bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated drought causality, hazard, and vulnerability assessment for future socioeconomic scenarios: An information theory perspective
Authors: Rajsekhar Deepthi , Singh Vijay P. , Mishra Ashok K.
Published: June 2015

Drought properties and the socioeconomic impact it makes are expected to increase in the coming years due to climate change. Here we review the possible impacts of changes in climate variability on the properties of different drought types. The downscaled and bias‐corrected data from five general circulation models (GCMs) were used to produce an ensemble of precipitation, temperature, and wind speed, through a relative entropy approach and were used for drought analysis. A novel Multivariate Drought Index was then employed for an integrated quantification of all physical forms of drought. We studied the spatial patterns of drought properties and performed multivariate frequency analysis for each planning region in Texas to recognize the distribution of potential drought hazard areas under climate change impact by formulating a Drought Hazard Index. A drought vulnerability assessment was also carried out by taking into consideration various socioeconomic factors, leading to the development of socioeconomic Drought Vulnerability Index. A set of composite drought risk maps that combines hazard and vulnerability analysis were developed. This study also explored the cause‐effect relationship between the drought events and several hydroclimatic triggers. A transfer entropy measure was used to quantify the causal relationships, thus indicating the predominant future drought triggers. Overall, the findings are expected to help achieve an effective drought mitigation strategy for the state of Texas.
Keeping the edge: A numerical method that avoids knickpoint smearing when solving the stream power law
Authors: Campforts Benjamin , Govers Gerard
Published: June 2015

The stream power equation is commonly used to model river incision into bedrock. Although specific conditions allow an analytical approach, finite difference methods (FDMs) are most frequently used to solve this equation. FDMs inevitably suffer from numerical smearing which may affect their suitability for transient river incision modeling. We propose the use of a finite volume method (FVM) which is total variation diminishing (TVD) to simulate river incision in a more accurate way. The TVD_FVM is designed to simulate sharp discontinuities, making it very suitable to simulate river incision pulses. We show that the TVD_FVM is much better capable of preserving propagating knickpoints than FDMs, using Niagara Falls as an example. Comparison of numerical results obtained using the TVD_FVM with analytical solutions shows a very good agreement. Furthermore, the uncertainty associated with parameter calibration is dramatically reduced when the TVD_FVM is applied. The high accuracy of the TVD_FDM allows correct simulation of transient incision waves as a consequence of older uplift pulses. This implies that the TVD_FVM is much more suitable than FDMs to reconstruct regional uplift histories from current river profile morphology and to simulate river incision processes in general.
Decadal wave power variability in the North‐East Atlantic and North Sea
Authors: Santo H. , Taylor P. H. , Woollings T. , Poulson S.
Published: June 2015

Estimation of the long‐term behavior of wave climate is crucial for harnessing wave energy in a cost‐effective way. Previous studies have linked wave heights to the north‐south atmospheric pressure anomalies in the North Atlantic, suggesting that the wave climate fluctuates as a response to changes in zonal circulation in the atmosphere. We identify changes in wave power in the North‐East Atlantic that are strongly correlated to the dominant pressure anomalies, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and other modes. We present a reconstructed wave power climate for 1665–2005, using a combination of known and proxy indices for the NAO and other modes. Our reconstruction shows high interannual and multidecadal variability, which makes wave energy prediction challenging. This variability should be considered in any long‐term reliability analysis for wave energy devices and in power scheme economics.
Melting systematics in mid‐ocean ridge basalts: Application of a plagioclase‐spinel melting model to global variations in major element chemistry and crustal thickness
Authors: Behn Mark D. , Grove Timothy L.
Published: June 2015

We present a new model for anhydrous melting in the spinel and plagioclase stability fields that provides enhanced predictive capabilities for the major element compositional variability found in mid‐ocean ridge basalts (MORBs). The model is built on the formulation of Kinzler and Grove (1992) and Kinzler (1997) but incorporates new experimental data collected since these calibrations. The melting model is coupled to geodynamic simulations of mantle flow and mid‐ocean ridge temperature structure to investigate global variations in MORB chemistry and crustal thickness as a function of mantle potential temperature, spreading rate, mantle composition, and the pattern(s) of melt migration. While the initiation of melting is controlled by mantle temperature, the cessation of melting is primarily determined by spreading rate, which controls the thickness of the lithospheric lid, and not by the exhaustion of clinopyroxene. Spreading rate has the greatest influence on MORB compositions at slow to ultraslow spreading rates (<2 cm/yr half rate), where the thermal boundary layer becomes thicker than the oceanic crust. A key aspect of our approach is that we incorporate evidence from both MORB major element compositions and seismically determined crustal thicknesses to constrain global variations in mantle melting parameters. Specifically, we show that to explain the global data set of crustal thickness, Na8, Fe8, Si8, Ca8/Al8, and K8/Ti8 (oxides normalized to 8 wt % MgO) require a relatively narrow zone over which melts are pooled to the ridge axis. In all cases, our preferred model involves melt transport to the ridge axis over relatively short horizontal length scales (~25 km). This implies that although melting occurs over a wide region beneath the ridge axis, up to 20–40% of the total melt volume is not extracted and will eventually refreeze and refertilize the lithosphere. We find that the temperature range required to explain the global geochemical and geophysical data sets is 1300°C to 1450°C. Finally, a small subset of the global data is best modeled as melts of a depleted mantle source composition (e.g., depleted MORB mantle—2% melt).
Extensive closed cell marine stratocumulus downwind of Europe—A large aerosol cloud mediated radiative effect or forcing?
Authors: Goren Tom , Rosenfeld Daniel
Published: June 2015

