bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Pickup Ion Composition Spectrometer
Authors: Gilbert Jason A. , Zurbuchen Thomas H. , Battel Steven
Published: June 2016

Observations of newly ionized atoms that are picked up by the magnetic field in the expanding solar wind contain crucial information about the gas or dust compositions of their origins. The pickup ions (PUIs) are collected by plasma mass spectrometers and analyzed for their density, composition, and velocity distribution. In addition to measurements of PUIs from planetary sources, in situ measurements of interstellar gas have been made possible by spectrometers capable of differentiating between heavy ions of solar and interstellar origin. While important research has been done on these often singly charged ions, the instruments that have detected many of them were designed for the energy range and ionic charge states of the solar wind and energized particle populations, and not for pickup ions. An instrument optimized for the complete energy and time‐of‐flight characterization of pickup ions will unlock a wealth of data on these hitherto unobserved or unresolved PUI species. The Pickup Ion Composition Spectrometer (PICSpec) is one such instrument and can enable the next generation of pickup ion and isotopic mass composition measurements. By combining a large‐gap time‐of‐flight–energy sensor with a −100 kV high‐voltage power supply for ion acceleration, PUIs will not only be above the detection threshold of traditional solid‐state energy detectors but also be resolved sufficiently in time of flight that isotopic composition can be determined. This technology will lead to a new generation of space composition instruments, optimized for measurements of both heliospheric and planetary pickup ions.
Variance anisotropy in compressible 3‐D MHD
Authors: Oughton S. , Matthaeus W. H. , Wan Minping , Parashar Tulasi
Published: June 2016

We employ spectral method numerical simulations to examine the dynamical development of anisotropy of the variance, or polarization, of the magnetic and velocity field in compressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence. Both variance anisotropy and spectral anisotropy emerge under influence of a large‐scale mean magnetic field B0; these are distinct effects, although sometimes related. Here we examine the appearance of variance parallel to B0, when starting from a highly anisotropic state. The discussion is based on a turbulence theoretic approach rather than a wave perspective. We find that parallel variance emerges over several characteristic nonlinear times, often attaining a quasi‐steady level that depends on plasma beta. Consistency with solar wind observations seems to occur when the initial state is dominated by quasi‐two‐dimensional fluctuations.
Propagation of small size magnetic holes in the magnetospheric plasma sheet
Authors: Yao S. T. , Shi Q. Q. , Li Z. Y. , Wang X. G. , Tian A. M. , Sun W. J. , Hamrin M. , Wang M. M. , Pitkänen T. , Bai S. C. , Shen X. C. , Ji X. F. , Pokhotelov D. , Yao Z. H. , Xiao T. , Pu Z. Y. , Fu S. Y. , Zong Q. G. , De Spiegeleer A. , Liu W. , Zhang H. , Rème H.
Published: June 2016

Magnetic holes (MHs), characteristic structures where the magnetic field magnitude decreases significantly, have been frequently observed in space plasmas. Particularly, small size magnetic holes (SSMHs) which the scale is less than or close to the proton gyroradius are recently detected in the magnetospheric plasma sheet. In this study of Cluster observations, by the timing method, the minimum directional difference (MDD) method, and the spatiotemporal difference (STD) method, we obtain the propagation velocity of SSMHs in the plasma flow frame. Furthermore, based on electron magnetohydrodynamics (EMHD) theory we calculate the velocity, width, and depth of the electron solitary wave and compare it to SSMH observations. The result shows a good accord between the theory and the observation.
Future aerosol reductions and widening of the northern tropical belt
Authors: Allen Robert J. , Ajoku Osinachi
Published: June 2016

Observations show that the tropical belt has widened over the past few decades, a phenomenon associated with poleward migration of subtropical dry zones and large‐scale atmospheric circulation. Although part of this signal is related to natural climate variability, studies have identified an externally forced contribution primarily associated with greenhouse gases (GHGs) and stratospheric ozone loss. Here we show that the increase in aerosols over the twentieth century has led to contraction of the northern tropical belt, thereby offsetting part of the widening associated with the increase in GHGs. Over the 21st century, however, when aerosol emissions are projected to decrease, the effects of aerosols and GHGs reinforce one another, both contributing to widening of the northern tropical belt. Models that have larger aerosol forcing, by including aerosol indirect effects on cloud albedo and lifetime, yield significantly larger Northern Hemisphere (NH) tropical widening than models with direct aerosol effects only. More targeted simulations show that future reductions in aerosols can drive NH tropical widening as large as greenhouse gases, and idealized simulations show the importance of NH midlatitude aerosol forcing. Mechanistically, the 21st century reduction in aerosols peaks near 40°N, which results in a corresponding maximum increase in surface solar radiation, NH midlatitude tropospheric warming amplification, and a poleward shift in the latitude of maximum baroclinicity, implying a corresponding shift in atmospheric circulation. If models with aerosol indirect effects better represent the real world, then future aerosol changes are likely to be an important—if not dominant—driver of NH tropical belt widening.
A mathematical framework for analysis of water tracers: Part 1: Development of theory and application to the preindustrial mean state
Authors: Singh H. A. , Bitz C. M. , Nusbaumer J. , Noone D. C.
Published: June 2016

