bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hierarchically Porous Nickel Oxide Nanosheets Grown on Nickel Foam Prepared by One‐Step In Situ Anodization for High‐Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Yang Li , Qian Lei , Tian Xianqing , Li Jing , Dai Jianyuan , Guo Yong , Xiao Dan
Published: April 2014

Porous NiO nanosheets are successfully grown on nickel foam substrate through an in situ anodization by using molten KOH as the electrolyte. High‐purity NiO is directly obtained by this one‐step method without any subsequent treatment. The obtained NiO supported on nickel foam is used as a binder‐free electrode for a supercapacitor and its pseudocapacitive behavior has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests in a 6 M aqueous solution of KOH. Electrochemical data demonstrates that this binder‐free electrode possesses ultrahigh capacitance (4.74 F cm−2 at 4 mA cm−2), excellent rate capability, and cycling stability. After 1000 cycles, the areal capacitance value is 9.4 % lower than the initial value and maintains 85.4 % of the maximum capacitance value.
Regulation of mitochondrial morphology by lipids
Authors: Ha Elizabeth E.‐J. , Frohman Michael A.
Published: April 2014

Although great progress has been made in identifying key protein factors that regulate mitochondrial morphology through mediating fission and fusion, signaling lipids are increasingly being recognized as important in the process as well. We review here roles that have been proposed for the signaling and bulk lipids cardiolipin, phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidic acid, diacylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine and the enzymes that generate or catabolize them in the regulation of mitochondrial morphology in yeast and mammals. Mutations in some of these enzymes are causal in a number of disease settings, highlighting the significance of controlling the lipid environment in this setting. © 2014 BioFactors, 40(4):419–424, 2014
Metabolic responses of CHO cells to limitation of key amino acids
Authors: Duarte Tiago M. , Carinhas Nuno , Barreiro Laura C. , Carrondo Manuel J. T. , Alves Paula M. , Teixeira Ana P.
Published: April 2014

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the predominant host for production of therapeutic glycoproteins. In particular, the glutamine‐synthetase (GS) expression system has been widely used in the biopharmaceutical industry for efficient selection of high‐yielding clones. However, much remains unclear on how metabolic wiring affects culture performance. For instance, asparagine and serine have been observed to be the largest nitrogen sources taken up by GS‐CHO cells, but their roles in biosynthesis and energy generation are poorly understood. In this work, a comprehensive profiling of extracellular metabolites coupled with an analysis of intracellular label distributions after 1‐13C‐pyruvate supplementation were used to trace metabolic rearrangements in different scenarios of asparagine and serine availability. The absence of asparagine in the medium caused growth arrest, and was associated with a dramatic increase in pyruvate uptake, a higher ratio of pyruvate carboxylation to dehydrogenation and an inability for de novo asparagine synthesis. The release of ammonia and amino acids such as aspartate, glutamate, and alanine were deeply impacted. This confirms asparagine to be essential for these GS‐CHO cells as the main source of intracellular nitrogen as well as having an important anaplerotic role in TCA cycle activity. In turn, serine unavailability also negatively affected culture growth while triggering its de novo synthesis, confirmed by label incorporation coming from pyruvate, and reduced glycine and formate secretion congruent with its role as a precursor in the metabolism of one‐carbon units. Overall, these results unfold important insights into GS‐CHO cells metabolism that lay a clearer basis for fine‐tuning bioprocess optimization. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 2095–2106. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Addition of citrate to Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans cultures enables precipitate‐free growth at elevated pH and reduces ferric inhibition
Authors: Li Xiaozheng , Mercado Roel , Kernan Timothy , West Alan C. , Banta Scott
Published: April 2014

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is an acidophilic chemolithoautotroph that is important in biomining and other biotechnological operations. The cells are able to oxidize inorganic iron, but the insolubility and product inhibition by Fe3+ complicates characterization of these cultures. Here we explore the growth kinetics of A. ferrooxidans in iron‐based medium in a pH range from 1.6 to 2.2. It was found that as the pH was increased from 1.6 to 2.0, the maintenance coefficient decreased while both the growth kinetics and maximum cell yield increased in the precipitate‐free, low Fe2+ concentration medium. In higher iron media a similar trend was observed at low pH, but the formation of precipitates at higher pH (2.0) hampered cell growth and lowered the specific growth rate and maximum cell yield. In order to eliminate ferric precipitates, chelating agents were introduced into the medium. Citric acid was found to be relatively non‐toxic and did not appear to interfere with iron oxidation at a maximum concentration of 70 mM. Inclusion of citric acid prevented precipitation and A. ferrooxidans growth parameters resumed their trends as a function of pH. The addition of citrate also decreased the apparent substrate saturation constant (KS) indicating a reduction in the competitive inhibition of growth by ferric ions. These results indicate that continuous cultures of A. ferrooxidans in the presence of citrate at elevated pH will enable enhanced cell yields and productivities. This will be critical as these cells are used in the development of new biotechnological applications such as electrofuel production. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 1940–1948. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NADPH‐dependent reductive biotransformation with Escherichia coli and its pfkA deletion mutant: Influence on global gene expression and role of oxygen supply
Authors: Siedler Solvej , Bringer Stephanie , Polen Tino , Bott Michael
Published: April 2014

