bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inter‐assemblage facilitation: the functional diversity of cavity‐producing beetles drives the size diversity of cavity‐nesting bees
Authors: Sydenham Markus A. K. , Häusler Lise D. , Moe Stein R. , Eldegard Katrine
Published: January 2016

Inter‐specific interactions are important drivers and maintainers of biodiversity. Compared to trophic and competitive interactions, the role of non‐trophic facilitation among species has received less attention. Cavity‐nesting bees nest in old beetle borings in dead wood, with restricted diameters corresponding to the body size of the bee species. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the functional diversity of cavity‐producing wood boring beetles ‐ in terms of cavity diameters ‐ drives the size diversity of cavity‐nesting bees. The invertebrate communities were sampled in 30 sites, located in forested landscapes along an elevational gradient. We regressed the species richness and abundance of cavity nesting bees against the species richness and abundance of wood boring beetles, non‐wood boring beetles and elevation. The proportion of cavity nesting bees in bee species assemblage was regressed against the species richness and abundance of wood boring beetles. We also tested the relationships between the size diversity of cavity nesting bees and wood boring beetles. The species richness and abundance of cavity nesting bees increased with the species richness and abundance of wood boring beetles. No such relationship was found for non‐wood boring beetles. The abundance of wood boring beetles was also related to an increased proportion of cavity nesting bee individuals. Moreover, the size diversity of cavity‐nesting bees increased with the functional diversity of wood boring beetles. Specifically, the mean and dispersion of bee body sizes increased with the functional dispersion of large wood boring beetles. The positive relationships between cavity producing bees and cavity nesting bees suggest that non‐trophic facilitative interactions between species assemblages play important roles in organizing bee species assemblages. Considering a community‐wide approach may therefore be required if we are to successfully understand and conserve wild bee species assemblages in forested landscapes.
Genetic variation and population structure in a threatened species, the Utah prairie dog Cynomys parvidens: the use of genetic data to inform conservation actions
Authors: Brown Nathanael L. , Peacock Mary M. , Ritchie Mark E.
Published: January 2016

The Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens), listed as threatened under the United States Endangered Species Act, was the subject of an extensive eradication program throughout its range during the 20th century. Eradication campaigns, habitat destruction/fragmentation/conversion, and epizootic outbreaks (e.g., sylvatic plague) have reduced prairie dog numbers from an estimated 95,000 individuals in the 1920s to approximately 14,000 (estimated adult spring count) today. As a result of these anthropogenic actions, the species is now found in small isolated sets of subpopulations. We characterized the levels of genetic diversity and population genetic structure using 10 neutral nuclear microsatellite loci for twelve populations (native and transplanted) representative of the three management designated “recovery units,” found in three distinct biogeographic regions, sampled across the species' range. The results indicate (1) low levels of genetic diversity within colonies (He = 0.109–0.357; Ho = 0.106‐ 0.313), (2) high levels of genetic differentiation among colonies (global FST = 0.296), (3) very small genetic effective population sizes, and (4) evidence of genetic bottlenecks. The genetic data reveal additional subdivision such that colonies within recovery units do not form single genotype clusters consistent with recovery unit boundaries. Genotype cluster membership support historical gene flow among colonies in the easternmost West Desert Recovery Unit with the westernmost Pausaugunt colonies and among the eastern Pausaugunt colonies and the Awapa Recovery unit to the north. In order to maintain the long‐term viability of the species, there needs to be an increased focus on maintaining suitable habitat between groups of existing populations that can act as connective corridors. The location of future translocation sites should be located in areas that will maximize connectivity, leading to maintenance of genetic variation and evolutionary potential.
Pine invasions in treeless environments: dispersal overruns microsite heterogeneity
Authors: Pauchard Aníbal , Escudero Adrián , García Rafael A. , de la Cruz Marcelino , Langdon Bárbara , Cavieres Lohengrin A. , Esquivel Jocelyn
Published: January 2016

Understanding biological invasions patterns and mechanisms is highly needed for forecasting and managing these processes and their negative impacts. At small scales, ecological processes driving plant invasions are expected to produce a spatially explicit pattern driven by propagule pressure and local ground heterogeneity. Our aim was to determine the interplay between the intensity of seed rain, using distance to a mature plantation as a proxy, and microsite heterogeneity in the spreading of Pinus contorta in the treeless Patagonian steppe. Three one‐hectare plots were located under different degrees of P. contorta invasion (Coyhaique Alto, 45° 30′S and 71° 42′W). We fitted three types of inhomogeneous Poisson models to each pine plot in an attempt for describing the observed pattern as accurately as possible: the “dispersal” models, “local ground heterogeneity” models, and “combined” models, using both types of covariates. To include the temporal axis in the invasion process, we analyzed both the pattern of young and old recruits and also of all recruits together. As hypothesized, the spatial patterns of recruited pines showed coarse scale heterogeneity. Early pine invasion spatial patterns in our Patagonian steppe site is not different from expectations of inhomogeneous Poisson processes taking into consideration a linear and negative dependency of pine recruit intensity on the distance to afforestations. Models including ground‐cover predictors were able to describe the point pattern process only in a couple of cases but never better than dispersal models. This finding concurs with the idea that early invasions depend more on seed pressure than on the biotic and abiotic relationships seed and seedlings establish at the microsite scale. Our results show that without a timely and active management, P. contorta will invade the Patagonian steppe independently of the local ground‐cover conditions.
Influence of geography and environment on patterns of genetic differentiation in a widespread submerged macrophyte, Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L., Haloragaceae)
Authors: Wu Zhigang , Yu Dan , Li Xing , Xu Xinwei
Published: January 2016

