bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti-CD27 Antibody Potentiates Antitumor Effect of Dendritic Cell–Based Vaccine in Prostate Cancer–Bearing Mice
Authors: Wei Si-Ming , Fei Jin-Xuan , Tao Feng , Pan Hang-Li , Shen Qing , Wang Li , Wu Yu-Jia , Zhou Li , Zhu Sheng-Xin , Liao Wei-Bin , Ji Hua , Xin Zhao-Liang
Published: January 2015

In the current study, we investigated whether anti-CD27 monoclonal antibody can enhance the antitumor efficacy of a dendritic cell–based vaccine in prostate cancer–bearing mice. The overall therapeutic effect of a dendritic cell–based vaccine for prostate cancer remains moderate. A prostate cancer model was established by subcutaneous injection of RM-1 tumor cells into male C57BL/6 mice on day 0. After 4 days, tumor-bearing mice were treated with RM-1 tumor lysate–pulsed dendritic cells (i.e., dendritic cell–based vaccine), anti-CD27 monoclonal antibody, or a combination of RM-1 tumor lysate–pulsed dendritic cells with anti-CD27 monoclonal antibody. Mice were killed at 21 days after tumor cell implantation. Tumor size was measured for assessment of antitumor effect. Spleens were collected for analysis of antitumor immune responses. The antitumor immune responses were evaluated by measuring the proliferation and activity of T cells, which have the ability to kill tumor cells. The combination therapy with RM-1 tumor lysate–pulsed dendritic cells and anti-CD27 antibody significantly enhanced T-cell proliferation and activity, and significantly reduced tumor growth, compared with monotherapy with RM-1 tumor lysate–pulsed dendritic cells or anti-CD27 antibody. Our results suggest that combined treatment can strengthen antitumor efficacy by improving T-cell proliferation and activity.
The Preventive Effect of Dexmedetomidine Against Postoperative Intra-abdominal Adhesions in Rats
Authors: Kuru Serdar , Bozkirli Osman Bahadir , Barlas Aziz Mutlu , Duymus Mehmet Esat , Senes Mehmet , Yumusak Nihat , Yilmaz Cevdet , Kismet Kemal
Published: January 2015

This study aimed to determine the possible preventive effects of dexmedetomidine on postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions. Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective and potent α2 adrenergic agonist with sedative, analgesic, anxiolytic, sympatholytic, hemodynamic, and diuretic properties. In recent years, investigations have shown that dexmedetomidine possesses secondary antioxidant and also anti-inflammatory effects. Thirty Wistar albino male rats were randomized and divided into 3 groups of 10 animals each: group 1, sham-operated; group 2, cecal abrasion + peritoneal dissection; group 3, cecal abrasion + peritoneal dissection followed by daily intravenous injection of 10 μg/kg dexmedetomidine for 10 days. The animals were killed on postoperative day 21. Blood and cecal samples were taken for biochemical and histopathologic evaluation. In this study, biochemical and pathologic parameters were significantly better in the cecal abrasion + peritoneal dissection + dexmedetomidine group when compared with the cecal abrasion + peritoneal dissection group. Tissue malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, total sulfhydryl, and catalase were found to be significantly different between the cecal abrasion/peritoneal dissection + dexmedetomidine and the cecal abrasion/peritoneal dissection groups. Plasma malondialdehyde and total sulfhydryl values were also statistically different between these groups (P < 0.05). Statistical analyses of mean pathologic scores showed that the histopathologic damage in the cecal abrasion/peritoneal dissection + dexmedetomidine group was significantly less than the damage in the control group (P < 0.05 for all pathologic parameters). The results of this study show that dexmedetomidine had a significant preventive effect on postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions. We concluded that these effects might be due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Climate‐driven vertical acceleration of Icelandic crust measured by continuous GPS geodesy
Authors: Compton Kathleen , Bennett Richard A. , Hreinsdóttir Sigrún
Published: January 2015

Earth's present‐day response to enhanced glacial melting resulting from climate change can be measured using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. We present data from 62 continuously operating GPS instruments in Iceland. Statistically significant upward velocity and accelerations are recorded at 27 GPS stations, predominantly located in the Central Highlands region of Iceland, where present‐day thinning of the Iceland ice caps results in velocities of more than 30 mm/yr and uplift accelerations of 1–2 mm/yr2. We use our acceleration estimates to back calculate to a time of zero velocity, which coincides with the initiation of ice loss in Iceland from ice mass balance calculations and Arctic warming trends. We show, through a simple inversion, a direct relationship between ice mass balance measurements and vertical position and show that accelerated unloading is required to reproduce uplift observations for a simple elastic layer over viscoelastic half‐space model.
Lidar and CTIPe model studies of the fast amplitude growth with altitude of the diurnal temperature “tides” in the Antarctic winter lower thermosphere and dependence on geomagnetic activity
Authors: Fong Weichun , Chu Xinzhao , Lu Xian , Chen Cao , Fuller‐Rowell Timothy J. , Codrescu Mihail , Richmond Arthur D.
Published: January 2015

