bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Soft Grip: Magnesium Complexes with a Phosphine‐Modified Phosphonium Diylidic Lewis Base
Authors: Langer Jens , Kosygin Irina , Puchta Ralph , Pahl Jürgen , Harder Sjoerd
Published: October 2016

Simple strategies to obtain magnesium complexes with the soft chelating diylidic ligand [Ph2PCHPPh2(fluorenylidene)]− (dppmflu−) were developed to evaluate the influence of the hard acid (cation) and soft base (anion) mismatch on the stability and reactivity of the formed derivatives. Deprotonation of the precursor Ph2PCH2PPh2(flu) (dppmfluH) by an alkylmagnesium derivative or magnesium amide provided access to [{Mg(dppmflu)(μ‐nBu)}2], [Mg(dppmflu){N(SiMe3)2}], and [{Mg(dppmflu)(μ‐Me)}2], which were used as starting materials for further investigations. The reaction of [{Mg(dppmflu)(μ‐nBu)}2] with PhSiH3 in the presence of THF allowed isolation of the magnesium hydride complex [{Mg(dppmflu)(μ‐H)(thf)}2] without a stabilizing nitrogen donor ligand. Prolonged heating enforced ligand redistribution and [{Mg(dppmflu)(μ‐H)(thf)}2] was converted to [Mg(dppmflu)2] and MgH2. The homoleptic derivative [Mg(dppmflu)2], in which the magnesium center is in a very soft ligand environment, can open a THF molecule by frustrated Lewis pair reactivity to give [{Mg(dppmflu)(μ‐OC4H8dppmflu)}2].
Visible‐Light Promoted Distereodivergent Intramolecular Oxyamidation of Alkenes
Authors: Ren Xiang , Guo Qihang , Chen Jianhui , Xie Hujun , Xu Qing , Lu Zhan
Published: October 2016

The visible‐light‐promoted diastereodivergent intramolecular oxyamination of alkenes is described to construct oxazolindinones, pyrrolidinones and imidazolidones via mild generation of primary amidyl radicals from functionalized hydroxylamines. A unique phenomenon of highly diastereoselective ring‐opening of aziridines controlled by electron sacrifices was observed. Highly diastereoselective amino alcohols derivatives were obtained efficiently through this protocol in gram scales. The mechanistic studies suggested the isolatable anti‐aziridine intermediates were generated quickly from primary amidyl radicals and the diastereoselectivities were controlled by pKa values of the electron sacrifices.
Asymmetric Morita–Baylis–Hillman Reaction: Catalyst Development and Mechanistic Insights Based on Mass Spectrometric Back‐Reaction Screening
Authors: Isenegger Patrick G. , Bächle Florian , Pfaltz Andreas
Published: October 2016

An efficient protocol for the evaluation of catalysts for the asymmetric Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) reaction was developed. By mass spectrometric back‐reaction screening of quasi‐enantiomeric MBH products, an efficient bifunctional phosphine catalyst was identified that outperforms literature‐known catalysts in the MBH reaction of methyl acrylate with aldehydes. The close match between the selectivities measured for the forward and back reaction and kinetic measurements provided strong evidence that the aldol step and not the subsequent proton transfer is rate‐ and enantioselectivity‐determining.
Halide‐Anion Water Clusters in Cucurbit[6]uril Supramolecular Systems
Authors: Li Bo , Li Xin , Sun Xuzhuo , Wang Ning
Published: October 2016

Three types of dihalide water clusters [X2(H2O)8]2− (X=Cl, Br) and [I2(H2O)10]2− have been observed in cucurbit[6]uril supramolecular systems with same guest. According to the single crystal data and the quantitative theory computation, with the increase of electronegativity of halide ions, dihalide water clusters become more stable. A further comparison of three kinds of guests with different molecule length but the same anions, [p‐phenylenediamine salt, hexamethylenediamine salt and N,N′‐hexamethylenebis(pyrazinylbromide)], gives the result that the dihalide water clusters collapse from 2D to 1D with the increase of the lengths.
Cardiogenic Shock Predicts Long‐term Mortality in Hospital Survivors of STEMI Treated With Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Hemradj Veemal V. , Ottervanger Jan Paul , van 't Hof Arnoud W. , Dambrink Jan Henk , Gosselink Marcel , Kedhi Elvin , Suryapranata Harry ,   for the Zwolle Myocardial Infarction Study Group
Published: October 2016

Background

ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) has a poor prognosis. Recently published data suggested, however, that CS does not affect long‐term mortality in hospital survivors of STEMI. We investigated whether this could be confirmed in a larger cohort.

Hypothesis

STEMI complicated by CS leads to worse long‐term survival.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was performed in 7412 consecutive patients with STEMI treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (angioplasty). The predictive value of CS on long‐term mortality was assessed in hospital survivors. Multivariate analysis, adjusting for differences in baseline variables, was performed to assess the independent prognostic value of CS.

Results

Cardiogenic shock was observed in 387 patients (5.2%). The total in‐hospital mortality was 254 (3.4%), and mortality was significantly higher in patients with CS (20.0% vs 2.6%; P < 0.001). The 1‐year mortality in hospital survivors was 10.3% in patients with CS and 3.9% in patients without CS (P < 0.001). After multivariate analysis, CS was still a significant predictor of long‐term mortality in hospital survivors (hazard ratio: 2.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.64‐4.01).

