bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Study of Effects of Terminal Non‐Alkyl Aromatic and Alkyl Groups on Small‐Molecule Solar Cell Performance
Authors: Tang Ailing , Zhan Chuanlang , Yao Jiannian
Published: May 2015

Small‐molecule donors for solar cells are usually end‐capped with π‐systems or aliphatic chains extending the π‐conjugation of the molecules's backbone. Compared with alkyl terminals, π‐systems can form π−π arrangements, for example, with an aligning spherical fullerene π‐system. To study the effects of two kinds of terminals on the solar cell performance, the non‐alkyl, branched aromatic and electron‐donating diphenylamine (DPA) and the aliphatic n‐butyl (n‐Bu) unit are selected as end‐capping groups on a diketopyrrolo­pyrrole‐based linear backbone, affording two new solution‐processable small‐molecule donors. Photovoltaic data indicate that by changing the end‐function from n‐Bu to DPA, the photocurrent significantly increases from 8.35 to 15.64 mA cm−2 and the efficiency from 3.2 to 5.8%. Characterization of absorption, morphology, recombination, and carrier transportation clearly demonstrates that the higher photocurrent can be attributed to a higher density of the mobile carriers (i.e., free holes, in this case). The DPA end‐functions enhance the light‐harvesting capacity, improve the charge dissociation, and reduce the recombination loss, all of which lead to more carriers being collected by the electrode. This work demonstrates that the choice of end‐function along the molecular backbone is as important to improve the cell performance as the light‐harvesting backbone and the side‐chains.
Silver(I)‐ or Copper(II)‐Mediated Dearomatization of Aromatic Ynones: Direct Access to Spirocyclic Scaffolds
Authors: James Michael J. , Cuthbertson James D. , O'Brien Peter , Taylor Richard J. K. , Unsworth William P.
Published: May 2015

A high‐yielding silver(I)‐ or copper(II)‐catalyzed dearomatizing spirocyclization strategy allows the conversion of simple aromatic compounds that contain ynone substituents, including indole, anisole, pyrrole, and benzofuran derivatives, into functionalized spirocyclic scaffolds. A high‐yielding asymmetric variant furnishes spirocyclic indolenines in up to 89:11 e.r.
Zeitaufgelöste Elektronenspinresonanz‐Spektroskopie an Triplett‐Exzitonen deckt Ordnung von PCDTBT auf
Authors: Biskup Till , Sommer Michael , Rein Stephan , Meyer Deborah L. , Kohlstädt Markus , Würfel Uli , Weber Stefan
Published: May 2015

Die zeitaufgelöste Elektronenspinresonanz‐Spektroskopie (“time‐resolved electron paramagnetic resonance”, TREPR) ist sehr hilfreich, um Triplett‐Exzitonen konjugierter Polymere zu charakterisieren. Die resultierenden Spektren sind hochgradig von der Orientierung der Moleküle abhängig. In dünnen Filmen, die auf PET‐Folie aufgetragen wurden, kann so die Orientierung des Moleküls bezüglich der Folienebene bestimmt werden. Das liefert einen Zugang zur Probenmorphologie auf mikroskopischer Ebene. Erstaunlicherweise ist das hier untersuchte Polymer – ein vielversprechendes Material in der organischen Photovoltaik – selbst in Bulk‐Proben geordnet. Orientierungseffekte können einen entscheidenden Einfluss auf die Effizienz von Solarzellen haben. Deshalb ist eine entsprechende Kontrolle der Probenmorphologie von grundlegender Bedeutung.
Poly(methyl methacrylate) copolymer nanocapsules containing phase‐change material (n‐dodecanol) prepared via miniemulsion polymerization
Authors: Yu Fei , Chen Zhong‐Hua , Zeng Xing‐Rong , Gao Xue‐Nong , Zhang Zheng‐Guo
Published: May 2015

Poly(methyl methacrylate) copolymer nanocapsules containing the phase‐change material n‐dodecanol, which could be used for energy storage, were prepared with different comonomers via miniemulsion polymerization. The thermal properties, morphology, and composition of nanocapsules were characterized with differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results show that the thermal properties and morphology of the nanocapsules were influenced greatly by the type and amount of comonomers. Under the same dosage of 4 wt %, the nanocapsules prepared with the comonomer acrylamine and which had a moderate hydrophilicity showed the highest phase‐change latent heat of 109.3 J/g; the acrylamine that had a moderate hydrophilicity and the highest encapsulation efficiency of 91.3%. The size of the nanocapsules ranged from 50 to 100 nm with a uniform spherical shape and apparent core–shell structure. We also found that when the amount of the soft comonomer butyl acrylate was increased, the phase‐change latent heat of the nanocapsules first decreased slightly, then increased to the maximum value with deformed spherical and conglutinated morphology, and finally decreased continuously. The thermal stability of the nanocapsules became weaker with higher contents of core material. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42334.
Conformational diversity of single‐stranded DNA from bacterial repetitive extragenic palindromes: Implications for the DNA recognition elements of transposases
Authors: Charnavets Tatsiana , Nunvar Jaroslav , Nečasová Iva , Völker Jens , Breslauer Kenneth J. , Schneider Bohdan
Published: May 2015