A new matrix operator framework is developed to analyze results from climate modeling studies that employ numerical water tracers (WTs), which track the movement of water in the aerial hydrological cycle from evaporation to precipitation. Model WT output is related to the fundamental equation of hydrology, and the moisture flux divergence is subdivided into the divergence of locally evaporated moisture and the convergence of remotely evaporated moisture. The formulation also separates locally and remotely sourced precipitation. The remote contribution (also the remote moisture convergence) may be further subdivided into zonal, meridional, intrabasin, and interbasin parts. This framework is applied to the preindustrial climate as simulated by a global climate model in which water has been tagged in 10° latitude bands in each of the major ocean basins, and in which each major land mass has been tagged separately. New insights from the method reveal fundamental differences between the major ocean basins in locally sourced precipitation, remotely sourced precipitation, and their relative partitioning. Per unit area, the subtropical Atlantic is the largest global moisture source, providing precipitable water to adjacent land areas and to the eastern Pacific tropics while retaining the least for in situ precipitation. Subtropical moisture is least divergent over the Pacific, which is the smallest moisture source (per unit area) for global land areas. Basins also differ in how subtropical moisture is partitioned between tropical, midlatitude, and land regions. Part II will apply this framework to hydrological cycle perturbations due to CO2 doubling.
Surface‐Shielding Nanostructures Derived from Self‐Assembled Block Copolymers Enable Reliable Plasma Doping for Few‐Layer Transition Metal Dichalcogenides
Authors: Yim Soonmin , Sim Dong Min , Park Woon Ik , Choi Min‐Jae , Choi Jaesuk , Jeon Jaebeom , Kim Kwang Ho , Jung Yeon Sik
Published: June 2016

Precise modulation of electrical and optical properties of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is required for their application to high‐performance devices. Although conventional plasma‐based doping methods have provided excellent controllability and reproducibility for bulk or relatively thick TMDs, the application of plasma doping for ultrathin few‐layer TMDs has been hindered by serious degradation of their properties. Herein, a reliable and universal doping route is reported for few‐layer TMDs by employing surface‐shielding nanostructures during a plasma‐doping process. It is shown that the surface‐protection oxidized polydimethylsiloxane nanostructures obtained from the sub‐20 nm self‐assembly of Si‐containing block copolymers can preserve the integrity of 2D TMDs and maintain high mobility while affording extensive control over the doping level. For example, the self‐assembled nanostructures form periodically arranged plasma‐blocking and plasma‐accepting nanoscale regions for realizing modulated plasma doping on few‐layer MoS2, controlling the n‐doping level of few‐layer MoS2 from 1.9 × 1011 cm−2 to 8.1 × 1011 cm−2 via the local generation of extra sulfur vacancies without compromising the carrier mobility.
Efficient Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters Utilizing (001) Textured Bimorph PZT Films on Flexible Metal Foils
Authors: Yeo Hong Goo , Ma Xiaokun , Rahn Christopher , Trolier‐McKinstry Susan
Published: June 2016

Extracting energy from low vibration frequencies (<10 Hz) using piezoelectric energy harvester promises continuous self‐powering for sensors and wearables. The piezoelectric compliant mechanism (PCM) design provides a significantly higher efficiency by fostering a uniform strain for its 1st mode shape, and so is interesting for this application. In this paper, a PCM energy harvester with bimorph Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) films on Ni foil deposited by rf magnetron sputtering is shown to have high efficiency and large power for low frequency mechanical vibration. In particular, {001} textured PZT films are deposited on both sides of polished Ni foils with (100) oriented LaNiO3 seed layers on HfO2 buffer layers. The performance of PCM with an active area of 5.2 cm2 is explored for various excitation accelerations (0.02–0.16 g [g = 9.8 m s−2]) around 6 Hz. The PCM device provides a power level of 3.9 mW cm−2 g2 and 65% mode shape efficiencies.
Molecular Origin of the Charge Carrier Mobility in Small Molecule Organic Semiconductors
Authors: Friederich Pascal , Meded Velimir , Poschlad Angela , Neumann Tobias , Rodin Vadim , Stehr Vera , Symalla Franz , Danilov Denis , Lüdemann Gesa , Fink Reinhold F. , Kondov Ivan , von Wrochem Florian , Wenzel Wolfgang
Published: June 2016

Small‐molecule organic semiconductors are used in a wide spectrum of applications, ranging from organic light emitting diodes to organic photovoltaics. However, the low carrier mobility severely limits their potential, e.g., for large area devices. A number of factors determine mobility, such as molecular packing, electronic structure, dipole moment, and polarizability. Presently, quantitative ab initio models to assess the influence of these molecule‐dependent properties are lacking. Here, a multiscale model is presented, which provides an accurate prediction of experimental data over ten orders of magnitude in mobility, and allows for the decomposition of the carrier mobility into molecule‐specific quantities. Molecule‐specific quantitative measures are provided how two single molecule properties, the dependence of the orbital energy on conformation, and the dipole‐induced polarization determine mobility for hole‐transport materials. The availability of first‐principles based models to compute key performance characteristics of organic semiconductors may enable in silico screening of numerous chemical compounds for the development of highly efficient optoelectronic devices.
A Hydrogen‐Bonded‐Supramolecular‐Polymer‐Based Nanoprobe for Ratiometric Oxygen Sensing in Living Cells
Authors: Wang Rui‐Fang , Peng Hui‐Qing , Chen Peng‐Zhong , Niu Li‐Ya , Gao Jian‐Feng , Wu Li‐Zhu , Tung Chen‐Ho , Chen Yu‐Zhe , Yang Qing‐Zheng
Published: June 2016

