bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐performance liquid chromatographic enantioseparation of fluorinated cyclic β3‐amino acid derivatives on polysaccharide‐based chiral stationary phases. Comparison with nonfluorinated counterparts
Authors: Lajkó Gyula , Orosz Tímea , Kiss Lóránd , Forró Enikő , Fülöp Ferenc , Péter Antal , Ilisz István
Published: February 2016

The stereoisomers of five fluorinated cyclic β3‐amino acid derivatives and their nonfluorinated counterparts were separated on chiral stationary phases containing as chiral selectors cellulose tris‐(3,5‐dimethylphenyl carbamate), cellulose tris‐(3‐chloro‐4‐methylphenyl carbamate), cellulose tris‐(4‐methylbenzoate), cellulose tris‐(4‐chloro‐3‐methylphenyl carbamate), amylose tris‐(3,5‐dimethylphenyl carbamate) or amylose tris‐(5‐chloro‐2‐methylphenyl carbamate). The enantioseparations were carried out in normal‐phase mode with n‐hexane/alcohol/alkylamine mobile phases in the temperature range 5–40 °C. The effects of the mobile phase composition, the nature and concentration of the alcohol and alkylamine additives, the structures of the analytes and temperature on the separations were investigated. Thermodynamic parameters were calculated from plots of ln α vs. 1/T. The Δ(ΔH°) values ranged between −5.0 and +1.6 kJ/mol, while Δ(ΔS°) varied between −12.6 and +5.7 J/mol/K. The enantioseparation was enthalpically controlled, the retention factor and the separation factor decreasing with increasing temperature, but entropically controlled separation was also observed. The elution sequence was determined for all of the investigated analytes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of high cis‐polymyrcene using neodymium‐based catalysts
Authors: Díaz de León Gómez Ramón Enrique , Enríquez‐Medrano Francisco Javier , Maldonado Textle Hortensia , Mendoza Carrizales Ricardo , Reyes Acosta Karina , López González Héctor Ricardo , Olivares Romero José Luis , Lugo Uribe Luis Edmundo
Published: February 2016

The monomer β‐myrcene, a renewable resource, was polymerized in cyclohexane using two different Ziegler‐Natta catalyst systems based on neodymium Nd(Oi‐Pr)3 and NdV3. The Nd(Oi‐Pr)3 was combined with [HNMe2Ph][B(C6F5)4] (or [CPh3][B(C6F5)4]) and Al(i‐Bu)3 (or Al(i‐Bu)2H). Next, the NdV3 was activated using Al(i‐Bu)3 and AlEt2Cl. Both catalyst systems exhibited high polymer yields near 100 % in the established reaction time, high polymer molecular masses, and broad molecular mass distributions. The catalyst systems gave an effective and stereospecific polymerization reaction of β‐myrcene providing high cis selectivity of 1,4‐polymyrcenes (> 92 %) with a glass transition temperature between −66 and −62 °C. The above‐mentioned features of resulting elastomers in conjunction with the polymer's molecular masses and molecular mass distributions proved to be sensitive to borane and alkylaluminum compounds molar ratios, [B]/[Nd] and [Al]/[Nd] using Nd(Oi‐Pr)3 and [Cl]/[Nd] and [Al]/[Nd] with NdV3.
Actin dynamics and cofilin‐actin rods in alzheimer disease
Authors: Bamburg James R. , Bernstein Barbara W.
Published: February 2016

Cytoskeletal abnormalities and synaptic loss, typical of both familial and sporadic Alzheimer disease (AD), are induced by diverse stresses such as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and energetic stress, each of which may be initiated or enhanced by proinflammatory cytokines or amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides. Extracellular Aβ‐containing plaques and intracellular phospho‐tau‐containing neurofibrillary tangles are postmortem pathologies required to confirm AD and have been the focus of most studies. However, AD brain, but not normal brain, also have increased levels of cytoplasmic rod‐shaped bundles of filaments composed of ADF/cofilin‐actin in a 1:1 complex (rods). Cofilin, the major ADF/cofilin isoform in mammalian neurons, severs actin filaments at low cofilin/actin ratios and stabilizes filaments at high cofilin/actin ratios. It binds cooperatively to ADP‐actin subunits in F‐actin. Cofilin is activated by dephosphorylation and may be oxidized in stressed neurons to form disulfide‐linked dimers, required for bundling cofilin‐actin filaments into stable rods. Rods form within neurites causing synaptic dysfunction by sequestering cofilin, disrupting normal actin dynamics, blocking transport, and exacerbating mitochondrial membrane potential loss. Aβ and proinflammatory cytokines induce rods through a cellular prion protein‐dependent activation of NADPH oxidase and production of reactive oxygen species. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of cofilin biochemistry, rod formation, and the development of cognitive deficits. We will then discuss rod formation as a molecular pathway for synapse loss that may be common between all three prominent current AD hypotheses, thus making rods an attractive therapeutic target. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
19th c. Coloured stuccos and plasters from Grilos' Church (Oporto, Portugal): Materials and techniques employed
Authors: Salavessa Eunice , Candeias António , Mirão José , Sousa Luís M. O. , Duarte Nelson , Jalali Said , Salgueiro Joana
Published: February 2016