Repetitive extragenic palindrome (REP)—associated tyrosine transposase enzymes (RAYTs) bind REP DNA domains and catalyze their cleavage. Genomic sequence analyses identify potential noncoding REP sequences associated with RAYT‐encoding genes. To probe the conformational space of potential RAYT DNA binding domains, we report here spectroscopic and calorimetric measurements that detect and partially characterize the solution conformational heterogeneity of REP oligonucleotides from six bacterial species. Our data reveal most of these REP oligonucleotides adopt multiple conformations, suggesting that RAYTs confront a landscape of potential DNA substrates in dynamic equilibrium that could be selected, enriched, and/or induced via differential binding. Thus, the transposase‐bound DNA motif may not be the predominant conformation of the isolated REP domain. Intriguingly, for several REPs, the circular dichroism spectra suggest guanine tetraplexes as potential alternative or additional RAYT recognition elements, an observation consistent with these REP domains being highly nonrandom, with tetraplex‐favoring 5′‐G and 3′‐C‐rich segments. In fact, the conformational heterogeneity of REP domains detected and reported here, including the formation of noncanonical DNA secondary structures, may reflect a general feature required for recognition by RAYT transposases. Based on our biophysical data, we propose guanine tetraplexes as an additional DNA recognition element for binding by RAYT transposase enzymes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 103: 585–596, 2015.
Controllable data sampling in the space of human poses
Authors: Yang Kyungyong , Youn Kibeom , Lee Kyungho , Lee Jehee
Published: May 2015

Markerless human pose recognition using a single‐depth camera plays an important role in interactive graphics applications and user interface design. Recent pose recognition algorithms have adopted machine learning techniques, utilizing a large collection of motion capture data. The effectiveness of the algorithms is greatly influenced by the diversity and variability of training data. We present a new sampling method that resamples a collection of human motion data to improve the pose variability and achieve an arbitrary size and level of density in the space of human poses. The space of human poses is high dimensional, and thus, brute‐force uniform sampling is intractable. We exploit dimensionality reduction and locally stratified sampling to generate either uniform or application specifically biased distributions in the space of human poses. Our algorithm learns to recognize such challenging poses as sitting, kneeling, stretching, and doing yoga using a remarkably small amount of training data. The recognition algorithm can also be steered to maximize its performance for a specific domain of human poses. We demonstrate that our algorithm performs much better than the Kinect software development kit for recognizing challenging acrobatic poses while performing comparably for easy upright standing poses. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A hybrid SDF for the detailed representation of liquid–solid mixed surfaces
Authors: Kim Jong‐Hyun , Kim Chang‐Hun , Lee Jung
Published: May 2015

We propose a hybrid signed distance field (SDF) method for reconstructing the detailed surface of a model as it changes from a solid state to a liquid state. Previous particle‐based fluid simulations suffer from a noisy surface problem when the particles are distributed irregularly. If a smoothing scheme is applied to reduce the problem, sharp and detailed features can be lost by over‐smoothing artifacts. Our method constructs a hybrid SDF by combining level‐set values from the solid and liquid parts of the object. This makes it possible to represent the detailed features and smooth surfaces of an object when both solid and liquid parts are mixed in that object. In addition, the concept of a guiding shape is proposed, which uses a coordinate‐warping technique to query the level‐set values quickly. The guiding shape is constructed from the object before the simulation begins and some parts of it become liquid. To track the details of the initial solid shape and preserve it, the transformation of the guiding shape is accumulated while the phase‐shift is in progress. By warping the coordinates of this accumulated transformation of the guiding shape, the level‐set values of the solid part can be acquired very quickly. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relevance of the Second Harmonic Generation to Characterize Crystalline Samples
Authors: Simon Florent , Clevers Simon , Dupray Valérie , Coquerel Gérard
Published: May 2015

The application of powder second harmonic generation (P‐SHG), temperature‐resolved SHG (TR‐SHG), and SHG microscopy (SHGM) in the characterization of bulk crystalline samples is illustrated. P‐SHG applied to powder samples can be an extremely sensitive approach to detect the absence of an inversion center in crystalline structures, TR‐SHG serves to monitor temperature‐induced phase transitions, and SHGM is used in the detection of non‐centrosymmetric zones inside a heterogeneous material. These methods are of great relevance, e.g., in the pharmaceutical industry where crystalline active pharmaceutical ingredients are often made of a single enantiomer and are therefore non‐centrosymmetric. Herein, several examples are provided to describe how a given SHG signal should be interpreted. A general procedure to carry out a P‐SHG experiment is illustrated in detail.
Electrophilic Addition to Alkenes: The Relation between Reactivity and Enthalpy of Hydrogenation: Regioselectivity is Determined by the Stability of the Two Conceivable Products
Authors: Schnatter Wayne F. K. , Rogers Donald W. , Zavitsas Andreas A.
Published: May 2015