An Escherichia coli ΔpfkA mutant lacking the major phosphofructokinase possesses a partially cyclized pentose phosphate pathway leading to an increased NADPH per glucose ratio. This effect decreases the amount of glucose required for NADPH regeneration in reductive biotransformations, such as the conversion of methyl acetoacetate (MAA) to (R)‐methyl 3‐hydroxybutyrate (MHB) by an alcohol dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus brevis. Here, global transcriptional analyses were performed to study regulatory responses during reductive biotransformation. DNA microarray analysis revealed amongst other things increased expression of soxS, supporting previous results indicating that a high NADPH demand contributes to the activation of SoxR, the transcriptional activator of soxS. Furthermore, several target genes of the ArcAB two‐component system showed a lower mRNA level in the reference strain than in the ΔpfkA mutant, pointing to an increased QH2/Q ratio in the reference strain. This prompted us to analyze yields and productivities of MAA reduction to MHB under different oxygen regimes in a bioreactor. Under anaerobic conditions, the specific MHB production rates of both strains were comparable (7.4 ± 0.2 mmolMHB h−1 gcdw−1) and lower than under conditions of 15% dissolved oxygen, where those of the reference strain (12.8 mmol h−1 gcdw−1) and of the ΔpfkA mutant (11.0 mmol h−1 gcdw−1) were 73% and 49% higher. While the oxygen transfer rate (OTR) of the reference strain increased after the addition of MAA, presumably due to the oxidation of the acetate accumulated before MAA addition, the OTR of the ΔpfkA strain strongly decreased, indicating a very low respiration rate despite sufficient oxygen supply. The latter effect can likely be attributed to a restricted conversion of NADPH into NADH via the soluble transhydrogenase SthA, as the enzyme is outcompeted in the presence of MAA by the recombinant NADPH‐dependent alcohol dehydrogenase. The differences in respiration rates can explain the suggested higher ArcAB activity in the reference strain. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 2067–2075. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Computer AIDS for chemical engineering education: An assessment of CACHE—1971–1992
Authors: Seider Warren D.
Published: April 2014

Since its inception in 1971, the Computer Aids for Chemical Engineering Education (CACHE) Corporation has concentrated on promoting cooperation among universities, industry, and government in the development and distribution of computer‐related and/or technology‐based educational aids for the chemical engineering profession. This article assesses the success of several projects designed to provide aids for individual courses, as well as for a broader segment of the curriculum. The projects include: (1) the provision of 125 computer assignments for the core courses; (2) the preparation of teaching materials for, and the distribution of, Monsanto's FLOWTRAN program for use in the design courses; (3) the preparation of PC modules for many courses, leading to the Michigan project on the Development of Innovative Engineers, the Washington project on Graphical Computer Aids for fluid flow and reaction in the design of chemical reactors, and the Purdue project on Laboratory Modules; and (4) the development of the MICROCACHE courseware delivery system. Also considered are the CACHE recommendations concerning the minimum requirements for computing in the undergraduate curriculum, presented to the AIChE Education and Accreditation Committee. The CACHE Corporation has facilitated several research conferences, the impact of which is assessed.
Simulation of electromagnetic radiation and scattering using a finite difference‐time domain technique
Authors: Li K. , Tassoudji M. A. , Shin R. T. , Kong J. A.
Published: April 2014

The finite difference‐time domain (FD‐TD) technique is applied to the solution of Maxwell's equations. A computer program, which can be used to simulate and study numerous electromagnetic phenomena, is developed and implemented on an IBM 386 compatible personal computer. The FD‐TD technique is a useful tool for students in electromagnetics. The technique is flexible and can be applied to many basic EM scattering and radiation problems. Because field solutions are found as a function of time, visualization of the propagation of the EM fields is possible. The FD‐TD technique is implemented for a two‐dimensional rectangular grid in conjunction with a second‐order absorbing boundary condition. Both E‐ and H‐field polarizations are analyzed. Finite objects consisting of dielectric, magnetic and conducting materials, and perfectly conducting infinite ground planes are modeled. Plane wave and line current sources are implemented. In addition to the capability of animating the propagation of the EM fields, radiation and scattering patterns can be generated.
Discretization of partial differential equations for computer evaluation
Authors: Fazarinc Zvonko
Published: April 2014

Physics described by partial differential equations is difficult to visualize. Computer solutions of such equations supported with dynamic graphic displays are therefore of high interest to educators and scientists [1]. Translation of partial differential equations into formats understood by computers is beset with complexity and pitfalls. This article explores a direct method for deriving the relevant algorithms from physics itself and illustrates the approach with examples in propagation and diffusion. The resulting algorithms are cast into C‐language.
Computer software for structural engineering education: FATPAK II—student edition
Authors: Fleming John F.
Published: April 2014