The Oporto's St. Lourenço Church of the Jesuit College is locally known, since the St. Augustin Barefooted Eremites occupation (1779/80), as Grilos' Church. The Oporto's siege laid by D. Pedro and D. Miguel (1832/33) succeed in the college abandonment by Grilo's Friars. Throughout Augustin Friars presence period, the white plasters of the nave (end of 18th c.) were executed and it was constructed the Holly Sacrament Chapel (early 19th c.) with neoclassic coloured stuccos and plasters, influenced by Robert Adam, Luigi Chiari and Teixeira Barreto ornamental motifs. Pigments were added to the external layer to imitate the marble and to achieve the “base” colour of the panels. This study of the blue, rose and white stuccos and plasters of H.S. Chapel of Grilo's Church allows carrying out useful database on the original mortars composition by the use of different analytical techniques, important to select the most adequate solutions for restoration interventions. Optical microscopy, XRD, TG‐DTA, SEM‐EDS, XRF analysis results were considered to identify the composition of different layers and to provide mineralogical, microstructure and chemical characterization of the mortars components and to quantify the binder content in those mortars. These results were compared with collected information on compositions from other sources. This study allowed the identification of the decay causes of decorative stuccos and plaster, suggesting that water retention in the masonries and wooden laths structure of the dome of the chapel is the main factor. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 41, 246–251, 2016
Data‐aware task scheduling on heterogeneous hybrid memory multiprocessor systems
Authors: Chen Junjie , Li Kenli , Tang Zhuo , Liu Chubo , Wang Yan , Li Keqin
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we propose a method about task scheduling and data assignment on heterogeneous hybrid memory multiprocessor systems for real‐time applications. In a heterogeneous hybrid memory multiprocessor system, an important problem is how to schedule real‐time application tasks to processors and assign data to hybrid memories. The hybrid memory consists of dynamic random access memory and solid state drives when considering the performance of solid state drives into the scheduling policy. To solve this problem, we propose two heuristic algorithms called improvement greedy algorithm and the data assignment according to the task scheduling algorithm, which generate a near‐optimal solution for real‐time applications in polynomial time. We evaluate the performance of our algorithms by comparing them with a greedy algorithm, which is commonly used to solve heterogeneous task scheduling problem. Based on our extensive simulation study, we observe that our algorithms exhibit excellent performance and demonstrate that considering data allocation in task scheduling is significant for saving energy. We conduct experiments on two heterogeneous multiprocessor systems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mobile crowdsourcing: framework, challenges, and solutions
Authors: Wang Yufeng , Jia Xueyu , Jin Qun , Ma Jianhua
Published: February 2016

Crowdsourcing is the generalized act of outsourcing tasks, traditionally performed by an employee or contractor, to a large group of Internet population through an open call. With the great development of smartphones with rich built‐in sensors and multiple ratio interfaces, mixing smartphone‐based mobile technologies and crowdsourcing offers significant flexibilities and leads to a new paradigm called mobile crowdsourcing (MCS), which can be fully explored for real‐time and location‐sensitive crowdsourced tasks. In this paper, we present a taxonomy for the MCS applications, which are explicitly divided as using human as sensors, and exploiting the wisdom of crowd (i.e., human intelligence). Moreover, two paradigms for mobilizing users in MCS are outlined: direct mode and word of mouth mode. A comprehensive MCS framework and typical workflow of MCS applications are proposed, which consist of nine functional modules, pertaining to three stakeholders in MCS: crowdsourcer, crowdworkers, and crowdsourcing platform. Then, we elaborate the MCS challenges including task management, incentives, security and privacy, and quality control, and summarize the corresponding solutions. Especially, from the viewpoints of various stakeholders, we propose the desired properties that an ideal MCS system should satisfy. The primary goal of this paper is to comprehensively classify and provide a summary on MCS framework, challenges, and possible solutions to highlight the MCS related research topics and facilitate to develop and deploy interesting MCS applications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A cost‐efficient resource provisioning algorithm for DHT‐based cloud storage systems
Authors: Zhou Jingya , Fan Jianxi , Jia Juncheng
Published: February 2016

Personal cloud storage provides users with convenient data access services. Service providers build distributed storage systems by utilizing cloud resources with distributed hash table (DHT), so as to enhance system scalability. Efficient resource provisioning could not only guarantee service performance, but help providers to save cost. However, the interactions among servers in a DHT‐based cloud storage system depend on the routing process, which makes its execution logic more complicated than traditional multi‐tier applications. In addition, production data centers often comprise heterogeneous machines with different capacities. Few studies have fully considered the heterogeneity of cloud resources, which brings new challenges to resource provisioning. To address these challenges, this paper presents a novel resource provisioning model for service providers. The model utilizes queuing network for analysis of both service performance and cost estimation. Then, the problem is defined as a cost optimization with performance constraints. We propose a cost‐efficient algorithm to decompose the original problem into a sub‐optimization one. Furthermore, we implement a prototype system on top of an infrastructure platform built with OpenStack. It has been deployed in our campus network. Based on real‐world traces collected from our system and Dropbox, we validate the efficiency of our proposed algorithms by extensive experiments. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subtle signatures of seeps: Record of groundwater in a Dryland,DK, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania
Authors: Ashley Gail M. , de Wet Carol B. , Barboni Doris , Magill Clayton R.
Published: February 2016

