bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A High‐Throughput Platform for Formulating and Screening Multifunctional Nanoparticles Capable of Simultaneous Delivery of Genes and Transcription Factors
Authors: Liu Yang , Du Juanjuan , Choi Jin‐sil , Chen Kuan‐Ju , Hou Shuang , Yan Ming , Lin Wei‐Yu , Chen Kevin Sean , Ro Tracy , Lipshutz Gerald S. , Wu Lily , Shi Linqi , Lu Yunfeng , Tseng Hsian‐Rong , Wang Hao
Published: November 2015

Simultaneous delivery of multiple genes and proteins (e.g., transcription factors; TFs) is an emerging issue surrounding therapeutic research due to their ability to regulate cellular circuitry. Current gene and protein delivery strategies, however, are based on slow batch synthesis, which is ineffective, poorly controlled, and incapable of simultaneous delivery of both genes and proteins with synergistic functions. Consequently, advances in this field have been limited to in vitro studies. Here, by integrating microfluidic technologies with a supramolecular synthetic strategy, we present a high‐throughput approach for formulating and screening multifunctional supramolecular nanoparticles (MFSNPs) self‐assembled from a collection of functional modules to achieve simultaneous delivery of one gene and TF with unprecedented efficiency both in vitro and in vivo. We envision that this new approach could open a new avenue for immunotherapy, stem cell reprogramming, and other therapeutic applications.
Stereocontrolled Synthesis of Vinyl Boronates and Vinyl Silanes via Atom‐Economical Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Alkene–Alkyne Coupling
Authors: Trost Barry M. , Koester Dennis C. , Herron Alastair N.
Published: November 2015

The synthesis of vinyl boronates and vinyl silanes was achieved by employing a Ru‐catalyzed alkene–alkyne coupling reaction of allyl boronates or allyl silanes with various alkynes. The double bond geometry in the generated vinyl boronates can be remotely controlled by the juxtaposing boron‐ and silicon groups on the alkyne substrate. The synthetic utility of the coupling products has been demonstrated in a variety of synthetic transformations, including iterative cross‐coupling reactions, and a Chan‐Lam‐type allyloxylation followed by a Claisen rearrangement. A sequential one‐pot alkene‐alkyne‐coupling/allylation‐sequence with an aldehyde to deliver a highly complex α‐silyl‐β‐hydroxy olefin with a handle for further functionalization was also realized.
In situ incorporation of monodisperse drug nanoparticles into hydrogel scaffolds for hydrophobic drug release
Authors: Zhang JingJing , Zhao LiSheng , Zhang JianJun , Zhang ZhiBing , Le Yuan , Wen Ning , Wang JieXin
Published: November 2015

The effective and locally sustained delivery of hydrophobic drug with hydrogels as carriers is still a challenge owing to the inherent incompatibility of hydrophilic hydrogel network and hydrophobic drug. One promising approach is to use porous hydrogels to encapsulate and deliver hydrophobic drug in the form of nanoparticles to the disease sites. However, this approach is currently limited by the inability to load concentrated hydrophobic drug nanoparticles into the hydrogels because of the severe nanoparticle aggregation during the loading process. In this article, we firstly designed and fabricated efficient drug nanoparticles embedded hydrogels for hydrophobic drug delivery by incorporating monodisperse silybin (hydrophobic drug for liver protection) nanoparticles into acrylated hyaluronic acid (HA‐AC) based hydrogels through in situ cross‐linking. The silybin nanoparticles embedded hydrogel scaffolds proved to be a good sustained release system with a long period of 36 h. The drug release from this hybrid hydrogels could be modulated by tuning HA‐AC concentration, cross‐linking ratio, chain length of cross‐linker and drug loading amount. The different kinetic models were applied, and it was observed that the release profile of silybin best followed the Hixson‐Crowell model for the release of drug from the hydrogels embedding silybin nanoparticles. It could be envisioned that this process would significantly advance the potential applications of hydrogel scaffolds mediated hydrophobic drug delivery in clinical therapies. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43111.
Influence of hydrogen bonding interactions on the properties of ultraviolet‐curable coatings
Authors: Shen Lu , Zheng Jian , Wang Ying , Lu Mangeng , Wu Kun
Published: November 2015

Phenolic novolac type epoxy resin has been modified with acrylic acid (AA) and 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) to form ultraviolet‐curable coatings, and integrated performances of the coatings were evaluated. It was found that the hydrogen bonding interactions among the oligomers became stronger along with the increase of AMPS content, thus the oligomer viscosity and a variety of polymer properties were affected. The polar hydrogen bond donors significantly enhanced the adhesion strength and surface wetting behavior of the coatings. Meanwhile, hydrogen bonding interactions can also reinforce the three‐dimensional structure of the film as in polymeric state, which potentially increased its glass transition temperature and mechanical properties. Results of chemical resistance showed that coatings modified with moderate amount of AMPS could be completely removed in several minutes when exposed to alkali solution or anhydrous ethanol. With these attractive features, modified films had prospective applications in temporary protective coatings. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43113.
Independent Evolution of Suction Feeding in Neobatrachia: Feeding Mechanisms in Two Species of Telmatobius (Anura:Telmatobiidae)
Authors: Barrionuevo José Sebastián
Published: November 2015

