bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On some interesting African katydids (Orthoptera Tettigoniidae)
Authors: Massa B.
Published: October 2016

Results of the study of specimens collected in Africa and preserved in different European collections and museums are reported and extensively illustrated. The tribe Preussiini Karsch, 1890 is resurrected for the genera Preussia Karsch, 1890, Enochletica Karsch, 1896 and Weissenbornia Karsch, 1888. The following three new species are described: Eurycorypha ndokiensis n. sp., Eurycorypha feai n. sp. and Eurycorypha kenyensis n. sp. Rhacocleis dernensis Salfi, 1926 is confirmed in its original genus, Conocephalus algerinorum Massa, 1999 is moved into the subgenus Anisoptera. In addition, new diagnostic characters or distributional data for Horatosphaga crosskeyi Ragge, 1960, Horatosphaga somali (Schulthess-Schindler, 1898), Ducetia crosskeyi Ragge, 1961, Ducetia fuscopunctata Chopard, 1954, Tropidonotacris amabilis Ragge, 1957, Tropidonotacris carinata Chopard, 1954, Pardalota asymmetrica Karsch, 1896, Eurycorypha stylata Stål, 1873, Eurycorypha velicauda Karsch, 1893, Eurycorypha kevani Chopard, 1954 and Oxygonatium huxleyi Ragge, 1980 are reported.
A Study on Modeling the Price Trend of Black Pepper in Malaysia
Authors: Binti Ibrahim Nur Aifiah
Published: October 2016

The pepper industry represents a significant economic sector in Malaysia. Despite the importance of the pepper industry to the Malaysian economy, the review of the literature indicates that the industry has not attracted much research emphasis. More specifically, the literature indicates that limited studies have attempted to investigate the factors that influence the price of black pepper in Malaysia. Furthermore, the factors that influence the pricing of black pepper can be identified by selecting the most suitable multivariate model. Hence, Multiple Linear Regression and VAR model are conducted and compared for determining on which of the factors are significant for the pricing values of black pepper. The secondary data on the economic variables of black pepper is obtained from the Malaysian Pepper Board which is located in Kuching, Sarawak. The analysis of the data can be divided into estimation and evaluation part. In the estimation part, both types of model are developed and Cochrane – Orcutt procedure is undertaken to diagnose the autocorrelation problem in Multiple Linear Regression model. In terms of multivariate approach it is found that VAR model is more reliable than Multiple Linear Regression since it has smaller readings in most of the criterions such as MSE and RMSE. Therefore, it can be identified that lagged one of economic variables such as amount of production, amount of export and pricing of black pepper are significant factors that affect the annual pricing of the agricultural product.
Granada ABAi 2011
Authors: Altamirano Soriano Adriana Marisela
Published: October 2016

-
Instrucciones Para autores 7-2
Authors: Hattori Hara Monica
Published: October 2016

Generalidade de la revista, Perioricidad, Indización, Aspectos éticos, Responsabilidad de las partes del proceso, Dictámen de propuestas, Características del escrito, y aceptación final.
Bioactive Lipids and Circulating Progenitor Cells in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Hayek Salim S. , Klyachkin Yuri , Asfour Ahmed , Ghasemzadeh Nima , Awad Mosaab , Hesaroieh Iraj , Ahmed Hina , Gray Brandon , Kim Jinhee , Waller Edmund K. , Quyyumi Arshed A. , Abdel-Latif Ahmed K.
Published: October 2016

Bone marrow-derived progenitor cells are mobilized into the peripheral blood after acute myocardial injury and in chronic ischemic heart disease. However, the mechanisms responsible for this mobilization are poorly understood. We examined the relationship between plasma levels of bioactive lipids and number of circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) in patients (N = 437) undergoing elective or emergent cardiac catheterization. Plasma levels of sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P) and ceramide-1 phosphate (C1P) were quantified using mass spectrometry. CPCs were assessed using flow cytometry. S1P levels correlated with the numbers of CD34+, CD34+/CD133+, and CD34+/CXCR4+ CPCs even after adjustment for potential confounding factors. However, no significant correlation was observed between C1P levels and CPC count. Plasma levels of S1P correlated with the number of CPCs in patients with coronary artery disease, suggesting an important mechanistic role for S1P in stem cell mobilization. The therapeutic effects of adjunctive S1P therapy to mobilize endogenous stem cells need to be investigated.
Efficiently Specified Ventral Midbrain Dopamine Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Under Xeno-Free Conditions Restore Motor Deficits in Parkinsonian Rodents
Authors: Niclis Jonathan C. , Gantner Carlos W. , Alsanie Walaa F. , McDougall Stuart J. , Bye Chris R. , Elefanty Andrew G. , Stanley Edouard G. , Haynes John M. , Pouton Colin W. , Thompson Lachlan H. , Parish Clare L.
Published: October 2016