Few proxies exist to identify aridity in the depositional record, although drylands coverca30% of the modern continental surface. New exposures in a siliciclastic and carbonate sequence in an arid to hyperarid basin at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania provide a unique multi‐proxy record of a 1·85 Ma landscape that was exploited by early humans. The 2 m thick sequence of clastics and carbonates that are exposed along a 450 m outcrop records climate change over a single precession (dry‐wet‐dry) cycle. Siliciclastic data (sedimentary structures, grain size, mineralogy) and biological data are combined with data for a 10 to 35 cm thick limestone (stable isotopes, elemental geochemistry, petrography) to generate a depositional facies model for a siteDK(Douglass Korongo) on this dry rift basin landscape. This site was situated on a low gradient, distal portion of a volcaniclastic alluvial fan. The clastics are intercalated distal alluvial fan sandy silts and lake clays that accumulated in a low energy environment. Groundwater discharge and the alkaline springs and seeps during wet‐to‐dry change in climate made a freshwater carbonate‐rich environment. Bedded lithofacies (a lime mudstone with fossils) were deposited in shallow standing (spring‐fed) pools, while nodular lithofacies with calcite spherulites indicate permanently saturated ground (seeps). Both environments experienced similar diagenesis, that is, the precipitation of authigenic barite from supersaturated groundwater, desiccation and pedogenesis, and late‐stage calcite precipitation. Compositional and isotopic data suggest that a fresh groundwater‐fed system was available to early humans even during dry intervals of the precession cycle.
LRP2, an auxiliary receptor that controls sonic hedgehog signaling in development and disease
Authors: Christ Annabel , Herzog Katja , Willnow Thomas E.
Published: February 2016

To fulfill their multiple roles in organ development and adult tissue homeostasis, hedgehog (HH) morphogens act through their receptor Patched (PTCH) on target cells. However, HH actions also require HH binding proteins, auxiliary cell surface receptors that agonize or antagonize morphogen signaling in a context‐dependent manner. Here, we discuss recent findings on the LDL receptor‐related protein 2 (LRP2), an exemplary HH binding protein that modulates sonic hedgehog activities in stem and progenitor cell niches in embryonic and adult tissues. LRP2 functions are crucial for developmental processes in a number of tissues, including the brain, the eye, and the heart, and defects in this receptor pathway are the cause of devastating congenital diseases in humans. Developmental Dynamics 245:569–579, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Metabarcoding of fungal communities associated with bark beetles
Authors: Miller Kirsten E. , Hopkins Kevin , Inward Daegan J. G. , Vogler Alfried P.
Published: February 2016

Many species of fungi are closely allied with bark beetles, including many tree pathogens, but their species richness and patterns of distribution remain largely unknown. We established a protocol for metabarcoding of fungal communities directly from total genomicDNAextracted from individual beetles, showing that theITS3/4 primer pair selectively amplifies the fungalITS. Using three specimens of bark beetle from different species, we assess the fungal diversity associated with these specimens and the repeatability of these estimates inPCRs conducted with different primer tags. The combined replicates produced 727 fungal Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) for the specimen ofHylastes ater, 435OTUs forTomicus piniperda, and 294OTUs forTrypodendron lineatum,while individualPCRreactions produced on average only 229, 54, and 31OTUs for the three specimens, respectively. Yet, communities fromPCRreplicates were very similar in pairwise comparisons, in particular when considering species abundance, but differed greatly among the three beetle specimens. Different primer tags or the inclusion of amplicons in separate libraries did not impact the species composition. TheITS2 sequences were identified with the Lowest Common Ancestor approach and correspond to diverse lineages of fungi, including Ophiostomaceae and Leotiomycetes widely found to be tree pathogens. We conclude that Illumina MiSeq metabarcoding reliably captures fungal diversity associated with bark beetles, although numerousPCRreplicates are recommended for an exhaustive sample. DirectPCRfrom beetleDNAextractions provides a rapid method for future surveys of fungal species diversity and their associations with bark beetles and environmental variables.
A modified landform development model for the topography of drained thermokarst lake basins in fine‐grained sediments
Authors: Roy‐Léveillée Pascale , Burn Christopher R.
Published: February 2016

