bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seed‐Mediated Growth of Silver Nanocubes in Aqueous Solution with Tunable Size and Their Conversion to Au Nanocages with Efficient Photothermal Property
Authors: Lin Zhen‐Wen , Tsao Yu‐Chi , Yang Min‐Yi , Huang Michael H.
Published: January 2016

Two seed‐mediated approaches for the growth of silver nanocubes in aqueous solution have been developed. Addition of a silver‐seed solution to a mixture of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), silver trifluoroacetate, and ascorbic acid and heating the solution at 60 °C for 1.5 h produces uniform Ag nanocubes with tunable sizes from 23 to 60 nm by simply adjusting the volume of silver‐seed solution introduced. Alternatively, the silver‐seed solution can be injected into a mixture of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), silver nitrate, copper sulfate, and ascorbic acid and heated to 80 °C for 2 h to generate 46 nm silver nanocubes. Plate‐like Ag nanocrystals exposing {111} surfaces can be synthesized by reducing Ag(NH3)2+ with ascorbic acid in a CTAC solution. Relatively large Ag nanocubes were converted to cuboctahedral Au/Ag and Au nanocages and nanoframes with empty {111} faces through a galvanic replacement reaction. The nanocages showed a progressive plasmonic band red‐shift with increasing Au content. The nanocages exhibited high and stable photothermal efficiency with solution temperatures quickly reaching beyond 100 °C when irradiated with an 808 nm laser for large heat and water vapor generation.
Decarboxylative Trifluoromethylating Reagent [Cu(O2CCF3)(phen)] and Difluorocarbene Precursor [Cu(phen)2][O2CCF2Cl]
Authors: Lin Xiaoxi , Hou Chuanqi , Li Haohong , Weng Zhiqiang
Published: January 2016

This article describes the new economic decarboxylative trifluoromethylating reagent [Cu(phen)(O2CCF3)] (1; phen=1,10‐phenanthroline) and the efficient difluorocarbene precursor [Cu(phen)2][O2CCF2Cl] (2). Treatment of copper tert‐butoxide with phen and subsequent addition of trifluoroacetic acid or chlorodifluoroacetic acid afforded air‐stable complexes 1 and 2, respectively, which were characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The copper(I) ion in 1 is coordinated by a bidentate phen ligand, a monodentate trifluoroacetate group, and a molecule of CH3CN in a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry. The molecular structure of 2 adopts an ionic form that consists of a [Cu(phen)2]+ cation and a chlorodifluoroacetate anion. Complex 1 reacted with a variety of aryl and heteroaryl halides to form trifluoromethyl (hetero)arenes in good yields. The corresponding Hammett plot exhibited a linear relationship and a reaction parameter (ρ)=+0.56±0.02, which indicated that the trifluoromethylation reaction proceeded via a nucleophilic reactive species. Complex 2 reacts with phenols to produce aryl difluoromethyl ethers in modest‐to‐excellent yields. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the difluoromethylation reaction proceeds by initial copper‐mediated formation of difluorocarbene and subsequent concerted addition of difluorocarbene to the phenol to form a three‐center transition state.
Generation of Oxazolidine‐2,4‐diones Bearing Sulfur‐Substituted Quaternary Carbon Atoms by Oxothiolation/Cyclization of Ynamides
Authors: Huang Hai , Fan Junzhen , He Guangke , Yang Zhimin , Jin Xiaodong , Liu Qi , Zhu Hongjun
Published: January 2016

A novel method for metal‐free oxothiolation of ynamides to construct oxazolidine‐2,4‐diones bearing sulfur‐substituted quaternary carbon atoms has been developed. It represents a rare C−O bond cleavage of ynamides, as well as a facile and tandem approach for the formation of C−O, C−S, and C−Cl bonds. This redox‐neutral protocol can be applied to the synthesis of multisubstituted oxazolidine‐2,4‐diones with good chemoselectivity and good yields of isolated products under mild conditions.
Point‐to‐Plane Nonhomogeneous Electric‐Field‐Induced Simultaneous Formation of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs) and Lipid Tubes
Authors: Zhu Chuntao , Zhang Ying , Wang Yinan , Li Qingchuan , Mu Wei , Han Xiaojun
Published: January 2016

It is well‐known that homogeneous electric fields can be used to generate giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Herein we report an interesting phenomenon of formation of GUVs and lipid tubes simultaneously using a nonhomogeneous electric field generated by point‐to‐plane electrodes. The underlying mechanism was analyzed using finite element analysis. The two forces play main roles, that is, the pulling force (F) to drag GUVs into lipid tubes induced by fluid flow, and the critical force (Fc) to prevent GUVs from deforming into lipid tubes induced by electric fields. In the center area underneath the needle electrode, the GUVs were found because F is less than Fc in that region, whereas in the edge area the lipid tubes were obtained because F is larger than Fc. The diffusion coefficient of lipid in the tubes was found to be 4.45 μm2 s−1 using a fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) technique. The method demonstrated here is superior to conventional GUV or lipid tube fabrication methods, and has great potential in cell mimic or hollow material fabrication using GUVs and tubes as templates.
Fully C/N‐Polynitro‐Functionalized 2,2′‐Biimidazole Derivatives as Nitrogen‐ and Oxygen‐Rich Energetic Salts
Authors: Yin Ping , He Chunlin , Shreeve Jean'ne M.
Published: January 2016