Although electrophilic addition to alkenes has been well studied, some secrets still remain. Halogenations, hydrohalogenations, halohydrin formations, hydrations, epoxidations, other oxidations, carbene additions, and ozonolyses are investigated to elucidate the relation of alkene reactivities with their enthalpies of hydrogenation (ΔHhyd). For addition of electrophiles to unconjugated hydrocarbon alkenes, ln(k) is a linear function of ΔHhyd, where k is the rate constant. Linear correlation coefficients are about 0.98 or greater. None of the many previously proposed correlations of ln(k) with the properties of alkenes or with linear free‐energy relationships match the generality and accuracy of the simple linear relationship found herein. A notable exception is acid‐catalyzed hydration in water or in solvents stabilizing relatively stable carbocation intermediates (e.g., tertiary, benzylic, or allylic). 13C NMR chemical shifts of the two alkene carbons also predict regioselectivity. These effects have not been noted previously and are operative in general, including addition to heteroatom‐substituted alkenes.
Global Existence of Weak Solutions of the Nematic Liquid Crystal Flow in Dimension Three
Authors: Lin Fanghua , Wang Changyou
Published: May 2015

For any bounded smooth domain , we establish the global existence of a weak solution of the initial boundary value (or the Cauchy) problem of the simplified Ericksen‐Leslie system LLF modeling the hydrodynamic flow of nematic liquid crystals for any initial and boundary (or Cauchy) data , with (the upper hemisphere). Furthermore, (u,d) satisfies the global energy inequality.© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lamellar versus Micellar Structures—Aggregation Behavior of a Three‐Chain Cationic Lipid Designed for Nonviral Polynucleotide Transfer
Authors: Wölk Christian , Janich Christopher , Pawlowska Dorota , Drescher Simon , Meister Annette , Hause Gerd , Dobner Bodo , Langner Andreas , Brezesinski Gerald
Published: May 2015

The aggregation behavior of a cationic lipid, N‐[6‐amino‐1‐oxo‐1‐(N‐tetradecylamino)hexan‐(2S)‐2‐yl]‐N′‐{2‐[N,N‐bis(2‐aminoethyl)amino]ethyl}‐2,2‐ditetradecylpropandiamide (DiTT4), is investigated in aqueous dispersions at different pH values (5, 7.3, and 10). An unusual aggregation behavior is observed whereby DiTT4 forms bilayer structures at pH 10 and 7.3. At pH 5, rod‐like micelles are the dominant aggregate form. The thermotropic and lyotropic behavior is studied using differential scanning calorimetry, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, and FTIR spectroscopy. In addition, investigations at the air–water interface are performed by recording area–pressure‐isotherms and infrared reflection–absorption (IRRA) spectra. Complementary dynamic light scattering experiments and transmission electron microscopy (TEM and cryoTEM) are also used. The ability of DiTT4 to complex plasmid DNA is investigated using fluorescence techniques and zeta potential measurements. Cell culture experiments demonstrate the ability of DiTT4 to enhance plasmid transfer in A549 cells.
Effectiveness of a peer‐delivered dissonance‐based program in reducing eating disorder risk factors in high school girls
Authors: Ciao Anna C. , Latner Janet D. , Brown Krista E. , Ebneter Daria S. , Becker Carolyn B.
Published: May 2015

Objective

This pilot study investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a peer‐led dissonance‐based eating disorders (ED) prevention/risk factor reduction program with high school girls.

Method

Ninth grade girls (n = 50) received the peer‐led program within the school curriculum. A quasi‐experimental design was used to assess changes in ED risk factors preintervention and postintervention compared with waitlist control. Participants were followed through 3‐month follow‐up.

Results

Peer‐leader adherence to an intervention manual tailored for this age group was high. The intervention was rated as highly acceptable, with a large proportion of participants reporting that they enjoyed the program and learned and applied new information. Intervention participants exhibited significantly greater pre‐post reductions in a majority of risk‐factor outcomes compared to waitlist controls. When groups were combined to assess program effects over time there were significant pre‐post reductions in a majority of outcomes that were sustained through 3‐month follow‐up.

Discussion

This pilot study provides tentative support for the effectiveness of using peer leaders to implement an empirically supported ED risk factor reduction program in a high school setting. Additional research is needed to replicate results in larger, better‐controlled trials with longer follow‐up. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:779–784)
Clinical utility of subtyping binge eating disorder by history of anorexia or bulimia nervosa in a treatment sample
Authors: Utzinger Linsey M. , Mitchell James E. , Cao Li , Crosby Ross D. , Crow Scott J. , Wonderlich Stephen A. , Peterson Carol B.
Published: May 2015

Objective

This study examined whether having a history of anorexia nervosa (AN) or bulimia nervosa (BN) is associated with response to treatment in adults with binge eating disorder (BED).

Method

Data from 189 adults diagnosed with BED who were randomly assigned to one of three group cognitive‐behavioral (CBT) treatments were analyzed to compare those with and without a history of AN/BN.

Results

A total of 16% of the sample had a history of AN/BN. The BED subgroup with a history of AN/BN presented with higher rates of mood disorders and greater eating‐related symptom severity at baseline. Participants with a history of AN/BN also had higher global eating disorder (ED) symptoms at end of treatment (EOT), and more frequent objective binge‐eating episodes at EOT and 12‐month follow‐up.

