bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Location and distribution of micro-inclusions in the EDML and
NEEM ice cores using optical microscopy and in-situ Raman
spectroscopy
Authors: Eichler Jan , Kleitz Ina , Bayer Maddalena , Jansen Daniela , Kipfstuhl Sepp , Shigeyama Wataru , Weikusat Christian , Weikusat Ilka
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Impurities control a variety of physical properties of polar ice. Their impact can be observed at all scales – from the microstructure (e.g., grain size and orientation) to the ice sheet flow behavior (e.g., borehole tilting and closure). Most impurities are likely to form micrometer-sized second phase inclusions. It has been suggested that these particles control the grain size of polycrystalline ice by the pinning of grain boundaries (Zener pinning), which should be reflected in the distribution of the inclusions in relation to the grain boundary network. We used an optical microscope to generate high-resolution large-scale maps (3 μm pix−1, 8 × 2 cm2) of the distribution of micro-inclusions in four samples from the EDML (Antarctica) and NEEM (Greenland) polar ice cores. The in-situ positions of more than 5000 μ-inclusions have been determined. A Raman microscope was used to confirm the extrinsic nature of a sample proportion of the mapped inclusions. A superposition of the 2D grain boundary network and μ-inclusion distributions show no significant correlations between grain boundaries and μ-inclusions. In particular, no signs could be found of grain boundaries harvesting μ-inclusions, no evidence of μ-inclusions inhibiting grain boundary migration by slow mode pinning could be detected. Consequences for our understanding of the impurity effect on ice microstructure and rheology are discussed.
El fondo fotográfico Hernández-Pacheco de la Biblioteca Histórica Marqués de Valdecilla. Metodología para su análisis documental
Authors: Salvador Benítez Antonia , Olivera Zaldua María , Sánchez Vigil Juan Miguel
Published: November 2016

El fondo fotográfico del prestigioso geólogo español Eduardo Hernández-Pacheco se encuentra en la Biblioteca Histórica Marqués de Valdecilla de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Se compone de unos 3.000 positivos en vidrio datados en la primera mitad del siglo XX, de los que fue autor en su mayoría, en formato medio (8,5x10 cm) y de contenido vinculado a su especialidad, con abundancia de paisajes de España y Portugal. Las características específicas del fondo requerían del diseño de una metodología ad hoc para el tratamiento documental de los artefactos, teniendo en cuenta su procedencia, sus valores (geográfico, geológico y fotográfico) y la recuperación para su reutilización por los historiadores, estudiosos e investigadores. Se presenta en este artículo el fondo fotográfico del eminente profesor y la metodología para su tratamiento documental como modelo para colecciones similares.
Asociación cívica y partidos políticos en Ecuador: rupturas y continuidades, 1979-2014.
Authors: Basabe-Serrano Santiago
Published: November 2016

Este artículo examina la relación entre asociación cívica e institucionalización de los partidos políticos. Sin dejar de lado los enfoques que recurren a factores endógenos a las organizaciones políticas o a variables de naturaleza normativa, propongo que la fortaleza de las organizaciones ciudadanas es una variable clave al momento de evaluar el grado de institucionalización de los partidos políticos. Por tanto, la presencia de asociaciones ciudadanas estables y con demandas puntuales incentivaría la presencia de partidos consolidados en la arena electoral. En sentido opuesto, la ausencia de organizaciones cívicas fuertes daría lugar a que las agrupaciones políticas se constituyan primordialmente como maquinarias electorales de corte caudillista. A partir de narrativas históricas y del análisis de resultados electorales en Ecuador entre 1979 y 2014, el artículo confirma que cuando la capacidad de asociación ciudadana es estructuralmente débil las probabilidades de emergencia de partidos poco institucionalizados tienden a incrementarse.
La co-presencia de ritual, símbolo y logos en la cultura griega antigua: Del Daimon-Mana al Dios olímpico y de éste al Logos del Ser.
Authors: Beriain Rázquin Josetxo , Gil-Gimeno Javier
Published: November 2016

Frecuentemente pensamos la cultura de una sociedad como un conjunto de patrones de significado gestionados por la razón, por el Logos. Este trabajo se cuestiona dicho planteamiento y apuesta por la confluencia dinámica de aspectos mimético-rituales, de aspectos simbólico-míticos y de aspectos racionales. Utiliza como estudio de caso la transición de la religión griega antigua, representada por el mito-ritual del Enyautos-Daimon, que se refleja en una sacralización simbólica que parte de la naturaleza, y se desliza hacia la religión olímpica, representada por una sacralización de lo divino expresada en Zeus, Dios central del panteón griego, del que surgirá el principio ontológico metafísico del Logos del Ser.
Ecos sociológicos de la axialidad griega. Relectura de Robert Bellah de un legado inagotable
Authors: Sánchez Capdequí Celso
Published: November 2016

Este artículo trata la relevancia de Grecia en la construcción de la sociología. Hasta ahora la idea de Grecia estaba fuertemente influenciada por el concepto de secularización. Debido a este concepto, Grecia era el punto de partida de un largo y único proceso histórico de racionalización, que finalizaba con la muerte de la religión y del mito en la sociedad moderna. Las contribuciones recientes de R.Bellah cambian esta imagen. Su investigación empieza con la Era Axial en la que Grecia es el lugar, no la causa, en el que aparece la razón teórica. Ahora en la ultura no desaparece el pasado de la humanidad. Las primeras etapas de la cultura perduran. Por ello, el mito y la teoría son considerados como habilidades y herramientas con las que el hombre moderno organiza la experiencia.
Osteoblast–Seeded Bioglass/Gelatin Nanocomposite: A Promising Bone Substitute in Critical-Size Calvarial Defect Repair in Rat
Authors: Johari Behrooz , Kadivar Mehdi , Lak Shirin , Gholipourmalekabadi Mazaher , Urbanska Aleksandra M. , Mozafari Masoud , Ahmadzadehzarajabad Maryam , Azarnezhad Asaad , Afshari Samane , Zargan Jamil , Kargozar Saeid
Published: November 2016

Introduction

Amid the plethora of methods to repair critical bone defects, there is no one perfect approach. In this study, we sought to evaluate a potent 3-dimensional (3D) bioactive SiO2-CaO-P2O5 glasses (bioglass)/gelatin (gel) scaffold for its biocompatibility by seeding cells as well as for its regenerative properties by animal implantation.

