bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of Oil Content and Fatty Acid Composition of Tea Plants at Plantations in the Black Sea Region
Authors: Genc Murat , Seyis Fatih
Published: October 2024

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the fatty acid composition and oil content of C. sinensis seeds collected from different locations at the Northern Black Sea region.
Study Design:  The study based on the collection of tea seed samples from different locations at the the Northern Black Sea Region in Türkiye and comparing their fatty acid composition and oil content of analyzed samples.
Place and Duration of Study: Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Faculty of Agronomy, Field Crops Department, Rize, Türkiye, between 2022 and July 2023.
Methodology: A total of 54 samples were taken within the scope of determining oil content and fatty acid composition of Camellia sinensis seeds collected from different locations. The location were choosen from different cities concerning altitude. The number of samples taken from the province of Rize is 37, the number of samples taken from the province of Trabzon is 7, the number of samples taken from the province of Giresun is 5, and the number of samples taken from the province of Artvin is 5. Fatty Acid composition was analyzed using GC-MS and oil content with an automated oil extraction device.
Results: Oil ratio and fatty acid composition were determined in these samples. As stated in the literature, oleic acid, which is the criterion of vegetable oil quality, was found to be high in all samples. With Principal Component Analysis, the oil content and fatty acid composition data of the samples were used to reveal the differences in the samples. The obtained data will shed light on future studies.
Conclusion: Knowing the fatty acid composition of tea oils will enable production of oils according to their intended use. For this purpose, it will be possible to produce oils suitable for the purpose by growing the desired types in suitable regions. We have to consider, that seeds were obtained after leaf harvest of tea plants. We can assume that the seed yield will increase if the tea plants are grown only for seed production. With governmental support tea seed oil production will be an potential additional income for local farmers.
Effect of Pinching on Growth, Yield, and Quality of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda
Authors: Yadav Kanheya Lal , Meena Ram Swaroop , Yadav Kamlesh Kumar , Joshi Udit , Mishra Aushtosh , Yadav Bhagchand , Yadav Komal
Published: October 2024

Marigold is a very common and a hardy flower crop cultivated throughout the world. Pinching is an important intercultural practice commonly followed in cultivation of marigold however, this needs to be standardized for getting higher yields in commercial cultivation. Hence, the present investigation was conducted at Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur, Division of Horticulture, during 2020-21 and 2021-22 to standardize the commercial pinching practice for getting higher productivity. Three levels of pinching (no pinching, single at 20 days and double at 20 and 40 days after transplanting) were used in the course of the research arranged using a factorial randomized block layout with three replications applied to African marigold variety Pusa Narangi Gainda. The results revealed that treatment P0 (No pinching) was discovered to be the finest in increment in height of plant, early flower bud initiation flower opening and treatment P2 (Double pinching) in boosting spread of plant, primary branches, length of leaf, leaf width, leaf area, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, total biomass, root- shoot ratio, 50% flowering, flower diameter, stalk and ray floret length, fresh and dry flower weight, mass and number of flower per plant, flower yield additionally improved quality characteristics like chlorophyll and xanthophyll content in marigold. Hence, it might be concluded that application of double pinching can be helpful and recommended in improving yield as well as quality characteristics in commercial cultivation of marigold.
Observational insights into chlorophyll distributions of subtropical South Indian Ocean eddies
Authors: Dufois François , Hardman‐Mountford Nick J. , Fernandes Michelle , Wojtasiewicz Bozena , Shenoy Damodar , Slawinski Dirk , Gauns Mangesh , Greenwood Jim , Toresen Reidar
Published: March 2017

The South Indian Ocean subtropical gyre has been described as a unique environment where anticyclonic ocean eddies highlight enhanced surface chlorophyll in winter. The processes responsible for this chlorophyll increase in anticyclones have remained elusive, primarily because previous studies investigating this unusual behavior were mostly based on satellite data, which only views the ocean surface. Here we present in situ data from an oceanographic voyage focusing on the mesoscale variability of biogeochemical variables across the subtropical gyre. During this voyage an autonomous biogeochemical profiling float transected an anticyclonic eddy, recording its physical and biological state over a period of 6 weeks. We show that several processes might be responsible for the eddy/chlorophyll relationship, including horizontal advection of productive waters and deeper convective mixing in anticyclonic eddies. While a deep chlorophyll maximum is present in the subtropical Indian Ocean outside anticyclonic eddies, mixing reaches deeper in anticyclonic eddy cores, resulting in increased surface chlorophyll due to the stirring of the deep chlorophyll maximum and possibly resulting in new production from nitrate injection below the deep chlorophyll maximum.
New density estimates derived using accelerometers on board the CHAMP and GRACE satellites
Authors: Mehta Piyush M. , Walker Andrew C. , Sutton Eric K. , Godinez Humberto C.
Published: March 2017