The first example of a ratiometric optical oxygen nanoprobe based on a hydrogen‐bonded supramolecular polymer has been reported. The supramolecular polymer based nanoprobe (SPNP) is prepared from the co‐assembly of a bis‐ureidopyrimidinone (bis‐UPy)‐containing phosphorescent indicator (Por(Pd)‐bisUPy), fluorescent reference dye (BF2‐bisUPy), and skeleton unit (DPA‐bisUPy) through quadruple hydrogen bonds by a mini‐emulsion method. The water‐dispersible SPNP is highly sensitive to oxygen (Q = 95%), with full reversibility, excellent storage stability and photostability, and good cell‐penetrating ability, and exhibits low cytotoxicity toward living cells. The preparation of the SPNP is straightforward and its function is easily tuned by changing the monomeric structure. This work is expected to lead to the design of other SPNPs for other important analytes in biological systems.
A Universal Platform for Macromolecular Deliveryinto Cells Using Gold Nanoparticle Layers via the Photoporation Effect
Authors: Lyu Zhonglin , Zhou Feng , Liu Qi , Xue Hui , Yu Qian , Chen Hong
Published: June 2016

Although promising, it is challenging to develop a simple and universal method for the high‐efficiency delivery of biomacromolecules into diverse cells. Here, a universal delivery platform based on gold nanoparticle layer (GNPL) surfaces is proposed. Upon laser irradiation, GNPL surfaces show such good photothermal properties that absorption of the laser energy causes a rapid increase in surface temperature, leading to enhanced membrane permeability of the cultured cells and the diffusion of macromolecules into the cytosol from the surrounding medium. The high‐efficiency delivery of different macromolecules such as dextran and plasmid DNA into different cell types is achieved, including hard‐to‐transfect mouse embryonic fibroblasts (mEFs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), while cell viability is well maintained under optimized irradiation conditions. The platform vastly outperforms the leading commercial reagent, Lipofectamine 2000, especially in transfecting hard‐to‐transfect cell lines (plasmid transfection efficiency: ≈53% vs ≈19% for mEFs and ≈44% vs ≈8% for HUVECs). Importantly, as the gold nanoparticles (GNPs) constituting the GNPL are firmly immobilized together, the potential cytotoxicity caused by endocytosis of GNPs is effectively avoided. This platform is reliable, efficient, and cost‐effective with high‐throughput and broad applicability across different cell types, opening up an innovative avenue for high‐efficiency intracellular delivery.
High‐Valent Pentamethylcyclopentadienylcobalt(III) or ‐iridium(III)‐Catalyzed CH Annulation with Alkynes: Synthesis of Heterocyclic Quaternary Ammonium Salts
Authors: Lao Ye‐Xing , Zhang Shang‐Shi , Liu Xu‐Ge , Jiang Chun‐Yong , Wu Jia‐Qiang , Li Qingjiang , Huang Zhi‐Shu , Wang Honggen
Published: June 2016

Nine types of diversely fused heterocyclic quaternary ammonium salts were constructed through an oxidative CH annulation reaction. Both high‐valent pentamethylcyclopentadienylcobalt(III) and pentamethylcyclopentadienyliridium(III) were found to be effective as catalyst for this reaction. Broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance were observed.

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Palladium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Cyclization for the Synthesis of Indolyl/Pyrrolyl 3‐Phosphonates
Authors: Mishra Aniket , Deb Indubhusan
Published: June 2016

Imino‐/enaminophosphonates derived from amines and diethyl phenacyl phosphonates undergo oxidative cyclization via CH bond activation catalyzed by palladium chloride to provide a convenient route for the synthesis of substituted indol‐3‐yl and pyrrol‐3‐yl phosphonates.

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A systematic literature review of the effectiveness of occupational health and safety regulatory enforcement
Authors: Tompa Emile , Kalcevich Christina , Foley Michael , McLeod Chris , Hogg‐Johnson Sheilah , Cullen Kim , MacEachen Ellen , Mahood Quenby , Irvin Emma
Published: June 2016

Background

We aimed to determine the strength of evidence on the effectiveness of legislative and regulatory policy levers in creating incentives for organizations to improve occupational health and safety processes and outcomes.

Methods

A systematic review was undertaken to assess the strength of evidence on the effectiveness of specific policy levers using a “best‐evidence” synthesis approach.

Results

A structured literature search identified 11,947 citations from 13 peer‐reviewed literature databases. Forty‐three studies were retained for synthesis. Strong evidence was identified for three out of nine clusters.

Conclusions

There is strong evidence that several OHS policy levers are effective in terms of reducing injuries and/or increasing compliance with legislation. This study adds to the evidence on OHS regulatory effectiveness from an earlier review. In addition to new evidence supporting previous study findings, it included new categories of evidence–compliance as an outcome, nature of enforcement, awareness campaigns, and smoke‐free workplace legislation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:919–933, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An evaluation of invasive fungal sinusitis outcomes with subsite analysis and use of frozen section analysis
Authors: Foshee James , Luminais Chris , Casey James , Farag Alexander , Prestipino Anthony , Iloreta Alfred Marc , Nyquist Gurston , Rosen Marc
Published: June 2016

Background

Invasive fungal sinusitis (IFS) is an aggressive mycosis of the nasal cavity with frequent extension to adjacent structures. Occurring more commonly in immunocompromised individuals, prognosis is typically poor despite aggressive treatment. This study aims to examine postoperative outcomes and survival of a cohort of fungal sinusitis patients at an academic center, as well as identify causes of death in IFS patients.