Recent studies have shown evidence for the functional integration of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived ventral midbrain dopamine (vmDA) neurons in animal models of Parkinson's disease. Although these cells present a sustainable alternative to fetal mesencephalic grafts, a number of hurdles require attention prior to clinical translation. These include the persistent use of xenogeneic reagents and challenges associated with scalability and storage of differentiated cells. In this study, we describe the first fully defined feeder- and xenogeneic-free protocol for the generation of vmDA neurons from hPSCs and utilize two novel reporter knock-in lines (LMX1A-eGFP and PITX3-eGFP) for in-depth in vitro and in vivo tracking. Across multiple embryonic and induced hPSC lines, this “next generation” protocol consistently increases both the yield and proportion of vmDA neural progenitors (OTX2/FOXA2/LMX1A) and neurons (FOXA2/TH/PITX3) that display classical vmDA metabolic and electrophysiological properties. We identify the mechanism underlying these improvements and demonstrate clinical applicability with the first report of scalability and cryopreservation of bona fide vmDA progenitors at a time amenable to transplantation. Finally, transplantation of xeno-free vmDA progenitors from LMX1A- and PITX3-eGFP reporter lines into Parkinsonian rodents demonstrates improved engraftment outcomes and restoration of motor deficits. These findings provide important and necessary advancements for the translation of hPSC-derived neurons into the clinic.
A Human Corneal Epithelial Cell Line Model for Limbal Stem Cell Biology and Limbal Immunobiology
Authors: Shaharuddin Bakiah , Ahmad Sajjad , Md Latar Nani , Ali Simi , Meeson Annette
Published: October 2016

Limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency is a visually debilitating condition caused by abnormal maintenance of LSCs. It is treated by transplantation of donor-derived limbal epithelial cells (LECs), the success of which depends on the presence and quality of LSCs within the transplant. Understanding the immunobiological responses of these cells within the transplants could improve cell engraftment and survival. However, human corneal rings used as a source of LSCs are not always readily available for research purposes. As an alternative, we hypothesized that a human telomerase-immortalized corneal epithelial cell (HTCEC) line could be used as a model for studying LSC immunobiology. HTCEC constitutively expressed human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I but not class II molecules. However, when stimulated by interferon-γ, HTCECs then expressed HLA class II antigens. Some HTCECs were also migratory in response to CXCL12 and expressed stem cell markers, Nanog, Oct4, and Sox2. In addition because both HTCECs and LECs contain side population (SP) cells, which are an enriched LSC population, we used these SP cells to show that some HTCEC SP cells coexpressed ABCG2 and ABCB5. HTCEC SP and non-side population (NSP) cells also expressed CXCR4, but the SP cells expressed higher levels. Both were capable of colony formation, but the NSP colonies were smaller and contained fewer cells. In addition, HTCECs expressed ΔNp63α. These results suggest the HTCEC line is a useful model for further understanding LSC biology by using an in vitro approach without reliance on a supply of human tissue.
Structural (In)visibility: Possible Effects of Constructing a Controlled Vocabulary in a Niche Domain
Authors: Lorberfeld Audrey , Rinck Elan May
Published: October 2016

The paper explores the challenges and implications that arose during the construction of a controlled vocabulary in an emerging, non-structured domain. It discusses the difficulty of defining a domain with evolving and intersectional boundaries, and how Wittgenstein’s philosophy of language may aid designers in properly representing a domain’s hierarchy when multiple language games are present. It also discusses adaptation of standard construction procedures to maintain domain representation. The analysis focuses on the potential effects that constructing such a controlled vocabulary could cause in the future evolution of that domain.
Klf5 regulates muscle differentiation by directly targeting muscle-specific genes in cooperation with MyoD in mice
Authors: Hayashi Shinichiro , Manabe Ichiro , Suzuki Yumi , Relaix Frédéric , Oishi Yumiko
Published: October 2016

Krüppel-like factor 5 (Klf5) is a zinc-finger transcription factor that controls various biological processes, including cell proliferation and differentiation. We show that Klf5 is also an essential mediator of skeletal muscle regeneration and myogenic differentiation. During muscle regeneration after injury (cardiotoxin injection), Klf5 was induced in the nuclei of differentiating myoblasts and newly formed myofibers expressing myogenin in vivo. Satellite cell-specific Klf5 deletion severely impaired muscle regeneration, and myotube formation was suppressed in Klf5-deleted cultured C2C12 myoblasts and satellite cells. Klf5 knockdown suppressed induction of muscle differentiation-related genes, including myogenin. Klf5 ChIP-seq revealed that Klf5 binding overlaps that of MyoD and Mef2, and Klf5 physically associates with both MyoD and Mef2. In addition, MyoD recruitment was greatly reduced in the absence of Klf5. These results indicate that Klf5 is an essential regulator of skeletal muscle differentiation, acting in concert with myogenic transcription factors such as MyoD and Mef2.
Frazzled promotes growth cone attachment at the source of a Netrin gradient in the Drosophila visual system
Authors: Akin Orkun , Zipursky S Lawrence
Published: October 2016

Axon guidance is proposed to act through a combination of long- and short-range attractive and repulsive cues. The ligand-receptor pair, Netrin (Net) and Frazzled (Fra) (DCC, Deleted in Colorectal Cancer, in vertebrates), is recognized as the prototypical effector of chemoattraction, with roles in both long- and short-range guidance. In the Drosophila visual system, R8 photoreceptor growth cones were shown to require Net-Fra to reach their target, the peak of a Net gradient. Using live imaging, we show, however, that R8 growth cones reach and recognize their target without Net, Fra, or Trim9, a conserved binding partner of Fra, but do not remain attached to it. Thus, despite the graded ligand distribution along the guidance path, Net-Fra is not used for chemoattraction. Based on findings in other systems, we propose that adhesion to substrate-bound Net underlies both long- and short-range Net-Fra-dependent guidance in vivo, thereby eroding the distinction between them.
Coastal wetland response to sea‐level rise in a fluvial estuarine system
Authors: Alizad Karim , Hagen Scott C. , Morris James T. , Medeiros Stephen C. , Bilskie Matthew V. , Weishampel John F.
Published: October 2016