Conclusions

Cardiogenic shock remains a strong predictor of long‐term mortality in hospital survivors of STEMI treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Free and Conjugated Estrogens During Soil Column Transport
Authors: Goeppert Nadine , Dror Ishai , Berkowitz Brian
Published: October 2016

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are detected in environmental matrices such as surface water, wastewater, groundwater, and drinking water in the ng/L range. For environmental sediments, values in the range of ng/g and even lower are reported. These almost omnipresent low concentrations of estrogens are of major concern, in particular as sorption parameters derived from laboratory investigations tend to imply the absence of estrogens in the natural environment. Very few studies consider the fate and transport of estrogens in column tests at environmentally relevant concentrations, including metabolite formation and sorption. Also, the effect of input concentration on hormone degradation is unclear. To close this gap, the estrogens 17ß‐estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and the conjugated estrogen estrone‐sulfate (E1‐3S) were each injected into saturated, packed soil columns as pulses with subsequent analysis of soil and aqueous samples. The transformation pathway E2 to E1 and subsequently to E1‐3S was verified in sandy clay loam soil from Bet Dagan, Israel. Furthermore, it was shown that (i) E2 is rapidly degraded in soil and transformed in soil to E1; (ii) E1 is subject to strong retardation by sorption; and (iii) E1‐3S behaves almost conservatively and shows the lowest sorption and transformation potential.
Microtubule binding protein PACRG plays a role in regulating specific ciliary dyneins during microtubule sliding
Authors: Mizuno Katsutoshi , Dymek Erin E. , Smith Elizabeth F.
Published: October 2016

The complex waveforms characteristic of motile eukaryotic cilia and flagella are produced by the temporally and spatially regulated action of multiple dynein subforms generating sliding between subsets of axonemal microtubules. Multiple protein complexes have been identified that are associated with the doublet microtubules and that mediate regulatory signals between key axonemal structures, such as the radial spokes and central apparatus, and the dynein arm motors; these complexes include the N‐DRC, MIA, and CSC complexes. Previous studies have shown that PACRG (parkin co‐regulated gene) forms a complex that is anchored to the axonemal doublet microtubules. Loss of PACRG causes defects in ciliary motility and cilia related diseases. Here, we use an in vitro microtubule sliding assay to demonstrate that PACRG and its interactors are part of a signaling pathway that includes the central apparatus, radial spokes and specific inner dynein arm subforms to control dynein‐driven microtubule sliding. Using a biochemical approach, our studies also indicate that PACRG interacts with the radial spokes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Half‐Life Extension of Biopharmaceuticals using Chemical Methods: Alternatives to PEGylation
Authors: van Witteloostuijn Søren B. , Pedersen Søren L. , Jensen Knud J.
Published: October 2016

Peptides and proteins constitute a vast pool of excellent drug candidates. Evolution has equipped these molecules with superior drug‐like properties such as high specificity and potency. However, native peptides and proteins suffer from an inadequate pharmacokinetic profile, and their outstanding pharmacological potential can only be realized if this issue is addressed during drug development. To overcome this challenge, a variety of half‐life extension techniques relying on covalent chemical modification have been developed. These methods include PEGylation, fusion to unstructured polypeptide‐based PEG mimetics, conjugation of large polysaccharides, native‐like glycosylation, lipidation, fusion to albumin or the Fc domain of IgG, and derivatization with bio‐orthogonal moieties that direct self‐assembly. This review provides an overview of available conjugation chemistries, biophysical properties, and safety data associated with these concepts. Moreover, the effects of these modifications on peptide and protein pharmacokinetics are demonstrated through key examples.
Chemotherapy decisions and patient experience with the recurrence score assay for early‐stage breast cancer
Authors: Friese Christopher R. , Li Yun , Bondarenko Irina , Hofer Timothy P. , Ward Kevin C. , Hamilton Ann S. , Deapen Dennis , Kurian Allison W. , Katz Steven J.
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

The 21‐gene recurrence score (RS) assay stratifies early‐stage, estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer by recurrence risk. Few studies have examined the ways in which physicians use the RS to recommend adjuvant systemic chemotherapy or patients' experiences with testing and decision making.

METHODS

This study surveyed 3880 women treated for breast cancer in 2013‐2014; they were identified from the Los Angeles County and Georgia Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries (response rate, 71%). Women reported chemotherapy recommendations, the receipt of chemotherapy, testing experiences, and decision satisfaction. Registries linked the tumor data, RS, and surveys. Regression models examined factors associated with chemotherapy recommendations and receipt by the RS and subgroups.

RESULTS

There were 1527 patients with stage I/II, estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor–positive, human epidermal growth factor 2–negative disease: 778 received an RS (62.6% of patients with node‐negative, favorable disease, 24.3% of patients with node‐negative, unfavorable disease, and 13.0% of patients with node‐positive disease;P < .001). Overall, 47.2% of the patients received a recommendation against chemotherapy, and 40.5% received a recommendation for it. RS results correlated with recommendations: nearly all patients with high scores (31‐100) received a chemotherapy recommendation (86.9%‐96.5% across clinical subgroups), whereas the majority of the patients with low‐risk results (0‐18) received a recommendation against it (65.9%‐78.2% across subgroups). Most patients with high RSs received chemotherapy (87.0%, 91.1%, and 100% across subgroups), whereas few patients with low scores received it (2.9%, 9.5%, and 26.6% across subgroups). There were no substantial racial/ethnic differences in testing or treatment. Women were largely satisfied with the RS and chemotherapy decisions.