Through the use of a fully C/N‐functionalized imidazole‐based anion, it was possible to prepare nitrogen‐ and oxygen‐rich energetic salts. When N,N‐dinitramino imidazole was paired with nitrogen‐rich bases, versatile ionic derivatives were prepared and fully characterized by IR, and 1H, and 13C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Both experimental and theoretical evaluations show promising properties for these energetic compounds, such as high density, positive heats of formation, good oxygen balance, and acceptable stabilities. The energetic salts exhibit promising energetic performance comparable to the benchmark explosive RDX (1,3,5‐trinitrotriazacyclohexane).
Cytotoxicity of Postmodified Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐90 (ZIF‐90) Nanocrystals: Correlation between Functionality and Toxicity
Authors: Yen Chia‐I , Liu Szu‐Mam , Lo Wei‐Shang , Wu Jhe‐Wei , Liu Yi‐Hsin , Chein Rong‐Jie , Yang Renqiang , Wu Kevin C.‐W. , Hwu Jih Ru , Ma Nianhan , Shieh Fa‐Kuen
Published: January 2016

Using a simple method, the aldehyde groups of zeolitic imidazolate framework‐90 (ZIF‐90) nanocrystals were converted into carboxyl, amino, and thiol groups, without affecting the integrity of the framework. Notably, for the first time, correlations between functionality and cytotoxicity are also demonstrated via in vitro cytotoxicity assays. The positive charged aminated‐ZIF‐90 presumably results in either perturbation of cell membrane, more efficient cell uptake, or both. Therefore, the half‐maximal effective (EC50) concentration of aminated‐ZIF‐90 has a higher cytotoxicity of about 30 μg mL−1.
Partial oxidation of methane to syngas over Pt/Rh/MgO catalyst supported on FeCralloy woven fibre
Authors: Ma Zhenni , Ouzilleau Philippe , Trevisanut Cristian , Neagoe Cristian , Lotfi Samira , Boffito Daria C. , Patience Gregory S.
Published: January 2016

Integrating a high‐pressure syngas step with Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis (FT) in a single vessel reduces investment and operating costs for Gas‐to‐Liquids technology (GtL). Methane catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) to produce syngas for FT is an economic opportunity for micro‐refineries. Many metals and metal oxides selectively convert natural gas to CO and , but they also form coke, which must be removed intermittently, otherwise it deactivates the catalyst and can foul the reactor and process lines. Here, we prepared a 1 % mass fraction (0.01 g/g) Pt/Rh (Pt/Rh = 9) catalyst supported on MgO over FeCralloy woven fibre via solution combustion synthesis. At 900 °C, from 0.1–2 MPa, and with a 2:1 feed composition of to , the reaction consumed all the oxygen and we obtained a ratio of 2 (ideal for FT). At low pressure and a 0.1 s residence time the catalyst converted 90 % of the methane at 90 % CO selectivity. At 2 MPa, CO yield reached 50 % ( 80 % conversion and 57 % selectivity). Based on thermodynamic calculations, less than 5 % coke forms below . At high pressure and short residence time (0.1 s), the coke yield (presumed to be coke crystallites) was 24 %. Increasing the residence time to 0.3 s reduced the amount of coke by 33 % because it is metastable.
New Insight into the Structure–Activity Relationships of the Selective Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter Subtype 1 (EAAT1) Inhibitors UCPH‐101 and UCPH‐102
Authors: Hansen Stinne W. , Erichsen Mette N. , Huynh Tri H. V. , Ruiz Josep A. , Haym Isabell , Bjørn‐Yoshimoto Walden E. , Abrahamsen Bjarke , Hansen Jeanette , Storgaard Morten , Eriksen Anette L. , Jensen Anders A. , Bunch Lennart
Published: January 2016

In the present study, we made further investigations on the structure–activity requirements of the selective excitatory amino acid transporter 1 (EAAT1) inhibitor, 2‐amino‐4‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐7‐(naphthalen‐1‐yl)‐5‐oxo‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4H‐chromene‐3‐carbonitrile (UCPH‐101), by exploring 15 different substituents (R1) at the 7‐position in combination with eight different substituents (R2) at the 4‐position. Among the 63 new analogues synthesized, we identified a number of compounds that unexpectedly displayed inhibitory activities at EAAT1 in light of understanding the structure–activity relationship (SAR) of this inhibitor class extracted from previous studies. Moreover, the nature of the R1 and R2 substituents were observed to contribute to the functional properties of the various analogues in additive and non‐additive ways. Finally, separation of the four stereoisomers of analogue 14 g (2‐amino‐4‐([1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4‐yl)‐3‐cyano‐7‐isopropyl‐5‐oxo‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4H‐chromene) was carried out, and in agreement with a study of a related scaffold, the R configuration at C4 was found to be mandatory for inhibitory activity, while both the C7 diastereomers were found to be active as EAAT1 inhibitors. A study of the stereochemical stability of the four pure stereoisomers 14 g‐A–D showed that epimerization takes places at C7 via a ring‐opening, C−C bond rotation, ring‐closing mechanism.
A study of the growth process of Co3O4 microcrystals synthesized via a hydrothermal method
Authors: Hongyan Xu , Jiangtao Diwu , Zhenyin Hai , Libo Gao , Qiang Zhang , Jun Tang , Binzhen Zhang , Chenyang Xue
Published: January 2016

