bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamic and Dynamic Causes of Pluvial Conditions During the Last Glacial Maximum in Western North America
Authors: Morrill Carrie , Lowry Daniel P. , Hoell Andrew
Published: January 2018

During the last glacial period, precipitation minus evaporation increased across the currently arid western United States. These pluvial conditions have been commonly explained for decades by a southward deflection of the jet stream by the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Here analysis of state‐of‐the‐art coupled climate models shows that effects of the Laurentide Ice Sheet on the mean circulation were more important than storm track changes in generating wet conditions. Namely, strong cooling by the ice sheet significantly reduced humidity over land, increasing moisture advection in the westerlies due to steepened humidity gradients. Additionally, the removal of moisture from the atmosphere by mass divergence associated with the subtropical high was diminished at the Last Glacial Maximum compared to present. These same dynamic and thermodynamic factors, working in the opposite direction, are projected to cause regional drying in western North America under increased greenhouse gas concentrations, indicating continuity from past to future in the mechanisms altering hydroclimate.
Aseismic Transform Fault Slip at the Mendocino Triple Junction From Characteristically Repeating Earthquakes
Authors: Materna Kathryn , Taira Taka'aki , Bürgmann Roland
Published: January 2018

The Mendocino Triple Junction (MTJ), at the northern terminus of the San Andreas Fault system, is an actively deforming plate boundary region with poorly constrained estimates of seismic coupling on most offshore fault surfaces. Characteristically repeating earthquakes provide spatial and temporal descriptions of aseismic creep at the MTJ, including on the oceanic transform Mendocino Fault Zone (MFZ) as it subducts beneath North America. Using a dataset of earthquakes from 2008 to 2017, we find that the easternmost segment of the MFZ displays creep during this period at about 65% of the long‐term slip rate. We also find creep at slower rates on the shallower strike‐slip interface between the Pacific plate and the North American accretionary wedge, as well as on a fault that accommodates Gorda subplate internal deformation. After a nearbyM5.7 earthquake in 2015, we observe a possible decrease in aseismic slip on the near‐shore MFZ that lasts from 2015 to at least early 2017.
Ionospheric Bow Wave Induced by the Moon Shadow Ship Over the Continent of United States on 21 August 2017
Authors: Sun Yang‐Yi , Liu Jann‐Yenq , Lin Charles Chien‐Hung , Lin Chi‐Yen , Shen Ming‐Hsueh , Chen Chieh‐Hung , Chen Chia‐Hung , Chou Min‐Yang
Published: January 2018

A moon shadow of the total solar eclipse swept through the continent of United States (CONUS) from west to east on 21 August 2017. Massive total electron content (integration of electron density from 0 km to 20,200 km altitude) observations from 2,255 ground‐based Global Navigation Satellite System receivers show that the moon shadow ship generates a great ionospheric bow wave front which extends ~1,500 km away from the totality path covering the entire CONUS. The bow wave front consists of the acoustic shock wave due to the supersonic/near‐supersonic moon shadow ship and the significant plasma recombination due to the reduction in solar irradiation within the shadow area. The deep bow wave trough (−0.02 total electron content unit (1 TECU = 1016 el m−2) area) nearly coincides with the 100% obscuration moving along the totality path over the CONUS through the entire eclipse period. The supersonic moon shadow ship induces a bow wave crest in front of the ship (~80% obscuration). It is the first time to find the acoustic shock wave‐formed bow wave trough and crest near the totality.
Electron Jet Detected by MMS at Dipolarization Front
Authors: Liu C. M. , Fu H. S. , Vaivads A. , Khotyaintsev Y. V. , Gershman D. J. , Hwang K.‐J. , Chen Z. Z. , Cao D. , Xu Y. , Yang J. , Peng F. Z. , Huang S. Y. , Burch J. L. , Giles B. L. , Ergun R. E. , Russell C. T. , Lindqvist P.‐A. , Le Contel O.
Published: January 2018

Using MMS high‐resolution measurements, we present the first observation of fast electron jet (Ve ~2,000 km/s) at a dipolarization front (DF) in the magnetotail plasma sheet. This jet, with scale comparable to the DF thickness (~ 0.9 di), is primarily in the tangential plane to the DF current sheet and mainly undergoes the E × B drift motion; it contributes significantly to the current system at the DF, including a localized ring‐current that can modify the DF topology. Associated with this fast jet, we observed a persistent normal electric field, strong lower hybrid drift waves, and strong energy conversion at the DF. Such strong energy conversion is primarily attributed to the electron‐jet‐driven current (E ⋅ je ≈ 2 E ⋅ ji), rather than the ion current suggested in previous studies.
Changes in Pain Sensitization After Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Stefanik Joshua J. , Felson David T. , Apovian Caroline M. , Niu Jingbo , Margaret Clancy M. , LaValley Michael P. , Neogi Tuhina
Published: January 2018

Objective

To evaluate changes in pain (at the knee and elsewhere) and pain sensitization in obese subjects with knee pain who were having bariatric surgery compared with similarly obese individuals who were undergoing medical management.

Methods

This study included a cohort of subjects who were having bariatric surgery and those undergoing medical management. Knee pain severity of the more painful knee (index knee) was assessed at baseline and at 12 months using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. The pressure pain threshold (PPT) was evaluated at the index patella and the right wrist. Low patella PPT may reflect peripheral and/or central sensitization, and low wrist PPT may reflect central sensitization. The mean change in measures of pain and pain sensitization was analyzed in the surgery and medical management groups separately.

