bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GENETIC VARIATION AND RELATEDNESS AMONG HIGH YIELDING RICE VARIETIES (Oryza sativa L.) REVEALED BY RAPD MARKERS
Authors: Easmin F. , Rahman M. S. , Islam M. S. , Samad M. A. , Alam M. S.
Published: January 2014

Genetic variation is a principal concern for the plant breeders. Genetic variation and relationship among high yielding rice varieties viz. Binadhan 4, Binadhan 5, Binadhan 6, Binasail, BRRI dhan28 and BRRI dhan29 were analyzed using four decamer random primers. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplified 22 RAPD markers, of which 18 (81.82%) were polymorphic. The proportion of polymorphic loci and the gene diversity values were 59.09% and 0.25 for the Binadhan 4; 59.09% and 0.21 for Binadhan 6; 54.55% and 0.23 for Binasail; 54.55% and 0.19 for BRRI dhan29; 50.00% and 0.19 for Binadhan 5 and 45.45% and 0.18 for BRRI dhan28, respectively. The coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) across all loci was calculated as 0.35 reflecting the existence of high level of genetic variation among the six modern rice varieties. UPGMA dendrogram based on Neis genetic distance segregated the six high yielding rice varieties into two clusters: all four mutant varieties viz. Binadhan 4, Binadhan 5, Binadhan 6 and Binasail formed one cluster and two varieties of BRRI grown in boro season, BRRI dhan28 and BRRI dhan29 grouped together in another cluster. Among the mutants, two boro season varieties, developed from the same parent, Binadhan 5 and Binadhan 6 grouped together with genetic distance of 0.10. Therefore, RAPD offer a reliable method to evaluate genetic variation and relatedness among the high yielding rice varieties.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpbg.v21i1.17042
IN VITRO PLANT REGENERATION OF SOYBEAN (Glycine max L.) FROM HYPOCOTYL
Authors: Kabir S. M. H. , Ali M. S. , Islam M. K.
Published: January 2014

The Experiment was conducted to establish an efficient plant regeneration protocol from hypocotyl sections of soybean. Callus initiation, shoot and root development were observed by using different concentrations and combinations of growth regulators. The best result for callus induction was observed in MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/l Kinetin and 2.0 mg/l NAA. The calli were transferred to shoot induction medium. The best shoot induction occurred in the medium containing 3.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l NAA. The elongated shoots developed roots on MS medium supplemented with different IBA concentrations where 1.5 mg/l IBA was the best for root development. Plantlets with a well developed root system were transplanted in plastic container with a soil mixture of cowdung and fine sand. Plantlet survival rate was 70%. Through this experiment, a general suitable regeneration protocol from hypocotyls of soybean has been developed which can potentially be used for micropropagation and future transformation research in soybean.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpbg.v21i1.17049
Development of Efficient Micropropagation Protocols of Elite Accessions of Jatropha curcas L.
Authors: Naresh B. , Dhanasri G. , Reddy M Srikanth , Cherku Prathibha Devi
Published: January 2014

Efficient micropropagation protocols were developed from explants of two accessions of Jatropha curcas L. viz. Rain Shadow Area Development (RSAD) department and Karimnagar (KM). Adventitious shoots were regenerated with higher frequency on medium-A from cotyledonary node explants, than those from axillary node and shoot-tip explants.  Shoots were also regenerated from calluses developed from cotyledonary node and shoot-tip explants on medium-B. Regenerated shoots were rooted on medium-G, transplanted to pots and later transferred to field. Somatic embryos developed on embryogenic calluses produced from cotyledonary node explants on medium-C were converted to plantlets on medium-F and transferred to pots. Out of the 199 plants established in the Botanical Garden, 118 plants were developed from cotyledonary node explants, which indicates that they are the most suitable explants for micropropagation of Jatropha. D. O. I. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ptcb.v23i2.17524 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 23(2): 231-239, 2013  (December)
Development and characterization of 10 microsatellite markers in Sagina nodosa (Caryophyllaceae)
Authors: Singh Tarjinder , Edwards Joan , Maroja Luana S.
Published: January 2014

• Premise of the study: We developed 10 novel microsatellite loci for Sagina nodosa, a diploid perennial arctic‐alpine herb. To our knowledge, these are the first microsatellite loci for a Sagina species.