Methods

Osteoblast cells were seeded onto nanocomposite scaffolds to investigate the process of critical-size calvarial defect via new bone formation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to validate topography of the scaffolds, its homogeneity and ideal cellular attachment. Proliferation assay and confocal microscopy were used to evaluate its biocompatibility. To validate osteogenesis of the bioactive nanocomposite scaffolds, they were first implanted into rats and later removed and analyzed at different time points post mortem using histological, immunohistochemical and histomorphometric methods.

Results

Based on in vitro results, we showed that our nanocomposite is highly cell-compatible material and allows for osteoblasts to adhere, spread and proliferate. In vivo results indicate that our nanocomposite provides a significant contribution to bone regeneration and is highly biodegradable and biocompatible. So, seeded scaffolds with osteoblasts enhanced repair of critical bone defects via osteogenesis.

Conclusions

We demonstrate the feasibility of engineering a nanocomposite scaffold with an architecture resembling the human bone, and provide proof-of-concept validation for our scaffold using a rat animal model.
Knowledge of Food and Drug Interactions among Nurses: Assessment Strategy for Continuing Education
Authors: Enwerem Nkechi M. , Okunji Priscilla O.
Published: November 2016

The effect of medication errors on patient quality care and safety is a critical ongoing concern requiring solutions. Although medication safety has been a concern of all healthcare professions, registered nurses play an important role in medication safety as patients’ advocates. A cross sectional study with structured questionnaire on common FDI found in the medical journal was used in this study. The questionnaire consisted of 37 questions (dichotomous and multiple choice questions). A convenience sample of 271 nurses from different inpatient community nursing units (60 medical surgical, 60 telemetry, 29 Intensive care (ICU), 21 emergency, and 101 ‘others’) across the DC-MD-VA metropolitan areas were recruited for this study. The data was subjected to descriptive analysis. The study protocol was approved by the Office of Regulatory, Research Compliance, Howard University. The result, showed no significant differences in the knowledge of FDI among the 5 groups of registered nurses. The authors propose continuing education for all nurses to update dosage calculation, follow drug administration protocol and enhance knowledge of pharmacology as avenues to reduce medication error. The authors also recommend that future studies focus on a larger sample size, inclusion of more associated FDI variables and use of high level statistical analysis.
Efficacy Trial of Contrasting Approaches to the Response-Contingent Learning of Young Children with Significant Developmental Delays and Multiple Disabilities
Authors: Raab Melinda , Dunst Carl J. , Hamby Deborah W.
Published: November 2016

Findings from a randomized control design efficacy trial of an asset-based vs. needs-based approach to the response-contingent learning of infants and toddlers with significant developmental delays and disabilities who did not use instrumental behavior to produce or elicit reinforcing consequences are reported. The investigation included 71 children randomly assigned to the two contrasting types of interventions. The asset-based intervention and needs-based intervention differed in terms of how child behavior were identified and used to elicit reinforcing consequences as part of response-contingent learning games implemented by the children’s parents or other primary caregivers. Children in the asset-based group were provided more learning opportunities, acquired more response-contingent behavior, and demonstrated more efficient learning compared to children in the needs-based group. Implications for improving practices for very young children with significant developmental delays and multiple disabilities are described.
To Review and Analyze Thoughts and Political Ideas of Muhammad Abduh and Ali Abd al-Raziq
Authors: Navabzadeh Zahra , Amini Aliakbar
Published: November 2016

Flows of recent Islamic awakening which changed a number of Islamic countries, this question is arisen that theoretical background of this movement should be looked at in whose thought and action. In response to this, according to the forefront of Egypt during the last two centuries, minds are directed toward Mohammad Abduh and Ali Abd al- Raziq. Muhammad Abduh and Ali Abdel are among the leaders and thinkers of the Islamic awakening in the Sunni world. Both, with common but differentiated pain about Muslim countries condition, backwardness and have been holding back their countries, had a think and they believed Islam was the final choice and tried to offer solutions in these areas that their solutions, according to performance and attitude, are notable. Therefore, the implementation of the political ideas of these two influential thinkers in the Muslim world is important. As far as studies show that, despite the great works of thought and ideas of these two scientists have been published, but no comparative studies have been discussed. Thus, due to the importance of the issue, so comparatively in this article, these two scholars of Islam world have been studied.
Strategic Marketing Management with Japanese Management Approach
Authors: Dehbid Mehdi , Vilkey Ayeh
Published: November 2016

Extensive and comprehensive political, economics, technological differences and related crisis have caused organizations to encounter many challenges in directing activities and maintaining their position in a competitive environment. Strategic management is known as an efficient solution for institutes in dynamic environments.