FATPAK II—Student Edition is a general purpose computer package for the linear elastic analysis of two‐ and three‐dimensional frames and trusses. It will run on an IBM PC or compatible system. It was developed for student use in structural analysis and design courses. The primary purpose for its development was to permit students to investigate the response of structural systems under a variety of conditions. The results of the analysis can be expressed in both printed and graphical form.
Object‐oriented animation system for seismic response of multistory structures
Authors: Ho Hsing‐Hua , Adeli Hojjat
Published: April 2014

Visualizing the dynamic behavior of structures under earthquake loading is a challenge for students taking structural dynamics and earthquake engineering courses. A prototype animation system was developed for visualizing the dynamic response of multistory structures subjected to earthquake excitations, using the object‐oriented programming paradigm and implemented in Microsoft Windows and Borland C++ on a 33 MHz 80486‐based personal computer. At present, the animation system is limited to two‐dimensional multistory frames with rigid floors. The input can be any accelerogram (ground acceleration record) due to any real or artificial earthquake. The user of the system can change the input parameters of the structure or select the ground acceleration record and view their effect on the dynamic behavior of the structure. This object‐oriented animation model is an effective courseware or interactive computer tool that may be used in teaching structural dynamics and earthquake engineering courses.
TEACON—a simulator for computer‐aided teaching of process control
Authors: de Azevedo S. Feyo , Oliveira F. , Cardoso A. Capelo
Published: April 2014

“TEACON—TEAching CONtrol” is a PC‐based package for computer‐aided teaching of digital control of Single Input‐Single Output (SISO) systems. A large variety of processes and control actions is possible. The program simulates systems in “real time” or faster than “real time.” Process and control parameters can be changed on‐line during runs. Set‐point and process load can also vary according to predefined functions. The program computes the ISE, IAE, and ITAE indexes, allowing studies of controller tuning and performance. Other characteristics which enhance the simulation of real systems are the saturation of sensors and controller at 0 and 100%, the ability to superimpose noises on the measurements, and the possibility of defining dead‐times associated with the measurements and with the process.
ARRAY: Educational software for antenna patterns and synthesis
Authors: Romeu Jordi , Pous Rafael , Pujol Ramon
Published: April 2014

This article describes the main features of an educational program developed as a teaching aid for an undergraduate antenna course. The key feature of this software with regard to existing antenna array software (1–4) is the importance given to graphic presentation of the results. Aside from a detailed description of the program, a general overview of the curriculum and certain experiences with the use of the program are presented.
Introduction to multigrid using matlab
Authors: Haupt Randy L. , Haupt Sue Ellen
Published: April 2014

Multigrid is a powerful numerical tool for solving a variety of engineering problems. We motivate the use of the technique, introduce its theoretical basis, provide a step‐by‐step procedure for its use, and present examples. We include a tutorial MATLAB program, which allows the user to experiment with the technique for a typical problem.
Interactive beam analysis program for engineering education
Authors: Gramoll Kurt C.
Published: April 2014

This article describes an interactive graphic beam analysis program for undergraduate engineering education that has been used at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The program is fully mouse‐ and menu‐driven, and the results, moment, shear, and deflection diagrams, are graphically displayed. The development objectives of the program and how the program has been used effectively to increase the learning and understanding of indeterminate beam structures are discussed. Practical experience with the program in two elementary structures courses is also reviewed. The article shows how graphically oriented programs can be beneficial to the education of first‐year engineering students by allowing them to perform “what‐if” design scenarios. The program is structured to minimize the time the instructor needs to spend on demonstration in the classroom. The program is free to all educational institutions.
Three‐phase induction motor simulation for teaching purposes
Authors: Faiz Jawad , Sharifian M. B. B.
Published: April 2014

Specially developed computer software for a three‐phase induction motor simulation for an undergraduate course is presented. The computation time of the simulation method used is reasonably short: about 29% of the CPU time required by the ordinary fifth‐order model. Using the software tools developed, students can effectively perform analysis of induction motors at various modes of operation. The software is viewed on the color display of a personal computer, and each part of the program may be activated by means of a user‐friendly graphics editor.
Interactive visualizations of electromagnetic fields inside waveguides and cavities using the WGC program
Authors: Elsherbeni Atef Z. , Taylor Clayborne D.
Published: April 2014

A personal computer program has been developed to provide an interactive procedure for visualizing the electromagnetic fields inside seven different types of cylindrical wave‐guides and cavities. In this program, both transverse and longitudinal field components are presented graphically, using a color contour map and/or vectors. The user can interactively observe the effect of changing any of the physical or electrical parameters on the resulting electric and magnetic field distribution in any specified plane cut. The mathematic expressions of the field components are derived from the classical solution of the wave equation using the separation of variables technique.
Spreadsheet solution to an initial value problem using the runge‐kutta‐fehlberg method
Authors: Kharab A.
Published: April 2014

The objective of this article is to demonstrate the computational capabilities of spreadsheets to solve an initial value problem for ordinary differential equations using the Runge‐Kutta‐Fehlberg method. Through user macros, the numeric solution is obtained with considerably less programming effort than high‐level programming languages such as Fortran. A macro program using Lotus 123 is developed, and numeric results are given.
Numerical experiments in fluid mechanics with a tank and draining pipe
Authors: Brauner Neima , Shacham Mordechai
Published: April 2014