Marine stratocumulus clouds (MSC) cover large areas over the oceans and possess super sensitivity of their cloud radiative effect to changes in aerosol concentrations. Aerosols can cause transitions between regimes of fully cloudy closed cells and open cells. The possible role of aerosols in cloud cover has a big impact on the amount of reflected solar radiation from the clouds, thus potentially constitutes very large aerosol indirect radiative effect, which can exceed 100 Wm−2. It is hypothesized that continentally polluted clouds remain in closed cells regime for longer time from leaving continent and hence for longer distance away from land, thus occupying larger ocean areas with full cloud cover. Attributing this to anthropogenic aerosols would imply a very large negative radiative forcing with a significant climate impact. This possibility is confirmed by analyzing a detailed case study based on geostationary and polar‐orbiting satellite observations of the microphysical and dynamical evolution of MSC. We show that large area of closed cells was formed over the northeast Atlantic Ocean downwind of Europe in a continentally polluted air mass. The closed cells undergo cleansing process that was tracked for 3.5 days that resulted with a rapid transition from closed to open cells once the clouds started drizzling heavily. The mechanism leading to the eventual breakup of the clouds due to both meteorological and aerosol considerations is elucidated. We termed this cleansing and cloud breakup process maritimization. Further study is needed to assess the climatological significance of such situations.
Point by Point: An Introductory Guide to Sample Preparation for Single‐Molecule, Super‐Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy
Authors: Halpern Aaron R. , Howard Marco D. , Vaughan Joshua C.
Published: June 2015

Single‐molecule, localization‐based, super resolution microscopy is able to reveal detailed subcellular structures and protein distributions below the classical ∼250‐nm diffraction limit of light, but utilizing this technique effectively requires a combination of careful sample preparation, data acquisition, and data analysis, which can be daunting to novice researchers. In this protocol, detailed instructions on preparation of robust reference samples for super‐resolution microscopy, including the cytoskeleton (microtubules), membrane‐bound organelles (peroxisomes), and scaffold proteins (clathrin), are provided. These samples also constitute a representative subset of imaging targets of interest to biological researchers and highlight the differences and similarities in sample preparation. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Identifying Direct Protein Targets of Poly‐ADP‐Ribose Polymerases (PARPs) Using Engineered PARP Variants—Orthogonal Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) Analog Pairs
Authors: Carter‐O'Connell Ian , Cohen Michael S.
Published: June 2015

Poly‐ADP‐ribose polymerases (PARPs) comprise a family of 17 distinct enzymes that catalyze the transfer of ADP‐ribose from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to acceptor sites on protein targets. PARPs have been implicated in a number of essential signaling pathways regulating both normal cell function and pathophysiology. To understand the physiological role of each PARP family member in the cell we need to identify the direct targets for each unique PARP in a cellular context. PARP‐family member‐specific target identification is challenging because of their shared catalytic mechanism and functional redundancy. To address this challenge, we have engineered a PARP variant that efficiently uses an orthogonal NAD+ analog, an analog that endogenous PARPs cannot use, as a substrate for ADP‐ribosylation. The protocols in this unit describe a general procedure for using engineered PARP variants−orthogonal NAD+ analog pairs for labeling and identifying the direct targets of the poly‐subfamily of PARPs (PARPs 1‐3, 5, and 6). © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Mouse Models for Studying Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Chow Bryna S.M. , Allen Terri J.
Published: June 2015

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a term used to describe kidney damage cause by diabetes. With DN as one of the leading causes of end‐stage renal disease worldwide, there is a strong need for appropriate animal models to study DN pathogenesis and develop therapeutic strategies. To date, most experiments are carried out in mouse models as opposed to other species for several reasons including lower cost, ease of handling, and easy manipulation of the mouse genome to generate transgenic and knockout animals. This unit provides detailed insights and technical knowledge in setting up one of the most widely used models of DN, the streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced model. This model has been extensively exploited to study the mechanism of diabetic renal injury. The advantages and limitations of the STZ model and the availability of other genetic models of DN are also discussed. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Aging Research Using Mouse Models
Authors: Ackert‐Bicknell Cheryl L. , Anderson Laura C. , Sheehan Susan , Hill Warren G. , Chang Bo , Churchill Gary A. , Chesler Elissa J. , Korstanje Ron , Peters Luanne L.
Published: June 2015

Despite the dramatic increase in human lifespan over the past century, there remains pronounced variability in “health‐span,” or the period of time in which one is generally healthy and free of disease. Much of the variability in health‐span and lifespan is thought to be genetic in origin. Understanding the genetic mechanisms of aging and identifying ways to boost longevity is a primary goal in aging research. Here, we describe a pipeline of phenotypic assays for assessing mouse models of aging. This pipeline includes behavior/cognition testing, body composition analysis, and tests of kidney function, hematopoiesis, and immune function, as well as physical parameters. We also describe study design methods for assessing lifespan and health‐span, and other important considerations when conducting aging research in the laboratory mouse. The tools and assays provided can assist researchers with understanding the correlative relationships between age‐associated phenotypes and, ultimately, the role of specific genes in the aging process. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Association of Antibodies to Interferon‐Inducible Protein‐16 With Markers of More Severe Disease in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome
Authors: Baer Alan N. , Petri Michelle , Sohn Jungsan , Rosen Antony , Casciola‐Rosen Livia
Published: June 2015

Objective

Interferon‐inducible protein‐16 (IFI16) is an intracellular DNA receptor involved in innate immunity. We evaluated the frequency, phenotypic characteristics, and clinical associations of anti‐IFI16 antibodies in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), and quantitated expression levels of IFI16 in SS and control salivary gland lysates.