Atmospheric mass density estimates derived from accelerometers onboard satellites such as CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) are crucial in gaining insight into open science questions about the dynamic coupling between space weather events and the upper atmosphere. Recent advances in physics‐based satellite drag coefficient modeling allow derivation of new density data sets. This paper uses physics‐based satellite drag coefficient models for CHAMP and GRACE to derive new estimates for the neutral atmospheric density. Results show an average difference of 14–18% for CHAMP and 10–24% for GRACE between the new and existing data sets depending on the space weather conditions (i.e., solar and geomagnetic activity levels). The newly derived densities are also compared with existing models, and results are presented. These densities are expected to be useful to the wider scientific community for validating the development of physics‐based models and helping to answer open scientific questions regarding our understanding of upper atmosphere dynamics such as the sensitivity of temporal and global density variations to solar and geomagnetic forcing.
Asteroid impact effects and their immediate hazards for human populations
Authors: Rumpf Clemens M. , Lewis Hugh G. , Atkinson Peter M.
Published: March 2017

A set of 50,000 artificial Earth impacting asteroids was used to obtain, for the first time, information about the dominance of individual impact effects such as wind blast, overpressure shock, thermal radiation, cratering, seismic shaking, ejecta deposition, and tsunami for the loss of human life during an impact event for impactor sizes between 15 and 400 m and how the dominance of impact effects changes over size. Information about the dominance of each impact effect can enable disaster managers to plan for the most relevant effects in the event of an asteroid impact. Furthermore, the analysis of average casualty numbers per impactor shows that there is a significant difference in expected loss for airburst and surface impacts and that the average impact over land is an order of magnitude more dangerous than one over water.
LIVVkit: An extensible, python‐based, land ice verification and validation toolkit for ice sheet models
Authors: Kennedy Joseph H. , Bennett Andrew R. , Evans Katherine J. , Price Stephen , Hoffman Matthew , Lipscomb William H. , Fyke Jeremy , Vargo Lauren , Boghozian Adrianna , Norman Matthew , Worley Patrick H.
Published: March 2017

To address the pressing need to better understand the behavior and complex interaction of ice sheets within the global Earth system, significant development of continental‐scale, dynamical ice sheet models is underway. Concurrent to the development of the Community Ice Sheet Model (CISM), the corresponding verification and validation (V&V) process is being coordinated through a new, robust, Python‐based extensible software package, the Land Ice Verification and Validation toolkit (LIVVkit). Incorporated into the typical ice sheet model development cycle, it provides robust and automated numerical verification, software verification, performance validation, and physical validation analyses on a variety of platforms, from personal laptops to the largest supercomputers. LIVVkit operates on sets of regression test and reference data sets, and provides comparisons for a suite of community prioritized tests, including configuration and parameter variations, bit‐for‐bit evaluation, and plots of model variables to indicate where differences occur. LIVVkit also provides an easily extensible framework to incorporate and analyze results of new intercomparison projects, new observation data, and new computing platforms. LIVVkit is designed for quick adaptation to additional ice sheet models via abstraction of model specific code, functions, and configurations into an ice sheet model description bundle outside the main LIVVkit structure. Ultimately, through shareable and accessible analysis output, LIVVkit is intended to help developers build confidence in their models and enhance the credibility of ice sheet models overall.
Programmed Multiresponsive Vesicles for Enhanced Tumor Penetration and Combination Therapy of Triple‐Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhou Fangyuan , Feng Bing , Wang Tingting , Wang Dangge , Meng Qingshuo , Zeng Jianfeng , Zhang Zhiwen , Wang Siling , Yu Haijun , Li Yaping
Published: March 2017

Nanomedicine is a promising approach for combination chemotherapy of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticulate drugs is suppressed by a series of biological barriers. The authors herein present a programmed stimuli‐responsive liposomal vesicle to overcome the sequential barriers for enhanced TNBC therapy. The intelligent vesicles are engineered by integrating an enzyme‐cleavable polyethylene glycol (PEG) corona, a light‐responsive photosensitizer pheophorbide a (PPa), and a temperature‐sensitive liposome (TSL) into a single nanoplatform. The resultant enzyme, light, and temperature multisensitive liposome (ELTSL) is sequentially coloaded with a lipophilic oxaliplatin prodrug of hexadecyl‐oxaliplatin carboxylic acid (HOC) and hydrophilic doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX). Dual drug‐loaded ELTSL displays enhanced tumor penetration and increased cellular uptake upon matrix metalloproteinase 2 mediated cleavage of the PEG corona. Under NIR laser irradiation, PPa induces mild hyperthermia effect to trigger ultrafast drug release in the tumor cells. In combination with PPa‐mediated photodynamic therapy, HOC and DOX coloaded ELTSL show significantly improved antitumor efficacy than monotherapy. Given the clinically translatable potential of the liposomal vesicles, ELTSL might represent a promising nanoplatform for combination TNBC therapy.
High‐Throughput Screening of Vascular Endothelium‐Destructive or Protective Microenvironments: Cooperative Actions of Extracellular Matrix Composition, Stiffness, and Structure
Authors: Ding Yonghui , Floren Michael , Tan Wei
Published: March 2017