Four years of lidar observations at McMurdo reveal that the fast amplitude growth with altitude of diurnal temperature tides from 100 to 110 km during Antarctic winters, exceeding that of the freely propagating tides from the lower atmosphere, increases in strength with the Kp magnetic activity index. Simulations with the Coupled Thermosphere Ionosphere Plasmasphere Electrodynamics (CTIPe) model reproduce the lidar observations and exhibit concentric ring structures of diurnal amplitudes encircling the south geomagnetic pole and overlapping the auroral zone. These findings point to a magnetospheric source origin. Mechanistic studies using CTIPe show that the adiabatic cooling/heating associated with Hall ion drag is the dominant source of this feature, while Joule heating is a minor contributor due to the counteraction by Joule‐heating‐induced adiabatic cooling. The sum of total dynamical effects and Joule heating explains ~80% of the diurnal amplitudes. Auroral particle heating, lower atmosphere tides, and direct solar heating have minor contributions.
Interplanetary magnetic field dependence of the suprathermal energetic neutral atoms originated in subsolar magnetopause
Authors: Ogasawara K. , Dayeh M. A. , Funsten H. O. , Fuselier S. A. , Livadiotis G. , McComas D. J.
Published: January 2015

Using energetic neutral atom (ENA) emission observations of the subsolar magnetopause measured by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX), we study the correlation between the upstream interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions and the spectral index of the source ion population. Our ENA data set includes hour‐averaged ENA measurements at energies between ∼0.5 and ∼6 keV obtained by the IBEX High Energy ENA imager from January 2009 to May 2011. Under the condition of quiet geomagnetic activity (SYM‐H index >−20 nT), we find that the shallower spectra in the suprathermal tail of the ion population of the subsolar magnetopause is weakly correlated (correlation coefficient of −0.30) with the shock angle of the Earth's bow shock, but not correlated with parameters related to magnetic reconnection (i.e., elevation and clock angle of the interplanetary magnetic field orientation). The observed correlation suggests suprathermal ion energization from diffusive shock acceleration and thus that the suprathermal ions in the subsolar magnetopause are of shocked solar wind origin. We also argue that the roles of magnetospheric ion leakage or ion acceleration by magnetic reconnection are reduced in the magnetopause emissions compared to shock acceleration processes.
The consequences of a local approach in statistical models of convection on its large‐scale coherence
Authors: Tan Jackson , Jakob Christian , Lane Todd P.
Published: January 2015

Organized tropical convection is a crucial mechanism in the climate system, but its representation in climate models through parametrization schemes has numerous shortcomings. One of these shortcomings is that they are deterministic despite the statistical nature of the relationship they are representing. Several attempts at devising a stochastic parametrization scheme have been made, many of which assume a local approach, that is, one in which the convection in a grid box is determined without consideration of the previous time steps and the surrounding boxes. This study seeks to explore the effect of this assumption on the coherence of convection using cloud regimes, which represent various modes of tropical convection. First, we analyze the coherence of observed convection beyond the typical size of a model grid box and time step. Then, we evaluate the consequences of the local assumption on this coherence in simple statistical models. Cloud regimes in the real world show high degrees of coherence, manifesting in their lifetimes, areas, and inter‐regime relationships. However, in a local statistical model, they are too small, too short‐lived, and have incorrect relationships between each other. This can be improved by incorporating time memory and spatial dependence in the modeling. Our results imply that a local approach to a statistical representation of convection is not viable, and a statistical model must account for nonlocal influence in order to have large‐scale convective coherence that more closely resembles the real world.
Holocene peatland initiation in the Greater Everglades
Authors: Dekker Stefan C. , de Boer Hugo J. , Dermody Brian J. , Wagner‐Cremer Friederike , Wassen Martin J. , Eppinga Maarten B.
Published: January 2015

The mechanisms involved in the initiation and development of the Greater Everglades peatland ecosystems remain a topic of discussion. In this study, we first present an overview of basal ages of peat deposits in South Florida, which shows two major episodes of peatland initiation between 7.0–4.5 kyr and 3.5–2.0 kyr. Our analysis of regional climate proxy data sets led to three alternative hypotheses that may explain the timing and duration of these two peatland initiation episodes: (1) decreased drainage due to relative sea level (RSL) rise during the Holocene, (2) gradual increase in precipitation throughout the Holocene, and (3) a combination of increasing precipitation, rising RSL, and oscillations in the climate system. We test whether these three hypotheses can explain the pattern of initiation and development of the Greater Everglades peatlands using models that simulate the nonlinear processes involved in peat production and decomposition. The model results suggest that RSL rise could explain the onset of peatland initiation and imply that the climate was wet enough for peat development also during the early Holocene. The first two hypothesized mechanisms in combination with climate oscillations may explain the onset of peat accumulation at 8.2 kyr B.P. The two‐phased character of peatland initiation maybe explained by the spatial distribution of local drainage conditions. As peatland development is highly nonlinear, our model uncovers a mechanistic way how peats can suddenly shift from a dry high equilibrium to a wet low equilibrium resulting in lake formation as observed in paleoecological studies in the Greater Everglades.
Holocene shifts of the southern westerlies across the South Atlantic
Authors: Voigt Ines , Chiessi Cristiano M. , Prange Matthias , Mulitza Stefan , Groeneveld Jeroen , Varma Vidya , Henrich Ruediger
Published: January 2015