Methods

Anti‐IFI16 antibodies were assayed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay using sera from patients with primary SS (n = 133) and from healthy controls (n = 47). Sera from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (n = 132) were included as disease controls. Immunoprecipitation of in vitro transcription–translated IFI16 was used to determine which portion of IFI16 the antibodies recognized. Expression of IFI16 in salivary gland lysates was quantitated by immunoblotting.

Results

Anti‐IFI16 antibodies were present in the sera of 38 of 133 SS patients (29%) compared to 1 of 47 healthy controls (2.1%) (SS versus controls; P < 0.0002) and in 31 of 132 SLE controls (24%). In SS, anti‐IFI16 antibodies were associated with an abnormal Schirmer's test (P = 0.003), hyperglobulinemia (P = 0.02), antinuclear antibody ≥1:320 (P = 0.01), germinal center–like structures in labial salivary gland lymphoid infiltrates (P = 0.01), and higher focus scores (3.4 versus 2.4; P = 0.005). High‐titer IFI16 antibodies were directed against an epitope outside the N‐terminus in 9 of 13 SS patients (69%). IFI16 was expressed in 4 of 5 (80%) of SS and 1 of 6 (17%) of control labial salivary glands.

Conclusion

Anti‐IFI16 antibodies are a prominent specificity in primary SS and are associated with markers of severe disease. IFI16 is expressed at higher levels in SS salivary glands compared to controls. These high levels in disease target tissue may contribute to the ongoing anti‐IFI16 immune response.
Mechanical Properties and Tensile Fracture Mechanisms of Fe–Mn–(Al, Si) TRIP/TWIP Steels with Different Ferrite Volume Fractions
Authors: Dong Fu Yuan , Pang Jian Chao , Zhang Peng , Duan Qi Qiang , Zhang Zhe Feng
Published: June 2015

The mechanical properties, damage, and fracture behaviors of Fe–Mn–(Al, Si) steels containing different Mn content and volume fraction of ferrite have been investigated through tensile testing. It is found that the volume fraction of ferrite has significant influences on the mechanical properties and damage accumulation. With increasing the Mn content, both the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength are decreased, while the uniform elongation is continuously increased, showing a typical trade‐off relation between strength and elongation. The difference in the work‐hardening behavior can be attributed to the increase in the stacking fault energy (SFE) caused by the addition of Mn. The failure mechanisms of the steels are found to be mainly influenced by deformation localization due to microstructural inhomogeneity. On the one hand, the Fe–Mn–(Al, Si) steel with a much more uniform distribution of austenite shows a slower rate of damage growth and a continuous void nucleation during the deformation process, resulting in a higher void density prior to the final fracture. On the other hand, the Fe–Mn–(Al, Si) steel with more ferrite exhibits accelerated void growth and catastrophic coalescence.
Serrated Flow Behavior of Titanium‐Based Composites with Different In Situ TiC Contents
Authors: Yang Chao , Ding Zhi , Lin Jianan , Qu Shengguan , Li Xiaoqiang , Zhang Weiwen , Li Yuanyuan
Published: June 2015

Ultrafine‐grained β‐Ti70Nb30‐matrix composites (TMCs) reinforced by in situ TiC ceramic particles are fabricated by spark plasma sintering of mechanically alloyed blended powders of respective β‐Ti70Nb30 and C powders. The results show that the fabricated TMCs with 2.5 vol% (TMC 2.5) and 7.5 vol% (TMC 7.5) in situ TiC particles exhibit almost invariable fracture strength of approximately 2 200 MPa and plastic strain of approximately 46%. To explain these results, the self‐organized critical state in dynamics and the power‐law distribution are used to investigate the serrated flow behavior of the stress–strain curves for the fabricated TMCs. The larger stress‐drop magnitudes, fitted scaling exponents (β), and cut‐off stress‐drop magnitude (sc) for the TMC 2.5 are attributed to the larger inter‐shear band (SB) spacing and lower density of SBs. Their interactions resulted from the presence of the in situ TiC particles with lower content. In addition, the larger stress‐drop magnitudes before a strain of 20% for the TMC 2.5 are due to the greater moving distance of the SBs, whereas the almost constant stress‐drop magnitude after 20% strain for the two TMCs is because of SB interactions induced by the in situ TiC particles. The results obtain provide some insights into fabricating high‐performance TMCs by tailoring SBs and their interactions.
Confined Sulfur in Microporous Carbon Renders Superior Cycling Stability in Li/S Batteries
Authors: Xu Yunhua , Wen Yang , Zhu Yujie , Gaskell Karen , Cychosz Katie A. , Eichhorn Bryan , Xu Kang , Wang Chunsheng
Published: June 2015

