bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Elite Mulberry Genotypes for Fruit Traits and Biochemical Composition
Authors: D. S. Chethankumar , D. Thrilekha , Chikkalingaiah  , B. Kalpana , Gowda Manjunath
Published: August 2024

This study aimed to identify the most promising mulberry genotypes for fruit production by evaluating fruit characteristics, biochemical traits and nutritional composition. Eight elite mulberry genotypes were selected from the mulberry germplasm unit at the Department of Sericulture, GKVK, Bengaluru. The saplings were raised and transplanted into the main field 90 days after planting, following a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with a spacing of 5 × 3 feet, with three replications per genotype. The results revealed that among the eight genotypes, ME-0006 exhibited superior fruit characteristics, with the highest values for fruit length (3.16 cm), fruit width (2.01 cm), fruit weight (3.02 g) and fruit yield per plant (166.55 g). Biochemical analyses indicated that ME-0220 had the highest total soluble solids (TSS) (19.71°B), carbohydrate content (166.49 mg/g), anthocyanin (38.41 mg/g), and zinc content (mg/100g). Genotype ME-0006 recorded the highest calcium content (153.80 mg/100 g), while MI-0014 showed the highest levels of phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Additionally, ME-0086 was notable for its higher content of micronutrients and vitamin C (34.17 mg/100 g). These findings may provide valuable insights for selecting mulberry genotypes with superior fruit yield and biochemical properties, which can be further utilized in breeding programs and commercial mulberry fruit cultivation.
Influence of Climatic Factors on Sorghum Rust Severity in Dharwad, Karnataka, India
Authors: V Pavithra , HT Vinay , MS Jagadeesh , KV Ashalatha , K Premalatha
Published: August 2024

Sorghum rust, caused by Puccinia purpurea, significantly reduces crop yield, affecting plant growth and grain quality. Understanding the impact of weather parameters on disease incidence is crucial for timely disease management, to enhance crop resilience and yield stability. This study aims to identify and quantify the relationship between weather parameters and the incidence of sorghum rust, to inform decision-making on disease management strategies. A comprehensive analysis was conducted utilizing 17 years of secondary data (2006-2022) sourced from the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Sorghum and the Department of Agrometeorology at the Climate Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP), University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad. The study employed statistical methods, including Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Step-wise Regression, to model the dependence of rust disease incidence on independent variables such as precipitation, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, radiation, and heat flux. The results revealed the MLR model explains 65.45% of the variation and the Step-wise Regression model identifies four critical parameters- relative humidity, heat flux, wind speed, and radiation that together accounted for 65.09% of the variation without exhibiting multicollinearity (Variance Inflation Factor values below 10). These findings enhance the understanding of environmental impacts on sorghum rust and can inform future agricultural management strategies for disease prediction and control.
In Planta Androgenesis (Paternal Origin) in Saccharum X Erianthus Intergeneric Hybrid
Authors: Sushir K. V. , C. Apuunu , Thorat B. S.
Published: August 2024

The present investigation was carried in crosses made between Saccharum species hybrid clones i.e. Co 419, Co 7201 and Co 7224 (2n = 108-112) and Erianthus arundinaceus viz. IK 76-91 (2n = 60) and IK 76-99 (2n = 60) for introducing better ratoon ability, vigour, wide ecological adaptability, extensive root system, drought and water logging resistance, high biomass and disease resistance into modern sugarcane cultivars during 2020-23 at VSI-Sugarcane Breeding Centre, Amboli. Parental apomixis (paternal origin) has been recently noticed and it is unique in Saccharum X Erianthus intergeneric cross seedlings. A total of fifty-one seedlings were obtained from above three intergeneric crosses and out of these eighteen seedlings were reported as androgenetic seedlings as the female act as a surrogate mother. At the early stages, seed germination of seedlings was found two types i.e., one type resembling Saccharum and other resembling Erianthus with deep purple coloration. Morphologically androgenetic seedlings were similar to the male parents IK 76-91 and IK 76-99 with tall large tufted grass like clumps, vegetative stem with thick reproductive buds, root zone narrow and only one row of root eyes, the lamina gradually passes into leaf sheath with no auricle and dewlaps. Cytological studies were made in these seedlings and during metaphase the somatic chromosome number was observed to be 2n = 60 rather than expected 2n = 84-90. This paternal origin may be due to the ability of Erianthus male gametes to produce an embryo within the seed tissues of Saccharum species hybrids but without genetic contribution of the seed. Thus, in planta androgenesis is achieved through the combination of embryogenic behavior of male gametes which has entered in the ovule and the ability of ovules to act as a surrogate mother. They could derive either from the fusion of two male gametes or from the early natural diplodization of the haploid embryo. Such homozygous true breeding seedlings of Saccharum X Erianthus with hybrid vigour are extremely important in crop improvement. This system provides an unparalleled opportunity to shorten the breeding cycle and fix agronomic traits in the homozygous state. These androgenetic plants with Saccharum cytoplasm and Erianthus genome are male sterile making them highly useful for further hybridization and sugarcane improvement programme.
Evaluating Panicle Architecture and Yield Characteristics in Medium Duration Rice Genotypes through Correlation and Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Banjare Bhumika , Katiyar Pratibha , Thakur Neha , Magar Akshay S.
Published: August 2024