The southern westerly winds (SWW) exert a crucial influence over the world ocean and climate. Nevertheless, a comprehensive understanding of the Holocene temporal and spatial evolution of the SWW remains a significant challenge due to the sparsity of high‐resolution marine archives and appropriate SWW proxies. Here we present a north‐south transect of high‐resolution planktonic foraminiferal oxygen isotope records from the western South Atlantic. Our proxy records reveal Holocene migrations of the Brazil‐Malvinas Confluence (BMC), a highly sensitive feature for changes in the position and strength of the northern portion of the SWW. Through the tight coupling of the BMC position to the large‐scale wind field, the records allow a quantitative reconstruction of Holocene latitudinal displacements of the SWW across the South Atlantic. Our data reveal a gradual poleward movement of the SWW by about 1–1.5° from the early to the mid‐Holocene. Afterward, variability in the SWW is dominated by millennial scale displacements on the order of 1° in latitude with no recognizable longer‐term trend. These findings are confronted with results from a state‐of‐the‐art transient Holocene climate simulation using a comprehensive coupled atmosphere‐ocean general circulation model. Proxy‐inferred and modeled SWW shifts compare qualitatively, but the model underestimates both orbitally forced multimillennial and internal millennial SWW variability by almost an order of magnitude. The underestimated natural variability implies a substantial uncertainty in model projections of future SWW shifts.
Environmental and biological controls on size‐specific δ13C and δ18O in recent planktonic foraminifera
Authors: Ezard Thomas H. G. , Edgar Kirsty M. , Hull Pincelli M.
Published: January 2015

As living organisms, planktonic foraminifera are not passive tracers of the environment. Their test geochemistry—arguably the single most important resource for paleoceanographic research—reflects the combined signal of environmental, biological, and preservational processes. For most species, comparisons of test stable isotopic composition within and among taxa provide the primary means for disentangling the relative influences of these different processes. Here we test the foundations of our paleoceanographic interpretations with the first quantitative comparison of the determinants of carbon and oxygen isotopic variation across multiple ocean basins, studies, and species by re‐analyzing size‐specific data collated from the literature. We find clear evidence of species‐specific biological effects (i.e., vital effects), as the intercepts of size‐specific carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions differ significantly among species. Trends in body size and isotopic composition, particularly in dinoflagellate bearing taxa, suggest that much of the size‐dependent isotopic variation observed in death assemblages (i.e., core tops and sediments) relates to factors influencing the maximum size obtained by adults rather than ontogeny. The presence and type of photosymbiont hosted (dinoflagellate, chrysophyte, or none) were a major factor affecting species‐ and size‐specific δ18O values. In contrast, size‐related trends in δ13C values were driven by depth habitat (mixed layer, thermocline, subthermocline), symbiont ecology and whether the assemblage was alive or dead when sampled. On this broad geographic and oceanographic scale, ocean basin and biome had a significant effect on δ18O and δ13C values . Our analysis and its model‐averaged predictions provide a quantitative basis for interpreting size‐specific isotopic variation in 22 species of modern macroperforate planktonic foraminifera. We conclude by highlighting existing data gaps and outstanding questions of the relative influence of environmental, preservational, and biological processes on variation in the test geochemistry of planktonic foraminifera.
Markets, Moral Aspects of
Authors: Wherry Frederick F.
Published: January 2015

How do the principles of right and wrong, as well as the sacred and profane, get put on display in economic transactions? How have social scientists examined the moral aspects of economic transactions and the informal rules governing commercial trade that spring from transcendental concerns? And what have been some of the detrimental moral consequences of market exchange?
Sustainable Consumption
Authors: Humphery Kim
Published: January 2015

The term “sustainable consumption” refers to a diverse field of analysis, policy, and activism focused on transforming consumption practices, especially in affluent economies. It refers also to the activity of consuming goods and services sustainably, most often understood as minimizing the impact of consumption on the environment. A politics of sustainable consumption is thus driven primarily by a concern for the depletion of unrenewable resources and the production of waste. Wider conceptualizations attend also to issues of global equity, social cohesion, and community and individual wellbeing in challenging overconsumption. There is vigorous debate about how to achieve change. Mainstream policy approaches emphasize informed consumer choice and improved production processes as vehicles for altering consumption patterns. Alternative approaches seek to change not only the patterns but the levels of consumption characteristic of affluent economies, variously emphasizing lifestyle change, collective and local forms of production and consumption, and/or transformations in infrastructures of provision.
Functional connectivity changes in the language network during stroke recovery
Authors: Nair Veena A. , Young Brittany M. , La Christian , Reiter Peter , Nadkarni Tanvi N. , Song Jie , Vergun Svyatoslav , Addepally Naga Saranya , Mylavarapu Krishna , Swartz Jennifer L. , Jensen Matthew B. , Chacon Marcus R. , Sattin Justin A. , Prabhakaran Vivek
Published: January 2015

Objective

Several neuroimaging studies have examined language reorganization in stroke patients with aphasia. However, few studies have examined language reorganization in stroke patients without aphasia. Here, we investigated functional connectivity (FC) changes after stroke in the language network using resting‐state fMRI and performance on a verbal fluency (VF) task in patients without clinically documented language deficits.

Methods

Early‐stage ischemic stroke patients (N = 26) (average 5 days from onset), 14 of whom were tested at a later stage (average 4.5 months from onset), 26 age‐matched healthy control subjects (HCs), and 12 patients with cerebrovascular risk factors (patients at risk, PR) participated in this study. We examined FC of the language network with 23 seed regions based on a previous study. We evaluated patients' behavioral performance on a VF task and correlation between brain resting‐state FC (rsFC) and behavior.

Results

Compared to HCs, early stroke patients showed significantly decreased rsFC in the language network but no difference with respect to PR. Early stroke patients showed significant differences in performance on the VF task compared to HCs but not PR. Late‐stage patients compared to HCs and PR showed no differences in brain rsFC in the language network and significantly stronger connections compared to early‐stage patients. Behavioral differences persisted in the late stage compared to HCs. Change in specific connection strengths correlated with changes in behavior from early to late stage.