Methods

This study was a retrospective chart review of patient charts and departmental records, yielding patient demographics, medical and surgical treatments, pathology records, and outcomes data.

Results

Twenty‐seven patients were identified from departmental records between 1998 and 2014. Twenty‐one patients presented with Mucor infections, whereas the remaining 6 patients had Aspergillus. All patients were immunocompromised: diabetes (n = 14) and hematologic malignancy (n = 13). Three patients had multiple causes of immunosuppression. Most commonly involved subsites were the maxillary, ethmoid, and sphenoid sinuses. Nasal septum involvement was independently associated with mortality (p < 0.01). Overall mortality was 57.7% within 1 year, although 66.7% of fatalities occurred within 1 month of diagnosis.

Conclusion

Overall survival for IFS remains poor. Widespread disease and nasal septum involvement were associated with a negative clinical course. Early identification and aggressive surgical and antifungal therapy is warranted. Even despite intense therapy, comorbid conditions and drug toxicity increase mortality and complicate the clinical course.
Ultrathin buffer layer at organic/organic interface for managing the recombination profile in organic light‐emitting diodes: Metal versus dielectric buffer
Authors: Kalhor Davood , Mohajerani Ezeddin , HashemiPour Omid , SalehiKian Akram , Shojaeifar Mohsen , Rasoul Babaei Mohammad
Published: June 2016

We report on the utilization of an ultrathin buffer layer at the organic/organic (O/O) interface to enhance device efficiency in organic light‐emitting diodes. Two different kinds of buffer layers are examined: metal and dielectric. It is shown that employment of an ultrathin Ag layer with a thickness of 1–2 nm enhances the device performance, while a MgF2 dielectric buffer cannot affect the device properties considerably. In particular, the turn‐on voltage of the device with an appropriate buffer layer is reduced about 3 V, its current efficiency increases by a factor of more than three, and the power efficiency increases by a factor of more than five in comparison to the control device when a Ag buffer layer is introduced at the O/O interface. By employment of the buffer layer at the interface, an accumulation of current carriers appears within the device that redistribute the recombination profile toward the interior part of the emissive layer. Also, morphological examinations reveal that distinguishable phase segregation occurs in the blend of the hole‐transport layer. In particular, the polymer component remains at the surface and facilitates the hole transport into the successive layers. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43894.
Quantifying and comparing the selectivity for crosslink scission in mechanical and mechanochemical devulcanization processes
Authors: Edwards Devon William , Danon Bart , van der Gryp Percy , Görgens Johann Ferdinand
Published: June 2016

Devulcanization processes have potential to increase the economic value of ground tire rubber (GTR) derived from waste tires, although the chemistry of the devulcanization process is still poorly understood. This article presents a method, based on sol extraction and swelling measurements, for quantifying the selectivity for crosslink scission over main chain scission, and applies it to extrusion‐based mechanical and mechanochemical devulcanization processes at various operating conditions. The mechanochemical devulcanization process, using diphenyl disulfide and process oil, resulted in a higher selectivity for crosslink scission than the mechanical devulcanization process. Furthermore, it was shown that the process oil, along with lower reaction temperature, in the mechanochemical devulcanization process was responsible for the increased selectivity, rather than the presence of diphenyl disulfide. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43932.
Densifying and strengthening of electrospun polyacrylonitrile‐based nanofibers by uniaxial two‐step stretching
Authors: Youm Je Sung , Kim Ji Hoon , Kim Chang Hyo , Kim Jeong Cheol , Kim Yoong Ahm , Yang Kap Seung
Published: June 2016

The effects of alignment of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers and a two‐step drawing process on the mechanical properties of the fibers were evaluated in the current study. The alignment was achieved using a high‐speed collector in electrospinning synthesis of the nanofibers. Under optimal two‐step drawing conditions (e.g., hot‐water and hot‐air stretching), the PAN nanofiber felts exhibited large improvements in both alignment and molecular chain‐orientation. Large increase in crystallinity, crystallite size, and molecular chain orientation were observed with increasing draw ratio. Optimally, stretched PAN‐based nanofibers exhibited 5.3 times higher tensile strength and 6.7 times higher tensile modulus than those of the pristine one. In addition, bulk density of the drawn PAN nanofibers increased from 0.19 to 0.33 g/cm3. Our results show that fully extended and oriented polymer chains are critical in achieving the highest mechanical properties of the electrospun PAN nanofibers. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43945.
Responses of Australian sea lions, Neophoca cinerea, to anthropogenic activities in the Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia
Authors: Osterrieder Sylvia K. , Salgado Kent Chandra , Robinson Randall W.
Published: June 2016

Tourist‐based activities, partly due to their rapid increase, have raised concerns regarding the impacts of anthropogenic activity on marine fauna. Documented effects on pinnipeds in proximity to humans include changes in behaviour, site use and potentially higher aggression levels towards people. Effects vary considerably between populations and sites, thus requiring separate assessment of human impacts on activity and energy budgets.

Responses of the endangered Australian sea lion, Neophoca cinerea, to human visitation were recorded from November 2013 through April 2014. Exposure levels and response types to anthropogenic activities were assessed at two easily accessible locations with different management schemes, Seal (landing prohibited) and Carnac (landing permitted) islands, Western Australia. Exposure levels were measured as both stimulus type (i.e. ‘People’, ‘Paddlers’, ‘Small’, ‘Medium’, and ‘Large vessels’, ‘Tour vessels’, and ‘Jet skies’), and people (‘Direct’, ‘Attract’, ‘Interact’, ‘View’, ‘Incidental’, ‘Water’, ‘Low‐level’), and vessel activities (‘Interact’, ‘Approach/Follow’, ‘Anchor noise’, ‘Engine noise’, ‘Close to beach’, ‘Moderate/Fast travel’, ‘Slow travel’, ‘Transit’, ‘Drift/At anchor’, ‘Aircraft noise’).