Panicle architecture is a crucial factor that significantly improves economic grain yield. The panicle exhibits considerable variation in its structure, including the number of branches, the length and weight of the panicle, and arrangement of the grains. These traits are not only vital for the plants reproductive efficiency but also for optimizing yield potential. This study focuses on assessing variation in panicle architecture among 31 different medium duration rice genotypes by employing principal component analysis and correlation analysis. This study aimed to dissect the complex relationship between different panicle characteristics. The findings revealed that the first three principal components together explained 60.3% of the total variability. In the first principal component (PC1), the traits SF, PBL, YPH, and HI had the highest positive eigenvalues, indicating their significant impact on overall genotype variations. The second principal component (PC2) was mainly influenced by TSP and SBN, while the third principal component (PC3) was driven by PW and SBL. These results suggest that grain yield is significantly affected by the traits SF, PBL, YPH, HI, TSP, SBN, PW, and SBL. The correlation analysis revealed that the number of secondary branches showed a positive association with unfilled spikelet. Spikelet fertility exhibited a strong positive correlation with yield hectare-1 and harvest index, highlighting its significance in overall yield improvement. Therefore, these components are crucial for differentiating rice genotypes with higher grain yield potential. By evaluating correlation and principal component analysis, we aimed to identify traits that can be targeted for crop improvement initiatives. The findings will contribute to the development of rice varieties that are better suited to specific growing conditions and have enhanced yield potential. This approach will enable the identification of key panicle architecture and yield and yield traits that optimize resource allocation and improve grain filling efficiency, ultimately leading to rice varieties with higher productivity and adaptability.
Evolution of Induce and Physical Mutagen on Vegetative Traits of Papaya (Carica papaya L.)
Authors: Veersain  , Kumar Arvind , Prakash Satya , Kumar Vipin , Kumar Mukesh , Maurya Upendra , Shekhawat Mohit Kumara Charu
Published: August 2024

The experiment was conducted on Horticultural Research Centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, located in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in RBD design and data was recorded on different growth trait of papaya.  Two variety of papaya Arka surya and Coorg honey dew, the seed of papaya was treated with Gamma and EMS mutagen and sown in field for evolution. The treatment detail of the experiment was T1, 5 Gy, T2, 10 Gy, T3, 15 Gy, T4, 0.25% EMS, T5, 0.50% EMS, T6, 0.75% EMS, T7, 5 Gy+0.25% EMS, T8, 10 Gy+0.50% EMS, and T9, 15 Gy+0.75% EMS. Finally, on the basis of result recorded that in both year days taken to seed germination and stem girth(cm), 10GR better performance over all treatment, while in number of leaves at flowering and petiole length (cm), 5GR better performance over all treatment. Whereas, In EMS and (Gamma rays + EMS), 0.25% EMS and 5G+0.25%EMS perform better result for petiole length and number of leaves at flowering while for days taken to seed germination and stem girth, 0.50%EMS and 10G+0.50%EMS perform better result.
Peptide Length and Dopa Determine Iron‐Mediated Cohesion of Mussel Foot Proteins
Authors: Das Saurabh , Rodriguez Nadine R. Martinez , Wei Wei , Waite J. Herbert , Israelachvili Jacob N.
Published: August 2015

Mussel adhesion to mineral surfaces is widely attributed to 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (Dopa) functionalities in the mussel foot proteins (mfps). Several mfps, however, show a broad range (30%–100%) of tyrosine (Tyr) to Dopa conversion suggesting that Dopa is not the only desirable outcome for adhesion. Here, a partial recombinant construct of mussel foot protein‐1 (rmfp‐1) and short decapeptide dimers with and without Dopa are used and both their cohesive and adhesive properties on mica are assessed using a surface forces apparatus. Our results demonstrate that at low pH, both the unmodified and Dopa‐containing rmfp‐1s show similar energies for adhesion to mica and self–self‐interaction. Cohesion between two Dopa‐containing rmfp‐1 surfaces can be doubled by Fe3+ chelation, but remains unchanged with unmodified rmfp‐1. At the same low pH, the Dopa‐modified short decapeptide dimer did not show any change in cohesive interactions even with Fe3+. The results suggest that the most probable intermolecular interactions are those arising from electrostatic (i.e., cation–π) and hydrophobic interactions. It is also shown that Dopa in a peptide sequence does not by itself mediate Fe3+ bridging interactions between peptide films: peptide length is a crucial enabling factor.
Polyazines and Polyazomethines with Didodecylthiophene Units for Selective Dispersion of Semiconducting Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Gomulya Widianta , Derenskyi Vladimir , Kozma Erika , Pasini Mariacecilia , Loi Maria Antonietta
Published: August 2015