Conclusions

These results show decreased rsFC in the language network and verbal fluency deficits in early stroke patients without clinically documented language deficits.
Self Healing of Creep Damage by Gold Precipitation in Iron Alloys
Authors: Zhang Shasha , Kwakernaak Cees , Sloof Willem , Brück Ekkes , van der Zwaag Sybrand , van Dijk Niels
Published: January 2015

In the present study we demonstrate that autonomous repair of high‐temperature creep damage can be achieved in iron by alloying with a small amount of gold. Adopting a heat treatment that provides mobile gold within the iron matrix is found to significantly extend the creep lifetime at a temperature of 550 °C. Combined electron‐microscopy techniques demonstrate that the improved creep properties originate from selective precipitation of gold atoms within early‐stage creep cavities, before they can merge into micro‐cracks along the grain boundaries. The selective precipitation of gold atoms at the free surface of a creep cavity results in pore filling, and as a result autonomous repair of the creep damage. Grain boundaries and dislocations act as fast routes for solute gold transport from the matrix to the creep damage. Pore filling preferentially takes place at the highest loaded grain boundaries oriented perpendicular to the applied load. The efficiency to heal creep damage is found to depend strongly on the applied stress. For lower stress levels filling fractions of up to 80% of the open‐volume creep damage have been observed.
An Efficient Method for the Production of Terminal Alkynes from 1,1‐Dibromo‐1‐alkenes and its Application in the Total Synthesis of Natural Product Dihydroxerulin
Authors: Liu Shihui , Chen Xiaobei , Hu Yanwei , Yuan Laiqi , Chen Shaohua , Wu Ping , Wang Wei , Zhang Shilei , Zhang Wei
Published: January 2015

An efficient method of preparing various terminal alkynes from 1,1‐dibromo‐1‐alkenes by using TBAF (tetra‐n‐butylammonium fluoride) as a base and triphenylphosphane as a reductant was developed. This method is strong base and low/high temperatures free, and can tolerate a broad range of substrates. These advantages were well demonstrated by the application of this method to the total synthesis of polyene natural product dihydroxerulin.

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Bifunctional Amine‐Squaramides: Powerful Hydrogen‐Bonding Organocatalysts for Asymmetric Domino/Cascade Reactions
Authors: Chauhan Pankaj , Mahajan Suruchi , Kaya Uğur , Hack Daniel , Enders Dieter
Published: January 2015

Organocatalytic domino/cascade reactions provide a convenient method for the construction of complex molecular structures bearing multiple stereocenters in a highly stereoselective fashion. Among various organocatalysts, bifunctional squaramides have emerged as powerful hydrogen‐bonding catalysts for promoting a wide array of useful asymmetric organocascade sequences. Higher activity and ease of preparation make these catalysts excellent alternatives for thiourea‐based organocatalysts. This review highlights the advances in the rapidly growing field of amine‐squaramide‐catalyzed domino/cascade reactions and their mode of action.

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Künstliche Photosynthese für die Produktion von nachhaltigen Kraftstoffen und chemischen Produkten
Authors: Kim Dohyung , Sakimoto Kelsey K. , Hong Dachao , Yang Peidong
Published: January 2015

Angesichts der Unvereinbarkeit eines zunehmenden Verbrauchs von Kraftstoffen und chemischen Produkten und einer nur endlichen Menge an Ressourcen versuchen wir Möglichkeiten zu finden, wie wir unsere Gesellschaft auf Dauer nachhaltig gestalten können. Die künstliche Photosynthese nutzt das Sonnenlicht, um reichlich vorhandene Ressourcen in hochwertige Chemikalien umzuwandeln. Deshalb gilt sie als die aussichtsreichste Methode. Hier werden Entwicklungen und neueste Fortschritte sowie noch bestehende Herausforderungen für ihre Schlüsselprozesse, die photoelektrochemische Wasserspaltung und die elektrochemische CO2‐Reduktion, beschrieben. Ein Überblick über die Fortschritte in der Katalyse, um den erneuerbaren Wasserstoff als Grundstoff für die Produktion von Chemikalien einzusetzen, soll verdeutlichen, welche Rolle die künstliche Photosynthese in einer nachhaltigen Chemie spielen wird.
Artificial Photosynthesis for Sustainable Fuel and Chemical Production
Authors: Kim Dohyung , Sakimoto Kelsey K. , Hong Dachao , Yang Peidong
Published: January 2015

The apparent incongruity between the increasing consumption of fuels and chemicals and the finite amount of resources has led us to seek means to maintain the sustainability of our society. Artificial photosynthesis, which utilizes sunlight to create high‐value chemicals from abundant resources, is considered as the most promising and viable method. This Minireview describes the progress and challenges in the field of artificial photosynthesis in terms of its key components: developments in photoelectrochemical water splitting and recent progress in electrochemical CO2 reduction. Advances in catalysis, concerning the use of renewable hydrogen as a feedstock for major chemical production, are outlined to shed light on the ultimate role of artificial photosynthesis in achieving sustainable chemistry.
Direct arylation of imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles and thiazoles with aryl iodides via CuCl2/PPh3‐catalyzed C–H bond functionalization
Authors: Ma Yuchang , Na Min , Gu Yanfang , Huang Guoli , Li Xia , Chen Yegao
Published: January 2015

With PPh3 acting as a ligand, a convenient method for CuCl2‐catalyzed arylation of imidazo[1,2‐b]thiazoles and thiazoles with aryl iodides under mild reaction conditions is described. Preliminary mechanistic studies of this arylation involving a formal Cu(I) to Cu(0) and Cu(II) route by convergent disproportionation of the copper mediator are also reported. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The conservation implications of spatial and temporal variability in the diurnal use of Bahamian tidal mangrove creeks by transient predatory fishes
Authors: Harborne Alastair R. , Talwar Brendan , Brooks Edward J.
Published: January 2015

Mangrove creeks have a range of functional roles in tropical seascapes, but their use as feeding and refuge areas for commercially and ecologically important transient predators is poorly understood.

