bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stature in Holocene foragers of North India
Authors: Lukacs John R. , Pal J.N. , Nelson Greg C.
Published: December 2013

The Ganga Plain of North India provides an archaeological and skeletal record of semi‐nomadic Holocene foragers in association with an aceramic Mesolithic culture. Prior estimates of stature for Mesolithic Lake Cultures (MLC) used inappropriate equations from an American White reference group and need revision. Attention is given to intralimb body proportions and geo‐climatic provenance of MLC series in considering the most suitable reference population. Regression equations from ancient Egyptians are used in reconstructing stature for MLC skeletal series from Damdama (DDM), Mahadaha (MDH), and Sarai Nahar Rai (SNR). Mean stature is estimated at between 174 (MDH) and 178 cm (DDM and SNR) for males, and between 163 cm (MDH) and 179 cm (SNR) for females. Stature estimates based on ancient Egyptian equations are significantly shorter (from 3.5 to 7.1 cm shorter in males; from 3.2 to 7.5 cm shorter in females) than estimates using the American White reference group. Revised stature estimates from tibia length and from femur + tibia more accurately estimate MLC stature for two reasons: a) these elements are highly correlated with stature and have lower standard estimates of error, and b) uncertainty regarding methods of measuring tibia length is avoided. When compared with Holocene samples of native Americans and Mesolithic Europeans, MLC series from North India are tall. This aspect of their biological variation confirms earlier assessments and results from the synergistic influence of balanced nutrition from broad‐spectrum foraging, body‐proportions adapted to a seasonally hot and arid climate, and the functional demands of a mobile, semi‐nomadic life‐style. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:408–416, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Direkter spektroskopischer Nachweis spezifischer Orientierungen freier OH‐Gruppen in Methyllactat‐(Wasser)1,2‐Clustern: Hydratation eines chiralen Hydroxyesters
Authors: Thomas Javix , Sukhorukov Oleksandr , Jäger Wolfgang , Xu Yunjie
Published: December 2013

Die Hydratation chiraler Moleküle ist von aktuellem Interesse, vor allem im Hinblick auf kürzliche experimentelle Beobachtungen von Chiralitätstransfers von gelösten chiralen Molekülen auf Wasser und die wichtige Rolle von Wasser in biologischen Vorgängen. Mit Breitband‐Chirppuls‐ und Resonator‐Mikrowellenspektroskopie konnten wir spektrale Signaturen der Mono‐ und Dihydrate von Methyllactat, einem chiralen Hydroxyester, beobachten. Überraschenderweise zeigen diese kleinen Hydratcluster spezielle Bindungspräferenzen. Sie bevorzugen nicht nur die Insertions‐Topologie von H‐Brücken, sondern auch spezielle Orientierungen ihrer nicht durch H‐Brücken gebundenen Hydroxygruppen. Wir beobachteten ferner, dass das spektroskopisch identifizierte Dihydrat‐Konformer nicht das am stabilsten vorhergesagte Konformer ist. Diese Arbeit unterstreicht die überlegenen Möglichkeiten hochauflösender Spektroskopie, um spezifische Topologien von Wasserbindungen zu identifizieren und quantitative Daten zur Überprüfung von Theorien auf aktuellem Stand der Forschung zu liefern.
Chitosan/MWCNTs‐decorated with silver nanoparticle composites: Dielectric and antibacterial characterization
Authors: Hernández‐Vargas Julia , González‐Campos J. Betzabe , Lara‐Romero Javier , Prokhorov E. , Luna‐Bárcenas Gabriel , Aviña‐Verduzco Judit A. , González‐Hernández Juan Carlos
Published: December 2013

The dielectric and biological properties of chitosan (CTS)‐based nanocomposites were analyzed by dielectric spectroscopy, and antibacterial and antifungal assays. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) and CNT decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgnP) were incorporated into a CTS matrix at different concentrations to obtain bionanocomposite thin films. The conductivity of pristine CTS is considerably enhanced, by six orders of magnitude, with the inclusion of CNT; however, with the addition of CNT decorated with AgnP it only increases by two orders of magnitude because of strong chemical interactions between the CNT and AgnP that also affect the antibacterial activity of the composite. The percolation threshold in the CTS/CNT composites is ca. 1.3 wt %, while in CTS/CNT‐AgnP composites the strong CNT‐AgnP chemical interactions give a percolation threshold of ca. 2.2 wt % of CNT‐AgnP. In both cases, DC conductivity exhibits a three‐dimensional hopping conductivity, and the σ‐ and α‐relaxation processes are disclosed in agreement with the pristine CTS relaxation processes previously reported; however, these two relaxations vanish in the vicinity of the saturation concentration. Finally, the antifungal activity of the CTS/CNT‐AgnP composites is comparable with the activity of other composites, while their antibacterial activity seems to be competitive with respect to commercial antibiotics, indicating the effectiveness of these composites in potential hygienic applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40214.
Sustainable Development and Business Models of Entrepreneurs in the Organic Food Industry
Authors: Jolink Albert , Niesten Eva
Published: December 2013