Pure Co3O4 microcrystals were prepared by a hydrothermal method from Co(NO3)2·6H2O and urea solution, and the effect of thermal treatment time on the growth of Co3O4 microcrystals was studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman and UV‐Vis absorption spectra. The results show that with the thermal treatment time increases from 2 h to 12 h, the shape of as‐prepared Co3O4 microcrystals changes from the hedgehog sphere‐like to the as‐cubic one that were stacked by lots of lamella, and finally cubes, and then longer time treatment will only lead to the size growth and agglomeration of particles. In conclusion, the cubic Co3O4 microcrystals of uniform size (∼6 μm) are synthesized via a 12‐h thermal treatment. Moreover, the synthesis mechanism has been studied.
Relaxing the maximum dc input amplitude vs. consumption trade‐off in differential‐input band‐pass biquad filters
Authors: Oreggioni Julián , Castro‐Lisboa Pablo , Silveira Fernando
Published: January 2016

This paper shows that an important part of the power consumption of a biquad band‐pass filter is associated with the feedback loop that fixes the high‐pass frequency and blocks the direct current (dc) input signals. The dc input amplitude that can be blocked is related to the maximum output current that one of the transconductors can provide, hence impacting on the required consumption through this effect. Then, a technique that efficiently blocks the dc input signal and fixes the high‐pass frequency is introduced and analyzed in depth. Moreover, an architecture for ultra‐low‐power differential‐input biquads is fully presented. The proposed architecture enables lowering the power consumption or blocking higher levels of dc input without jeopardizing the power consumption. Results show that the proposed architecture, compared with a traditional one, presents a 30% reduction in power consumption and more than doubles the dc input that can be blocked. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Force transmission in epithelial tissues
Authors: Vasquez Claudia G. , Martin Adam C.
Published: January 2016

In epithelial tissues, cells constantly generate and transmit forces between each other. Forces generated by the actomyosin cytoskeleton regulate tissue shape and structure and also provide signals that influence cells' decisions to divide, die, or differentiate. Forces are transmitted across epithelia because cells are mechanically linked through junctional complexes, and forces can propagate through the cell cytoplasm. Here, we review some of the molecular mechanisms responsible for force generation, with a specific focus on the actomyosin cortex and adherens junctions. We then discuss evidence for how these mechanisms promote cell shape changes and force transmission in tissues. Developmental Dynamics 245:361–371, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Will climate change impact the potential distribution of a native vine (Merremia peltata) which is behaving invasively in the Pacific region?
Authors: Taylor Subhashni , Kumar Lalit
Published: January 2016

Merremia peltata is a species with uncertain status in the island nations of the Pacific region. It has been designated introduced and invasive in some countries whereas it is considered native in others. Recent increase in its abundance across some island landscapes have led to calls for its designation as an invasive species of environmental concern with biological control being suggested as a control strategy. Climate change will add to the complications of managing this species since changes in climate will influence its range limits. In this study, we develop a process‐oriented niche model of M. peltata using CLIMEX to investigate the impacts of climate change on its potential distribution. Information on the climatic requirements of M. peltata and its current geographic distribution were used to calibrate the model. The results indicate that under current climate, 273,132 km2 of the land area in the region is climatically unsuitable or marginal for M. peltata whereas 664,524 km2 is suitable to highly suitable. Under current climate, areas of climatic suitability for M. peltata were identified on the archipelagos of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. By the end of the century, some archipelagos like Fiji, Hawaii, New Caledonia and Vanuatu will probably become more suitable while PNG and Solomon Islands become less suitable for M. peltata. The results can be used to inform biosecurity planning, management and conservation strategies on islands.
Fixation probability of rare nonmutator and evolution of mutation rates
Authors: James Ananthu , Jain Kavita
Published: January 2016

Although mutations drive the evolutionary process, the rates at which the mutations occur are themselves subject to evolutionary forces. Our purpose here is to understand the role of selection and random genetic drift in the evolution of mutation rates, and we address this question in asexual populations at mutation‐selection equilibrium neglecting selective sweeps. Using a multitype branching process, we calculate the fixation probability of a rare nonmutator in a large asexual population of mutators and find that a nonmutator is more likely to fix when the deleterious mutation rate of the mutator population is high. Compensatory mutations in the mutator population are found to decrease the fixation probability of a nonmutator when the selection coefficient is large. But, surprisingly, the fixation probability changes nonmonotonically with increasing compensatory mutation rate when the selection is mild. Using these results for the fixation probability and a drift‐barrier argument, we find a novel relationship between the mutation rates and the population size. We also discuss the time to fix the nonmutator in an adapted population of asexual mutators, and compare our results with experiments.
Effects of polyploidy and reproductive mode on life history trait expression
Authors: Larkin Katelyn , Tucci Claire , Neiman Maurine
Published: January 2016