The use of sulfur in the next generation Li‐ion batteries is currently precluded by its poor cycling stability caused by irreversible Li2S formation and the dissolution of soluble polysulfides in organic electrolytes that leads to parasitic cell reactions. Here, a new C/S cathode material comprising short‐chain sulfur species (predominately S2) confined in carbonaceous subnanometer and the unique charge mechanism for the subnano‐entrapped S2 cathodes are reported. The first charge–discharge cycle of the C/S cathode in the carbonate electrolyte forms a new type of thiocarbonate‐like solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). The SEI coated C/S cathode stably delivers ≈600 mAh g−1 capacity over 4020 cycles (0.0014% loss cycle−1) at ≈100% Coulombic efficiency. Extensive X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the discharged cathodes shows a new type of S2 species and a new carbide‐like species simultaneously, and both peaks disappear upon charging. These data suggest a new sulfur redox mechanism involving a separated Li+/S2− ion couple that precludes Li2S compound formation and prevents the dissolution of soluble sulfur anions. This new charge/discharge process leads to remarkable cycling stability and reversibility.
Graphene Oxides Show Angiogenic Properties
Authors: Mukherjee Sudip , Sriram Pavithra , Barui Ayan Kumar , Nethi Susheel Kumar , Veeriah Vimal , Chatterjee Suvro , Suresh Kattimuttathu Ittara , Patra Chitta Ranjan
Published: June 2015

Angiogenesis, a process resulting in the formation of new capillaries from the pre‐existing vasculature plays vital role for the development of therapeutic approaches for cancer, atherosclerosis, wound healing, and cardiovascular diseases. In this report, the synthesis, characterization, and angiogenic properties of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have been demonstrated, observed through several in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis assays. The results here demonstrate that the intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species as well as activation of phospho‐eNOS and phospho‐Akt might be the plausible mechanisms for GO and rGO induced angiogenesis. The results altogether suggest the possibilities for the development of alternative angiogenic therapeutic approach for the treatment of cardiovascular related diseases where angiogenesis plays a significant role.
Microsphere‐Incorporated Hybrid Thermogel for Neuronal Differentiation of Tonsil Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Patel Madhumita , Moon Hyo Jung , Jung Bo Kyung , Jeong Byeongmoon
Published: June 2015

Neuronal differentiation of tonsil‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) is investigated in a 3D hybrid system. The hybrid system is prepared by increasing the temperature of poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly(l‐alanine) aqueous solution to 37 °C through the heat‐induced sol‐to‐gel transition, in which TMSCs and growth factor releasing microspheres are suspended. The in situ formed gel exhibits a modulus of 800 Pa at 37 °C, similar to that of brain tissue, and it is robust enough to hold the microspheres and cells during the 3D culture of TMSCs. The neuronal growth factors are released over 12–18 d, and the TMSCs in a spherical shape initially undergo multipolar elongation during the 3D culture. Significantly higher expressions of the neuronal biomarkers such as nuclear receptor related protein (Nurr‐1), neuron specific enolase, microtubule associated protein‐2, neurofilament‐M, and glial fibrillary acidic protein are observed in both mRNA level and protein level in the hybrid systems than in the control experiments. This study proves the significance of a controlled drug delivery concept in tissue engineering or regenerative medicine, and a 3D hybrid system with controlled release of growth factors from microspheres in a thermogel can be a very promising tool.
Discovery, Structure Elucidation, and Biological Characterization of Nannocystin A, a Macrocyclic Myxobacterial Metabolite with Potent Antiproliferative Properties
Authors: Hoffmann Holger , Kogler Herbert , Heyse Winfried , Matter Hans , Caspers Michael , Schummer Dietmar , Klemke‐Jahn Christine , Bauer Armin , Penarier Geraldine , Debussche Laurent , Brönstrup Mark
Published: June 2015

Microbial natural products are a rich source of bioactive molecules to serve as drug leads and/or biological tools. We investigated a little‐explored myxobacterial genus, Nannocystis sp., and discovered a novel 21‐membered macrocyclic scaffold that is composed of a tripeptide and a polyketide part with an epoxyamide moiety. The relative and absolute configurations of the nine stereocenters was determined by NMR spectroscopy, molecular dynamics calculations, chemical degradation, and X‐ray crystallography. The compound, named nannocystin A (1), was found to inhibit cell proliferation at low nanomolar concentrations through the early induction of apoptosis. The mode of action of 1 could not be matched to that of standard drugs by transcriptional profiling and biochemical experiments. An initial investigation of the structure–activity relationship based on seven analogues demonstrated the importance of the epoxide moiety for high activity.
Growth of GaN Layers on Sapphire by Low‐Temperature‐Deposited Buffer Layers and Realization of p‐type GaN by Magesium Doping and Electron Beam Irradiation (Nobel Lecture)
Authors: Amano Hiroshi
Published: June 2015

This Review is a personal reflection on the research that led to the development of a method for growing gallium nitride (GaN) on a sapphire substrate. The results paved the way for the development of smart display systems using blue LEDs. The most important work was done in the mid to late 80s. The background to the author’s work and the process by which the technology that enables the growth of GaN and the realization of p‐type GaN was established are reviewed.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed [3+2+2] and [2+2+2] Cycloadditions of Two Alkynes with Cyclopropylideneacetamides
Authors: Yoshida Tomoka , Tajima Yuki , Kobayashi Masayuki , Masutomi Koji , Noguchi Keiichi , Tanaka Ken
Published: June 2015