Permafrost degradation associated with the expansion of thermokarst lakes is commonly interrupted by catastrophic drainage. Subsequently, in tundra areas, permafrost aggradation in drained basins leads to uneven topography characterized by raised centres and wet, depressed margins. The genesis of such topography has been investigated in Old Crow Flats (OCF), a glaciolacustrine plain in the continuous permafrost of northern Yukon. The thermokarst lakes of OCF have a mean depth of only 1.5 m because excess ice is dominantly found only in the uppermost 10 m of the ground. Surface conditions were measured in three drained thermokarst lake basins, including relief, snow conditions, ground temperatures, near‐surface ground ice, and sediment stratigraphy. Four nearby lakes provided information on wave base, shore recession patterns, and bathymetry before drainage: the bottoms of these lakes were not raised in the centre. An elevation difference of up to 2 m was recorded between drained basin margins and centres but was not associated with variations in ice‐wedge density or segregated ice content. Hence basin topography was not controlled by differences in volumetric ground‐ice content between margins and centres. We propose that transport of fine sediment away from eroding lake margins during lake development is the primary mechanism for the genesis of depressed margins and raised centres in drained basins of OCF. Over time, the transport results in the deposition of more and finer sediment in the central parts of lakes, where the lake bottom has subsided below wave base, than at the shallow margins, where resuspension by wave action occurs frequently. This difference in sediment volume is revealed in the topography after drainage, when permafrost aggrades in the lake‐bottom sediment and underlying talik. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Field measurements of intertidal bar evolution on a high‐energy beach system
Authors: Jackson Derek W. T. , Cooper J. Andrew G. , O'Connor Marianne , Guisado‐Pintado Emilia , Loureiro Carlos , Anfuso Giorgio
Published: February 2016

Nearshore bars play a pivotal role in coastal behaviour, helping to protect and restore beach systems particularly in post‐storm conditions. Examination of bar behaviour under various forcing conditions is important to help understand the short‐ to medium‐term evolution of sandy beach systems. This study carried out over a nine‐week period examines, the behaviour of three intertidal bars along a high energy sandy beach system in northwest Ireland using high‐frequency topographic surveys and detailed nearshore hydrodynamic modelling.

Results show that, in general, there was onshore migration for all the bars during the study period, despite the variability observed between bars, which was driven mostly by wave dominated processes. Under the prevailing conditions migration rates of up to 1.83 m day−1 and as low as 0.07 m day−1 were observed. During higher wave energy events the migration rates of the bars decelerated in their onshore route, however, under lower wave energy conditions, they quickly accelerated maintaining their shoreward migration direction. Tidal influence appears to be subordinate in these conditions, being restricted to moderating the localized wave energy at low tides and in maintaining runnel configurations providing accommodation space for advancing slip faces.

The study highlights the intricate behavioural patterns of intertidal bar behaviour along a high energy sandy coastline and provides new insights into the relative importance of wave and tidal forcing on bar behaviour over a relatively short time period. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance evaluation of three DEM‐based fluvial terrace mapping methods
Authors: Hopkins Austin J , Snyder Noah P
Published: February 2016

The availability of high‐resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) derived from airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) surveys has spurred the development of several methods to identify and map fluvial terraces. The post‐glacial landscape of the Sheepscot River watershed, Maine, where land‐use change has produced fill terraces upstream of historic dam sites, was selected to implement a comparison between terrace mapping methodologies. At four study sites within the watershed, terraces were manually mapped on LiDAR‐DEM‐derived hillshade images to facilitate the comparison among fully and semi‐automated DEM‐based procedures, including: (1) spatial relationships between interpreted terraces and surrounding natural topography, (2) feature classification algorithms, and (3) the TerEx terrace mapping toolbox. Each method was evaluated based on its accuracy and ease of implementation. The four study sites have varying longitudinal slope (0.0008–0.006 m/m), channel width (< 5–30 m), surrounding landscape relief (20–80 m), type and density of surrounding land use, and mapped surficial geologic units. All methods generally overestimate terrace areas (average predicted area 210% of manually defined area) with the most accurate results achieved within confined river valleys surrounded by the steep hillslopes. Accuracy generally decreases for study sites surrounded by low‐relief landscapes (predicted areas ranged 4–953% of manual delineations). We conclude with the advantages and drawbacks of each method tested and make recommendations for the scenarios where the use of each method is most appropriate. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long-term exposure to gold nanoparticles accelerates larval metamorphosis without affecting mass in wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) at environmentally relevant concentrations
Authors: Fong Peter P. , Thompson Lucas B. , Carfagno Gerardo L.F. , Sitton Andrea J.
Published: February 2016

Nanoparticles are environmental contaminants of emerging concern. Exposure to engineered nanoparticles has been shown to have detrimental effects on aquatic organisms. The authors synthesized gold nanoparticles (18.1 ± 3.5 nm) and tested their effects on time to and weight at metamorphosis in wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) tadpoles, a species known to be sensitive to environmental stressors. Continuous exposure to all concentrations of gold nanoparticles (0.05 pM, 0.5 pM, and 5 pM in particles) for up to 55 d significantly reduced time to metamorphosis by as much as an average of 3 d (p < 0.05). However, exposure to gold nanoparticles had no effect on tadpole mass at metamorphosis. The approximately 18-nm gold nanoparticles used were metastable in dechlorinated tap water, resulting in a change in surface charge and aggregation over time, leading to negatively charged aggregates that were on the order of 60 nm to 110 nm. Nanoparticle aggregation could exacerbate the effect on time to metamorphosis. To the authors' knowledge, the present study is the first report on the effect of engineered nanoparticles of any kind on life-history variables in an amphibian, a taxonomic group that has been declining globally for at least 25 yr. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2304–2310. © 2016 SETAC
Critical micelle concentration values for different surfactants measured with solid-phase microextraction fibers
Authors: Haftka Joris J.-H. , Scherpenisse Peter , Oetter Günter , Hodges Geoff , Eadsforth Charles V. , Kotthoff Matthias , Hermens Joop L.M.
Published: February 2016