This article emphasizes the use of interactive simulation packages as an integral part of the problem solution in both engineering education and practice. A homework problem in fluid mechanics is presented. Using numerical simulation of a tank and draining pipe arrangement, the students were required to find the effect of the viscosity of the fluid, draining pipe length, and initial fluid level in the tank on the initial draining velocity and the time required for complete draining of the tank. The results obtained were surprising and unexpected, encouraging the students to investigate further the model equations in order to find an explanation for the unexpected system behavior.
Engineering instruction via computer algebra
Authors: Beltzer Abraham I.
Published: April 2014

This article considers first general aspects of applications of computer algebra to engineering instruction. It is shown that this may have far‐reaching consequences for engineering curricula, as well as for students and instructors. In particular, teaching variational methods and transition from one symbolic code to another are discussed.
A software tool for electromagnetic analysis of power system elements using finite difference method
Authors: Faiz Jawad , Dadgari Ali
Published: April 2014

This article presents, in a simple manner, a mathematical basis of finite difference method and describes a sample computer program to support the teaching of electromagnetic fields in an undergraduate course. The program is used to demonstrate the flux contours of magnetic fields inside the cores with different configurations. This can help students in their first contact with electromagnetic field analysis problems and in power system elements, and can also help them develop their required software experience based on our procedure.
Graphical visualization of missile–target air‐to‐air engagements: An educational tool for designing and evaluating missile guidance and control systems
Authors: Rodriguez Armando A. , Aguilar Ricardo
Published: April 2014

This article describes a user‐friendly C/C++/Windows‐based program which simulates and graphically displays a Bank‐to‐Turn (BTT) missile in pursuit of an evading target. Traditionally, students and practicing engineers must conduct extensive simulations to develop insight about such a complex “system.” In this article, an educational PC graphics program which significantly expedites this process is described. The program is organized into three modules: (1) A program‐user interface provides interactive mouse‐keyboard‐driven pull‐down menus to adjust engagement parameters. (2) A simulation module generates engagement data from a system of nonlinear differential equations modeling the missile, the autopilot, various guidance laws, and target maneuvers. (3) A graphics module uses the data to update the encounter on the screen. The program can be linked with MATLAB macros for purposes of analysis. A help/instruct facility assists users with program features and concepts. Sample missile‐target engagements are presented to demonstrate the utility of the program as an educational tool and as a tool for the analysis, design, and evaluation of missile guidance and control systems. In short, the program has proven itself as a useful educational tool for students studying feedback and control systems and as an excellent vehicle for introducing students to modeling, simulation, and graphical visualization of dynamical systems.
Computer tool for minimizing logic functions
Authors: Kabalan Karim Y. , El‐Hajj Ali , Fakhreddine Souheir , Smari Waleed S.
Published: April 2014

This article presents a computer package that can be used in the minimization of logic functions. The package is a practical tool for teaching digital design and other related courses. The inputs to this program are the number of switching variables and the switching function to be minimized. The function is introduced in the form of minterms or in the form of a switching expression. The user may choose any of three methods to perform the minimization process: algebraic manipulation using theorems, the Karnaugh map, and the Quine—McCluskey methods. The program starts the minimization gradually until an optimal expression is reached. The user can visualize the steps of the procedure used in the particular minimization technique. Thus, the package provides several possibilities for minimizing certain functions and then selects the best approach among them which employs the minimum number of gates for the gate‐level drawing of the function.
Using a computer algebra system (Maple) to teach elementary queueing theory
Authors: Place Jerry , Fitzgerald Sue
Published: April 2014

Computer algebra systems such as Maple, Mathematica, and MACSYMA are readily available for a wide range of PCs and workstations. Many college campuses have site licenses for these software tools and make them widely available to students through PC labs, across networks, and on time‐sharing systems. In addition, student versions of these software tools are widely available at nominal cost. Computer algebra systems provide sophisticated computational support and are intuitive to use. In this article we describe how we use Maple to support an upper‐division undergraduate course teaching elementary queueing theory. We discuss the significant enhancement added by using Maple for this coursework. We present the traditional approach to this material (i.e., deriving the closed form solutions for a specific queueing model), then we show how we approach the material using numerical solutions based on the general equations for steady state probabilities for a Poisson Birth‐Death process. We present several examples and discuss the strengths of our approach.
A modular control systems laboratory
Authors: Hagan Martin T. , Latino Carl D.
Published: April 2014

It is often difficult for students to visualize how control theory relates to real systems. Computer simulations can help, but simulations alone are limited by how well the system in question has been modeled. In general, simulations are more helpful to engineers with sufficient experience with real systems than they are to students who may have never seen the actual systems in action. It is more enlightening if the results obtained theoretically are actually applied to a physical system. Applying the theoretically calculated results to a real system helps the student not only to visualize, but to evaluate how well the model was able to predict the system performance. To this end, a new interdisciplinary controls laboratory has been introduced jointly in the Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Departments of Oklahoma State University.
Applying multimedia technology to undergraduate engineering laboratories
Authors: Elsherbeni Atef , Tew Mark , Mokaddem Asem
Published: April 2014