It has been established that a cationic rhodium(I)/H8‐binap complex catalyzes the [3+2+2] cycloaddition of 1,6‐diynes with cyclopropylideneacetamides to produce cycloheptadiene derivatives through cleavage of cyclopropane rings. In contrast, a cationic rhodium(I)/(S)‐binap complex catalyzes the enantioselective [2+2+2] cycloaddition of terminal alkynes, acetylenedicarboxylates, and cyclopropylideneacetamides to produce spiro‐cyclohexadiene derivatives which retain the cyclopropane rings.
Stereoselective Organocatalytic Synthesis of Oxindoles with Adjacent Tetrasubstituted Stereocenters
Authors: Engl Oliver D. , Fritz Sven P. , Wennemers Helma
Published: June 2015

Oxindoles with adjacent tetrasubstituted stereocenters were obtained in high yields and stereoselectivities by organocatalyzed conjugate addition reactions of monothiomalonates (MTMs) to isatin‐derived N‐Cbz ketimines. The method requires only a low catalyst loading (2 mol %) and proceeds under mild reaction conditions. Both enantiomers are accessible in good yields and excellent stereoselectivities by using either Takemoto’s catalyst or a cinchona alkaloid derivative. The synthetic methodology allowed establishment of a straightforward route to derivatives of the gastrin/cholecystokinin‐B receptor antagonist AG‐041R.
Iridium‐Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Isomerization: Expedient Synthesis of Carbohydrates from Achmatowicz Rearrangement Products
Authors: Wang Hao‐Yuan , Yang Ka , Bennett Scott R. , Guo Sheng‐rong , Tang Weiping
Published: June 2015

A highly stereoselective dynamic kinetic isomerization of Achmatowicz rearrangement products was discovered. This new internal redox isomerization provided ready access to key intermediates for the enantio‐ and diastereoselective synthesis of a series of naturally occurring sugars. The nature of the de novo synthesis also enables the preparation of both enantiomers.
Visible‐Light Photoredox‐Catalyzed Semipinacol‐Type Rearrangement: Trifluoromethylation/Ring Expansion by a Radical–Polar Mechanism
Authors: Sahoo Basudev , Li Jun‐Long , Glorius Frank
Published: June 2015

A visible‐light‐mediated photoredox‐catalyzed semipinacol‐type rearrangement proceeding via 1,2 alkyl migration was developed. In this transformation, trifluoromethylation of the CC bond of α‐(1‐hydroxycycloalkyl)‐substituted styrene derivatives is followed by ring expansion of the 1‐hydroxycycloalkyl group to deliver novel cycloalkanones with all‐carbon quaternary centers. The reaction proceeds via a radical–polar mechanism, with trifluoromethylation (radical) and ring expansion (ionic) occurring in the same transformation.
Sunlight‐Driven Decarboxylative Alkynylation of α‐Keto Acids with Bromoacetylenes by Hypervalent Iodine Reagent Catalysis: A Facile Approach to Ynones
Authors: Tan Hui , Li Hongji , Ji Wangqin , Wang Lei
Published: June 2015

A novel and practical decarboxylative alkynylation of α‐keto acids with bromoacetylenes is catalyzed by hypervalent iodine(III) reagents when irradiation by sunlight at room temperature. The product ynones are generated in good yields. Experiments show that results obtained with blue light (λ=450–455 nm) are comparable to those obtained when using sunlight. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that the sunlight‐driven decarboxylation undergoes a radical process.
Medical student preferences for self‐directed study resources in gross anatomy
Authors: Choi‐Lundberg Derek L. , Low Tze Feng , Patman Phillip , Turner Paul , Sinha Sankar N.
Published: June 2015

Gross anatomy instruction in medical curricula involve a range of resources and activities including dissection, prosected specimens, anatomical models, radiological images, surface anatomy, textbooks, atlases, and computer‐assisted learning (CAL). These resources and activities are underpinned by the expectation that students will actively engage in self‐directed study (SDS) to enhance their knowledge and understanding of anatomy. To gain insight into preclinical versus clinical medical students' preferences for SDS resources for learning gross anatomy, and whether these vary on demographic characteristics and attitudes toward anatomy, students were surveyed at two Australian medical schools, one undergraduate‐entry and the other graduate‐entry. Lecture/tutorial/practical notes were ranked first by 33% of 156 respondents (mean rank ± SD, 2.48 ± 1.38), textbooks by 26% (2.62 ± 1.35), atlases 20% (2.80 ± 1.44), videos 10% (4.34 ± 1.68), software 5% (4.78 ± 1.50), and websites 4% (4.24 ± 1.34). Among CAL resources, Wikipedia was ranked highest. The most important factor in selecting CAL resources was cost (ranked first by 46%), followed by self‐assessment, ease of use, alignment with curriculum, and excellent graphics (each 6–9%). Compared with preclinical students, clinical students ranked software and Acland's Video Atlas of Human Anatomy higher and felt radiological images were more important in selecting CAL resources. Along with other studies reporting on the quality, features, and impact on learning of CAL resources, the diversity of students' preferences and opinions on usefulness and ease of use reported here can help guide faculty in selecting and recommending a range of CAL and other resources to their students to support their self‐directed study. Anat Sci Educ 9: 150–160. © 2015 American Association of Anatomists.
Constructing conceptual trajectory maps to trace the development of research fields
Authors: Tu Yi‐Ning , Hsu Shu‐Lan
Published: June 2015