Pathological modification of the subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM) has closely been associated with endothelial activation and subsequent cardiovascular disease progression. To understand regulatory mechanisms of these matrix modifications, the majority of previous efforts have focused on the modulation of either chemical composition or matrix stiffness on 2D smooth surfaces without simultaneously probing their cooperative effects on endothelium function on in vivo like 3D fibrous matrices. To this end, a high‐throughput, combinatorial microarray platform on 2D and 3D hydrogel settings to resemble the compositions, stiffness, and structure of healthy and diseased subendothelial ECM has been established, and further their respective and combined effects on endothelial attachment, proliferation, inflammation, and junctional integrity have been investigated. For the first time, the results demonstrate that 3D fibrous structure resembling native ECM is a critical endothelium‐protective microenvironmental factor by maintaining the stable, quiescent endothelium with strong resistance to proinflammatory stimuli. It is also revealed that matrix stiffening, in concert with chemical compositions resembling diseased ECM, particularly collagen III, could aggravate activation of nuclear factor kappa B, disruption of endothelium integrity, and susceptibility to proinflammatory stimuli. This study elucidates cooperative effects of various microenvironmental factors on endothelial activation and sheds light on new in vitro model for cardiovascular diseases.
Sequencing of sporadic Attention‐Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) identifies novel and potentially pathogenic de novo variants and excludes overlap with genes associated with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Kim Daniel Seung , Burt Amber A. , Ranchalis Jane E. , Wilmot Beth , Smith Joshua D. , Patterson Karynne E. , Coe Bradley P. , Li Yatong K. , Bamshad Michael J. , Nikolas Molly , Eichler Evan E. , Swanson James M. , Nigg Joel T. , Nickerson Deborah A. , Jarvik Gail P. ,   on behalf of the University of Washington Center for Mendelian Genomics
Published: March 2017

Attention‐Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has high heritability; however, studies of common variation account for <5% of ADHD variance. Using data from affected participants without a family history of ADHD, we sought to identify de novo variants that could account for sporadic ADHD. Considering a total of 128 families, two analyses were conducted in parallel: first, in 11 unaffected parent/affected proband trios (or quads with the addition of an unaffected sibling) we completed exome sequencing. Six de novo missense variants at highly conserved bases were identified and validated from four of the 11 families: the brain‐expressed genes TBC1D9, DAGLA, QARS, CSMD2, TRPM2, and WDR83. Separately, in 117 unrelated probands with sporadic ADHD, we sequenced a panel of 26 genes implicated in intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to evaluate whether variation in ASD/ID‐associated genes were also present in participants with ADHD. Only one putative deleterious variant (Gln600STOP) in CHD1L was identified; this was found in a single proband. Notably, no other nonsense, splice, frameshift, or highly conserved missense variants in the 26 gene panel were identified and validated. These data suggest that de novo variant analysis in families with independently adjudicated sporadic ADHD diagnosis can identify novel genes implicated in ADHD pathogenesis. Moreover, that only one of the 128 cases (0.8%, 11 exome, and 117 MIP sequenced participants) had putative deleterious variants within our data in 26 genes related to ID and ASD suggests significant independence in the genetic pathogenesis of ADHD as compared to ASD and ID phenotypes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Guest‐induced Assembly of Bis(thiosemicarbazonato) Zinc(II) Coordination Nanotubes
Authors: Paterson Brett M. , White Keith F. , White Jonathan M. , Abrahams Brendan F. , Donnelly Paul S.
Published: March 2017

A ZnII complex of the dianionic tetradentate ligand formed by deprotonation of glyoxal‐bis(4‐phenyl‐3‐thiosemicarbazone) (H2gtsp) is a [3+3] trinuclear triangular prism. Recrystallization of this complex in the presence of either CO2, CS2, or CH3CN leads to the formation of [4+4] open‐ended charge‐neutral tetranuclear coordination nanotubes, approximately 2 nm in length and with internal dimensions large enough to accommodate linear guest molecules, which serve to template their formation. Upon removal of the templating molecules the nanotubes demonstrated reversible sorption of CO2 with an isosteric enthalpy of sorption of 28 kJ mol−1 at low loading.
Influence of foaming and carbon nanotubes on sound transmission loss of wood fiber‐low density polyethylene composites
Authors: Neyciyani Behrouz , Kazemi Najafi Saeed , Ghasemi Ismaeel
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and foaming on sound transmission loss (STL) of wood fiber‐low density polyethylene composite. For this purpose, low density polyethylene, wood fiber, foaming agent, coupling agent and modified CNTs were mixed in an internal mixer to produce test samples. The standard circular samples were produced by using compression molding method in a hot press machine. Sound transmission loss was measured by an impedance tube. Results showed that the use of CNTs improved the foam morphology in the composites. Foaming and the use of CNTs improve the STL of composites (especially at medium and higher frequencies) and the highest STL was obtained for wood fiber/LDPE foamed composites containing 1% CNT. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45096.
Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide Production from Water on a WO3/BiVO4 Photoanode and from O2 on an Au Cathode Without External Bias
Authors: Fuku Kojiro , Miyase Yuta , Miseki Yugo , Funaki Takashi , Gunji Takahiro , Sayama Kazuhiro
Published: March 2017