The business case for a sustainable firm, in particular the business case for new entrepreneurial initiatives responding to environmental demands, is increasingly receiving attention from practitioners and scholars. This article contributes to existing literature on business models, sustainable development and entrepreneurship, by applying components of business models to the practices of entrepreneurs that have a goal of environmental sustainability and a focus on the mass market (i.e. ecopreneurs). We define the ecopreneurial business model and specify four varieties of this business model, which consist of different combinations of environmental scope and a focus on the mass market and profitability. The distinguishing factor of the ecopreneurial business model is that it transforms disvalue into value, thereby creating greater customer value for environmentally concerned consumers. The results are based on a substantial set of interviews among ecopreneurs in the organic food and beverage industry in the Netherlands. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
From Waste Biomass to Solid Support: Lignosulfonate as a Cost‐Effective and Renewable Supporting Material for Catalysis
Authors: Sun Shaohuan , Bai Rongxian , Gu Yanlong
Published: December 2013

Lignosulfonate (LS) is an organic waste generated as a byproduct of the cooking process in sulfite pulping in the manufacture of paper. In this paper, LS was used as an anionic supporting material for immobilizing cationic species, which can then be used as heterogeneous catalysts in some organic transformations. With this strategy, three lignin‐supported catalysts were prepared including 1) lignin‐SO3Sc(OTf)2, 2) lignin‐SO3Cu(OTf), and 3) lignin‐IL@NH2 (IL=ionic liquid). These solid materials were then examined in many organic transformations. It was finally found that, compared with its homogeneous counterpart as well as some other solid catalysts that are prepared by using different supports with the same metal or catalytically active species, the lignin‐supported catalysts showed better performance in these reactions not only in terms of activity but also with regard to recyclability.
In Situ Growth of Hierarchical SnO2 Nanosheet Arrays on 3D Macroporous Substrates as High‐Performance Electrodes
Authors: Zhao Xinyu , Liu Bing , Hu Changwen , Cao Minhua
Published: December 2013

Finding out how to overcome the self‐aggregation of nanostructured electrode materials is a very important issue in lithium‐ion battery technology. Herein, by an in situ construction strategy, hierarchical SnO2 nanosheet architectures have been fabricated on a three‐dimensional macroporous substrate, and thus the aggregation of the SnO2 nanosheets was effectively prevented. The as‐prepared hierarchical SnO2 nanoarchitectures on the nickel foam can be directly used as an integrated anode for lithium‐ion batteries without the addition of other ancillary materials such as carbon black or binder. In view of their apparent advantages, such as high electroactive surface area, ultrathin sheet, robust mechanical strength, shorter ion and electron transport path, and the specific macroporous structure, the hierarchical SnO2 nanosheets exhibit excellent lithium‐storage performance. Our present growth approach offers a new technique for the design and synthesis of metal oxide hierarchical nanoarrays that are promising for electrochemical energy‐storage electrodes without carbon black and binder.
Aerobic Oxidative Coupling of Resveratrol and its Analogues by Visible Light Using Mesoporous Graphitic Carbon Nitride (mpg‐C3N4) as a Bioinspired Catalyst
Authors: Song Tao , Zhou Bo , Peng Guang‐Wei , Zhang Qing‐Bao , Wu Li‐Zhu , Liu Qiang , Wang Yong
Published: December 2013

The first aerobic oxidative coupling of resveratrol and its analogues by mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride as a bioinspired catalyst with visible light has been developed. With this method, δ‐viniferin and its analogues were synthesized in moderate to high yield. The metal‐free conditions, visible‐light irradiation, and the ideal oxidant, molecular oxygen, make this coupling reaction environmental friendly and practical.
A facile direct deposition of silver nanoparticles on silicon surface by silver mirror process
Authors: Jiang Bing , Li Meicheng , Song Dandan , Li Yingfeng , Mwenya Trevor
Published: December 2013

The Ag nanoparticles with different morphology are directly prepared on Si surface by a facile silver mirror reaction without capping agents and shape‐controlling seeds. Ag nanoplates and Ag polyhedrons are produced on the Si surface by controlling the reaction temperature. Ag nanoplates are easily obtained at the low temperature, which are the products controlled by kinetics pathway. Ag polyhedrons are produced at the high temperature under the combined action of the surface energy and strain energy. Through the catalysis of Ag nanoplates and Ag polyhedrons, different nanoporous structures on the Si surface are obtained using the same etching process, which are useful for the antireflection layers in solar‐cell devices.
Recombination in Dense Ion Plasmas
Authors: Lankin A. , Norman G.
Published: December 2013

A theory is developed to treat ion recombination in dense ion plasmas. Numerical results are obtained with the method of molecular dynamics. Exponential suppression of recombination is found for the discharge afterglow plasma in sulfur hexafluoride at strong Coulomb nonideality Γ. The reason for suppression is an increase of the recombination activation energy ΔE with increase of Γ. The range ΔE corresponds to the multiparticle fluctuations. Ion solvation is another suppression factor. Its importance is demonstrated for the discharge afterglow plasma in fluorine at weak Coulomb nonideality. The theory developed agrees with the experimental data available. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fermion Condensate as a New State of Matter
Authors: Amusia M. Ya. , Shaginyan V. R.
Published: December 2013