This study proposes a new method to construct and trace the trajectory of conceptual development of a research field by combining main path analysis, citation analysis, and text‐mining techniques. Main path analysis, a method used commonly to trace the most critical path in a citation network, helps describe the developmental trajectory of a research field. This study extends the main path analysis method and applies text‐mining techniques in the new method, which reflects the trajectory of conceptual development in an academic research field more accurately than citation frequency, which represents only the articles examined. Articles can be merged based on similarity of concepts, and by merging concepts the history of a research field can be described more precisely. The new method was applied to the “h‐index” and “text mining” fields. The precision, recall, and F‐measures of the h‐index were 0.738, 0.652, and 0.658 and those of text‐mining were 0.501, 0.653, and 0.551, respectively. Last, this study not only establishes the conceptual trajectory map of a research field, but also recommends keywords that are more precise than those used currently by researchers. These precise keywords could enable researchers to gather related works more quickly than before.
Optimal Controlled Nodes Selection for Fast Consensus
Authors: Yang Wen , Wang Ying , Wang Xiaofan , Shi Hongbo
Published: June 2015

Motivated by the significance of optimizing network performance with limited resources in real applications, we investigate the problem of achieving fast and desired consensus in a complex network via pinning control a fraction of nodes in the network. An optimization problem is proposed to select p optimal pinned nodes to guarantee fastest consensus, which is relaxed to a Mixed‐Integer Semi‐Definite Program. In the single pinned node case (i.e., p = 1), we find that the optimal pinned node is the node with highest min‐max distance centrality within the nodes with highest closeness centrality in the network. In the multiple pinned nodes case (i.e., p > 1), we find that betweenness centrality could be used as a suboptimal index to select pinned nodes.
An approach to confirmatory testing of subpopulations in clinical trials
Authors: Glimm Ekkehard , Di Scala Lilla
Published: June 2015

In oncology studies with immunotherapies, populations of “super‐responders” (patients in whom the treatment works particularly well) are often suspected to be related to biomarkers. In this paper, we explore various ways of confirmatory statistical hypothesis testing for joint inference on the subpopulation of putative “super‐responders” and the full study population. A model‐based testing framework is proposed, which allows to define, up‐front, the strength of evidence required from both full and subpopulations in terms of clinical efficacy. This framework is based on a two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) model with an interaction in combination with multiple comparison procedures. The ease of implementation of this model‐based approach is emphasized and details are provided for the practitioner who would like to adopt this approach. The discussion is exemplified by a hypothetical trial that uses an immune‐marker in oncology to define the subpopulation and tumor growth as the primary endpoint.
Analytical solution of Luedeking–Piret equation for a batch fermentation obeying Monod growth kinetics
Authors: Garnier Alain , Gaillet Bruno
Published: June 2015

Not so many fermentation mathematical models allow analytical solutions of batch process dynamics. The most widely used is the combination of the logistic microbial growth kinetics with Luedeking–Piret bioproduct synthesis relation. However, the logistic equation is principally based on formalistic similarities and only fits a limited range of fermentation types. In this article, we have developed an analytical solution for the combination of Monod growth kinetics with Luedeking–Piret relation, which can be identified by linear regression and used to simulate batch fermentation evolution. Two classical examples are used to show the quality of fit and the simplicity of the method proposed. A solution for the combination of Haldane substrate‐limited growth model combined with Luedeking–Piret relation is also provided. These models could prove useful for the analysis of fermentation data in industry as well as academia. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 2468–2474. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determination and validation of hupehenine in rat plasma by UPLC‐MS/MS and its application to pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Wen Congcong , Wang Shuanghu , Huang Xueli , Liu Zezheng , Lin Yingying , Yang Suping , Ma Jianshe , Zhou Yunfang , Wang Xianqin
Published: June 2015

In this work, a sensitive and selective ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) method for determination of hupehenine in rat plasma was developed and validated. After addition of imperialine as an internal standard (IS), protein precipitation by acetonitrile–methanol (9:1, v/v) was used to prepare samples. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.7 µm) with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile as the mobile phase with gradient elution. An electrospray ionization source was applied and operated in positive ion mode; multiple reaction monitoring mode was used for quantification using target fragment ions m/z 416.3 → 98.0 for hupehenine, and m/z 430.3 → 138.2 for IS. Calibration plots were linear throughout the range 2–2000 ng/mL for hupehenine in rat plasma. Mean recoveries of hupehenine in rat plasma ranged from 92.5 to 97.3%. Relative standard deviations of intra‐day and inter‐day precision were both <6%. The accuracy of the method was between 92.7 and 107.4%. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of hupehenine after either oral or intravenous administration. For the first time, the bioavailability of hupehenine was reported as 13.4%. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantification of glycated N‐terminal peptide of hemoglobin using derivatization for multiple functional groups of amino acids followed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Sakaguchi Yohei , Kinumi Tomoya , Yamazaki Taichi , Takatsu Akiko
Published: June 2015