The photoelectrochemical production and degradation properties of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were investigated on a WO3/BiVO4 photoanode in an aqueous electrolyte of hydrogen carbonate (HCO3−). High concentrations of HCO3− species rather than CO32− species inhibited the oxidative degradation of H2O2 on the WO3/BiVO4 photoanode, resulting in effective oxidative H2O2 generation and accumulation from water (H2O). Moreover, the Au cathode facilitated two‐electron reduction of oxygen (O2), resulting in reductive H2O2 production with high current efficiency. Combining the WO3/BiVO4 photoanode with a HCO3− electrolyte and an Au cathode also produced a clean and promising design for a photoelectrode system specializing in H2O2 production (ηanode(H2O2)≈50 %, ηcathode(H2O2)≈90 %) even without applied voltage between the photoanode and cathode under simulated solar light through a two‐photon process; this achieved effective H2O2 production when using an Au‐supported porous BiVO4 photocatalyst sheet.
An Excel‐based program to teach students quick ergonomic risk assessment techniques with an application to an assembly system
Authors: Baykasoğlu Adil , Demirkol Akyol Sebnem , Demirkan Batuhan
Published: March 2017

Governments force companies to stabilize ergonomic risk levels of the manufacturing environment and keep it below an acceptable risk level in order to prevent aftermaths. As a result, companies need more manufacturing engineers who are aware of ergonomics risk analysis. Thus, undergraduate students in the 3rd year in Industrial Engineering at Dokuz Eylül University are invited to take part in a real‐life experience. This paper introduces an Excel‐based program which is called Quick Ergonomic Assessment Techniques (QEAT); in order to support teaching students ergonomic risk assessment techniques; facilitate understanding characteristics of different techniques, and enable to compare the results of them. Three of the well‐known ergonomic risk assessment techniques are coded in QEAT and applied on an electronics company which manufactures TV. The proposed QEAT procedure is easy to apply in various manufacturing environments and is suitable to be implemented in undergraduate engineering laboratories in order to support and encourage ergonomics study. The results show that by using the combination of three techniques in QEAT, an ergonomic risk assessment which covers most of the body areas could be presented and manufacturing environment could be reanalyzed easily if it is needed due to the changes in production processes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 25:489–507, 2017; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21816
Reflexive research with mothers and children victims of domestic violence
Authors: Gabriel Lynne , James Hazel , Cronin‐Davis Jane , Tizro Zahra , Beetham Tanya , Hullock Ashley , Raynar Alex
Published: March 2017

Aim

This methodological paper outlines a participatory and reflexive research approach in the context of in‐depth, small‐scale and preliminary qualitative research conversations with a vulnerable population.

Developing a participatory and reflexive methodology

The project involved developing in‐depth research conversations with three mothers and their children who had experienced domestic violence. Underpinned by poststructural feminism and relational ethics, a participatory approach to facilitate informal, nondefensive, participant‐centred conversational spaces for the women and children was developed. Creating both the relational medium and the dialogical processes through which to engage with the women and children prompted multiple and complex challenges for the research team. Some members of the research team had prior experience of domestic violence, generating implications for ethical and reflexive research practice.

Implications for research practice

The study highlights the complexities and challenges of developing a participatory approach with vulnerable populations including the quandaries faced, the importance of critical reflexivity during in‐depth qualitative inquiry and the value of utilising a project steering group to support research governance. All members of the research team were emotionally impacted by the research work and the relational engagement with participants. A collaborative, peer‐supervisory approach to support the researchers, the research processes – and, ultimately, the participants – was essential. Two case vignettes are included to exemplify researcher experiences.
Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide over K‐Promoted FeCo Bimetallic Catalysts Prepared from Mixed Metal Oxalates
Authors: Gnanamani Muthu Kumaran , Hamdeh Hussein H. , Jacobs Gary , Shafer Wilson D. , Hopps Shelley D. , Thomas Gerald A. , Davis Burtron H.
Published: March 2017

The hydrogenation of carbon dioxide over K‐promoted FeCo bimetallic catalysts prepared by sequential oxalate decomposition and carburization of FeCo with CO was studied in a fixed‐bed reactor at 240 °C and 1.2 MPa. The initial CO2 conversion was found to be dependent on K loading, whereas both unpromoted and K‐promoted FeCo catalysts (except 90Fe10Co3.0K) exhibited similar levels of CO2 conversion after a few hours of time on stream. A decarburization study on freshly activated and used FeCo suggests that potassium increases the stability of iron carbides and graphitic carbon under a reducing atmosphere. Also, K addition tends to decrease the hydrogenation function of FeCo bimetallic catalysts and, thus, controls product selectivity. Under similar CO2 conversions, potassium enhanced acetic acid formation while suppressing ethanol production, which indicates that a common intermediate might be responsible for the changes observed with C2 oxygenates.
Self‐Supported NiS Nanoparticle‐Coupled Ni2P Nanoflake Array Architecture: An Advanced Catalyst for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Sun Jianmin , Chen Yajie , Ren Zhiyu , Fu Huiying , Xiao Yuting , Wang Jinge , Tian Guohui
Published: March 2017