The effects of geographic and environmental variables on the pattern of genetic differentiation have been thoroughly studied, whereas empirical studies on aquatic plants are rare. We examined the spatial genetic differentiation of 58 Myriophyllum spicatum populations distributed throughout China with 12 microsatellite loci, and we analyzed its association with geographic distance, geographic barriers, and environmental dissimilarity using causal modeling and multiple matrix regression with randomization (MMRR) analysis. Two genetic clusters were identified, and their geographic distribution suggested mountain ranges as a barrier to gene flow. The causal modeling revealed that both climate and geographic barriers significantly influenced genetic divergence among M. spicatum populations and that climate had the highest regression coefficient according to the MMRR analysis. This study showed that geography and environment together played roles in shaping the genetic structure of M. spicatum and that the influence of environment was greater. Our findings emphasized the potential importance of the environment in producing population genetic differentiation in aquatic plants at a large geographic scale.
Effects of food variability on growth and reproduction of Aedes aegypti
Authors: Zeller Michael , Koella Jacob C.
Published: January 2016

Despite a large body of knowledge about the evolution of life histories, we know little about how variable food availability during an individual's development affects its life history. We measured the effects of manipulating food levels during early and late larval development of the mosquito Aedes aegypti on its growth rate, life history and reproductive success. Switching from low to high food led to compensatory growth: individuals grew more rapidly during late larval development and emerged at a size close to that of mosquitoes consistently reared at high food. However, switching to high food had very little effect on longevity, and fecundity and reproductive success were considerably lower than in consistently well‐fed mosquitoes. Changing from high to low food led to adults with similar size as in consistently badly nourished mosquitoes, but even lower fecundity and reproductive success. A rapid response of growth to changing resources can thus have unexpected effects in later life and in lifetime reproductive success. More generally, our study emphasizes the importance of varying developmental conditions for the evolutionary pressures underlying life‐history evolution.
Symbiodinium clades A and D differentially predispose Acropora cytherea to disease and Vibrio spp. colonization
Authors: Rouzé Héloïse , Lecellier Gaël , Saulnier Denis , Berteaux‐Lecellier Véronique
Published: January 2016

Coral disease outbreaks have increased over the last three decades, but their causal agents remain mostly unclear (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists). This study details a 14‐month‐long survey of coral colonies in which observations of the development of disease was observed in nearly half of the sampled colonies. A bimonthly qPCR method was used to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate Symbiodinium assemblages of tagged colonies, and to detect the presence of Vibrio spp. Firstly, our data showed that predisposition to disease development in general, and, more specifically, infection by Vibrio spp. in Acropora cytherea depended on which clades of Symbiodinium were harbored. In both cases, harboring clade D rather than A was beneficial to the coral host. Secondly, the detection of Vibrio spp. in only colonies that developed disease strongly suggests opportunistic traits of the bacteria. Finally, even if sporadic cases of switching and probably shuffling were observed, this long‐term survey does not suggest specific‐clade recruitment in response to stressors. Altogether, our results demonstrate that the fitness of the coral holobiont depends on its initial consortium of Symbiodinium, which is distinct among colonies, rather than a temporary adaptation achieved through acquiring different Symbiodinium clades.
How fast is fast? Eco‐evolutionary dynamics and rates of change in populations and phenotypes
Authors: DeLong John P. , Forbes Valery E. , Galic Nika , Gibert Jean P. , Laport Robert G. , Phillips Joseph S. , Vavra Janna M.
Published: January 2016

It is increasingly recognized that evolution may occur in ecological time. It is not clear, however, how fast evolution – or phenotypic change more generally – may be in comparison with the associated ecology, or whether systems with fast ecological dynamics generally have relatively fast rates of phenotypic change. We developed a new dataset on standardized rates of change in population size and phenotypic traits for a wide range of species and taxonomic groups. We show that rates of change in phenotypes are generally no more than 2/3, and on average about 1/4, the concurrent rates of change in population size. There was no relationship between rates of population change and rates of phenotypic change across systems. We also found that the variance of both phenotypic and ecological rates increased with the mean across studies following a power law with an exponent of two, while temporal variation in phenotypic rates was lower than in ecological rates. Our results are consistent with the view that ecology and evolution may occur at similar time scales, but clarify that only rarely do populations change as fast in traits as they do in abundance.
Utility of internally transcribed spacer region ofrDNA(ITS) andβ‐tubulin gene sequences to infer genetic diversity and migration patterns ofColletotrichum truncatuminfectingCapsicumspp.
Authors: Rampersad Kandyce , Ramdial Hema , Rampersad Sephra N.
Published: January 2016