Polymer wrapped single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been demonstrated to be a very efficient technique to obtain high purity semiconducting SWNT solutions. However, the extraction yield of this technique is low compared to other techniques. Poly‐alkyl‐thiophenes have been reported to show higher extraction yield compare to polyfluorene derivatives. Here, the affinity for semiconducting SWNTs of two polymers with a backbone containing didodecylthiophene units interspersed with N atoms is reported. It is demonstrated that one of the polymers, namely, poly(2,5‐dimethylidynenitrilo‐3,4‐didodecylthienylene) (PAMDD), has very high semiconducting SWNT extraction yield compared to the poly(3,4‐didodecylthienylene)azine (PAZDD). The dissimilar wrapping efficiency of these two polymers for semiconducting SWNTs is attributed to the interplay between the affinity for the nitrogen atoms of the highly polarizable walls of SWNTs and the mechanical flexibility of the polymer backbones. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements demonstrate the presence of metallic tubes and SWNT bundles in the sample selected with PAZDD and higher purity of SWNT‐PAMDD samples. The high purity of the semiconducting SWNTs selected by PAMDD is further demonstrated by the high performance of the solution‐processed field‐effect transistors (FETs) fabricated using a blade coating technique, which exhibit hole mobilities up to 33.3 cm2 V−1 s−1 with on/off ratios of 106.
Coupling and Interlayer Exciton in Twist‐Stacked WS2 Bilayers
Authors: Zheng Shoujun , Sun Linfeng , Zhou Xiaohao , Liu Fucai , Liu Zheng , Shen Zexiang , Fan Hong Jin
Published: August 2015

Interlayer electronic and mechanical couplings of transitional metal dichalcogenides due to Van der Waals force determine their band structure and Raman modes evolution, respectively. Twist‐stacked WS2 bilayers have been synthesized with twist angles of 0°, 13°, 30°, 41°, 60°, and 83° via chemical‐vapor depositon, which allows us to study the coupling effect by Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy and density function calculation. The photoluminescence property implies that these random‐twisted WS2 bilayers behave as quasi‐direct bandgap material due to weakened interlayer coupling as a result of larger interlayer distances than the nontwisted 0° and 60° stacked WS2 bilayers (with an indirect band gap). In addition, an additional small peak (AI) near the excitonic transition peak (A) is observed from the twisted bilayers, which can be attributed to the interlayer exciton transition.
Photoreversible On–Off Recording of Persistent Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence
Authors: Katsurada Yuki , Hirata Shuzo , Totani Kenro , Watanabe Toshiyuki , Vacha Martin
Published: August 2015

Photoreversible on–off recording of red persistent room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) is demonstrated. Host–guest materials composed of a persistent phosphorescent guest (D), a photochromic guest (A), and an amorphous steroidal host show red persistent RTP with a lifetime longer than 1 s based on D. The red persistent RTP function is erased by ultraviolet irradiation and recovered by irradiation with green light. The reversible photocyclization and decyclization of A allows and prevents dual dipole–dipole energy transfer from the singlet and triplet states of D to the ground state of A, respectively. The occurrence and lack of dual dipole–dipole energy transfer trigger the deactivation and activation of red persistent RTP from D, respectively. In samples labeled by the recording material, the RTP function of a specific target can be selectively activated using green light irradiation and the movement of the target can be detected as red persistent emission signal without interference from the movement of other persistent phosphorescent species as well as excitation light scattering.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Highly Chemoselective Cascade Coupling‐Cyclization of Allenol Derivatives and Aryl Halides for the Construction of Dihydrobenzofuranols or Chromanols and Indolinols
Authors: Miao Pingping , Wang Hongkai , Liu Lingyan , Chang Weixing , Li Jing
Published: August 2015

A highly chemoselective, palladium‐catalyzed, cascade coupling‐cyclization of allenol derivatives containing multiple functional groups was developed. Through this reaction, a series of functional dihydrobenzofuranols or chromanols and indolinols was easily obtained in good to high yields.
Oxidative Coupling of an Enaminoporphyrin: C−C, N−N Linkages or Both?
Authors: Jimenez Angel J. , Mesa Noelia Sabater , Pereira Ana Mafalda V. M. , Jean Marion , Vincent Bruno , Jeandon Christophe , Gisselbrecht Jean‐Paul , Ruppert Romain
Published: August 2015

A symmetrical bis‐nickelporphyrin was prepared in very good yield by oxidative coupling of a nickel(II) enaminoporphyrin. This dimer was obtained by the intermolecular reaction of the starting enamine (acting as nucleophile) with the porphyrin radical cation (acting as electrophile) generated in situ. Alternatively, by using different reaction conditions, an N−N linked porphyrin dimer was obtained in moderate yield. The monomeric extended porphyrin leading to the N−N linked dimer was obtained by the intramolecular reaction of the same radical cation with the neighbouring meso‐aryl group (acting as nucleophile).
Ongoing Pursuit of Diterpenoid Alkaloids: A Synthetic View
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Yu , Qin Yong
Published: August 2015