The fabrication of heterostructured semiconductors is an effective strategy for improving electrochemical hydrogen evolution performance. In this work, we designed and prepared a novel self‐supported NiS nanoparticle‐coupled Ni2P nanoflake array architecture. Vertically oriented Ni(OH)2 nanoflake arrays were first grown on carbon fiber paper by using a hydrothermal seed growth process. Then, the following sulfuration and phosphatization processes resulted in the formation of NiS nanoparticle‐decorated Ni2P nanoflake arrays supported on carbon fiber paper (CP/Ni2P/NiS). The obtained CP/Ni2P/NiS heterostructured nanoflake arrays, as novel 3D hydrogen evolution cathodes, possess superhydrophilic surfaces, abundant coupling interfaces, and sufficient surface active sites; they can also facilitate proton accessibility, rapid charge transport, and timely gas detachment. As expected, these positive synergistic effects endowed the optimal CP/Ni2P/NiS heterostructured nanoflake array electrode with a low onset overpotential of 58 mV and a small Tafel slope of 68 mV dec−1. A low overpotential of −103 mV is needed to afford a catalytic current density of 10 mA cm−2. The current density of the heterostructure hybrid electrode can keep its catalytic current density for at least 5000 cycles reaction without obvious loss of catalytic activity, indicating its good durability.
Robust Stimuli‐Responsive Membranes Prepared from a Blend of Polysulfone and a Graft Copolymer Bearing Binary Side Chains with Thermo‐ and pH‐Responsive Switching Behavior
Authors: Miao Lei , Tu Yuanyuan , Yang Yang , Lin Shudong , Hu Jiwen , Zhang Min , Li Yue , Li Fei , Mo Yangmiao
Published: March 2017

A stimuli‐responsive membrane exhibiting independent pH‐ and temperature‐responsive behavior was fabricated from a blend of commercial polysulfone with a functional amphiphilic binary graft copolymer, namely, polysulfone‐graft‐(poly(isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid)‐random‐poly(methyl acrylate)), denoted PSf‐g‐(P(NIPAAm‐co‐AA)‐r‐PMMA). Two graft copolymers with different lengths of P(NIPAAm‐co‐AA) side chains were designed and enriched on the membrane surface to serve as thermo‐ and pH‐responsive on/off switches. The differences between the dual‐responsive behaviors of the two kinds of polymer‐blend membranes were studied by water‐flux and contact‐angle measurements. The PMMA side chains served to securely anchor the graft copolymers to the membrane substrate, and the blended membrane prepared from binary graft copolymer was more stable and exhibited more robust stimuli‐responsive behavior than that prepared from mono‐graft copolymer PSf‐g‐P(NIPAAm‐co‐AA).
Flexibility and Stability of Metal Coordination Macromolecules
Authors: Jiang Heyan , Geng Diya , Liu Dapeng , Lanigan Nicholas , Wang Xiaosong
Published: March 2017

The effect of chain structure on flexibility and stability of macromolecules containing weak P−Fe metal coordination bonds is studied. Migration insertion polymerization (MIP) of FpCXFp (1) and PR2CYPR2 (2) (Fp: CpFe(CO)2; CX and CY: alkyl spacers; P: phosphine; R: phenyl or isopropyl) generates P(1/2), in which the P−Fe and Fe−P bonds with opposite bonding direction are alternatively arranged in the backbone. On the other hand, P(FpCXP) synthesized from AB‐type monomers (FpCXP) has P−Fe bonds arranged in the same direction. P(1/2) is more rigid and stable than P(FpCXP), which is attributed to the chain conformation resulting from the P−Fe bonding direction. In addition, the longer spacers render P(1/2) relatively flexible; the phenyl substituents, as compared with the isopropyl groups, improves the rigidity, thermal, and solution stability of P(1/2). It is therefore possible to incorporate weak metal coordination bonds into macromolecules with improved stability and adjustable flexibility for material processing.
Defining the Anti‐Cancer Activity of Tricarbonyl Rhenium Complexes: Induction of G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest and Blockade of Aurora‐A Kinase Phosphorylation
Authors: Simpson Peter V. , Casari Ilaria , Paternoster Silvano , Skelton Brian W. , Falasca Marco , Massi Massimiliano
Published: March 2017

Rhenium and ruthenium complexes containing N‐heterocylic carbene (NHC) ligands and conjugated to indomethacin were prepared. The anticancer properties were probed against pancreatic cell lines, revealing a remarkable activity of the rhenium fragment as anticancer agent. The ruthenium complexes were found to be inactive against the same pancreatic cancer cell lines, either alone or in conjugation with indomethacin. An in‐depth biological study revealed the origin of the anticancer properties of the rhenium tricarbonyl fragment, of which a complete elucidation had yet to be achieved. It was found that the rhenium complexes induce cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Aurora‐A kinase. A preliminary study on the structure–activity relationship on a large family of these complexes revealed that the anticancer properties are mainly associated with the lability of the ancillary ligand, with inert complexes showing limited to no anticancer properties.
Pd(0)‐Catalyzed Tandem One‐Pot Reaction of Biphenyl Ketones/Aldehydes to the Corresponding Di‐substituted Aryl Olefins
Authors: Liu Yang , Liu Ping , Liu Yan , Wei Yu
Published: March 2017

Synthesis of di‐substituted aryl olefins via a Pd(0)‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction of biphenyl ketones/aldehydes, tosylhydrazide, and aryl bromides (or benzyl halides) was developed. This methodology was achieved by one‐pot two‐step reactions involving the preparation of N‐tosylhydrazones by reacting tosylhydrazide with biphenyl ketones/aldehydes, followed by coupling with aryl bromides (or benzyl halides) in the presence of Pd(PPh3)4 and lithium t‐butoxide to produce various di‐substituted aryl olefins in moderate to good yields.
Variability of stencil computations for porous media
Authors: Grebhahn Alexander , Engwer Christian , Bolten Matthias , Apel Sven
Published: March 2017