Results

A total of 45 subjects in the surgery group and 22 in the medical management group completed baseline and follow‐up visits. The mean weight loss was 32.7 kg (29.0%) and 4.6 kg (4.1%) in the surgery and medical management groups, respectively. Knee pain decreased only in the surgery group, in which the PPT at the patella improved by 38.5% (P = 0.0007) and at the wrist by 30.9% (P = 0.005). There was no significant change in PPT in the medical management group.

Conclusion

Persons who underwent bariatric surgery experienced an improvement in pain sensitization, reflected by improvements in PPT. This improvement was observed not only at the patella, but also at the wrist, suggesting that central sensitization improved after bariatric surgery.
Climate Change and the Bottom Line: Delivering Sustainable Buildings at Market Rate
Authors: Cohen Adam , Snell Clarke
Published: January 2018

Sustainable building need not be more expensive or time‐consuming than the alternative. Adam Cohen – co‐founder of Virginia firm Structures Design/Build – has a proven track record of completing a range of building types affordably and on schedule, even achieving Passive House standards within budget when they were not part of the client's original brief. How? As he explains to Guest‐Editor Clarke Snell, the answer is lean IPD (integrated project delivery). By involving all stakeholders from the start and making optimum use of BIM (building information modelling), it improves efficiency and keeps costs in check.
Dopamine: Just the Right Medicine for Membranes
Authors: Yang Hao‐Cheng , Waldman Ruben Z. , Wu Ming‐Bang , Hou Jingwei , Chen Lin , Darling Seth B. , Xu Zhi‐Kang
Published: January 2018

Mussel‐inspired chemistry has attracted widespread interest in membrane science and technology. Demonstrating the rapid growth of this field over the past several years, substantial progress has been achieved in both mussel‐inspired chemistry and membrane surface engineering based on mussel‐inspired coatings. At this stage, it is valuable to summarize the most recent and distinctive developments, as well as to frame the challenges and opportunities remaining in this field. In this review, recent advances in rapid and controllable deposition of mussel‐inspired coatings, dopamine‐assisted codeposition technology, and photoinitiated grafting directly on mussel‐inspired coatings are presented. Some of these technologies have not yet been employed directly in membrane science. Beyond discussing advances in conventional membrane processes, emerging applications of mussel‐inspired coatings in membranes are discussed, including as a skin layer in nanofiltration, interlayer in metal‐organic framework based membranes, hydrophilic layer in Janus membranes, and protective layer in catalytic membranes. Finally, some critical unsolved challenges are raised in this field and some potential pathways are proposed to address them.
Novel Quercetin Aggregation‐Induced Emission Luminogen (AIEgen) with Excited‐State Intramolecular Proton Transfer for In Vivo Bioimaging
Authors: He Ting , Niu Na , Chen Zhijun , Li Shujun , Liu Shouxin , Li Jian
Published: January 2018

Aggregation‐induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) that undergo excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) have many applications in bioimaging since they have high quantum efficiency in the aggregated state and a low background signal in aqueous solutions because of their large Stokes shift. One disadvantage of many of the AIEgens with ESIPT that has been described so far is that they require time‐consuming synthesis and the use of toxic reagents. Another disadvantage with most of these materials is that they are only used for bioimaging in cells and are unsuitable for in vivo bioimaging. Herein, a new AIEgen with ESIPT, quercetin (QC) is described, which is easily prepared from Sophora japonica. AIE is attributed to crystallization‐promoted keto emission. The fluorescence is temperature dependent and shows strong resistance to photobleaching. QC AIEgen with ESIPT is shown to have excellent biocompatibility and is successfully used for bioimaging both in cellular cytoplasm and in vivo.
Exploiting Advanced Hydrogel Technologies to Address Key Challenges in Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Foyt Daniel A. , Norman Michael D. A. , Yu Tracy T. L. , Gentleman Eileen
Published: January 2018

Regenerative medicine aims to tackle a panoply of challenges from repairing focal damage to articular cartilage to preventing pathological tissue remodeling after myocardial infarction. Hydrogels are water‐swollen networks formed from synthetic or naturally derived polymers and are emerging as important tools to address these challenges. Recent advances in hydrogel chemistries are enabling researchers to create hydrogels that can act as 3D ex vivo tissue models, allowing them to explore fundamental questions in cell biology by replicating tissues' dynamic and nonlinear physical properties. Enabled by cutting edge techniques such as 3D bioprinting, cell‐laden hydrogels are also being developed with highly controlled tissue‐specific architectures, vasculature, and biological functions that together can direct tissue repair. Moreover, advanced in situ forming and acellular hydrogels are increasingly finding use as delivery vehicles for bioactive compounds and in mediating host cell response. Here, advances in the design and fabrication of hydrogels for regenerative medicine are reviewed. It is also addressed how controlled chemistries are allowing for precise engineering of spatial and time‐dependent properties in hydrogels with a look to how these materials will eventually translate to clinical applications.
Water‐Mediated One‐pot Three‐Component Synthesis of Hydrazinyl‐Thiazoles Catalyzed by Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Dispersed on Titanium Dioxide Support: A Green Catalytic Process
Authors: Reddy G. Trivikram , Kumar G. , Reddy N. C. Gangi
Published: January 2018