We demonstrate that in very many natural systems consisting of huge numbers of identical fermions at zero temperature a phase transition can happen that leads to a quite specific state called fermion condensate. As a signal of such fermion condensation quantum phase transition serves unlimited increase of the effective mass of quasi‐particles that determine the excitation spectrum of multi‐fermion system under consideration. We discuss the conditions, under which this transition happens, and illustrate the physical properties of a system that is located near this phase transition. The effective mass diverge when the inter‐particle interaction is repulsive and medium strong as compared to particle's kinetic energy. So, low temperature and intermediate density plasma is a good candidate for such a phenomenon. Therefore, this paper can serve as a source of stimulating ideas when exploring a possible non‐Fermi liquid behavior of plasma. A common and essential feature of such systems is a possibility to introduce quasiparticles that are different, however, from those suggested by L.D. Landau almost sixty years ago, by crucial dependence of temperature, external magnetic field, pressure and so on. These systems exhibit scaling behavior of their effective mass and other characteristics that are determined by this effective mass. It is demonstrated that a huge amount of experimental data on different strongly correlated compounds suggest that they, starting from some temperature and down, are governed by the fermion condensation quantum phase transition. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Laser‐Triggered Proton Acceleration From Micro‐Structured thin Targets
Authors: Brantov A. , Bychenkov V. Yu.
Published: December 2013

By using relativistic massively parallel PIC code MANDOR, which features arbitrary target design including 3D micro‐structuring, a study of ion acceleration in short laser pulse interaction with different thin targets has been performed. Based on 3D simulation results it has been shown that micro‐structures on the front surface of thin plane targets increase a number and energy of hot electrons in comparison with that for the case of pure plain foils of optimal thickness. As a result, the energy of accelerated ions also increases up to 50%. However, the efficiency of ion acceleration from structured target reduces with laser pulse intensity increase, so that for laser pulses of ultra‐relativistic intensity a positive role of surface micro‐structuring diminishes. We have also studied to which extent a sub‐ps imperfection of the laser pulse shape, which smoothes the surface micro‐structures suppresses high‐energy ion generation. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
High Conductivity Mediated by Thermal Excitation of Solectrons
Authors: Ebeling W. , Chetverikov A. P. , Röpke G. , Velarde M. G.
Published: December 2013

We study the quantum dynamics and statistics of electrons interacting with nonlinear excitations of a classical thermal lattice of atoms on a semi‐phenomenological basis. By theoretical estimates based on tight‐binding approximations, Wigner distributions and computer simulations we show the existence of fast and nearly loss‐free motions of electrons along crystallographic axes of a nonlinear lattice. Using mass‐action relations we estimate the density of moving bound states between electrons and lattice solitons and estimate analytically and by simulations Wigner momentum distributions which are non‐Maxwellian. Calculating the currents from these bimodal distributions we show that thermally excited solectrons in nonlinear media may lead to a considerable transport enhancement. Our estimates and simulations demonstrate that in a temperature window, where solectrons are excited and are relatively stable, conductivity and diffusion may be enhanced by up to two orders of magnitude. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Multiphoton Processes at the Induced Inverse Bremsstrahlung in Dense Plasmas
Authors: Krainov V. P.
Published: December 2013

Electron energy absorption in laser irradiated plasma is determined by sum of rates of multiphoton induced absorption and emission. These rates contain squares of the Bessel functions. It was shown that in moderate laser field terms with absorption and emission of several photons are large, but cancel exactly each to other. Therefore we should take into account terms with absorption and emission of only one laser photon (first order perturbation theory). (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Dynamics of Hubbard Nano‐Clusters Following Strong Excitation
Authors: Bonitz M. , Hermanns S. , Balzer K.
Published: December 2013

The Hubbard model is a prototype for strongly correlated electrons in condensed matter, for molecules and fermions or bosons in optical lattices. While the equilibrium properties of these systems have been studied in detail, the excitation and relaxation dynamics following a perturbation of the system are only poorly explored. Here, we present results for the dynamics of electrons following nonlinear strong excitation that are based on a nonequilibrium Green functions approach. We focus on small systems—“Hubbard nano‐clusters”—that contain just a few particles where, in addition to the correlation effects, finite size effects and spatial inhomegeneity can be studied systematically. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Safety of saxagliptin: events of special interest in 9156 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Hirshberg Boaz , Parker Artist , Edelberg Helen , Donovan Mark , Iqbal Nayyar
Published: December 2013

Background

A post hoc pooled analysis was undertaken to evaluate the safety of saxagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, with attention to events of special interest for dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors.

Methods

Pooled analyses were performed for 20 randomized controlled studies (N = 9156) of saxagliptin as monotherapy or add‐on therapy, and a subset of 11 saxagliptin + metformin studies. Adverse events and events of special interest (gastrointestinal adverse events, infections, hypersensitivity, pancreatitis, skin lesions, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypoglycaemia, bone fracture, severe cutaneous adverse reactions, opportunistic infection, angioedema, malignancy, worsening renal function, and specific laboratory events) were assessed; incidence rates (events/100 person‐years) and incidence rates ratios (saxagliptin/control) were calculated (Mantel–Haenszel method).