Strategic marketing management determines and plans marketing strategies and implements them with a clear understanding of the organization`s mission, the assessment of environmental factors, checking the organization’s situation, and exploring opportunities in the market.
Strategic management process is a guidance to execute organization activities besides organization type or size. This process can be used by organizations in terms of marketing. The basic steps of strategic marketing management are similar for all types of organizations like organizations related to manufacturing industries, while importance of each step is different to others depending on effective environmental factors on the institute. In the present paper, these steps and some examples of their application are explained.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Mechanical Engineering Research, Vol. 6, No. 2
Authors: Green Lily
Published: November 2016

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Mechanical Engineering Research, Vol. 6, No. 2, 2016
El vino como recurso turístico para el fomento del desarrollo local. Una oportunidad para las comarcas del Vinalopó (Alicante) y el Altiplano Yecla-Jumilla (Murcia)
Authors: Martínez Puche Antonio , Morales Yago Francisco José
Published: November 2016

El cultivo de la vid es una actividad atávica muy relacionada con las comarcas de interior
de las provincias de Alicante y Murcia. La presente investigación realiza un análisis comparado
entre las comarcas del Vinalopó y el Altiplano murciano, sede de tres rutas del vino
certificadas (Alicante, Jumilla y Yecla) por parte de TURESPAÑA. Ello potencialmente tiene
la oportunidad de generar una dinamización socioeconómica y una valorización paisajística
y patrimonial, basada en el aprovechamiento integral de todos los recursos territoriales y la
aplicación de políticas de desarrollo local.
ЈЕДНА ДАВНАШЊА СТУДИЈА ЉУБОМИРА ЗУКОВИЋА
Authors: Летић Бранко С.
Published: November 2016

Апстракт: Предмет рада је рана студија Љубомира Зуковића „Вуков пе-вач Старац Милија“, његов магистарски рад одбрањен 1963. на Филолошком фа-култету у Београду. Прво се указује на научне одлике Зуковићеве студије, на њену заснованост на куктурноисторијским и књижевним чињеницама о певачу и уме-шност у интерпретацији конкретних песама, посебно Милијиних уметничких од-лика. Потом се наводе индиције којим је Зуковић усмеравао пажњу каснијих тума-ча Милијиних епских песама, посебно песме „Бановић Страхиња“.
ЖЕНИДБА КОСОВСКИХ ЈУНАКА У КРУГУ ВАРИЈАНАТА
Authors: Питулић Валентина Д.
Published: November 2016

Апстракт: У кругу песама о женидби косовских јунака пева се о женидба-ма које су биле у функцији стварања атмосфере разигравања пред Косовски бој. Уњима је јасно изражена тенденција формирања архетипа светитеља, јунака жр-тве и издајника који имају унапред одређене задатке у Косовском боју. Песме оженидбама косовских јунака нису забележене у великом броју. Оне ће, углавном,бити производ одређених мистификација, посебно у песмама Богољуба Петрано-вића, које су биле у служби дневнополитичких збивања.
МОТИВСКА „ШКОЉКА“: ОД СОНЕТА ДО НАДЕ (Сонети, „скривени“ сонети и „сонетни вијенци“ Матије Бећковића)
Authors: Брђанин Бранко Б.
Published: November 2016

Апстракт: Од Сонета, датованог у 1959. годину (објављеног у књизи1963. године – другој по ауторовом „биобиблиографском реду“ – у збирци Метаклуталица), у поезији Матије Бећковића (још од доба двадесетогодишњака!), ја-вљају се кључни и пресудни мотиви „метка луталице“ и „очевог гроба“ (кенота-фа?) у „туђини“. Објављен више од четири деценије доцније – 1999. године – со-нет Нада (недатованог времена настанка), испјеван у истој форми као и рани Со-нет, показује се као друга (формална – сонетна) „стајна тачка“ у оквиру укупног Бећковићевог пјесничког опуса; а и у Нади су поново „на сцени“ онострани гробо-ви најмилијих, оних који се „воде под нестали“, мотив јагњета које је „озлопуталои обезгробљено“.Осим Иживљаторских сонета, које сагледавамо као „недопјевани“ сонет-ни вијенац (објављених у часопису Видици, 1959; непрештампаваних у књигама,све до „Сабраних песама“ 1990), пјесме Сонет и Нада остају – општеприхваћено– усамљени примјери сонетне форме у Бећковићевој поезији. Али, са друге стране– иако на први поглед то и није очигледно – Матија Бећковић је у укупном пјеснич-ком опусу створио и читав низ „прикривених сонета“, па чак и читав скривени со-нетни вијенац.
La géographie de la francophonie au Canada: le pivot québécois et la diaspora dans le reste du Pays
Authors: Gavinelli Dino
Published: November 2016

L’histoire de la francophonie canadienne passe à travers de nombreuses manifestations et des combats politiques, linguistiques et culturels menés sans relâche pour la défense et le maintien d’une langue et d’une culture particulière, toujours menacées par le spectre de l’assimilation anglophone. Ces luttes, toujours actuelels, ont obtenu certains résultats: de quelques milliers d’habitants qu’ils étaient au début de l’ère coloniale, au 17

e 18

siècle, en Acadie et en Nouvelle France, les Canadiens dont la langue d’usage est le français sont maintenant 9 millions environ, concentrés dans un Québec devenu une sorte de pivot de la francophonie, ou bien présents en Ontario et dans le Provinces Maritimes ou encore dans une diaspora vers l’Ouest et le Nord. Tous ces francophones canadiens sont aujourd’hui reconnus par les institutions politiques et par les instances économiques et culturelles et confirment que la vitalité de ces communautés est au coeur de la principale dualité linguistique anglais/français au Canada. En tenant compte de nombreux aspects (linguistiques, historiques, spirituels, sociologiques, politiques et institutionnels), l’approche géographique de cette contribution analysera donc non seulement la distribution de la francophonie au Canada mais aussi sa genèse et sa morphologie, ses représentations, son sentiment d’appartenance à une même communauté et de partage des valeurs ainsi que ses enjeux et ses problèmes.
Bande dessinée et espace urbain montréalais: quelques repères
Authors: Giaufret Anna
Published: November 2016