Discussion

These findings suggest that in adults with BED, a history of AN/BN is predictive of greater eating‐related symptom severity following group‐based CBT and poorer short‐ and long‐term binge‐eating outcomes. These findings suggest that considering ED history in the treatment of adults with BED may be clinically useful. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:785–789)
Comparison of overweight and obese military‐dependent and civilian adolescent girls with loss‐of‐control eating
Authors: Schvey Natasha A. , Sbrocco Tracy , Stephens Mark , Bryant Edny J. , Ress Rachel , Spieker Elena A. , Conforte Allison , Bakalar Jennifer L. , Pickworth Courtney K. , Barmine Marissa , Klein David , Brady Sheila M. , Yanovski Jack A. , Tanofsky‐Kraff Marian
Published: May 2015

Objective

Limited data suggest that the children of U.S. service members may be at increased risk for disordered‐eating. To date, no study has directly compared adolescent military‐dependents to their civilian peers along measures of eating pathology and associated correlates. We, therefore, compared overweight and obese adolescent female military‐dependents to their civilian counterparts along measures of eating‐related pathology and psychosocial functioning.

Method

Adolescent females with a BMI between the 85th and 97th percentiles and who reported loss‐of‐control eating completed interview and questionnaire assessments of eating‐related and general psychopathology.

Results

Twenty‐three military‐dependents and 105 civilians participated. Controlling for age, race, and BMI‐z, military‐dependents reported significantly more binge episodes per month (p < 0.01), as well as greater eating‐concern, shape‐concern, and weight‐concern (p's < 0.01) than civilians. Military‐dependents also reported more severe depression (p < 0.05).

Discussion

Adolescent female military‐dependents may be particularly vulnerable to disordered‐eating compared with civilian peers. This potential vulnerability should be considered when assessing military‐dependents. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:790–794)
Assessment of Catalysis by Arene‐Ruthenium Complexes Containing Phosphane or NHC Groups bearing Pendant Conjugated Diene Systems
Authors: Baraut Johann , Massard Alexandre , Chotard Florian , Bodio Ewen , Picquet Michel , Richard Philippe , Borguet Yannick , Nicks François , Demonceau Albert , Le Gendre Pierre
Published: May 2015

Two p‐cymene‐ruthenium complexes 1 and 2 were isolated in high yields by treating the [RuCl2(p‐cymene)]2 dimer with new hybrid phosphane‐ or NHC‐linked diene ligands. Both complexes were fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, and the molecular structure of the ruthenium–p‐cymene complex 1, containing the phosphane–diene ligand system, was determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The catalytic activities of both compounds were probed in atom‐transfer radical addition (ATRA) and polymerization (ATRP), in the cyclopropanation of olefins, in the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene, and in the synthesis of enol esters from hex‐1‐yne and 4‐acetoxybenzoic acid.
Synthesis of a P‐Stereogenic PNPtBu,Ph Ruthenium Pincer Complex and Its Application in Asymmetric Reduction of Ketones
Authors: Arenas Ismael , Boutureira Omar , Matheu M. Isabel , Díaz Yolanda , Castillón Sergio
Published: May 2015

A novel P‐stereogenic PNPtBu,Ph ruthenium complex has been synthesized and characterized enabling the asymmetric hydrogenation of a wide range of aromatic ketones with excellent catalytic activities (up to 98 % conversion) and good levels of enantiodiscrimination (up to 95 % ee).
Disruption of in vitro endothelial barrier integrity by Japanese encephalitis virus‐Infected astrocytes
Authors: Chang Cheng‐Yi , Li Jian‐Ri , Chen Wen‐Ying , Ou Yen‐Chuan , Lai Ching‐Yi , Hu Yu‐Hui , Wu Chih‐Cheng , Chang Chen‐Jung , Chen Chun‐Jung
Published: May 2015

Blood–brain barrier (BBB) characteristics are induced and maintained by crosstalk between brain microvascular endothelial cells and neighboring cells. Using in vitro cell models, we previously found that a bystander effect was a cause for Japanese encephalitis‐associated endothelial barrier disruption. Brain astrocytes, which neighbor BBB endothelial cells, play roles in the maintenance of BBB integrity. By extending the scope of relevant studies, a potential mechanism has been shown that the activation of neighboring astrocytes could be a cause of disruption of endothelial barrier integrity during the course of Japanese encephalitis viral (JEV) infection. JEV‐infected astrocytes were found to release biologically active molecules that activated ubiquitin proteasome, degraded zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1) and claudin‐5, and disrupted endothelial barrier integrity in cultured brain microvascular endothelial cells. JEV infection caused astrocytes to release vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP‐2/MMP‐9). Our data demonstrated that VEGF and IL‐6 released by JEV‐infected astrocytes were critical for the proteasomal degradation of ZO‐1 and the accompanying disruption of endothelial barrier integrity through the activation of Janus kinase‐2 (Jak2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 (STAT3) signaling as well as the induction of ubiquitin–protein ligase E3 component, n‐recognin‐1 (Ubr 1) in endothelial cells. MMP‐induced endothelial barrier disruption was accompanied by MMP‐mediated proteolytic degradation of claudin‐5 and ubiquitin proteasome‐mediated degradation of ZO‐1 via extracellular VEGF release. Collectively, these data suggest that JEV infection could activate astrocytes and cause release of VEGF, IL‐6, and MMP‐2/MMP‐9, thereby contributing, in a concerted action, to the induction of Japanese encephalitis‐associated BBB breakdown. GLIA 2015;63:1915–1932
Metastasis‐associated in colon cancer 1 is an independent prognostic biomarker for survival in klatskin tumor patients
Authors: Lederer Andri , Herrmann Pia , Seehofer Daniel , Dietel Manfred , Pratschke Johann , Schlag Peter , Stein Ulrike
Published: May 2015