Results

In both pooled datasets, the incidence rates for deaths, serious adverse events, discontinuations due to adverse events, pancreatitis, malignancy, and most other events of special interest, excepting bone fractures and hypersensitivity, were similar between treatments, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incidence rates ratios including 1. In the 20‐study pool, the incidence rates per 100 person‐years was higher with saxagliptin versus control for bone fractures [1.1 vs 0.6; incidence rates ratio (95% CI), 1.81 (1.04–3.28)] and hypersensitivity adverse events [1.3 vs 0.8; 1.67 (1.01–2.87)].

Conclusions

Pooled data from 20 studies confirm that saxagliptin has a favourable safety and benefit–risk profile. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sulfonyl Acetylenes as Alkynylating Reagents Under Radical or Anionic Conditions
Authors: García Ruano José Luis , Alemán José , Parra Alejandro , Marzo Leyre
Published: December 2013

We provide a summary of the literature describing the use of β‐substituted sulfonylacetylenes as efficient alkynylation reagents in their reactions with radical or anionic species. Such alkynylation is due to the unexpected behavior of ethynyl sulfones, which undergo “anti‐Michael” addition of radicals and organolithium reagents and subsequent elimination of the sulfinate moiety. The reaction behavior of alkyl radicals, generated by different procedures, allows the alkynylation of any kind of C(sp3), C(sp2), and C(sp) carbon atoms, being especially efficient for α‐positions to heteroatoms With organolithium reagents alkynylation can be achieved with very few restrictions, providing substituted acetylenes or conjugated enynes of any kind in high yields under very mild conditions. Ynol ethers and alkynylphosphonates are also accessible through reactions with metal alkoxides and trialkyl phosphites, respectively.
Metabolic activity, the chemical composition of biomass and photosynthetic activity ofChlorella vulgarisunder different light spectra in photobioreactors
Authors: Kula Monika , Rys Magdalena , Możdżeń Katarzyna , Skoczowski Andrzej
Published: December 2013

Omitting the far‐red in LED lighting for bioreactors is inexplicable because it affects photosynthetic efficiency and photomorphogenetic activity. Therefore, this work compares three light sources (fluorescent—white light (WL), and LED: blue + red—BRL and blue + red + far‐red—BRFRL) for cultures ofChlorella vulgaris. Metabolic activity was determined by isothermal calorimetry. Changes in the chemical composition of biomass were examined by spectrofluorimetry and Raman spectroscopy. Maximum quantum yield of photosystem II was determined on the basis of chlorophyllafluorescence parameters. The algae grown under BRL produced significantly more thermal energy than those cultured under BRFRL and WL. The Raman spectra of cultures showed characteristic bands for carotenoids, chlorophyll, phenolics, lipids, aliphatic carbohydrates, pectins, and disaccharides. According to the cluster analysis, the chemical composition of cultures grown under BRL and BRFRL was very similar, whereas the WL represented a distinct group. BRL and BRFRL stimulated the biosynthesis of an unidentified compound(s) with fluorescence maximum at 614 nm. At the beginning of the cultivation, photosystem II had very weak photochemical activity. Under BRFRL, ratios of Fv/Fm reached the maximum after 4 days, whereas under BRL and WL, after 6 days of cultivation. The results point to the favorable influence of the far‐red on the metabolism of microalgae.
Diagenetic transformations and silcrete–calcrete intergrade duricrust formation in palaeo‐estuary sediments
Authors: Ringrose S. , Cassidy L. , Diskin S. , Coetzee S. , Matheson W. , Mackay A. W. , Harris C.
Published: December 2013

The Boteti palaeo‐estuary in northern Botswana is located where the endoreic Boteti river, an overflow from the regional Okavango river system, enters the Makgadikgadi pans. The present work considers diagenetic silica and calcium carbonate dominated transformations. The aims are to help identify precursor conditions for the origin of microcrystalline silcrete–calcrete intergrade deposits while developing insight into pene‐contemporaneous silica and calcite matrix formation. General precursor conditions require the presence of cyclical endoreic freshwater inflow into a saline pan. The pan should be deep enough to sustain a permanent watertable under climatic conditions sufficient to cause carbonate fractionation within the groundwater. Freshwater inflow into a saline pan drives the geochemistry of the system (from freshwater to saline, from neutral to high pH). The geochemistry is controlled by the periodicity of inflow relative to salinity levels of phreatic groundwater in the receptor saline pan. The source of most silica and localized CaCO3is derived from the dissolution and precipitation of micro‐fossils, while more general CaCO3enrichment stems from saline pan based carbonate fractionation. Diagenetic change leads to colloidal then more consolidated bSiO2/CaO aggregate formation (amorphous silica) followed by transformations into opaline silica over time. Irregular zones of siliceous sediment forming in otherwise calcareous deposits may relate to the irregular occurrence of biogenic silica in the source sediments, inferring a source for local silica mobilization in intergrade deposits. The distribution of calcareous micro‐fossils may have a similar converse effect. Diagenetic evidence from an intergrade deposit with a low SiO2/CaO ratio suggests that transformation occurred more into the pan, while an intergrade deposit with a high SiO2/CaO ratio more likely formed closer to a land margin and was frequently inundated by freshwater. Pene‐contemporaneous silcrete–calcrete intergrade formation under the above conditions may take place where dissolved silica crystallizes out in the vicinity of calcite crystals due to local decreases in pH. The continuing consolidation of bSiO2/CaO aggregates may be facilitated by the presence of increasing amounts of calcite. It appears that CaCO3may act as a catalyst leading to pene‐contemporaneous bSiO2/CaO aggregate formation. However the processes involved require further work. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inter-laboratory trial of a standardized sediment contact test with the aquatic plant Myriophyllum aquaticum (ISO 16191)
Authors: Feiler Ute , Ratte Monika , Arts Gertie , Bazin Christine , Brauer Frank , Casado Carmen , Dören Laszlo , Eklund Britta , Gilberg Daniel , Grote Matthias , Gonsior Guido , Hafner Christoph , Kopf Willi , Lemnitzer Bernd , Liedtke Anja , Matthias Uwe , Okos Ewa , Pandard Pascal , Scheerbaum Dirk , Schmitt-Jansen Mechthild , Stewart Kathleen , Teodorovic Ivana , Wenzel Andrea , Pluta Hans-Jürgen
Published: December 2013