The present work describes the catalytic activity of copper oxide nanoparticles dispersed on titanium dioxide in water for one‐pot synthesis of a library of hydrazinyl‐thiazoles via a three‐component reaction of various aldehydes/ketones with thiosemicarbazide and different phenacyl bromides. The structure of the synthesized compound, (E)‐4‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐2‐(2‐(4‐methoxybenzylidene) hydrazinyl)thiazole is confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. The catalyst prepared by a molten‐salt method is characterized by X‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy and electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The noteworthy advantages of this method include its broad substrate scope, clean reaction profile, short reaction times and high yields at low catalyst loading. Further, the product does not require any chromatographic purification and the method has the potential for large‐scale applications in pharmaceutical industries. In addition, the developed catalyst can be recovered and reused for 5 times without significant loss of activity. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction begins with the activation of the carbonyl group of both aldehyde/ketone and phenacyl bromide by copper oxide nanoparticles supported on titanium dioxide in water. These studies reveal that the reaction proceeds via the formation of thiosemicarbazone intermediate.

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An Efficient and Practical Method for the Enantioselective Synthesis of Tertiary Trifluoromethyl Carbinols
Authors: Borrego Lorenzo G. , Recio Rocío , Alcarranza Manuel , Khiar Noureddine , Fernández Inmaculada
Published: January 2018

An efficient sulfinamide/olefin based chiral ligand, MetSulfolefin, has been developed for the enantioselective rhodium‐catalysed addition of aryl‐boronic acids to trifluoromethyl ketones. This shelf‐stable ligand is insensitive to air, oxygen and moisture, and it is obtained in only two high yielding steps from cheap commercially available (R)‐tert‐butanesulfinamide. The new ligand tolerates the use of hindered boronic acids and leads to the formation of a series of chiral trifluoromethyl‐substituted tertiary carbinols in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee).

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Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Selective Direct Olefination of Imidazoles
Authors: Zhao Haoqiang , Xu Jianbin , Chen Changjun , Xu Xin , Pan Yixiao , Zhang Zongyao , Li Huanrong , Xu Lijin
Published: January 2018

Rhodium(III)‐catalyzed chelation‐assisted highly regio‐ and stereoselective direct olefination of imidazoles with olefins has been developed. A broad range of C2‐substituted N‐(2‐pyrimidyl)imidazoles underwent smooth C5‐olefination with both activated and unactivated olefins to furnish the corresponding products in good to excellent yields with high tolerance of functional groups on both coupling partners in the presence of a cationic rhodium(III) catalyst. The combination of a catalytic amount of Cu(OAc)2 (copper(II) acetate) and O2 (oxygen) serves as the terminal oxidant. This protocol strongly relies on the use of 2‐substituted imidazoles as the substrates, and the presence of readily installable and removable pyrimidyl directing group was found to be critical for catalysis. Mechanistic studies suggest the involvement of a five‐membered rhodacycle as the key intermediate in the catalytic cycle. The method can also be extended to the coupling reaction of benzimidazoles with olefins.

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Nonvolatile Electric‐Optical Memory Controlled by Conductive Filaments in Ti‐Doped BiFeO3
Authors: Lu Zengxing , Yang Xiaodong , Jin Chen , Li Peilian , Wan Jian‐guo , Liu Jun‐ming
Published: January 2018

In ferroelectric films, the resistance switching (RS) and ferroelectric photovoltaic effects are ideal for developing next‐generation electronic devices, especially memory devices. In this work, a feasible electric‐optical memory prototype based on both effects is proposed, which can operate with electric writing and optical reading, and realized in Ti‐doped BiFeO3 films. The RS behavior and the photovoltaic effect at different stage of RS are measured carefully. The results show that the films exhibit filament‐type RS effect. Furthermore, the photovoltaic open‐circuit voltage is demonstrated to be well controlled by switching the resistance state, and such a manipulation can be repeated reliably. By carrying out first‐principles calculations, the working mechanism of the devices is further analyzed, which reveals that the doping of Ti plays a crucial role in the occurrence of the filament‐type RS effect and the improvement of photovoltaic effect. This work provides a feasible avenue to develop high‐performance and low‐power‐consumption memory devices.
Design of CMOS Compatible, High‐Speed, Highly‐Stable Complementary Switching with Multilevel Operation in 3D Vertically Stacked Novel HfO2/Al2O3/TiOx (HAT) RRAM
Authors: Banerjee Writam , Zhang Xumeng , Luo Qing , Lv Hangbing , Liu Qi , Long Shibing , Liu Ming
Published: January 2018

Complementary resistive switching (CRS) is a suitable approach to minimize the sneak leakage paths through a large resistive random access memory (RRAM) array. Here, an effective CRS design with a HfO2/Al2O3/TiOx (HAT) trilayer structure integrated in a 3D vertically stacked RRAM array is reported. The design shows voltage‐controlled resistive switching and CRS performance with multilevel operations. High‐speed switching is observed with the HAT design. The device shows SET and the RESET transitions with speeds of −3.5 V@30 ns and +3.8 V@150 ns, respectively. As well as with the DC measurements, the CRS switching is achieved under AC switching dynamics measurement. Maintaining the same applied pulse polarity, the lower amplitude can switch the device to the SET and the higher amplitude can switch it to the RESET. A highly nonlinear (nonlinearity >102) CRS is obtained at a high temperature of 150 °C. In the HAT devices, the origin of CRS is due to the anionic redistribution in HfO2 and TiOx layers, leaving Al2O3 as tunnel barrier. The achievements reported here indicate the applicability of the HAT design for future high‐speed high‐density applications.
Risk assessment for metalworking fluids and cancer outcomes
Authors: Park Robert M.
Published: January 2018

Background

Metalworking fluids (MWF) are complex mixtures with dermal and inhalation exposure. Published reports reveal excess cancer risk.