Many problems formulated in partial differential equations lead to stencil‐type structures after applying an appropriate structured discretization. On one hand, exploiting these stencil structures in simulations can lead to massive performance improvements, compared to forming a sparse matrix. On the other hand, the generality of the simulation is restricted, depending on the exact definition of the stencils. In this article, we discuss the variability of stencils in the domain of porous‐media applications and present a family of models that grows in complexity. To demonstrate the relation between equation and discretization on the resulting stencil used to simulate the equation, we consider 4 models from the porous media domain. This way, we describe the influence of design decisions made during the discretization on the shape of stencils, to give application engineers' information on the variability they have to consider. This leads us to 2 variability models that shall help application engineers to understand the complexity and choices of stencil computations in the porous media domain.
Design of 3.1 to 10.6 GHz ultra‐wideband flat gain LNA
Authors: Amiri Nematollah Soltani , Gholami Mohammad
Published: March 2017

In this paper, a new ultra‐wideband low‐noise amplifier (LNA) is proposed. The proposed LNA has flat gain and low noise figure (NF) in the frequency range of 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. To obtain higher gain, cascode architecture is used. In this design, to have a lower NF, the noise cancellation technique applies to the cascode architecture. In addition, to have better matching at the input and output, active feedback and matching transistors are used, which also leads to better NF. To have flat gain, RLC load is used. In the proposed LNA, only one inductor is used, which leads to the smaller chip area. The proposed circuit is designed in 90 nm CMOS technology. The simulation shows NF of between 1.62 and 2.1 dB, flat gain between 11.9 and 12 dB and power consumption of 11.72 mW in the frequency range of 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. The simulation results support the theoretical predictions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Are body size and volatile blends honest signals in orchid bees?
Authors: Arriaga‐Osnaya Brenda Jessica , Contreras‐Garduño Jorge , Espinosa‐García Francisco Javier , García‐Rodríguez Yolanda Magdalena , Moreno‐García Miguel , Lanz‐Mendoza Humberto , Godínez‐Álvarez Héctor , Cueva del Castillo Raúl
Published: March 2017

Secondary sexual traits may convey reliable information about males’ ability to resist pathogens and that females may prefer those traits because their genes for resistance would be passed on to their offspring. In many insect species, large males have high mating success and can canalize more resources to the immune function than smaller males. In other species, males use pheromones to identify and attract conspecific mates, and thus, they might function as an honest indicator of a male's condition. The males of orchid bees do not produce pheromones. They collect and store flower volatiles, which are mixed with the volatile blends from other sources, like fungi, sap and resins. These blends are displayed as perfumes during the courtship. In this study, we explored the relationship between inter‐individual variation in body size and blend composition with the males’ phenoloxidase (PO) content in Euglossa imperialis. PO content is a common measure of insect immune response because melanine, its derived molecule, encapsulates parasites and pathogens. Body size and blend composition were related to bees’ phenolic PO content. The inter‐individual variation in body size and tibial contents could indicate differences among males in their skills to gain access to some compounds. The females may evaluate their potential mates through these compounds because some of them are reliable indicators of the males’ capacity to resist infections and parasites.
Bridging the gaps in animal movement: hidden behaviors and ecological relationships revealed by integrated data streams
Authors: McClintock Brett T. , London Joshua M. , Cameron Michael F. , Boveng Peter L.
Published: March 2017

Inferences about animal behavior from movement models typically rely solely on location data, but auxiliary biotelemetry and environmental data are powerful and readily available resources for incorporating much more behavioral realism. Integrating multiple data streams can not only reveal hidden behaviors and ecological relationships that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to infer from location data alone, but also facilitate more realistic path reconstruction that respects important ecological features while bridging the information gaps that commonly arise due to measurement error or missing data. Using the bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus), a benthic predator associated with Arctic sea ice, we demonstrate how integrating location, dive activity, land cover, bathymetry, and sea ice data in a unified modeling framework allowed us to identify novel behavior states, such as hauling out on seasonal sea ice and those associated with competing foraging strategies (i.e., benthic vs. mid‐water prey). By utilizing multiple data streams, ecologists can move beyond conventional two‐state models (“foraging” and “transit”) and address more interesting hypotheses about activity budgets, resource selection, and many other areas of movement and behavioral ecology. The generality of our approach provides broad applicability to marine and terrestrial species, as well as many types of biotelemetry and environmental data.
Economic development and environmental quality—A case study of china prefecture‐level cities
Authors: Du Yu , Sun Xi‐Xiang
Published: March 2017