• Methods and Results: We performed a low‐coverage 454 next‐generation sequencing of enriched genomic fragments derived from one individual to generate a massive library of contigs containing potential polymorphic microsatellites. We present data for 10 novel polymorphic microsatellite loci containing di‐, tri‐, tetra‐, and hexanucleotide repeats with two to nine alleles per locus assessed in 29 individuals.

• Conclusions: These polymorphic microsatellite loci in S. nodosa will provide insights on the population structure and life history of S. nodosa in Isle Royale and other North American populations.
Linking multiple biodiversity informatics platforms with Darwin Core Archives
Authors: Baker Ed , Rycroft Simon , Smith Vincent
Published: January 2014

We describe an implementation of the Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A) standard that allows for the exchange of biodiversity information contained within the Scratchpads virtual research environment with external collaborators. Using this single archive file Scratchpad users can expose taxonomies, specimen records, species descriptions and a range of other data to a variety of third-party aggregators and tools (currently Encyclopedia of Life, eMonocot Portal, CartoDB, and the Common Data Model) for secondary use. This paper describes our technical approach to dynamically building and validating Darwin Core Archives for the 600+ Scratchpad user communities, which can be used to serve the diverse data needs of all of our content partners.
Knowledge Culture
Authors: de Stricker Ulla
Published: January 2014

Every organization exhibits a culture made up of the beliefs and norms guiding the day to day behavior of the individuals in it. Culture may or may not be in alignment with senior management's official pronouncements, formal operational rules, or the public image an organization's leaders wish to project. Culture may support or undermine discipline in managing and sharing knowledge. This chapter explores how certain key characteristics are common for organizations in which knowledge management is a priority underpinned by funding and by senior management rewards for behaviors supporting the use of knowledge toward overall organizational benefit.
Engineers’ Perception of Contract Types’ Performance for Highway Construction Projects
Authors: Antoniou Fani , Aretoulis Georgios N. , Konstantinidis Dimitrios , Kalfakakou Glykeria P.
Published: January 2014

This research focuses on the evaluation of a factor analysis of engineers’ perceptions of the performance of highway projects contract types’ (CTs’) against their respective selection criteria (SC) based on the results of a questionnaire survey. The SPSS database’s sample consisted of 91 engineers from Greece and abroad. Patterns of changes in engineers’ assessment of the CTs’ performance were noted and justified by comparing the factors’ content. Apart from the total sample, the analysis considered participants’ subgroups, such as Greek and foreign engineers, and experienced engineers in the private and public sector. Nationality and experience of participants influence the factors’ content. Moreover, a number of criteria tend to cluster together irrespective of CT and engineers’ profile. These pairs of criteria include all uncertainties’ criteria, Scope and Process Uncertainty, Contractual Difficulties and Claims, and finally Value for Money and Criticality of Schedule.
Customer Relationship Marketing Focusing on Providing Benefits to Students and Mobile Service Providers
Authors: Chowdhury A. H. M. Ehsanul Huda , Sarwari Sara , Chowdhury Waleed Khan
Published: January 2014

This article investigates the extent to which communication impacts on relationship marketing and whether improved communication can result in sustainable long-term relationships. It proposes a continuing process that would not only primarily facilitate the mass student community of the university but also specifically provide aid to every individual pupil’s requirements during their term in each enrolled semesters. The solution is meant to help the student community to stay in pace with their educational calendar besides enjoying the privilege to be entertained with the most effortless and economical communicating tool within the university community. This is expected to enrich each individual’s knowledge by initiating a new route to tie with one another besides serving all other regular needs for communicating with the rest of the world. This is a quantitative descriptive study where the survey method is employed using a simple random sample by using university students of AIUB who uses cellular phone. The findings indicate that this research will enhance not only the life of its pupils but also improve the procedures and formalities that it needed to carry out to serve the students. The commencement of the service will not only ensure the simplicity of the existing students but would also facilitate those particular students who are concluding their studentship.
Microeconomic Theory of Spinoff Decisions
Authors: Rao T. V. S. Ramamohan
Published: January 2014