Methods

Using published findings exposure response was derived for each attributable cancer site. Aggregate excess lifetime risk was estimated by applying a lifetable calculation.

Results

Cancer sites contributing the most attributable cases were larynx, esophagus, brain, female breast, and uterine cervix. With constant workplace MWF exposure of 0.1 mg/m3 over a 45 years working life, the risk of attributable cancer was 3.7% or, excluding the less certain female cancers, 3.1%.

Conclusion

Substantial cancer risks occurred at 0.1 mg/m3 MWF, one fourth of the current NIOSH recommended exposure limit for MWF total particulate. Because ingredients in current MWF remain from earlier formulations, it is likely that some MWF carcinogenicity persists today. Although important changes have occurred, newer agents are being continually introduced with little or no knowledge of chronic health risks.
The black legend on the Spanish presence in the low countries: Verifying shared beliefs on genetic ancestry
Authors: Larmuseau Maarten H.D. , Calafell Francesc , Princen Sarah A. , Decorte Ronny , Soen Violet
Published: January 2018

Objectives

War atrocities committed by the Spanish army in the Low Countries during the 16th century are so ingrained in the collective memory of Belgian and Dutch societies that they generally assume a signature of this history to be present in their genetic ancestry. Historians claim this assumption is a consequence of the so‐called “Black Legend” and negative propaganda portraying and remembering Spanish soldiers as extreme sexual aggressors. The impact of the presence of Spaniards during the Dutch Revolt on the genetic variation in the Low Countries has been verified in this study.

Materials and methods

A recent population genetic analysis of Iberian‐associated Y‐chromosomal variation among Europe is enlarged with representative samples of Dutch (N = 250) and Flemish (N = 1,087) males. Frequencies of these variants are also compared between donors whose oldest reported paternal ancestors lived in—nowadays Flemish—cities affected by so‐called Spanish Furies (N = 116) versus other patrilineages in current Flemish territory (N = 971).

Results

The frequencies of Y‐chromosomal markers Z195 and SRY2627 decline steeply going north from Spain and the data for the Flemish and Dutch populations fits within this pattern. No trend of higher frequencies of these variants has been found within the well‐ascertained samples associated with Spanish Fury cities.

Discussion

Although sexual aggression did occur in the 16th century, these activities did not leave a traceable “Spanish” genetic signature in the autochthonous genome of the Low Countries. Our results support the view that the ‘Black Legend’ and historical propaganda on sexual aggression have nurtured today's incorrect assumptions regarding genetic ancestry.
Configurational Isomerism in Polyoxovanadates
Authors: Mahnke Lisa K. , Kondinski Aleksandar , Warzok Ulrike , Näther Christian , van Leusen Jan , Schalley Christoph A. , Monakhov Kirill Yu. , Kögerler Paul , Bensch Wolfgang
Published: January 2018

A water‐soluble derivative of the polyoxovanadate {V15E6O42} (E=semimetal) archetype enables the study of cluster shell rearrangements driven by supramolecular interactions. A reaction unique to E=Sb, induced exclusively by ligand metathesis in peripheral [Ni(ethylenediamine)3]2+ counterions, results in the formation of the metastable α1* configurational isomer of the {V14Sb8O42} cluster type. Contrary to all other polyoxovanadate shell architectures, this isomer comprises an inward‐oriented vanadyl group and is ca. 50 and 12 kJ mol−1 higher in energy than the previously isolated α and β isomers, respectively. We discuss this unexpected reaction in light of supramolecular Sb−O⋅⋅⋅V and Sb−O⋅⋅⋅Sb contacts manifested in {V14Sb8O42}2 dimers detected in the solid state. ESI MS experiments confirm the stability of these dimers also in solution and in the gas phase. DFT calculations indicate that other, as of yet elusive isomers of {V14Sb8}, might be accessible as well.
Implant Insertion into an Augmented Bone Region Using the Canine Mandible Augmented by the “Casing Method”
Authors: Ono Wataru , Maruyama Kiichi , Ogiso Makoto , Mineno Seiji , Izumi Yuichi
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of bone augmentation using the “Casing Method,” which enables large‐scale osteogenesis, and the feasibility of using the augmented bone in dental implants. Three Beagle dogs were used. After tooth extraction, a polyethylene terephthalate case (20 mm × 5 mm × 10 mm) was placed on the buccal surface of the mandible. A mixture of hydroxyapatite and beta‐tricalcium phosphate (volume ratio = 1:1) was infiltrated into a suspension of autologous superfine bone powder and plasma, and the resulting mixture was packed into the case. After 16 weeks, the implant was inserted into the augmented bone and the original bone. Specimens of the mandible were collected at 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks after implant insertion, and undecalcified sections were prepared. The integration of the implant into the surrounding bone tissue was observed histologically. Favorable bone formation was observed in the regions where bone augmentation was performed. The space between the cut bone surface and the implant was filled with newly formed bone in both the augmented and original bone regions. In addition, there was higher bone density in the augmented bone than that in the original bone at the coronal half of the implant at 16 weeks. As a result, bone‐to‐implant contact was significantly higher in the augmented bone region than in the original bone region. These results suggest that bone augmentation surgery using the “Casing Method” is an effective technique for expanding the application of dental implants. Anat Rec, 301:892–901, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Switched Memory B Cells Are Increased in Oligoarticular and Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Their Change Over Time Is Related to Response to Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
Authors: Marasco Emiliano , Aquilani Angela , Cascioli Simona , Moneta Gian Marco , Caiello Ivan , Farroni Chiara , Giorda Ezio , D'Oria Valentina , Marafon Denise Pires , Magni‐Manzoni Silvia , Carsetti Rita , De Benedetti Fabrizio
Published: January 2018