This study used video cameras to investigate the diurnal use of three Bahamian mangrove creeks by transient predators during a 2‐month period. More than 500 fishes from 10 species were recorded, including elasmobranchs, reef‐associated fishes, and nearshore specialists. A multivariate analysis indicated that movement of the transient predator assemblage was not significantly linked to any abiotic variable and did not vary among creeks.

Generalized linear mixed‐effects models of the four most abundant transient predators demonstrated species‐specific variations in creek use. Sightings of Caranx ruber and Negaprion brevirostris varied significantly among the three creeks. Furthermore, C. ruber was seen most frequently close to high tide, while N. brevirostris was seen more frequently with increasing time since sunrise and during higher tidal ranges. Sphyraena barracuda and Tylosurus crocodilus were seen most frequently just after low tide. All three creeks appear to be functionally important for transient predators, but these species exhibit considerable spatio‐temporal variability in how they use this habitat.

Mangrove creeks are threatened by a range of anthropogenic stressors, and are frequently a target of conservation initiatives. The species‐specific spatial variability in creek use demonstrates that simply including representative creeks in marine protected areas could exclude functionally important areas. Furthermore, development that alters tidal cycles in creeks is likely to have significant impacts on transient predators, and underscores the need for restoration and conservation of hydrological flow.

Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Niche specialization and functional traits regulate the rarity of charophytes in the Nordic countries
Authors: Baastrup‐Spohr Lars , Iversen Lars Lønsmann , Borum Jens , Sand‐Jensen Kaj
Published: January 2015

Charophytes are benthic macroalgae that live in fresh and brackish waters. Given the historic deterioration of their habitats and their competitive inferiority relative to tall rooted plants under eutrophic conditions, it is hypothesized that charophytes are among the most threatened autotrophs. Also, it is expected that charophytes with generalist niches and functional traits, such as tolerance of a broad salinity range and large height, should thrive owing to available habitats and stronger competitive ability.

These hypotheses were tested comparing the rarity of charophytes in the Nordic countries with other autotrophs and analysing the relationship to species niche specialization and functional traits. A value on a rarity–commonness scale was assigned to each species based on their Red List status. Niche specialization was evaluated by the Outlying Mean Index using a large Danish dataset while traits were derived from the literature.

Supporting the hypotheses, 50–87% of charophyte species were Red Listed, which is much greater than for vascular aquatic (30–35%) and terrestrial plants (18–28%). Commonness of charophytes decreased significantly with niche specialization in separate analyses of brackish and freshwater sites. For brackish water species, the most influential parameter determining species distribution was salinity while for freshwater species, alkalinity, lake size and chlorophyll concentration played a major role. Four functional traits: shoot height, salinity tolerance, bulbil production and flexible life cycle duration were significantly positively related to commonness.

In conclusion, charophytes contain a larger fraction of threatened species compared with other groups of autotrophs. The few common charophytes are generalists tolerant of a wide range of conditions, while specialists often have short stature, restricted life cycle variability and are rare in the disturbed contemporary landscape. It is thus a conservation priority to delineate accurately the environmental conditions preferred by the threatened species and protect or restore proper habitats.

Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Racial/Ethnic Variation in All‐Cause Mortality Among United States Medicaid Recipients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Hispanic and Asian Paradox
Authors: Gómez‐Puerta José A. , Barbhaiya Medha , Guan Hongshu , Feldman Candace H. , Alarcón Graciela S. , Costenbader Karen H.
Published: January 2015

Objective

The incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is disproportionately high in nonwhite patients compared with white patients. However, variation in mortality according to race/ethnicity has not been well studied. The aim of this study was to examine all‐cause mortality according to race/ethnicity among SLE patients enrolled in Medicaid.

Methods

We used Medicaid Analytic eXtract data, with billing claims from 47 US states and Washington, DC, to identify individuals ages 18–65 years who were enrolled in Medicaid for ≥3 months in 2000–2006. Individuals were classified as having SLE if they had ≥3 visits ≥30 days apart with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD‐9) code for SLE (710.0). Among the individuals with SLE, those with lupus nephritis (LN) were identified by the presence of ≥2 ICD‐9 claims for glomerulonephritis, proteinuria, or renal failure. We calculated mortality rates per 1,000 person‐years, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), according to race/ethnicity. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate mortality risks, adjusting for age, sex, demographics, and comorbidities.

Results

Among 42,221 prevalent cases of SLE, 8,191 prevalent cases of LN were identified. Blacks represented 40.1%, whites 38.4%, and Hispanics 15.3%. Overall SLE mortality rates per 1,000 person‐years were highest among Native American (27.52), white (20.17), and black (24.13) patients and were lower among Hispanic (7.12) or Asian (5.18) patients. After multivariable adjustment, Hispanic and Asian patients had lower mortality risks (hazard ratio [HR] 0.48 [95% CI 0.40–0.59] and 0.59 [95% CI 0.40–0.86], respectively) compared with whites. Conversely, the risk of death was significantly higher among Native American (HR 1.40 [95% CI 1.04–1.90]) and black (HR 1.21 [95% CI 1.10–1.33]) patients compared with white patients. Among patients with LN, mortality risks were lower in Hispanic and Asian patients compared with white patients.