La relation entre espace et bande dessinée peut être abordée sous deux angles complémentaires, à savoir: (1) comment la bande dessinée représente l’espace et (2) la nature spatiale de la planche et de la double planche. Cette articulation des deux niveaux rend bien compte de la complexité du rapport entre la bande dessinée et l’espace, puisque celui-ci a en fait une double nature, réelle et symbolique, là où l’espace représenté est dessiné sur un espace que l’on pourrait qualifier de “représentant”. Nous allons développer cette réflexion en analysant quelques albums récents réalisés par des auteurs vivant et travaillant à Montréal et que nous avons classés – en nous appuyant notamment sur des textes théoriques issus de la géographie sociale et de la linguistique urbaine – en trois catégories: les albums centrés sur le territoire, les albums centrés sur les lieux, les albums centrés sur les non lieux.
Langue et espace au Québec: les Québécois perçoivent-ils des accents régionaux?
Authors: Remysen Wim
Published: November 2016

Les linguistes s’intéressent généralement à la variation géographique des langues sous l’angle de la production des locuteurs, par l’étude des pratiques linguistiques qui caractérisent telle ou telle région. Pour sa part, la dialectologie perceptuelle prend en considération les valeurs sociales dont ces pratiques sont investies et elle cartographie les frontières subjectives que les locuteurs établissent entre leurs pratiques et celles des autres, permettant ainsi de jeter un éclairage nouveau sur les liens entre la langue et l’espace. Nous nous proposons de réfléchir à l’intérêt de l’approche perceptuelle pour l’étude des variétés régionales au Québec en prenant appui sur une étude de cas réalisée auprès d’une quarantaine de Sherbrookois. L’étude fait la lumière non seulement sur la capacité des participants à identifier des accents régionaux, mais aussi sur certaines de leurs représentations en matière de variation régionale au Québec.
Improved crystalline quality of N-polar GaN epitaxial layers grown with reformed flow-rate-modulation technology
Authors: Zhang Heng , Zhang Xiong , Wang Shuchang , Wang Xiaolei , Zhao Jianguo , Wu Zili , Dai Qian , Yang Hongquan , Cui Yiping
Published: November 2016

A reformed flow-rate-modulation technology was developed for the metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) growth of the N-polar GaN epitaxial layers. To improve the crystalline quality of the N-polar GaN epitaxial layers, a GaN nucleation layer was grown at relatively low temperature with carefully-controlled pulsed supply of Ga source and showed diverse morphology with atomic force microscope (AFM). Furthermore, the electrical and optical properties of the grown N-polar GaN epitaxial layers were investigated extensively by means of Hall effect, photoluminescence (PL), and X-ray rocking curve (XRC) measurements. The characterization results revealed that as compared with the N-polar GaN epitaxial layer grown over the conventional GaN nucleation layer which was deposited with continuous supply of both N and Ga sources, the electrical and optical properties of the N-polar GaN epitaxial layer grown with optimized supply of Ga source for the GaN nucleation layer were significantly improved.
Photoredox‐Catalyzed Dimerization of Arylalkenes via an Oxidative [4+2] Cycloaddition Sequence: Synthesis of Naphthalene Derivatives
Authors: Wei Donglei , Li Yanru , Liang Fushun
Published: November 2016

We report a radical cation [4+2] annulation of arylalkenes to afford naphthalene derivatives using an organic photosensitizer (9‐mesityl‐10‐methylacridinium perchlorate) under visible light photocatalysis. In the presence of oxygen (in the air), the oxidative dimerization/intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition of two alkene molecules provides 3,4‐dihydronaphthalen‐1(2H)‐ones in good to high yields. Under a nitrogen atmosphere, (dihydro)naphthalenes were attained in moderate to excellent yields by using Selectfluor as the oxidant. The transformation proceeds via a tandem dimeric electrophilic addition/Friedel–Crafts cyclization/radical coupling/elimination sequence. This approach represents a mild and straightforward assembly of the naphthalene skeleton using a visible light photocatalytic cascade strategy.

magnified image
Synthesis of (E)‐α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyls via Silver‐Catalyzed Tandem Epoxide Rearrangement/Intermolecular Carbonyl‐ Heteroalkyne Metathesis
Authors: Zhu Hui , Jin Weiwei , He Jiayao , Zhang Yan , Zhu Gangguo
Published: November 2016

A regio‐ and stereoselective method for the synthesis of (E)‐α,β‐unsaturated carbonyls has been developed via a silver‐catalyzed tandem epoxide rearrangement/intermolecular carbonyl‐heteroalkyne metathesis. Various heteroalkynes including ynol ethers, ynamides, and thioalkynes work well for this transformation, leading to the production of (E)‐α,β‐unsaturated esters, amides, and thioesters in moderate to excellent yields with good functional group compatibility. It represents one of the rare examples of regio‐ and stereoselective intermolecular alkyne‐carbonyl metathesis (ACM).

magnified image
Bioinspired Production of Antibacterial Sucrose Isomerase‐Sponge for the Synthesis of Isomaltulose
Authors: Wu Lingtian , Qiu Juanjuan , Wu Shanshan , Liu Xiaoliu , Liu Chao , Xu Zheng , Li Sha , Xu Hong
Published: November 2016