Ploidy elevation is increasingly recognized as a common and important source of genomic variation. Even so, the consequences and biological significance of polyploidy remain unclear, especially in animals. Here, our goal was to identify potential life history costs and benefits of polyploidy by conducting a large multiyear common garden experiment in Potamopyrgus antipodarum, a New Zealand freshwater snail that is a model system for the study of ploidy variation, sexual reproduction, host–parasite coevolution, and invasion ecology. Sexual diploid and asexual triploid and tetraploid P. antipodarum frequently coexist, allowing for powerful direct comparisons across ploidy levels and reproductive modes. Asexual reproduction and polyploidy are very often associated in animals, allowing us to also use these comparisons to address the maintenance of sex, itself one of the most important unresolved questions in evolutionary biology. Our study revealed that sexual diploid P. antipodarum grow and mature substantially more slowly than their asexual polyploid counterparts. We detected a strong negative correlation between the rate of growth and age at reproductive maturity, suggesting that the relatively early maturation of asexual polyploid P. antipodarum is driven by relatively rapid growth. The absence of evidence for life history differences between triploid and tetraploid asexuals indicates that ploidy elevation is unlikely to underlie the differences in trait values that we detected between sexual and asexual snails. Finally, we found that sexual P. antipodarum did not experience discernable phenotypic variance‐related benefits of sex and were more likely to die before achieving reproductive maturity than the asexuals. Taken together, these results suggest that under benign conditions, polyploidy does not impose obvious life history costs in P. antipodarum and that sexual P. antipodarum persist despite substantial life history disadvantages relative to their asexual counterparts.
Phenotypic plasticity in growth and fecundity induced by strong population fluctuations affects reproductive traits of female fish
Authors: Karjalainen Juha , Urpanen Olli , Keskinen Tapio , Huuskonen Hannu , Sarvala Jouko , Valkeajärvi Pentti , Marjomäki Timo J.
Published: January 2016

Fish are known for their high phenotypic plasticity in life‐history traits in relation to environmental variability, and this is particularly pronounced among salmonids in the Northern Hemisphere. Resource limitation leads to trade‐offs in phenotypic plasticity between life‐history traits related to the reproduction, growth, and survival of individual fish, which have consequences for the age and size distributions of populations, as well as their dynamics and productivity. We studied the effect of plasticity in growth and fecundity of vendace females on their reproductive traits using a series of long‐term incubation experiments. The wild parental fish originated from four separate populations with markedly different densities, and hence naturally induced differences in their growth and fecundity. The energy allocation to somatic tissues and eggs prior to spawning served as a proxy for total resource availability to individual females, and its effects on offspring survival and growth were analyzed. Vendace females allocated a rather constant proportion of available energy to eggs (per body mass) despite different growth patterns depending on the total resources in the different lakes; investment into eggs thus dictated the share remaining for growth. The energy allocation to eggs per mass was higher in young than in old spawners and the egg size and the relative fecundity differed between them: Young females produced more and smaller eggs and larvae than old spawners. In contrast to earlier observations of salmonids, a shortage of maternal food resources did not increase offspring size and survival. Vendace females in sparse populations with ample resources and high growth produced larger eggs and larvae. Vendace accommodate strong population fluctuations by their high plasticity in growth and fecundity, which affect their offspring size and consequently their recruitment and productivity, and account for their persistence and resilience in the face of high fishing mortality.
Head Pose‐Invariant Eyelid and Iris Tracking Method
Authors: TAMURA KIMIMASA , HASHIMOTO KIYOSHI , AOKI YOSHIMITSU
Published: January 2016

These days, there is more demand for a camera‐based gaze estimation method for new interfaces and new marketing measurement tools. Considering these applications, the system should track a new user without any operation such as calibration. It should also admit user's natural head pose changes. Previous methods, however, need a calibration procedure before execution and have less accuracy in a head moving situation. In this paper, we propose a method which tracks the user's eyelids and iris automatically and accurately. Our method is a pretreatment of gaze estimation without any calibration and head pose restraint. First of all, we track the facial feature points from an input face image and estimate its head pose, extracting the eye region image. On the eye region image, we track the eyelid shape based on an eyelid shape model generated beforehand from PCA. Finally we track the iris inside the eyelid based on the eyeball model. The eyelid and iris tracking is processed by Particle Filter. An evaluation against a database including head pose changes confirmed that the accuracy of eyelid and iris tracking was improved compared with previous methods.
Evaluation of Residential PV‐EV System for Supply and Demand Balance of Power System
Authors: AACHIQ MUSTAPHA , JUNIOR JOAO GARI DA SILVA FONSECA , OOZEKI TAKASHI , IWAFUNE YUMIKO
Published: January 2016

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in ecofriendly technologies such as residential photovoltaic (PV) systems and electric vehicles (EVs). PV systems and EVs will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions in the residential sector and the transportation sector, respectively. In spite of that, high penetration of PV systems into the power grid can cause grid voltage and frequency stability problems. Also, the growth of the EV market will create an extra electricity load (for charging the EV fleet), leading to an increase in power utility fuel costs. In this research, we proposed the usage of the PV‐EV system as a method of mitigating the impact the spread of residential PV systems and EV on the power grid. We built an PV‐EV system simulation model and investigated the PV‐EV system contribution to the balance of power supply and demand and to reducing the total cost of the household under different electricity pricing scenarios. We also evaluated the effect of uncertainty in the forecasting of load and PV output on the performance of the PV‐EV system.
Activation of Si–Si and Si–H Bonds at a Platinum Bis(diphenylphos­phanyl)ferrocene (dppf) Complex: Key Steps for the Catalytic Hydro­genolysis of Disilanes
Authors: Kalläne Sabrina I. , Laubenstein Reik , Braun Thomas , Dietrich Maren
Published: January 2016

