium Oxide Coatings with Templated Porosity as Highly Active Oxygen Evolution Catalysts: Structure‐Activity Relationships
Authors: Bernicke Michael , Ortel Erik , Reier Tobias , Bergmann Arno , Ferreira de Araujo Jorge , Strasser Peter , Kraehnert Ralph
Published: May 2015

Iridium oxide is the catalytic material with the highest stability in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performed under acidic conditions. However, its high cost and limited availability demand that IrO2 is utilized as efficiently as possible. We report the synthesis and OER performance of highly active mesoporous IrO2 catalysts with optimized surface area, intrinsic activity, and pore accessibility. Catalytic layers with controlled pore size were obtained by soft‐templating with micelles formed from amphiphilic block copolymers poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐poly(butadiene)‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide). A systematic study on the influence of the calcination temperature and film thickness on the morphology, phase composition, accessible surface area, and OER activity reveals that the catalytic performance is controlled by at least two independent factors, that is, accessible surface area and intrinsic activity per accessible site. Catalysts with lower crystallinity show higher intrinsic activity. The catalyst surface area increases linearly with film thickness. As a result of the templated mesopores, the pore surface remains fully active and accessible even for thick IrO2 films. Even the most active multilayer catalyst does not show signs of transport limitations at current densities as high as 75 mA cm−2.
Synergism Between Tramadol and Parecoxib in the Orofacial Formalin Test
Authors: Isiordia‐Espinoza Mario Alberto , Zapata‐Morales Juan Ramón , Castañeda‐Santana Demian Ismael , de la Rosa‐Coronado Maximiliano , Aragon‐Martinez Othoniel Hugo
Published: May 2015

Preclinical Research

The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction between tramadol and parecoxib in the orofacial formalin test. Tramadol (10, 31.6, 56, and 100 mg/kg ip) or parecoxib (31.6, 56, 100, and 178 mg/kg ip) were administered 10 min before formalin (2.5%) injection into the upper lip to characterize the dose–response curve of each individual drug in the orofacial pain test in mice. Once the dose–response curve of each drug was obtained, an experimental effective dose 50 (ED50) value was determined for each drug. The tramadol–parecoxib combination was evaluated in four different groups of animals. The isobolographic analysis and the interaction index were used to evaluate the nature of interaction between both drugs. The isobologram and the interaction index showed increased in the antinociceptive effect of the combination. The tramadol–parecoxib combination produces a synergism in the second phase of the orofacial formalin test. Drug Dev Res 73 : 152–156, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nerve tissue engineering using blends of poly(3‐hydroxyalkanoates) for peripheral nerve regeneration
Authors: Lizarraga‐Valderrama Lorena R. , Nigmatullin Rinat , Taylor Caroline , Haycock John W. , Claeyssens Frederik , Knowles Jonathan C. , Roy Ipsita
Published: May 2015

The only types of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) that have been explored for use in nerve regeneration are poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate), P(3HB), and poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate) (P(3HB‐co‐3HHx)). However, nerve regeneration induced by these PHAs is inferior to that of autologous nerve grafting. The aim of this work was to study novel PHA blends as resorbable biomaterials for the manufacture of nerve guidance conduits. PHA blend films with varying ratios of poly(3‐hydroxyoctanoate)/poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HO)/P(3HB)) were produced using the solvent‐casting method. Neat films of P(3HO) and P(3HB), along with 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25 blend films of P(3HO)/P(3HB), were characterized with respect to chemical, material, and biological properties. On surface analysis, the blends exhibited higher values of roughness compared with the neat films. The differential scanning calorimetry characterization of the blends confirmed that P(3HO) and P(3HB) formed immiscible blends. FTIR and XRD analysis of the blends showed a decrease in crystallinity along with an increase of the proportion of P(3HO) . However, an increase in the stiffness of the blends was observed when the proportion of P(3HB) increased. Although all of the blends were biocompatible with NG108‐15 neuronal cells, the 25:75 P(3HO)/P(3HB) blend showed significantly better support for growth and differentiation of these cells. The mechanical properties of PHA blends correspond to the reported properties of peripheral nerves. Therefore, they could serve as base material for the manufacture of nerve guidance conduits.
Temperature-dependent acute toxicity of methomyl pesticide on larvae of 3 Asian amphibian species
Authors: Lau Edward Tak Chuen , Karraker Nancy Elizabeth , Leung Kenneth Mei Yee
Published: May 2015

