bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First-principles study of energy band gap of single-layer Mo1−
xCrxS2
Authors: Ueda Akiko , Honda Syuta , Imamura Hiroshi
Published: January 2016

The electronic structures of single-layer Mo1−

x
Cr
x
S2 are calculated by the spin-polarized density functional method. Single-layer Mo1−

x
Cr
x
S2 exhibits a direct band gap for any Cr concentration (x). The energy band gap monotonically decreases as a function of x and takes an ideal value for photovoltaic applications at x ≃ 0.23.
Air-assisted flow and two-step spin-coating for highly efficient CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells
Authors: Eze Vincent Obiozo , Lei Binglong , Mori Tatsuo
Published: January 2016

There is a multitude of reports on different methods of fabricating organic–inorganic halide perovskite films for high-efficiency solar cells. In this study, planar heterojunction (PHJ) CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells were prepared by the two-step spin-coating method. The uniformity of the perovskite light-absorbing layer is enhanced by air-assisted flow (AAF). We compared the photovoltaic performance characteristics of films prepared with and without AAF. Perovskite solar cells constructed without AAF showed a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.67%, whereas a higher PCE of 13.28% was obtained with an AAF-based perovskite solar cell. Our study presents a useful technique for preparing high-quality perovskite films.
Knockdown of Lmo7 inhibits chick myogenesis
Authors: Possidonio Ana C. B. , Soares Carolina P. , Fontenele Marcio , Morris Eduardo R. , Mouly Vincent , Costa Manoel L. , Mermelstein Claudia
Published: January 2016

The multifunctional protein Lmo7 has been implicated in some aspects of myogenesis in mammals. Here we studied the distribution and expression of Lmo7 and the effects of Lmo7 knockdown in primary cultures of chick skeletal muscle cells. Lmo7 was localized within the nuclei of myoblasts and at the perinuclear region of myotubes. Knockdown of Lmo7 using siRNA specific to chick reduces the number and width of myotubes and the number of MyoD positive‐myoblasts. Both Wnt3a enriched medium and Bio, activators of the Wnt/beta‐catenin pathway, could rescue the effects of the Lmo7 knockdown suggesting a crosstalk between the Wnt/beta‐catenin and Lmo7‐mediated signaling pathways. Our data shows a role of Lmo7 during the initial events of chick skeletal myogenesis, particularly in myoblast survival.
KLF5 promotes cell migration by up‐regulating FYN in bladder cancer cells
Authors: Du Chong , Gao Yang , Xu Shan , Jia Jing , Huang Zhixin , Fan Jinhai , Wang Xinyang , He Dalin , Guo Peng
Published: January 2016

Krüppel‐like factor 5 (KLF5) promotes cell proliferation of bladder cancer. However, whether KLF5 regulates other cell processes in bladder cancer is not clear. We found that KLF5 increases cell migration and lamellipodia formation, expression of FYN and phosphorylation of FAK in bladder cancer cells. In addition, KLF5 promotes transcription of FYN through binding to its promoter. FYN overexpression rescues cell migration and lamellipodia formation reduced by KLF5 knockdown. Furthermore, the KLF5/FYN/p‐FAK axis is necessary for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) to promote cell migration. Our findings indicate that both KLF5 and FYN are important in the regulation of cell migration in bladder cancer cells. We propose the KLF5/FYN/p‐FAK axis as a potential therapeutic target in bladder cancer.
Eocene to Pleistocene magmatic evolution of the Delarof Islands, Aleutian Arc
Authors: Schaen Allen J. , Jicha Brian R. , Kay Suzanne M. , Singer Brad S. , Tibbetts Ashley
Published: January 2016

The Delarof Islands in the Aleutian Arc near 179º W record ∼37 million years of discontinuous arc magmatism along a SW‐NE cross‐arc transect from near the trench to the active volcanic front. Geochemical and geochronologic data from the pre‐Pleistocene volcanic record in this region are limited and the 40Ar/39Ar, isotopic, and trace element data presented here are the first from units older than the Pleistocene‐Holocene volcanoes (Tanaga, Gareloi). Twenty‐two new 40Ar/39Ar ages establish a temporal framework for geochemical data and reveal that magmatism in the Delarof region was coincident with two arc‐wide magmatic flare ups in the late Eocene/early Oligocene and latest Miocene/Pliocene. Mafic lavas and plutons in the southern Delarofs give 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages ranging from 36.8 ± 0.2 to 26.9 ± 0.6 Ma on Amatignak Island and 37.0 ± 0.2 to 29.3 ± 1.0 Ma on Ulak Island. To the north 25 km, 40Ar/39Ar ages from the central Delarof Islands, Kavalga, Ogliuga, and Skagul are late Miocene (6.28 ± 0.04 Ma) to Pliocene (4.77 ± 0.18 Ma) with younger ages to the northeast. A significant transition in arc chemistry occurs in the Pleistocene where lavas from active volcanoes Gareloi and Tanaga exhibit higher sediment and hydrous fluid signatures (Th/La, Cs/Ta, La/Sm, LILE abundances) and lower 143Nd/144Nd than older Delarof Island units closer to the trench. Similar findings from Eocene‐Miocene lavas from Amchitka to Adak suggest that a previously minor sediment melt component became more pronounced in the Quaternary.
Electrical conductivity of NaCl‐H2O fluid in the crust
Authors: Sakuma Hiroshi , Ichiki Masahiro
Published: January 2016