CONCLUSIONS

Oncologists use the RS to personalize treatment, even for those with node‐positive disease. High satisfaction and an absence of disparities in testing and treatment suggest that precision‐medicine advances have improved systemic breast cancer treatment.Cancer2017;43–51.©2016 American Cancer Society.
Significance of high‐risk HPV detection in women with atypical glandular cells on Pap testing: Analysis of 1857 cases from an academic institution
Authors: Patadji Stell , Li Zaibo , Pradhan Dinesh , Zhao Chengquan
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

The role of high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing in women with various types of atypical glandular cells (AGC) on Papanicolaou (Pap) test is undetermined.

METHODS

Herein, the authors retrospectively searched their pathology database for cases of AGC with concurrent hrHPV testing and histological follow‐up results within 1 year between January 2008 and December 2013.

RESULTS

Among 3709 AGC cases occurring during the study period, 2287 had concurrent Hybrid Capture 2 HPV testing results. The overall rate of hrHPV positivity (hrHPV+) was 27.7%. Of these 2287 cases, 1857 cases (81.2%) had histological follow‐up results within 1 year, including 529 hrHPV + cases and 1328 hrHPV‐negative (hrHPV‐) cases. Among the hrHPV + cases, 16.8% had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3 (CIN2/3), 5.7% had cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS)/adenocarcinoma (ADC), and 1.1% had an endometrial carcinoma. Among the hrHPV‐ cases, 0.6% had CIN2/3, 0.2% had AIS/ADC, and 3.8% had an endometrial carcinoma. The rate of high‐grade cervical lesions (CIN2/3, AIS, or ADC) was significantly higher in women who were hrHPV + compared with hrHPV‐ women for all age groups. Endometrial carcinoma was most commonly present in women aged ≥50 years.

CONCLUSIONS

To the authors' knowledge, the current study is the largest follow‐up study published to date regarding women with AGC cytology and HPV testing. The study data indicate that hrHPV testing is useful for predicting the risk of high‐grade cervical neoplasia in women with AGC, but has no significant value in evaluating the risk of endometrial carcinoma. The combination of cytology, hrHPV testing, and patient age can significantly aid in the appropriate management of these individuals. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125:205–211. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
An automatic self‐adaptation framework for service‐based process based on exception handling
Authors: Wang Xianghui , Feng Zhiyong , Huang Keman , Tan Wei
Published: October 2016

For service‐based process, there is a frequent failure when it runs under a loose‐coupled and uncertain environment, such as mobile Internet. The runtime self‐adaptation mechanism is urgently needed to automatically achieve the goal of a process. Therefore, this article presents a self‐adaptation framework to automatically monitor and self‐adapt to various failures. On the basis of the presented self‐adaptation exceptions framework, the service‐based process is automatically extended with these exception definitions. In particular, the local self‐adaptation exceptions monitor the failures over each web service instance, whereas the global self‐adaptation exceptions are designed to explore the process‐level failures. For each exception, the self‐adaptation strategy is dynamically generated according to the running environment. Finally, we implement the prototype system running on the Apache ODE. The experimental results show that our framework can automatically recover a process instance from various failures, and the proposed approach can identify more failure types than previous works and apparently improve the running success rate of process instances.
Energy‐aware mechanism for stencil‐based MPDATA algorithm with constraints
Authors: Rojek Krzysztof , Ilic Aleksandar , Wyrzykowski Roman , Sousa Leonel
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we propose an energy‐aware task management mechanism designed for the forward‐in‐time algorithms running on multicore central processing units (CPUs), where the multidimensional positive definite advection transport algorithm stencil‐based algorithm is one of the representative examples. This mechanism is based on the dynamic voltage and frequency scaling technique and allows the reduction of energy consumption for an existing algorithm (or application) such that the predefined execution time is respected, without requiring any modifications in the algorithm itself. This paper also provides the formulation of a method for minimizing the energy consumption with time constraints, which is based on the adaptive scheduling with online modeling. Finally, using the autotuning technique, we provide the automation of the process for creation and determination of the best energy profile at runtime, even in the presence of additional CPU workloads. The experimental results on a 6‐core computing platform show that the proposed mechanism provides the energy savings of up to 1.43x when compared to the default Linux scaling governor. Also, we confirm the effectiveness of the self‐adaptive feature of the proposed mechanism, by showing its ability to maintain the requested execution time in spite of additional CPU workloads imposed by other applications.
Multisensor change detection on the basis of big time‐series data and Dempster‐Shafer theory
Authors: Jafari Hossein , Li Xiangfang , Qian Lijun , Aved Alexander , Kroecker Timothy
Published: October 2016