Objective

To investigate whether abnormalities in B cell subsets in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) correlate with clinical features and response to treatment.

Methods

A total of 109 patients diagnosed as having oligoarticular JIA or polyarticular JIA were enrolled in the study. B cell subsets in peripheral blood and synovial fluid were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

Switched memory B cells were significantly increased in patients compared to age‐matched healthy controls (P < 0.0001). When patients were divided according to age at onset of JIA, in patients with early‐onset disease (presenting before age 6 years) the expansion in switched memory B cells was more pronounced than that in patients with late‐onset disease and persisted throughout the disease course. In longitudinal studies, during methotrexate (MTX) treatment, regardless of the presence or absence of active disease, the number of switched memory B cells increased significantly (median change from baseline 36% [interquartile range {IQR} 15, 66]). During treatment with MTX plus tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), in patients maintaining disease remission, the increase in switched memory B cells was significantly lower than that in patients who experienced active disease (median change from baseline 4% [IQR −6, 32] versus 41% [IQR 11, 73]; P = 0.004). The yearly rate of increases in switched memory B cells was 1.5% in healthy controls, 1.2% in patients who maintained remission during treatment with MTX plus TNFi, 4.7% in patients who experienced active disease during treatment with MTX plus TNFi, and ~4% in patients treated with MTX alone.

Conclusion

Switched memory B cells expand during the disease course at a faster rate in JIA patients than in healthy children. This increase is more evident in patients with early‐onset JIA. TNFi treatment inhibits this increase in patients who achieve and maintain remission, but not in those with active disease.
In situ Generated Ruthenium Catalyst Systems Bearing Diverse N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Precursors for Atom‐Economic Amide Synthesis from Alcohols and Amines
Authors: Cheng Hua , Xiong Mao‐Qian , Cheng Chuan‐Xiang , Wang Hua‐Jing , Lu Qiang , Liu Hong‐Fu , Yao Fu‐Bin , Chen Cheng , Verpoort Francis
Published: January 2018

The transition‐metal‐catalyzed direct synthesis of amides from alcohols and amines is herein demonstrated as a highly environmentally benign and atom‐economic process. Among various catalyst systems, in situ generated N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐based ruthenium (Ru) halide catalyst systems have been proven to be active for this transformation. However, these existing catalyst systems usually require an additional ligand to achieve satisfactory results. In this work, through extensive screening of a diverse variety of NHC precursors, we discovered an active in situ catalyst system for efficient amide synthesis without any additional ligand. Notably, this catalyst system was found to be insensitive to the electronic effects of the substrates, and various electron‐deficient substrates, which were not highly reactive with our previous catalyst systems, could be employed to afford the corresponding amides efficiently. Furthermore, mechanistic investigations were performed to provide a rationale for the high activity of the optimized catalyst system. NMR‐scale reactions indicated that the rapid formation of a Ru hydride intermediate (signal at δ=−7.8 ppm in the 1H NMR spectrum) after the addition of the alcohol substrate should be pivotal in establishing the high catalyst activity. Besides, HRMS analysis provided possible structures of the in situ generated catalyst system.
Input‐Output Decoupling of Boolean Control Networks
Authors: Pan Jinfeng , Feng Jun‐E , Yao Juan , Zhao Jianli
Published: January 2018

This paper is devoted to the input‐output decoupling problem of Boolean control networks (BCNs). First, a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of comparable output subspaces is obtained as well as an algorithm to construct the comparable output subspaces. Then, two kinds of controllers are designed to solve the decoupling problem, including open‐loop controller and state feedback controller. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Bioactivity guided fractionation of methanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna for its CYP3A and CYP2D inhibition in rat liver microsomes
Authors: Varghese Alice , Saboo Prachi , Wairkar Sarika
Published: January 2018