Ionic electrical conductivity of NaCl‐H2O fluid as a function of pressure (0.2–2.0 GPa), temperature (673–2000 K), and NaCl concentration (0.6–9.6 wt %) was investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Conductivity versus NaCl concentration has a nonlinear relationship due to the presence of electrically neutral ion pairs in concentrated solutions. The calculated conductivity at 0.6 wt % NaCl is consistent with the available experimental data, and the calculated conductivity at higher temperatures shows a greater degree of pressure dependence. The major factors controlling the conductivity are the density of the NaCl‐H2O fluid and the permittivity of solvent H2O. A purely empirical equation for deriving the conductivity was proposed. Highly conductive zones below a depth of 35 km in the middle portion of the continental crust can be interpreted by the presence of NaCl‐H2O fluid with the salinity ranging from 0.2 to 7.0 wt %. A highly conductive zone observed at a depth of 20 to 40 km above the subducting oceanic crust in Cascadia can be explained by the presence of low‐salinity (0.5 wt %) NaCl‐H2O fluid possibly generated by the dehydration of basalt.
Rupture characteristics of major and great (Mw  ≥ 7.0) megathrust earthquakes from 1990 to 2015: 1. Source parameter scaling relationships
Authors: Ye Lingling , Lay Thorne , Kanamori Hiroo , Rivera Luis
Published: January 2016

Source parameter scaling for major and great thrust‐faulting events on circum‐Pacific megathrusts is examined using uniformly processed finite‐fault inversions and radiated energy estimates for 114Mw ≥ 7.0 earthquakes. To address the limited resolution of source spatial extent and rupture expansion velocity (Vr) from teleseismic observations, the events are subdivided into either group 1 (18 events) having independent constraints onVrfrom prior studies or group 2 (96 events) lacking independentVrconstraints. For group 2, finite‐fault inversions withVr = 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 km/s are performed. The productVr3ΔσE, with stress drop ΔσEcalculated for the slip distribution in the inverted finite‐fault models, is very stable for each event across the suite of models considered. It has little trend withMw, although there is a baseline shift to low values for large tsunami earthquakes. Source centroid time (Tc) and duration (Td), measured from the finite‐fault moment rate functions vary systematically with the cube root of seismic moment (M0), independent of assumedVr. There is no strong dependence on magnitude orVrfor moment‐scaled radiated energy (ER/M0) or apparent stress (σa). ΔσEaverages ~4 MPa, with direct trade‐off betweenVrand estimated stress drop but little dependence onMw. Similar behavior is found for radiation efficiency (ηR). We useVr3ΔσEandTc/M01/3to explore variation of stress drop,Vrand radiation efficiency, along with finite‐source geometrical factors. Radiation efficiency tends to decrease with average slip for these very large events, and fracture energy increases steadily with slip.
Probabilistic Flood Maps to support decision‐making: Mapping the Value of Information
Authors: Alfonso L. , Mukolwe M. M. , Di Baldassarre G.
Published: January 2016

Floods are one of the most frequent and disruptive natural hazards that affect man. Annually, significant flood damage is documented worldwide. Flood mapping is a common preimpact flood hazard mitigation measure, for which advanced methods and tools (such as flood inundation models) are used to estimate potential flood extent maps that are used in spatial planning. However, these tools are affected, largely to an unknown degree, by both epistemic and aleatory uncertainty. Over the past few years, advances in uncertainty analysis with respect to flood inundation modeling show that it is appropriate to adopt Probabilistic Flood Maps (PFM) to account for uncertainty. However, the following question arises; how can probabilistic flood hazard information be incorporated into spatial planning? Thus, a consistent framework to incorporate PFMs into the decision‐making is required. In this paper, a novel methodology based on Decision‐Making under Uncertainty theories, in particular Value of Information (VOI) is proposed. Specifically, the methodology entails the use of a PFM to generate a VOI map, which highlights floodplain locations where additional information is valuable with respect to available floodplain management actions and their potential consequences. The methodology is illustrated with a simplified example and also applied to a real case study in the South of France, where a VOI map is analyzed on the basis of historical land use change decisions over a period of 26 years. Results show that uncertain flood hazard information encapsulated in PFMs can aid decision‐making in floodplain planning.
Anthropometric findings from birth to adulthood and their relation with karyotpye distribution in Turkish girls with Turner syndrome
Authors: Sari Erkan , Bereket Abdullah , Yeşilkaya Ediz , Baş Firdevs , Bundak Rüveyde , Aydın Banu Küçükemre , Darcan Şükran , Dündar Bumin , Büyükinan Muammer , Kara Cengiz , Adal Erdal , Akıncı Ayşehan , Atabek Mehmet Emre , Demirel Fatma , Çelik Nurullah , Özkan Behzat , Özhan Bayram , Orbak Zerrin , Ersoy Betül , Doğan Murat , Ataş Ali , Turan Serap , Gökşen Damla , Tarım Ömer , Yüksel Bilgin , Ercan Oya , Hatun Şükrü , Şimşek Enver , Ökten Ayşenur , Abacı Ayhan , Döneray Hakan , Özbek Mehmet Nuri , Keskin Mehmet , Önal Hasan , Akyürek Nesibe , Bulan Kezban , Tepe Derya , Emeksiz Hamdi Cihan , Demir Korcan , Kızılay Deniz , Topaloğlu Ali Kemal , Eren Erdal , Özen Samim , Demirbilek Hüseyin , Abalı Saygın , Akın Leyla , Eklioğlu Beray Selver , Kaba Sultan , Anık Ahmet , Baş Serpil , Unuvar Tolga , Sağlam Halil , Bolu Semih , Özgen Tolga , Doğan Durmuş , Çakır Esra Deniz , Şen Yaşar , Andıran Nesibe , Çizmecioğlu Filiz , Evliyaoğlu Olcay , Karagüzel Gülay , Pirgon Özgür , Çatlı Gönül , Can Hatice Dilek , Gürbüz Fatih , Binay Çiğdem , Baş Veysel Nijat , Fidancı Kürşat , Gül Davut , Polat Adem , Acıkel Cengizhan , Cinaz Peyami , Darendeliler Feyza
Published: January 2016