With the proliferation of the Internet of Things, numerous sensors are deployed to monitor a phenomenon that in many cases can be modeled by an underlying stochastic process. The goal is to detect change in the process with tolerable false alarm rate. In practice, sensors may have different accuracy and sensitivity range, or they decay along time. As a result, the sensed data will contain uncertainties and sometimes they are conflicting. In this study, we propose a novel framework to take advantage of Dempster‐Shafer theory's capability of representation of uncertainty to detect change and effectively deal with complementary hypotheses. Specifically, Kullback‐Leibler divergence is used as the metric to find the distances between the estimated distribution with the before and after change distributions. Mass functions are calculated on the basis of those distance values for each sensor independently, and Dempster‐Shafer combination rule is applied to combine the mass values among all sensors. In the case of high conflict in various sensor readings, Dezert‐Smarandache combination rule is applied, and the belief, plausibility, and pignistic probability are obtained for decision making. Simulation results using both synthetic data and real data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed schemes.
Ultrafast Photogenerated Hole Extraction/Transport Behavior in a CH3NH3PbI3/Carbon Nanocomposite and Its Application in a Metal‐Electrode‐Free Solar Cell
Authors: Ye Tao , Jiang Xi , Wan Dongyang , Wang Xingzhi , Xing Jun , Venkatesan Thirumalai , Xiong Qihua , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: October 2016

Aligned and flexible electrospun carbon nanomaterials are used to synthesize carbon/perovskite nanocomposites. The free‐electron diffusion length in the CH3NH3PbI3 phase of the CH3NH3PbI3/carbon nanocomposite is almost twice that of bare CH3NH3PbI3, and nearly 95 % of the photogenerated free holes can be injected from the CH3NH3PbI3 phase into the carbon nanomaterial. The exciton binding energy of the composite is estimated to be 23 meV by utilizing temperature‐dependent optical absorption spectroscopy. The calculated free carriers increase with increasing total photoexcitation density, and this broadens the potential of this material for a broad range of optoelectronics applications. A metal‐electrode‐free perovskite solar cell (power conversion efficiency: 13.0 %) is fabricated with this perovskite/carbon composite, which shows great potential for the fabrication of efficient, large‐scale, low‐cost, and metal‐electrode‐free perovskite solar cells.
Facile and Green Reduction of Graphene Oxide by a Reduced Polyoxometalate and Formation of a Nanohybrid
Authors: Debiemme‐Chouvy Catherine , Thomas Benjamin , Lucas Ivan T. , Maï Tran T. T. , Heintz Jean‐Marc , Veillère Amélie , Silvain Jean‐François
Published: October 2016

An ecofriendly chemical reduction of graphene oxide (GO) in water is reported. The reducing agent is an electrochemically reduced Keggin‐type polyoxometalate (SiW12O405−). Moreover, this process leads to the fabrication of SiW12@rGO nanocomposite. This nanohybrid exhibits an electrochemical response which combines high faradic and capacitive currents due to high coverage of polyoxometalates on the rGO sheets. Therefore this material has strong potentiality for energy storage.
Recent Developments of Hydrazide/Hydrazone Derivatives and Their Analogs as Anticonvulsant Agents in Animal Models
Authors: Angelova Violina , Karabeliov Valentin , Andreeva‐Gateva Pavlina A. , Tchekalarova Jana
Published: October 2016

Preclinical Research

Epilepsy is a chronic devastating neurological disorder characterized by synchronous interictal discharges. Treatment with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can alleviate spontaneous seizure activity without preventing the progression and development of epileptogenesis. Current design and development of new AEDs and strategies for the prevention of epilepsy is focused mainly on attenuating uncontrolled seizures, severe side effects and toxicity in chronic drug therapy. It has thus become necessary to discover new chemical pharmacophores with a broad spectrum of activity and less neurotoxicity. Hydrazide/hydrazone derivatives that possess a —CO—NHN=CH— group constitute an important class of compounds for drug development. This review highlights the specific characteristics of various hydrazide/hydrazone derivatives and structurally related semicarbazones, semicarbazides and Schiff base compounds and their anticonvulsant activities. It is focused on the influence of differently substituted pharmacophores developed through SAR studies and testing their activity against different pharmcological targets. Drug Dev Res 77 : 379–392, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A sixth‐level habitat cascade increases biodiversity in an intertidal estuary
Authors: Thomsen Mads S. , Hildebrand Thomas , South Paul M. , Foster Travis , Siciliano Alfonso , Oldach Eliza , Schiel David R.
Published: October 2016