The amphiphilic nature of surfactants drives the formation of micelles at the critical micelle concentration (CMC). Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers were used in the present study to measure CMC values of 12 nonionic, anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic surfactants. The SPME-derived CMC values were compared to values determined using a traditional surface tension method. At the CMC of a surfactant, a break in the relationship between the concentration in SPME fibers and the concentration in water is observed. The CMC values determined with SPME fibers deviated by less than a factor of 3 from values determined with a surface tension method for 7 out of 12 compounds. In addition, the fiber–water sorption isotherms gave information about the sorption mechanism to polyacrylate-coated SPME fibers. A limitation of the SPME method is that CMCs for very hydrophobic cationic surfactants cannot be determined when the cation exchange capacity of the SPME fibers is lower than the CMC value. The advantage of the SPME method over other methods is that CMC values of individual compounds in a mixture can be determined with this method. However, CMC values may be affected by the presence of compounds with other chain lengths in the mixture because of possible mixed micelle formation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2173–2181. © 2016 SETAC
Interactive effects of temperature and glyphosate on the behavior of blue ridge two-lined salamanders (Eurycea wilderae)
Authors: Gandhi Jaina S. , Cecala Kristen K.
Published: February 2016

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential interactive effects of stream temperatures and environmentally relevant glyphosate-based herbicide concentrations on movement and antipredator behaviors of larval Eurycea wilderae (Blue Ridge two-lined salamander). Larval salamanders were exposed to 1 of 4 environmentally relevant glyphosate concentrations (0.00 µg acid equivalent [a.e.]/L, 0.73 µg a.e./L, 1.46 µg a.e./L, and 2.92 µg a.e./L) at either ambient (12 °C) or elevated (23 °C) water temperature. Behaviors observed included the exploration of a novel habitat, use of refuge, habitat selection relative to a potential predator, and burst movement distance. In the absence of glyphosate, temperature consistently affected movement and refuge-use behavior, with individuals moving longer distances more frequently and using refuge less at warm temperatures; however, when glyphosate was added, the authors observed inconsistent effects of temperature that may have resulted from differential toxicity at various temperatures. Larval salamanders made shorter, more frequent movements and demonstrated reduced burst distance at higher glyphosate concentrations. The authors also found that lower glyphosate concentrations sometimes had stronger effects than higher concentrations (i.e., nonmonotonic dose responses), suggesting that standard safety tests conducted only at higher glyphosate concentrations might overlook important sublethal effects on salamander behavior. These data demonstrate that sublethal effects of glyphosate-based herbicides on natural behaviors of amphibians can occur with short-term exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2297–2303. © 2016 SETAC
In vivo human corneal deformation analysis with a Scheimpflug camera, a critical review
Authors: Lanza Michele , Iaccarino Stefania , Bifani Mario
Published: February 2016

Corneal morphological analysis has greatly improved in recent years, providing physicians with new and reliable parameters to study. Moreover, today corneal functional too is a routine analysis, thanks to biomechanical evaluation allowed by an ocular response analyzer (Reichert Ophthalmic Instrument, Depew, NY, USA). Corvis ST (OCULUS Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany), that relies on the ultrahigh speed Scheimpflug camera, is a new device providing corneal deformation parameters measured ny scanning the cornea response to an air puff; it is an instrument able to measure intraocular pressure too. This device could open up a whole new prospective in screening, detecting and managing corneal diseases, intraocular pressure measurement and in evaluating surgical procedures involving the cornea. This paper provides a comprehensive explanation of Corvis ST measurement principles and parameters and a literature review of scientific studies.

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Yeast Two‐Hybrid and One‐Hybrid Screenings Identify Regulators of hsp70 Gene Expression
Authors: Saito Youhei , Nakagawa Takanobu , Kakihana Ayana , Nakamura Yoshia , Nabika Tomomi , Kasai Michihiro , Takamori Mai , Yamagishi Nobuyuki , Kuga Takahisa , Hatayama Takumi , Nakayama Yuji
Published: February 2016

The mammalian stress protein Hsp105β, which is specifically expressed during mild heat shock and localizes to the nucleus, induces the major stress protein Hsp70. In the present study, we performed yeast two‐hybrid and one‐hybrid screenings to identify the regulators of Hsp105β‐mediated hsp70 gene expression. Six and two proteins were detected as Hsp105β‐ and hsp70 promoter‐binding proteins, respectively. A luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that hsp70 promoter activation is enhanced by the transcriptional co‐activator AF9 and splicing mediator SNRPE, but suppressed by the coiled‐coil domain‐containing protein CCDC127. Of these proteins, the knockdown of SNRPE suppressed the expression of Hsp70 irrespective of the presence of Hsp105β, indicating that SNRPE essentially functions as a transcriptional activator of hsp70 gene expression. The overexpression of HSP70 in tumor cells has been associated with cell survival and drug resistance. We here identified novel regulators of Hsp70 expression in stress signaling and also provided important insights into Hsp70‐targeted anti‐cancer therapy. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2109–2117, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
miR‐19a, ‐19b, and ‐26b Mediate CTGF Expression and Pulmonary Fibroblast Differentiation
Authors: Chen Yen‐Chou , Chen Bing‐Chang , Yu Chung‐Chi , Lin Shin‐Hua , Lin Chien‐Huang
Published: February 2016