To evaluate the anthropometric features of girls with Turner syndrome (TS) at birth and presentation and the effect of karyotype on these parameters. Data were collected from 842 patients with TS from 35 different centers, who were followed‐up between 1984 and 2014 and whose diagnosis age ranged from birth to 18 years. Of the 842 patients, 122 girls who received growth hormone, estrogen or oxandrolone were excluded, and 720 girls were included in the study. In this cohort, the frequency of small for gestational age (SGA) birth was 33%. The frequency of SGA birth was 4.2% (2/48) in preterm and 36% (174/483) in term neonates (P < 0.001). The mean birth length was 1.3 cm shorter and mean birth weight was 0.36 kg lower than that of the normal population. The mean age at diagnosis was 10.1 ± 4.4 years. Mean height, weight and body mass index standard deviation scores at presentation were −3.1 ± 1.7, −1.4 ± 1.5, and 0.4 ± 1.7, respectively. Patients with isochromosome Xq were significantly heavier than those with other karyotype groups (P = 0.007). Age at presentation was negatively correlated and mid‐parental height was positively correlated with height at presentation. Mid‐parental height and age at presentation were the only parameters that were associated with height of children with TS. The frequency of SGA birth was found higher in preterm than term neonates but the mechanism could not be clarified. We found no effect of karyotype on height of girls with TS, whereas weight was greater in 46,X,i(Xq) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) karyotype groups. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Trisomy 4 mosaicism: Delineation of the phenotype
Authors: Bouman Arjan , van der Kevie‐Kersemaekers Anne‐Marie , Huijsdens‐van Amsterdam Karin , Dahhan Nordin , Knegt Lia , Vansenne Fleur , Cobben Jan Maarten
Published: January 2016

Trisomy 4 mosaicism in liveborns is very rare. We describe a 17‐month‐old girl with trisomy 4 mosaicism. Clinical findings in this patient are compared to previously reported patients. Based on the few descriptions available in the literature the common phenotype of trisomy 4 mosaicism seems to consist of IUGR, low birth weight/length/OFC, congenital heart defects, characteristic thumb anomalies (aplasia/hypoplasia), skin abnormalities (hypo‐/hyperpigmentation), several dysmorphic features, and likely some degree of intellectual disability. When trisomy 4 mosaicism is suspected clinicians should be aware that a normal karyotype in lymphocytes does not exclude mosaicism for trisomy 4. This report contributes to a further delineation of the phenotype associated with trisomy 4 mosaicism. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Postnatal outcomes of prenatally diagnosed 45,X/46,XX
Authors: Tokita Mari J. , Sybert Virginia P.
Published: January 2016

High quality information is critical for informed decision‐making in pregnancy following a prenatal diagnosis of sex chromosome aneuploidy. The goal of this study was to define the spectrum of outcomes in patients with prenatally diagnosed 45,X/46,XX mosaic Turner syndrome in order to provide a better basis for genetic counseling at the time of intrauterine diagnosis. Phenotype data for twenty‐five patients with prenatally diagnosed 45,X/46,XX mosaicism were collected by retrospective chart review and, when possible, semi‐structured telephone interview. Existing data from a cohort of 58 patients with postnatally diagnosed 45,X/46,XX mosaicism were used for comparison. Relative to those diagnosed postnatally, prenatal patients were more likely to have normal growth and normal secondary sexual development, less likely to manifest distinctive Turner syndrome features such as nuchal webbing and edema, and had significantly fewer renal defects. These differences underscore the need for a nuanced approach to prenatal counseling in cases of 45,X/46,XX mosaicism. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring the genetic basis of 3MC syndrome: Findings in 12 further families
Authors: Urquhart Jill , Roberts Rebecca , de Silva Deepthi , Shalev Stavit , Chervinsky Elena , Nampoothiri Sheela , Sznajer Yves , Revencu Nicole , Gunasekera Romesh , Suri Mohnish , Ellingford Jamie , Williams Simon , Bhaskar Sanjeev , Clayton‐Smith Jill
Published: January 2016

The 3MC syndromes are a group of rare autosomal recessive disorders where the main clinical features are cleft lip and palate, hypertelorism, highly arched eyebrows, caudal appendage, postnatal growth deficiency, and genitourinary tract anomalies. Ophthalmological abnormalities, most notably anterior chamber defects may also be seen. We describe the clinical and molecular findings in 13 individuals with suspected 3MC syndrome from 12 previously unreported families. The exclusion of the MASP1 and COLEC11 Loci in two individuals from different consanguineous families and the absence of mutations in four further individuals sequenced for both genes raises the possibility that that there is further genetic heterogeneity of 3MC syndrome. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The first de novo non‐mosaic 14q11.2q13.1 tetrasomy of paternal origin
Authors: Tomaszewska Agnieszka , Behrendt Jakub , Boter Marjan , Wawrzkiewicz‐Witkowska Angelika , Bos Marnix J. , Podbiol‐Palenta Agnieszka , Godula‐Stuglik Urszula , Galjaard Robert‐Jan H. , Srebniak Malgorzata I.
Published: January 2016