The present study demonstrates that the product line choice of a firm depends on the elasticity of substitution between products (and the organizational and coordination requirements that it implies), the bargaining power of managers of different product divisions, and marketing prospects of each of the products. A new product idea, put forward by an employee, will be integrated if a combination of these features obtains. A spinoff will result if any one, or more, of these conditions is not satisfied. In general, it is shown that a new product, which has a high elasticity of substitution with the existing products, will experience a spinoff due to lack of organizational capabilities to integrate it while a product with a low elasticity will spinoff only due to the incumbent management’s perception of low market potential and/or the strategic bargaining power of the incumbent management with respect to the existing product line.
Attitudes Toward Tax Evasion and the Choice of Self-Employment
Authors: Bhat Vasanthakumar N.
Published: January 2014

It is generally believed that self-employment offers ample opportunities for tax evasion. Therefore, this paper examines whether attitudes toward tax evasion has any influence on the choice of self-employment. The author’s analysis based on a random sample of Americans indicates that an individual who believes that tax evasion is “not wrong and a bit wrong” is more likely to be self-employed as compared to an individual who believes that tax evasion is “wrong and seriously wrong.” This decision is not affected by the gender. In addition, this analysis finds that a self-employed person earns more income than a person who works for someone else. However, an individual who believes that tax evasion is “wrong and seriously wrong” earns more than an individual who believes that tax evasion is “not and a bit wrong”. Moreover, a self-employed person who believes that tax evasion is “not and a bit wrong” earns less than all other people, everything else being the same.
Framework to Enable Scalable and Distributed Application Development
Authors: Aernouts J. , Claerhout B. , Ergeerts G. , Weyn M.
Published: January 2014

In real-time middleware, latency is a critical aspect. When the input rate exceeds a certain threshold, queuing will result in an exponentially increasing delay. Distributed computing enables scaling so that this growing latency is kept at a constant minimum. When developing a generic framework, redundancy, platform independency, fault tolerance and transparency are important features that need to be taken care of. The authors’ test case, a localization system that is used to track multiple objects, is an example of such a heavy loaded and latency critical system. This specific test case requires that the framework quickly scales and reacts to changing loads, making this research challenging and innovative.
Eradicating World Poverty Requires More than Facebook Likes
Authors: Tavanti Marco
Published: January 2014

What are the principles and practices that academic management programs need to educate Millennials on social responsibility and sustainability? What can universities do to instruct managers to solve complex ethical problems such as world poverty? The article suggests theoretical and practical insights for higher education management programs based on the principles and practices of developing socially responsible leaders. Through a review of The Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME), the research invites academics and institutions to commit toward business ethics and poverty alleviation. The author suggests how the process of adopting the principles and developing appropriate educational opportunities in line with these principles provides a space for ethical education for current generations. Participating academic institutions enter into a network of scholars and programs acting as positive agents for world benefit. The current world challenges of poverty, ethics and sustainability require committed academic institutions and rooted in the principles and practices of social and global responsibility for the 21st century.
Enhancing Mobile Advertising Effectiveness in Turkey through Peer Influence
Authors: Güçeri-Uçar Gözem
Published: January 2014

This article aims to explain how involvement and peer influence may enhance mobile advertising effectiveness by increasing consumers’ intention to participate in SMS-based mobile marketing campaigns. Both individual and joint effects of these variables on marketing campaign participation intentions of Turkish consumers are analyzed. Findings indicate that involvement is not necessarily a strong predictor of campaign participation intentions in the context of mobile marketing. Peer influence, on the other hand, was shown to have a significant effect on intention to participate in an m-marketing campaign, as well as being a moderator of the relationship between involvement and campaign participation intention. A unique contribution of this study is the linking of involvement and peer influence in a unified framework to demonstrate how these two variables can jointly be used to increase m-marketing campaign participation numbers.
GeneSV – an Approach to Help Characterize Possible Variations in Genomic and Protein Sequences
Authors: Zemla Adam , Kostova Tanya , Gorchakov Rodion , Volkova Evgeniya , Beasley David W. C. , Cardosa Jane , Weaver Scott C. , Vasilakis Nikos , Naraghi-Arani Pejman
Published: January 2014