Terminalia arjuna (T. arjuna) is an Indian medicinal plant belonging to the family Combretaceae and possesses numerous therapeutic activities including its immense cardioprotective activity. In the present work, a methanolic bark extract of T. arjuna was evaluated for CYP3A and CYP2D inhibition potential in rat liver microsomes (RLM). Further, the methanolic bark extract was fractionated successively using increasing polarity solvents starting with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n‐butanol. The fractions so obtained were also evaluated for their CYP3A and CYP2D inhibition potential. Probe substrates testosterone and dextromethorphan were used for CYP3A and CYP2D respectively. The IC50 values for the methanolic extract and the fractions were found to be less than 50 μg/ml in RLM for both CYP3A and CYP2D isoenzymes. The most potent n‐butanol fraction was further fractionated with column chromatography to isolate the highest active constituent responsible for the activity. Fraction 4 of the n‐butanol extract was the most potent fraction with IC50 values of 5.64 ± 0.735 μg/ml and 16.63 ± 0.879 μg/ml for CYP3A and CYP2D in RLM, respectively. Therefore, in vitro data indicated that the Terminalia arjuna extract contains constituents that can potentially inhibit the CYP3A and CYP2D isoenzymes which may in turn lead to pharmacokinetic drug–herb interaction.
The Effect of Experience on Context‐dependent Decisions
Authors: Ert Eyal , Lejarraga Tomás
Published: January 2018

Does the well‐documented “decoy effect” emerge in decisions from experience among risky options? We conducted a series of experiments where participants made choices between gambles, and we varied whether participants learned about the options from description, experience, or both. Our results consistently showed no traces of the decoy effect when participants learned from experience. Even when participants read precise descriptions of the options, actually experiencing those options eliminated the decoy effect. Moreover, in decisions under risk (decisions from description), the decoy effect is less robust than previously thought. The decoy effect only emerged in an experimental design in which we used two decoys generating attraction for different options but did not emerge when only one decoy was used. Increasing the distance between the decoy and the target did not make the decoy effect emerge in decisions from experience but seemed to reduce the decoy effect in decisions from description. Overall, we identify two boundary conditions for the decoy effect in decisions under risk: First, it is not robust to situations that involve learning from experience; and second, the attraction of a single decoy may not be sufficient to observe a decoy effect. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbonbeton unter Druck
Authors: Bochmann Jakob , Curbach Manfred , Jesse Frank
Published: January 2018

Mit Carbonbeton wurde ein neuer Hochleistungswerkstoff für die verschiedensten Anwendungen entwickelt. Dabei konzentrierte sich die Forschung bisher überwiegend auf das Tragverhalten unter Zugbeanspruchung und die Entwicklung entsprechender Bemessungsmodelle für grundlegende Belastungsarten. Zur vollständigen und detaillierten Klärung des Tragverhaltens von Carbonbetonkonstruktionen ist es allerdings notwendig, das Verhalten unter Druckbeanspruchung zu kennen. Carbonbeton zeigt hier ein charakteristisches Tragverhalten, das sich von dem des Stahlbetons unterscheidet. Eine wesentliche Ursache dieser Unterschiede ist das Unvermögen der textilen Bewehrung, quer zur Längsrichtung der Fasern einen nennenswerten Tragwiderstand aufzubauen. Aus diesem Grund entsteht die Notwendigkeit, das Tragverhalten unter einaxialer Druckbeanspruchung detailliert zu untersuchen. Erste grundlegende Überlegungen und Ergebnisse zur Thematik wurden von den Autoren bereits veröffentlicht. Dieser Artikel soll die weiterführenden Forschungsarbeiten darstellen und dabei speziell auf den Einfluss von unterschiedlichen textilen Strukturen eingehen. Die Variation der Maschenweite, Garnstärke oder der Anordnung der Textilien steht dabei im Vordergrund. Diese experimentellen Untersuchungen tragen somit zu einem besseren Verständnis des Tragverhaltens von Carbonbeton bei, der einem Druckspannungsfeld ausgesetzt ist.
Effizientes BIM für die Planung von Infrastrukturmaßnahmen
Authors: Breitenberger Michael , Kreutz Johannes , Braml Thomas
Published: January 2018

Das neue Konzept AgilesBIM2 wird vorgestellt. Dieses kann für die Umsetzung eines effizienten BIM‐Prozesses für den Brückenbau bzw. Ingenieurbau verwendet werden. Es ist äußerst flexibel und setzt vor allem auf Automatisierung der CAD‐Prozesse und ist sowohl für kleine als auch für sehr große und geometrisch komplexe (gekrümmte) Bauwerke geeignet. Das Konzept kann für die Organisation der BIM‐Ausführungsplanung verwendet werden. Erfolgreich angewandt wurde das Konzept in der Software Siemens NX, welche sich hinsichtlich der gestellten Anforderungen als äußert geeignet erweist. Der Artikel beschäftigt sich neben der Vorstellung des von der BiM CC GmbH entwickelten Konzepts mit der BIM‐Ausführungsplanung für den Brückenbau im Generellen, der Qualitätssicherung von BIM‐Modellen, geometrischen Toleranzen, Datenaustausch und der Verknüpfung zu statischen Gesamtmodellen für Brückenbauwerke. Getestet wurden das Konzept an mehreren BIM‐Ausführungsprojekten, unter anderem an der Talbrücke Pleichach, welche durch das Bauunternehmen Max Bögl realisiert wird.
Antiobesity molecular mechanisms of action: Resveratrol and pterostilbene
Authors: Pan Min‐Hsiung , Wu Jia‐Ching , Ho Chi‐Tang , Lai Ching‐Shu
Published: January 2018