The most common feeding mechanism among aquatic vertebrates as fishes, turtles, and salamanders is inertial suction. However, among the more than 6,400 species of anurans, suction feeding occurs only in pipids. Pipidae is a small basal lineage relative to Neobatrachia, an enormous clade that contains about 96% of extant anurans. The Andean neobatrachian frogs of the genus Telmatobius include strictly aquatic and semiaquatic species. Diet analyses indicate that some species of Telmatobius feed on strictly aquatic prey, but until now their feeding mechanisms have been unknown. Herein, the feeding mechanisms in two species of Telmatobius, that represent the two predominant modes of life in the genus, are explored. The semiaquatic T. oxycephalus and the fully aquatic T. rubigo are studied using high‐speed cinematography and standard anatomical techniques to provide a qualitative approach to feeding behavior and a detailed morphological description of the mouth, tongue, hyoid and related muscles. T. oxycephalus uses similar mechanisms of aquatic prey capture as do the vast majority of anurans that are capable of forage in water, whereas the fully aquatic T. rubigo is an inertial suction feeder. This is the first report of an objective record of this unique feeding behavior in a Neobatrachian. Several morphological characters seem to be related with this function and are convergent with those of pipids. Anat Rec, 299:181–196, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Design, Synthesis, and Antiviral Activity of Novel Ribonucleosides of 1,2,3‐Triazolylbenzyl‐aminophosphonates
Authors: Ouahrouch Abdelaaziz , Taourirte Moha , Schols Dominique , Snoeck Robert , Andrei Graciela , Engels Joachim W. , Lazrek Hassan B.
Published: November 2015

A novel series of ribonucleosides of 1,2,3‐triazolylbenzyl‐aminophosphonates was synthesized through the Kabachnik–Fields reaction using I2 as catalyst followed by copper‐catalyzed cycloaddition of the azide–alkyne reaction (CuAAC). All structures of the newly prepared compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HRMS spectra. The structures of 2e, 2f, 3d, and 3g were further confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis. These compounds were tested against various strains of DNA and RNA viruses; compounds 4b and 4c showed a modest inhibitory activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and compound 4h displayed modest inhibitory activity against Coxsackie virus B4.
Imaging the Waters of Angkor: A Method for Semi‐Automated Pond Extraction from LiDAR Data
Authors: Hanus Kasper , Evans Damian
Published: November 2015

This article presents new archaeological data concerning the Greater Angkor region, home to successive capitals of the medieval Khmer Empire from the ninth to fifteenth centuries ad. Angkor is recognized as one of the most extensive low‐density urban complexes of the pre‐industrial world. One of the most striking features in the landscape of Angkor is the enormous assemblage of hydraulic infrastructure, including two artificial reservoirs each covering around 15 km2. However, in parallel to this massive, state‐level system of water management, we also see evidence at Angkor of a smaller‐scale system of household or community ponds in the urban core. These were described by the Chinese envoy Zhou Daguan, who visited Angkor in the late thirteenth century ad. His account includes the important information that each cistern was used by one to three families. The validity of this historical account can now be assessed using a precise map of the archaeological landscape that was created in 2012 using airborne laser scanning (‘ALS’ or ‘LiDAR’, light detection and ranging). The LiDAR data allow us to arrive at new insights into the demography of medieval Angkor. Using an algorithm for semi‐automatic pond detection in the ALS‐derived data it was possible to map over three thousand cisterns and from this to make inferences about population density in central Angkor. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Comparison of Accuracy and Precision in Remote Sensing Stone‐walled Structures with Google Earth, High Resolution Aerial Photography and LiDAR; a Case Study from the South African Iron Age
Authors: Sadr Karim
Published: November 2015

In the southern Gauteng Province of South Africa we have used Google Earth satellite imagery to survey some 8000 km2 of landscape to record stone‐walled structures. Around 7000 such structures have been located but we wonder how many, and which types of structures we have missed because of the relatively low resolution of Google Earth imagery, and how this might affect our interpretation of the archaeological sequence in the study area. Here we objectively compare three high resolution remote sensing views (low altitude aerial photography, LiDAR greyscale visualization and LiDAR hillshade visualization) of a 49 ha focus zone. We can confirm significant differences in the results from the different platforms, but each has its advantages. We then compare these results with our Google Earth survey within the same 49 ha focus area. Even though Google Earth imagery cannot match the high resolution views and fails to reveal significant detail which can negatively affect archaeological interpretations of the regional sequence of occupation, we conclude that for our large‐scale regional remote sensing survey in the southern Gauteng it remains the only viable option for now. LiDAR and high resolution aerial photographs should be deployed on smaller areas of high interest to obtain maximum information, but they are impractical for regional coverage. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Soft, Oxidative Stripping of Alkyl Thiolate Ligands from Hydroxyapatite‐Supported Gold Nanoclusters for Oxidation Reactions
Authors: Zhang Bin , Fang Jun , Li Jingguo , Lau Jun Jie , Mattia Davide , Zhong Ziyi , Xie Jianping , Yan Ning
Published: November 2015