Conclusion

After accounting for demographic and clinical factors, mortality among Asian and Hispanic Medicaid patients with SLE was lower than that among black, white, or Native American patients.
Electrochemical and Structural Study of Layered P2‐Type Na2/3Ni1/3Mn2/3O2 as Cathode Material for Sodium‐Ion Battery
Authors: Wen Yanfen , Wang Bei , Zeng Guang , Nogita Kazuhiro , Ye Delai , Wang Lianzhou
Published: January 2015

P2‐type Na2/3Ni1/3Mn2/3O2 was synthesized by a controlled co‐precipitation method followed by a high‐temperature solid‐state reaction and was used as a cathode material for a sodium‐ion battery (SIB). The electrochemical behavior of this layered material was studied and an initial discharge capacity of 151.8 mA h g−1 was achieved in the voltage range of 1.5–3.75 V versus Na+/Na. The retained discharge capacity was found to be 123.5 mA h g−1 after charging/discharging 50 cycles, approximately 81.4 % of the initial discharge capacity. In situ X‐ray diffraction analysis was used to investigate the sodium insertion and extraction mechanism and clearly revealed the reversible structural changes of the P2‐Na2/3Ni1/3Mn2/3O2 and no emergence of the O2‐Ni1/3Mn2/3O2 phase during the cycling test, which is important for designing stable and high‐performance SIB cathode materials.
Unravelling the Quenching Mechanisms of a Luminescent RuII Probe for CuII
Authors: Santos André Ribeiro , Escudero Daniel , González Leticia , Orellana Guillermo
Published: January 2015

We have investigated the photophysical and photochemical features of a luminescent heteroleptic RuII‐polypyridyl probe and of its corresponding RuII‐CuII dinuclear complex formed upon the analyte binding through extensive density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) calculations. The molecular probe contains the tailored imidazo[4,5‐f]‐1,10‐phenanthroline (IIP) ligand for simultaneously binding the RuII core and the target metal ion in aqueous solution. We have rationalized the static photoluminescence quenching observed upon the CuII coordination, on the grounds of distinct excited state deactivation mechanisms which are absent in the free RuII complex probe. Additionally, the emission quenching found upon increasing the solution pH has also been investigated. When coordinated IIP deprotonates, the nature of the lowest excited state of its complex changes from 3MLCT to 3LLCT/3IL. The strong base‐induced emission quenching can be understood in terms of both the energy‐gap law, since the 3LLCT/3IL states lie at a significantly lower energy than the 3MLCT state increasing the contribution of non‐radiative mechanisms, and the expected slower radiative rates from such 3LLCT/3IL states. After CuII binding, the lowest triplet excited state is similar to the analyte‐free probe in both energy and electronic nature. However, Cu‐centered non‐radiative excited states, populated after photoinduced electron transfer and intersystem crossing processes, are responsible for the population drainage of the emissive state.
Stabilization of Fractional‐Order Linear Systems with State and Input Delay
Authors: Ammour Amar Si , Djennoune Said , Aggoune Woihida , Bettayeb Maamar
Published: January 2015

This paper describes a variable structure control for fractional‐order systems with delay in both the input and state variables. The proposed method includes a fractional‐order state predictor to eliminate the input delay. The resulting state‐delay system is controlled through a sliding mode approach where the controller uses a sliding surface defined by fractional order integral. Then, the proposed control law ensures that the state trajectories reach the sliding surface in finite time. Based on recent results of Lyapunov stability theory for fractional‐order systems, the stability of the closed loop is studied. Finally, an illustrative example is given to show the interest of the proposed approach.
Cell death and morphogenesis during early mouse development: Are they interconnected?
Authors: Bedzhov Ivan , Zernicka‐Goetz Magdalena
Published: January 2015

Shortly after implantation the embryonic lineage transforms from a coherent ball of cells into polarized cup shaped epithelium. Recently we elucidated a previously unknown apoptosis‐independent morphogenic event that reorganizes the pluripotent lineage. Polarization cues from the surrounding basement membrane rearrange the epiblast into a polarized rosette‐like structure, where subsequently a central lumen is established. Thus, we provided a new model revising the current concept of apoptosis‐dependent epiblast morphogenesis. Cell death however has to be tightly regulated during embryogenesis to ensure developmental success. Here, we follow the stages of early mouse development and take a glimpse at the critical signaling and morphogenic events that determine cells destiny and reshape the embryonic lineage.
Ubiquitous transcription factors display structural plasticity and diverse functions
Authors: NandyMazumdar Monali , Artsimovitch Irina
Published: January 2015

Numerous accessory factors modulate RNA polymerase response to regulatory signals and cellular cues and establish communications with co‐transcriptional RNA processing. Transcription regulators are astonishingly diverse, with similar mechanisms arising via convergent evolution. NusG/Spt5 elongation factors comprise the only universally conserved and ancient family of regulators. They bind to the conserved clamp helices domain of RNA polymerase, which also interacts with non‐homologous initiation factors in all domains of life, and reach across the DNA channel to form processivity clamps that enable uninterrupted RNA chain synthesis. In addition to this ubiquitous function, NusG homologs exert diverse, and sometimes opposite, effects on gene expression by competing with each other and other regulators for binding to the clamp helices and by recruiting auxiliary factors that facilitate termination, antitermination, splicing, translation, etc. This surprisingly diverse range of activities and the underlying unprecedented structural changes make studies of these “transformer” proteins both challenging and rewarding.
The effect of multidisciplinary rehabilitation on brain structure and cognition in Huntington's disease: an exploratory study
Authors: Cruickshank Travis M. , Thompson Jennifer A. , Domínguez D Juan F. , Reyes Alvaro P. , Bynevelt Mike , Georgiou‐Karistianis Nellie , Barker Roger A. , Ziman Mel R.
Published: January 2015