Many studies have documented habitat cascades where two co‐occurring habitat‐forming species control biodiversity. However, more than two habitat‐formers could theoretically co‐occur. We here documented a sixth‐level habitat cascade from the Avon‐Heathcote Estuary, New Zealand, by correlating counts of attached inhabitants to the size and accumulated biomass of their biogenic hosts. These data revealed predictable sequences of habitat‐formation (=attachment space). First, the bivalve Austrovenus provided habitat for green seaweeds (Ulva) that provided habitat for trochid snails in a typical estuarine habitat cascade. However, the trochids also provided habitat for the nonnative bryozoan Conopeum that provided habitat for the red seaweed Gigartina that provided habitat for more trochids, thereby resetting the sequence of the habitat cascade, theoretically in perpetuity. Austrovenus is here the basal habitat‐former that controls this “long” cascade. The strength of facilitation increased with seaweed frond size, accumulated seaweed biomass, accumulated shell biomass but less with shell size. We also found that Ulva attached to all habitat‐formers, trochids attached to Ulva and Gigartina, and Conopeum and Gigartina predominately attached to trochids. These “affinities” for different habitat‐forming species probably reflect species‐specific traits of juveniles and adults. Finally, manipulative experiments confirmed that the amount of seaweed and trochids was important and consistent regulators of the habitat cascade in different estuarine environments. We also interpreted this cascade as a habitat‐formation network that describes the likelihood of an inhabitant being found attached to a specific habitat‐former. We conclude that the strength of the cascade increased with the amount of higher‐order habitat‐formers, with differences in form and function between higher and lower‐order habitat‐formers, and with the affinity of inhabitants for higher‐order habitat‐formers. We suggest that long habitat cascades are common where species traits allow for physical attachment to other species, such as in marine benthic systems and old forest.
Importance of geographic origin for invasion success: A case study of the North and Baltic Seas versus the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River region
Authors: Casties Isabel , Seebens Hanno , Briski Elizabeta
Published: October 2016

Recently, several studies indicated that species from the Ponto‐Caspian region may be evolutionarily predisposed to become nonindigenous species (NIS); however, origin ofNISestablished in different regions has rarely been compared to confirm these statements. More importantly, if species from certain area/s are proven to be better colonizers, management strategies to control transport vectors coming from those areas must be more stringent, as prevention of new introductions is a cheaper and more effective strategy than eradication or control of establishedNISpopulations. To determine whether species evolved in certain areas have inherent advantages over other species in colonizing new habitats, we exploredNISestablished in the North and Baltic Seas and Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River regions—two areas intensively studied in concern toNIS, highly invaded by Ponto‐Caspian species and with different salinity patterns (marine vs. freshwater). We compared observed numbers ofNISin these two regions to expected numbers ofNISfrom major donor regions. The expected numbers were calculated based on the available species pool from donor regions, frequency of shipping transit, and an environmental match between donor and recipient regions. A total of 281NISestablished in the North and Baltic Seas and 188 in the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River. Ponto‐Caspian taxa colonized both types of habitats, saltwater areas of the North and Baltic Seas and freshwater of the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River, in much higher numbers than expected. Propagule pressure (i.e., number of introduced individuals or introduction effort) is of great importance for establishment success ofNIS; however in our study, either shipping vector or environmental match between regions did not clarify the high numbers of Ponto‐Caspian taxa in our study areas. Although we cannot exclude the influence of other transport vectors, our findings suggest that the origin of the species plays an important role for the predisposition of successful invaders.
lac‐1 and lag‐1 with ras‐1 affect aging and the biological clock in Neurospora crassa
Authors: Brunson John K. , Griffith James , Bowles Daneisha , Case Mary E. , Arnold Jonathan
Published: October 2016

Using an automated cell counting technique developed previously (Case et al., Ecology and Evolution 2014; 4: 3494), we explore the lifespan effects of lac‐1, a ceramide synthase gene paralogous to lag‐1 in Neurospora crassa in conjunction with the band bd (ras‐1) gene. We find that the replicative lifespan of a lac‐1KO bd double mutants is short, about one race tube cycle, and this double mutant lacks a strong ~21‐hr clock cycle as shown by race tube and fluorometer analysis of fluorescent strains including lac‐1KO. This short replicative lifespan phenotype is contrasted with a very long estimated chronological lifespan for lac‐1KO bd double mutants from 247 to 462 days based on our regression analyses on log viability, and for the single mutant lac‐1KO, 161 days. Both of these estimated lifespans are much higher than that of previously studied WT and bd single mutant strains. In a lac‐1 rescue and induction experiment, the expression of lac‐1+ as driven by a quinic acid‐dependent promoter actually decreases the median chronological lifespan of cells down to only 7 days, much lower than the 34‐day median lifespan found in control bd conidia also grown on quinic acid media, which we interpret as an effect of balancing selection acting on ceramide levels based on previous findings from the literature. Prior work has shown phytoceramides can act as a signal for apoptosis in stressed N. crassa cells. To test this hypothesis of balancing selection on phytoceramide levels, we examine the viability of WT, lag‐1KO bd, and lac‐1KO bd strains following the dual stresses of heat and glycolysis inhibition, along with phytoceramide treatments of different dosages. We find that the phytoceramide dosage–response curve is altered in the lag‐1KO bd mutant, but not in the lac‐1KO bd mutant. We conclude that phytoceramide production is responsible for the previously reported longevity effects in the lag‐1KO bd mutant, but a different ceramide may be responsible for the longevity effect observed in the lac‐1KO bd mutant.
Plant nurse effects rely on combined hydrological and ecological components in a semiarid ecosystem
Authors: Pueyo Yolanda , Moret‐Fernández David , Arroyo Antonio I. , de Frutos Angel , Kéfi Sonia , Saiz Hugo , Charte Raquel , Giner María de la Luz , Alados Concepción L.
Published: October 2016