A computational approach for identification and assessment of genomic sequence variability (GeneSV) is described. For a given nucleotide sequence, GeneSV collects information about the permissible nucleotide variability (changes that potentially preserve function) observed in corresponding regions in genomic sequences, and combines it with conservation/variability results from protein sequence and structure-based analyses of evaluated protein coding regions. GeneSV was used to predict effects (functional vs. non-functional) of 37 amino acid substitutions on the NS5 polymerase (RdRp) of dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2), 36 of which are not observed in any publicly available DENV-2 sequence. 32 novel mutants with single amino acid substitutions in the RdRp were generated using a DENV-2 reverse genetics system. In 81% (26 of 32) of predictions tested, GeneSV correctly predicted viability of introduced mutations. In 4 of 5 (80%) mutants with double amino acid substitutions proximal in structure to one another GeneSV was also correct in its predictions. Predictive capabilities of the developed system were illustrated on dengue RNA virus, but described in the manuscript a general approach to characterize real or theoretically possible variations in genomic and protein sequences can be applied to any organism.
Schistosomiasis Elimination Strategies and Potential Role of a Vaccine in Achieving Global Health Goals
Authors: Mo Annie X. , Agosti Jan M. , Walson Judd L. , Hall B. Fenton , Gordon Lance
Published: January 2014

In March 2013, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-sponsored a meeting entitled “Schistosomiasis Elimination Strategy and Potential Role of a Vaccine in Achieving Global Health Goals” to discuss the potential role of schistosomiasis vaccines and other tools in the context of schistosomiasis control and elimination strategies. It was concluded that although schistosomiasis elimination in some focal areas may be achievable through current mass drug administration programs, global control and elimination will face several significant scientific and operational challenges, and will require an integrated approach with other, additional interventions. These challenges include vector (snail) control; environmental modification; water, sanitation, and hygiene; and other future innovative tools such as vaccines. Defining a clear product development plan that reflects a vaccine strategy as complementary to the existing control programs to combat different forms of schistosomiasis will be important to develop a vaccine effectively.
Abuso, perversión y sexualidad: Goce y Castigo
Authors: Rodríguez Ileana , Blanco Fernando A.
Published: January 2014

Introducción al Dossier
Incidence of Binge Drinking in a Cohort of University Students of the South-East Region of Brazil, 2010-2011
Authors: Guimarães Nathalia Sernizon , Nemer Aline Silva de Aguiar , Lima Claúdia Aparecida Marliére , Costa Juliana Inácio , Fausto Maria Arlene
Published: January 2014

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and incidence of binge and at-risk alcohol consumption among new-entrant students in a public university in the South-East Region of Brazil.
Methods: Longitudinal study undertaken with a random sample of undergraduates (N=1,168) in the first semesters of 2010 (n=256) and 2011 (n=183). In order to evaluate drinking patterns, participants were classified as abstainers, light, moderate, binge or heavy binge drinkers. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire score was used to define the risk categories for consumption: low risk, risk, harmful use and probable dependence. Statistical analysis was undertaken using Stata software, version 11.0.
Results: Amongst the 256 students evaluated, 51.6% were women and 64.5% were aged ≥19 years. The prevalence of consumption of alcoholic beverages was 75.8%. The average age of onset of alcohol consumption was 15.7±1.9 years. The incidence of binge + heavy drinkers was 2.6/100 persons per year, with vulnerability shown in individuals of male sex and of age 19 years or more. The incidence of risk level drinkers was 2.0/100 persons per year and greater for individuals of male sex and younger than 19 years.
Conclusion: The students of this institution are at high risk for problems associated with alcohol use.
Observation of mountain lee waves with MODIS NIR column water vapor
Authors: Lyapustin A. , Alexander M. J. , Ott L. , Molod A. , Holben B. , Susskind J. , Wang Y.
Published: January 2014