Anthracnose is among the most economically important diseases affecting pepper (Capsicumspp.) production in the tropics and subtropics. Of the three species ofColletotrichumimplicated as causal agents of pepper anthracnose,C. truncatumis considered to be the most destructive in agro‐ecosystems worldwide. However, the genetic variation and the migration potential ofC. truncatuminfecting pepper are not known. Five populations were selected for study and a two‐locus (internally transcribed spacer region,ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2, andβ‐tubulin,β‐TUB) sequence data set was generated and used in the analyses. Sequences of theITSregion were less informative thanβ‐tubulin gene sequences based on comparisons ofDNApolymorphism indices. Trinidad had the highest genetic diversity and also had the largest effective population size in pairwise comparisons with the other populations. The Trinidad population also demonstrated significant genetic differentiation from the other populations.AMOVAandSTRUCTUREanalyses both suggested significant genetic variation within populations more so than among populations. A consensus Maximum Likelihood tree based onβ‐TUBgene sequences revealed very little intraspecific diversity for all isolates except for Trinidad. Two clades consisting solely of Trinidad isolates may have diverged earlier than the other isolates. There was also evidence of directional migration among the five populations. These findings may have a direct impact on the development of integrated disease management strategies to controlC. truncatuminfection in pepper.
Extremely high proportions of male flowers and geographic variation in floral ratios within male figs of Ficus tikoua despite pollinators displaying active pollen collection
Authors: Deng Jun‐Yin , Fu Rong‐Hua , Compton Stephen G. , Hu Dai‐Mei , Zhang Lu‐Shui , Yang Fan , Chen Yan , Kjellberg Finn
Published: January 2016

Most plants are pollinated passively, but active pollination has evolved among insects that depend on ovule fertilization for larval development. Anther‐to‐ovule ratios (A/O ratios, a coarse indicator of pollen‐to‐ovule ratios) are strong indicators of pollination mode in fig trees and are consistent within most species. However, unusually high values and high variation of A/O ratios (0.096–10.0) were detected among male plants from 41 natural populations of Ficus tikoua in China. Higher proportions of male (staminate) flowers were associated with a change in their distribution within the figs, from circum‐ostiolar to scattered. Plants bearing figs with ostiolar or scattered male flowers were geographically separated, with scattered male flowers found mainly on the Yungui Plateau in the southwest of our sample area. The A/O ratios of most F. tikoua figs were indicative of passive pollination, but its Ceratosolen fig wasp pollinator actively loads pollen into its pollen pockets. Additional pollen was also carried on their body surface and pollinators emerging from scattered‐flower figs had more surface pollen. Large amounts of pollen grains on the insects' body surface are usually indicative of a passive pollinator. This is the first recorded case of an actively pollinated Ficus species producing large amounts of pollen. Overall high A/O ratios, particularly in some populations, in combination with actively pollinating pollinators, may reflect a response by the plant to insufficient quantities of pollen transported in the wasps’ pollen pockets, together with geographic variation in this pollen limitation. This suggests an unstable scenario that could lead to eventual loss of wasp active pollination behavior.
Effect of Magnesium Hydroxide on Voltage Lifetime of Epoxy Composites
Authors: OHTA TSUKASA , IIDA KAZUO
Published: January 2016

In general, a polymer insulator subjected to high voltage reaches breakdown as a result of the development of electrical trees. Magnesium hydroxide, a metal hydroxide, has the property of releasing water of crystallization at high temperatures. If the energy of a partial discharge is used by the decomposition of magnesium hydroxide, the growth of electrical trees will be inhibited and the lifetime of the polymer insulator can be expected to improve. Therefore, we have studied the effects of magnesium hydroxide on treeing. We confirmed that the electrical breakdown time of epoxy resin with 30 parts per hundred (resin) of magnesium hydroxide was 100 times longer than that of epoxy resin without it. Magnesia was detected through electron beam diffraction analysis of the filler particles located near the electrical tree, and it was found that a dehydration reaction took place in the magnesium hydroxide. In other words, as an explanation of the effect of inhibiting an electrical tree, the effect of the energy dispersion of a partial discharge is suggested along with the barrier effect of the fillers.
Business Process Modeling Method with Hierarchical Business Variation Analysis
Authors: KUMAGAI KIYOSHI , ARAKI MASATAKA , ONO TOSHIYUKI
Published: January 2016

Business Process Modeling (BPMod) is attracting attention as a technology that improves the quality of information system development. It can increase integrity between business operations and information systems by visualizing specifications of business requirements in the upstream process. But there are problems with development costs caused by large variations of business functions, in the application BPMod to complicated business processes. In this paper, we propose a business process design method with hierarchical business variation analysis in order to improve the productivity of model development. This makes it possible to extract the variations of business functions and to consolidate similar business functions. We applied it to an actual system development project and confirmed its effect.
Encapsulation of Single Cells into Fixed Droplets Using Triangular Microwells
Authors: HATTORI ATSUSHI , YAGI TOHRU , TSAO CHIA‐WEN
Published: January 2016