Understanding the relationship between per capita income and various environmental indicators is becoming increasingly important for sustainable development. There is a new trend of moving from a cross‐country or country‐level study to a regional level study. In this article, the relationship between economic growth and environmental quality in 56 prefecture‐level cities of China from 2011 to 2012 has been studied. Per capita GDP was used as a marker of economic development at the city level. Besides the commonly used SO2 emissions, per capita water consumption and COD emissions were also included as typical environmental indicators. While the per capita GDP in these cities increased remarkably, there was no significant change of per capita water consumption, but a significant decrease was achieved for SO2 and COD emissions. There is a strong correlation between per capita GDP and per capita water consumption, which fulfills the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis. However, there was no significant relationship between per capita GDP neither SO2 emission nor COD emission. There was also no regional difference for per capita GDP and per capita water consumption, but SO2 emission and COD emission are division‐dependent. Generally speaking, the emissions reduction policy for SO2 and COD in these cities showed tangible results. The control of per capita water consumption remains a major task for local governments. Besides the strict control of pollution emission, a series of water‐saving measures should be included in the environmental protection policy to reduce the per capita water consumption. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1290–1295, 2017
Effects of co‐combustion ratio on rapid combustion, cyclical variation, and emissions of a heavy‐duty diesel engine fueled with diesel‐methanol dual‐fuel
Authors: Zhang Chunhua , Li Gang , Li Yangyang
Published: March 2017

Diesel‐methanol dual‐fuel (DMDF) combustion was achieved on a 6‐cylinder, heavy‐duty, turbocharged and common‐rail diesel engine. In DMDF mode, the coal‐produced methanol is induced to the upstream of the intake manifold and premixed with the fresh air to form a homogeneous methanol‐air mixture and then ignited by direct‐injected pilot diesel in cylinder. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of co‐combustion ratio (CCR) on the rapid combustion, cyclical variation and emissions of the DMDF engine. The experimental results show that CCR affect the rapid combustion (α) and knock tendency (β) greatly. With CCR increasing, both α and β increase significantly. The β exhibits an obviously large value under heavy load although CCR and α are small. At larger CCR, DMDF mode may generate a seriously cyclical variation and the coefficient of variation for indicated mean effective pressure (COVIMEP) exhibits a relatively large value. However, with engine load increasing, the cyclical variation can be obviously decreased. It is also shown that both NOx and smoke emissions in DMDF mode present an obviously decrease trend, while CO and HC emissions exhibits an increase trend. A further reduction of NOx and smoke emissions can be obtained by increasing CCR, but CO and HC emissions are increased in this case. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1528–1536, 2017
Aftershock collapse fragility curves for non‐ductile RC buildings: a scenario‐based assessment
Authors: Gaetani d'Aragona Marco , Polese Maria , Elwood Kenneth J. , Baradaran Shoraka Majid , Prota Andrea
Published: March 2017

Recent studies have addressed the computation of fragility curves for mainshock (MS)‐damaged buildings. However, aftershock (AS) fragilities are generally conditioned on a range of potential post‐MS damage states that are simulated via static or dynamic analyses performed on an intact building. Moreover, there are very few cases where the behavior of non‐ductile reinforced concrete buildings is analyzed.

This paper presents an evaluation of AS collapse fragility conditioned on various return periods of MSs, allowing for the rapid assessment of post‐earthquake safety variations based solely on the intensity of the damaging earthquake event. A refined multi‐degree‐of‐freedom model of a seven‐storey non‐ductile building, which includes brittle failure simulations and the evaluation of a system level collapse, is adopted. Aftershock fragilities are obtained by performing an incremental dynamic analysis for a number of MS–AS ground motion sequences and a variety of MS intensities.

The AS fragilities show that the probability of collapse significantly increases for higher return periods for the MS. However, this result is mainly ascribable to collapses occurred during MSs. When collapse cases that occur during a MS are not considered in the assessment of AS collapse probability, a smaller shift in the fragility curves is observed as the MS intensity increases. This result is justified considering the type of model and collapse modes introduced, which strongly depend on the brittle behavior of columns failing in shear or due to axial loads. The analysis of damage that is due to MSs when varying the return period confirms this observation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biochemical alterations in duckweed and algae induced by carrier solvents: Selection of an appropriate solvent in toxicity testing
Authors: Hu Li-Xin , Tian Fei , Martin Francis L. , Ying Guang-Guo
Published: March 2017

Carrier solvents are often used in aquatic toxicity testing for test chemicals with hydrophobic properties. However, the knowledge of solvent effects on test organisms remains limited. The present study aimed to determine the biochemical effects of the 4 common solvents methanol, ethanol, acetone, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on 2 test species, Lemna minor and Raphidocelis subcapitata, by applying Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) coupled with multivariate analysis to select appropriate solvents for toxicity testing. The results showed biochemical variations associated with solvent treatments at different doses on test species. From the infrared spectra obtained, the structures of lipid membrane and protein phosphorylation in the test species were found to be sensitive to the solvents. Methanol and ethanol mainly affected the protein secondary structure, whereas acetone and DMSO primarily induced alterations in carbohydrates and proteins in the test species. The FTIR results demonstrated that methanol and ethanol showed higher biochemical alterations in the test species than acetone and DMSO, especially at the high doses (0.1 and 1% v/v). Based on the growth inhibition displayed and FTIR spectroscopy, acetone, and DMSO can be used as carrier solvents in toxicity testing when their doses are lower than 0.1% v/v. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2631–2639. © 2017 SETAC
Dementia‐related restlessness: relationship to characteristics of persons with dementia and family caregivers
Authors: Regier Natalie G. , Gitlin Laura N.
Published: March 2017

Objective

Dementia‐related restlessness is commonly endorsed by caregivers but not well understood. This study examines differences in characteristics (demographics, cognitive status, physical function, pain, and mood) of persons with dementia whose caregivers endorse restlessness versus those who do not. We also examine the relationship of restlessness to caregiver well‐being including burden, upset with behaviors, mastery, and depressive symptomatology.