A strategy for the mild deprotection of alkyl‐thiolated (6‐mercaptohexanoic acid, MHA, and 3‐mercaptopropanoic acid, MPA) gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) supported on hydroxyapatite (HAP) has been developed by employing a peroxide (tert‐butyl hydroperoxide, TBHP, or hydrogen peroxide, H2O2) as an oxidant. The thiol ligands on the supported Au NCs were removed after oxidation, and the size and integrity of the supported clusters were well‐preserved. The bare gold clusters on HAP after removal of the ligands were catalytically effective for the epoxidation of styrene and the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol. These two reactions were also investigated on calcined Au NCs that were supported on HAP for comparison, and the resulting Au NCs that were prepared by using this new strategy showed superior catalytic activity.
High‐performance computational analysis and peptide screening from databases of cyclotides from poaceae
Authors: Porto William F. , Miranda Vivian J. , Pinto Michelle F. S. , Dohms Stephan M. , Franco Octavio L.
Published: November 2015

Cyclotides are a family of head‐to‐tail cyclized peptides containing three conserved disulfide bonds, in a structural scaffold also known as a cyclic cysteine knot. Due to the high degree of cysteine conservation, novel members from this peptide family can be identified in protein databases through a search through regular expression (REGEX). In this work, six novel cyclotide‐like precursors from the Poaceae were identified from NCBI's non‐redundant protein database by the use of REGEX. Two out of six sequences (named Zea mays L and M) showed an Asp residue in the C‐terminal, which indicated that they could be cyclic. Gene expression in maize tissues was investigated, showing that the previously described cyclotide‐like Z. mays J is expressed in the roots. According to molecular dynamics, the structure of Z. mays J seems to be stable, despite the putative absence of cyclization. As regards cyclotide evolution, it was hypothesized that this is an outcome from convergent evolution and/or horizontal gene transfer. The results showed that peptide screening from databases should be performed periodically in order to include novel sequences, which are deposited as the databases grow. Indeed, the advances in computational and experimental methods will together help to answer key questions and reach new horizons in defense‐related peptide identification. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 109–118, 2016.
Structural basis for the development of SARS 3CL protease inhibitors from a peptide mimic to an aza‐decaline scaffold
Authors: Teruya Kenta , Hattori Yasunao , Shimamoto Yasuhiro , Kobayashi Kazuya , Sanjoh Akira , Nakagawa Atsushi , Yamashita Eiki , Akaji Kenichi
Published: November 2015

Design of inhibitors against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) chymotrypsin‐like protease (3CLpro) is a potentially important approach to fight against SARS. We have developed several synthetic inhibitors by structure‐based drug design. In this report, we reveal two crystal structures of SARS 3CLpro complexed with two new inhibitors based on our previous work. These structures combined with six crystal structures complexed with a series of related ligands reported by us are collectively analyzed. To these eight complexes, the structural basis for inhibitor binding was analyzed by the COMBINE method, which is a chemometrical analysis optimized for the protein–ligand complex. The analysis revealed that the first two latent variables gave a cumulative contribution ratio of r2 = 0.971. Interestingly, scores using the second latent variables for each complex were strongly correlated with root mean square deviations (RMSDs) of side‐chain heavy atoms of Met49 from those of the intact crystal structure of SARS‐3CLpro (r = 0.77) enlarging the S2 pocket. The substantial contribution of this side chain (∼10%) for the explanation of pIC50s was dependent on stereochemistry and the chemical structure of the ligand adapted to the S2 pocket of the protease. Thus, starting from a substrate mimic inhibitor, a design for a central scaffold for a low molecular weight inhibitor was evaluated to develop a further potent inhibitor. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 391–403, 2016.
Chemical synthesis of transmembrane peptide and its application for research on the transmembrane–juxtamembrane region of membrane protein
Authors: Sato Takeshi
Published: November 2015

Membrane proteins possess one or more hydrophobic regions that span the membrane and interact with the lipids that constitute the membrane. The interactions between the transmembrane (TM) region and lipids affect the structure and function of these membrane proteins. Molecular characterization of synthetic TM peptides in lipid bilayers helps to understand how the TM region participates in the formation of the structure and in the function of membrane proteins. The use of synthetic peptides enables site‐specific labeling and modification and allows for designing of an artificial TM sequence. Research involving such samples has resulted in significant increase in the knowledge of the mechanisms that govern membrane biology. In this review, the chemical synthesis of TM peptides has been discussed. The preparation of synthetic TM peptides is still not trivial; however, the accumulated knowledge summarized here should provide a basis for preparing samples for spectroscopic analyses. The application of synthetic TM peptides for gaining insights into the mechanism of signal transduction by receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) has also been discussed. RTK is a single TM protein and is one of the difficult targets in structural biology as crystallization of the full‐length receptor has not been successful. This review describes the structural characterization of the synthetic TM–juxtamembrane sequence and proposes a possible scheme for the structural changes in this region for the activation of ErbBs, the epidermal growth factor receptor family. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 613–621, 2016.
Extending the Boundaries: An Assessment of the Integration of Extended Producer Responsibility Within Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Hickle Garth
Published: November 2015