A whole-sediment toxicity test with Myriophyllum aquaticum has been developed by the German Federal Institute of Hydrology and standardized within the International Organization for Standardization (ISO; ISO 16191). An international ring-test was performed to evaluate the precision of the test method. Four sediments (artificial, natural) were tested. Test duration was 10 d, and test endpoint was inhibition of growth rate (r) based on fresh weight data. Eighteen of 21 laboratories met the validity criterion of r ≥ 0.09 d−1 in the control. Results from 4 tests that did not conform to test-performance criteria were excluded from statistical evaluation. The inter-laboratory variability of growth rates (20.6%–25.0%) and inhibition (26.6%–39.9%) was comparable with the variability of other standardized bioassays. The mean test-internal variability of the controls was low (7% [control], 9.7% [solvent control]), yielding a high discriminatory power of the given test design (median minimum detectable differences [MDD] 13% to 15%). To ensure these MDDs, an additional validity criterion of CV ≤ 15% of the growth rate in the controls was recommended. As a positive control, 90 mg 3,5-dichlorophenol/kg sediment dry mass was tested. The range of the expected growth inhibition was proposed to be 35 ± 15%. The ring test results demonstrated the reliability of the ISO 16191 toxicity test and its suitability as a tool to assess the toxicity of sediment and dredged material. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:662–670. © 2013 SETAC
Youth and environmental enrichment generate serum exosomes containing miR‐219 that promote CNS myelination
Authors: Pusic Aya D. , Kraig Richard P.
Published: December 2013

Although commonly considered a disease of white matter, gray matter demyelination is increasingly recognized as an important component of multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis, particularly in the secondary progressive disease phase. Extent of damage to gray matter is strongly correlated to decline in memory and cognitive dysfunction in MS patients. Aging likewise occurs with cognitive decline from myelin loss, and age‐associated failure to remyelinate significantly contributes to MS progression. However, recent evidence demonstrates that parabiotic exposure of aged animals to a youthful systemic milieu can promote oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation and improve remyelination. In the current study, we focus on this potential for stimulating remyelination, and show it involves serum exosomes that increase OPCs and their differentiation into mature myelin‐producing cells—both under control conditions and after acute demyelination. Environmental enrichment (EE) of aging animals produced exosomes that mimicked this promyelinating effect. Additionally, stimulating OPC differentiation via exosomes derived from environmentally enriched animals is unlikely to deplete progenitors, as EE itself promotes proliferation of neural stem cells. We found that both young and EE serum‐derived exosomes were enriched in miR‐219, which is necessary and sufficient for production of myelinating oligodendrocytes by reducing the expression of inhibitory regulators of differentiation. Accordingly, protein transcript levels of these miR‐219 target mRNAs decreased following exosome application to slice cultures. Finally, nasal administration of exosomes to aging rats also enhanced myelination. Thus, peripheral circulating cells in young or environmentally enriched animals produce exosomes that may be a useful therapy for remyelination. GLIA 2014;62:284–299
The Reaction of 1‐Phenylpyrazolidine‐3,5‐dione with Active Nitriles Using Phase Transfer Catalysis Conditions Technique
Authors: Khodairy A. , El‐Sayed A. M.
Published: December 2013

Heterocyclization reaction of 1‐phenylpyrazolidine‐3,5‐dione with some active nitriles and acrylonitriles is described. These cyclization reactions afforded novel heterocyclic derivatives such as pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazoles, pyrazolyl‐thiazole, pyrazolyl‐1,3‐thiazines, and pyrazolyl‐1,3‐oxathiino[6,5‐c]pyrazoles. Heating 1‐phenylpyrazolidine‐3,5‐dione alone under phase transfer catalysis conditions afforded the tricyclic dipyrazolofurandione. The structure of the new products has been characterized by IR, NMR, mass spectra, and their elemental analyses.
5‐Mercapto‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole‐2(3H)‐thione: Synthesis and Structure of Alkylated Derivatives
Authors: Mistry Jigar K. , Dawes Richard , Choudhury Amitava , Van De Mark Michael R.
Published: December 2013