Plant establishment in semiarid ecosystems is affected by the limited spatial and temporal availability of resources and adequate microsites provided by nurse plants. There has been little research on plant establishment in these ecosystems that consider both the ecological roles of different plant types and the abiotic properties of their microsites. Such studies could provide important insights about the functioning of semiarid ecosystems. Here, we investigated the links between the patterns of plant establishment and the hydrological and microsite properties of shrubs and grasses in a semiarid ecosystem northeastern Spain. For ecological experiments, we measured the spatial patterns of the establishment of shrubs and grasses in eight 6 × 6 m2 quadrats over 2 years; we also sowed seeds of Salsola vermiculata (a dominant shrub) and Lygeum spartum (the dominant perennial grass) under adult shrubs (S. vermiculata) and grasses (L. spartum) and in bare soil and then examined seedling germination, survival, and growth over 4 years. For hydrological experiments, we analyzed soil water content under the two codominant shrubs (S. vermiculata and Artemisia herba‐alba), the dominant perennial grass (L. spartum), and in bare soil over 18 months; we also measured water infiltration and solar radiation at the same four microsites to identify the hydrological processes responsible for the observed ecohydrological patterns. The three potential nurse plants greatly improved the hydrological and microsite conditions. They increased soil water content after rainfall relative to bare soil. Moreover, S. vermiculata and L. spartum slowed the drying process. However, only S. vermiculata acted as a nurse plant. It improved plant density, diversity, performance, and survival during the whole study period. L. spartum facilitated plant establishment during early stages, but interfered with seedling performance and survival during later stages, probably because of the increasing competition for water with seedlings. A. herba‐alba did not facilitate plant establishment at any stage, most likely because of water scarcity during prolonged dry periods and its allelopathic effects. We conclude that the ecological role of a plant cannot be directly inferred from its hydrological or microsite properties. Long‐term ecohydrological studies are required to understand the role of nurse plants on seedling establishment.
Forecasting climate change impacts on plant populations over large spatial extents
Authors: Tredennick Andrew T. , Hooten Mevin B. , Aldridge Cameron L. , Homer Collin G. , Kleinhesselink Andrew R. , Adler Peter B.
Published: October 2016

Plant population models are powerful tools for predicting climate change impacts in one location, but are difficult to apply at landscape scales. We overcome this limitation by taking advantage of two recent advances: remotely sensed, species‐specific estimates of plant cover and statistical models developed for spatiotemporal dynamics of animal populations. Using computationally efficient model reparameterizations, we fit a spatiotemporal population model to a 28‐year time series of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) percent cover over a 2.5 × 5 km landscape in southwestern Wyoming while formally accounting for spatial autocorrelation. We include interannual variation in precipitation and temperature as covariates in the model to investigate how climate affects the cover of sagebrush. We then use the model to forecast the future abundance of sagebrush at the landscape scale under projected climate change, generating spatially explicit estimates of sagebrush population trajectories that have, until now, been impossible to produce at this scale. Our broadscale and long‐term predictions are rooted in small‐scale and short‐term population dynamics and provide an alternative to predictions offered by species distribution models that do not include population dynamics. Our approach, which combines several existing techniques in a novel way, demonstrates the use of remote sensing data to model population responses to environmental change that play out at spatial scales far greater than the traditional field study plot.
Association of beta‐blocker treatment with mortality following myocardial infarction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction: a propensity matched‐cohort analysis from the High‐Risk Myocardial Infarction Database Initiative
Authors: Coiro Stefano , Girerd Nicolas , Rossignol Patrick , Ferreira João Pedro , Maggioni Aldo , Pitt Bertram , Tritto Isabella , Ambrosio Giuseppe , Dickstein Kenneth , Zannad Faiez
Published: October 2016

Aims

To determine the influence of baseline beta‐blocker use on long‐term prognosis of myocardial infarction (MI) survivors complicated with heart failure (HF) or with left ventricular dysfunction and with history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods and results

Among the 28 771 patients from the High‐Risk MI Database Initiative we identified 1573 patients with a baseline history of COPD. We evaluated the association between beta‐blocker use at baseline (822 with beta‐blocker and 751 without) on the rates of all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality. On univariable Cox analysis, beta‐blocker use was found to be associated with lower rates of both all‐cause [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51–0.75, P < 0.0001] and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.51–0.78, P < 0.0001). After extensive adjustment for confounding, including 24 baseline covariates, COPD patients still benefited from beta‐blocker usage (HR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.60–0.90, P = 0.002 for all‐cause mortality; HR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.61–0.97, P = 0.025 for cardiovascular mortality). Adjusting for propensity scores (PS) constructed from the 24 aforementioned baseline characteristics provided similar results. In a cohort of 561 pairs of patients taking or not taking beta‐blocker matched on PS using a 1:1 nearest‐neighbour matching method, patients treated with beta‐blocker experienced fewer all‐cause deaths (HR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.56–0.89, P = 0.003) and cardiovascular deaths (HR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.59–0.97, P = 0.032).