A novel method of amino acid analysis using derivatization of multiple functional groups (amino, carboxyl, and phenolic hydroxyl groups) was applied to measure glycated amino acids in order to quantify glycated peptides and evaluate the degree of glycation of peptide. Amino and carboxyl groups of amino acids were derivatized with 1‐bromobutane so that the hydrophobicities and basicities of the amino acids, including glycated amino acids, were improved. These derivatized amino acids could be detected with high sensitivity using LC‐MS/MS. In this study, 1‐deoxyfructosyl‐VHLTPE and VHLTPE, which are N‐terminal peptides of the β‐chains of hemoglobin, were selected as target compounds. After reducing the peptide sample solution with sodium borohydride, the obtained peptides were hydrolyzed with hydrochloric acid. The released amino acids were then derivatized with 1‐bromobutane and analyzed with LC‐MS/MS. The derivatized amino acids, including glycated amino acids, could be separated using an octadecyl silylated silica column and good sharp peaks were detected. We show a confirmatory experiment that the proposed method can be applied to evaluate the degree of glycation of peptides, using mixtures of glycated and non‐glycated peptide. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiresidue determination of pyrethroid pesticide residues in pepper through a modified QuEChERS method and gas chromatography with electron capture detection
Authors: Zhang Yuping , Hu Deyu , Zeng Song , Lu Ping , Zhang Kankan , Chen Lingzhu , Song Baoan
Published: June 2015

This study developed and used a modified quick, easy, cheap, efficient, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) method coupled with gas chromatography with electron capture detection to determine eight pyrethroid pesticide residues in green, red and dehydrated red peppers. Pyrethroids were extracted with acetonitrile, partitioned with sodium chloride and purified with primary secondary amino and graphitized carbon black in hexane. The QuEChERS extraction conditions were optimized, and the matrix effects that might influence recoveries were evaluated and minimized using matrix‐matched calibration curves. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curves for pyrethroid pesticides showed good linearities in the concentration range of 0.05–20 µg/mL with determination coefficients (R2) >0.997. The limits of quantification of eight pyrethroids were 0.004–0.04 mg/kg for green and red pepper and 0.04–0.5 mg/kg for dehydrated red pepper. These values are below the suggested regulatory maximum residue limits. The mean recoveries ranged between 79.0 and 104%, and the relative standard deviations were <11%. The developed method was successfully applied to commercial samples. Some samples were found to contain pyrethroid pesticides with levels below the legal limits. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Downregulation of Gabra4 expression during alcohol withdrawal is mediated by specific microRNAs in cultured mouse cortical neurons
Authors: Bekdash Rola A. , Harrison Neil L.
Published: June 2015

Background

Alcohol abuse and dependence are a serious public health problem. A large number of alcohol‐regulated genes, (ARGs) are known to be influenced by alcohol use and withdrawal (AW), and recent evidence suggests that neuroadaptation to alcohol may be due in part to epigenetic changes in the expression of ARGs. Gabra4, which encodes the α4 subunit of GABAA receptors (GABAARs), is one of a number of ARGs that show remarkable plasticity in response to alcohol, being rapidly upregulated by acute alcohol exposure. This study addressed the effects of AW on changes in the expression of Gabra4 and related genes that encode other subunits of GABAARs, and the potential regulation of Gabra4 by microRNAs.

Methods

We studied gene and microRNAs expression, using RT‐PCR and microRNA microarray in cultured cortical neurons treated with alcohol, which was then removed in order to simulate AW in vitro. We also used microRNA mimics or inhibitors, and a promoter‐reporter construct carrying the 3′UTR of Gabra4.

Results

Eleven hours after removal of alcohol, Gabra4 was downregulated, with a modest increase in the expression of Gabrg2, but no change in the expression of Gabra1, Gabrd, or Gabrb2. microRNA profiling in neurons undergoing AW revealed upregulation in the expression of miR‐155, miR‐186, miR‐24, and miR‐375 after 8 h of AW. Transfection with molecular mimics of miR‐186, miR‐24, or miR‐375 also downregulated Gabra4 expression, whereas transfection with the corresponding inhibitors of these microRNAs normalized Gabra4 expression in AW neurons to the level measured in control neurons. Promoter‐reporter experiments supported the idea that miR‐155, miR‐186, miR‐24, miR‐27b, or miR‐375 bind to the 3′UTR of Gabra4 and thereby inhibit protein production.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that AW decreases Gabra4 expression, and that this may be mediated in part by the induction of specific microRNAs in cortical neurons during AW.
Depletion of p18/LAMTOR1 promotes cell survival via activation of p27kip1‐dependent autophagy under starvation
Authors: Zada Sahib , Noh Hae Sook , Baek Seon Mi , Ha Ji Hye , Hahm Jong Ryeal , Kim Deok Ryong
Published: June 2015

The MAPK and mTOR signal pathways in endosomes or lysosomes play a crucial role in cell survival and death. They are also closely associated with autophagy, a catabolic process highly regulated under various cellular stress or nutrient deprivation. Recently we have isolated a protein, named p18/LAMTOR1, that specifically regulates the ERK or mTOR pathway in lysosomes. p18/LAMTOR1 also interacts with p27kip1. Here we examined how p18/LAMTOR1 plays a role in autophagy under nutrient deprivation. The p18+/+ MEF cells were more susceptible to cell death under starvation or in the presence of AICAR in comparison with p18−/− MEF cells. Cleavage of caspase‐3 was increased in p18+/+ MEF cells under starvation, and phosphorylation at the threonine 198 of p27kip1 was highly elevated in starved p18−/− MEF cells. Furthermore, LC3‐II formation and other autophagy‐associated proteins were largely increased in p18‐deficient cells, and suppression of p27kip1 expression in p18−/− MEF cells mitigated starvation‐induced cell death. These data suggest that ablation of p18/LAMTOR1 suppresses starvation‐induced cell death by stimulating autophagy through modulation of p27kip1 activity.
College Inside: A Case Study of the Design and Implementation of a Successful Prison College Program
Authors: Simpkins Betsy
Published: June 2015