The observed structure of 1,3,4‐thiadiazolidine‐2,5‐dithione (also known as 2,5‐dimercapto‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole) has been previously reported in three different tautomeric forms including —dithiol and—dithione. This report examines the relative stability of each form and also reports synthesis and characterization of the structures of mono‐alkylated and di‐alkylated forms of 5‐mercapto‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole‐2(3H)‐thione. The methods of X‐ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and ab initio electronic structure calculations were combined to understand the reactivity and structure of each compound.
Locating double bonds in lipids – New approaches to the use of ozonolysis
Authors: Sun Chenxing , Curtis Jonathan M.
Published: December 2013

Since the location of double bonds within a lipid molecule is critical to its biological function, methods that reveal details of this structural arrangement are of importance. Ozone can react with double bonds resulting in ozonolysis products that have masses characteristic of the exact location of these double bonds within fatty acid residues. This paper describes the use of the ozonolysis reaction for the assignment of double bond positions, with a focus on the recent developments in coupling ozonolysis reactions in‐situ and in‐line with mass spectrometry, even for use with complex lipid samples.
Novel zinc‐rich epoxy paint coatings with hydrated alumina and carbon nanotubes supported polypyrrole for corrosion protection of low carbon steel: Part II: Corrosion prevention behavior of the hybrid paint coatings
Authors: Gergely A. , Pászti Z. , Bertóti I. , Török T. , Mihály J. , Kálmán E.
Published: December 2013

Utilization of various types of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in zinc‐rich paints (ZRPs) is presented addressing percolation and porosity related phenomena of traditional ZRPs. Hybrid paint coatings were formulated with 3.21 wt% polypyrrole (PPy) deposited alumina‐MWCNT inhibitor particles (PDAMIPs) and 70 wt% zinc contents. Corrosion protection behavior of the hybrid coatings was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), glow‐discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GD OES), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and FT‐Raman spectroscopy. Immersion and salt‐spray chamber tests gave evidence of improved galvanic protection and barrier nature of the hybrid coatings over the conventional ZRPs, whereas inhibited zinc corrosion and ignorable steel corrosion took place besides lower degradation of the binder. Zinc‐rich hybrid paints with either high relative amount of polyelectrolyte‐modified or low proportion of functionalized MWCNTs afforded enhanced corrosion prevention. This result is partly attributed to the nanotube volume fractions around the threshold of infinite cluster formation contributing to electrical percolation and galvanic action of the hybrids. Experimental results are discussed in a broader context on the basis of structure related findings of the PDAMIPs (described in Part I) and in the light of recent literature data. From the newly developed inhibitor particles, some of them are respected as worthy additives for application in hybrid coatings featuring high performance corrosion prevention functionality.
CompoundProtein Interaction Prediction Within Chemogenomics: Theoretical Concepts, Practical Usage, and Future Directions
Authors: Brown J. B. , Niijima Satoshi , Okuno Yasushi
Published: December 2013

With advancements in high‐throughput technologies and open availability of bioassay data, computational methods to generate models, that zoom out from a single protein with a focused ligand set to a larger and more comprehensive description of compound‐protein interactions and furthermore demonstrate subsequent translational validity in prospective experiments, are of prime importance. In this article, we discuss some of the new benefits and challenges of the emerging computational chemogenomics paradigm, particularly with respect to compound‐protein interaction. Examples of experimentally validated computational predictions and recent trends in molecular feature extraction are presented. In addition, analyses of cross‐family interactions are considered. We also discuss the expected role of computational chemogenomics in contributing to increasingly expansive network‐level modeling and screening projects.
Leukemia inhibitory factor promotes porcine oocyte maturation and is accompanied by activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3
Authors: Dang‐Nguyen Thanh Quang , Haraguchi Seiki , Kikuchi Kazuhiro , Somfai Tamás , Bodó Szilárd , Nagai Takashi
Published: December 2013

We produced recombinant porcine leukemia inhibitory factor (pLIF) and examined its effect on in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes and their developmental competence after in vitro fertilization. Porcine cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in a medium supplemented with pLIF during the first 22 hr, last 22 hr, or entire 44 hr duration of IVM. Oocytes in all groups tended to show enhanced nuclear maturation rates by the metaphase II (MII) stage (76.1%, 82.1%, and 86.6%, respectively) compared to the without‐pLIF treatment group (69.6%, control). A significant increase in MII rate (P < 0.05) and obvious induction of cumulus expansion were observed over the whole time span (44 hr) in the IVM group. When cumulus cells were removed at 22 hr and denuded oocytes were further cultured, pLIF showed no effect on maturation rate. Oocytes matured in pLIF‐supplemented medium showed a tendency for more rapid blastocyst development (21.1% vs. 16.2%, P = 0.0715). Examination of transcripts and proteins of the LIF signaling pathway in COCs revealed that LIF, LIF receptors, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are present in both cumulus cells and oocytes. The amount of phosphorylated STAT3 (p‐STAT3) markedly increased in both cumulus cells and oocytes cultured in pLIF‐supplemented media, although oocyte p‐STAT3 disappeared after 44 hr of IVM. These results suggest that the LIF/STAT3 pathway is functional during IVM of porcine oocytes, and supplementing pLIF in the IVM medium can improve oocyte maturation by activating this pathway. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Bird in the Hand: Data Collation and Novel Analysis of Avian Remains from South Uist, Outer Hebrides
Authors: Best J. , Mulville J.
Published: December 2013