The incorporation of nitrogen atoms into policyclic diterpenes has led to one of the most fascinating group of natural products with cage‐like structures: diterpenoid alkaloids. Their singular architectural features and significant bioactivities made them highly pursued targets amongst the synthetic community over decades. A total of seven types of diterpenoid alkaloid molecules have been synthesized thus far, and the research in this area experienced a new climax in the past five years. With a brief overview and summary of the historic achievements, this Focus Review particularly covers the recent, post‐2010 advances in the field of diterpenoid alkaloid synthesis, highlighting the utilization of innovative synthetic methods and strategies. Despite numerous achievements, there are still a number of such alkaloids with different and unique structural types waiting to be accomplished, implying that the pursuit is far from ending.
Carbon isotope ratios of human tooth enamel record the evidence of terrestrial resource consumption during the Jomon period, Japan
Authors: Kusaka Soichiro , Uno Kevin T. , Nakano Takanori , Nakatsukasa Masato , Cerling Thure E.
Published: August 2015

Objective:

Archaeological remains strongly suggest that the Holocene Japanese hunter‐gatherers, the Jomon people, utilized terrestrial plants as their primary food source. However, carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of bone collagen indicates that they primarily exploited marine resources. We hypothesize that this inconsistency stems from the route of protein synthesis and the different proportions of protein‐derived carbon in tooth enamel versus bone collagen. Carbon isotope ratios from bone collagen reflect that of dietary protein and may provide a biased signal of diet, whereas isotope ratios from tooth enamel reflect the integrated diet from all macronutrients (carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins).

Methods:

In order to evaluate the differences in inferred diet between the archaeological evidence and bone collagen isotope data, this study investigated carbon isotopes in Jomon tooth enamel from four coastal sites of the Middle to Late–Final Jomon period (5,000–2,300 years BP).

Results:

Carbon isotope ratios of human teeth are as depleted as coeval terrestrial mammals, suggesting that C3 plants and terrestrial mammals were major dietary resources for the Jomon people. Dietary dependence on marine resources calculated from enamel was significantly lower than that calculated from bone collagen. The discrepancy in isotopic ratios between enamel and collagen and the nitrogen isotope ratio in collagen shows a negative correlation on individual and population levels, suggesting diets with variable proportions of terrestrial and marine resources.

Conclusion:

This study highlights the usefulness of coupling tooth enamel and bone collagen in carbon isotopic studies to reconstruct prehistoric human diet. Am J Phys Anthropol 158:300–311, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Economic Impact of the Mining Boom on Indigenous and Non‐Indigenous Australians
Authors: Hunter Boyd , Howlett Monica , Gray Matthew
Published: August 2015

Many mining operations are on or near Indigenous land, and the strong level of investment during the recent mining boom may have disproportionately affected Indigenous communities. This article examines changes in local Indigenous employment, income and housing costs to identify any localised ‘resource curse’ for Indigenous communities and the Australian population at large. Census data are used to show the mining boom has improved employment and income outcomes, but increased average housing costs. While the average increase in income has generally offset the increase in costs, housing stress for low‐income households has increased as a result of the mining boom.
A NONOVARY‐SPECIFIC VITELLOGENIN RECEPTOR FROM THE ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY, Bactrocera dorsalis (HENDEL)
Authors: Lin Wei‐Jen , Chien Ching‐Yi , Tsai Cheng‐Lung , Chen Mei‐Er
Published: August 2015

The yolk protein precursor, vitellogenin (Vg), is absorbed into growing oocytes via receptor‐mediated endocytosis for embryonic development. In this study, a Vg receptor (VgR) cDNA of the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel) was cloned via RT‐PCR and RACE (GenBank accession no. KR535603) and its expression analyzed. The BdVgR cDNA has a length of 6,585 bp encoding 1,923 amino acids. It has a conserved motif arrangement with other insect VgRs, and showed high identity to the B. cucurbitae VgR (91.4%). The expression of BdVgR mRNA and proteins was shown in both ovary and fat body. This is the first report on a nonovary‐specific VgR from a nonsocial insect. In ovary, the expression of BdVgR mRNA and proteins was inconsistent, with the transcription, but not protein, level high on D0. In fat body, the expression levels of BdVgR mRNA and proteins were high on days 5 and 6. The function of BdVgR in the fat body is not clear. However, it may be involved in reuptake of yolk proteins from the hemolymph as an amino acid reservoir or as autocrine regulation of yolk protein expression.
Probability Analysis of Terminal Sliding Mode Control of Second‐Order Markovian Jump Systems
Authors: Zhu Jiaming , Yu Xinghuo , Zhang Tianping , Cao Zhiqiang , Yang Yuequan , Fang Yu
Published: August 2015