Isomaltulose is a new functional sweetener that possesses biological characteristics and can be obtained by enzymatic synthesis using sucrose as substrate. In this study, the sucrose isomerase (SIase) was successfully immobilized on the sponge synthesized with ϵ‐poly‐l‐lysine and gelatin. The inhibition zones proved that the sponge possessed a significant bacteriostatic function, which can effectively prevent the collapse of the scaffolds of the immobilized enzymes. The immobilized SIase activity reached up to 71.58 U g−1 (the SIase loading was about 153.43 mg g−1), and the activity recovery was approximately 84.50%. After immobilization, the optimum pH of SIase decreased from 6.0 to 5.5 and the optimum temperature increased from 30 °C to 40 °C. The affinity of SIase to substrate was basically unchanged. Immobilized SIase still exhibited more than 90% sucrose conversion after 13 consecutive cycles, which indicated that it had a good operational stability. Furthermore, the immobilized SIase has the potential for isomaltulose production, with 200 g L−1 sucrose solution as its substrate in the food industry. Isomaltulose was isolated in 83.58% yield and high purity (97.3%).

magnified image
N‐Iodosuccinimide‐Promoted Rapid Access to Indeno[1,2‐c]pyrroles via [3+2] Annulation of Enamine‐alkynes
Authors: Santhi Jampani , Baire Beeraiah
Published: November 2016

We have developed a metal‐free, N‐iodosuccinimide (NIS)‐promoted, cascade strategy for the efficient synthesis of biologically important indeno[1,2‐c]pyrroles via a [3+2] annulation process of enamine‐alkynes. This methodology had shown a very broad scope for diversely functionalized enamines and alkynes. We have also developed a one‐pot, multicomponent strategy for the direct synthesis of indeno‐pyrroles from diynones via enamine‐alkynes. Control experiments supported the involvement of NIS as an electrophilic activator via an ionic mechanism rather than a radical pathway.

magnified image
A Kinase‐Independent One‐Pot Multienzyme Cascade for an Expedient Synthesis of Guanosine 5′‐Diphospho‐d‐mannose
Authors: Pfeiffer Martin , Bulfon Dominik , Weber Hansjoerg , Nidetzky Bernd
Published: November 2016

Biomimetic synthesis routes towards the important natural d‐mannosyl donor guanosine 5′‐diphospho‐d‐mannose (GDP‐Man) rely on kinase‐catalyzed nucleotide triphosphate (NTP)‐dependent phosphorylations of d‐mannose (Man), to give d‐mannose 6‐phosphate or α‐d‐mannose 1‐phosphate (αMan 1‐P) as an intermediate product. A GDP‐Man synthesis not requiring the kinase/NTP system would be practical and cost‐effective. Here, we have developed a multienzyme cascade towards GDP‐Man, characterized in that αMan 1‐P was obtained by a diastereoselective phosphatase‐catalyzed phosphorylation of Man. α‐d‐Glucose 1‐phosphate (αGlc 1‐P), prepared in situ through phosphorylase‐catalyzed conversion of sucrose in the presence of inorganic phosphate, was used as an expedient phosphoryl donor. The incipient αMan 1‐P and guanosine triphosphate (GTP) were converted into GDP‐Man by a highly manno compared to gluco selective nucleotidyltransferase. Pyrophosphatase was additionally required to hydrolyze the pyrophosphate released from the GTP, thus driving the reaction towards GDP‐Man. The enzymatic cascade was operated with the αMan 1‐P and the GDP‐Man formation decoupled from one another (sequential mode) or having all steps run concurrently (simultaneous mode). Detailed time course analysis revealed that kinetic pull due to the constant removal of the intermediate αMan 1‐P in simultaneous‐mode reactions was important to promote phosphorylation of Man from αGlc 1‐P in high efficiency, avoiding loss of sugar 1‐phosphates by hydrolysis. Under optimized conditions for the one‐pot transformation involving four enzymes, 100 mM (67 g L−1) GDP‐Man was prepared from 140 mM sucrose and phosphate, using 400 mM Man as the phosphoryl acceptor. The product was recovered by anion‐exchange and size‐exclusion chromatography in ≥95% purity in about 50% yield (100 mg). These results demonstrate for the first time the practical use of a phosphorylase‐phosphatase combi‐catalyst as an alternative to the canonical kinase for the anomeric phosphorylation of the sugar substrate in nucleoside diphospho‐sugar synthesis. Phosphorylation from inorganic phosphate via the intermediate αGlc 1‐P rather than from NTP, particularly GTP, appears advantageous specifically in cases where the sugar acceptor is a bulk commodity that can be applied in suitable excess to the phosphatase reaction.

magnified image
Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Carboaminations of Allenes by N‐Allyltetrahydro‐β‐carbolines: An Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Gobé Valérian , Dousset Maxime , Retailleau Pascal , Gandon Vincent , Guinchard Xavier
Published: November 2016

N‐Allyltetrahydro‐β‐carbolines bearing a pendant allene undergo unprecedented gold(I)‐catalyzed cyclizations proceeding with an allyl migration from the nitrogen to the allene moiety. The initial product of the gold‐catalyzed cyclization evolves either via isomerization or Cope rearrangement, leading to different scaffolds. Density function theory (DFT) calculations established that the allyl migration occurs in an asynchronous suprafacial manner.

magnified image
Live birth sex ratios and father's geographic origins in Jerusalem, 1964–1976
Authors: Groeger J. , Opler M. , Kleinhaus K. , Perrin M. C. , Calderon‐Margalit R. , Manor O. , Paltiel O. , Conley D. , Harlap S. , Malaspina D.
Published: November 2016

Objective

To examine whether ancestry influenced sex ratios of offspring in a birth cohort before parental antenatal sex selection influenced offspring sex.

Methods

We measured the sex ratio as the percent of males according to countries of birth of paternal and maternal grandfathers in 91,459 live births from 1964 to 1976 in the Jerusalem Perinatal Study. Confidence limits (CI) were computed based on an expected sex ratio of 1.05, which is 51.4% male.