Coastal wetlands are likely to lose productivity under increasing rates of sea‐level rise (SLR). This study assessed a fluvial estuarine salt marsh system using the Hydro‐MEM model under four SLR scenarios. The Hydro‐MEM model was developed to apply the dynamics of SLR as well as capture the effects associated with the rate of SLR in the simulation. Additionally, the model uses constants derived from a 2‐year bioassay in the Apalachicola marsh system. In order to increase accuracy, the lidar‐based marsh platform topography was adjusted using Real Time Kinematic survey data. A river inflow boundary condition was also imposed to simulate freshwater flows from the watershed. The biomass density results produced by the Hydro‐MEM model were validated with satellite imagery. The results of the Hydro‐MEM simulations showed greater variation of water levels in the low (20 cm) and intermediate‐low (50 cm) SLR scenarios and lower variation with an extended bay under higher SLR scenarios. The low SLR scenario increased biomass density in some regions and created a more uniform marsh platform in others. Under intermediate‐low SLR scenario, more flooded area and lower marsh productivity were projected. Higher SLR scenarios resulted in complete inundation of marsh areas with fringe migration of wetlands to higher land. This study demonstrated the capability of Hydro‐MEM model to simulate coupled physical/biological processes across a large estuarine system with the ability to project marsh migration regions and produce results that can aid in coastal resource management, monitoring, and restoration efforts.
Climate effects of a hypothetical regional nuclear war: Sensitivity to emission duration and particle composition
Authors: Pausata Francesco S. R. , Lindvall Jenny , Ekman Annica M. L. , Svensson Gunilla
Published: October 2016

Here, we use a coupled atmospheric‐ocean‐aerosol model to investigate the plume development and climate effects of the smoke generated by fires following a regional nuclear war between emerging third‐world nuclear powers. We simulate a standard scenario where 5 Tg of black carbon (BC) is emitted over 1 day in the upper troposphere–lower stratosphere. However, it is likely that the emissions from the fires ignited by bomb detonations include a substantial amount of particulate organic matter (POM) and that they last more than 1 day. We therefore test the sensitivity of the aerosol plume and climate system to the BC/POM ratio (1:3, 1:9) and to the emission length (1 day, 1 week, 1 month). We find that in general, an emission length of 1 month substantially reduces the cooling compared to the 1‐day case, whereas taking into account POM emissions notably increases the cooling and the reduction of precipitation associated with the nuclear war during the first year following the detonation. Accounting for POM emissions increases the particle size in the short‐emission‐length scenarios (1 day/1 week), reducing the residence time of the injected particle. While the initial cooling is more intense when including POM emission, the long‐lasting effects, while still large, may be less extreme compared to the BC‐only case. Our study highlights that the emission altitude reached by the plume is sensitive to both the particle type emitted by the fires and the emission duration. Consequently, the climate effects of a nuclear war are strongly dependent on these parameters.
Submarine groundwater discharge into typical tropical lagoons:Acase study in easternHainanIsland,China
Authors: Wang Xilong , Du Jinzhou
Published: October 2016

Assessing submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) into lagoons and bays can be helpful to understand biogeochemical processes, especially nutrient dynamics. In the present paper, radium (Ra) isotopes were used to quantify SGD in two typical tropical lagoons (Laoye Lagoon (LY Lagoon) and Xiaohai Lagoon (XH Lagoon)) of eastern Hainan Island, China. The Ra mass balance model provided evidence that SGD plays an important role in the hydrology of the LY Lagoon and the XH Lagoon, delivering average SGD fluxes of 1.7 × 106(94 L m−2d−1) and 1.8 × 106(41 L m−2d−1) m3d−1, respectively. Tidal pumping was one of the important driving forces for SGD fluxes in the LY and the XH Lagoons. Tidal‐driven SGD into the tidal channels of both lagoons can account for approximately 10% of the total SGD flux into the lagoons. In addition, the dissolved inorganic nutrient budgets were reassessed in the LY Lagoon and the XH Lagoon, which showed that SGD was the major source of nutrients entering the LY Lagoon and that the LY Lagoon behaved as a source for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and as a sink for dissolved silicate (DSi). Nutrient loads in the XH Lagoon were mainly derived from riverine inputs and SGD, and the XH Lagoon behaved as a source for DIP, but a sink for DIN and DSi.
Increased light‐use efficiency in northern terrestrial ecosystems indicated by CO2 and greening observations
Authors: Thomas Rebecca T. , Prentice Iain Colin , Graven Heather , Ciais Philippe , Fisher Joshua B. , Hayes Daniel J. , Huang Maoyi , Huntzinger Deborah N. , Ito Akihiko , Jain Atul , Mao Jiafu , Michalak Anna M. , Peng Shushi , Poulter Benjamin , Ricciuto Daniel M , Shi Xiaoying , Schwalm Christopher , Tian Hanqin , Zeng Ning
Published: October 2016