Although microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation with intracellular signaling cascade disruption has been demonstrated in the pathophysiology of pulmonary fibrosis, the relationship between miRNAs and intracellular signaling cascades in pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear. Using the human embryonic lung fibroblast cell line WI‐38, we observed endothelin‐1 (ET‐1)‐ and thrombin‐induced expression of the differentiation markers α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and vimentin along with increased connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) protein expression. Decreased CTGF protein expression by CTGF siRNA significantly blocked ET‐1‐ and thrombin‐induced α‐SMA and vimentin expression in WI‐38 cells. Activation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) extracellular signal‐regulated kinase ERK, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 contributed to ET‐1‐ and thrombin‐induced CTGF, α‐SMA, and vimentin expression in WI‐38 cells. TargetScan Human, miRanda, and PicTar prediction algorithms were used to predict miRNAs with binding sites in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of CTGF mRNA. miR‐19a, ‐19b, and ‐26b were candidate miRNAs of CTGF. Direct binding of the candidate miRNAs to the 3′‐UTR of CTGF mRNA was verified through luciferase assay by using SV40‐promoter‐IRES‐driven luciferase containing the 3′‐UTR of CTGF mRNA as a reporter plasmid. ET‐1 and thrombin reduced candidate miRNA levels. Candidate miRNA overexpression significantly suppressed ET‐1‐ and thrombin‐induced CTGF expression and reduced α‐SMA and vimentin expression in the WI‐38 cells. Furthermore, candidate miRNA levels were decreased in the lung tissues of mice with bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis, and intratracheal application of miR‐19a, ‐19b, and 26b reduced the pulmonary fibrotic severity induced by bleomycin. This study is the first to demonstrate crosstalk between MAPK activation and reduction in miR‐19a, ‐19b, and ‐26b expression leading to lung fibroblast differentiation. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2236–2248, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Elicited versus emitted behavior: Time to abandon the distinction
Authors: Domjan Michael
Published: February 2016

The concept of emitted behavior was formulated as a part of the original argument for the validity of a new kind of learning called operant conditioning. The rationale for operant conditioning contrasted it with Pavlovian or classical conditioning, which was (and remains) fundamentally based on responses to conditioned and unconditioned stimuli. Classical conditioned responses were said to be elicited. In contrast, operant behavior was viewed as emitted and controlled primarily by response consequences rather than antecedents. I argue that the distinction between emitted and elicited behavior is no longer warranted for three major reasons. First, the distinction was based on a view of Pavlovian conditioning that is no longer viable. Second, the distinction is incompatible with both empirical data and contemporary conceptualizations of operant behavior. Third, the only way to overcome these problems is to define emitted and elicited in terms of the type of conditioning (operant and classical) that produces these behaviors, but that approach makes the definitions circular and does not avoid implications of the terms that are misleading and counterproductive in light of contemporary research and thinking.
Analysis of microstructures and macrotextures for different apple cultivars based on parenchyma morphology
Authors: Hou Jumin , Sun Yonghai , Chen Fangyuan , Yu Libo , Mao Qian , Wang Lu , Guo Xiaolei , Liu Chao
Published: February 2016

Fuji, Golden Delicious, and Jonagold parenchyma were imaged by confocal laser scanning microscopy to be extracted morphology characteristics, which were used to analyze the relationship with macrotexture of apples tested by penetration and compression. Before analyzing the relationship, the significantly different morphology parameters were reduced in dimensions by principal component analysis and were proved to be availably used for distinguishing the different apple cultivars. For compression results, cell did not absolutely determine the hardness in different apple cultivars, and the pore should also be taken into consideration. With the same size in cell feret diameter, the bigger the pore feret diameter was, the softer the apple became. If no difference existed in pore feret diameter size, the cultivar became harder with a narrower distribution in cell feret diameter. The texture parameters were compared with the roundness parameters in the same or inverse changing trends to explore the relationship. High correlations were found between the texture parameters (energy required in whole penetration (Wt), fracture force (Fp), crispness) and pore solidity (R2 > 0.924, P < 0.001). Compactness of parenchyma played an important role in fruit texture. This research could provide the comprehension about relationship between microstructure and macrotexture of apple cultivars and morphological values for modeling apple parenchyma, contributing to numerical simulation for constitutive relation of fruit. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:304–312, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of the synganglion and morphology of the adult nervous system in the mite Archegozetes longisetosus Aoki (Chelicerata, Actinotrichida, Oribatida)
Authors: Hartmann Konstantin , Laumann Michael , Bergmann Paavo , Heethoff Michael , Schmelzle Sebastian
Published: February 2016