Results

Of all live births recorded, 51.4% were male. Relative to Jewish ancestry (51.4% males), significantly more males (1,761) were born to Muslim ancestry (54.5, 95% CI = 52.1–56.8, P = 0.01). Among the former, sex ratios were not significantly associated with paternal or maternal age, education, or offspring's birth order. Consistent with a preference for male offspring, the sex ratio decreased despite increasing numbers of births over the 13‐year period. Sex ratios were not affected by maternal or paternal origins in North Africa or Europe. However, the offspring whose paternal grandfathers were born in Western Asia included fewer males than expected (50.7, 50.1‐51.3, P = 0.02), whether the father was born abroad (50.7) or in Israel (50.8). This was observed for descendents of paternal grandfathers born in Lebanon (47.6), Turkey (49.9), Yemen & Aden (50.2), Iraq (50.5), Afghanistan (50.5), Syria (50.6), and Cyprus (50.7); but not for those from India (51.5) or Iran (51.9). The West Asian group showed the strongest decline in sex ratios with increasing paternal family size.

Conclusions

A decreased sex ratio associated with ancestry in Western Asia is consistent with reduced ability to bear sons by a subset of Jewish men in the Jerusalem cohort. Lower sex ratios may be because of pregnancy stress, which may be higher in this subgroup. Alternatively, a degrading Y chromosome haplogroup or other genetic or epigenetic differences on male germ lines could affect birth ratios, such as differential exposure to an environmental agent, dietary differences, or stress. Differential stopping behaviors that favor additional pregnancies following the birth of a daughter might exacerbate these lower sex ratios.
Robust graft survival and normalized dopaminergic innervation do not obligate recovery in a Parkinson disease patient
Authors: Kordower Jeffrey H. , Goetz Christopher G. , Chu Yaping , Halliday Glenda M. , Nicholson Daniel A. , Musial Timothy F. , Marmion David J. , Stoessl A. Jon , Sossi Vesna , Freeman Thomas B. , Olanow C. Warren
Published: November 2016

Objective

The main goal of dopamine cell replacement therapy in Parkinson disease (PD) is to provide clinical benefit mediated by graft survival with nigrostriatal reinnervation. We report a dichotomy between graft structure and clinical function in a patient dying 16 years following fetal nigral grafting.

Methods

A 55‐year‐old levodopa‐responsive woman with PD received bilateral putaminal fetal mesencephalic grafts as part of an NIH‐sponsored double‐blind sham‐controlled trial. The patient never experienced clinical benefit, and her course was complicated by the development of graft‐related dyskinesias. Fluorodopa positron emission tomography demonstrated significant increases postgrafting bilaterally. She experienced worsening of parkinsonism with severe dyskinesias, and underwent subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation 8 years after grafting. She died 16 years after transplantation.

Results

Postmortem analyses confirmed the diagnosis of PD and demonstrated >300,000 tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐positive grafted cells per side with normalized striatal TH‐immunoreactive fiber innervation and bidirectional synaptic connectivity. Twenty‐seven percent and 17% of grafted neurons were serine 129‐phosphorylated α‐synuclein positive in the left and right putamen, respectively.

Interpretation

These findings represent the largest number of surviving dopamine neurons and the densest and most widespread graft‐mediated striatal dopamine reinnervation following a transplant procedure reported to date. Despite this, clinical recovery was not observed. Furthermore, the grafts were associated with a form of dyskinesias that resembled diphasic dyskinesia and persisted in the off‐medication state. We hypothesize that the grafted cells produced a low level of dopamine sufficient to cause a levodopa‐independent continuous form of diphasic dyskinesias, but insufficient to provide an antiparkinsonian benefit. ANN NEUROL 2017;81:46–57
Spontaner Aufbau einer organisch‐anorganischen Nukleinsäure‐Z‐DNA‐Doppelhelix‐Struktur
Authors: Kulikov Vladislav , Johnson Naomi A. B. , Surman Andrew , Hutin Marie , Kelly Sharon M. , Hezwani Mohammed , Long De‐Liang , Meyer Gerd , Cronin Leroy
Published: November 2016

Wir berichten hier über ein hybrides organisch‐anorganisches Polyoxometallat, Na2[(HGMP)2Mo5O15]⋅7 H2O (1) (mit GMP=Guanosinmonophosphat), das sich spontan zu einer Struktur zusammenfügt, deren Dimensionen jenen der natürlich vorkommenden linkshändigen Z‐Form der DNA verblüffend ähnlich sind. Die Helixparameter in der Kristallstruktur dieser neuen Verbindung, wie Anstieg pro Windung und helikale Verdrillung pro Dimer, sind nahezu identisch zur DNA, was einen eingehenden Vergleich von beiden Strukturen erlaubt. Zirkulardichroismus (CD) in Lösung zeigt, dass Verbindung 1 auch in Lösung ausgedehnte Sekundärstrukturen aufweist. Gelelektrophorese‐Untersuchungen weisen die Bildung nichtkovalenter Addukte mit natürlichen Plasmiden nach. Damit können wir einen Weg aufzeigen, auf dem einfache, hybride organisch‐anorganische Monomere, wie in Verbindung 1, sich spontan zu einer Doppelhelix zusammenlagern können, ohne dass dazu eine kovalent gebundene lineare Sequenz von Nuklein‐Säure‐Base‐Paaren nötig wäre.
Supramolecular Nanofibrillar Thermoreversible Hydrogel for Growth and Release of Cancer Spheroids
Authors: Li Yunfeng , Khuu Nancy , Gevorkian Albert , Sarjinsky Sharon , Therien‐Aubin Heloise , Wang Yihe , Cho Sangho , Kumacheva Eugenia
Published: November 2016