Treatment of the platinum(0) complex [Pt(dppf)(nbe)] [1; dppf = 1,1′‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ferrocene, nbe = norbornene] with the 1,2‐dihydrodisilanes HPh2SiSiPh2H or HMe2SiSiMe2H gave [Pt(SiR2H)2(dppf)] (2, R = Ph; 4, R = Me) by oxidative addition of the Si–Si bond. The bis‐silyl complexes 2 and 4 react with H2 to give [Pt(H)(SiR2H)(dppf)] (3, R = Ph; 5, R = Me) and H2SiR2. Adding HPh2SiSiPh2H to the hydrido silyl complex 3, which can also be prepared through Si–H activation of H2SiPh2 at 1, resulted in the regeneration of 2 as well as in the release of H2SiPh2. Treatment of HR2SiSiR2H with H2 (1.7 bar) in the presence of 2 or 4 under moderate conditions led to the catalytic formation of H2SiR2 with TONs up to 25. The catalytic conversions are distinguished by a high selectivity for the hydrogenolysis of the 1,2‐dihydrodisilanes, and no significant tendency for redistribution reactions at Si was observed.
Nickel(II)–PPh3 Complexes of S,N‐Substituted Thiosemicarbazones – Structure, DFT Study, and Catalytic Efficiency
Authors: Güveli Şükriye , Agopcan Çınar Sesil , Karahan Özlem , Aviyente Viktorya , Ülküseven Bahri
Published: January 2016

Five 2‐hydroxyacetophenone thiosemicarbazones with [–N4H–R–(SH)] (where R is ethyl or phenyl) and [–N4H–R–(SR1)] (where R/R1 denote methyl/methyl, methyl/propyl, or phenyl/methyl) substituents on the thioamide group were synthesized. The ligands have an ONS or ONN donor set, and the reaction of the dibasic ligands with [Ni(PPh3)2Cl2] yields chelate complexes with general formula [Ni(L)(PPh3)]. The stable solid complexes were characterized by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The crystallographic structures of two complexes, one with an S‐methyl‐N4‐phenyl‐ and the other with an S‐propyl‐N4‐methyl‐substituted thiosemicarbazidato ligand, are reported. The complexes crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/n, and the nickel centers have a distorted square‐planar environment. The coupling reaction of phenylmagnesium bromide with bromobenzene was used to determine the catalytic activities of the nickel(II) complexes prepared, and the results show that the ONN complexes provide higher yields relative to those with ONS donors. The catalytic efficiency of the nickel complexes was modeled by using density functional theory (DFT).
Rare‐Earth Tetracyanidoborate Salts – Structural Features and Properties Including Luminescence of [RE­(H2O)8][B(CN)4]3·nH2O and [RE­(H2O)7{κ1N‐B(CN)4}][B(CN)4]2 (RE = Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu; n ≤ 3)
Authors: Falk Fanni , Hackbarth Liisa , Lochbrunner Stefan , Marciniak Henning , Köckerling Martin
Published: January 2016

New tetracyanidoborate salts with hydrated rare‐earth‐metal cations (RE3+) were synthesized by the reactions of rare‐earth‐metal oxides or hydroxides with tetracyanidoboronic acid, H[B(CN)4]·nH2O. Two groups of isostructural compounds were obtained with the formulas [RE(H2O)8][B(CN)4]3·nH2O (structure I) and [RE(H2O)7{κ1N‐B(CN)4}][B(CN)4]2 (structure II) for RE = Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu and n ≤ 3. Both structures have discrete eight‐coordinate RE3+ complex cations, as [RE(H2O)8]3+ in structure I and [RE(H2O)7{κ1N‐B(CN)4}]2+ in structure II. The heating of the compounds to temperature of ca. 160 °C gives anhydrous samples, but elongated heating to temperatures above ca. 200 °C leads to the slow decomposition of the tetracyanidoborates. The luminescence properties of a solid sample of the anhydrous Tb salt and a solution of the Dy salt were investigated. Both show intense lines in their excitation and emission spectra that were assigned to electronic transitions within the f and d shells.
Rapid and Scalable Synthesis of cis‐Fused Guaiane‐Type Sesquiterpenes
Authors: Serba Christelle , Lagoutte Roman , Winssinger Nicolas
Published: January 2016

Sesquiterpenes have been a rich source of bioactive compounds and have inspired innovative methodological developments. Herein we report a rapid and scalable synthesis of a substrate for a 4+3 cycloaddition in order to access the cis‐fused bicyclic system of the guaianes. We further show diverse and efficient functionalizations of the bicyclic system. The relative stereochemistry was assigned based on the crystal structure of a key product.
Mercury correlations among blood, muscle, and hair of northern elephant seals during the breeding and molting fasts
Authors: Peterson Sarah H. , Ackerman Joshua T. , Costa Daniel P.
Published: January 2016

Mercury (Hg) biomonitoring and toxicological risk assessments for marine mammals commonly sample different tissues, making comparisons with toxicity benchmarks and among species and regions difficult. Few studies have examined how life-history events, such as fasting, influence the relationship between total Hg (THg) concentrations in different tissues. The authors evaluated the relationships between THg concentrations in blood, muscle, and hair of female and male northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) at the start and end of the breeding and molting fasts. The relationships between tissues varied among tissue pairs and differed by sampling period and sex. Blood and muscle were generally related at all time periods; however, hair, an inert tissue, did not strongly represent the metabolically active tissues (blood and muscle) at all times of year. The strongest relationships between THg concentrations in hair and those in blood or muscle were observed during periods of active hair growth (end of the molting period) or during time periods when internal body conditions were similar to those when the hair was grown (end of the breeding fast). The results indicate that THg concentrations in blood or muscle can be translated to the other tissue type using the equations developed but that THg concentrations in hair were generally a poor index of internal THg concentrations except during the end of fasting periods. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2103–2110. © 2016 SETAC
Sex-specific changes in thyroid gland function and circulating thyroid hormones in nestling American kestrels (Falco sparverius) following embryonic exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers by maternal transfer
Authors: Fernie Kim J. , Marteinson Sarah C.
Published: January 2016

High concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) accumulate in predatory birds. Several PBDE congeners are considered thyroid disruptors; however, avian studies are limited. The authors examined circulating thyroid hormones and thyroid gland function of nestling American kestrels (Falco sparverius) at 17 d to 20 d of age, following embryonic exposure by maternal transfer only to environmentally relevant levels of PBDEs (DE-71 technical mixture). Nestlings were exposed to in ovo sum (Σ) PBDE concentrations of 11 301 ± 95 ng/g wet weight (high exposure), 289 ± 33 ng/g wet weight (low exposure), or 3.0 ± 0.5 ng/g wet weight (controls, background exposure). Statistical comparisons are made to controls of the respective sexes and account for the relatedness of siblings within broods. Circulating concentrations of plasma total thyroxine (TT4) and total triiodothyronine (TT3) in female nestlings were significantly influenced overall by the exposure to DE-71. Following intramuscular administration of thyroid-stimulating hormone, the temporal response of the thyroid gland in producing and/or releasing TT4 was also significantly affected by the females' exposure to DE-71. The altered availability of T4 for conversion to T3 outside of the gland and/or changes in thyroid-related enzymatic activity may explain the lower TT3 concentrations (baseline, overall) and moderately altered temporal TT3 patterns (p = 0.06) of the treatment females. Controlling for the significant effect on TT3 levels of the delayed hatching of treatment females, baseline TT3 levels were significantly and positively correlated with body mass (10 d, 15 d, 20 d), with PBDE-exposed females generally being smaller and having lower TT3 concentrations. Given that exposure concentrations were environmentally relevant, similar thyroidal changes and associated thyroid-mediated processes relating to growth may also occur in wild female nestlings. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2084–2091. © 2016 SETAC
Hydrological Modeling and Prehistoric Settlement on Santa Rosa Island, California, USA
Authors: Jazwa Christopher S. , Duffy Christopher J. , Leonard Lorne , Kennett Douglas J.
Published: January 2016

Fresh water availability was an important variable that influenced prehistoric human settlement on California's northern Channel Islands. Previous attempts to understand settlement on the islands use watershed size as a proxy for water at canyon mouths. In semi‐arid regions, this approach has limitations because streams may lose much or all of their flow to groundwater. We developed a distributed hydrological model for Santa Rosa Island that incorporates geospatial and temporal data for climate (precipitation, solar radiation, wind speed, relative humidity, temperature), soils, vegetation, and topography to simulate the complex land‐surface‐groundwater behavior of island hydrology for hypothetical wet, dry, and median centuries. Our simulations show that water flow is greatest in drainages on the northwest and east coasts of the island. This correlates with some of the earliest and most persistent settlement on the island. During the most extreme droughts of the last 2000 years during the Medieval Climatic Anomaly (1150–600 cal BP), island populations contracted to a small number of large coastal villages. We argue that this was related in part to the greater availability of surface water at these locations. This study expands the theoretical and methodological scope of past studies that have applied hydrological simulation to archaeological investigations.
Possible Involvement of the Inhibition of NF‐κB Factor in Anti‐Inflammatory Actions That Melatonin Exerts on Mast Cells
Authors: Maldonado M.D. , García‐Moreno H. , González‐Yanes C. , Calvo J.R.
Published: January 2016

Melatonin is a molecule endogenously produced in a wide variety of immune cells, including mast cells (RBL‐2H3). It exhibits immunomodulatory, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic properties. The physiologic mechanisms underlying these activities of melatonin have not been clarified in mast cells. This work is designed to determine the anti‐inflammatory effect and mechanism of action of melatonin on activated mast cells. RBL‐2H3 were pre‐treated with exogenous melatonin (MELx) at physiological (100nM) and pharmacological (1 mM) doses for 30 min, washed and activated with PMACI (phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187) for 2 h and 12 h. The data shows that pre‐treatment of MELx in stimulated mast cells, significantly reduced the levels of endogenous melatonin production (MELn), TNF‐α and IL‐6. These effects are directly related with the MELx concentration used. MELx also inhibited IKK/NF‐κB signal transduction pathway in stimulated mast cells. These results indicate a molecular basis for the ability of melatonin to prevent inflammation and for the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases through the down‐regulation of mast cell activation. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1926–1933, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ECM‐Dependence of Endothelial Progenitor Cell Features
Authors: Siavashi Vahid , Nassiri Seyed Mahdi , Rahbarghazi Reza , Vafaei Rana , Sariri Reyhaneh
Published: January 2016