Microfluidic devices using droplets make it possible to perform high‐throughput screening of single‐cell samples through encapsulating cells into droplets. In conventional encapsulation methods, devices have T‐junction and flow‐focusing geometry for droplet generation. Using those techniques, it is difficult to achieve uniform distribution of cells, or to place single cells in droplets. Moreover, in screening samples, it is necessary to have a mechanism to hold the droplets at one place for a long time. However, it is somewhat difficult to add such a function to conventional devices. Thus, we propose a new single‐cell encapsulation method using triangular microwells. In this approach, each single cell is isolated, encapsulated, and held in one place by triangular microwells. This approach has the benefit that the droplet size can be regulated by the size of the microwells. In addition, optimization of encapsulation is easier than in conventional methods because the flow rate of the oil phase does not affect the encapsulation.
A specifically designed nanoconstruct associates, internalizes, traffics in cardiovascular cells, and accumulates in failing myocardium: a new strategy for heart failure diagnostics and therapeutics
Authors: Ruiz‐Esparza Guillermo U. , Segura‐Ibarra Victor , Cordero‐Reyes Andrea M. , Youker Keith A. , Serda Rita E. , Cruz‐Solbes Ana S. , Amione‐Guerra Javier , Yokoi Kenji , Kirui Dickson K. , Cara Francisca E. , Paez‐Mayorga Jesus , Flores‐Arredondo Jose H. , Guerrero‐Beltrán Carlos E. , Garcia‐Rivas Gerardo , Ferrari Mauro , Blanco Elvin , Torre‐Amione Guillermo
Published: January 2016

Aims

Ongoing inflammation and endothelial dysfunction occurs within the local microenvironment of heart failure, creating an appropriate scenario for successful use and delivery of nanovectors. This study sought to investigate whether cardiovascular cells associate, internalize, and traffic a nanoplatform called mesoporous silicon vector (MSV), and determine its intravenous accumulation in cardiac tissue in a murine model of heart failure.

Methods and results

In vitro cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking of MSVs was examined by scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, time‐lapse microscopy, and flow cytometry in cardiac myocytes, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. The MSVs were internalized within the first hours, and trafficked to perinuclear regions in all the cell lines. Cytotoxicity was investigated by annexin V and cell cycle assays. No significant evidence of toxicity was found. In vivo intravenous cardiac accumulation of MSVs was examined by high content fluorescence and confocal microscopy, with results showing increased accumulation of particles in failing hearts compared with normal hearts. Similar to observations in vitro, MSVs were able to associate, internalize, and traffic to the perinuclear region of cardiomyocytes in vivo.

Conclusions

Results show that MSVs associate, internalize, and traffic in cardiovascular cells without any significant toxicity. Furthermore, MSVs accumulate in failing myocardium after intravenous administration, reaching intracellular regions of the cardiomyocytes. These findings represent a novel avenue to develop nanotechnology‐based therapeutics and diagnostics in heart failure.
LCZ696, an angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor, improves cardiac function with the attenuation of fibrosis in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice
Authors: Suematsu Yasunori , Miura Shin‐ichiro , Goto Masaki , Matsuo Yoshino , Arimura Tadaaki , Kuwano Takashi , Imaizumi Satoshi , Iwata Atsushi , Yahiro Eiji , Saku Keijiro
Published: January 2016

Aims

Angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitors (ARNis) acts an ARB and neprilysin inhibitor. Diabetes mellitus significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart failure (HF). Therefore, we evaluated the effects and mechanisms of ARNi in HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice.

Methods and results

Male C57BL/6J mice were injected with streptozotocin to produce diabetic mice. After myocardial reperfusion injury, diabetic mice were randomized to treatment for 4 weeks with LCZ696 (60 mg/kg), valsartan (30 mg/kg), or no treatment (n = 26–28 in each group). Cardiac function was assessed by a pressure–volume Millar catheter. The ratios of heart weight to body weight in the valsartan (P = 0.02) and LCZ696 (P = 0.005) groups were significantly less than that in the control group. Treatment with LCZ696 improved LVEF (43 ± 3.4%) with a significantly reduction of atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA in the left ventricle compared with that in the control group (29 ± 3.2%) (P = 0.006). The fibrotic area in the LCZ696 group was significantly suppressed compared with those in the control (P = 0.003) and valsartan (P = 0.04) groups. Moreover, the mRNA level of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) in the left ventricle was suppressed in the LCZ696 group compared with that in the control (P = 0.002) group.