The paper examines how extended producer responsibility (EPR) as an environmental policy approach and, more broadly, product management strategies are characterized within corporate social responsibility (CSR). The author summarizes the key concepts and arguments for sustainable product management strategies with an emphasis on the collection of discarded products at end of life, and identifies primary tools for recognizing and advancing product management strategies within CSR such as sustainability reporting and product standard and certification programs. The article analyzes 121 CSR reports for references to EPR and, more broadly, end‐of‐life management strategies for discarded products. It concludes with recommendations as to how CSR practices can more effectively recognize product management strategies as well as how EPR policy can be enhanced to further embed product end‐of‐life management strategies and activities within the CSR activities of firms. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
A reappraisal of adult thoracic and abdominal surface anatomy in Iranians in vivo using computed tomography
Authors: Pak Neda , Patel Shilpan G. , Hashemi Taheri Amir P. , Hashemi Fariba , Eftekhari Vaghefi Raana , Naybandi Atashi Sara , Mirjalili S. Ali
Published: November 2015

Surface anatomy is a core component of human anatomy in clinical practice. It allows clinicians to assess patients accurately and quickly; however, recent studies have revealed variability among individuals and ethnicities. The aim of this study is to investigate possible variations in adult thoracic and abdominal surface anatomy landmarks in an Iranian population. This study used 100 thoracoabdominal CT scans (mean age: 47 ± 17 years, age range: 20–77 years, 47% females), noted the most common locations of clinically relevant surface markings, and analyzed correlations between these variables and age or gender. While many common surface markings in Iranians were consistent with the evidence‐based literature, there were some differences. In relation to the corresponding segments of the vertebral column, the superior vena cava formation and the lower border of the pleura adjacent to the vertebral column and right kidney tended to be at higher levels in adult Iranians than a Caucasian population. There were also discrepancies between the Iranian population and commonly‐referenced medical textbooks and recent evidence‐based literature concerning the vertebral levels of the diaphragmatic openings of the esophagus, aorta, and inferior vena cava. This study emphasizes the need to consider evidence‐based reappraisals of surface anatomy to guide clinical practice. Much of our current knowledge of surface anatomy is based on older studies of cadavers rather than living people, and does not take ethnic and individual variations into consideration. Clin. Anat. 29:191–196, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Metabolic Remodeling of Cell‐Surface Sialic Acids: Principles, Applications, and Recent Advances
Authors: Cheng Bo , Xie Ran , Dong Lu , Chen Xing
Published: November 2015

Cell‐surface sialic acids are essential in mediating a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Sialic acid chemistry and biology remain challenging to investigate, demanding new tools for probing sialylation in living systems. The metabolic glycan labeling (MGL) strategy has emerged as an invaluable chemical biology tool that enables metabolic installation of useful functionalities into cell‐surface sialoglycans by “hijacking” the sialic acid biosynthetic pathway. Here we review the principles of MGL and its applications in study and manipulation of sialic acid function, with an emphasis on recent advances.
A Linear Sweep Voltammetric Procedure Applied to Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy for the Characterization of Carbon Materials towards the Vanadium(IV)/(V) Redox System
Authors: Steimecke Matthias , Rümmler Stefan , Kühhirt Mathias , Bron Michael
Published: November 2015

A linear sweep voltammetric procedure applied to scanning electrochemical microscopy is presented to investigate carbon materials towards their activity for vanadium redox reactions of relevance for redox flow batteries. A linear sweep voltammetric experiment is performed at an ultramicroelectrode (UME) in close distance to an electrocatalytically active material, triggering a competition situation where both the UME and the material compete for the same molecule (VO2+). Depending on the redox activity of the catalytic material at the applied potential and thus the consumption of VO2+, a decreased current in the detection sweep at the UME is observed. After evaluating relevant experimental parameters using a glassy carbon electrode as substrate, the mode is applied to a commercial carbon material where its redox behavior was examined and compared with results from cyclic voltammetry. Finally, it is shown that the presented linear sweep voltammetry–scanning electrochemical microscopy (LSV‐SECM) method can be used to visualize catalytic activity.
Benzylidene Acetal Protecting Group as Carboxylic Acid Surrogate: Synthesis of Functionalized Uronic Acids and Sugar Amino Acids
Authors: Banerjee Amit , Senthilkumar Soundararasu , Baskaran Sundarababu
Published: November 2015