Exposure levels varied significantly between the islands in numbers, stimuli type, duration and minimum approach distances. The instantaneous behaviours of ‘Lift head’, ‘Interact’ and ‘Sit’ were the most frequent responses. ‘Aggressive’ and ‘Retreat’ responses, the highest disturbance levels measured, occurred on Carnac approximately once per day, but rarely on Seal Island. ‘Aggressive’ behaviour towards ‘People’ was observed only on Carnac Island and elicited only by ‘People’. ‘People’, ‘Tour vessels’, and scenic ‘Aircrafts’ on both islands as well as ‘Jet skis’ on Carnac Island had the highest probability of triggering responses. Owing to their relatively high visitation at Seal Island, ‘Paddle powered vessels’, followed by ‘Tour vessels’ elicited the highest number of responses, compared with ‘People’, ‘Small’, and ‘Medium vessels’ at Carnac Island. The majority of responses occurred when any stimulus type was at short‐range (≤10 m), and ‘People’ ‘Viewing’ N. cinerea elicited most. Vessels triggered more responses at larger ranges than ‘People’.

To limit close‐range access to N. cinerea, one possibility is to close the beach at Carnac Island to human visitation and increase the minimum approach distance by vessels and ‘People’ by installing marker buoys at least 15 m from the shore.

© 2016 The Authors. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acardiac twin pregnancies part II: Fetal risk of chorangioma and sacrococcygeal teratoma predicted by pump/acardiac umbilical vein diameters
Authors: van Gemert Martin J.C. , Nikkels Peter G.J. , Paarlberg K. Marieke , van den Wijngaard Jeroen P.H.M. , Gardiner Helena M.
Published: June 2016

Background

We recently published pump/acardiac umbilical venous diameter (UVD) ratios, representing the pump twin's excess cardiac output fraction, of 27 acardiac twin pregnancies. There was a clear separation between the 17 pump twins that had life‐threatening complications and the 10 that did not. The hypothesis of this study is that placental chorangioma and sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT), tumors whose perfusion also causes high‐output complications, have the same fetal outcome as pump twins when perfusion of the tumor requires the same excess cardiac output fraction.

Methods

We compared the three fetoplacental circulations. Fetuses with a placental chorangioma and acardiac twin pregnancies both have their feeding artery and draining vein located at the placental cord insertion. In contrast, SCT lacks a prescribed feeding artery and draining vein. We, therefore, had to modify our model to assume that the diameter of the hypothetical draining vein is related to the flow difference between inferior vena cava and superior vena cava. The latter flow has been estimated sonographically and is the same as the inferior vena cava flow in the absence of an SCT. Furthermore, a simple modification accounts for the different location of the tumor with respect to the placental cord insertion.

Results

We propose to apply the clinical pump/acardiac UVD ratios to pregnancies complicated by placental chorangiomas and the modified pump/acardiac UVD ratios for SCT.

Conclusion

Risk prediction of these rare fetal tumors may be possible based on application of data on excess cardiac output fractions from pump/acardiac UVD ratios and will require future clinical validation. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:733–738, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cerebral radiofrequency exposures during adolescence: Impact on astrocytes and brain functions in healthy and pathologic rat models
Authors: Petitdant Nicolas , Lecomte Anthony , Robidel Franck , Gamez Christelle , Blazy Kelly , Villégier Anne‐Sophie
Published: June 2016

The widespread use of mobile phones by adolescents raises concerns about possible health effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF 900 MHz) on the immature brain. Neuro‐development is a period of particular sensitivity to repeated environmental challenges such as pro‐inflammatory insults. Here, we used rats to assess whether astrocyte reactivity, perception, and emotionality were affected by RF EMF exposures during adolescence. We also investigated if adolescent brains were more sensitive to RF EMF exposures after neurodevelopmental inflammation. To do so, we either performed 80 μg/kg intra‐peritoneal injections of lipopolysaccharides during gestation or 1.25 μg/h intra‐cerebro‐ventricular infusions during adolescence. From postnatal day (P)32 to 62, rats were subjected to 45 min RF EMF exposures to the brain (specific absorption rates: 0, 1.5, or 6 W/kg, 5 days/week). From P56, they were tested for perception of novelty, anxiety‐like behaviors, and emotional memory. To assess astrocytic reactivity, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein was measured at P64. Our results did not show any neurobiological impairment in healthy and vulnerable RF EMF‐exposed rats compared to their sham‐exposed controls. These data did not support the hypothesis of a specific cerebral sensitivity to RF EMF of adolescents, even after a neurodevelopmental inflammation. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:338–350, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cofactor squelching: Artifact or fact?
Authors: Schmidt Søren Fisker , Larsen Bjørk Ditlev , Loft Anne , Mandrup Susanne
Published: June 2016