Conclusions

In the specific setting of a well‐treated cohort of high‐risk MI survivors, beta‐blockers were associated with better outcomes in patients with COPD.
Synthesis and Molecular Structures of the Cationic Silver Complexes of the Polycondensed Aromatics Fluorene, Pseudorubrene, and Truxene
Authors: Wombacher Tobias , Foro Sabine , Schneider Jörg J.
Published: October 2016

We investigated the coordination behavior of AgI towards three polycondensed aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in solution, in the solid state, and theoretically. Silver(I) trifluoromethanesulfonate (AgTfl) coordinates to fluorene to yield crystals of the composition {[(µ‐η2:η2‐fluorene)Ag2(Tfl)2]}n (1), the fluorene derivative 5,12‐diphenyl‐5,6;11,12‐di‐o‐phenylene‐5,12‐dihydrotetracene (pseudorubrene) reacts with silver(I) perchlorate to yield crystals of the composition bis[(η2‐pseudorubrene)(η2‐toluene)AgClO4]·toluenesolv (2), and the formation of the crystalline dimeric AgI sandwich compound [(µ‐η2:η2‐truxene)2(η1‐toluene)(µ‐H2O)Ag2(ClO4)2] (3) is accomplished by π‐coordination of the PAH truxene. In complexes 1–3, it is eminent from their crystal structures that the anionic silver moieties act as linking units between the PAH molecules. Theoretical calculations based on DFT methods of the aromatic bridging ring ligands substantiate the experimentally observed selective AgI coordination for each of the three PAH molecules fluorene, pseudorubrene, and truxene.
Capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection for the quantification of fluoride in lithium ion battery electrolytes and in ionic liquids—A comparison to the results gained with a fluoride ion‐selective electrode
Authors: Pyschik Marcelina , Klein‐Hitpaß Marcel , Girod Sabrina , Winter Martin , Nowak Sascha
Published: October 2016

In this study, an optimized method using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with a direct contactless conductivity detector (C4D) for a new application field is presented for the quantification of fluoride in common used lithium ion battery (LIB) electrolyte using LiPF6 in organic carbonate solvents and in ionic liquids (ILs) after contacted to Li metal. The method development for finding the right buffer and the suitable CE conditions for the quantification of fluoride was investigated. The results of the concentration of fluoride in different LIB electrolyte samples were compared to the results from the ion‐selective electrode (ISE). The relative standard deviations (RSDs) and recovery rates for fluoride were obtained with a very high accuracy in both methods. The results of the fluoride concentration in the LIB electrolytes were in very good agreement for both methods. In addition, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values were determined for the CE method. The CE method has been applied also for the quantification of fluoride in ILs. In the fresh IL sample, the concentration of fluoride was under the LOD. Another sample of the IL mixed with Li metal has been investigated as well. It was possible to quantify the fluoride concentration in this sample.
Studying the effect of microwave heating on the digestion process and identification of proteins
Authors: Devi Shobha , Wu Bo‐Hung , Chu Pei‐Yu , Liu Yue‐Pei , Wu Hsin‐Lin , Ho Yen‐Peng
Published: October 2016

The impact of microwave irradiation on the in‐solution digestion processes and the detection limit of proteins are systematically studied. Kinetic processes of many peptides produced through the trypsin digestion of various proteins under microwave heating at 50°C were investigated with MALDI‐MS. This study also examines the detection limits and digestion completeness of individual proteins under microwave heating at 50°C and at different time intervals (1, 5 and 30 min) using LC‐MS. We conclude that if the peptides without missed cleavage dictate the detection limit, conventional digestion will lead to a better detection limit. The detection limit may not differ between the microwave and conventional heating if the peptides with missed cleavage sites and strong intensity are formed at the very early stage (i.e., less than 1 min) and are not further digested throughout the entire digestion process. The digestion of Escherichia coli lysate was compared under conventional and short time (microwave) conditions. The number of proteins identified under conventional heating exceeded that obtained from microwave heating over heating periods less than 5 min. The overall results show that the microwave‐assisted digestion is not complete. Although the sequence coverage might be better, the detection limit might be worse than that under conventional heating.
Enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass from low to high solids loading
Authors: Chen Hong‐Zhang , Liu Zhi‐Hua
Published: October 2016

Solid state enzymatic hydrolysis (SSEH) has many advantages, such as higher sugar concentration, lower operating costs, and less energy input. It should be a potential approach for the industrial application of lignocellulosic ethanol. The purpose of this work is to review the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass from low to high solids loading and introduce its both challenges and perspectives. The limitations of SSEH, including inhibition effects, water constraint, and rheology characteristic, are summarized firstly. Various strategies for overcoming these limitations are proposed correspondingly. Fed batch process and its feeding strategy to improve the SSEH efficiency are then discussed. Finally, several intensification methods, hydrolysis reactor, and pilot‐ and demonstration‐scale operations of SSEH are described. In‐depth analysis of main limitations and development of novel intensification methods and reactors should provide an effective way to achieve large‐scale implementation of SSEH.
In Vivo Pig‐a gene mutation assay: Guidance for 3Rs‐friendly implementation
Authors: Raschke Marian , Igl Bernd‐W. , Kenny Julia , Collins Joanne , Dertinger Stephen D. , Labash Carson , Bhalli Javed A. , Tebbe Cameron C.M. , McNeil Kylie M. , Sutter Andreas
Published: October 2016