This paper explores the probability problems on terminal sliding mode control of second‐order nonlinear continuous Markovian jump systems. An equivalent control based terminal sliding mode control scheme is proposed that can guarantee the systems' finite time mean‐square stability. By introducing a multi‐step transition conditional probability, the novel reaching and sliding probabilities are derived for the situations where the control force is not strong enough. This indicates that the reaching and sliding probabilities are both monotonically bounded non‐decreasing non‐negative piecewise right‐continuous functions of the control parameter. A numerical example is given to show the feasibility of the theoretical results.
Lateralization of Brain Networks and Clinical Severity in Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A HARDI Diffusion MRI Study
Authors: Conti Eugenia , Calderoni Sara , Gaglianese Anna , Pannek Kerstin , Mazzotti Sara , Rose Stephen , Scelfo Danilo , Tosetti Michela , Muratori Filippo , Cioni Giovanni , Guzzetta Andrea
Published: August 2015

Recent diffusion tensor imaging studies in adolescents and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have reported a loss or an inversion of the typical left–right lateralization in fronto‐temporal regions crucial for sociocommunicative skills. No studies explored atypical lateralization in toddlers and its correlation with clinical severity of ASD. We recruited a cohort of 20 subjects aged 36 months or younger receiving a first clinical diagnosis of ASD (15 males; age range 20–36 months). Patients underwent diffusion MRI (High‐Angular‐Resolution Diffusion Imaging protocol). Data from cortical parcellation were combined with tractography to obtain a connection matrix and diffusion indexes (DI) including mean fractional anisotropy (DFA), number of tracts (DNUM), and total tract length (DTTL). A laterality index was generated for each measure, and then correlated with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule‐Generic (ADOS‐G) total score. Laterality indexes of DFA were significantly correlated with ADOS‐G total scores only in two intrafrontal connected areas (correlation was positive in one case and negative in the other). Laterality indexes of DTTL and DNUM showed significant negative correlations (P < 0.05) in six connected areas, mainly fronto‐temporal. This study provides first evidence of a significant correlation between brain lateralization of diffusion indexes and clinical severity in toddlers with a first diagnosis of ASD. Significant correlations mainly involved regions within the fronto‐temporal circuits, known to be crucial for sociocommunicative skills. It is of interest that all correlations but one were negative, suggesting an inversion of the typical left–right asymmetry in subjects with most severe clinical impairment. Autism Res 2016, 9: 382–392. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficient fluorescence energy transfer system between fluorescein isothiocyanate and CdTe quantum dots for the detection of silver ions
Authors: Feng Yueshu , Liu Liwei , Hu Siyi , Zou Peng , Zhang Jiaqi , Huang Chen , Wang Yue , Wang Sihan , Zhang Xihe
Published: August 2015

We report a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) system in which the fluorescent donor is fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) dye and the fluorescent acceptor is CdTe quantum dot (QDs). Based on FRET quenching theory, we designed a method to detect the concentration of silver ions (Ag+). The results revealed a good linear trend over Ag+ concentrations in the range 0.01–8.96 nmol/L, a range that was larger than with other methods; the quenching coefficient is 0.442. The FRET mechanism and physical mechanisms responsible for dynamic quenching are also discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biological and protein‐binding studies of newly synthesized polymer–cobalt(III) complexes
Authors: Vignesh G. , Pradeep I. , Arunachalam S. , Vignesh S. , Arthur James R. , Arun R. , Premkumar K.
Published: August 2015

The polymer–cobalt(III) complexes, [Co(bpy)(dien)BPEI]Cl3 · 4H2O (bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine, dien = diethylentriamine, BPEI = branched polyethyleneimine) were synthesized and characterized. The interaction of these complexes with human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated under physiological conditions using various physico‐chemical techniques. The results reveal that the fluorescence quenching of serum albumins by polymer–cobalt(III) complexes took place through static quenching. The binding of these complexes changed the molecular conformation of the protein considerably. The polymer–cobalt(III) complex with x = 0.365 shows antimicrobial activity against several human pathogens. This complex also induces cytotoxicity against MCF‐7 through apoptotic induction. However, further studies are needed to decipher the molecular mode of action of polymer–cobalt(III) complex and for its possible utilization in anticancer therapy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new silver nanochain SERS analytical platform to detect trace hexametaphosphate with a rhodamine S molecular probe
Authors: Shang Guangyun , Li Chongning , Wen Guiqing , Zhang Xinghui , Liang Aihui , Jiang Zhiliang
Published: August 2015

Using AgNO3as the precursor, stable silver nanochain (AgNC) sols, orange‐red in color, were prepared using hydrazine hydrate. A strong surface plasmon resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) peak occurred at 420 nm plus two surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption peaks at 410 nm and 510 nm. Rhodamine S (RhS) cationic dye was absorbed on the as‐prepared AgNC substrate to obtain a RhS–AgNC surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoprobe that exhibited a strong SERS peak at 1506 cm–1and a strong RRS peak at 375 nm. Upon addition of the analyte sodium hexametaphosphate (HP), it reacted with RhS, which resulted in a decrease in the SERS and RRS peaks that was studied in detail. The decreased SERS and RRS intensities correlated linearly with HP concentration in the range of 0.0125–0.3 µmol/L and 0.05–1.0 µmol/L, with a detection limit of 6 nmol/L and 20 nmol/L HP respectively. Due to advantages of high sensitivity, good selectivity and simple operation, the RhS molecular probes were used to determine HP concentration in real samples. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural and Optical Properties of Nitrogen‐doped Zinc Oxide Thin Films Grown on Muscovite Mica Substrates Using Sol–Gel Process
Authors: Kim Younggyu , Leem Jae‐Young
Published: August 2015