Small arthropods show a highly condensed central nervous system, which is accompanied by the loss of the ancestral metameric organization. This results in the formation of one solid mass, a synganglion. Although numerous studies investigated the morphology of Archegozetes longisetosus, the organization of the nervous system is to date unknown. Using synchrotron X‐ray microtomography, we investigated the organization of the nervous system in the adult stage and the development of the synganglion over all five free‐living life stages (larva, proto‐, deuto‐, tritonymph and adult). The general morphology of the synganglion resembles that of other studied mites (in the classic sense) and ticks, being subdivided into a sub‐ and supraesophageal region, and consisting of cortex and neuropil. All nerves entering the walking legs except the first consist of two rami. This split is not based on a functional division into a motor and a sensory ramus, but both rami contain motor and sensory neurites. Within the synganglion, we found structures that resemble the ancestral metameric organization of the nervous system of arthropods. The development of the synganglion of A. longisetosus shows a more or less linear increase in volume, but cortex and neuropil grow at different rates over the five life stages. Between the second and third nymphal stage, the volume of the neuropil increases at a faster rate than the cortex. J. Morphol. 277:537–548, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Meta‐analysis of prognostic studies for a biomarker with a study‐specific cutoff value
Authors: Sadashima Eiji , Hattori Satoshi , Takahashi Kunihiko
Published: February 2016

In prognostic studies, a summary statistic such as a hazard ratio is often reported between low‐expression and high‐expression groups of a biomarker with a study‐specific cutoff value. Recently, several meta‐analyses of prognostic studies have been reported, but these studies simply combined hazard ratios provided by the individual studies, overlooking the fact that the cutoff values are study‐specific. We propose a method to summarize hazard ratios with study‐specific cutoff values by estimating the hazard ratio for a 1‐unit change of the biomarker in the underlying individual‐level model. To this end, we introduce a model for a relationship between a reported log‐hazard ratio for a 1‐unit expected difference in the mean biomarker value between the low‐expression and high‐expression groups, which approximates the individual‐level model, and propose to make an inference of the model by using the method for trend estimation based on grouped exposure data. Our combined estimator provides a valid interpretation if the biomarker distribution is correctly specified. We applied our proposed method to a dataset that examined the association between the biomarker Ki‐67 and disease‐free survival in breast cancer patients. We conducted simulation studies to examine the performance of our method. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Locally interpolated alkalinity regression for global alkalinity estimation
Authors: Carter B. R. , Williams N. L. , Gray A. R. , Feely R. A.
Published: February 2016

We introduce methods and software for estimating total seawater alkalinity from salinity and any combination of up to four other parameters (potential temperature, apparent oxygen utilization, total dissolved nitrate, and total silicate). The methods return estimates anywhere in the global ocean with comparable accuracy to other published alkalinity estimation techniques. The software interpolates between a predetermined grid of coefficients for linear regressions onto arbitrary latitude, longitude, and depth coordinates, and thereby avoids the estimate discontinuities many similar methods return when transitioning from one regression constant set to another. The software can also return uncertainty estimates scaled by user‐provided input parameter uncertainties. The methods have been optimized for the open ocean, for which we estimate globally averaged errors of 5.8–10.4 μmol kg−1 depending on which combination of regression parameters is used. We expect these methods to be especially useful for better constraining the carbonate system from measurement platforms—such as biogeochemical Argo floats—that are only capable of measuring one carbonate system parameter (e.g., pH). It may also provide a useful way of simulating alkalinity for Earth system models that do not resolve the tracer prognostically.
Weakly precomplete computably enumerable equivalence relations
Authors: Badaev Serikzhan , Sorbi Andrea
Published: February 2016

Using computable reducibility ⩽ on equivalence relations, we investigate weakly precomplete ceers (a “ceer” is a computably enumerable equivalence relation on the natural numbers), and we compare their class with the more restricted class of precomplete ceers. We show that there are infinitely many isomorphism types of universal (in fact uniformly finitely precomplete) weakly precomplete ceers , that are not precomplete; and there are infinitely many isomorphism types of non‐universal weakly precomplete ceers. Whereas the Visser space of a precomplete ceer always contains an infinite effectively discrete subset, there exist weakly precomplete ceers whose Visser spaces do not contain infinite effectively discrete subsets. As a consequence, contrary to precomplete ceers which always yield partitions into effectively inseparable sets, we show that although weakly precomplete ceers always yield partitions into computably inseparable sets, nevertheless there are weakly precomplete ceers for which no equivalence class is creative. Finally, we show that the index set of the precomplete ceers is Σ3‐complete, whereas the index set of the weakly precomplete ceers is Π3‐complete. As a consequence of these results, we also show that the index sets of the uniformly precomplete ceers and of the e‐complete ceers are Σ3‐complete.
Lean‐seafood intake decreases urinary markers of mitochondrial lipid and energy metabolism in healthy subjects: Metabolomics results from a randomized crossover intervention study
Authors: Schmedes Mette , Aadland Eli Kristin , Sundekilde Ulrik Kræmer , Jacques Hélène , Lavigne Charles , Graff Ingvild Eide , Eng Øyvin , Holthe Asle , Mellgren Gunnar , Young Jette Feveile , Bertram Hanne Christine , Liaset Bjørn , Clausen Morten Rahr
Published: February 2016

Scope

Proteins constitute an important part of the human diet, but understanding of the effects of different dietary protein sources on human metabolism is sparse. We aimed to elucidate diet‐induced metabolic changes through untargeted urinary metabolomics after four weeks of intervention with lean‐seafood or nonseafood diets. It is shown that lean‐seafood intake reduces urinary excretion of metabolites involved in mitochondrial lipid and energy metabolism possibly facilitating a higher lipid catabolism in healthy subjects.