Direct oxidation of the 4,6‐O‐benzylidene acetal protecting group to C‐6 carboxylic acid has been developed that provides an easy access to a wide range of biologically important and synthetically challenging uronic acid and sugar amino acid derivatives in good yields. The RuCl3–NaIO4‐mediated oxidative cleavage method eliminates protection and deprotection steps and the reaction takes place under mild conditions. The dual role of the benzylidene acetal, as a protecting group and source of carboxylic acid, was exploited in the efficient synthesis of six‐carbon sialic acid analogues and disaccharides bearing uronic acids, including glycosaminoglycan analogues.
A Simple Synthesis of an N‐Doped Carbon ORR Catalyst: Hierarchical Micro/Meso/Macro Porosity and Graphitic Shells
Authors: Eisenberg David , Stroek Wowa , Geels Norbert J. , Sandu Cosmin S. , Heller Adam , Yan Ning , Rothenberg Gadi
Published: November 2015

Replacing platinum as an oxygen reduction catalyst is an important scientific and technological challenge. Herein we report a simple synthesis of a complex carbon with very good oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity at pH 13. Pyrolysis of magnesium nitrilotriacetate yields a carbon with hierarchical micro/meso/macro porosity, resulting from in situ templating by spontaneously forming MgO nanoparticles and from etching by pyrolysis gases. The mesopores are lined with highly graphitic shells. The high ORR activity is attributed to a good balance between high specific surface area and mass transport through the hierarchical porosity, and to improved electronic conductivity through the graphitic shells. This novel carbon has a high surface area (1320 m2g−1), and high nitrogen content for a single precursor synthesis (∼6 %). Importantly, its synthesis is both cheap and easily scalable.
Removal of Phenol by Immobilization of Trametes versicolor in Silica–Alginate–Fungus Biocomposites and Loofa Sponge
Authors: Carabajal Maira , Perullini Mercedes , Jobbágy Matias , Ullrich René , Hofrichter Martin , Levin Laura
Published: November 2015

White‐rot fungi have potential in organic pollutant degradation. Immobilization of microorganisms has been successfully used for bioremediation. In this work, 25 isolates of Argentinean white‐rot fungi were tested for their tolerance toward up to 10 mM phenol in agar plates. Seven isolates were further evaluated for their ability to grow on plates with 2,6‐dimethoxyphenol, gallic acid, 2,4‐dichlorophenol, or guaiacol (7.5 mM), or with phenol as sole carbon source. Best results were obtained with Trametes versicolor, Irpex lacteus, Lentinus tigrinus, and Pleurotus lindquistii. The ability of immobilized cultures of T. versicolor BAFC 2234 to remove phenol, was studied. Silica‐alginate‐fungus biocomposites resulted in phenol removal (10 mM) of up to 48% (mainly attributable to biosorption) within 14 days. Immobilized on Luffa aegyptica, it removed between 62 and 74% of phenol (15 mM) in three repeated cycles over a period of 23 days. Laccase was the main oxidative enzyme detected, and the purified enzyme oxidized 84% of phenol (0.5 mM) in vitro within 4 h, while 43% was converted by a purified Mn‐peroxidase. The phenol phytotoxicity decreased noticeably. The concentrations of phenol removed are among the highest reported so far, thus this strain of T. versicolor may have good prospects for application in industrial wastewater treatment.
Combination of Syringe–Solid Phase Extraction with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry for Efficient Heavy Metals Detection
Authors: Habila Mohamed A. , ALOthman Zeid A. , El‐Toni Ahmed Mohamed , Soylak Mustafa
Published: November 2015

This work aimed to combine solid phase extraction (SPE) with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the determination of multi‐elements (Pb, Cd, and Zn) simultaneously. This combination allows the purification of the solution by minimizing matrix effects, the separation of the analytes and a fast determination of multiple elements (Pb, Cd, and Zn) in seconds. A syringe–solid phase extraction (SYRINGE‐SPE) method was developed based on adsorption/desorption of metals onto amino‐functionalized hollow core mesoporous shell silica spheres (NH2‐HCMSSs). The separation of NH2‐HCMSSs from aqueous phase was assessed by capping the syringe with 0.2‐μm filter. The results showed that the quantitative recovery of analytes was obtained at pH 6 by elution with 3 M HNO3. The developed method is applicable in the presence of different coexisting ions. The limit of detection was 0.021, 0.004, and 0.007 μg L−1 for Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) ions, respectively, whereas the limit of detection of the instrument without combination with the SYRINGE‐SPE was 0.699, 0.123, and 0.24 μg L−1 for Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) ions, respectively. The relative standard deviations were 7.4, 6.2, and 5.4% for Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II), respectively. The method was validated using corn bran (8433) certified reference material. The method was successfully applied for the determination of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) in bottled water, tap water, beet, radish, carrot, potato, sweet potato, and turnip samples.
Escherichia coli Inactivation in Fresh Water Through Photocatalysis with TiO2‐Effect of H2O2 on Disinfection Kinetics
Authors: Rodríguez‐Chueca Jorge , Ormad Maria Peña , Mosteo Rosa , Canalis Saúl , Ovelleiro José Luis
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this work was to study the efficiency of TiO2 in the inactivation of Escherichia coli present in natural surface water. TiO2 is the most extensively studied semiconductor catalyst used in combination with solar irradiation due to its high photoactivity, low cost, chemical and biological stability, and harmlessness. The processes studied in this research work were: (i) UV‐Vis irradiation; (ii) 0.04 mM H2O2/UV‐Vis irradiation; (iii) 1 g/L TiO2/UV‐Vis irradiation; and (iv) 1 g/L TiO2/0.04 mM H2O2/UV‐Vis irradiation. The results showed that the process with TiO2/UV‐Vis irradiation reached the highest levels of inactivation of E. coli, around 3.30 log, after 30 min of contact time. In contrast, the addition of H2O2 to the photocatalytic treatment not only did not increase the inactivation result, it actually decreased it. After 30 min of contact time, the inactivation of E. coli was 0.97 log for the process with 1 g/L TiO2/0.04 mM H2O2/UV‐Vis irradiation. The fitting of experimental values to the corresponding equations through nonlinear regression techniques was carried out with Microsoft® Excel Solver and GInaFiT. The kinetic modeling of inactivation values is a powerful tool for identifying the influence of the different variables present in disinfection treatments.
Non‐uniform force allocation for area preservation in spring network models
Authors: Jančigová Iveta , Cimrák Ivan
Published: November 2015