Nitrogen (N)‐doped zinc oxide (NZO) thin films were grown on muscovite mica substrates by sol–gel spin‐coating and their structural and optical properties were investigated for various N concentrations (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 at. %). The surface morphologies of all the films exhibited granular structures consisting of spherical nano‐sized crystallites. The (1 0 0) and (0 0 2) diffraction peaks were observed at 0, 3, and 6 at. % N concentration, while the (1 0 0) peak could not be distinguished and the (0 0 2) peak intensities decreased gradually at the higher concentrations. The near‐band‐edge to deep‐level emission intensity ratio increased significantly with increasing N concentration up to 6 at. %. All the films exhibited an average transmittance of more than 75% in the visible region. The optical band gap and Urbach energy determined by the measured transmittance were obviously dependent on the N concentration.
An Efficient Total Synthesis of Mulberrofuran B and L
Authors: Kim Cheol Gi , Jun Jong‐Gab
Published: August 2015

An efficient approach has been developed for the synthesis of mulberrofuran B and L from 2,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde and 5‐bromoresorcinol. The key steps of the synthesis are neutral Al2O3
‐mediated regioselective geranylation, Ramirez gem‐dibromoolefination, and the Suzuki coupling.
Caprylic acid‐induced impurity precipitation from protein A capture column elution pool to enable a two‐chromatography‐step process for monoclonal antibody purification
Authors: Zheng Ji , Wang Lu , Twarowska Barbara , Laino Sarah , Sparks Colleen , Smith Timothy , Russell Reb , Wang Michelle
Published: August 2015

This article presents the use of caprylic acid (CA) to precipitate impurities from the protein A capture column elution pool for the purification of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with the objective of developing a two chromatography step antibody purification process. A CA‐induced impurity precipitation in the protein A column elution pool was evaluated as an alternative method to polishing chromatography techniques for use in the purification of mAbs. Parameters including pH, CA concentrations, mixing time, mAb concentrations, buffer systems, and incubation temperatures were evaluated on their impacts on the impurity removal, high‐molecular weight (HMW) formation and precipitation step yield. Both pH and CA concentration, but not mAb concentrations and buffer systems, are key parameters that can affect host–cell proteins (HCPs) clearance, HMW species, and yield. CA precipitation removes HCPs and some HMW species to the acceptable levels under the optimal conditions. The CA precipitation process is robust at 15–25°C. For all five mAbs tested in this study, the optimal CA concentration range is 0.5–1.0%, while the pH range is from 5.0 to 6.0. A purification process using two chromatography steps (protein A capture column and ion exchange polishing column) in combination with CA‐based impurity precipitation step can be used as a robust downstream process for mAb molecules with a broad range of isoelectric points. Residual CA can be effectively removed by the subsequent polishing cation exchange chromatography. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:1515–1525, 2015
Fermentanomics: Relating quality attributes of a monoclonal antibody to cell culture process variables and raw materials using multivariate data analysis
Authors: Rathore Anurag S. , Kumar Singh Sumit , Pathak Mili , Read Erik K. , Brorson Kurt A. , Agarabi Cyrus D. , Khan Mansoor
Published: August 2015

Fermentanomics is an emerging field of research and involves understanding the underlying controlled process variables and their effect on process yield and product quality. Although major advancements have occurred in process analytics over the past two decades, accurate real‐time measurement of significant quality attributes for a biotech product during production culture is still not feasible. Researchers have used an amalgam of process models and analytical measurements for monitoring and process control during production. This article focuses on using multivariate data analysis as a tool for monitoring the internal bioreactor dynamics, the metabolic state of the cell, and interactions among them during culture. Quality attributes of the monoclonal antibody product that were monitored include glycosylation profile of the final product along with process attributes, such as viable cell density and level of antibody expression. These were related to process variables, raw materials components of the chemically defined hybridoma media, concentration of metabolites formed during the course of the culture, aeration‐related parameters, and supplemented raw materials such as glucose, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, and tyrosine. This article demonstrates the utility of multivariate data analysis for correlating the product quality attributes (especially glycosylation) to process variables and raw materials (especially amino acid supplements in cell culture media). The proposed approach can be applied for process optimization to increase product expression, improve consistency of product quality, and target the desired quality attribute profile. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:1586–1599, 2015
President's page
Authors: Hirsh Sandy
Published: August 2015

EDITOR'S SUMMARY

In addition to ongoing work on the strategic planning initiative, an important focus for the Association has been outreach to a wider audience of information industry professionals, academics and institutions around the world. The goal of the Information Professionals Task Force is to broaden the Association's scope to include practitioners in related professions, industry employers and the general public interested in information. A demonstration website is under construction with targeted content, job descriptions and links to collaborating organizations, with survey input from members in other information organizations. The International Relations Committee is tasked with promoting ASIS&T recruitment and retention of members beyond North America. Personal stories from international members, international student feedback on website development and membership dues awards will raise awareness of the benefits of Association membership for this audience.
RDAP15 Summit Report: Introduction
Authors: Mannheimer Sara
Published: August 2015