Conclusion

The ARNi LCZ696 improved cardiac function with the reduction of fibrosis in an HF‐rEF model in diabetic mice, by suppressing TGF‐β. This effect may be due to the specific inhibition of neprilysin, beyond the ARB effect of LCZ696.
Fluorescence Quenching of Sulfo­rhodamine Dye over Graphene Oxide and Boron Nitride Nanosheets
Authors: Thangaraj Vidhyadevi , Bussiere Jules , Janot Jean‐Marc , Bechelany Mikhael , Jaber Maguy , Subramanian Sivanesan , Miele Philippe , Balme Sebastien
Published: January 2016

We report the fluorescence quenching of sulforhodamine 640 (SR 640) supported on graphene oxide (GO) and boron nitride (BN) nanosheets (NSs). The synthesis and characterization of both materials are described. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method were used. The photophysical properties, such as the fluorescence lifetime and anisotropy of the SR dye over the synthesized materials, are reported. The observed fluorescence quenching of the SR dye over GO and BN occurs through an electron‐transfer process. Fluorescence decay analysis of SR revealed different behavior in the presence of GO and BN NSs. Adsorption of the dye on GO NSs leads to a non‐fluorescent complex, whereas adsorption of the dye on BN NSs results in quenching induced by a decrease in the fluorescence lifetime of the dye.
Electrocatalytic Properties of a Gold Nanoseed Particle‐modified Indium Tin Oxide Electrode: Comparison of the Shape and Preparation Methods
Authors: Aziz Md. Abdul , Sohail Manzar , Shaikh M. Nasiruzzaman , Oyama Munetaka
Published: January 2016

Gold nanostructures are the most commonly used nanostructures for fabricating electrochemical sensors and biosensors. In this study, we compared the catalytic performances of three types of gold nanoseed particles having two different morphologies, upon attachment to an amino‐functionalized ITO electrode surface. The ITO electrode surface was modified with 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) and (1) gold nanoseed spheres (AuNSS), prepared using the ion capture and successive reduction method (ICR), (2) commercially available 5 nm AuNSS, and (3) a newly synthesized gold nanoseed wire (AuNSW). The electrocatalytic properties of the three electrodes were evaluated. Among the three electrodes, the AuNSW/APTMS/ITO was found to be the electrode of choice and exhibited excellent electrocatalytic properties toward the biologically important analytes glucose, uric acid, and serotonin.
Electrochemical Immunoassay for Cytomegalovirus Antigen Detection with Multiple Signal Amplification Using HRP and Pt‐Pd Nanoparticles Functionalized Single‐walled Carbon Nanohorns
Authors: Huang Weiwei , Xiang Guiming , Jiang Dongneng , Liu Linlin , Liu Chang , Liu Fei , Pu Xiaoyun
Published: January 2016

Cytomegalovirus is typically associated with immunocompromised hosts, pregnant women and transplant patients, who require a timely diagnosis. In this work, a sensitive and highly specific electrochemical amplification immunosensor was established for detecting Cytomegalovirus pp65 antigen based on Pt‐PdNPs@SWCNHs with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a signal enhancer and thionine as a signal probe. First, Pt nanoparticle (PtNP) and Pd nanoparticle (PdNP) functionalized single‐walled carbon nanohorn (SWCNH) nanocomposites, i.e. Pt‐PdNPs@SWCNHs, was used as a carrier for immobilization of antibody through the Pt‐N bond and the Pd‐N bond. Next, HRP was used to block the rest of the binding‐sites. Signal amplification was obtained by the cooperative catalytic activities of Pt‐PdNPs and HRP to H2O2. SWCNHs loaded with a large amount of Pt‐PdNPs further amplified the signal due to the excellent surface area. The fabricated immunosensor was used to detect different concentrations of Cytomegalovirus pp65 antigen under optimized conditions. The tests showed a linear range from 0.1 to 80 ng mL−1 with a low detection limit of 30 pg mL−1, and exhibited excellent selectivity, stability and reproducibility. Therefore, this project presented a potential approach for the early diagnosis of Cytomegalovirus infection in clinical trials.
Recent Advances in Electrochemical Sensors for Detecting Weapons of Mass Destruction. A Review
Authors: Singh Virendra V.
Published: January 2016

The detection of chemical warfare agents (CWA) has become a worldwide security concern in light of the many recent international threats utilizing nerve agents. Among a variety of detection methods that have been developed for CWA, electrochemical sensors offer the unrivaled merits of high sensitivity, specificity and operational simplicity. Recent insights into novel fabrication methodologies and electrochemical techniques have resulted in the demonstration of electrochemical sensors able to address many of the limitations of conventional methodologies. This article reviews recent advances and developments in the field of electrochemical biosensors based detection of nerve agent and their utility for decentralized threat detection. With continued innovations and attention to key challenges, it is expected that electrochemical sensors will play a pivotal role in the CWA detection scenario. This review concludes with the implications of the electrochemical sensing platforms along with future prospects and challenges.
Separation efficiency of free‐solution conjugated electrophoresis with drag‐tags incorporating a synthetic amino acid
Authors: Seo Kyung‐Ho , Chu Hun‐Su , Yoo Tae Hyeon , Lee Sun‐Gu , Won Jong‐In
Published: January 2016