The island of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides has a rich archaeological past and a rich ecotonal landscape, which provides access to a wide range of avian resources. Throughout the island's past, these have played an important but sometimes modest role in the subsistence and life of the local populations. This paper explores fowling and avian resource use on South Uist through the analysis of new bone assemblages and their integration with collated existing avian data. The dataset shows that the inhabitants of South Uist made use of a wide range of avian resources year round. Some species were specifically and repeatedly targeted, whereas others were exploited infrequently or in low numbers. A targeted use of seabirds was identified, with period‐specific increases in the capture of waders and waterfowl. A range of habitats from sea to moors were utilised for avian resources, and several capture techniques would have been employed. Evidence also suggests that birds were taken from further afield. The introduction of domesticates is traced from initially low numbers in the Iron Age to their increased occurrence in the Norse period. Over time, there is a notable decrease in the presence of great auk (Pinguinus impennis). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recurrent structural malformations identified among Mowat–Wilson syndrome fetuses
Authors: Zhou Yan , Huang Jin , Cheng Yvonne Kwun Yue , Leung Tak Yeung , Pooh Ritsuko K. , Lo Fai Man , Choy Kwong Wai
Published: December 2013

What's already known about this topic?

Mowat–Wilson syndrome (MWS) (OMIM#235730) is a genetic disease caused by mutations or deletions of the ZEB2 gene and characterized by typical facial dysmorphism. It is rarely diagnosed prenatally.

What does this study add?

We report and review the ultrasound features of MWS fetuses identified by array comparative genomic hybridization study.

The MWS should be considered in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency, ACC, hypospadias, and congenital heart defect.

The prevalence of MWS in Hong Kong is reported.
Improved performance of Ge‐alloyed CZTGeSSe thin‐film solar cells through control of elemental losses
Authors: Hages Charles J. , Levcenco Sergej , Miskin Caleb K. , Alsmeier Jan H. , Abou‐Ras Daniel , Wilks Regan G. , Bär Marcus , Unold Thomas , Agrawal Rakesh
Published: December 2013

Nanocrystal‐based Cu2Zn(SnyGe1‐y)(SxSe4‐x) (CZTGeSSe) thin‐film solar cell absorbers with tunable band gap have been prepared. Maximum solar‐conversion total area efficiencies of up to 9.4% are achieved with a Ge content of 30 at.%. Improved performance compared with similarly processed films of Cu2ZnSn(SxSe4‐x) (CZTSSe, 8.4% efficiency) is achieved through controlling Ge loss from the bulk of the absorber film during the high‐temperature selenization treatment, although some Ge loss from the absorber surface is still observed following this step. Despite limitations imposed by elemental losses present at the absorber surface, we find that Ge alloying leads to enhanced performance due to increased minority charge carrier lifetimes as well as reduced voltage‐dependent charge carrier collection. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A personal approach to treatment is the key to advances in psychiatry
Authors: Titmarsh Steve
Published: December 2013

The search for the means to identify patients most likely to respond to specific treatments is the ultimate goal in many areas of medicine, and psychiatry is no exception. Delegates at the Latest Advances in Psychiatry symposium held in London in March heard about work within the fields of dementia, depression and addiction that may bring that goal closer to a reality. Steve Titmarsh reports.
Neurology and psychiatry: ethics in the dock
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: December 2013

The practice of neurology and psychiatry has always raised ethical dilemmas and this is still the case today with readily available genetic data and emerging drug treatments. Mark Greener discusses the ethical challenges that neurologists and psychiatrists currently face.
Review of the choice and use of antidepressant drugs
Authors: Bleakley Stephen
Published: December 2013

As part of our updated series of articles on the major psychiatric drug groups, produced in association with the College of Mental Health Pharmacy (www.cmhp.org.uk), Stephen Bleakley describes the use of antidepressants through a review of the most recent clinical literature. Pharmacology, interactions and side‐effects as well as drug choice and information to give to patients are discussed.
NMR‐monitored titration of acid‐stress bacterial chaperone HdeA reveals that Asp and Glu charge neutralization produces a loosened dimer structure in preparation for protein unfolding and chaperone activation
Authors: Garrison McKinzie A. , Crowhurst Karin A.
Published: December 2013