Mountain lee waves have been previously observed in data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) “water vapor” 6.7 µm channel which has a typical peak sensitivity at 550 hPa in the free troposphere. This paper reports the first observation of mountain waves generated by the Appalachian Mountains in the MODIS total column water vapor (CWV) product derived from near‐infrared (NIR) (0.94 µm) measurements, which indicate perturbations very close to the surface. The CWV waves are usually observed during spring and late fall or some summer days with low to moderate CWV (below ~2 cm). The observed lee waves display wavelengths from 3–4 to 15 km with an amplitude of variation often comparable to ~50–70% of the total CWV. Since the bulk of atmospheric water vapor is confined to the boundary layer, this indicates that the impact of these waves extends deep into the boundary layer, and these may be the lowest level signatures of mountain lee waves presently detected by remote sensing over the land.
Interplanetary and interstellar dust observed by the Wind/WAVES electric field instrument
Authors: Malaspina D. M. , Horányi M. , Zaslavsky A. , Goetz K. , Wilson L. B. , Kersten K.
Published: January 2014

Observations of hypervelocity dust particles impacting the Wind spacecraft are reported here for the first time using data from the Wind/WAVES electric field instrument. A unique combination of rotating spacecraft, amplitude‐triggered high‐cadence waveform collection, and electric field antenna configuration allow the first direct determination of dust impact direction by any spacecraft using electric field data. Dust flux and impact direction data indicate that the observed dust is approximately micron‐sized with both interplanetary and interstellar populations. Nanometer radius dust is not detected by Wind during times when nanometer dust is observed on the STEREO spacecraft and both spacecraft are in close proximity. Determined impact directions suggest that interplanetary dust detected by Wind/WAVES at 1 AU is dominated by particles on bound trajectories crossing Earth's orbit, rather than dust with hyperbolic orbits.
Convective vertical velocity and cloud internal vertical structure: An A‐Train perspective
Authors: Luo Zhengzhao Johnny , Jeyaratnam Jeyavinoth , Iwasaki Suginori , Takahashi Hanii , Anderson Ricardo
Published: January 2014

This paper describes a novel use of A‐Train observations to estimate vertical velocities for actively growing convective plumes and to relate them to cloud internal vertical structure. Convective vertical velocity is derived from time‐delayed (1–2 min) IR measurements from MODIS and IIR. Convective vertical velocities are found to be clustered around 2–4 m/s but the distributions are positively skewed with long tails extending to larger values. Land convection during the 13:30 overpasses has higher vertical velocities than those during the 1:30 overpasses; oceanic convection shows the opposite, albeit smaller, contrast. Our results also show that convection with larger vertical velocity tends to transport larger precipitation‐size particle and/or greater amount of water substance to higher altitude and produces heavier rainfall. Finally, we discuss the implications of this study for the designs of future space‐borne missions that focus on fast‐evolving processes such as those related to clouds and precipitation.
Occurrence probability and amplitude of equatorial ionospheric irregularities associated with plasma bubbles during low and moderate solar activities (2008–2012)
Authors: Huang Chao‐Song , de La Beaujardiere O. , Roddy P. A. , Hunton D. E. , Liu J. Y. , Chen S. P.
Published: January 2014

We present a statistical analysis of the occurrence probability of equatorial spread F irregularities measured by the Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System satellite during 2008–2012. We use different criteria (plasma density perturbations, ΔN, and relative density perturbations, ∆N/N0) to identify the occurrence of ionospheric irregularities. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the occurrence probability of irregularities is the same for different criteria, whether the patterns of irregularity occurrence vary with solar activity and with local time, and how the patterns of irregularity occurrence are correlated with ionospheric scintillation. It is found that the occurrence probability of irregularities and its variation with local time are significantly different when different identification criteria are used. The occurrence probability based on plasma density perturbations is high in the evening sector and becomes much lower after midnight. In contrast, the occurrence probability based on relative density perturbations is low in the evening sector but becomes very high after midnight in the June solstice. We have also compared the occurrence of ionospheric irregularities with scintillation. The occurrence pattern of the S4 index and its variation with local time are in good agreement with the irregularity occurrence based on plasma density perturbations but are significantly different from those based on relative density perturbations. This study reveals that the occurrence pattern of equatorial ionospheric irregularities varies with local time and that only the occurrence probability of irregularities based on plasma density perturbations is consistent with the occurrence of scintillation at all local times.
Long Residence Times Revealed by Aurora A Kinase‐Targeting Fluorescent Probes Derived from Inhibitors MLN8237 and VX‐689
Authors: Lavogina Darja , Enkvist Erki , Viht Kaido , Uri Asko
Published: January 2014