This article presents efforts to improve the presentation of material in high frequency, microwave, and electronics laboratories using multimedia technology. A crowded undergraduate curriculum leaves little time to dwell on difficult concepts in these areas of study, yet the laboratory experience is enhanced by greater understanding. A moderate or small‐sized electrical engineering department is well suited for a one‐on‐one approach to teaching where close faculty—student interaction serves to fill many student needs. Even in this environment, better visualization tools may increase learning by reinforcing material introduced in the classroom. This project uses multimedia to enhance instruction and presentation in the high frequency, microwave, and electronics laboratories.
Using simulation with hardware verification for teaching computer architecture
Authors: Segee Bruce , Field John , Littlefield Bruce
Published: April 2014

Material for a computer architecture class based on four progressively more complex microprogrammed circuits is described. The circuits and their associated microassemblers and simulators are discussed. Interestingly, the simulators allow students to understand the workings of the hardware more fully than is possible using the hardware alone.
Windows computer laboratory as a tutorial for undergraduate electromagnetics
Authors: McCulloch J. , Keddy W. A. , Stuchly M. A.
Published: April 2014

Contents and implementation of a computer laboratory for undergraduate electromagnetics are described. The laboratory consists of four 3‐hour sessions covering vector calculus, Maxwell's equations (integral and differential forms), wave propagation in materials, and wave behavior at planar interfaces. Each session contains theory (in the Help file), animations (where relevant) and a quiz. The program runs on IBM compatible 486‐based PCs in a Windows environment and uses the Borland C++ 4.0 compiler.
Enhancing the visualization skills of engineering students through computer modeling
Authors: Ullman Kim M. , Sorby Sheryl A.
Published: April 2014

Studies show that many entering engineering students are deficient in 3D spatial visualization skills. In the fall of 1993, a course was developed at Michigan Technological University to introduce freshmen to 3D spatial visualization through the use of visual aids and computer modeling. This article describes the computer exercises which were developed to aid in the development of the 3D visualization skills of these students.
Under the jeweler's loop
Authors: Fortenberry Norman L.
Published: April 2014

I am pleased to introduce a new column in CAE entitled “Under the Jeweler's Loop,” which will be prepared by Dr. Norman L. Fortenberry. As you may recall, while program director in the Division of Undergraduate Education at the National Science Foundation, Dr. Fortenberry introduced and was the editor of the “What's DUE” column. He has now joined the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science, Inc. (GEM), as its Executive Director, and we are delighted to introduce him as the editor of the new “Under the Jeweler's Loop” column.

Meanwhile, Dr. Janet Rutledge, who is now program director in the Division of Undergraduate Education at NSF, will continue Dr. Fortenberry's work and has graciously agreed to continue to prepare the “What's DUE” column. We are delighted to have Dr. Rutledge on the Editorial Board of CAE, and welcome the opportunity to have Dr. Fortenberry continue his participation in CAE.

Magdy F. Iskander Editor

In this new column, I will be examining various happenings and trends in engineering education. My purpose is to give you a closer view of what underlies some of these issues and events. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Magdy Iskander for providing this forum.

Norman L. Fortenberry
Effect of Romantic Relationship on Implicit Regional Prejudice
Authors: Jin Zheng , Sherman Jeffrey W.
Published: April 2014

The study measures both the implicit regional prejudice and the explicit simple attitude of 93 students of five universities in China, either involved or not in different stages of a romantic relationship and at varying distances from their partners, by using the Brief Implicit Association Test and Explicit Reports. Results indicate that close relationships can contribute significantly to decreasing implicit regional prejudice. Further studies are needed to provide support for the causal mechanism between interpersonal relationships and changes in social attitudes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of cyclin D1 after treatment with doxorubicin in the HL‐60 cell line
Authors: Żuryń Agnieszka , Litwiniec Anna , Klimaszewska‐Wiśniewska Anna , Nowak Jakub Marcin , Gackowska Lidia , Myśliwiec Bartosz Jakub , Pawlik Andrzej , Grzanka Alina
Published: April 2014

Increased levels of cyclin D1 and amplification of CCND1 gene occur in many types of cancers. We have followed the expression of cyclin D1 after treatment with doxorubicin with reference to cell death and other possible therapeutic implications. The effect of the treatment on the cell cycle, survival, intracellular level (flow cytometry), and intracellular localization of cyclin D1 (fluorescence microscopy) and expression of CCND1 (real‐time RT‐PCR) was investigated in HL‐60 cells. An increase in the fluorescence intensity of cyclin D1 occurred after treatment with 0.15 and 0.3 μM doxorubicin. This tendency was confirmed by real‐time RT‐PCR. Expression of CCND1 in relation to the reference gene PBGD was increased in cells exposed to 0.15 μM doxorubicin. Concomitantly, some alterations in the regulation of the G0/G1, S, and G2/M checkpoints occurred, accompanied by changes in the polyploid fraction of the population. This was particularly evident at 0.3 μM doxorubicin, at which concentration the rate of cell death was also clearly higher. In conclusion, depending on the concentration used, alterations in cell death and the number of S, G2/M, and polyploid cells may correspond with cyclin D1 levels. This, in turn, may reflect an important role of the protein as one of the possible survival/point‐of‐no‐return regulators dependent on its concentration, which seems especially plausible in the context of more prominent cell death in the above‐mentioned fractions of cells.
Nanoparticle‐Impact Experiments are Highly Sensitive to the Presence of Adsorbed Species on Electrode Surfaces
Authors: Kätelhön Enno , Cheng Wei , Batchelor‐McAuley Christopher , Tschulik Kristina , Compton Richard G.
Published: April 2014