Obesity is a current global epidemic that has led to a marked increase in metabolic diseases. However, its treatment remains a challenge. Obesity is a multifactorial disease, which involves the dysfunction of neuropeptides, hormones, and inflammatory adipokines from the brain, gut, and adipose tissue. An understanding of the mechanisms and signal interactions in the crosstalk between organs and tissue in the coordination of whole‐body energy metabolism would be helpful to provide therapeutic and putative approaches to the treatment and prevention of obesity and related complications. Resveratrol and pterostilbene are well‐known stilbenes that provide various potential benefits to human health. In particular, their potential anti‐obesity effects have been proven in numerous cell culture and animal studies. Both compounds act to regulate energy intake, adipocyte life cycle and function, white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammation, energy expenditure, and gut microbiota by targeting multiple molecules and signaling pathways as an intervention for obesity. Although the efficacy of both compounds in humans requires further investigation with respect to their oral bioavailability, promising scientific findings have highlighted their potential as candidates for the treatment of obesity and the improvement of obesity‐related metabolic diseases. © 2018 BioFactors, 44(1):50–60, 2018
Metabolism and pharmacokinetics of resveratrol and pterostilbene
Authors: Wang Pei , Sang Shengmin
Published: January 2018

Beneficial properties of resveratrol and pterostilbene, a dimethyl ether analog of resveratrol, have attracted increasing interest in recent years. Resveratrol and pterostilbene exhibit many pharmacological similarities and both of them are generally considered to be safe for human consumption. Beyond the structural and general bioactivity similarities between them, large amounts of data are now available to reveal the metabolic fate and pharmacological differences between them. Pterostilbene was found to be more metabolically stable and usually exhibited stronger pharmacological activities than that of resveratrol. As a contribution to clarify and compare aspects like metabolic stability and pharmacokinetics of resveratrol and pterostilbene, as well as explain the pharmacological similarities and differences between them, this review presents and compares recent data on the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of resveratrol and pterostilbene. © 2018 BioFactors, 44(1):16–25, 2018
RNA‐Seq Highlights High Clonal Variation in Monoclonal Antibody Producing CHO Cells
Authors: Orellana Camila A. , Marcellin Esteban , Palfreyman Robin W. , Munro Trent P. , Gray Peter P. , Nielsen Lars K.
Published: January 2018

The development of next‐generation sequencing technologies has opened new opportunities to better characterize complex eukaryotic cells. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells play a primary role in therapeutic protein production, with currently five of the top ten blockbuster drugs produced in CHO. However, engineering superior CHO cells with improved production features has had limited success to date and cell lines are still developed through the generation and screening of large strain pools. Here, we applied RNA sequencing to contrast a high and a low monoclonal antibody producing cell line. Rigorous experimental design achieved high reproducibility between biological replicates, remarkably reducing variation to less than 10%. More than 14 000 gene‐transcripts are identified and surprisingly 58% are classified as differentially expressed, including 2900 with a fold change higher than 1.5. The largest differences are found for gene‐transcripts belonging to regulation of apoptosis, cell death, and protein intracellular transport GO term classifications, which are found to be significantly enriched in the high producing cell line. RNA sequencing is also performed on subclones, where down‐regulation of genes encoding secreted glycoproteins is found to be the most significant change. The large number of significant differences even between subclones challenges the notion of identifying and manipulating a few key genes to generate high production CHO cell lines.
Analysis of Recombinant Human Serum Albumin Extraction and Degradation in Transgenic Rice Extracts
Authors: Sheshukova Kseniya A. , Wilken Lisa R.
Published: January 2018

Transgenic plant systems have successfully been used to express recombinant proteins, including rice seed‐expressed recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA), without the risk of contamination of human pathogens. Developing an efficient extraction process is critical as the step determines recombinant protein concentration and purity, quantity of impurities, and process volume. This article evaluates the effect of pH and time on the extraction and stability of rHSA. The amount of rHSA in clarified extract after 60 min of solubilization increased with pH from 0.9 mg/g (pH 3.5) to 9.6 mg/g (pH 6.0), but not over time as 10 min was sufficient for solubilization. Total soluble protein in extracts also increased with pH from 3.9 mg/g (pH 3.5) to 19.7 mg/g (pH 6.0) in clarified extract. Extraction conditions that maximized rHSA purity were not optimal for rHSA stability and yield. Extraction at pH 3.5 resulted in high purity (78%), however, rHSA degraded over time. Similar purities (78%) were observed in pH 4.0 extracts yet rHSA remained stable. rHSA degradation was not observed in pH 4.5 and 6.0 extracts but higher native protein concentrations decreased purity. Strategies such as pH and temperature adjustment were effective for reducing rHSA degradation in pH 3.5 rice extracts. Low temperature pH 3.5 extraction retained high purity (97%) and rHSA stability. While seed‐expressed recombinant proteins are known to be stable for up to 3 years, the degradation of rHSA was notably extensive (56% within 60 min) when extracted at low pH. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:681–691, 2018
Tanshinone IIA induces cell death via Beclin‐1‐dependent autophagy in oral squamous cell carcinoma SCC‐9 cell line
Authors: Qiu Ye , Li Conghua , Wang Qinhua , Zeng Xingqi , Ji Ping
Published: January 2018