Curative treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and hilar cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin tumors) is limited to surgical resection or orthotopic liver transplantation. However, not all patients benefit from a surgical approach and suffer from early tumor recurrence. Response to chemotherapy is generally poor and, until today, no targeted therapy could be established. Metastasis‐associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1) is a recently discovered regulator of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/Met/mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway, which induces proliferation, migration, and invasion in cell culture, as well as metastasis in mice. MACC1 expression shows a significant correlation with Met expression in colon cancer tissue and is highly prognostic for occurrence of distant metastasis and survival in colon cancer patients. Thus, we aimed to measure the expression of MACC1, Met, and HGF messenger RNA in microdissected tumor tissue and corresponding normal liver tissue of 156 patients with Klatskin tumors (n = 76) and ICC (n = 80) using real‐time quantitative reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. We used immunohistochemical staining to validate the results. MACC1 expression in tumor tissue of both tumor entities was significantly higher than in corresponding normal liver tissue (P < 0.001). Klatskin tumor patients with a history of tumor recurrence had significantly higher MACC1 expression than those without tumor recurrence (P = 0.005). Uni‐ und multivariate survival analysis showed that Klatskin tumor patients with high MACC1 had a significantly shorter overall (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS; P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). The multivariate analysis confirmed MACC1 to be an independent factor for overall survival in Klatskin tumor patients (hazard ratio: 2.777; 95% confidence interval: 1.389‐5.555; P = 0.004). Conclusion: Our study identified MACC1 as a highly prognostic biomarker for OS and DFS in Klatskin tumor patients. MACC1 expression could become an important diagnostic tool and might be a candidate for targeted therapy. (Hepatology 2015;62:841–850)
Impact of model development, calibration and validation decisions on hydrological simulations in West Lake Erie Basin
Authors: Daggupati Prasad , Yen Haw , White Michael J. , Srinivasan Raghavan , Arnold Jeffrey G. , Keitzer Conor S. , Sowa Scott P.
Published: May 2015

Watershed simulation models are used extensively to investigate hydrologic processes, landuse and climate change impacts, pollutant load assessments and best management practices (BMPs). Developing, calibrating and validating these models require a number of critical decisions that will influence the ability of the model to represent real world conditions. Understanding how these decisions influence model performance is crucial, especially when making science‐based policy decisions. This study used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model in West Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) to examine the influence of several of these decisions on hydrological processes and streamflow simulations. Specifically, this study addressed the following objectives (1) demonstrate the importance of considering intra‐watershed processes during model development, (2) compare and evaluated spatial calibration versus calibration at outlet and (3) evaluate parameter transfers across temporal and spatial scales. A coarser resolution (HUC‐12) model and a finer resolution model (NHDPlus model) were used to support the objectives. Results showed that knowledge of watershed characteristics and intra‐watershed processes are critical to produced accurate and realistic hydrologic simulations. The spatial calibration strategy produced better results compared to outlet calibration strategy and provided more confidence. Transferring parameter values across spatial scales (i.e. from coarser resolution model to finer resolution model) needs additional fine tuning to produce realistic results. Transferring parameters across temporal scales (i.e. from monthly to yearly and daily time‐steps) performed well with a similar spatial resolution model. Furthermore, this study shows that relying solely on quantitative statistics without considering additional information can produce good but unrealistic simulations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing the effects of precipitation and temperature changes on hydrological processes in a glacier‐dominated catchment
Authors: Wang Xiaolei , Luo Yi , Sun Lin , Zhang Yiqing
Published: May 2015

The processes by which climate change affects streamflow in alpine river basins are not entirely understood. This study evaluated the impacts of temperature and precipitation changes on runoff and streamflow using glacier‐enhanced Soil and Water Assessment Tool model. The study used observed and detrended historical meteorological data for recent decades (1961–2005) to analyse individual and combined effects of temperature and precipitation changes on snow and glacier melts and discharges in the Sary‐Djaz‐Kumaric River Basin (SRB), Tianshan Mountains. The results showed a 1.3% increase in annual snowmelt in the basin, mainly because of an increase in precipitation. Snowmelt in the basin varied seasonally, increasing from April through May because of increasing precipitation and decreasing from July through September because of rising temperature. Glacier melt increased by 5.4%, 5.0% of which was due to rising temperature and only 0.4% due to increasing precipitation. Annual streamflow increased by 4.4%, of which temperature and precipitation increases accounted for 2.5% and 1.9%, respectively. The impacts of temperature and precipitation changes on streamflow were especially significant after 1980 and even more so in September. Glacier melt, due to temperature rise, was the dominant driver of increasing streamflow in the glacier‐dominated SRB, Tianshan Mountains. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evapotranspiration Model of Maize Field with Ridge Culture Under Alternate Furrow Irrigation
Authors: Li Caixia , Zhou Xinguo , Sun Jingsheng , Li Fusheng , Gao Yang , Wang Hezhou
Published: May 2015