In modeling of elastic objects in a flow such as red blood cells, white blood cells, or tumor cells, several elastic moduli are involved. One of them is the area conservation modulus. In this paper, we focus on spring network models, and we introduce a new way of modeling the area preservation modulus. We take into account the current shape of the individual triangles and find the proportional allocation of area conservation forces, which would for individual triangles preserve their shapes. The analysis shows that this approach tends to regularize the triangulation. We demonstrate this effect on individual triangles as well as on the complete triangulations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Make‐way: transporting latency‐sensitive flows nonblockingly in oversubscription data center networks
Authors: Deng Gang , Gong Zhenghu , Wang Hong
Published: November 2015

Many recent studies show that data center networks usually mix with a large amount of latency‐agnostic background flows and a large number of latency‐sensitive flows. The former, although contributing most of the traffic, is deadline‐agnostic, while the latter always confronts a soft‐real‐time constraint, namely deadline. Missing this deadline may cause performance impairment. For this reason, directly using the traditional TCP in data center networks, which is deadline‐agnostic, may suffer from performance and efficiency problems. Recently, many works improve on TCP to address this problem. But all of them focus on the latency‐sensitive flows themselves. Because latency‐sensitive flows, although large in number, only account for a small part of traffic, these methods cannot effectively ensure deadline for the latency‐sensitive flows. In this paper, we propose Make‐way, a new data center network transport protocol for satisfying the deadlines of latency‐sensitive flows. In Make‐way, just as what the name depicts, once a latency‐sensitive flow encounters congestion, the latency‐agnostic background flows will make way for it. Especially, Make‐way does not need any special hardware support of modification. For the latency‐agnostic flows in data center networks usually contribute the majority traffic, by doing so, the latency‐sensitive flows may be transported nonblockingly in data center networks and thus can meet their deadlines. Extensive simulation results show that Make‐way can meet the deadlines of latency‐sensitive flows with a probability of more than 97%. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Commentary on “A Framework for Quantifying the Influence of Adherence and Dose Individualization”
Authors: Urquhart J , Vrijens B
Published: November 2015

Drugs that provide long durations of action after a last‐taken dose are said to be “forgiving,” as they allow the patient a degree of latitude in the timing of sequential doses. New research, by Assawasuwannakit et al.,1 based on exemplary methods, enriches the pharmacometric analysis of forgiveness, which for several decades had been a simply descriptive reminder that the beneficial actions of some drugs can continue for hours or days after the disappearance of detectable drug.
Order of Activity of Nitrogen, Iron Oxide, and FeNx Complexes towards Oxygen Reduction in Alkaline Medium
Authors: Zhu Yansong , Zhang Bingsen , Wang Da‐Wei , Su Dang Sheng
Published: November 2015

In alkaline medium, it seems that both metal‐free and iron‐containing carbon‐based catalysts, such as nitrogen‐doped nanocarbon materials, FeOx‐doped carbon, and Fe/N/C catalysts, are active for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, the order of activity of these different active compositions has not been clearly determined. Herein, we synthesized nitrogen‐doped carbon black (NCB), Fe3O4/CB, Fe3O4/NCB, and FeN4/CB. Through the systematic study of the ORR catalytic activity of these four catalysts in alkaline solution, we confirmed the difference in the catalytic activity and catalytic mechanism for nitrogen, iron oxides, and Fe–N complexes, respectively. In metal‐free NCB, nitrogen can improve the ORR catalytic activity with a four‐electron pathway. Fe3O4/CB catalyst did not exhibit improved activity over that of NCB owing to the poor conductivity and spinel structure of Fe3O4. However, FeN4 coordination compounds as the active sites showed excellent ORR catalytic activity.
Shape variation in the least killifish: ecological associations of phenotypic variation and the effects of a common garden
Authors: Landy J. Alex , Travis Joseph
Published: November 2015