Tanshinone IIA (TAN) is one of the major functional compounds of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and possesses the ability to suppress the growth of multiple cancer cell types via its apoptosis‐ and autophagy‐inducing functions. In this study, the effect of TAN therapy on the survival of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was evaluated, and the underlying mechanism involved in the treatment was investigated. Human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell SCC‐9 was used for in vitro assays and induction in an OSCC xenograft mouse model. The tumor cells were subjected to TAN administration at different concentrations. Then the apoptosis and autophagy processes in SCC‐9 cells were evaluated and the activities of Beclin‐1/Atg7/Atg12‐Atg5 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways were determined. In addition, by knocking down the expression of Beclin‐1 in SCC‐9 cells, the study also assessed the role of the indicator in the anti‐OSCC effect of TAN. Results of in vitro assays were further validated with an OSCC xenograft mouse model. Administration of TAN‐induced cell apoptosis and upregulated the expression of cleaved‐caspase‐3. Simultaneously, the autophagy process in SCC‐9 cells was initiated by TAN, which was signaled by the formation of autophagosomes and increase in the ratio of LC3 II/LC3I. The above processes were associated with the activation of Beclin‐1/Atg7/Atg12‐Atg5 signaling and inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. Our results also inferred a partially Beclin‐1‐dependent mechanism of action of TAN in OSCC cells: knockdown of the Beclin‐1 blocked the effect of TAN on SCC‐9 cells both in vivo and in vitro. Our study provided a preliminary explanation of the mechanism involved in TAN effect: the agent exerted its autophagy‐inducing effect against OSCC in a multipronged manner, by both inducing the Beclin‐1/Atg7/Atg12‐Atg5 pathway and suppressing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Triplex modeling of the political messages consumer behavior in social networks
Authors: Sobhanifard Yaser , Sadatfarizani Seyedjavad
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper explores a triplex model of the political messages consumer behavior in social networks, combining the use of Delphi method, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and an artificial neural network (ANN).

Design/methodology/approach

The study has 3 phases. In the first phase, the Delphi method is employed, and 24 motivations for the forwarding a political message with a social media are identified; these motivations are used to develop the model in the second phase. Finally, in the last phase, an ANN is used to rank the motivations to determine their priority.

Findings

The EFA model explored includes 5 factors that have a positive effect on the level of political messages forwarding with a social network. These are Public view, Performance of Party, Disclosure, Interests and Destruction. Results from the use of an ANN indicate that the main variables in political messages forwarding are showing the relative candidate commitment to ethics (Commitment to ethics) and showing the appropriate scientific level of the relative candidate (Appropriate scientific level). From the results of the EFA model, it is clear these 2 variables are components of the factor of the Public view.

Practical implications

Political marketer, politicians, and political analyst can use our findings and model to satisfy their political messages consumer' needs and enhance their vote market and electoral success. The public view in the political message gets a very important role in its forwarding. They should show in their political messages that the relative candidate has commitment to ethics and has appropriate scientific level. They must create more message with this studies priorities and avoid produce the low priority characteristics of message of this study.

Originality/value

For the first time, the main contribution of this study is to shed light on how political messages in social network is forwarded and how political messages consumers think about political messages in the social network?
Genotype‐dependent changes in the phenolic content of durum under water‐deficit stress
Authors: Liu Haipei , Bruce Dylan R. , Sissons Mike , Able Amanda J. , Able Jason A.
Published: January 2018

Background and objectives

Consumption of whole grain cereal products, which are rich in phenolic acids, is associated with lower risk of degenerative diseases. Phenolics in plants are associated with abiotic stress adaptation due to their antioxidant activities. Free, bound, and total phenolics in the wholemeal flour of 50 durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum) genotypes were examined, in addition to the water stress tolerance capacity of selected genotypes.

Findings

This study revealed significant variation, with wholemeal flour from “Purple Grain” having the highest total phenolic content (391.0 mg gallic acid equivalent per 100 g of dry weight [GAE/100 g DW]). Under water‐deficit stress, the stress‐tolerant genotype Tamaroi had higher total phenolic content in the leaf (2880.3 mg GAE/100 g DW) compared to stress‐sensitive genotypes EGA Bellaroi and Tjilkuri (2292.6 and 2450.1 mg GAE/100 g DW, respectively). In the mature grains, stress‐tolerant genotypes Tamaroi and Yawa had significantly higher total phenolic content under stress compared to the control, while no significant change was found in the stress‐sensitive genotypes EGA Bellaroi and Tjilkuri.

Conclusions

Results suggest that phenolic content could be associated with water‐deficit stress tolerance.

Significance and novelty

Selected genotypes could now be used as parents for breeding varieties with increased phenolics and stress tolerance capacity.
Compliance assessment of US gluten‐free labeled oatmeal produced under a “Purity Protocol” indicates “Serving Level Compliance” not attained
Authors: Chen Yumin , Fritz Ronald D. , Ferrini Luara
Published: January 2018

Oats are naturally gluten‐free, but are commonly contaminated with gluten‐containing kernels of wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten compliance (FDA, gluten <20 ppm) when managed at the serving level (40–50 g) is believed to provide the best protection to consumers. In this recent in‐market survey, a third‐party laboratory tested 166 servings of oatmeal manufactured with oats produced under a “Purity Protocol.” Results indicated gluten at noncompliant levels in five servings (spanning 20.4–229 ppm). This equates to a noncompliance rate of 1 in 33 servings. This new finding is comparable to a noncompliant rate of 1 in 57 servings uncovered by our previous in‐market survey, where the gluten‐free (GF) oatmeal was manufactured with oats produced by mechanical/optical cleaning. These new findings, substantiated by the previous ones, show that GF oats not managed for gluten compliance at the serving level may introduce an intermittent bolus of gluten to consumers with celiac disease.