We report the development of three fluorescent probes for protein kinase Aurora A that are derived from the well‐known inhibitors MLN8237 and VX‐689 (MK‐5108). Two of these probes target the ATP site of Aurora A, and one targets simultaneously the ATP and substrate sites of the kinase. The probes were tested in an assay with fluorescence polarisation/anisotropy readout, and we demonstrated slow association kinetics and long residence time of the probes (kon 105–107 M−1 s−1, koff 10−3–10−4 s−1; residence time 500–3000 s). The presence of the Aurora A activator TPX2 caused a significant reduction in the on‐rate and increase in the off‐rate of fluorescent probes targeting ATP site. These observations were supported by Aurora A inhibition assays with MLN8237 and VX‐689. Overall, our results emphasise the importance of rational design of experiments with these compounds and correct interpretation of the obtained data.
Development of the First Oral Bioprecursors of Bis‐alkylguanidine Antimalarial Drugs
Authors: Degardin Mélissa , Wein Sharon , Duckert Jean‐Frédéric , Maynadier Marjorie , Guy Alexandre , Durand Thierry , Escale Roger , Vial Henri , Vo‐Hoang Yen
Published: January 2014

Plasmodium falciparum is responsible of the most severe form of malaria, and new targets and novel chemotherapeutic scaffolds are needed to fight emerging multidrug‐resistant strains of this parasite. Bis‐alkylguanidines have been designed to mimic choline, resulting in the inhibition of plasmodial de novo phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis. Despite potent in vitro antiplasmodial and in vivo antimalarial activities, a major drawback of these compounds for further clinical development is their low oral bioavailability. To solve this issue, various modulations were performed on bis‐alkylguanidines. The introduction of N‐disubstituents on the guanidino motif improved both in vitro and in vivo activities. On the other hand, in vivo pharmacological evaluation in a mouse model showed that the N‐hydroxylated derivatives constitute the first oral bioprecursors in bis‐alkylguanidine series. This study paves the way for bis‐alkylguanidine‐based oral antimalarial agents targeting plasmodial phospholipid metabolism.
Spatially Resolved Confocal Resonant Raman Microscopic Analysis of Anode‐Grown Geobacter sulfurreducens Biofilms
Authors: Lebedev Nikolai , Strycharz‐Glaven Sarah M. , Tender Leonard M.
Published: January 2014

When grown on the surface of an anode electrode, Geobacter sulfurreducens forms a multi‐cell thick biofilm in which all cells appear to couple the oxidation of acetate with electron transport to the anode, which serves as the terminal metabolic electron acceptor. Just how electrons are transported through such a biofilm from cells to the underlying anode surface over distances that can exceed 20 microns remains unresolved. Current evidence suggests it may occur by electron hopping through a proposed network of redox cofactors composed of immobile outer membrane and/or extracellular multi‐heme c‐type cytochromes. In the present work, we perform a spatially resolved confocal resonant Raman (CRR) microscopic analysis to investigate anode‐grown Geobacter biofilms. The results confirm the presence of an intra‐biofilm redox gradient whereby the probability that a heme is in the reduced state increases with increasing distance from the anode surface. Such a gradient is required to drive electron transport toward the anode surface by electron hopping via cytochromes. The results also indicate that at open circuit, when electrons are expected to accumulate in redox cofactors involved in electron transport due to the inability of the anode to accept electrons, nearly all c‐type cytochrome hemes detected in the biofilm are oxidized. The same outcome occurs when a comparable potential to that measured at open circuit (−0.30 V vs. SHE) is applied to the anode, whereas nearly all hemes are reduced when an exceedingly negative potential (−0.50 V vs. SHE) is applied to the anode. These results suggest that nearly all c‐type cytochrome hemes detected in the biofilm can be electrochemically accessed by the electrode, but most have oxidation potentials too negative to transport electrons originating from acetate metabolism. The results also reveal a lateral heterogeneity (x–y dimensions) in the type of c‐type cytochromes within the biofilm that may affect electron transport to the electrode.
Control of Regio‐ and Enantioselectivity in the Asymmetric Organocatalytic Addition of Acetone to 4‐(Trifluoromethyl)pyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones
Authors: Sukach Volodymyr A. , Tkachuk Viktor M. , Shoba Veronika M. , Pirozhenko Volodymyr V. , Rusanov Eduard B. , Chekotilo Alexey A. , Röschenthaler Gerd‐Volker , Vovk Mykhailo V.
Published: January 2014