DNA sequencing or separation by conventional capillary electrophoresis with a polymer matrix has some inherent drawbacks, such as the expense of polymer matrix and limitations in sequencing read length. As DNA fragments have a linear charge‐to‐friction ratio in free solution, DNA fragments cannot be separated by size. However, size‐based separation of DNA is possible in free‐solution conjugate electrophoresis (FSCE) if a “drag‐tag” is attached to DNA fragments because the tag breaks the linear charge‐to‐friction scaling. Although several previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of DNA separation by free‐solution conjugated electrophoresis, generation of a monodisperse drag‐tag and identification of a strong, site‐specific conjugation method between a DNA fragment and a drag‐tag are challenges that still remain. In this study, we demonstrate an efficient FSCE method by conjugating a biologically synthesized elastin‐like polypeptide (ELP) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) to DNA fragments. In addition, to produce strong and site‐specific conjugation, a methionine residue in drag‐tags is replaced with homopropargylglycine (Hpg), which can be conjugated specifically to a DNA fragment with an azide site.
Lessons learned in building high‐throughput process development capabilities
Authors: Pollard Jennifer , McDonald Paul , Hesslein Ashley
Published: January 2016

Companies have adapted high‐throughput techniques for process development to different levels. Some companies are beginning to incorporate high‐throughput process development (HTPD) techniques at a level which is approachable for the beginner user (example: plate‐based resin screening for purification) and others have sophisticated robotic platforms which are in routine use for new pipeline products for upstream, downstream, analytics, and just now starting in the protein formulation area. This mini review serves to summarize how companies have set up and are using HTPD capabilities, including the need for user‐groups to improve the likelihood of success. The focus will be a practical summary of the utility and limitations of these approaches.
Enhanced Cyclic Stability of Spinel LiMn2O4 for Lithium‐Ion Batteries by Surface Coating with WO3
Authors: Feng Xiaoyu , Zhang Jianxin , Yin Longwei
Published: January 2016

WO3‐modified LiMn2O4 was synthesized by using a simple wet‐chemical process followed by solid‐state reaction. After surface coating modification, a high discharge capacity of 125.6 mAh g−1 with retention of 94.8 % was obtained at a current density of 1 C between 3.3 and 4.3 V after 100 cycles. The XRD patterns showed that the crystal structure of LiMn2O4 was not altered by coating WO3 and the HRTEM image showed the solution method had been used to prepare the WO3‐coated LiMn2O4 successfully. From electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry analysis, the WO3 coating was shown to decrease the charge‐transfer resistance and avoid the disproportionation reaction of manganese into the electrolyte solution. The WO3 surface coating is a promising approach to improve the cyclic stability of lithium manganese oxide.
Methanol for Renewable Energy Storage and Utilization
Authors: Räuchle Konstantin , Plass Ludolf , Wernicke Hans‐Jürgen , Bertau Martin
Published: January 2016

Today’s efforts to substitute fossil energy carriers by renewable energy sources suffer from fluctuations of wind and sunlight for which there is a lack of appropriate energy storage technologies, in particular for electricity. A promising method in this direction is chemical energy storage, as the energy density of the chemical bond is unrivaled. At present, there are chiefly two alternatives under discussion: power‐to‐gas (PtG) producing methane (synthetic natural gas, SNG) and power‐to‐liquid, which stores electric power in the form of methanol. However, the pros and cons of either technology are typically discussed without regarding the process economy and the overall efficiencies, and the material use of the target compounds has also been neglected. Detailed analyses of operational experiences from existing methane and methanol plants by AirLiquide (formerly Lurgi) revealed significant differences between both approaches, among which methanol has emerged to have the best overall efficiency (44.9 %). In addition, methanol has the additional advantage of being a universal chemical and fuel feedstock, thus representing the ideal candidate for not only chemical energy storage, but also for substituting fossil raw materials.
Highly Reproducible and Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells with Extraordinary Stability from Robust CH3NH3PbI3: Towards Large‐Area Devices
Authors: Gujar Tanaji P. , Thelakkat Mukundan
Published: January 2016

Organic–inorganic hybrid solar cells based on air‐stable CH3NH3PbI3 perovskites are reported. The perovskite layer was synthesized by CH3NH3I (methylammonium iodide, MAI) vapor‐assisted growth on a PbI2 layer. This process is optimized to achieve uniform, pore‐free, compact, and highly stable crystalline perovskite layers. The extraordinary stability of this pristine perovskite layer for about 3 months in air was compared with films obtained by other crystallization methods using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The effect of the perovskite layer thickness on the photo‐conversion efficiency (PCE) and external quantum efficiency are evaluated. The solar cell optimization reveals that the 370 nm thick perovskite layer delivers highly reproducible devices with a PCE value of 14.8 % (average 13.4 %) and negligible parameter fluctuation as well as high stability (of more than one month) with negligible loss. Additionally, we demonstrate that this MAI vapor‐assisted method is suitable to fabricate devices having an area of 1.05 cm2 and device efficiency of 8.7 %.
Preparation of scale inhibitor by using the waste of refined 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid
Authors: Guo Wenya , Gao Canzhu , Li Qimeng , Cheng Zhongfa , Qi Xiaojing
Published: January 2016