We theoretically and experimentally investigate the influence of partial surface blocking on the electrochemistry of nanoparticles impacting at an electrode. To this end, we introduce an analytical model for the adsorption of single blocking molecules on the electrode and calculate the resulting fractional electrode coverage. We find that even small amounts of adsorbed molecules can fully suppress detection of impacts of nanoparticles while the electrode characteristics in the detection of electroactive molecules hardly change. Our findings are supported by experimental data on the indigo nanoparticle electroreduction at a carbon microelectrode (radius 5.5 μm) in aqueous solution. We find that nanoimpacts are fully suppressed in the presence of acetone at concentrations of 250 nm, which have a negligible effect on the electrode kinetics of the Fe(CN)${_6^{3 - /4 - } }$ couple.
Influence of Central Metalloligand Geometry on Electronic Communication between Metals: Syntheses, Crystal Structures, MMCT Properties of Isomeric Cyanido‐Bridged Fe2Ru Complexes, and TDDFT Calculations
Authors: Ma Xiao , Lin Chen‐Sheng , Hu Sheng‐Min , Tan Chun‐Hong , Wen Yue‐Hong , Sheng Tian‐Lu , Wu Xin‐Tao
Published: April 2014

To investigate how the central metalloligand geometry influences distant or vicinal metal‐to‐metal charge‐transfer (MMCT) properties of polynuclear complexes, cis‐ and trans‐isomeric heterotrimetallic complexes, and their one‐ and two‐electron oxidation products, cis/trans‐ [Cp(dppe)FeIINCRuII(phen)2CN‐FeII(dppe)Cp][PF6]2 (cis/trans‐1[PF6]2), cis/trans‐[Cp(dppe)FeIINCRuII(phen)2CNFeIII‐(dppe)Cp][PF6]3 (cis/trans‐1[PF6]3) and cis/trans‐[Cp(dppe)FeIIINCRuII(phen)2CN‐FeIII(dppe)Cp][PF6]4 (cis/trans‐1[PF6]4) have been synthesized and characterized. Electrochemical measurements show the presence of electronic interactions between the two external FeII atoms of the cis‐ and trans‐isomeric complexes cis/trans‐1[PF6]2. The electronic properties of all these complexes were studied and compared by spectroscopic techniques and TDDFT//DFT calculations. As expected, both mixed valence complexes cis/trans‐1[PF6]3 exhibited different strong absorption signals in the NIR region, which should mainly be attributed to a transition from an MO that is delocalized over the RuII‐CN‐FeII subunit to a FeIII d orbital with some contributions from the co‐ligands. Moreover, the NIR transition energy in trans‐1[PF6]3 is lower than that in cis‐1[PF6]3, which is related to the symmetry of their molecular orbitals on the basis of the molecular orbital analysis. Also, the electronic spectra of the two‐electron oxidized complexes show that trans‐1[PF6]4 possesses lower vicinal RuII→FeIII MMCT transition energy than cis‐1[PF6]4. Moreover, the assignment of MMCT transition of the oxidized products and the differences of the electronic properties between the cis and trans complexes can be well rationalized using TDDFT//DFT calculations.
General Protocol for the Synthesis of Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles for Magnetic Resonance Imaging from Protected Metal–Organic Precursors
Authors: Hu He , Zhang Chongkun , An Lu , Yu Yanrong , Yang Hong , Sun Jin , Wu Huixia , Yang Shiping
Published: April 2014

The development of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with functional groups has been intensively pursued in recent years. Herein, a simple, versatile, and cost‐effective strategy to synthesize water‐soluble and amino‐functionalized MNPs, based on the thermal decomposition of phthalimide‐protected metal–organic precursors followed by deprotection, was developed. The resulting amino‐functionalized Fe3O4, MnFe2O4, and Mn3O4 MNPs with particle sizes of about 14.3, 7.5, and 6.6 nm, respectively, had narrow size distributions and good dispersibility in water. These MNPs also exhibited high magnetism and relaxivities of r2=107.25 mM−1 s−1 for Fe3O4, r2=245.75 mM−1 s−1 for MnFe2O4, and r1=2.74 mM−1 s−1 for Mn3O4. The amino‐functionalized MNPs were further conjugated with a fluorescent dye (rhodamine B) and a targeting ligand (folic acid: FA) and used as multifunctional probes. Magnetic resonance imaging and flow‐cytometric studies showed that these probes could specifically target cancer cells overexpressing FA receptors. This new protocol opens a new way for the synthesis and design of water‐soluble and amino‐functionalized MNPs by an easy and versatile route.
Palladium‐Catalyzed/Norbornene‐Mediated CH Activation/ N‐Tosylhydrazone Insertion Reaction: A Route to Highly Functionalized Vinylarenes
Authors: Zhou Ping‐Xin , Zheng Lan , Ma Jun‐Wei , Ye Yu‐Ying , Liu Xue‐Yuan , Xu Peng‐Fei , Liang Yong‐Min
Published: April 2014