Studies of the adaptive significance of variation among conspecific populations often focus on a single ecological factor. However, habitats rarely differ in only a single ecological factor, creating a challenge for identifying the relative importance of the various ecological factors that might be maintaining local adaptation. Here we investigate the ecological factors associated with male body shape variation among nine populations of the poeciliid fish, Heterandria formosa, from three distinct habitats and combine those results with a laboratory study of three of those populations to assess the contributions of genetic and environmental influences to shape variation. Field‐collected animals varied principally in three ways: the orientation of the gonopodium, the intromittent organ; the degree of body depth and streamlining; and the shape of the tail musculature. Fish collected in the spring season were larger and had a more anteriorly positioned gonopodium than fish collected in autumn. Fish collected from lotic springs were larger and more streamlined than those collected from lentic ponds or tidal marshes. Some of the variation in male shape among populations within habitats was associated with population‐level variation in species richness, adult density, vegetative cover, predation risk, and female standard length. Population‐level differences among males in body size, position of the gonopodium, and shape of the tail musculature were maintained among males reared in a common environment. In contrast, population variation in the degree of streamlining was eliminated when males were reared in a common environment. These results illustrate the complicated construction of multivariate phenotypic variation and suggest that different agents of selection have acted on different components of shape.
The seesaw effect of winter temperature change on the recruitment of cotton bollworms Helicoverpa armigera through mismatched phenology
Authors: Reddy Gadi V. P. , Shi Peijian , Hui Cang , Cheng Xiaofei , Ouyang Fang , Ge Feng
Published: November 2015

Knowing how climate change affects the population dynamics of insect pests is critical for the future of integrated pest management. Rising winter temperatures from global warming can drive increases in outbreaks of some agricultural pests. In contrast, here we propose an alternative hypothesis that both extremely cold and warm winters can mismatch the timing between the eclosion of overwintering pests and the flowering of key host plants. As host plants normally need higher effective cumulative temperatures for flowering than insects need for eclosion, changes in flowering time will be less dramatic than changes in eclosion time, leading to a mismatch of phenology on either side of the optimal winter temperature. We term this the “seesaw effect.” Using a long‐term dataset of the Old World cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in northern China, we tested this seesaw hypothesis by running a generalized additive model for the effects of the third generation moth in the preceding year, the winter air temperature, the number of winter days below a critical temperature and cumulative precipitation during winter on the demography of the overwintering moth. Results confirmed the existence of the seesaw effect of winter temperature change on overwintering populations. Pest management should therefore consider the indirect effect of changing crop phenology (whether due to greenhouse cultivation or to climate change) on pest outbreaks. As arthropods from mid‐ and high latitudes are actually living in a cooler thermal environment than their physiological optimum in contrast to species from lower latitudes, the effects of rising winter temperatures on the population dynamics of arthropods in the different latitudinal zones should be considered separately. The seesaw effect makes it more difficult to predict the average long‐term population dynamics of insect pests at high latitudes due to the potential sharp changes in annual growth rates from fluctuating minimum winter temperatures.
A Count Model Analysis of Traded Contracts in the JEPX Forward Market
Authors: OFUJI KENTA , TATSUMI NAOKI
Published: November 2015

It is desirable that the number of forward contracts traded on the Japan Electric Power Exchange increase. However, few studies have clarified what factors have contributed to impacting the number of forward contracts traded. In this study, the authors analyzed the number of forward contracts using four count regression models. The negative binomial regression model and the zero‐inflated models were better able to express the expected counts, by incorporating the overdispersion and excess zeros present in the observed data. Among others, the spot market can carry positive influences on the expected counts, by about 12% for a 1 yen/kWh increase in price, and by about 27% for a 0.1%‐point increase in volumes. The zero‐inflated models revealed that as many as three‐fourth of the entire forward products have a high probability of zero counts, while the remaining one‐fourth may see an increased number of counts as the spot market price and/or the spot volume becomes higher.
Impact of Retailer and Consumer Behavior on Voltage in Distribution Network Under Liberalization of Electricity Retail Market
Authors: SEKIZAKI SHINYA , NISHIZAKI ICHIRO , HAYASHIDA TOMOHIRO
Published: November 2015