The rodent Pig‐a assay is an in vivo method for the detection of gene mutation, where lack of glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored proteins on the surface of circulating red blood cells (RBCs) serves as a reporter for Pig‐a gene mutation. In the case of rats, the frequency of mutant phenotype RBCs is measured via fluorescent anti‐CD59 antibodies and flow cytometry. The Pig‐a assay meets the growing expectations for novel approaches in animal experimentation not only focusing on the scientific value of the assay but also on animal welfare aspects (3Rs principles), for example, amenable to integration into pivotal rodent 28‐day general toxicology studies. However, as recommended in the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development Test Guidelines for genotoxicity testing, laboratories are expected to demonstrate their proficiency. While this has historically involved the extensive use of animals, here we describe an alternative approach based on a series of blood dilutions covering a range of mutant frequencies. The experiments described herein utilized either non‐fluorescent anti‐CD59 antibodies to provide elevated numbers of mutant‐like cells, or a low volume blood sample from a single N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea treated animal. Results from these so‐called reconstruction experiments from four independent laboratories showed good overall precision (correlation coefficients: 0.9979–0.9999) and accuracy (estimated slope: 0.71–1.09) of mutant cell scoring, which was further confirmed by Bland–Altman analysis. These data strongly support the use of reconstruction experiments for training purposes and demonstrating laboratory proficiency with very few animals, an ideal situation given the typically conflicting goals of demonstrating laboratory proficiency and reducing the use of animals. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 57:678–686, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficient adsorption removal of tetracycline by layered carbon particles prepared from seaweed biomass
Authors: Li Guoting , Guo Yiping , Zhao Weigao
Published: October 2016

Seaweed Sargassum sp. has demonstrated its excellent adsorption capability for the removal of heavy metal ions. However, its potential application for the removal of organic pollutants is scarcely reported due to the organic leaching from the raw seaweed. In this research, layered carbon particles were prepared from seaweed Sargassum sp. and used for the adsorptive removal of tetracycline. Kinetic experiments indicated that an especially rapid uptake of tetracycline occurred and the removal percentage achieved 73.8% by 60 min. Though nonlinear fitting method failed to discern which kinetic model better fitted the experimental data, linear pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model was proved to better describe the adsorption kinetics than pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model, indicating the possible chemisorption of tetracycline on the carbon particles. Langmuir isotherm model simulated the adsorption isotherm data slightly better than Freundlich model. At 298 K, the maximum adsorption capacity of 278.4 mg/g for tetracycline uptake was obtained by Langmuir isotherm model. Both natural coexisting anions and humic acid could inhibit the uptake of tetracycline to some extent. These suggest that the layered carbon particles could be applied to the efficient removal of tetracycline from water. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 59–65, 2017
Constant denudation rates in a high alpine catchment for the last 6 kyrs
Authors: Grischott R. , Kober F. , Lupker M. , Hippe K. , Ivy‐Ochs S. , Hajdas I. , Salcher B. , Christl M.
Published: October 2016

Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides (TCN) have widely been used as proxies in determining denudation rates in catchments. Most studies were limited to samples from modern active streams, thus little is known about the magnitude and causes of TCN variability on millennial time scales. In this work we present a 6 kyrs long, high resolution record of 10Be concentrations (n = 18), which were measured in sediment cores from an alluvial fan delta at the outlet of the Fedoz Valley in the Swiss Alps. This record is paired with a 3‐year time series (n = 4) of 10Be measured in sediment from the active stream currently feeding this fan delta. The temporal trend in the 10Be concentrations after correction for postdepositional production of 10Be was found to be overall constant and in good agreement with the modern river 10Be concentration. The calculated mean catchment‐wide denudation rate amounts to 0.73 ± 0.18 mm yr−1. This fairly constant level of 10Be concentrations can be caused by a constant denudation rate over time within the catchment or alternatively by a buffered signal. In this contribution we suggest that the large alluvial floodplain in the Fedoz Valley may act as an efficient buffer on Holocene time scales in which sediments with different 10Be signatures are mixed. Therefore, presumable variations in the 10Be signals derived from changes in denudation under a fluctuating Holocene climate are only poorly transferred to the catchment outlet and not recorded in the 10Be record. However, despite the absence of high frequency signals, we propose that the buffered and averaged 10Be signal could be meaningfully and faithfully interpreted in terms of long‐term catchment‐averaged denudation rate. Our study suggests that alluvial buffers play an important role in regulating the 10Be signal exported by some alpine settings that needs to be taken into account and further investigated. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Climate change and soil erosion in a small alpine lake basin on the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Yu Keke , Xu Hai , Lan Jianghu , Sheng Enguo , Liu Bin , Wu Huixian , Tan Liangcheng , Yeager Kevin M.
Published: October 2016

Multi‐proxy indices retrieved from sediments in Lake Chaonaqiu, an alpine lake on the western Loess Plateau (LP) of China, were used to reconstruct a precipitation history over the last ~300 years. The results correlate well with records from tree rings and historical documents in neighboring regions. We show that the lake oscillated between two states, i.e. wetter climatic conditions, which favored denser vegetation cover, and promoted weaker catchment soil erosion; and drier climatic conditions, which lead to less vegetation coverage, correlate with stronger surface soil erosion. Several intensive soil erosion events were identified in the sediment cores, and most of these occurred during decadal/multi‐decadal dry periods, and correlate well with flood events documented in historical literature. The results of this study show that soil erosion by flood events is particularly intense during dry periods, and further highlights the role of vegetation cover in the conservation of water and soil in small lake basins on the Chinese LP. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.