Acrylic acid‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (AA‐AMPS) is a kind of copolymer with good scale and corrosion inhibition performance. Refining of AMPS produces refined residue, which belongs to hazardous waste and must be properly treated and disposed. In this work, the refined residue was reused as the raw material to synthesize scale inhibition copolymer with the addition of AA. The chemical construction and thermal properties of copolymers were confirmed by NMR, FTIR, and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). To achieve a comprehensive and systematic understanding of copolymers, the inhibition behavior of CaCO3, Ca3 (PO4)2, and CaSO4 were examined through static scale inhibition tests. The capability of ferric oxide dispersion was also determined. The results of structural analysis were consistent with the expected structures. Static experiments were observed that scale inhibition of Ca3 (PO4)2 and CaSO4 was excellent and the scale inhibition rate was close to 100% when the concentration of AA‐AMPS was 30 mg L−1. It was noticed that the performance of copolymers synthesized with AMPS residue appeared nearly no different than when AA‐AMPS was synthesized with normal materials. The results show that the refined AMPS residue could be reused as raw material to prepare scale inhibitor copolymer.

Significance: Refined residue of AMPS was used to synthesize scale inhibition copolymer in this work. It would bring serious damage to society and environment if the hazardous waste refined residue cannot be properly treated and disposed. This study shows that the reuse of refined residue could achieve the goals of making use of waste and save the resources. This reuse technology develops a new way to reuse the hazardous waste and it would provide both economical and environmental benefits. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 833–839, 2016
Multi angle laser light scattering evaluation of field exposed thermoplastic photovoltaic encapsulant materials
Authors: Kempe Michael D. , Miller David C. , Wohlgemuth John H. , Kurtz Sarah R. , Moseley John M. , Nobles Dylan L. , Stika Katherine M. , Brun Yefim , Samuels Sam L. , Shah Qurat (Annie) , Tamizhmani Govindasamy , Sakurai Keiichiro , Inoue Masanao , Doi Takuya , Masuda Atsushi , Vanderpan Crystal E.
Published: January 2016

As creep of polymeric materials is potentially a safety concern for photovoltaic modules, the potential for module creep has become a significant topic of discussion in the development of IEC 61730 and IEC 61215. To investigate the possibility of creep, modules were constructed, using several thermoplastic encapsulant materials, into thin‐film mock modules and deployed in Mesa, Arizona. The materials examined included poly(ethylene)‐co‐vinyl acetate (EVA, including formulations both cross‐linked and with no curing agent), polyethylene/polyoctene copolymer (PO), poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The absence of creep in this experiment is attributable to several factors of which the most notable one was the unexpected cross‐linking of an EVA formulation without a cross‐linking agent. It was also found that some materials experienced both chain scission and cross‐linking reactions, sometimes with a significant dependence on location within a module. The TPU and EVA samples were found to degrade with cross‐linking reactions dominating over chain scission. In contrast, the PO materials degraded with chain scission dominating over cross‐linking reactions. Although we found no significant indications that viscous creep is likely to occur in fielded modules capable of passing the qualification tests, we note that one should consider how a polymer degrades, chain scission or cross‐linking, in assessing the suitability of a thermoplastic polymer in terrestrial photovoltaic applications.
Multimedia screening of contaminants of emerging concern (CECS) in coastal urban watersheds in southern California (USA)
Authors: Maruya Keith A. , Dodder Nathan G. , Sengupta Ashmita , Smith Deborah J. , Lyons J. Michael , Heil Ann T. , Drewes Jörg E.
Published: January 2016

To examine the occurrence and fate of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and inform future monitoring of CECs in coastal urban waterways, water, sediment, and fish tissue samples were collected and analyzed for a broad suite of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), commercial and/or household chemicals, current use pesticides, and hormones in an effluent-dominated river and multiple embayments in southern California (USA). In the Santa Clara River, which receives treated wastewater from several facilities, aqueous phase CECs were detectable at stations nearest discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants but were attenuated downstream. Sucralose and the chlorinated phosphate flame retardants tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP), tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP), and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) were most abundant in water, with maximum concentrations of 35 μg/L, 3.3 μg/L, 1.4 μg/L, and 0.81 μg/L, respectively. Triclocarban, an antimicrobial agent in use for decades, was more prevalent in water than triclosan or nonylphenol. Maximum concentrations of bifenthrin, permethrin, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and degradates of fipronil exceeded CEC-specific monitoring trigger levels recently established for freshwater and estuarine sediments by factors of 10 to 1000, respectively. Maximum fish tissue concentrations of PBDEs varied widely (370 ng/g and 7.0 ng/g for the Santa Clara River and coastal embayments, respectively), with most species exhibiting concentrations at the lower end of this range. These results suggest that continued monitoring of pyrethroids, PBDEs, and degradates of fipronil in sediment is warranted in these systems. In contrast, aqueous pharmaceutical concentrations in the Santa Clara River were not close to exceeding current monitoring trigger levels, suggesting a lower priority for targeted monitoring in this medium. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1986–1994. © 2016 SETAC
The effects of bupropion on hybrid striped bass brain chemistry and predatory behavior
Authors: Sweet Lauren E. , Bisesi Joseph H. , Lei E.N.Y. , Lam Michael H.W. , Klaine Stephen J.
Published: January 2016