Tetrasomy 14q11q13 is a very rare chromosome aberration. So far, only five patients with such an imbalance were described. All these patients had a de novo marker chromosome idic(14)(q13) leading to a partial tetrasomy of chromosome 14. We report on the first case of a de novo non‐mosaic partial tetrasomy 14q resulted not from a marker chromosome, but from an inverted triplication on paternal chromosome 14, characterized by using FISH and SNP array. Our patient showed some anomalies described in tetrasomy 14q11q13 with striking presence of paternal UPD(14) features (blepharophimosis, small thorax, and joint contractures, developmental delay). This unique patient supports the hypothesis that 14q11q13 may contain imprinted gene(s) that contribute to the paternal UPD(14) features of joint contractures and/or blepharophimosis. This patient demonstrates the utility of parent of origin testing in patients with de novo chromosome 14 aberrations. Overdosage of 14q11.1q13.1 may cause some features related to UPD(14) phenotype. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Performance study of pyrolysis of Indonesian low rank coal using a thermogravimetric analyzer and bubble fluidized‐bed reactor
Authors: Kang Tae‐Jin , Namkung Hueon , Xu Li‐Hua , Park HyeJung , Khan Hakizimana Jean De Dieu , Kim Hyung‐Taek
Published: January 2016

Pyrolysis is a process of thermal decomposition in the absence of oxygen. Gasification occurs first and is accompanied by complete or partial oxidation. Pyrolysis can generate syngas at low temperatures. In this study, thermogravimetric analysis and a fluidized‐bed reactor were used to conduct pyrolysis reaction experiments. The objective was to determine the characteristics of syngas produced by this process. The influence of K2CO3 catalyst on the syngas composition and reaction rate of pyrolysis was studied, and experimental values of the activation energy and pre‐exponential were obtained and evaluated. © 2016 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of the introduction of Co and Ce‐doping on NO oxidation over Cr‐based composite oxides
Authors: Cao Yan , Cai Wei
Published: January 2016

NO oxidation reaction was studied over a series of Ce–Co–Cr–O catalysts with different Co/Cr and various Ce doped prepared by sol–gel method to evaluate the correlation of their structural with catalytic performance. These catalysts were investigated in detail by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis (BET), high‐resolution transmission electron microscope (HR‐TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), H2‐temperature‐programmed reduction (H2‐TPR) and temperature‐programmed desorption (TPD). The results demonstrate that the concentration of Co3+ is the key factor that influences the activity, and high Ce‐doped amount could well disperse the Co species. Hence Ce(3)–Co(3)–Cr(1) catalyst exhibits the higher activity for NO oxidation among all catalysts. The activation energy (Ea) are also calculated, and the results explain that the pre‐exponential factor value is important when Ea are close. © 2016 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitronifedipine release from poly(lactic acid)/chitosan nanoparticles loaded with nifedipine
Authors: Chinh Nguyen Thuy , Trang Nguyen Thi Thu , Giang Nguyen Vu , Thanh Dinh Thi Mai , Hang To Thi Xuan , Tung Nguyen Quang , Truyen Chu Quang , Quan Pham Minh , Long Pham Quoc , Hoang Thai
Published: January 2016

In this study, nanoparticles based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA), chitosan (CS), and nifedipine (NIF) were prepared by an emulsion method with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as an emulsifier. We investigated the most suitable conditions for preparing the poly(lactic acid)/chitosan/nifedipine nanoparticles (PCNs) by changing the distilled water volume, PEO content, and PLA/CS ratio. NIFs with different contents were loaded into poly(lactic acid)/chitosan nanoparticles (PCs) to studyin vitrodrug‐delivery systems. The PCNs were characterized with a Zetasizer particle size analyzer, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) methods. From the obtained results of the particle size parameters of the PCNs, the most suitable conditions for the preparation of the PCNs were found. The FTIR spectroscopy and XRD results show that NIF was loaded into the PCs. The PCNs had major basic particle sizes in the range 20–40 nm. NIF release from the PCNs was studied as a function of the pH of the immersed solution, the immersion time, and the NIF content. The kinetics of drug release were investigated and are reported to determine the type of release mechanism. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2016,133, 43330.
The formation of the S‐shaped edge‐on lamellae on the thin porous polylactic acid membrane via phase separation induced by water microdroplets
Authors: Hu Ruiqing , Pi Yuping , Wang Na , Zhang Qian , Feng Jinqi , Xu Weilin , Dong Xia , Wang Dujin , Yang Hongjun
Published: January 2016

Biodegradable polymers have received increased attention due to their potential application in the medicine and food industries; in particular, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a primary biopolymer because of its excellent biocompatibility and absorbability features. In this study, a porous PLA membrane was fabricated by phase separation using water microdroplets produced by an ultrasonic atomizer as a coagulation bath. The formation of S‐type clusters was attributed to the slow exchange rate between solvent and coagulant, which provided time for the movement of polymer molecules. The effect of preparation conditions on the structure of S‐type clusters, including polymer concentration in solution and ambient temperature was investigated. The PLA porous membrane prepared from water micro‐droplets with different morphology compared with the sample fabricated from distilled water has potential application in fields of tissue engineering and artificial organ generation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43355.
Charge Transfer Through Dithieno[2,3‐a:3′,2′‐c]phenazine: Effect of Substitution Pattern on the Optoelectronic Properties of Regioisomeric Luminophores
Authors: Chen Yijing , Lu Xuefeng , Xiang Chunlan , Ling Yuan , Zhou Gang
Published: January 2016