EDITOR'S SUMMARY

The 2015 ASIS&T Research Data Access & Preservation (RDAP) Summit presented an opportunity to explore the current state and challenges facing librarians providing research data services. From pre‐conference meetings and the opening keynote through lightning talks, posters and roundtable discussions, Summit attendees considered data education, outreach and networking and evaluation of progress, all of which are represented in the articles of this special section. Keynote speaker Claudia Neuhauser spoke of the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in research data services, equally challenging for big data and small. Special attention was paid to curating student research data and specialized documentation. A special panel examined the mandate in the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) memo and responses to it.
Building Outreach on Assessment: Researcher Compliance with Journal Policies for Data Sharing
Authors: Fear Kathleen
Published: August 2015

EDITOR'S SUMMARY

Discouraged by researchers’ low response to informational offerings on data sharing, librarians at the University of Rochester's River Campus Libraries refined their outreach strategies. To understand the support that faculty members may need, they checked the data sharing policies of journals that faculty members publish in and the level of compliance. A review of journal policies and evidence of data sharing showed both requirements and compliance varied widely. The university librarians plan to offer workshops specifically on data sharing requirements for PLOS One, the journal researchers published in most in 2014. Researchers with strong data sharing practices will be encouraged to mentor colleagues. Ongoing compliance assessment will point out where further library support may be effective.
DLF E‐Research Network Members Attend 2015 RDAP Summit
Authors: Clement Gail , Van Duinen Rita
Published: August 2015

EDITOR'S SUMMARY

The DLF E‐Research Network, created in 2014, brings together the Digital Library Federation (DLF) and the Council on Library and Information Resources to help academic and research libraries devise collaborative strategies for data management support practices. E‐Research Network members develop support strategies appropriate for their institutions through collaboration, resource sharing, webinars and custom consultations. One of 13 universities participating in the E‐Research Network, the California Institute of Technology has been a member of the network's 2015 cohort, engaging with the wider research data management community and considering roles, resources, storage infrastructure, data ownership, rights and management costs. The 2015 cohort met in conjunction with the RDAP Summit as a community‐building and shared‐learning experience, and in a later debriefing session they identified key themes to pursue. As an emerging community of practice the DLF anticipates working with a new cohort of institutions annually.
Everyone's Job: Making Sense of the Mess
Authors: Creekmore Laura
Published: August 2015

EDITOR'S SUMMARY

The need for information specialists is widespread and growing, and it presented itself in discouraging clarity at a state motor vehicle office. The author's daughter was to get her driver's license, prepared with necessary paperwork and a scheduled appointment, but no preparation could contend with the disarray, lines and lack of organization, signage and information on site. Reassurance from help desk staff was false and misleading. The visit, though ultimately successful, was frustrating, full of wasted time and a stark reminder of the prevalence of bad, poorly presented or missing information without enough information specialists to fix it all. A book by Abby Covert, How to Make Sense of Any Mess, presents useful advice for information professionals facing everyday information challenges.
The Cremeomycin Biosynthetic Gene Cluster Encodes a Pathway for Diazo Formation
Authors: Waldman Abraham J. , Pechersky Yakov , Wang Peng , Wang Jennifer X. , Balskus Emily P.
Published: August 2015

Diazo groups are found in a range of natural products that possess potent biological activities. Despite longstanding interest in these metabolites, diazo group biosynthesis is not well understood, in part because of difficulties in identifying specific genes linked to diazo formation. Here we describe the discovery of the gene cluster that produces the o‐diazoquinone natural product cremeomycin and its heterologous expression in Streptomyces lividans. We used stable isotope feeding experiments and in vitro characterization of biosynthetic enzymes to decipher the order of events in this pathway and establish that diazo construction involves late‐stage N−N bond formation. This work represents the first successful production of a diazo‐containing metabolite in a heterologous host, experimentally linking a set of genes with diazo formation.
The parameter domain of convective instability of the adiabatic packed‐bed reactor
Authors: Yakhnin Vladimir , Rattanayotsakun Sorathep , Jaree Attasak , Menzinger Michael
Published: August 2015

Packed‐bed reactors (PBR) can exhibit two types of convective instability: dynamic or differential‐flow instability (DIFI), and static instability, commonly referred to as parametric sensitivity (PS). DIFI and PS both amplify external perturbations and may result in reactor temperature excursions that can damage the product and the reactor itself. The convective character of DIFI and PS manifests itself physically in the return of the reactor to its initial stationary state after the external perturbation subsides. In this paper we describe a method of mapping the convective instability domain in the parameter space of a PBR and illustrate its application using a simple reactor model involving the standard exothermic reaction A → B + heat.
Numerical simulation of gas‐solid heat transfer behaviour in rectangular spouted bed
Authors: Wang Chunhua , Zhong Zhaoping , Wang Xiaoyi , Alting Siti Aisyah
Published: August 2015