To precisely predict evapotranspiration of a maize field with ridge culture under alternate furrow irrigation, a modified Shuttleworth–Wallace (S‐W) model was developed by estimating soil surface resistances in irrigated and non‐irrigated zones with a proportional coefficient of the wet area, and calculating canopy resistance with the temperature difference between the upper and lower layer canopy. A field experiment with ridge‐tillage maize with alternate furrow irrigation was carried out in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Leaf transpiration was measured using a LI‐6400 photosynthesis system, and soil evaporation measured by micro‐lysimeter. Soil moisture, stomatal conductance and meteorological factors were collected to estimate soil surface resistance and canopy resistance. Results show that the relative errors between the simulated and observed values of daily soil evaporation were 0.0–10.3%, while the values were 1.4–7.1% for daily crop transpiration. Moreover, the mean absolute error and the root mean square error for simulating daily soil evaporation was 0.2 and 0.3 mm d‐1, respectively, while the values for daily transpiration estimation were 1.5 and 1.8 mm d‐1, respectively. The index of agreement was greater than 0.785, and the determination coefficient higher than 0.90. Therefore, the modified S‐W model can well predict evapotranspiration of ridge‐culture maize with alternate furrow irrigation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reinforcement of injectable calcium phosphate cement by gelatinized starches
Authors: Liu Huiling , Guan Ying , Wei Donglei , Gao Chunxia , Yang Huilin , Yang Lei
Published: May 2015

Current injectable calcium phosphate bone cements (CPC) encounter the problems of low strength, high brittleness, and low cohesion in aqueous environment, which greatly hinder their clinical applications for loading–bearing bone substitution and minimally invasive orthopedic surgeries. Here, a strategy of using gelatinized starches to reinforce injectable CPC was investigated. Four types of starches, namely corn starch, crosslinked starch, cationic starch, and Ca‐modified starch, were studied for their influence on CPC mechanical properties, injectability, setting times, anticollapsibility, and cytocompatibility. Gelatinized starch significantly improved compressive strength and modulus as well as strain energy density of CPC to different extents. Specifically, both corn starch and Ca‐modified starch revealed sixfold and more than twofold increases in the compressive strength and modulus of CPC, respectively. The addition of gelatinized starches with proper contents increased the injectability and anticollapsibility of CPC. In addition, osteoblast proliferation tests on leaching solution of modified cements showed that gelatinized starches had no adverse effect on cell proliferation, and all cement samples resulted in better osteoblast proliferation compared to phosphate‐buffered solution control. The mechanisms behind the reinforcing effect of different starches were preliminarily studied. Two possible mechanisms, reinforcement by the second phase of gelatinized starch and strong interlocking of apatite crystals, were proposed based on the results of starch zeta potential and viscosity, cement microstructure, and resultant mechanical properties. In conclusion, incorporating gelatinized starches could be an effective, facile, and bio‐friendly strategy to reinforce injectable CPC and improve its mechanical stability, and thus, should be further studied and developed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 615–625, 2016.
Localization of α‐Dystrobrevin in Cajal Bodies and Nucleoli: A New Role for α‐Dystrobrevin in the Structure/Stability of the Nucleolus
Authors: Anselmo Hernández‐Ibarra Jose , Samuel Laredo‐Cisneros Marco , Ricardo Mondragón‐González , Natalie Santamaría‐Guayasamín , Bulmaro Cisneros
Published: May 2015

α‐Dystrobrevin (α‐DB) is a cytoplasmic component of the dystrophin‐associated complex involved in cell signaling; however, its recently revealed nuclear localization implies a role for this protein in the nucleus. Consistent with this, we demonstrated, in a previous work that α‐DB1 isoform associates with the nuclear lamin to maintain nuclei morphology. In this study, we show the distribution of the α‐DB2 isoform in different subnuclear compartments of N1E115 neuronal cells, including nucleoli and Cajal bodies, where it colocalizes with B23/nucleophosmin and Nopp140 and with coilin, respectively. Recovery in a pure nucleoli fraction undoubtedly confirms the presence of α‐DB2 in the nucleolus. α‐DB2 redistributes in a similar fashion to that of fibrillarin and Nopp140 upon actinomycin‐mediated disruption of nucleoli and to that of coilin after disorganization of Cajal bodies through ultraviolet‐irradiation, with relocalization of the proteins to the corresponding reassembled structures after cessation of the insults, which implies α‐DB2 in the plasticity of these nuclear bodies. That localization of α‐DB2 in the nucleolus is physiologically relevant is demonstrated by the fact that downregulation of α‐DB2 resulted in both altered nucleoli structure and decreased levels of B23/nucleophosmin, fibrillarin, and Nopp140. Since α‐DB2 interacts with B23/nucleophosmin and overexpression of the latter protein favors nucleolar accumulation of α‐DB2, it appears that targeting of α‐DB2 to the nucleolus is dependent on B23/nucleophosmin. In conclusion, we show for the first time localization of α‐DB2 in nucleoli and Cajal bodies and provide evidence that α‐DB2 is involved in the structure of nucleoli and might modulate nucleolar functions. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 2755–2765, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development Under the Surface: The Rise of Indigenous Agriculture as an Unintended Consequence of Settler Institutions in Southern Rhodesia, 1896–1962
Authors: Andersson Martin , Green Erik
Published: May 2015