Preserving self‐renewal, multipotent capacity, and large‐scale expansion of highly functional progenitor cells, including endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), is a controversial issue. These current limitations, therefore, raise the need of developing promising in vitro conditions for prolonged expansion of EPCs without loss of their stemness feature. In the current study, the possible role of three different natural extracellular substrates, including collagen, gelatin, and fibronectin, on multiple parameters of EPCs such as cell morphology, phenotype, clonogenic, and vasculogenic properties was scrutinized. Next, EPCs from GFP‐positive mice were pre‐expanded on each of these ECM substrates and then systemically transplanted into sublethaly irradiated mice to analyze the potency of these cells for marrow reconstitution. Our results revealed considerable promise for fibronectin for EPC expansion with maintenance of stemness characteristics, whereas gelatin and collagen matrices directed the cells toward a mature endothelial phenotype. Transplantation of EPCs pre‐expanded on fibronectin resulted in widespread distribution and appropriate engraftment to various tissues with habitation in close association with the microvasculature. In addition, fibronectin pre‐expanded cells were gradually enriched in the bone marrow after transplantation, resulting in marrow repopulation and hematologic recovery, leading to improved survival of recipient mice whereas gelatin‐ and collagen‐expanded cells failed to reconstitute the bone marrow. This study demonstrated that, cell characteristics of in vitro expanded EPCs are determined by the subjacent matrix. Fibronectin‐expanded EPCs are heralded as a source of great promise for bone marrow reconstitution and neo‐angiogenesis in therapeutic bone marrow transplantation. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1934–1946, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Morphology and distribution of antennal sensilla of female Phyllotreta striolata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Zhang Guo‐Hui , Li Bo‐Liao , Li Chuan‐Ren
Published: January 2016

Phyllotreta striolata (Fabricius) is an important pest of Brassicaceae in Southeast Asia and North America. Using scanning electron microscopy, we observed the external structure, number, and distribution of the antennal sensilla in P. striolata females to discuss the putative function of these sensilla in host location and oviposition behaviors. The antenna of female P. striolata is filiform, composed of a scape, a pedicel, and a flagellum with 9 flagellomeres. Five types of sensilla were identified, including sensilla cheaetica, sensilla trichodea, Böhm bristles, sensilla auricillica, and sensilla basiconica (five subtypes, SB1–SB2). External structure and distribution of antennal sensilla are compared with data from other insect species. In addition, we discuss the possible functions of antennal sensilla based on their characteristics. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:219–226, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
2‐Bromo‐1‐(1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)ethanone: Versatile Precursor for Novel Mono‐ and Bis[pyrazolylthiazoles]
Authors: Salem Mostafa E. , Darweesh Ahmed F. , Mekky Ahmed E. M. , Farag Ahmad M. , Elwahy Ahmed H. M.
Published: January 2016

The synthesis of novel bis(thiazoles) 20a, 20b, 20c and 23a, 23b, 23c is reported. Thus, reaction of 2‐bromo‐1‐(5‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)ethanone (6) with the corresponding thioamide derivatives 7a,7b, in refluxing EtOH in the presence of triethylamine, afforded 4‐pyrazolylthiazoles 8a, 8b in good yields. On the other hand, the novel bis(thiazoles) 20a, 20b, 20c and 23a, 23b, 23c were obtained from the reaction of 6 with the corresponding benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazones 19a, 19b, 19c, 22a, 22b, 22c in refluxing EtOH. Compounds 19a, 19b, 19c and 22a, 22b, 22c were obtained by condensation of the corresponding bis(aldehydes) 18a, 18b, 18c and 21a, 21b, 21c with thiosemicarbazide.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidine and 1,8‐Naphthyridine Derivatives as Potential Antitumor Agents
Authors: Behalo Mohamed S. , Mele Giuseppe
Published: January 2016

New series of pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidine and 1,8‐naphthyridine derivatives were synthesized from 2‐amino‐6‐(phenoxathiin‐2‐yl)‐4‐(thiophene‐2‐yl) nicotinonitrile as starting material, and their structures were characterized on the basis of the spectral data. Most of the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against two cancer cell lines, namely, breast cancer Michigan Cancer Foundation‐7 (MCF‐7) and prostate cancer human prostatic carcinoma cell line (PC‐3) using MTT assay. Some of these compounds showed potent cytotoxic effect concluded from their IC50 values.
Synthesis of Some New 1,3,4,5‐tetrasubstituted‐1H‐imidazole‐2(3H)‐thiones Via a Facile One‐Pot Three‐Component Reaction in the Presence of Solvent and Heteropolyacids
Authors: Shaker Mohammad , Davoodnia Abolghasem , Vahedi Hooshang , Lari Jalil , Roshani Mina , Mallaeke Hassan
Published: January 2016

A simple and efficient synthesis of 1,3,4,5‐trisubstituted‐1H‐imidazole‐2(3H)‐thiones via a one‐pot three‐component reaction of benzoin with isothiocyanates and aromatic amines in the presence of glacial acetic acid and heteropolyacid is described. All synthesized compounds were characterized on the basis of their spectral and microanalytical data.
Alterations of neocortico‐limbic association fibers and correlation with diet in prediabetes diagnosed by impaired fasting glucose
Authors: Hou Yi‐Cheng , Yang Shwu‐Huey , Wu Yu‐Te , Lai Chien‐Han
Published: January 2016

Purpose

To assess the existence of alterations in the micro‐integrity of the fasciculus in prediabetic subjects. The issue of micro‐integrity in white matter tracts has not been adequately addressed in prediabetes.

Materials and Methods

Sixty‐four prediabetic subjects and 54 controls were enrolled. All participants completed 24‐hour diet records and 3‐day diet records and received diffusion tensor imaging at 3T. The data for white matter micro‐integrity were analyzed and compared between prediabetic subjects and controls with age and gender as covariates. In addition, voxel‐wise regression between white matter micro‐integrity, diet, and preprandial glucose levels were used to explore the relationship between white matter micro‐integrity and diet or serum glucose levels.