A straightforward method for the synthesis of highly functionalized vinylarenes through palladium‐catalyzed, norbornene‐mediated CH activation/carbene migratory insertion is described. Extension to a one‐pot procedure is also developed. Furthermore, this method can also be used to generate polysubstituted bicyclic molecules. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions to give the products in satisfactory yields using readily available starting materials. This is a Catellani–Lautens reaction that incorporates different types of coupling partners. Additionally, this reaction is the first to demonstrate the possibility of combining Pd‐catalyzed insertion of diazo compounds and Pd‐catalyzed CH activation.
Room‐Temperature Hydrohydrazination of Terminal Alkynes Catalyzed by Saturated Abnormal N‐Heterocyclic Carbene–Gold(I) Complexes
Authors: Manzano Rubén , Wurm Thomas , Rominger Frank , Hashmi A. Stephen K.
Published: April 2014

A number of saturated abnormal N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of gold, in combination with KBArF4 as activator, were successfully applied in the chemoselective addition of hydrazine to alkynes. The reaction proceeds even at room temperature, which was not possible to date with gold catalysts. The reaction can be applied to a number of substituted arylalkynes. With alkylalkynes the yields are low. The saturated abnormal NHC ligands are resistant to isomerization to the saturated normal NHC coordination mode under basic reaction conditions. Under acidic conditions, a simple protonation at the nitrogen atom not neighboring the carbene center was observed and unambiguously characterized by an X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis. Computational studies confirm that such an isomerization would be highly exothermic, the observed kinetic stability probably results from the need to shift two protons in such a process.
AAML0523: A report from the Children's Oncology Group on the efficacy of clofarabine in combination with cytarabine in pediatric patients with recurrent acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Cooper Todd M. , Alonzo Todd A. , Gerbing Robert B. , Perentesis John P. , Whitlock James A. , Taub Jeffrey W. , Horton Terzah M. , Gamis Alan S. , Meshinchi Soheil , Loken Michael R. , Razzouk Bassem I.
Published: April 2014

BACKGROUND

The discovery of new, effective non–anthracycline‐based reinduction regimens for children with recurrent acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is critical. In this phase 1/2 study, the tolerability and overall response rate of clofarabine in combination with cytarabine was investigated in children with recurrent/refractory AML.

METHODS

AAML0523 enrolled 49 children with AML in first recurrence or who were refractory to induction therapy. The study consisted of a dose‐finding phase (9 patients) and an efficacy phase (40 patients). Two children received clofarabine at a dose of 40 mg/m2/day and 47 children at a dose of 52 mg/m2/day.

RESULTS

Toxicities typical for intensive chemotherapy regimens were observed at all doses of clofarabine. The recommended pediatric phase 2 dose of clofarabine in combination with cytarabine was 52 mg/m2/day for 5 days. Of 48 evaluable patients, the overall response rate (complete remission plus complete remission with partial platelet recovery) was 48%. Four patients met conventional criteria for complete remission with incomplete count recovery. Twenty‐one of 23 responders subsequently underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The overall survival rate at 3 years was 46% for responders compared with 16% for nonresponders (P < .001). Patients found to have no minimal residual disease at the end of the first cycle by flow cytometric analysis had superior overall survival after 1 year (100% vs 38%; P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of clofarabine and cytarabine yielded an acceptable response rate without excess toxicity in children with recurrent AML. The nearly 50% survival rate reported in responders is highly encouraging in these high‐risk patients and suggests that this combination is an effective bridge to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Cancer 2014;120:2482–2489. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Mutant IDH1 inhibits PI3K/Akt signaling in human glioma
Authors: Birner Peter , Pusch Stefan , Christov Christo , Mihaylova Stiliana , Toumangelova‐Uzeir Kalina , Natchev Sevdalin , Schoppmann Sebastian F. , Tchorbanov Andrey , Streubel Berthold , Tuettenberg Jochen , Guentchev Marin
Published: April 2014

BACKGROUND

Recently, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) was identified as a major participant in glioma pathogenesis. At present, the enzymatic activity of the protein has been the main topic in investigating its physiological function, but its signaling pathway allocation was unsuccessful. Interestingly, proteins regulated by phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling, are among the top downregulated genes in gliomas associated with high percentage of IDH1 and IDH2 mutations. The aim of this study was to investigate a hypothetical relation between IDH1 and PI3K signaling.