A broad body of scholarly work claims that Africans in settler colonies were economically marginalised as an intended consequence of colonial policies. What is not recognized in this literature is that institutions might instigate a multitude of social forces, some of them in unexpected directions. This paper takes the case of Southern Rhodesia—a typical African settler economy—to add to this discussion by shedding light on a largely discounted economic phenomenon, namely the rise of commercially oriented Africans. We argue that the relative success of this group can largely be understood as an unintended consequence of settler‐oriented colonial institutions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sequence analysis of EBV immune evasion gene BNLF2a in EBV associated tumors and healthy individuals from nasopharyngeal carcinoma endemic and non‐endemic regions of China
Authors: Liu Song , Wang Xiaofeng , Shu Jun , Zhao Zhenzhen , Sun Zhifu , Luo Bing
Published: May 2015

BNLF2a is an Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) immune evasion gene. Its protein is located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, and can inhibit the antigen transporting function of TAP, thereby perturbing the immune response to EBV in lytic and prelatent phase. In order to explore whether the polymorphism of BNLF2a gene has a role in different types of EBV associated tumors, we conducted complete sequencing of the gene BNLF2a in 408 cases of EBV positive tumors (76 lymphomas, 45 gastric carcinomas, and 85 nasopharyngeal carcinomas in northern China and 27 lymphomas, 30 gastric carcinomas, and 57 nasopharyngeal carcinomas in southern China) and throat washings from healthy individuals (39 in northern China and 49 in southern China). Two main variant types of BNLF2a were identified. Type BNLF2a‐A, which was similar to B95‐8, was dominant in all sub‐populations (66.7–100%) in this study. Type BNLF2a‐B was characterized by the mutations at position 8 and 40. The variation patterns of BNLF2a were significantly different between samples from northern and southern China (P < 0.05), and between the tumors and healthy donor samples from the northern China (P < 0.0167). Type BNLF2a‐B was more frequent in healthy donors of northern China (33.3%), and the proportion of this type was higher in the northern than in the southern NPCs. These data demonstrate that the BNLF2a gene is highly conserved, and its polymorphism is geographically restricted. Type BNLF2a‐B is more prevalent in northern China and may be less tumor transformative. J. Med. Virol. 87:1946–1952, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An automated, high through‐put method for accurate and precise measurements of dissolved nitrous‐oxide and methane concentrations in natural waters
Authors: Capelle David W. , Dacey John W. , Tortell Philippe D.
Published: May 2015

We describe a technique for measuring dissolved CH4 and N2O concentrations from discrete water samples using an automated purge and trap gas extraction system, coupled with a gas chromatograph‐mass spectrometer (PT‐GCMS). The automated system measures blanks, standards, and 25 samples in less than five hours with only ∼ 30 min of operator involvement. Rigorous testing of the PT‐GCMS demonstrates sensitivity, accuracy and precision that is comparable or better than conventional methods for CH4 and N2O analysis. Measured concentrations of CH4 and N2O in air‐equilibrated water samples showed good agreement with expected values derived from solubility calculations, and results of a multilaboratory intercalibration exercise showed that our measurements agree with those made using conventional methods. Precision of replicate water samples is 3.3% for CH4 and 3.0% for N2O. Detection limits are well below the expected concentrations in most natural waters with a five milliliters sample, and can be lowered substantially by analyzing a larger sample volume. To demonstrate the utility of the method, we present depth profiles of CH4 and N2O from Saanich Inlet, a coastal anoxic fjord in British Columbia. The Saanich Inlet water column exhibits rapid changes in CH4 and N2O across depth‐dependent and seasonally variable redox conditions. Our high through‐put, automated method facilitates the measurement of aqueous N2O and CH4 concentrations, and will thus help to improve our understanding of the natural cycling of these climate‐active trace gases.
Dynamic of DNA's possible impact on its damage
Authors: Abdel‐Gawad H. I. , Tantawy M. , Osman M. S.
Published: May 2015

E. Sanchez‐Palencia In this paper, we investigate the dynamic of DNA described via DNA double‐stranded model with transverse and longitudinal motions. This model admits solitary, soliton, periodic, or chirped wave solution. It is justified that the most admissible physical solution is the soliton or chirped wave solution. The stability analysis of all these solutions is performed by using the Sturm–Liouville problem and the topological invariance. We found that soliton and chirped waves are unstable so that the unbounded amplitude may occur. In the view of these models, damage of DNA membrane or bases may occur under small disturbance. Also, the suggested models will be indispensable when inhomogeneity or medium dissipation is taken into account. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Grain boundary segregation in multicrystalline silicon: correlative characterization by EBSD, EBIC, and atom probe tomography
Authors: Stoffers Andreas , Cojocaru‐Mirédin Oana , Seifert Winfried , Zaefferer Stefan , Riepe Stephan , Raabe Dierk
Published: May 2015