Cofactor squelching is the term used to describe competition between transcription factors (TFs) for a limited amount of cofactors in a cell with the functional consequence that TFs in a given cell interfere with the activity of each other. Since cofactor squelching was proposed based primarily on reporter assays some 30 years ago, it has remained controversial, and the idea that it could be a physiologically relevant mechanism for transcriptional repression has not received much support. However, recent genome‐wide studies have demonstrated that signal‐dependent TFs are very often absent from the enhancers that are acutely repressed by those signals, which is consistent with an indirect mechanism of repression such as squelching. Here we review these recent studies in the light of the classical studies of cofactor squelching, and we discuss how TF cooperativity in so‐called hotspots and super‐enhancers may sensitize these to cofactor squelching.
Second bioluminescence‐activating component in the luminous fungus Mycena chlorophos
Authors: Teranishi Katsunori
Published: June 2016

Mycena chlorophos is an oxygen‐dependent bioluminescent fungus. The mechanisms underlying its light emission are unknown. A component that increased the bioluminescence intensity of the immature living gills of M. chlorophos was isolated from mature M. chlorophos gills and chemically characterized. The bioluminescence‐activating component was found to be trans‐3,4‐dihydroxycinnamic acid and its bioluminescence activation was highly structure‐specific. 13C‐ and 18O‐labelling studies using the immature living gills showed that trans‐3,4‐dihydroxycinnamic acid was synthesized from trans‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid in the gills by hydroxylation with molecular oxygen as well as by the general metabolism, and trans‐3,4‐dihydroxycinnamic acid did not produce hispidin (detection‐limit concentration: 10 pmol/1 g wet gill). Addition of 0.01 mM hispidin to the immature living gills generated no bioluminescence activation. These results suggested that the prompt bioluminescence activation resulting from addition of trans‐3,4‐dihydroxycinnamic acid could not be attributed to the generation of hispidin. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Superficial fibular nerve variations of fascial piercing: A meta‐analysis and clinical consideration
Authors: Tomaszewski K. A. , Graves M. J. , Vikse J. , Pękala P. A. , Sanna B. , Henry B. M. , Tubbs R. S. , Walocha J. A.
Published: June 2016

The superficial fibular (peroneal) nerve (SFN) is one of the successive branches of the common fibular (peroneal) nerve and goes on to bifurcate into the medial dorsal cutaneous (MDN) and intermediate dorsal cutaneous (IDN) nerves. The SFN is a main contributor to sensory innervation of the foot and lower leg. It varies widely in its penetrance of the deep (crural) fascia, and differences in its subsequent course can result in iatrogenic injuries. Articles on the prevalence of this anatomical variation were identified by a comprehensive database search. The data collected were extracted and pooled into a meta‐analysis. A total of 14 articles (n = 665 lower limbs) were included on the meta‐analysis of SFN variations in fascial piercing. The normal Type 1 variation, where the SFN pierces the deep fascia as a single entity and later bifurcates into the MDN and IDN, had a pooled prevalence of 82.7% (95%CI: 74.0–89.4). The Type 2 variant, where the SFN bifurcates early and then pierces the fascial layer separately as the MDN and IDN, had a pooled prevalence of 15.6% (95%CI: 8.9–23.6). Type 3, when the SFN penetrates the deep fascia and courses similar to the MDN with absent IDN was noted in 1.8% (95%CI: 0.0–4.9) of cases. A substantial portion of the population has a pattern of SFN piercing that deviates from the normal Type 1 anatomy. It is recommended that possible SFN variants in patients should be addressed thoroughly to help prevent iatrogenic injuries and postoperative complications. Clin. Anat. 30:120–125, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Review on Chitosan Utilization in Membrane Synthesis
Authors: Jafari Sanjari Alireza , Asghari Morteza
Published: June 2016

Membrane separation technologies are very energy efficient and the general interest has drastically increased over the last decade. Biopolymers as membrane compounds have gained increased attention due to their renewability. Chitosan is a derivative of chitin, the second most abundant biopolymer and shows many advantages required for a membrane. This article provides an overview of recent progress on the application of chitosan membranes. The applications include gas separation, direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), pervaporation, water treatment (heavy metal and dye removal, salt rejection), and the biomedical field. The preparation of different chitosan membranes is presented as well as its capabilities in the different fields of application.
Suppressive effect of microRNA‐29b on hepatic stellate cell activation and its crosstalk with TGF‐β1/Smad3
Authors: Liang Chunli , Bu Shurui , Fan Xiaoming
Published: June 2016

The microRNA (miR)‐29 family is closely associated with fibrotic processes by virtue of its low expression in many tissues during organ fibrosis. The present study investigated whether miR‐29b overexpression suppressed hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and its interactions with transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (Smad3), a classical signal transduction pathway contributing to the activation of HSCs. The results showed that transfection of LX‐2 (human HSC) cells with miR‐29b mimic or pSUPER‐Smad3 silencing (si)RNA resulted in significantly increased expression of miR‐29b and decreased expression of Smad3. miR‐29b overexpression inhibited proliferation of LX‐2 cells 24 h after transfection. Both miR‐29b overexpression and Smad3 silencing antagonized the effects of TGF‐β1 on the expression of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and collagen type I (col‐1). Furthermore, infection with miR‐29b mimics suppressed Smad3 and TGF‐β1 expression, suggesting that miR‐29b inhibited LX‐2 activation mediated by both Smad3 and TGF‐β1. Nevertheless, primary miR‐29a/b1, miR‐29b2/c and mature miR‐29b were downregulated by TGF‐β1 and stimulated by Smad3 silencing, suggesting that TGF‐β1/Smad3 signalling pathway regulate not just mature miR‐29b but also its transcription. In summary, our results show overwhelming evidence corroborating the suppressive effect of miR‐29b on TGF‐β1‐induced LX‐2 cell activation. The results also revealed the existence of crosstalk between miR‐29b and TGF‐β1/Smad3 during LX‐2 activation, suggesting a feedback loop between miR‐29b and TGF‐β1/Smad3 signalling that promotes liver fibrosis. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Cell Biochemistry and Function published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal‐induced proteasome dysfunction is correlated with cardiac damage in streptozotocin‐injected rats with isoproterenol infusion
Authors: Deshpande Mandar , Mali Vishal R. , Pan Guodong , Xu Jiang , Yang Xiao‐Ping , Thandavarayan Rajarajan A. , Palaniyandi Suresh Selvaraj
Published: June 2016