Observations show an increasing amplitude in the seasonal cycle of CO2 (ASC) north of 45°N of 56 ± 9.8% over the last 50 years and an increase in vegetation greenness of 7.5–15% in high northern latitudes since the 1980s. However, the causes of these changes remain uncertain. Historical simulations from terrestrial biosphere models in the Multiscale Synthesis and Terrestrial Model Intercomparison Project are compared to the ASC and greenness observations, using the TM3 atmospheric transport model to translate surface fluxes into CO2 concentrations. We find that the modeled change in ASC is too small but the mean greening trend is generally captured. Modeled increases in greenness are primarily driven by warming, whereas ASC changes are primarily driven by increasing CO2. We suggest that increases in ecosystem‐scale light use efficiency (LUE) have contributed to the observed ASC increase but are underestimated by current models. We highlight potential mechanisms that could increase modeled LUE.
On the limited ice intrusion in Alaska at the LGM
Authors: Löfverström Marcus , Liakka Johan
Published: October 2016

The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) Laurentide Ice Sheet covered most of the North American continent poleward of 40°N, with the exception of Alaska that remained relatively warm, dry, and largely ice free. Experiments with a global atmospheric circulation model are in broad agreement with proxies: the Alaskan summer temperatures are comparable to the preindustrial, and the annual precipitation is reduced by 30–50%. The warm conditions are attributed to a lowering of the local planetary albedo—due to a decreased cloudiness in response to the cold LGM sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and a stationary anticyclone forced by the ice sheet—that allows more shortwave radiation to reach the surface. Stationary waves are shown to counteract the shortwave cloud feedback by converging less heat over the target region. The LGM SST field also yields an equatorward shifted Pacific stormtrack, which results in drier conditions in Alaska and abundant precipitation at the southern margin of the Laurentide Ice Sheet.
Slip heterogeneity and directivity of the ML 6.0, 2016, Amatrice earthquake estimated with rapid finite‐fault inversion
Authors: Tinti E. , Scognamiglio L. , Michelini A. , Cocco M.
Published: October 2016

On 24 August 2016 a magnitude ML 6.0 occurred in the Central Apennines (Italy) between Amatrice and Norcia causing nearly 300 fatalities. The main shock ruptured a NNW‐SSE striking, WSW dipping normal fault. We invert waveforms from 26 three‐component strong motion accelerometers, filtered between 0.02 and 0.5 Hz, within 45 km from the fault. The inferred slip distribution is heterogeneous and characterized by two shallow slip patches updip and NW from the hypocenter, respectively. The rupture history shows bilateral propagation and a relatively high rupture velocity (3.1 km/s). The imaged rupture history produced evident directivity effects both N‐NW and SE of the hypocenter, explaining near‐source peak ground motions. Fault dimensions and peak slip values are large for a moderate‐magnitude earthquake. The retrieved rupture model fits the recorded ground velocities up to 1 Hz, corroborating the effects of rupture directivity and slip heterogeneity on ground shaking and damage pattern.
Comparison between the Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter (LETKF) and 4D‐Var in atmospheric CO2 flux inversion with the Goddard Earth Observing System‐Chem model and the observation impact diagnostics from the LETKF
Authors: Liu Junjie , Bowman Kevin W. , Lee Meemong
Published: October 2016

Ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) and 4D‐Variational (4D‐Var) are two advanced data assimilation methods that are the basis of numerical weather prediction and have been extensively used in trace gas assimilation and inverse modeling. In this study, we compare 4D‐Var and the Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter (LETKF), one type of EnKF, in estimating CO2 fluxes with both simulated and real satellite data from Greenhouse gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) and propose a method to calculate flux changes and flux error reductions from assimilating each observation within the LETKF. The results show that the mean posterior flux accuracy across 11 land regions defined by the Atmospheric Tracer Transport Model Intercomparison Project is comparable between 4D‐Var and the LETKF, as shown in the Observing System Simulation Experiment, but the differences between the LETKF and 4D‐Var are relatively larger over data sparse regions. We show that this is most likely due to the fact that the observations from a much broader region have impact on flux estimation in 4D‐Var than in the LETKF. As a result, the posterior fluxes from 4D‐Var are more consistent with the atmospheric CO2 growth rate. We find that the inversion results are less dependent on inversion methods with the increase of observations. With real GOSAT observations, we show that the posterior flux changes in 2011 relative to 2010 are more consistent between these two methods than the absolute estimates.
Formaldehyde column density measurements as a suitable pathway to estimate near‐surface ozone tendencies from space
Authors: Schroeder Jason R. , Crawford James H. , Fried Alan , Walega James , Weinheimer Andrew , Wisthaler Armin , Müller Markus , Mikoviny Tomas , Chen Gao , Shook Michael , Blake Donald R. , Diskin Glenn , Estes Mark , Thompson Anne M. , Lefer Barry L. , Long Russell , Mattson Eric
Published: October 2016