This study aims to better understand the influence of crystallographic structure and impurity decoration on the recombination activity at grain boundaries in multicrystalline silicon. A sample of the upper part of a multicrystalline silicon ingot with intentional addition of iron and copper has been investigated. Correlative electron‐beam‐induced current, electron backscatter diffraction, and atom probe tomography data for different types of grain boundaries are presented. For a symmetric coherent Σ3 twin boundary, with very low recombination activity, no impurities are detected. In case of a non‐coherent (random) high‐angle grain boundary and higher order twins with pronounced recombination activity, carbon and oxygen impurities are observed to decorate the interface. Copper contamination is detected for the boundary with the highest recombination activity in this study, a random high‐angle grain boundary located in the vicinity of a triple junction. The 3D atom probe tomography study presented here is the first direct atomic scale identification and quantification of impurities decorating grain boundaries in multicrystalline silicon. The observed deviations in chemical decoration and induced current could be directly linked with different crystallographic structures of silicon grain boundaries. Hence, the current work establishes a direct correlation between grain boundary structure, atomic scale segregation information, and electrical activity. It can help to identify interface–property relationships for silicon interfaces that enable grain boundary engineering in multicrystalline silicon. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discussion of ‘A Simple Thaw‐Freeze Algorithm for a Multi‐Layered Soil using the Stefan Equation’ by Xie and Gough (2013)
Authors: Kurylyk Barret L.
Published: May 2015

Xie and Gough (2013) developed an algorithm to expand the application of the well‐known Stefan equation in order to predict the freeze or thaw depth in multi‐layered soils. This discussion paper demonstrates that the development of this algorithm is premised on mathematical expressions that are not physically tenable. A previously proposed equation for applying the Stefan approach to multi‐layered soils is herein derived from first principles using the appropriate governing equations, boundary conditions and initial conditions. Numerical methods are employed to demonstrate the accuracy of this equation derived from first principles. This approach can be implemented in existing cold regions hydrology models to estimate the active layer thickness in permafrost regions underlain by layered soils. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design of Gamma Charts Based on Average Time to Signal
Authors: Yang Jun , Yu Huan , Cheng Yuan , Xie Min
Published: May 2015

Gamma charts for time between events are very useful in the high‐quality processes, which monitor the time until the rth event. The average time to signal (ATS) is adopted to evaluate the performance of Gamma charts, because it reflects both the number and the sampling interval of samples inspected until an out‐of‐control signal occurs. An ATS‐unbiased design for Gamma charts with known parameters is proposed based on the hypothesis test of the scale parameter. For the phase I monitoring, a new ATS‐unbiased design with unknown parameters is developed, and a sequential sampling scheme is adopted to start process monitoring as soon as possible. Some specific guidelines to stop updating the control limits are suggested from the convergence of the width between control limits with different phase I sample sizes. Finally, a real example is illustrated to demonstrate the implementation of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Critical residues involved in Toll-like receptor 4 activation by cationic lipid nanocarriers are not located at the lipopolysaccharide-binding interface
Authors: Lonez Caroline , Irvine Kate L. , Pizzuto Malvina , Schmidt Boris I. , Gay Nick J. , Ruysschaert Jean-Marie , Gangloff Monique , Bryant Clare E.
Published: May 2015

DiC14-amidine is a cationic lipid that was originally designed as a lipid nanocarrier for nucleic acid transport, and turned out to be a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist as well. We found that while E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a TLR4 agonist in all species, diC14-amidine nanoliposomes are full agonists for human, mouse and cat receptors but weak horse agonists. Taking advantage of this unusual species specificity, we used chimeric constructs based on the human and horse sequences and identified two regions in the human TLR4 that modulate the agonist activity of diC14-amidine. Interestingly, these regions lie outside the known LPS-binding domain. Competition experiments also support our hypothesis that diC14-amidine interacts primarily with TLR4 hydrophobic crevices located at the edges of the TLR4/TLR4* dimerization interface. We have characterized potential binding modes using molecular docking analysis and suggest that diC14-amidine nanoliposomes activate TLR4 by facilitating its dimerization in a process that is myeloid differentiation 2 (MD-2)-dependent and cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14)-independent. Our data suggest that TLR4 may be activated through binding at different anchoring points, expanding the repertoire of TLR4 ligands to non-MD-2-binding lipids.
Oocyte aging underlies female reproductive aging: biological mechanisms and therapeutic strategies
Authors: Igarashi Hideki , Takahashi Toshifumi , Nagase Satoru
Published: May 2015

In recent years, postponement of marriage and childbearing in women of reproductive age has led to an increase in the incidence of age‐related infertility. The reproductive aging process in women is assumed to occur due to a decrease in both the quantity and quality of the oocytes, with the ultimate result being a decline in fecundity. This age‐related decline in fecundity is strongly dependent on oocyte quality, which is critical for fertilization and subsequent embryo development. Aged oocytes display increased chromosomal abnormality and dysfunction of cellular organelles, both of which factor into oocyte quality. In particular, mitochondrial dysfunction has been suggested as a major contributor to the reduction in oocyte quality as well as to chromosomal abnormalities in aged oocytes and embryos. Participation of oxidative stress in the oocyte aging process has been proposed because oxidative stress has the capacity to induce mitochondrial dysfunction and directly damage many intracellular components of the oocytes such as lipids, protein, and DNA. In an attempt to improve mitochondrial function in aged oocytes, several therapeutic strategies have been investigated using both animal models and assisted reproductive technology. Here, we review the biological mechanisms and present status of therapeutic strategies in the female reproductive aging field and indicate possible future therapeutic strategies.