Increase in 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal (4HNE) due to oxidative stress has been observed in a variety of cardiac diseases such as diabetic cardiomyopathy. 4HNE exerts a damaging effect in the myocardium by interfering with subcellular organelles like mitochondria by forming adducts. Therefore, we hypothesized that increased 4HNE adduct formation in the heart results in proteasome inactivation in isoproterenol (ISO)‐infused type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) rats. Eight‐week‐old male Sprague Dawley rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg kg−1). The rats were infused with ISO (5 mg kg−1) for 2 weeks by mini pumps, after 8 weeks of STZ injection. We studied normal control (n = 8) and DM + ISO (n = 10) groups. Cardiac performance was assessed by echocardiography and Millar catheter at the end of the protocol at 20 weeks. Initially, we found an increase in 4HNE adducts in the hearts of the DM + ISO group. There was also a decrease in myocardial proteasomal peptidase (chymotrypsin and trypsin‐like) activity. Increases in cardiomyocyte area (446 ± 32·7 vs 221 ± 10·83) (µm2), per cent area of cardiac fibrosis (7·4 ± 0·7 vs 2·7 ± 0·5) and cardiac dysfunction were also found in DM + ISO (P < 0·05) relative to controls. We also found increased 4HNE adduct formation on proteasomal subunits. Furthermore, reduced aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 activity was observed in the myocardium of the DM + ISO group. Treatment with 4HNE (100 μM) for 4 h on cultured H9c2 cardiomyocytes attenuated proteasome activity. Therefore, we conclude that the 4HNE‐induced decrease in proteasome activity may be involved in the cardiac pathology in STZ‐injected rats infused with ISO. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanistic Insight into Nanomolar Binding of Multivalent Neoglycopeptides to Wheat Germ Agglutinin
Authors: Rohse Philipp , Wittmann Valentin
Published: June 2016

Multivalent carbohydrate–protein interactions are frequently involved in essential biological recognition processes. Accordingly, multivalency is often also exploited for the design of high‐affinity lectin ligands aimed at the inhibition of such processes. In a previous study (D. Schwefel et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 8704–8719) we identified a tetravalent cyclopeptide‐based ligand with nanomolar affinity to the model lectin wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). To unravel the structural features of this ligand required for high‐affinity binding to WGA, we synthesized a series of cyclic and linear neoglycopeptides that differ in their conformational freedom as well as the number of GlcNAc residues. Combined evidence from isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), enzyme‐linked lectin assays (ELLA), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed different binding modes of tetra‐ and divalent ligands and that conformational preorganization of the ligands by cyclization is not a prerequisite for achieving high binding affinities. The high affinities of the tetravalent ligands rather stem from their ability to form crosslinks between several WGA molecules. The results illustrate that binding affinities and mechanisms are strongly dependent on the used multivalent system which offers opportunities to tune and control binding processes.
Controllable Electronic Structures and Photoinduced Processes of Bay‐Linked Perylenediimide Dimers and a Ferrocene‐Linked Triad
Authors: Horinouchi Haruki , Sakai Hayato , Araki Yasuyuki , Sakanoue Tomo , Takenobu Taishi , Wada Takehiko , Tkachenko Nikolai V. , Hasobe Taku
Published: June 2016

A series of perylene‐3,4,9,10‐bis(dicarboximide) (PDI) dimers linked through the bay regions was systematically synthesized to examine the electronic structures and photophysical properties in dependence on the distance and orientation between the two PDI units. The spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements suggested that the coupling value of a directly linked PDI dimer (PDI)2 is much larger than those of para‐ and meta‐phenylene‐bridged PDI dimers p‐(PDI)2 and m‐(PDI)2. The width of Davydov splitting was quantitatively evaluated to compare the coupling values between the two PDI units in these dimers by absorption spectroscopy in frozen 2‐methyl‐THF. Excimer formation of PDI dimers induced the strong fluorescence quenching and large red‐shifts. Femtosecond transient absorption revealed a broad absorption derived from an excimer in the range from about 600 nm to the near‐IR region. The rate constants of formation and decay of the excimer are strongly dependent on the coupling values. Time‐resolved measurements on ferrocene‐linked p‐(PDI)2 revealed a competition between the photoinduced processes of electron transfer and excimer formation in PhCN, which is in sharp contrast with the sole electron‐transfer process in toluene.
Structural Manipulation of Ruthenium(II) Polypyridine Nitrone Complexes to Generate Phosphorogenic Bioorthogonal Reagents for Selective Cellular Labeling
Authors: Tang Tommy Siu‐Ming , Liu Hua‐Wei , Lo Kenneth Kam‐Wing
Published: June 2016