Two series of regioisomeric luminophores that contained a dithieno[2,3‐a:3′,2′‐c]phenazine (DTP) unit as an electron acceptor have been designed and synthesized. To investigate the effect of substitution pattern on the optoelectronic properties of these luminophores, electron donors (N,N‐dihexylaniline or N,N‐dihexyl‐4‐vinylaniline) were incorporated at the 2,5‐, 8,11‐, and 9,10‐positions of the DTP unit. We found that the optoelectronic properties of the regioisomeric luminophores were greatly affected by the substitution pattern: functionalization at the 8,11‐positions of the DTP unit was superior to the other two substitution patterns in extending the effective π‐conjugation and strengthening the intramolecular charge‐transfer interactions. Moreover, the insertion of vinyl groups between the DTP and N,N‐dihexylaniline units narrowed the energy band‐gap for isomers 4 and 5. However, hypsochromically shifted absorption and photoluminescence maxima were observed for isomeric luminophore 6, in which electron donors were substituted at the 2,5‐positions of the DTP unit. These results should facilitate greater understanding of the structure–property relationships in regioisomeric semiconductors and present a new way to design optoelectronic materials with effective substitution patterns.
The Seller's Sense: Buying–Selling Perspective Affects the Sensitivity to Expected Value Differences
Authors: Yechiam Eldad , Abofol Taher , Pachur Thorsten
Published: January 2016

Previous work comparing pricing decisions by buyers and sellers has primarily focused on the endowment effect, the phenomenon that selling prices exceed buying prices. Here, we examine whether pricing decisions by buyers and sellers also vary in sensitivity to differences between objects' expected values (EVs). Both a loss‐aversion account (which posits that losses are weighted more heavily than gains) and a loss‐attention account (which posits increased attention to a task when it involves possible losses) predict that pricing decisions by sellers should exhibit higher sensitivity. The latter, however, additionally predicts that this pattern should only emerge under certain conditions. In studies 1 and 2, we reanalyzed two published datasets in which participants priced monetary lotteries as sellers or buyers. It emerged that sellers showed greater EV sensitivity (defined as the rank correlation between the set price for each lottery and its EV) except in a condition with an extended deliberation time of 15 seconds. In study 3, the buyer–seller difference in EV sensitivity was replicated even when the pricing task was presented repeatedly, while in study 4, it was eliminated when buying and selling trials were randomly mixed. The reduction of the “seller's sense” in long deliberation and mixed trials settings supports an attentional resource‐based account of the differences between sellers and buyers in their EV sensitivity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Addressing the Complexity Gap: Developing Integrated Thinking Skills at Board Level
Authors: Rich‐Tolsma Matthew , Oliver John
Published: January 2016

Drawing on insights from adult developmental psychology, Matthew Rich‐Tolsma and John Oliver, certified consultants with Lectica, Inc., highlight the explicit thinking skills that are unique to the challenges at the board level, in the context of increasing volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) in the world. The invitation is for boards to think about their thinking skills, with the help of the latest research in frameworks of integrated thinking skills.
Provide instructions to guide dispatchers during emergency situations
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: January 2016

In an emergency, dispatchers need to respond quickly and accurately. Their choices can save lives.
Use your threat assessment process with maximum effectiveness
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: January 2016

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, you are safer on a college campus than you are in your own home. “When violent events occur, they are horrible because they impact someone's children, but they are rare,” said Don Challis, assistant vice president of safety and security at South Dakota State University. He spoke at the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators annual conference.
Thrive in male‐dominated field by putting tough past experiences to work
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: January 2016

Amalia “Molly” Borja went to Long Beach Polytechnic High, which serviced kids bused in from Compton as well as those from affluent backgrounds. It had a reputation as an exceptionally rough school. “We had shootings on our campus,” Borja said, adding the violence was often motivated by warring gangs. “It was just normal for us. I would not have traded that experience for anything, because it really taught me how to get along with different groups of people.”
Epoxomicin and Eponemycin Biosynthesis Involves gem‐Dimethylation and an Acyl‐CoA Dehydrogenase‐Like Enzyme
Authors: Zettler Judith , Zubeil Florian , Kulik Andreas , Grond Stephanie , Kaysser Leonard
Published: January 2016

The α′,β′‐epoxyketone moiety of proteasome inhibitors confers high binding specificity to the N‐terminal threonine in catalytic proteasome β‐subunits. We recently identified the epoxomicin and eponemycin biosynthetic gene clusters and have now conducted isotope‐enriched precursor feeding studies and comprehensive gene deletion experiments to shed further light on their biosynthetic pathways. Leucine and two methyl groups from S‐adenosylmethionine were readily incorporated into the epoxyketone warhead, suggesting decarboxylation of the thioester intermediate. Formation of the α′,β′‐epoxyketone is likely mediated by conserved acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase‐like enzymes, as indicated by complete loss of epoxomicin and eponemycin production in the respective knockout mutants. Our results clarify crucial questions in the formation of epoxyketone compounds and lay the foundation for in vitro biochemical studies on the biosynthesis of this pharmaceutically important class of proteasome inhibitors.
Apelin: an endogenous peptide essential for cardiomyogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells via activating extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 and 5
Authors: Wang Li , Zhu Zhi‐Ming , Zhang Ning‐Kun , Fang Zhi‐Rong , Xu Xiao‐Hong , Zheng Nan , Gao Lian‐Ru
Published: January 2016