Methods

We combined baseline data from three caregiver intervention studies of community‐dwelling persons with dementia who exhibited neuropsychiatric symptoms (n = 569) as measured by the Agitated Behaviors in Dementia Scale. We conducted bivariate correlations and independent t‐tests by using the Agitated Behaviors in Dementia Scale restlessness item.

Results

Nearly 65% (n = 367) of dementia caregivers reported restlessness. There were no significant differences between those with and without (n = 202) reported restlessness concerning functional status (physical or cognitive). However, persons with restlessness had significantly higher pain scores (p < 0.01), were more likely to be on behavioral medications (p < 0.001), and had more neuropsychiatric symptoms as compared with persons without restlessness (M = 11.11, nonrestless; M = 6.61, restless) (p < 0.001). Caregivers of persons with dementia‐related restlessness reported greater burden (p < 0.001), behavioral upset (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.001), and lower mastery providing care (p < 0.01) compared with caregivers of persons without dementia‐related restlessness.

Conclusions

Restlessness is a common neuropsychiatric symptom that appears to be associated with poorer functioning in persons with dementia and greater distress in their caregivers. Further research is needed to understand the unique contributions of restlessness to care burden and quality of life of persons with dementia, as well as ways to address this distressing symptom. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Yeast aquaporin regulation by 4‐hydroxynonenal is implicated in oxidative stress response
Authors: Rodrigues Claudia , Tartaro Bujak Ivana , Mihaljević Branka , Soveral Graça , Cipak Gasparovic Ana
Published: March 2017

Reactive oxygen species, especially hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), contribute to functional molecular impairment and cellular damage, but also are necessary in normal cellular metabolism, and in low doses play stimulatory role in cell proliferation and stress resistance. In parallel, reactive aldehydes such as 4‐hydroxynonenal (HNE), are lipid peroxidation breakdown products which also contribute to regulation of numerous cellular processes. Recently, channeling of H2O2 by some mammalian aquaporin isoforms has been reported and suggested to contribute to aquaporin involvement in cancer malignancies, although the mechanism by which these membrane water channels are implicated in oxidative stress is not clear. In this study, two yeast models with increased levels of membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and aquaporin AQY1 overexpression, respectively, were used to evaluate their interplay in cell's oxidative status. In particular, the aim of the study was to investigate if HNE accumulation could affect aquaporin function with an outcome in oxidative stress response. The data showed that induction of aquaporin expression by PUFAs results in increased water permeability in yeast membranes and that AQY1 activity is impaired by HNE. Moreover, AQY1 expression increases cellular sensitivity to oxidative stress by facilitating H2O2 influx. On the other hand, AQY1 expression has no influence on the cellular antioxidant GSH levels and catalase activity. These results strongly suggest that aquaporins are important players in oxidative stress response and could contribute to regulation of cellular processes by regulation of H2O2 influx. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(5):355–362, 2017
MiR‐223/PAX6 Axis Regulates Glioblastoma Stem Cell Proliferation and the Chemo Resistance to TMZ via Regulating PI3K/Akt Pathway
Authors: Huang Bai‐Sheng , Luo Qi‐zhi , Han Yang , Huang Dong , Tang Qing‐Ping , Wu Li‐Xiang
Published: March 2017

Chemotherapy is a standard strategy for glioma, while chemoresistance remains a major therapeutic challenge in current clinical practice. Our present study was aimed to determine whether inhibition of the miR‐223/paired box 6 (PAX6) pathway could increase the sensitivity of glioma to Temozolomide. An elevated level of miR‐223 was observed in glioma tissues. Exogenous miR‐223 promoted cell survival when exposed to Temozolomide (TMZ), while miR‐223 inhibition could reverse this process. The RNA and protein levels of PAX6 were significantly decreased by exogenous miR‐223, and the 3′‐untranslated region of PAX6 was shown to be a target of miR‐223. Besides, it has also been reported that PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is pivotal to regulate glioma growth and proliferation. In the present study, we revealed that miR‐223/PAX6 axis regulated the growth, invasion, and chemo resistance of glioblastoma stem cells to TMZ via regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which present a novel potential therapy for intervention of glioblastoma. Taken together, our findings shed new light on the miR‐223/PAX6 pathway in glioma and this pathway might modulate the sensitivity of glioma to TMZ via regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3452–3461, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transformations of Di‐ and Tetrahydropyrimidine Derivatives into Condensed Heterocycles with Retention of their Partially Saturated Structure
Authors: Remennikov Grigoriy Ya
Published: March 2017

This synthetic review presents a various concepts and strategies for transformations of di‐ and tetrahydropyrimidine derivatives into condensed heterocycles, containing partially saturated pyrimidine nuclei.