In support of future satellite missions that aim to address the current shortcomings in measuring air quality from space, NASA's Deriving Information on Surface Conditions from Column and Vertically Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality (DISCOVER‐AQ) field campaign was designed to enable exploration of relationships between column measurements of trace species relevant to air quality at high spatial and temporal resolution. In the DISCOVER‐AQ data set, a modest correlation (r2 = 0.45) between ozone (O3) and formaldehyde (CH2O) column densities was observed. Further analysis revealed regional variability in the O3‐CH2O relationship, with Maryland having a strong relationship when data were viewed temporally and Houston having a strong relationship when data were viewed spatially. These differences in regional behavior are attributed to differences in volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. In Maryland, biogenic VOCs were responsible for ~28% of CH2O formation within the boundary layer column, causing CH2O to, in general, increase monotonically throughout the day. In Houston, persistent anthropogenic emissions dominated the local hydrocarbon environment, and no discernable diurnal trend in CH2O was observed. Box model simulations suggested that ambient CH2O mixing ratios have a weak diurnal trend (±20% throughout the day) due to photochemical effects, and that larger diurnal trends are associated with changes in hydrocarbon precursors. Finally, mathematical relationships were developed from first principles and were able to replicate the different behaviors seen in Maryland and Houston. While studies would be necessary to validate these results and determine the regional applicability of the O3‐CH2O relationship, the results presented here provide compelling insight into the ability of future satellite missions to aid in monitoring near‐surface air quality.
Ownership of consumer electronics is associated with measures of adiposity during health transition in Vanuatu
Authors: Sun Cheng , Pomer Alysa , Dancause Kelsey N. , Chan Chim W. , Olszowy Kathryn M. , Silverman Harold , Lee Gwang , Tarivonda Len , Taleo George , Regenvanu Ralph , Kaneko Akira , Weitz Charles A. , Garruto Ralph M. , Lum J. Koji
Published: October 2016

Objective

The Republic of Vanuatu, like many developing nations, is undergoing a rapid health transition. Our previous study identified several behavioral risk factors for the rising prevalence of obesity. Unexpectedly, daily time spent using television and radio was revealed as a protective factor for obesity in 2007. In this study, we sought to explore associations between ownership of consumer electronics (CE) and measures of adiposity in Vanuatu in 2011.

Methods

We surveyed 873 adults from five islands varying in level of economic development. Height, weight, and waist circumferences; triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfolds; and percent body fat by bioelectrical impedance were measured. Ownership of eight types of CE, diet through 24‐h dietary recall and leisure‐time activity patterns were assessed using a questionnaire.

Results

Participants from more developed islands owned more types of CE, and revealed higher measures of adiposity on average as well as higher prevalence of obesity/central obesity. When controlling for demographic factors, and dietary and activity patterns, increased measures of adiposity and risk for obesity/central obesity were associated with ownership of cellphones, music players, televisions, video players, microwaves, and/or refrigerators. Positive correlations between CE ownership and measures of adiposity were mainly observed among men on the two most developed islands.

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate a possible role of CE use in the rising prevalence of obesity and the shift to a sedentary lifestyle in Vanuatu and many other modernizing regions, where prevention efforts including education on healthy use of CE are imperative.
A qualitative assessment of safe work practices in logging in the southern United States
Authors: Conway Sadie H. , Pompeii Lisa A. , Casanova Vanessa , Douphrate David I.
Published: October 2016

Background

The logging industry is recognized as one of the most dangerous professions in the U.S., but little is known about safety management practices on remote logging sites.

Methods

A total of six focus group sessions were held among logging supervisors and front line crew members in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas (N = 27 participants).

Results

Participants perceived that logging was a dangerous profession, but its risks had been mitigated in several ways, most notably through mechanization of timber harvesting. Log trucking‐related incidents were widely identified as the primary source of risk for injury and death on logging work sites. Human error, in general, and being out of the machinery on the work site were highlighted as additional sources of risk.

Conclusions

Participants indicated high levels of personal motivation to work in a safe manner but tended to underestimate workplace hazards and expressed widely varying levels of co‐worker trust. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:58–68, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Annals of morphology THEODOR BOVERI (1862–1915) To commemorate the centenary of his death and contributions to the Sutton–Boveri hypothesis
Authors: Opitz John M.
Published: October 2016

One hundred years ago, only 3 days after his 53rd birthday, there died a man who was regarded during his lifetime already such a giant in biology as to rank with Aristotle, von Baer, Darwin, Wallace, Mendel …. Their respective contributions to epigenesis, natural selection, and segregation made it possible to formulate in the late 19th century a science relating “the origin of species” to the origin of the “individual” organisms, their structure and function to that of their parts, their parts to that of their cells, and mitosis to the propagation of their cells. In working out the developmental and cytological details of these processes Boveri achieved his greatness, taking advantage of innate drive, better instrumentation (microscope, microtome), ideal “model” organisms (sea urchin, Ascaris), methods of their study and preservation, and the rediscovery, in 1900, of Mendel's results allowing him to relate mendelism to chromosomal structure and function in what E.B. Wilson subsequently called the Sutton–Boveri hypothesis. When war began in 1914, Boveri married to an American, and father of a 14‐year‐old girl, was already mortally ill, infested with one of his favorite experimental organisms, Ascaris. Given his health problems and attachment to his native Bavaria, Boveri had declined (1913) the directorship of the nascent Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Biology in Berlin; but two of his recommended appointees there (Warburg, Spemann) became future Nobel Prize winners. Even before the war, Boveri's renown was such that distinguished foreigners, for example, the Americans E.B. Wilson, Marcella O'Grady, Nettie Stevens, Theophilus Painter, a.o., came to the University of Würzburg to work with him, Wilson dedicating all three editions of his rightly celebrated text “The Cell in Development and Heredity” [1896; 3rd Edition, 1925] to Boveri. Boveri's approach to genetics was primarily morphological; however, he was quick to unite mendelian inferences with chromosomal structure, and embryonic development with evolutionary theory. In retrospect, Boveri is perhaps best known for his formulation of a theory relating chromosomal anomalies to malformations, tumor formation and cancer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Metabolite Profiling in Withania somnifera Roots Hydroalcoholic Extract Using LC/MS, GC/MS and NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Trivedi Mahendra Kumar , Panda Parthasarathi , Sethi Kalyan Kumar , Jana Snehasis
Published: October 2016