Growing evidence has shown that apelin/APJ system functions as a critical mediator of cardiac development as well as cardiovascular function. Here, we investigated the role of apelin in the cardiomyogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton's jelly of human umbilical cord in vitro. In this research, we used RNA interference methodology and gene transfection technique to regulate the expression of apelin in Wharton's jelly‐derived mesenchymal stem cells and induced cells with a effective cardiac differentiation protocol including 5‐azacytidine and bFGF. Four weeks after induction, induced cells assumed a stick‐like morphology and myotube‐like structures except apelin‐silenced cells and the control group. The silencing expression of apelin in Wharton's jelly‐derived mesenchymal stem cells decreased the expression of several critical cardiac progenitor transcription factors (Mesp1, Mef2c, NKX2.5) and cardiac phenotypes (cardiac α‐actin, β‐MHC, cTnT, and connexin‐43). Meanwhile, endogenous compensation of apelin contributed to differentiating into cells with characteristics of cardiomyocytes in vitro. Further experiment showed that exogenous apelin peptide rescued the cardiomyogenic differentiation of apelin‐silenced mesenchymal stem cells in the early stage (1–4 days) of induction. Remarkably, our experiment indicated that apelin up‐regulated cardiac specific genes in Wharton's jelly‐derived mesenchymal stem cells via activating extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and 5.
A Facile and Efficient Modification of CNTs for Improved Fischer–Tropsch Performance on Iron Catalyst: Alkali Modification
Authors: Liu Renjie , Xu Yan , Li Zhenhua , Ma Xinbin
Published: January 2016

In this paper, a facile and environmentally benign method is used to pretreat carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by alkali modification, which decreases the wall thickness, increases the inner diameter, and improves the graphitization degree of CNTs compared to conventional acid treatment. The iron catalyst supported on alkali modified CNTs shows extraordinary Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) activity and CO conversion (1.78 and 2.41 times, respectively) compared with those supported on either the acid treated or pristine CNTs. Additionally, the diesel (C10‐20) selectivity on Fe/CNTs‐Na is up to 60 %, which is much higher than that calculated from the Anderson–Schulz–Flory distribution (39 %). Similar results are also found by using activated carbon (AC) and N‐doped multiwall carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) as supports for FTS, proving the universal applicability of alkali modification on carbon material. The positive relationship between the C5+ selectivity and C2−C4 olefin/paraffin ratio of iron catalyst can also be achieved irrespective of the support type.
Activity and Stability of Ruddlesden–Popper‐Type Lan+1NinO3n+1 (n=1, 2, 3, and ∞) Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction and Evolution Reactions in Alkaline Media
Authors: Yu Jie , Sunarso Jaka , Zhu Yinlong , Xu Xiaomin , Ran Ran , Zhou Wei , Shao Zongping
Published: January 2016

Increasing energy demands have stimulated intense research activity on cleaner energy conversion such as regenerative fuel cells and reversible metal–air batteries. It is highly challenging but desirable to develop low‐cost bifunctional catalysts for both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the lack of which is currently one of the major limiting components towards commercialization of these technologies. Here, we have conducted a systematic study on the OER and ORR performances of the Ruddlesden–Popper family of Lan+1NinO3n+1 (n=1, 2, 3, and ∞) in an alkaline medium for the first time. It is apparent that the Ni−O bond lengths and the hyperstoichiometric oxides in the rock‐salt layers correlate with the ORR activities, whereas the OER activities appear to be influenced by the OH− content on the surface of the compounds. In our case, the electronic configuration fails to predict the electrocatalytic activity of these compounds. This work provides guidelines to develop new electrocatalysts with improved performances.
Unprecedented Spectroscopic and Computational Evidence for Allenyl and Propargyl Titanocene(IV) Complexes: Electrophilic Quenching of Their Metallotropic Equilibrium
Authors: Ruiz‐Muelle Ana Belén , Oña‐Burgos Pascual , Ortuño Manuel A. , Oltra J. Enrique , Rodríguez‐García Ignacio , Fernández Ignacio
Published: January 2016

The synthesis and structural characterization of allenyl titanocene(IV) [TiClCp2(CH=C=CH2)] 3 and propargyl titanocene(IV) [TiClCp2(CH2−C≡C−(CH2)4CH3)] 9 have been described for the first time. Advanced NMR methods including diffusion NMR methods (diffusion pulsed field gradient stimulated spin echo (PFG‐STE) and DOSY) have been applied and established that these organometallics are monomers in THF solution with hydrodynamic radii (from the Stokes–Einstein equation) of 3.5 and 4.1 Å for 3 and 9, respectively. Full 1H, 13C, Δ1H, and Δ13C NMR data are given, and through the analysis of the Ramsey equation, the first electronic insights into these derivatives are provided. In solution, they are involved in their respective metallotropic allenyl–propargyl equilibria that, after quenching experiments with aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes, ketones, and protonating agents, always give the propargyl products P (when carbonyls are employed), or allenyl products A (when a proton source is added) as the major isomers. In all the cases assayed, the ratio of products suggests that the metallotropic equilibrium should be faster than the reactions of 3 and 9 with electrophiles. Indeed, DFT calculations predict lower Gibbs energy barriers for the metallotropic equilibrium, thus confirming dynamic kinetic resolution.
Internalization of Ineffective Platinum Complex in Nanocapsules Renders It Cytotoxic
Authors: Vrana Oldrich , Novohradsky Vojtech , Medrikova Zdenka , Burdikova Jana , Stuchlikova Olga , Kasparkova Jana , Brabec Viktor
Published: January 2016