In order to investigate heat transfer behaviour at an individual particle scale, the particle cooling process in a rectangular spouted bed is simulated by the Computational Fluid Dynamics‐Discrete Element Method (CFD‐DEM). As the inlet gas velocity increases, the gas‐particle convective heat transfer in the jet region is intensified, while the convective heat transfer in the annular region is weakened. The inlet gas velocity also has an influence on the particle‐particle conductive heat transfer. Particle‐particle conductive heat transfer in the jet and fountain regions can both be enhanced by increasing inlet gas velocity, but this variation trend is opposite in the annular region. Additionally, the temperature distributions of particle and gas phases in the bed are also analyzed in detail. Compared with the infrared thermography experiment, the particle cooling process in the simulation results agrees closely with that in the experimental results.
High incidence of germline BRCA mutation in patients with ER low‐positive/PR low‐positive/HER‐2 neu negative tumors
Authors: Sanford Rachel A. , Song Juhee , Gutierrez‐Barrera Angelica M. , Profato Jessica , Woodson Ashley , Litton Jennifer Keating , Bedrosian Isabelle , Albarracin Constance T. , Valero Vicente , Arun Banu
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

The 2015 National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend that genetic counseling and germline BRCA mutation testing be offered to women under age 60 with triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). As a result of the 2010 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)/College of American Pathologists (CAP) guidelines for breast cancer, patients with breast cancers that are estrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR) low‐positive (1%‐9% on immunohistochemistry) are no longer strictly considered to have TNBC and may not be referred for genetic counseling. However, the incidence of BRCA mutation in patients with hormone receptor (HR) low‐positive breast cancers remains unknown, and current ASCO/CAP guidelines may result in undertesting for BRCA mutations.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained research database of breast cancer patients evaluated at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between 2004 and 2014 was reviewed; 314 patients were identified with HER2/neu–negative breast cancers expressing ER and PR <10% with known BRCA mutation status.

RESULTS

Three hundred fourteen patients had breast cancers expressing ER and PR <10%; 238 (75.8%) had HR‐negative cancers (<1% ER and PR), and 76 (24.2%) had HR–low‐positive cancers (1%‐9% ER and/or PR). Among patients with HR‐negative tumors, 86 of 238 (36.1%) had a BRCA1/2 mutation, whereas in the HR–low‐positive group, 30 of 76 (39.5%) had a BRCA1/2 mutation. In multivariate analysis, HR status (<1% vs 1%‐9%) was not significantly associated with BRCA1/2 mutations.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of BRCA1/2 mutations is similar in patients with HR–low‐positive breast cancer and patients with HR‐negative breast cancer. Genetic counseling and BRCA testing should be offered to patients under age 60 who have HR–low‐positive breast cancers. Cancer 2015;121:3435–43. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Assessment of long‐term outcomes associated with urinary prostate cancer antigen 3 and TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion at repeat biopsy
Authors: Merdan Selin , Tomlins Scott A. , Barnett Christine L. , Morgan Todd M. , Montie James E. , Wei John T. , Denton Brian T.
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

In men with clinically localized prostate cancer who have undergone at least 1 previous negative biopsy and have elevated serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels, long‐term health outcomes associated with the assessment of urinary prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) and the transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2):v‐ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog (avian) (ERG) gene fusion (T2:ERG) have not been investigated previously in relation to the decision to recommend a repeat biopsy.

METHODS

The authors performed a decision analysis using a decision tree for men with elevated PSA levels. The probability of cancer was estimated using the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial Risk Calculator (version 2.0). The use of PSA alone was compared with the use of PCA3 and T2:ERG scores, with each evaluated independently, in combination with PSA to trigger a repeat biopsy. When PCA3 and T2:ERG score evaluations were used, predefined thresholds were established to determine whether the patient should undergo a repeat biopsy. Biopsy outcomes were defined as either positive (with a Gleason score of <7, 7, or >7) or negative. Probabilities and estimates of 10‐year overall survival and 15‐year cancer‐specific survival were derived from previous studies and a literature review. Outcomes were defined as age‐dependent and Gleason score‐dependent 10‐year overall and 15‐year cancer‐specific survival rates and the percentage of biopsies avoided.

RESULTS

Incorporating the PCA3 score (biopsy threshold, 25; generated based on the urine PCA3 level normalized to the amount of PSA messenger RNA) or the T2:ERG score (biopsy threshold, 10; based on the urine T2:ERG level normalized to the amount of PSA messenger RNA) into the decision to recommend repeat biopsy would have avoided 55.4% or 64.7% of repeat biopsies for the base‐case patient, respectively, and changes in the 10‐year survival rate were only 0.93% or 1.41%, respectively. Multi‐way sensitivity analyses suggested that these results were robust with respect to the model parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of PCA3 or T2:ERG testing for repeat biopsy decisions can substantially reduce the number of biopsies without significantly affecting 10‐year survival. Cancer 2015;121:4071–4079. © 2015 American Cancer Society.