HdeA is a periplasmic chaperone found in several gram‐negative pathogenic bacteria that are linked to millions of cases of dysentery per year worldwide. After the protein becomes activated at low pH, it can bind to other periplasmic proteins, protecting them from aggregation when the bacteria travel through the stomach on their way to colonize the intestines. It has been argued that one of the major driving forces for HdeA activation is the protonation of aspartate and glutamate side chains. The goal for this study, therefore, was to investigate, at the atomic level, the structural impact of this charge neutralization on HdeA during the transition from near‐neutral conditions to pH 3.0, in preparation for unfolding and activation of its chaperone capabilities. NMR spectroscopy was used to measure pKa values of Asp and Glu residues and monitor chemical shift changes. Measurements of R2/R1 ratios from relaxation experiments confirm that the protein maintains its dimer structure between pH 6.0 and 3.0. However, calculated correlation times and changes in amide protection from hydrogen/deuterium exchange experiments provide evidence for a loosening of the tertiary and quaternary structures of HdeA; in particular, the data indicate that the dimer structure becomes progressively weakened as the pH decreases. Taken together, these results provide insight into the process by which HdeA is primed to unfold and carry out its chaperone duties below pH 3.0, and it also demonstrates that neutralization of aspartate and glutamate residues is not likely to be the sole trigger for HdeA dissociation and unfolding.
Defect engineering in germanium
Authors: Bracht Hartmut
Published: December 2013

State of the art nanoelectronic devices are mainly fabricated on silicon (Si). In order to take advantage of the properties of germanium (Ge) in advanced electronic nanodevices all steps of device fabrication must be controlled. This, in particular, concerns the diffusion, doping, and activation of dopants in Ge. In this paper, the mechanism of self‐ and dopant diffusion in Ge under thermal equilibrium and non‐equilibrium conditions are reviewed. Non‐equilibrium conditions can, e.g., be realized by irradiation, implantation, and the dissolution of unstable defect clusters. Defect reactions mediating dopant diffusion and dopant deactivation in Ge under different experimental conditions are discussed. Special attention is paid to the charge states of the involved point defects and their Coulomb interactions that explain numerous results on dopant diffusion and dopant deactivation. Controlling the formation of vacancies V and self‐interstitials I is the key to develop successful defect engineering strategies that are required to achieve the objectives for the fabrication of Ge‐based devices.
Safety and Efficacy of Bixa orellana (Achiote, Annatto) Leaf Extracts
Authors: Stohs Sidney J.
Published: December 2013

Bixa orellana leaf preparations have been used for many years by indigenous people for a variety of medicinal applications. Published research studies in animals indicate that various extracts of Bixa leaves exhibit antioxidant, broad antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal), anti‐inflammatory, analgesic, hypoglycemic, and antidiarrheal activities. No studies have specifically assessed the ability of leaf extracts to inhibit urogenital infections although Bixa products have been used in folkloric medicine to treat gonorrhea and other infections. Few human studies have been conducted and published using Bixa leaf preparations. Many more studies have been conducted and published involving Bixa seed (annatto) extracts than with leaf extracts. No subchronic safety (toxicity) studies have been conducted in animals. A 6 month study in humans given 750 mg of leaf powder per day demonstrated no significant or serious adverse effects. Bixa leaf extracts appear to be safe when given under current conditions of use. However, additional human and animal controlled safety and efficacy studies are needed. In addition, detailed chemical analyses are required to establish structure–function relationships. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model‐based dose finding under model uncertainty using general parametric models
Authors: Pinheiro José , Bornkamp Björn , Glimm Ekkehard , Bretz Frank
Published: December 2013

The statistical methodology for the design and analysis of clinical Phase II dose‐response studies, with related software implementation, is well developed for the case of a normally distributed, homoscedastic response considered for a single timepoint in parallel group study designs. In practice, however, binary, count, or time‐to‐event endpoints are encountered, typically measured repeatedly over time and sometimes in more complex settings like crossover study designs. In this paper, we develop an overarching methodology to perform efficient multiple comparisons and modeling for dose finding, under uncertainty about the dose‐response shape, using general parametric models. The framework described here is quite broad and can be utilized in situations involving for example generalized nonlinear models, linear and nonlinear mixed effects models, Cox proportional hazards models, with the main restriction being that a univariate dose‐response relationship is modeled, that is, both dose and response correspond to univariate measurements. In addition to the core framework, we also develop a general purpose methodology to fit dose‐response data in a computationally and statistically efficient way. Several examples illustrate the breadth of applicability of the results. For the analyses, we developed the R add‐on package DoseFinding, which provides a convenient interface to the general approach adopted here. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Semiparametric varying‐coefficient model for interval censored data with a cured proportion
Authors: Shao Fang , Li Jialiang , Ma Shuangge , Lee Mei‐Ling Ting
Published: December 2013

Varying‐coefficient models have claimed an increasing portion of statistical research and are now applied to censored data analysis in medical studies. We incorporate such flexible semiparametric regression tools for interval censored data with a cured proportion. We adopted a two‐part model to describe the overall survival experience for such complicated data. To fit the unknown functional components in the model, we take the local polynomial approach with bandwidth chosen by cross‐validation. We establish consistency and asymptotic distribution of the estimation and propose to use bootstrap for inference. We constructed a BIC‐type model selection method to recommend an appropriate specification of parametric and nonparametric components in the model. We conducted extensive simulations to assess the performance of our methods. An application on a decompression sickness data illustrates our methods. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.