Background

There is a wealth of evidence detailing gray matter degeneration and loss of cognitive function over time in individuals with Huntington's disease (HD). Efforts to attenuate disease‐related brain and cognitive changes have been unsuccessful to date. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation, comprising motor and cognitive intervention, has been shown to positively impact on functional capacity, depression, quality of life and some aspects of cognition in individuals with HD. This exploratory study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, whether multidisciplinary rehabilitation can slow further deterioration of disease‐related brain changes and related cognitive deficits in individuals with manifest HD.

Methods

Fifteen participants who manifest HD undertook a multidisciplinary rehabilitation intervention spanning 9 months. The intervention consisted of once‐weekly supervised clinical exercise, thrice‐weekly self‐directed home based exercise and fortnightly occupational therapy. Participants were assessed using MR imaging and validated cognitive measures at baseline and after 9 months.

Results

Participants displayed significantly increased gray matter volume in the right caudate and bilaterally in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex after 9 months of multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Volumetric increases in gray matter were accompanied by significant improvements in verbal learning and memory (Hopkins Verbal Learning‐Test). A significant association was found between gray matter volume increases in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and performance on verbal learning and memory.

Conclusions

This study provides preliminary evidence that multidisciplinary rehabilitation positively impacts on gray matter changes and cognitive functions relating to verbal learning and memory in individuals with manifest HD. Larger controlled trials are required to confirm these preliminary findings.
Palladium Nanoparticles Supported on Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite: Preparation, Reactivity and Stability
Authors: Ju Wenbo , Brülle Tine , Favaro Marco , Perini Lorenzo , Durante Christian , Schneider Oliver , Stimming Ulrich
Published: January 2015

Palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) were deposited electrochemically on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) substrates by using a potentiostatic double‐pulse technique. The particle densities were in the order of 109 cm−2; the radius of the deposited Pd NPs (2–20 nm) was proportional to the 1/3 power of the growth pulse duration (tg1/3). The open‐circuit potential measured during potentiodynamic potential scans of hydrogen evolution/oxidation (HER/HOR) at Pd/HOPG electrodes (average radii of Pd NPs larger than 8 nm) was more negative than at a bulk Pd electrode; this was caused by the different phases of palladium hydride (PdHx) formed in the latter case. Pd/HOPG samples showed an increased specific current density with decreasing particle size in HER. The activity of Pd NPs for HER is primarily affected by the absorbed‐hydrogen‐atom content in the Pd lattice. The electrochemical activity of Pd NPs for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acidic media decreased for smaller particle sizes. The stability of the Pd NPs was significantly influenced by the pH of the electrolyte. Pd NPs had a higher dissolution rate in solution with lower pH. The degeneration mechanisms seen for Pd NPs on HOPG were the dissolution of metal atoms, detachment of particles, and particle agglomeration. Corrosion of the graphite substrate after the potential cycles was also observed in AFM images.
Electrophilic Amination: The Case of Nitrenoids
Authors: Starkov Pavel , Jamison Timothy F. , Marek Ilan
Published: January 2015

Among the numerous approaches and reagents employed for electrophilic amination, nitrenoids have long stayed out of the limelight. Here, we systematically review the discovery, structural features and chemical reactivity of these promising reagents. We highlight advances in applying the chemistry of nitrenoids as well as outline current limitations and future directions.
ChemInform Abstract: Ab initio Investigation of the UO3 Polymorphs: Structural Properties and Thermodynamic Stability.
Authors: Brincat Nicholas A. , Parker Stephen C. , Molinari Marco , Allen Geoffrey C. , Storr Mark T.
Published: January 2015

Structural, elastic, and electronic properties of UO3 polymorphs, as well as their relative thermodynamic stability are investigated by ab initio DFT calculations.
ChemInform Abstract: Chemical and Structural Characterization of Henryite, (Cu,Ag)3+xTe2 (x ≈ 0.40): A New Structure Type in the (Ag)—Cu—Te System.
Authors: Bindi Luca
Published: January 2015

The crystal structure of the mineral henryite, a rare copper‐silver telluride, is solved using intensity data collected using a natural crystal from Campbell orebody, Bisbee, Arizona (USA).
ChemInform Abstract: Red Light Emitting BaNb2O6:Eu3+ Phosphor for Solid State Lighting Applications.
Authors: Vishwakarma Amit K. , Jha Kaushal , Jayasimhadri M. , Rao A. S. , Jang Kiwan , Sivaiah B. , Haranath D.
Published: January 2015

BaNb2O6:Eu3+ phosphors (1, 4, 10, 12, 14, 16 mol% Eu) are prepared by calcination of stoichiometric amounts of BaCO3, Nb2O5, and Eu2O3 in air (1.
ChemInform Abstract: CN‐Mayenite Ca12Al14O32(CN)2: Replacing Mobile Oxygen Ions by Cyanide Ions.
Authors: Lerch Martin , et al. et al.
Published: January 2015