Relative to other animal taxa, ecotoxicological studies on amphibians are scarce, even though amphibians are experiencing global declines and pollution has been identified as an important threat. Agricultural lands provide important habitats for many amphibians, but often these lands are contaminated with pesticides. The authors determined the acute toxicity, in terms of 96-h median lethal concentrations, of the carbamate pesticide methomyl on larvae of 3 Asian amphibian species, the Asian common toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus), the brown tree frog (Polypedates megacephalus), and the marbled pygmy frog (Microhyla pulchra), at 5 different temperatures (15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, and 35 °C) to examine the relationships between temperature and toxicity. Significant interspecific variation in methomyl sensitivity and 2 distinct patterns of temperature-dependent toxicity were found. Because high proportions of malformation among the surviving tadpoles were observed, a further test was carried out on the tree frog to determine effect concentrations using malformation as the endpoint. Concentrations as low as 1.4% of the corresponding 96-h median lethal concentrations at 25 °C were sufficient to cause malformation in 50% of the test population. As the toxicity of pesticides may be significantly amplified at higher temperatures, temperature effects should not be overlooked in ecotoxicological studies and derivation of safety limits in environmental risk assessment and management. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:2322–2327. © 2015 SETAC
Self‐Restraining Bass Models
Authors: Liang Xiaoying , Xie Lei , Yan Houmin
Published: May 2015

We extend the classic Bass diffusion model to address the case in which existing adopters could depress the growth of adoption, i.e. the diffusion process is self‐restraining. Two modified Bass models are proposed according to whether the negative depressive effect is exerted on potential adopters or existing adopters. We then characterize the diffusion paths for several generalizations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In autoimmune hepatitis type 1 or the autoimmune hepatitis–sclerosing cholangitis variant defective regulatory T‐cell responsiveness to IL‐2 results in low IL‐10 production and impaired suppression
Authors: Liberal Rodrigo , Grant Charlotte R. , Holder Beth S. , Cardone John , Martinez‐Llordella Marc , Ma Yun , Heneghan Michael A. , Mieli‐Vergani Giorgina , Vergani Diego , Longhi Maria Serena
Published: May 2015

Defective immune regulation plays a permissive role enabling effector cells to initiate and perpetuate tissue damage, eventually resulting in autoimmune disease. Numerical and functional regulatory T‐cell (Treg) impairment has been previously reported in autoimmune liver disease (AILD; including autoimmune hepatitis and autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis ASC). However, in these early reports, Tregs were phenotypically defined as CD4+CD25+ or CD4+CD25high cells. In the current study, we reexamined phenotypic and functional properties of Tregs by adopting a more refined definition of these cells that also includes negativity or low level of expression of CD127. We studied 43 AILD patients and 22 healthy subjects (HSs) and found that CD4+CD25+CD127− Tregs were decreased in the former. This decrease was more marked in patients with active disease than in those in remission. In AILD, Treg frequencies correlated inversely with parameters of disease activity and were not affected by immunosuppressive treatment. We also document, for the first time, that, in AILD, bona‐fide Tregs produce less interleukin (IL)−10 and are impaired in their ability to suppress CD4+CD25− target cell proliferation, a feature that in HSs, but not in AILDs, is dependent, at least in part, on IL‐10 secretion. Decreased IL‐10 production by Tregs in AILD is linked to poor responsiveness to IL‐2 and phospho signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 up‐regulation. Conclusion: Tregs are numerically impaired in AILD, this impairment being more prominent during active disease. Notably, defective IL‐10 production, resulting from low Treg responsiveness to IL‐2, contributes to Treg functional impairment. (Hepatology 2015;62:863–875)