Growth of three‐dimensional cancer spheroids (CSs) in man‐made hydrogels mimicking natural extracellular matrix is an important and challenging task. Herein, we report on a supramolecular temperature‐responsive hydrogel designed for the growth and subsequent release of CSs. A filamentous hydrogel was formed at 37 °C from an aqueous suspension of cellulose nanocrystals surface‐functionalized with temperature‐responsive polymer molecules. The encapsulation of cells in the hydrogel enabled effective growth of CSs with dimensions determined by the concentration of cellulose nanocrystals in the hydrogel. On demand release of CSs without loss of cell viability and spheroid integrity was achieved upon hydrogel cooling. The tumorigenic properties of the released CSs were examined by encapsulating and re‐growing them in fibrin hydrogel. The results in this work can be used in fundamental cancer research and in cancer drug screening.
Microencapsulation of tea tree oil by spray‐drying with methyl cellulose as the emulsifier and wall material together with chitosan/alginate
Authors: Zhang Song , Chen Juan , Yin Xueqiong , Wang Xuyu , Qiu Bining , Zhu Li , Lin Qiang
Published: November 2016

Amphiphilic methyl cellulose (MC) was used as the emulsifier and the internal wall material to increase the microencapsulation efficiency (ME) of tea tree oil (TTO) and the stability of the emulsion for spray‐drying. The results of microscopy images, zeta potential, and microencapsulation efficiency indicated that the wall material components affected the morphology, stability, and ME of the microcapsules. The microcapsules with the wall materials of MC/chitosan (CTS)/alginate (ALG) were spherical and had higher ME than those with monocomponent or bicomponents of MC, CTS, or ALG, or triple components of MC/ALG/CTS. Spray drying conditions were optimized to find the optimum microencapsulation conditions. The highest ME 89.4% and the highest oil embedding rate (ER) 90.4% were obtained through spray‐dying the emulsion of 0.8 mL TTO embraced by 0.4 g MC, 0.6 g CTS, and 3 g ALG at the drying conditions of inlet air temperature 210 °C, needling frequency 2 s, and pump flow rate 55 r/min. Microencapsulation obviously decreased the release of TTO. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44662.
Preparation and thermomechanical properties of nanocrystalline cellulose reinforced poly(lactic acid) nanocomposites
Authors: Zhang Ping , Gao De , Zou Pingping , Wang Bingtao
Published: November 2016

A two‐step process was developed to prepare nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposites using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a compatibilizer. It was composed of solvent mixing and melt blending. The NCC was well dispersed in the PLA matrix. A network was formed at high NCC‐to‐PEG ratio at which the amount of the PEG was not enough to cover all the surfaces of the NCC. The formation of the network was confirmed by the occurrence of a plateau for the storage modulus at low frequency. The incorporation of the PEG and NCC could improve the crystallinity of the PLA. The elongation at break increased from 11.0% for the neat PLA to 106.0% for the composites including 6 wt % NCC, impact strength was improved from 0.864 to 2.64 kJ m−2 and tensile strength did not change significantly for the same 6 wt % NCC composites. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44683.
Nonlinear MPC Controller Design for AIR Supply of PEM Fuel Cell Based Power Systems
Authors: Ouyang Quan , Chen Jian , Wang Fan , Su Hongye
Published: November 2016

The air supply system, which provides the oxygen for the fuel cell stack, is one of the most important subsystems of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). In order to improve the performance of the air supply, a small rechargeable lithium‐ion battery is utilized to start up the PEMFC system and provide buffer power supply for the load demand. With energy consumption of the compressor considered, a power coordinating algorithm utilizing a virtual potential field approach is presented to manage the power demand for the PEMFC and the battery while maintaining the battery's state of charge. A nonlinear observer is designed to estimate the unmeasurable states of the air supply system and its convergence is proven. A nonlinear MPC method is proposed to control the air flow and ensure the adequate oxygen supply. Simulation results are provided to validate the performance of the power management algorithm and the air supply control method. Compared with the results of the MPC algorithm and the nonlinear MPC method for the PEMFC system without an auxiliary battery, the method designed here has better performance.
Transformation of Free and Dipeptide‐Bound Glycated Amino Acids by Two Strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Hellwig Michael , Börner Marie , Beer Falco , van Pée Karl‐Heinz , Henle Thomas
Published: November 2016

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae transforms branched‐chain and aromatic amino acids into higher alcohols in the Ehrlich pathway. During microbiological culturing and industrial fermentations, this yeast is confronted with amino acids modified by reducing sugars in the Maillard reaction (glycation). In order to gain some preliminary insight into the physiological “handling” of glycated amino acids by yeasts, individual Maillard reaction products (MRPs: fructosyllysine, carboxymethyllysine, pyrraline, formyline, maltosine, methylglyoxal‐derived hydroimidazolone) were administered to two strains of S. cerevisiae in a rich medium. Only formyline was converted into the corresponding α‐hydroxy acid, to a small extent (10 %). Dipeptide‐bound pyrraline and maltosine were removed from the medium with concomitant emergence of several metabolites. Pyrraline was mainly converted into the corresponding Ehrlich alcohol (20–60 %) and maltosine into the corresponding α‐hydroxy acid (40–60 %). Five specific metabolites of glycated amino acids were synthesized and characterized. We show for the first time that S. cerevisiae can use glycated amino acids as a nitrogen source and transform them into new metabolites, provided that the substances can be transported across the cell membrane.
Multicenter midterm follow‐up results using the gore septal occluder for atrial septal defect closure in pediatric patients
Authors: Grohmann Jochen , Wildberg Christian , Zartner Peter , Abu‐Tair Tariq , Tarusinov Gleb , Kitzmüller Erwin , Schmoor Claudia , Stiller Brigitte , Kampmann Christoph
Published: November 2016

Objectives

To assess the safety and efficacy of the Gore Septal Occluder (GSO) used for device‐closure of significant secundum‐type atrial septal defects (ASD II) focusing on pediatric patients.