The title compound is prepared by a solid‐gas reaction using a 12:6:2 molar mixture of freshly calcined CaO, α‐Al2O3, and AlN heated under N2 (1423 K, 4 h, N2 pressure of 105 Pa).
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Physical Properties of EuTGe3 (T: Co, Ni, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt) Single Crystals.
Authors: Bednarchuk Oleksandr , Gagor Anna , Kaczorowski Dariusz
Published: January 2015

Single crystals of EuMGe3 (M: Co, Ni, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt) are grown from the elements by high‐temperature flux reaction using Sn or In as flux (Al2O3 crucible in evacuated quartz ampoule, 1000 °C, 1 d, slow cooling).
ChemInform Abstract: β‐BaGa[B4O8(OH)](H2O) and Ba4Ga [B10O18(OH)5](H2O): New Barium Galloborates Featuring Unusual [B4O8(OH)]5‐ and [B10O18(OH)5]11‐ Clusters.
Authors: Yang Hui , Hu Chun‐Li , Song Jun‐Ling , Mao Jiang‐Gao
Published: January 2015

The new title compounds (III) and (V) are characterized by single crystal XRD, IR, UV/VIS, and optical diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, second harmonic generation measurements, and DFT electronic band structure calculations.
ChemInform Abstract: A Series of Novel Mercury(I) Selenites and Tellurites Containing SOJT Mo6+ Cations.
Authors: Cao Xue‐Li , Kong Fang , Hu Chun‐Li , Mao Jiang‐Gao
Published: January 2015

The new compounds (IV), (VI), (VII), and (VIII) are characterized by single crystal XRD, IR and UV spectroscopy, and DFT band structure calculations.
ChemInform Abstract: An Organic Thiyl Radical Catalyst for Enantioselective Cyclization.
Authors: Hashimoto Takuya , Kawamata Yu , Maruoka Keiji
Published: January 2015

A novel chiral thiol precatalyst is prepared which enables a highly diastereo‐ and enantioselective photocatalytic synthesis of cyclopentanes from vinylcyclopropanes (I) and alkenes.
ChemInform Abstract: A Mild Method for Eliminating Alkyl Ethers to Alkenes.
Authors: Lindner Stephanie , Braese Stefan
Published: January 2015

A mild elimination of methyl ethers by triflic anhydride/triethylamine is described.
ChemInform Abstract: Organocatalytic Mannich Reactions on a Carbapenem Core — Synthesis of Mannich Bases and Bicyclic Diazanonanes.
Authors: Cele Zamani E. D. , Pawar Sachin A. , Naicker Tricia , Maguire Glenn E. M. , Arvidsson Per I. , Kruger Hendrik G. , Govender Thavendran
Published: January 2015

All reaction products are isolated with 98% diastereoisomeric excess.
ChemInform Abstract: Cobalt‐Catalyzed Chelation‐Assisted Alkylation of Arenes with Primary and Secondary Alkyl Halides.
Authors: Gao Ke , Yamakawa Takeshi , Yoshikai Naohiko
Published: January 2015

Aryl imines, 2‐arylpyridine, and related N‐heterocycles are selectively monoalkylated using alkyl halides in the presence of Co/N‐heterocyclic carbene catalytic systems.
ChemInform Abstract: The First Synthesis of Spirocyclic Sulfates from Tertiary Cyclopropanols and Their Reaction with Normant Homocuprates.
Authors: Shklyaruck Denis G. , Fedarkevich Artsiom N. , Kozyrkov Yurii Yu.
Published: January 2015

The reaction of the sulfates with Normant homocuprates occurs stereospecifically with complete inversion of the configuration as exemplified by the transformation of (R)‐IIb to (R)‐VIII.
ChemInform Abstract: Rh(I)‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Hydroacylation: Enantioselective Cross‐Coupling of Aldehydes and Ketoamides.
Authors: Kou Kevin G. M. , Le Diane N. , Dong Vy M.
Published: January 2015

This method gives the products in good yields and with good enantioselectivities.
ChemInform Abstract: AlCl3‐Mediated Aldol Cyclocondensation of 1,6‐ and 1,7‐Diones to Cyclopentene and Cyclohexene Derivatives.
Authors: Miyahara Yuji , Ito Yoshio N.
Published: January 2015

During the synthesis of diketone (I), a second product appears after 2h which is identified as cyclopentene (II).
ChemInform Abstract: The Coupling of Tertiary Amines with Acrylate Derivatives via Visible‐Light Photoredox Catalysis.
Authors: Dai Xiaojun , Cheng Dongping , Guan Baochuan , Mao Wenjuan , Xu Xiaoliang , Li Xiaonian
Published: January 2015

γ‐Aminobutyric ester derivatives are formed from tertiary amines and acrylates or Baylis—Hillman acetates by photoredox catalysis.
ChemInform Abstract: Carbon Nanotube—Gold Nanohybrid Catalyzed N‐Formylation of Amines by Using Aqueous Formaldehyde.
Authors: Shah Nimesh , Gravel Edmond , Jawale Dhanaji V. , Doris Eric , Namboothiri Irishi N. N.
Published: January 2015

The N‐formylation of primary and secondary amines proceeds in the presence of the recyclable (4 cycles) catalyst with excellent chemoselectivity under mild reaction conditions.
ChemInform Abstract: Construction of anti‐1,2‐Diols Bearing Chiral Tertiary Alcohol Moiety Using Free Hydroxyacetone as Aldol Donor by Imidazole‐Based Prolineamide Catalyst.
Authors: Guo Wengang , Wei Jianwei , Liu Yan , Li Can
Published: January 2015

For the first time a direct asymmetric aldol reaction of free hydroxyacetone and activated ketones is achieved by using the new title catalyst.