Anticancer therapy by platinum complexes, based on nanocarrier‐based delivery, may offer a new approach to improve the efficacy and tolerability of the platinum family of anticancer drugs. The original rules for the design of new anticancer platinum drugs were affected by the fact that, although cisplatin (cis‐[PtCl2(NH3)2) was an anticancer drug, its isomer transplatin was not cytotoxic. For the first time, it is demonstrated that simple encapsulation of an inactive platinum compound in phospholipid bilayers transforms it into an efficient cytotoxic agent. Notably, the encapsulation of transplatin makes it possible to overcome the resistance mechanisms operating in cancer cells treated with cisplatin and prevents inactivation of transplatin in the extracellular environment. It is also shown that transplatin delivered to the cells in nanocapsules, in contrast to free (nonencapsulated) complex, forms cytotoxic cross‐links on DNA.
Synthesis of Methylene‐Bridged Biscarbazole Alkaloids by using an Ullmann‐type Coupling: First Total Synthesis of Murrastifoline‐C and Murrafoline‐E
Authors: Kutz Sebastian K. , Börger Carsten , Schmidt Arndt W. , Knölker Hans‐Joachim
Published: January 2016

We describe the total synthesis of methylene‐bridged biscarbazole alkaloids by using a late‐stage Ullmann‐type coupling of fully functionalised carbazole subunits. The carbazole derivatives were synthesised via a sequence of palladium(0)‐ and palladium(II)‐catalysed coupling reactions. Our approach has provided bismurrayafoline‐A, bismurrayafolinol, chrestifolines B–D, and the first total synthesis of murrastifoline‐C and murrafoline‐E.
The engine reformer: Syngas production in an engine for compact gas‐to‐liquids synthesis
Authors: Lim Emmanuel G. , Dames Enoch E. , Cedrone Kevin D. , Acocella Angela J. , Needham Thomas R. , Arce Andrea , Cohn Daniel R. , Bromberg Leslie , Cheng Wai K. , Green William H.
Published: January 2016

Methane (CH4) reforming was carried out in an internal combustion engine (an “engine reformer”). We successfully produced syngas from the partial oxidation of natural gas in the cylinder of a diesel engine that was reconfigured to perform spark ignition. Performing the reaction in an engine cylinder allows some of the exothermicity to be captured as useful work. Intake conditions of 110 kPa and up to 480 °C allowed low cycle‐to‐cycle variability (COVnimep < 20 %) at methane‐air equivalence ratios (ϕM) of 2.0, producing syngas with an H2‐to‐CO ratio of 1.4. Spark ignition timing was varied between 45–30° before top‐dead‐center (BTDC) piston position, showing significant improvement with delayed timing. Hydrogen (H2) and ethane (C2H6) were added to simulate recycle from a downstream synthesis reactor and realistic natural gas compositions, respectively. Adding these gases yielded a stable combustion up to hydrocarbon‐air equivalence ratios (ϕHC) of 2.8 with COVnimep < 5 %. Ethane concentrations (with respect to methane) of up to 0.2 L/L (20 vol%) (with and without H2) produced robust and stable combustions, demonstrating that the engine can be operated across a range of natural gas compositions. Engine exhaust soot concentrations demonstrated elevated values at ϕHC > 2.4, but < 1 mg/L below these equivalence ratios. These results demonstrate that the engine reformer could be a key component of a compact gas‐to‐liquids synthesis plant by highlighting the operating conditions under which high gas conversion, high H2‐to‐CO ratios close to 2.0, and low soot production are possible.
Positive emotions and brain reward circuits in chronic pain
Authors: Navratilova Edita , Morimura Kozo , Xie Jennifer Y. , Atcherley Christopher W. , Ossipov Michael H. , Porreca Frank
Published: January 2016

Chronic pain is an important public health problem that negatively impacts the quality of life of affected individuals and exacts enormous socioeconomic costs. Chronic pain is often accompanied by comorbid emotional disorders including anxiety, depression, and possibly anhedonia. The neural circuits underlying the intersection of pain and pleasure are not well understood. We summarize recent human and animal investigations and demonstrate that aversive aspects of pain are encoded in brain regions overlapping with areas processing reward and motivation. We highlight findings revealing anatomical and functional alterations of reward/motivation circuits in chronic pain. Finally, we review supporting evidence for the concept that pain relief is rewarding and activates brain reward/motivation circuits. Adaptations in brain reward circuits may be fundamental to the pathology of chronic pain. Knowledge of brain reward processing in the context of pain could lead to the development of new therapeutics for the treatment of emotional aspects of pain and comorbid conditions. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:1646–1652, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Light‐Switchable Peptides with a Hemithioindigo Unit: Peptide Design, Photochromism, and Optical Spectroscopy
Authors: Kitzig S. , Thilemann M. , Cordes T. , Rück‐Braun Karola
Published: January 2016

This Minireview focuses on the hemithioindigo photoswitch and its use for the reversible control of three‐dimensional peptide structure and related biological functions. Both the general design aspects and biophysical properties of various hemithioindigo‐based chromopeptides are summarized. Hemithioindigo undergoes reversible Z→E photoisomerization after absorption of visible light. The unique ultrafast switching mechanism of hemithioindigo combines picosecond isomerization kinetics with strong double‐bond torsion after light absorption, making it the ideal tool for instantaneous modulation of biological structure. Various inhibitors and model peptides based on hemithioindigo are described that can directly regulate biological signaling or allow the fastest events in peptide folding to be studied. Finally, a diverse range of chromopeptides with photoswitchable β‐hairpin structures based on azobenzenes, stilbenes, and hemithioindigo are compared to emphasize the unique properties of hemithioindigo.
Ultrafast Electron Transfer in Complexes of Doxorubicin with Human Telomeric G‐Quadruplexes and GC Duplexes Probed by Femtosecond Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Authors: Changenet‐Barret Pascale , Gustavsson Thomas , Markovitsi Dimitra , Manet Ilse
Published: January 2016