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a very well‐known herbal medicine and it was well studied for its active metabolites throughout the World. Although, nearly 40 withanolides were isolated from W. somnifera root extract, still there is remaining unidentified metabolites due to very low abundance and geographical variation. Advanced separation technology with online identification by mass and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) are nowadays used to find out the new compounds in the crude herbal extract. This article described the metabolite profiling of ashwagandha root hydroalcoholic extract using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with a positive ion electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry through gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and NMR spectroscopy. A total of 43 possible withanolides was identified and proposed their structures based on the mass of molecular and fragment ions. GC/MS and NMR analysis indicated the presence of several known withanolides including withaferin A, withanolide D, withanoside IV or VI, withanolide sulfoxide, etc. To the best of our knowledge, dihydrowithanolide D at m/z 473 (tR 7.86 min) and ixocarpalactone A at m/z 505 (tR 8.43 min) were first time identified in the ashwagandha root hydroalcoholic extract. The current study that described the identification of withanolides with summarized literature review might be helpful for designing the experiment to identify of the new chemical constituents in Withania species.
Role of the p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathway in estrogen‐mediated protection following flap ischemia‐reperfusion injury
Authors: Ju JiHui , Wu JianLong , Hou RuiXing
Published: October 2016

Ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury often occurs during skin flap transplantation and results in tissue damage. Although estrogen treatment significantly alleviates this I/R injury‐induced damage, the detailed molecular mechanism is not clear. In this study, a superficial epigastric artery flap I/R injury model was created in adult Wistar rats. Severe necrosis was observed in skin tissue after I/R injury. Histological examination of skin tissue revealed that I/R injury damages skin structure and results in neutrophil infiltration. Inflammation‐related parameters, including neutrophil count, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and interleukin‐10 levels, were increased due to I/R injury. These pathological phenomena were reduced by estradiol treatment. Further investigation found that I/R injury triggers the p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38‐MAPK) pathway. The expression levels of p38‐MAPK and phosphorylated p38‐MAPK were increased after I/R injury. Estradiol increased the expression level of MAPK phosphatase‐2, a putative phosphatase of p38, and reduced the levels of p38‐MAPK and phosphorylated p38‐MAPK. These results suggest that estradiol can improve skin flap survival, possibly by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration and the expression of p38‐MAPK. This study provides an explanation for how estrogen alleviates I/R injury‐induced damage that occurs during skin flap transplantation. In a rat pathological model, I/R injury leads to skin necrosis, skin structure damage, neutrophil infiltration, and inflammatory cytokine secretion, which are probably downstream effects of activation of the p38‐MAPK pathway. On the other hand, estradiol treatment triggers the expression of MAPK phosphatase‐2, a putative phosphatase of p38‐MAPK, and reduced all examined pathological phenomena. Therefore, estrogen may reduce the deleterious effect of I/R injury on skin flap transplantation through modulating the p38‐MAPK pathway.
Lipopolysaccharide induces TREM‐1‐dependent HIF‐1α expression in human keratinocyte cell line
Authors: Tu Chen , Wang Shuang , Hu Xiao , Wang Wenju , Dong Yingying , Xiao Shengxiang , Wang Xiaopeng
Published: October 2016

Bacterial infection is an important factor that can trigger and exacerbate psoriasis. The protein triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells type‐1 (TREM‐1) is overexpressed in psoriasis and decreased after a successful treatment. Hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α), subunit of the transcription factor HIF‐1, has participated in angiogenesis and inflammation in psoriasis. Increased expressions of TREM‐1 and HIF‐1α are associated with the infection of microbial pathogens. However, the association between TREM‐1 and HIF‐1α still needs to be elucidated. Results of immunofluorescence showed an overexpression of TREM‐1 and HIF‐1α in HaCaT keratinocytes exposed to 1 µg/mL of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Particularly, silencing of TREM‐1 expression by siRNA suppressed the inducible effect of LPS on phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3 K)/Akt, the critical transduction mediator, and HIF‐1α. Furthermore, the PI3 K inhibitor wortmannin effectively blocked the increased level of HIF‐1α induced by LPS. However, there was no significant change in LPS‐induced expression of TREM‐1. Expressions of TREM‐1, HIF‐1α, and phosphorylated Akt proteins were further examined by real‐time PCR and Western blot, respectively. Our data suggest that TREM‐1 and HIF‐1α are expressed on keratinocytes and could be upregulated by bacterial infection. Moreover, LPS‐induced TREM‐1 has an ability to mediate the expression of HIF‐1α in HaCaT cells through the PI3 K/Akt pathway. Our study provides new insights into the possible mechanism of TREM‐1 and HIF‐1α in psoriasis.
Simple but Efficient Method for Inhibiting Sintering and Aggregation of Catalytic Pt Nanoclusters on Metal‐Oxide Supports
Authors: Koizumi Kenichi , Nobusada Katsuyuki , Boero Mauro
Published: October 2016