This chapter describes a specific initiative to offer a college program within the Oregon Department of Corrections, with a focus on the interpersonal and interinstitutional relationships needed to build such programs.
Community Colleges and Spanish Language Instruction: Peer Pedagogy in Prison
Authors: Drew Jenifer D. , Duval José , Cyr James R.
Published: June 2015

Three authors describe a collaboration between a Massachusetts college and a nearby prison, which leveraged the volunteer efforts of a college professor by including incarcerated men who assisted in Spanish language teaching inside and outside the classroom.
College Civic Engagement and Education Behind Bars: Connecting Communities, Creating Change
Authors: Gould Mary Rachel , Harkins Gillian , Stevens Kyes
Published: June 2015

In this provocative chapter, three authors engage the battle of ideas that undergird thinking about prison today, and they call for a reconceptualization of prison education in terms of a participatory model rather than thinking of it as a “service.”
Recent Applications of Magnetically Recoverable Nanocatalysts in CC and CX Coupling Reactions
Authors: Karimi Babak , Mansouri Fariborz , Mirzaei Hamid M.
Published: June 2015

Magnetic nanoparticles have emerged recently as an alternative for the easy separation of nanosized catalysts from reaction mixtures by employing an external magnetic field. These magnetic nanoparticles have been used as supports for catalysts and/or as part of an active catalytic site. Herein, special attention is given to identify the main synthetic steps required to develop both precious‐ and nonprecious‐metal‐catalyzed CC and CX coupling reactions by using magnetically separable catalysts.
Antiviral Activity of Synthetic Aminopyrrolic Carbohydrate Binding Agents: Targeting the Glycans of Viral gp120 to Inhibit HIV Entry
Authors: Francesconi Oscar , Nativi Cristina , Gabrielli Gabriele , De Simone Irene , Noppen Sam , Balzarini Jan , Liekens Sandra , Roelens Stefano
Published: June 2015

The binding abilities of a set of structurally related aminopyrrolic synthetic receptors for mannosides, endowed with antimycotic activity against yeast and yeast‐like pathogens bearing mannoproteins on their cell surface, have been investigated towards the highly mannosylated gp120 and gp41 glycoproteins of the HIV envelope. A pronounced binding interaction with both glycoproteins was observed by SPR for most of the investigated compounds. Comparison of their binding properties towards the glycoproteins with their binding affinities toward mannosides revealed a direct correlation, supporting their role as carbohydrate binding agents (CBAs). Cytostatic activity studies revealed antiproliferative activity dependent on the nature and the structure of compounds. Antiviral activity studies against a broad panel of DNA and RNA viruses showed inhibitory effect against HIV infection of the T‐lymphocyte CEM cell line for two compounds, suggesting antiviral activity similar to other CBAs, such as the nonpeptidic pradimicin antibiotics.
Complexation and Catenation in Aqueous Media Using a Self‐Assembled PdII Metallacyclic Receptor
Authors: Rama Tamara , López‐Vidal Eva M. , García Marcos D. , Peinador Carlos , Quintela José M.
Published: June 2015

A M2L2 rectangular‐shaped metallacycle, obtained by metal‐directed self‐assembly of a 2‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐2,7‐diazapyrenium salt and [(en)Pd (NO3)2] (en=ethylenediamine), has been investigated as a molecular receptor for a wide range of aromatic substrates in water. Complexation and catenation of the receptor with selected mono‐ and polycyclic aromatic substrates produced 1:1 inclusion complexes and [2]catenanes in a highly efficient fashion, as determined by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopic techniques, as well as single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. Furthermore, the thermodynamic and kinetic features of the complexation processes have been analyzed for selected model guests.
Localization in terrestrial and underwater sensor‐based m2m communication networks: architecture,classification and challenges
Authors: Karim Lutful , Mahmoud Qusay H. , Nasser Nidal , Anpalagan Alagan , Khan Nargis
Published: June 2015

Localizing machine‐type communication (MTC) devices or sensors is becoming important because of the increasing popularity of machine‐to‐machine (M2M) communication networks for location‐based applications. These include such as health monitoring, rescue operations, vehicle tracking, and wildfire monitoring. Moreover, efficient localization approaches for sensor‐based MTC devices reduce the localization error and energy consumption of MTC devices. Because sensors are used as an integral part of M2M communication networks and have achieved popularity in underwater applications, research is being conducted on sensor localization in both underwater and terrestrial M2M networks. Major challenges in designing underwater localization techniques are the lack of good radio signal propagation in underwater, sensor mobility management, and ensuring network coverage in 3D underwater M2M networks. Similarly, predicting the mobility pattern of MTC devices, trading‐off energy consumption and location accuracy pose great design challenges for terrestrial localization techniques. This article presents a comprehensive survey on the current state‐of‐the‐art research on both terrestrial and underwater localization approaches for sensor‐based MTC devices. It also classifies localization approaches based on several factors, identifies their limitations with potential solutions, and compares them. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.