METHODS

The presence of mutant IDH1 and markers for active PI3K/Akt signaling, present as phosphorylated Akt and podoplanin (PDPN), were investigated in a discovery cohort of 354 patients with glioma. In vitro experiments were used to confirm functional links.

RESULTS

This study shows an inverse correlation between mutant IDH1 and markers for active PI3K/Akt signaling. In support of a functional link between these molecules, in vitro expression of mutant IDH1 inhibited Akt phosphorylation in a 2‐hydroxyglutarate–dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides patient tumor and in vitro evidence suggesting that mutant IDH1 inhibits PI3K/Akt signaling. Cancer 2014;120:2440–2447. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Building architectures for data‐intensive science using the ADAGE framework
Authors: Yao Lawrence , Rabhi Fethi A.
Published: April 2014

One of the main activities in data‐intensive science is data analysis. Although there are many popular technologies that can assist scientists in various isolated aspects of data analysis, supporting analysis processes in holistic ways that promote system interoperability, integration and automation, as well as scientific reproducibility and efficient data handling, presents many challenges. A common solution to address these challenges is to find efficient ways of integrating various existing technologies together to meet the analysis needs of scientists (which is similar to the idea behind science gateways). We believe that this solution is essentially an exercise in software design; and in many situations, these challenges should be tackled from a software design perspective. Consequently, this paper reviews different architectural design approaches that can be used to address these challenges and proposes a service‐oriented framework called the Ad Hoc Data Grid Environment, which consists of an architectural pattern and its associated operational guidelines. The guidelines prescribe a number of activities based on an iterative decomposition approach to produce and evolve software architectures according to constantly changing user needs. The framework is demonstrated on a case study involving analysis processes required for conducting financial event studies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Classification of Structural Complexity for Mine Ventilation Networks
Authors: Wei Lian‐Jiang , Zhou Fu‐Bao , Cheng Jian‐Wei , Luo Xin‐Rong , Li Xiao‐Lin
Published: April 2014

The mine ventilation system is most important and technical measure for ensuring safety production in mines. The structural complexity of a mine ventilation network can directly affect the safety and reliability of the underground mining system. Quantitatively justifying the degree of complexity can contribute to providing a deeper understanding of the essential characteristics of a network. However, so far, there is no such a model which is able to simply, practically, reasonably, and quantitatively determine or compare the structural complexity of different ventilation networks. In this article, by analyzing some typical parameters of a mine ventilation network, we conclude that there is a linear functional relationship among five key parameters (number of ventilation network branches, number of nodes, number of independent circuits, number of independent paths, and number of diagonal branches). Correlation analyses for the main parameters of ventilation networks are conducted based on SPSS. Based on these findings, a new evaluation model for the structural complexity of ventilation network (which is represented by C) has been proposed. By combining SPSS classification analyses results with the characteristics of mine ventilation networks, standards for the complexity classification of mine ventilation systems are put forward. Using the developed model, we carried out analyses and comparisons for the structural complexity of ventilation networks for typical mines. Case demonstrations show that the classification results correspond to the actual situations. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 21–34, 2015
Wider sampling reveals a non‐sister relationship for geographically contiguous lineages of a marine mussel
Authors: Cunha Regina L. , Nicastro Katy R. , Costa Joana , McQuaid Christopher D. , Serrão Ester A. , Zardi Gerardo I.
Published: April 2014

The accuracy of phylogenetic inference can be significantly improved by the addition of more taxa and by increasing the spatial coverage of sampling. In previous studies, the brown musselPerna pernashowed a sister–lineage relationship between eastern and western individuals contiguously distributed along theSouthAfrican coastline. We used mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (ITS) sequence data to further analyze phylogeographic patterns withinP. perna. Significant expansion of the geographical coverage revealed an unexpected pattern. The westernSouthAfrican lineage shared the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) with specimens fromAngola,Venezuela, andNamibia, whereas easternSouthAfrican specimens andMozambique grouped together, indicating a non‐sister relationship for the twoSouthAfrican lineages. Two plausible biogeographic scenarios to explain their origin were both supported by the hypotheses‐testing analysis. One includes anIndo‐Pacific origin forP. perna, dispersal into theMediterranean andAtlantic through the Tethys seaway, followed by recent secondary contact after southward expansion of the western and easternSouthAfrican lineages. The other scenario (Out ofSouthAfrica) suggests an ancient vicariant divergence of the two lineages followed by their northward expansion. Nevertheless, the “Out of South Africa” hypothesis would require a more ancient divergence between the two lineages. Instead, our estimates indicated that they diverged very recently (310 kyr), providing a better support for an Indo‐Pacific origin of the twoSouthAfrican lineages. The arrival of theMRCAofP. pernainBrazil was estimated at 10 [0–40] kyr. Thus, the hypothesis of a recent introduction inBrazil through hull fouling in wooden vessels involved in the transatlantic itineraries of the slave trade did not receive strong support, but given the range for this estimate, it could not be discarded. Wider geographic sampling of marine organisms shows that lineages with contiguous distributions need not share a common ancestry.