A simple and efficient method to inhibit aggregation of Pt clusters supported on metal oxide was developed, preserving the accessible clusters surface where catalytically active sites are located even at relatively high temperatures up to 700 K. The key idea was the inclusion of transition metal atoms such as Ni into the Pt clusters, thus anchoring the clusters through formation of strong chemical bonds with oxygen atoms of the metal‐oxide support. To elucidate the efficiency of the method, first‐principles molecular dynamics enhanced with free‐energy sampling methods were used. These virtual experiments showed how doped Ni atoms, having a stronger affinity to O than Pt, anchor the Pt clusters tightly to the metal‐oxide supports and inhibit their tendency to aggregate on the support.
Ammonium removal from coking wastewater in a pilot‐scale two‐stage aerobic biofilm system: Biokinetic analysis
Authors: Zhou Xin , Zhang Zeqian , Li Yaxin
Published: October 2016

A novel four‐stage pilot‐scale anaerobic/anoxic/oxic/oxic (A2/O2) biofilm process was successfully developed to treat coking wastewater with high ammonium loading. In this study, three different dynamical models including the first‐order substrate removal model, the Monod‐biological contact oxidation (Monod‐BCO) model, and the modified Stover‐Kincannon model were particularly applied to analyze kinetics of ammonium removal in a two‐step aerobic stage. For the O1 reactor, all models were appropriate for describing ammonium removal and the correlation coefficients of first‐order substrate removal model, BCO model, and modified Stover‐Kincannon model were 0.8974, 0.9210, and 0.9726, respectively. The model verification indicated that the modified Stover‐Kincannon model was slightly more applicable to predict ammonium removal in the O1 reactor. It was demonstrated that the maximum removal rate of ammonium was 0.208 kg/(m3 · d) by the Stover‐Kincannon model. For the O2 reactor, the modified Stover‐Kincannon model turned out to be the best fitting kinetic model for ammonium removal compared to the first‐order substrate removal model (R2 = 0.1556) and Monod‐BCO model (R2 = 0.5022). The maximum ammonium conversion rate (Um2‐O2) by the modified Stover‐Kincannon model was 1.180 kg/(m3 · d), while saturation rate constant k3‐O2 was 1.221 kg/(m3 · d). Furthermore, the determination coefficient between measured and predicted values obtained by the modified Stover‐Kincannon model was quite high (R2 = 0.9788) in the O2 process and a lower average residual square (6.60 × 10−6) was also obtained. The results of kinetic studies by the Stover‐Kincannon model can predict ammonia removal efficiency well in two‐step aerobic biofilm reactors of a coking wastewater treatment combined system.
Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines Catalyzed Direct CH Arylation
Authors: To Ching Tat , Yang Wu , Chan Kin Shing
Published: October 2016

Catalytic direct functionalization of unreactive CH bonds represents a sustainable and more atom economical transformation process. Porphyrin and phthalocyanine derivatives show promising catalytic activities in direct CH arylation reactions. These reactions share a common CC bond formation process via homolytic radical substitution. This review summarizes the catalytic direct CH arylation reactions catalyzed by metalloporphyrins, free base porphyrins and free base phthalocyanines.
Tunnel‐induced Dipolar Resonances in a Double‐well Potential
Authors: Schulz Bruno , Saenz Alejandro
Published: October 2016

A system of two dipolar particles that are confined in a double‐well potential and interact via a realistic isotropic interaction potential is investigated as a protoype for ultracold atoms with a magnetic dipole moment or ultracold dipolar heteronuclear diatomic molecules in double‐well traps or in optical lattices. The resulting energy spectrum is discussed as a function of the dipole–dipole interaction strength. The variation of the strength of the dipole–dipole interaction is found to lead to various resonance phenomena. Among those are the previously discussed inelastic confinement‐induced resonances as well as the dipole‐induced resonances. It is found that the double‐well potential gives rise to a new type of resonances, tunnel‐induced dipolar ones.
Lung development requires an active ERK/MAPK pathway in the lung mesenchyme
Authors: Boucherat Olivier , Landry‐Truchon Kim , Aoidi Rifdat , Houde Nicolas , Nadeau Valérie , Charron Jean , Jeannotte Lucie
Published: October 2016