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a natural anthracycline widely used in chemotherapy; its combined application as a chemotherapeutic and photodynamic agent has been recently proposed. In this context, understanding the photoinduced properties of DOX complexes with nucleic acids is crucial. Herein, the study of photoinduced electron transfer in DOX–DNA complexes by femtosecond fluorescence spectroscopy is reported. The behaviour of complexes with two model DNA structures, a G‐quadruplex (G4) formed by the human telomeric sequence (Tel21) and a d(GC) duplex, is compared. The DOX affinity for these two sequences is similar. Although both 1:1 and 2:1 stoichiometries have been reported for DOX–G4 complexes, only 1:1 complexes form with the duplex. The steady‐state absorption indicates a strong binding interaction with the duplex due to drug intercalation between the GC base pairs. In contrast, the interaction of DOX with Tel21 is much weaker and arises from drug binding on the G4 external faces at two independent binding sites. As observed for DOX–d(GC) complexes, fluorescence of the drug in the first binding site of Tel21 exhibits decays within a few picoseconds following a biphasic pattern; this is attributed to the existence of two drug conformations. The fluorescence of the drug in the second binding site of Tel21 shows slower decays within 150 ps. These timescales are consistent with electron transfer from the guanines to the excited drug, as favoured by the lower oxidation potential of the stacked guanines of G4 with respect to those in the duplex.
Molecular Design Guidelines for Large Magnetic Circular Dichroism Intensities in Lanthanide Complexes
Authors: Kitagawa Yuichi , Wada Satoshi , Yanagisawa Kei , Nakanishi Takayuki , Fushimi Koji , Hasegawa Yasuchika
Published: January 2016

Magneto optical devices based on the Faraday effects of lanthanide ion have attracted much attention. Recently, large Faraday effects were found in nano‐sized multinuclear lanthanide complexes. In this study, the Faraday rotation intensities were estimated for lanthanide nitrates [LnIII(NO3)3⋅n H2O: Ln=Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm) and EuIII complexes with β‐diketone ligands, using magnetic circular dichroism. Eu ions exhibit the largest Faraday rotation intensity for 7F0→5D1 transitions, and high‐symmetry fields around the Eu ions induce larger Faraday effects. The molecular design for the enhancement of Faraday effects in lanthanide complexes is discussed.
Ab Initio and DFT Studies on CO2 Interacting with Znq+–Imidazole (q=0, 1, 2) Complexes: Prediction of Charge Transfer through σ‐ or π‐Type Models
Authors: Boulmene Reda , Boussouf Karim , Prakash Muthuramalingam , Komiha Najia , Al‐Mogren Muneerah M. , Hochlaf Majdi
Published: January 2016

Using first‐principles methodologies, the equilibrium structures and the relative stability of CO2@[Znq+Im] (where q=0, 1, 2; Im=imidazole) complexes are studied to understand the nature of the interactions between the CO2 and Znq+–imidazole entities. These complexes are considered as prototype models mimicking the interactions of CO2 with these subunits of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks or Zn enzymes. These computations are performed using both ab initio calculations and density functional theory. Dispersion effects accounting for long‐range interactions are considered. Solvent (water) effects were also considered using a polarizable continuum model approach. Natural bond orbital, charge, frontier orbital and vibrational analyses clearly reveal the occurrence of charge transfer through covalent and noncovalent interactions. Moreover, it is found that CO2 can adsorb through more favorable π‐type stacking as well as σ‐type hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The inter‐monomer interaction potentials show a significant anisotropy that might induce CO2 orientation and site‐selectivity effects in porous materials and in active sites of Zn enzymes. Hence, this study provides valuable information about how CO2 adsorption takes place at the microscopic level within zeolitic imidazolate frameworks and biomolecules. These findings might help in understanding the role of such complexes in chemistry, biology and material science for further development of new materials and industrial applications.
Constraints on barium isotope fractionation during aragonite precipitation by corals
Authors: Pretet Chloé , van Zuilen Kirsten , Nägler Thomas F. , Reynaud Stéphanie , Böttcher Michael E. , Samankassou Elias
Published: January 2016

We present a barium (Ba) isotope fractionation study of marine biogenic carbonates (aragonitic corals). The major aim is to provide first constraints on the Ba isotope fractionation between modern surface seawater and coral skeleton. Mediterranean surface seawater was found to be enriched in the heavy Ba isotopes compared to previously reported values for marine open ocean authigenic and terrestrial minerals. In aquarium experiments with a continuous supply of Mediterranean surface water, the Ba isotopic composition of the bulk sample originating from cultured, aragonitic scleractinian corals (δ137/134Ba between +0·16 ± 0·12‰ and +0·41 ± 0·12‰) were isotopically identical or lighter than that of the ambient Mediterranean surface seawater (δ137/134Ba = +0·42 ± 0·07‰, 2SD), which corresponds to an empirical maximum value of Ba isotope fractionation of Δ137/134Bacoral‐seawater = −0·26 ± 0·14‰ at 25°C. This maximum Ba isotope fractionation is close and identical in direction to previous results from inorganic precipitation experiments with aragonite‐structured pure BaCO3 (witherite). The variability in measured Ba concentrations of the cultured corals is at odds with a uniform distribution coefficient, D(Ba/Ca), thus indicating stronger vital effects on isotope than element discrimination. This observation supports the hypothesis that the Ba isotopic compositions of these corals do not result from simple equilibrium between the skeleton and the bulk seawater. Complementary coral samples from natural settings (tropical shallow‐water corals from the Bahamas and Florida and cold‐water corals from the Norwegian continental shelf) show an even wider range in δ137/134Ba values (+0·14 ± 0·08 to +0·77 ± 0·11‰), most probably due to additional spatial and/or temporal seawater heterogeneity, as indicated by recent publications.