Background

The GSO is a patch‐like double disc device. Due to its design, it is assumed to be safe, even when implanted in ASDs with deficient retro‐aortic rims.

Methods

Multicenter retrospective analysis of consecutive children and adolescents with a GSO in situ for at least 12 months according to a 1‐ to 4‐year midterm follow‐up.

Results

Hundred and seventy three pediatric patients were enrolled. At implantation, median age was 6 years (range 0.7–17.9), median body weight and length were 21 kg (6.4–95) and 119 cm (65–193). Median follow‐up period was 20 months (range 12–51). ASD anatomy was comprised of single defects in 131 patients (76%), multi‐fenestrated defects in 42 (24%), and deficient retro‐aortic rims in 33 (19%). Follow‐up confirmed an overall closure‐rate of 95.4%. Small residual shunts were reported in eight patients (4.6%) without need for any re‐intervention. Complications were classified as minor events both during the initial procedure (9 patients, 5.2%) and on follow‐up (another 9 patients), including transient AV block II in three patients (1.8%) and four snare‐retrievals (2.4%) during the initial procedure.

Conclusions

Periprocedural and midterm follow‐up data have shown the GSO to be effective and safe for ASD device closure in children and adolescents. GSO may be considered the first‐choice device in deficient retro‐aortic rims and multi‐fenestrated defects, when covering most of the atrial septum is necessary. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Revealing Germylene Compounds to Attain Superbasicity with Sigma Donor Substituents: A Density Functional Theory Study
Authors: Biswas Abul Kalam , Ganguly Bishwajit
Published: November 2016

Compounds of GeII are shown for the first time to function as superbases. Two B(N=PiPr3)2 groups attached to a germanium(II) center show a gas‐phase proton affinity of 296.2 kcal mol−1, which is close to the range of a hyperbase as revealed by B3LYP‐D3/6‐31G(2d,p) level of theory. These DFT calculations showed better agreement of geometrical parameters for the reported stable germylene compound 1 than previously reported calculations. A systematic study with different substitutions of GeII revealed that such a system can achieve basicity close to a hyperbase. The stabilities of these superbases were examined with dimerization energy and singlet–triplet state energy difference (ΔES–T). Furthermore, the calculated gas‐phase proton affinity values also show good correlation with the most negative valued point (Vmin) in electron‐rich regions from the molecular electrostatic potential. The high PA values of compounds were also supported by ionization potential, electron affinity, absolute electronegativity, and absolute hardness calculations. The energetics for the reaction with BH3 and AlMe3 further suggest that the lone pair of GeII can act as a Lewis base and display higher donor–acceptor bond strengths.
Solid‐phase extraction with metal–organic frameworks for the analysis of chiral compounds
Authors: Tang Bo , Zhang Jun‐Hui , Zi Min , Chen Xue‐Xian , Yuan Li‐Ming
Published: November 2016

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are excellent porous materials with nanoscale cavities and high surface areas, which make them promising as novel adsorbents in solid‐phase extraction (SPE). In this article we report a new application of the chiral MOF [Zn2(D‐Cam)2(4,4′‐bpy)]n in SPE used for the measurement of the enantiomeric excess (ee) of (±)‐1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol. Several important experimental parameters that may influence the extraction efficiency were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, a good linearity (R2 > 0.999) was found between the ee value and the reciprocal of the peak areas. When compared with the actual ee measured using chiral HPLC, the SPE‐based assay also showed good accuracy and precision. The results showed that SPE based on chiral MOFs as adsorbents is a simple and effective method for the determination of the ee values of chiral compounds.
Selective Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonate by Salalen–Aluminum Complexes and Mechanistic Studies
Authors: Cozzolino Mariachiara , Rosen Tomer , Goldberg Israel , Mazzeo Mina , Lamberti Marina
Published: November 2016

Salalen–aluminum complexes were synthesized and used as catalysts in the reactions of CO2 with different epoxides. The reaction of cyclohexene oxide and CO2 was thoroughly investigated. In particular, the effect of the reaction conditions (nature and equivalents of the co‐catalyst, CO2 pressure, and temperature) and of the ligands (substituents on the ancillary ligand, nature of the labile ligand, and nature of the nitrogen‐donor atoms) on the results of this reaction was studied. The cycloaddition reaction of CO2 with terminal epoxides bearing different functional groups was realized. Moreover, NMR mechanistic studies provided information on the catalytic cycle. Interestingly, the characterization of an intermediate species in the mechanism of the reaction of cyclohexene oxide with CO2, catalyzed by one of the salalen–aluminum complexes, was accomplished.
Yield‐aware sizing of pipeline ADC using a multiple‐objective evolutionary algorithm
Authors: Mirzaie Nahid , Shamsi Hossein , Byun Gyung‐Su
Published: November 2016

In this paper, an efficient and highly accurate algorithm for yield‐aware design of pipeline analog to digital converters (ADCs) based on a four‐step approach is presented. First, a general netlist is generated for the data converter building blocks. Then, using an evolutionary method, its best performance sizing is estimated. Finally, the yield gets enhanced to reach a desired value. With the same accuracy, the presented algorithm can achieve yield optimization by approximately five times less computational cost compared with a state‐of‐the‐art MC‐based method. The framework is applied to demonstrate a reliable converter with optimum performance, power consumption, speed and area overhead during a single running process. A prototype 10‐bit resolution, 10‐MS/s pipeline analog to digital converter has been simulated in a 0.18‐µm 1.8‐V CMOS process. Presented results, applying the proposed method, show important advantages in terms of accuracy and efficiency. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.