Results

We found that prediabetic subjects had significant reductions in the micro‐integrity of bilateral anterior thalamic radiation, left inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and left superior longitudinal fasciculus (corrected P < 0.05). In addition, total carbohydrate intake amount and preprandial serum glucose levels were negatively correlated with the micro‐integrity in the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus and left anterior thalamic radiation (r: –0.47, corrected P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Restrictive alterations in the white matter micro‐integrity of the anterior thalamic radiation and inferior and superior longitudinal fasciculi might represent the initial “hot spots” for white matter tract alterations, which might play a role in the development of prediabetes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;43:1500–1506.
The Impact of Heavy Grazing on Soil Quality and Pasture Production in Rangelands of SW Spain
Authors: Pulido Manuel , Schnabel Susanne , Lavado Contador Joaquín Francisco , Lozano‐Parra Javier , González Francisco
Published: January 2016

Soil degradation phenomena, including water erosion and physical and biological processes, have already been reported in rangelands of southwestern Spain. The increasing numbers of livestock since 1986 have been highlighted as one of the key causes. The main goal of this work is to analyse the effects of the excessive number of animals on soil quality and pasture production on privately owned farms dedicated to extensive ranching. Soil properties and surface cover, pasture production, rainfall and land management variables such as livestock density were analysed during a period of 3 years (2008–2011). The study was carried out in 22 livestock enclosures selected from ten farms distributed throughout the Spanish region of Extremadura. The occurrence of bare soil patches and water erosion processes, as well as an increase of mean bulk density in the soil layer from 5 to 10 cm in depth, was observed in the enclosures with animal stocking rates exceeding 1 AU ha−1. Indications that confirm the negative effects of increased bulk density on pasture production and quality were also found. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fractionated bipolar radiofrequency and bipolar radiofrequency potentiated by infrared light for treating striae: A prospective randomized, comparative trial with objective evaluation
Authors: Harmelin Yona , Boineau Dominique , Cardot‐Leccia Nathalie , Fontas Eric , Bahadoran Philippe , Becker Anne‐lise , Montaudié Henri , Castela Emeline , Perrin Christophe , Lacour Jean‐Philippe , Passeron Thierry
Published: January 2016

Background and Objective

Very few treatments for striae are based on prospective randomized trials. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of bipolar fractional radiofrequency and bipolar radiofrequency potentiated with infrared light, alone or combined, for treating abdominal stretch marks.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Bicentric prospective interventional randomized controlled trial in the department of Dermatology of University Hospital of Nice and Aesthetics Laser Center of Bordeaux, France. Men and women of age 18 years or above, who presented for the treatment of mature or immature abdominal striae were included. The patients’ abdomens were divided into four equal quadrants. Bipolar radiofrequency potentiated with infrared light and fractional bipolar radiofrequency were applied, alone or combined, and compared to the remaining untreated quadrant. The main criterion of evaluation was the measurement of depth of striae, using 3D photography at 6 months follow‐up. A global assessment was also rated by the physician performing the treatment and by the patients. Histological analysis and confocal laser microscopy were additionally performed.

Results

A total of 22 patients were enrolled, and 384 striae were measured. In per protocol analysis mean striae depth was decreased by 21.64%, observed at 6 months follow‐up with the combined approach, compared to an increase of 1.73% in the control group (P < 0.0001). No significant difference in striae width was observed between the treated or control quadrants. Global assessment by the physician who performed the treatment and by the patient both showed greater improved with the combination treatment compared to control areas (P = 0.004 and P = 0.01, respectively). A more homogeneous interlacing pattern and thicker collagen fibers with a decreased proportion of elastic fibers was observed after treatment.

Conclusion

Fractional bipolar radiofrequency, combined with bipolar radiofrequency potentiated by infrared light, is an effective treatment of both immature and mature striae of the abdomen. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:245–253, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of Q‐switched Nd: YAG laser and fractional carbon dioxide laser for the treatment of solar lentigines in Asians
Authors: Vachiramon Vasanop , Panmanee Wikanda , Techapichetvanich Thanya , Chanprapaph Kumutnart
Published: January 2016

Background/Objective

Solar lentigines are benign pigmented lesions that occur mostly on sun‐exposed areas. Q‐switched and ablative lasers are effective for removing these lesions but the high incidence of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation raises concern in darker skin types. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy and degree of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation with the Q‐switched Nd:YAG and fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser for treatment of solar lentigines in Asians.

Study design

Twenty‐five Thai patients (skin phototype III–IV) with at least two lesions of solar lentigines on upper extremities were enrolled in this study. Two lesions were randomly selected for the treatment with a single session of Q‐switched Nd:YAG or fractional CO2 laser. Outcomes were evaluated using physician grading scale, colorimeter, and patient self‐assessment at 6 and 12 weeks after treatment. Side effects were recorded.

Results

A total of 532 nm Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser showed significant improvement of pigmentation over fractional CO2 laser at 6th and 12th week by both colorimeter assessment and physician grading scale (P < 0.05). No significant difference in postinflammatory hyperpigmentation from both lasers was observed. In terms of patient self‐assessment, 80% of the patients treated with 532 nm Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser had excellent results compared to 8% in fractional CO2 laser group. However, fractional CO2 laser treatment had faster healing time and less pain score compared to Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser.

Conclusions

Q‐switched Nd:YAG is superior to fractional CO2 laser for treatment of solar lentigines but requires longer healing time and produces more pain. The incidence of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was not significantly different with both lasers. Further studies are needed to obtain the proper parameter and the treatment frequency of fractional CO2 laser in solar lentigines. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:354–359, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.