We report a new class of ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes functionalized with a nitrone group as phosphorogenic bioorthogonal probes. These complexes were very weakly emissive owing to rapid C=N isomerization of the nitrone moiety, but exhibited significant emission enhancement upon strain‐promoted alkyne–nitrone cycloaddition (SPANC) reaction with bicyclo[6.1.0]nonyne (BCN)‐modified substrates. The modification of nitrone with a dicationic ruthenium(II) polypyridine unit at the α‐C‐position and a phenyl ring at the N‐position led to remarkably accelerated reaction kinetics, which are substantially greater (up to ≈278 fold) than those of other acyclic nitrone–BCN systems. Interestingly, the complexes achieved specific cell membrane/cytosol staining upon specific labeling of an exogenous substrate, BCN‐modified decane (BCN‐C10), in live cells. Importantly, the in situ generation of the more lipophilic isoxazoline adduct in the cytoplasm resulted in increased cytotoxicity, highlighting a novel approach to apply the SPANC labeling technique in drug activation.
Access to Silylated Pyrazole Derivatives by Palladium‐Catalyzed C−H Activation of a TMS group
Authors: Mistico Laetitia , Querolle Olivier , Meerpoel Lieven , Angibaud Patrick , Durandetti Muriel , Maddaluno Jacques
Published: June 2016

A simple and efficient approach to new silylated heterocycles of potential interest in medicinal chemistry is presented. A set of bromophenyl trimethylsilyl pyrazole intermediates can be transformed by direct organometallic routes into two families of regioisomeric iodoaryl substrates; using either arylzinc or aryllithium chemistry, the TMS group remains on the pyrazole ring or translocates to the aryl moiety. These two families can then be efficiently transformed into benzo silino pyrazoles thanks to a single‐step cyclization relying on the Pd‐catalyzed activation of a non‐activated C(sp3)−H bond alpha to a silicon atom. The experimental conditions used, which are fully compatible with the pyrazole ring, suggest that this reaction evolves through a concerted metalation–deprotonation (CMD) mechanism.
Pd‐Catalyzed C−H Alkylation of Arenes Using PyrDipSi, a Transformable and Removable Silicon‐Tethered Directing Group
Authors: Sarkar Dhruba , Gevorgyan Vladimir
Published: June 2016

An efficient Pd‐catalyzed ortho‐C−H alkylation reaction of arenes using a transformable and removable Si‐tethered pyridyldiisopropylsilyl (PyrDipSi) directing group has been developed. In addition, the PyrDipSi directing group allows for an efficient sequential double‐fold C−H alkylation/oxygenation of arenes to produce meta‐alkylated phenols. This directing group can easily be removed or converted into valuable functionalities, such as aryl, iodo, boronic ester, or phenol.
Power‐aware server consolidation for federated clouds
Authors: Leite Alessandro Ferreira , Boukerche Azzedine , Magalhaes Alves de Melo Alba Cristina , Eisenbeis Christine , Tadonki Claude , Ralha Célia Ghedini
Published: June 2016

Cloud computing has evolved to provide computing resources on‐demand through a virtualized infrastructure, letting applications, computing power, data storage, and network resources to be provisioned and managed over private networks or over the Internet. Cloud services normally run on large data centers and demand a huge amount of electricity. Consequently, the electricity cost represents one of the major concerns of data centers, because it is sometimes nonlinear with the capacity of the data centers, and it is also associated with a high amount of carbon emission (CO2). However, energy‐saving schemes that result in too much degradation of the system performance or in violations of service‐level agreement (SLA) parameters would eventually cause the users to move to another cloud provider. Thus, there is a need to reach a balance between energy savings and the costs incurred by these savings in the execution of the applications. Therefore, in this paper, we propose and evaluate a power and SLA‐aware application consolidation solution for cloud federations. It comprises a multi‐agent system for server consolidation, taking into account SLA, power consumption, and carbon footprint. Different for similar solutions available in the literature, in our solution, when a cloud is overloaded, its data center needs to negotiate with other data centers before migrating the workload to another cloud. Simulation results show that our approach can reduce up to 46% of the power consumption while trying to meet performance requirements. Furthermore, we show that federated clouds can provide an adequate solution to deal with power consumption in the clouds. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lignin Valorization through Catalytic Lignocellulose Fractionation: A Fundamental Platform for the Future Biorefinery
Authors: Galkin Maxim V. , Samec Joseph S. M.
Published: June 2016

Current processes for the fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass focus on the production of high‐quality cellulosic fibers for paper, board, and viscose production. The other fractions that constitute a major part of lignocellulose are treated as waste or used for energy production. The transformation of lignocellulose beyond paper pulp to a commodity (e.g., fine chemicals, polymer precursors, and fuels) is the only feasible alternative to current refining of fossil fuels as a carbon feedstock. Inspired by this challenge, scientists and engineers have developed a plethora of methods for the valorization of biomass. However, most studies have focused on using one single purified component from lignocellulose that is not currently generated by the existing biomass fractionation processes. A lot of effort has been made to develop efficient methods for lignin depolymerization. The step to take this fundamental research to industrial applications is still a major challenge. This review covers an alternative approach, in which the lignin valorization is performed in concert with the pulping process. This enables the fractionation of all components of the lignocellulosic biomass into valorizable streams. Lignocellulose fractions obtained this way (e.g., lignin oil and glucose) can be utilized in a number of existing procedures. The review covers historic, current, and future perspectives, with respect to catalytic lignocellulose fractionation processes.