Methods

In a randomized controlled trial with crossover design, 20 healthy subjects consumed two balanced diets that varied in main protein sources for 4 weeks. Morning spot urine samples were collected before and after each intervention period. Untargeted metabolomics based on 1H NMR spectroscopy and LC‐MS analyses were applied to characterize the urinary metabolic response to the interventions.

Results

The lean‐seafood diet period reduced the urinary level of l‐carnitine, 2,6‐dimethylheptanoylcarnitine, and N‐methyl‐2‐pyridone‐5‐carboxamide, relative to the nonseafood period. The dietary analysis revealed that the higher urinary level of trimethylamine‐N‐oxide after the lean‐seafood diet period and guanidinoacetate and 3‐methylhistidine after the nonseafood diet period was related to the endogenous content of these compounds in the diets.

Conclusions

Our data reveal that 4 weeks of lean‐seafood intake reduces urinary excretion of metabolites involved in mitochondrial lipid and energy metabolism possibly facilitating a higher lipid catabolism in healthy subjects after the lean‐seafood intake.
Anti‐inflammatory effects and molecular mechanisms of 8‐prenyl quercetin
Authors: Hisanaga Ayami , Mukai Rie , Sakao Kozue , Terao Junji , Hou De‐Xing
Published: February 2016

Scope

8‐prenyl quercetin (PQ) is a typical prenylflavonoid distributed in plant foods. It shows higher potential bioactivity than its parent quercetin (Q) although the mechanisms are not fully understood. This study aims to clarify the anti‐inflammatory effects and molecular mechanisms of PQ in cell and animal models, compared to Q.

Methods and results

RAW264.7 cells were treated with PQ or Q to investigate the influence on the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), and protein kinases by Western blotting. Nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were measured by the Griess method and ELISA, respectively. Cytokines were assayed by the multiplex technology. Mouse paw edema was induced by LPS. The results revealed that PQ had stronger inhibition on the production of iNOS, COX‐2, NO, PGE2, and 12 kinds of cytokines, than Q. PQ also showed in vivo anti‐inflammatory effect by attenuating mouse paw edema. Molecular data revealed that PQ had no competitive binding to Toll‐like receptor 4 with LPS, but directly targeted SEK1‐JNK1/2 (where SEK is stress‐activated protein kinase and JNK1/2 is Jun‐N‐terminal kinase 1/2) and MEK1‐ERK1/2 (where ERK is extracellular signal regulated kinase).

Conclusion

PQ as a potential inhibitor revealed anti‐inflammatory effect in both cell and animal models at least by targeting SEK1‐JNK1/2 and MEK1‐ERK1/2.
Functional ionotropic glutamate receptors on peripheral axons and myelin
Authors: Christensen Pia Crone , Welch Nicole Cheryl , Brideau Craig , Stys Peter K.
Published: February 2016

Introduction: Neurotransmitter‐dependent signaling is traditionally restricted to axon terminals. However, receptors are present on myelinating glia, suggesting that chemical transmission may also occur along axons. Methods: Confocal microscopy and Ca2+‐imaging using an axonally expressed FRET‐based reporter was used to measure Ca2+ changes and morphological alterations in myelin in response to stimulation of glutamate receptors. Results: Activation of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) or N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors induced a Ca2+ increase in axon cylinders. However, only the latter caused structural alterations in axons, despite similar Ca2+ increases. Myelin morphology was significantly altered by NMDA receptor activation, but not by AMPA receptors. Cu2+ ions influenced the NMDA receptor‐dependent response, suggesting that this metal modulates axonal receptors. Glutamate increased ribosomal signal in Schwann cell cytoplasm. Conclusions: Axon cylinders and myelin of peripheral nervous system axons respond to glutamate, with a consequence being an increase in Schwann cell ribosomes. This may have implications for nerve pathology and regeneration. Muscle Nerve 54: 451–459, 2016
Structural Preferences in Phosphanylthiolato Platinum(II) Complexes
Authors: Duran Josep , Polo Alfonso , Real Julio , Benet‐Buchholz Jordi , Solà Miquel , Poater Albert
Published: February 2016

Invited for this month's cover picture are the groups of Prof. Alfonso Polo and Dr. Albert Poater at the Universitat de Girona, as well as their collaborators from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia. The cover picture shows phosphanylthiolate ligand coordination on a platinum(II) center to give only the bischelate cis‐P,P isomer when the ligand/Pt ratio is 2, whereas a trinuclear unexpected complex is achieved with a ligand/Pt ratio of 1. Here, the synthesis and structural determination is combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations to rationalize the reaction mechanistically and through conceptual DFT. The exciting point of this study is that it opens the door to test new experimental pathways to monitor the preferred cis or trans arrangement of bidentate ligands to platinum. (Legend: H‐white, C‐black, P‐purple, S‐yellow, Cl‐green, Pt‐blue.) For more details, see the Full Paper on p. 51 ff.