Increased use of antidepressants has led to an increase in their detection in final treated wastewater effluents and receiving streams. Antidepressants are intended to modify human behavior by altering brain chemistry, and because of the high functional conservation of antidepressant target receptors in vertebrates, aquatic organisms may be at risk. The antidepressant bupropion is designed to alter brain norepinephrine and dopamine concentrations in humans. The objective of the present study was to understand if alteration of dopaminergic neurotransmitter concentrations in the hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis × Morone chrysops) brain by bupropion would alter this predator's ability to capture prey. The authors exposed hybrid striped bass to bupropion in a static system for 6 d, followed by a 6-d recovery period. During the present study's 12-d experiment, each hybrid striped bass was fed 4 unexposed fathead minnows every 3 d, and the time it took the hybrid striped bass to consume each of those 4 fathead minnows was quantified. After each feeding event, hybrid striped bass brains were harvested and analyzed for changes in several brain neurotransmitter concentrations, including serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and many of their metabolites. Although bupropion altered the concentration of dopamine and many of the dopaminergic neurotransmitter metabolite concentrations in the brains on day 3 of the exposure, it did not alter the time to capture prey. This suggests that alteration of dopaminergic neurotransmitter concentrations in the hybrid striped bass brain does not alter a predator's ability to capture prey. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2058–2065. © 2016 SETAC
Chronic effects of non-weathered and weathered crude oil and dispersant associated with the Deepwater Horizon incident on development of larvae of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica
Authors: Langdon Chris J. , Stefansson Emily S. , Pargee Suzanne M. , Blunt Susanna M. , Gage Susan J. , Stubblefield William A.
Published: January 2016

The present study examined the effects of chronic exposure of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) larvae to the water-accommodated fractions of fresh and weathered oils collected from the Deepwater Horizon incident, with and without additions of the dispersant Corexit 9500A, as well as to solutions of Corexit alone. Both shell growth of larvae exposed to test materials for a period of 10 d and larval settlement after 28 d of exposure were the most sensitive endpoints, with the 10-d growth endpoint being less variable among replicates. Growth and settlement endpoints were more sensitive than larval survival and normal development after 10 d and 28 d. Acute-to-chronic ratios calculated in the present study suggest that acute toxicities of oils and dispersant for oysters are not predictive of chronic effect levels for growth and settlement; therefore, chronic bioassays are necessary to assess these sublethal effects, in addition to standard 48-h acute toxicity tests. Comparison of 10% effective concentration (EC10) values for chronic 10-d growth and 28-d settlement endpoints with concentrations of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (a marker for Corexit) in seawater samples, collected during and after the Deepwater Horizon incident, indicated it was unlikely that elevated concentrations of water-soluble fractions of oil and dispersant in the nearshore environment had significant adverse effects on the growth and settlement of eastern oyster larvae. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2029–2040. © 2016 SETAC
Acute effects of non-weathered and weathered crude oil and dispersant associated with the Deepwater Horizon incident on the development of marine bivalve and echinoderm larvae
Authors: Stefansson Emily S. , Langdon Chris J. , Pargee Suzanne M. , Blunt Susanna M. , Gage Susan J. , Stubblefield William A.
Published: January 2016

Acute toxicity tests (48–96-h duration) were conducted with larvae of 2 echinoderm species (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and Dendraster excentricus) and 4 bivalve mollusk species (Crassostrea virginica, Crassostrea gigas, Mytilus galloprovincialis, and Mercenaria mercenaria). Developing larvae were exposed to water-accommodated fractions (WAFs) and chemically enhanced water-accommodated fractions (CEWAFs) of fresh and weathered oils collected from the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon incident. The WAFs (oils alone), CEWAFs (oils plus Corexit 9500A dispersant), and WAFs of Corexit alone were prepared using low-energy mixing. The WAFs of weathered oils had no effect on survival and development of echinoderm and bivalve larvae, whereas WAFs of fresh oils showed adverse effects on larval development. Similar toxicities were observed for weathered oil CEWAFs and WAFs prepared with Corexit alone for oyster (C. gigas and C. virginica) larvae, which were the most sensitive of the tested invertebrate species to Corexit. Mean 10% effective concentration values for total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (a marker for Corexit) in the present study were higher than all concentrations reported in nearshore field samples collected during and after the Deepwater Horizon incident. The results suggest that water-soluble fractions of weathered oils and Corexit dispersant associated with the Deepwater Horizon incident had limited, if any, acute impacts on nearshore larvae of eastern oysters and clams, as well as other organisms with similar sensitivities to those of test species in the present study; however, exposure to sediments and long-term effects were not evaluated. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2016–2028. © 2016 SETAC