Background: Reciprocal epithelial‐mesenchymal communications are critical throughout lung development, dictating branching morphogenesis and cell specification. Numerous signaling molecules are involved in these interactions, but the way epithelial‐mesenchymal crosstalk is coordinated remains unclear. The ERK/MAPK pathway transduces several important signals in lung formation. Epithelial inactivation of both Mek genes, encoding ERK/MAPK kinases, causes lung agenesis and death. Conversely, Mek mutation in mesenchyme results in lung hypoplasia, trachea cartilage malformations, kyphosis, omphalocele, and death. Considering the negative impact of kyphosis and omphalocele on intrathoracic space and, consequently, on lung growth, the exact role of ERK/MAPK pathway in lung mesenchyme remains unresolved. Results: To address the role of the ERK/MAPK pathway in lung mesenchyme in absence of kyphosis and omphalocele, we used the Tbx4Cre deleter mouse line, which acts specifically in lung mesenchyme. These Mek mutants did not develop kyphosis and omphalocele but they presented lung hypoplasia, tracheal defects, and neonatal death. Tracheal cartilage anomalies suggested a role for the ERK/MAPK pathway in the control of chondrocyte hypertrophy. Moreover, expression data indicated potential interactions between the ERK/MAPK and canonical Wnt pathways during lung formation. Conclusions: Lung development necessitates a functional ERK/MAPK pathway in the lung mesenchymal layer in order to coordinate efficient epithelial‐mesenchymal interactions. Developmental Dynamics 246:72–82, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Plant–soil feedbacks and the dominance of conifers in a tropical montane forest in Borneo
Authors: Ushio Masayuki , Aiba Shin‐ichiro , Takeuchi Yayoi , Iida Yoshiko , Matsuoka Shunsuke , Repin Rimi , Kitayama Kanehiro
Published: October 2016

We investigated consequences of plant–soil feedbacks (PSFs) in a tropical montane forest on Mt. Kinabalu in Borneo by measurements of light and soil conditions, ecophysiological analyses of tree seedlings, a long‐term adult and seedling census, and a simple simulation model. The study plot (2.74 ha) is in a mixed conifer–broadleaf forest with 24% relative basal area of conifers. First, we investigated light and soil conditions beneath two dominant species, a conifer Dacrydium gracilis (Podocarpaceae, arbuscular mycorrhizal tree) and a broadleaf Lithocaprus clementianus (Fagaceae, ectomycorrhizal tree). The relative light intensity was marginally higher beneath Dacrydium tree crown than beneath Lithocarpus tree crown. The concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and labile phosphorus, and the nitrogen mineralization rate, were lower beneath Dacrydium than beneath Lithocarpus, suggesting that soils beneath Dacrydium were more nutrient deficient. Microscopic observations confirmed that conifer seedlings (including Dacrydium) harbored arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. In addition, a molecular analysis showed that root‐associated mycorrhizal fungal communities were clearly different between conifer and broadleaf seedlings, and consequently, nutrient acquisition capacity of seedlings may be different between them. Indeed, stable isotopic evidence suggested that Dacrydium seedlings are more efficient in inorganic nitrogen acquisition than Lithocarpus seedlings. These results predicted that the conifer seedlings would out‐compete broadleaf seedlings and have a greater advantage beneath the conifer canopy. To test the possible advantage of conifer seedlings in performance, we developed hierarchical Bayesian models and estimated growth and mortality rates using the seedling census data during 2006–2012. We found that conifer seedlings performed better than broadleaf seedlings beneath Dacrydium canopy. On the other hand, broadleaf seedlings performed better than conifer seedlings beneath Lithocarpus canopy. The consequences of the PSFs for the tree community composition were investigated by developing a simple simulation model, and were compared with the results of a model without PSFs. After a 10 000‐year simulation, the relative abundance of conifers with PSFs converged to 22%, which was consistent with the actual abundance; the model without effects of PSFs predicted a relative abundance of only ~10%. The results suggested that PSFs contributed to the maintenance of the conifer dominance in the tropical montane forest.
Mangrove expansion and contraction at a poleward range limit: climate extremes and land‐ocean temperature gradients
Authors: Osland Michael J. , Day Richard H. , Hall Courtney T. , Brumfield Marisa D. , Dugas Jason L. , Jones William R.
Published: October 2016

Within the context of climate change, there is a pressing need to better understand the ecological implications of changes in the frequency and intensity of climate extremes. Along subtropical coasts, less frequent and warmer freeze events are expected to permit freeze‐sensitive mangrove forests to expand poleward and displace freeze‐tolerant salt marshes. Here, our aim was to better understand the drivers of poleward mangrove migration by quantifying spatiotemporal patterns in mangrove range expansion and contraction across land‐ocean temperature gradients. Our work was conducted in a freeze‐sensitive mangrove‐marsh transition zone that spans a land‐ocean temperature gradient in one of the world's most wetland‐rich regions (Mississippi River Deltaic Plain; Louisiana, USA). We used historical air temperature data (1893–2014), alternative future climate scenarios, and coastal wetland coverage data (1978–2011) to investigate spatiotemporal fluctuations and climate‐wetland linkages. Our analyses indicate that changes in mangrove coverage have been controlled primarily by extreme freeze events (i.e., air temperatures below a threshold zone of −6.3 to −7.6°C). We expect that in the past 121 yr, mangrove range expansion and contraction has occurred across land‐ocean temperature gradients. Mangrove resistance, resilience, and dominance were all highest in areas closer to the ocean where temperature extremes were buffered by large expanses of water and saturated soil. Under climate change, these areas will likely serve as local hotspots for mangrove dispersal, growth, range expansion, and displacement of salt marsh. Collectively, our results show that the frequency and intensity of freeze events across land‐ocean temperature gradients greatly influences spatiotemporal patterns of range expansion and contraction of freeze‐sensitive mangroves. We expect that, along subtropical coasts, similar processes govern the distribution and abundance of other freeze‐sensitive organisms. In broad terms, our findings can be used to better understand and anticipate the ecological effects of changing winter climate extremes, especially within the transition zone between tropical and temperate climates.