The liberalization movement in Japan will be expanded to the residential sector and full liberalization of the retail market will be achieved in the near future. Against this background, it is expected that transactions in a distribution network (DN), which has many consumers of the residential sector, will be activated. Furthermore, consumers can control their loads depending on the selling prices offered by retailers with the introduction of demand response (DR) technologies such as home energy management systems (HEMS). Due to the variation of load by DR, however, the voltage profile in DN may be changed compared to the present situation. This may make voltage management difficult and cause problems such as voltage deviation from an adequate range. In this paper, the impact of DR in a liberalized electricity market on DN is evaluated for efficient voltage management. In order to evaluate the behavior of the retailer and consumers, this paper proposes a bi‐level programming approach based on the Stackelberg game model. Solving the bi‐level programming problem including the power flow equation for a DN model based on the IEEE 13‐bus test feeder, we analyze the impact of the retailer and consumers on the voltage in the DN in order to account for transactions between these market players.
Cost‐Benefit Analysis of Renewable Installation in Inter‐Intelligent Renewable Energy Network
Authors: YANO SHIRO , TANI MAMORU , TANIGUCHI TADAHIRO
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we target the specific smart grid concept called “inter‐intelligent renewable energy network (i‐Rene),” which is characteristically associated with photovoltaic (PV) panels, microstorage, and regional electricity markets. In this smart grid, every house has an artificial intelligence agent that learns the optimal treading strategy to minimize payments by residents. From the economic standpoint, we perform a cost‐benefit analysis (CBA) of the optimal installation of PV panels and microstorage in this smart grid. To perform the CBA, we use actual measured values of power demand profiles and power production profiles, which were obtained in 2010 at Shiga, Japan. In accordance with this analysis, we also discuss the necessary conditions for achieving grid parity of the i‐Rene smart grid .
TSLP production by dendritic cells is modulated by IL‐1β and components of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response
Authors: Elder Matthew J. , Webster Steven J. , Williams David L. , Gaston J. S. Hill , Goodall Jane C.
Published: November 2015

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) produced by epithelial cells acts on dendritic cells (DCs) to drive differentiation of TH2‐cells, and is therefore important in allergic disease pathogenesis. However, DCs themselves make significant amounts of TSLP in response to microbial products, but little is known about the key downstream signals that induce and modulate this TSLP secretion from human DCs. We show that human monocyte derived DC (mDC) secretion of TSLP in response to Candida albicans and β‐glucans requires dectin‐1, Syk, NF‐κB, and p38 MAPK signaling. In addition, TSLP production by mDCs is greatly enhanced by IL‐1β, but not TNF‐α, in contrast to epithelial cells. Furthermore, TSLP secretion is significantly increased by signals emanating from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, specifically the unfolded protein response sensors, inositol‐requiring transmembrane kinase/endonuclease 1 and protein kinase R‐like ER kinase, which are activated by dectin‐1 stimulation. Thus, TSLP production by mDCs requires the integration of signals from dectin‐1, the IL‐1 receptor, and ER stress signaling pathways. Autocrine TSLP production is likely to play a role in mDC‐controlled immune responses at sites removed from epithelial cell production of the cytokine, such as lymphoid tissue.
Two Comparable Isostructural Microporous Metal–Organic Frameworks: Better Luminescent Sensor and Higher Adsorption Selectivity for the Fluorine‐Decorated Framework
Authors: Wang Hai‐Hua , Guo Tao‐Tao , Xie Dong , Bai Zhi‐Qin , Hou Lei , Wang Yao‐Yu
Published: November 2015

Two isostructural 3D metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), {[Zn3(tzba)3(dabco)]·5DMF·3H2O} (1) and {[Zn3(F‐tzba)3(dabco)]·5DMA·3H2O} (2) [tzba = 4‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl) benzolate, F‐tzba = 2‐fluoro‐4‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl) benzolate, dabco = triethylenediamine], were solvothermally synthesized from a tetrazolate–carboxylate bifunctional linker and a diamine ligand. The framework contains an uncommon metal–tetrazolate–carboxylate linear trinuclear Zn3(ttaz)3(COO)3 (ttaz = tetrazolyl) cluster, which serves as an eight‐connected node to afford a 3D porous network. Both 1 and 2 show strong photoluminescence and selective luminescent quenching for Cu2+ ions and nitrobenzene relative to that shown by other metal ions (e.g., Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+) and organic solvents (e.g., methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, n‐propanol, 2‐propanol, ethyl acetate, toluene, dichloromethane, N,N′‐dimethylformamide, and N‐methylpyrrolidone). It is interesting to find that relative to 1, 2 decorated with F atoms exhibits more efficient luminescent sensing for these two guests. Furthermore, 2 also adsorbs more CO2 and has higher CO2/CH4 adsorption selectivities than 1 under the same conditions, which can be ascribed to the CO2‐philic F sites in the pores of 2. These advantages make 2 a promising material in both luminescent sensors and CO2 separation from a CO2/CH4 mixture.
Ruthenium Dyes with Azo Ligands: Light Harvesting, Excited‐State Properties and Relevance to Dye‐Sensitised Solar Cells
Authors: Hu Yue , Sanchez‐Molina Irene , Haque Saif A. , Robertson Neil
Published: November 2015

A series of new RuII complexes has been synthesised, with different azo ligands as additional chromophore. The dyes are all intensely colored due to MLCT and ILCT transitions in the visible region. The photophysical study of the dyes, carried out by UV/Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy, showed unusual features such as intense solvatochromism and solvent‐dependent extinction coefficients. The energies of these excited states have been tuned by changing the electron density across the series of azo ligands, and this results in different contributions from each charge transfer process for the different complexes and consequently, different emission behavior. The detailed behaviour of these dyes was further studied and interpreted through electrochemical, structural and computational techniques. The dyes do not work well as sensitisers for DSSCs and this is investigated by emission spectroscopy on TiO2 and ZrO2 films, suggesting poor charge injection to TiO2.