The reactions of variously substituted 4‐(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones with acetone in the presence of L‐proline or chiral secondary amine organocatalysts were studied. As demonstrated, 4‐(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones unsubstituted at the 6‐position of the heterocyclic ring react with acetone at the endocyclic C=N or C=C bond depending on whether thermodynamic or kinetic control is operative in the addition reaction and also depending on the catalyst used. Racemic kinetically preferred regioisomers, 6‐(2‐oxopropyl)‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)‐3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones, were found to undergo intermolecular organocatalytic rearrangement into enantioenriched thermodynamically stable products, 4‐(2‐oxopropyl)‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)‐3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones, with enantiomeric ratios up to 83:17.
Jatrophane Diterpenes: Preparation of the Western Fragment of Pl‐3
Authors: Lentsch Christoph , Fürst Rita , Mulzer Johann , Rinner Uwe
Published: January 2014

Jatrophane diterpenes are structurally intriguing natural products with promising biological properties. Herein, the synthesis of the western fragment of the Euphorbiaceae constituent Pl‐3 starting from (1R,5S)‐bicyclo[3.2.0]hept‐2‐en‐6‐one is described. Key steps in the sequence include a Baeyer–Villiger oxidation, an iodolactonization reaction, and the installation of the northern side chain through the addition of a lithiated vinyl bromide. The overall efficiency of the route is increased by taking advantage of latent symmetry.
Bioproduction of baccatin III, an advanced precursor of paclitaxol, with transgenic Flammulina velutipes expressing the 10‐deacetylbaccatin III‐10‐O‐acetyl transferase gene
Authors: Han Fei , Kang Lin‐Zhi , Zeng Xian‐Lu , Ye Zhi‐Wei , Guo Li‐Qiong , Lin Jun‐Fang
Published: January 2014

BACKGROUND

10‐Deacetylbaccatin III (10‐DAB) and baccatin III are intermediates in the biosynthesis of Taxol (an anti‐cancer drug) and useful precursors for semi‐synthesis of the drug. In this study, a bioconversion system was established for the production of baccatin III, an advanced precursor of paclitaxel, in the transgenic mushroom Flammulina velutipes expressing the 10‐deacetylbaccatin III‐10β‐O‐acetyltransferase gene. The expression vector pgFvs‐TcDBAT containing the 10‐deacetylbaccatin III‐10β‐O‐acetyltransferase (DBAT) gene was constructed and transformed into the cells of F. velutipes by polyethylene glycol‐mediated protoplast transformation.

RESULTS

Polymerase chain reaction and Southern blotting analysis verified the successful integration of the exogenous DBAT gene into the genome of F. velutipes. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme activity analyses confirmed that the DBAT gene was expressed in F. velutipes, and DBAT is able to convert substrate into baccatin III.

CONCLUSION

The DBAT gene from the plant Taxus chinensis can be functionally expressed in F. velutipes. Transgenic F. velutipes expressing the DBAT gene is able to produce the target product, baccatin III. This is the first report about the transformation and expression of paclitaxel biosynthetic gene in the edible mushroom F. velutipes. This represents a significant step towards bio‐production of paclitaxel and its advanced precursor baccatin III in an edible fungus. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Developing tools as plug‐ins: TOPI 2012 special issue
Authors: Garbervetsky Diego , Kim Sunghun
Published: January 2014

Our knowledge as to how to solve software engineering problems is increasingly being encapsulated in tools. These tools are at their strongest when they operate in a preexisting development that can provide integration with existing elements such as compilers, debuggers, profilers, and visualizers as well as numerous other development and, often, runtime tools. However, building tools as plug‐ins can be challenging and raise many questions: How do they interact with the core environment? How do they interact with other existing plug‐ins, especially as each developer may choose a different set of plug‐ins. How can we share tools across different and future core development environments? How do we evaluate the usefulness of the tools? The series of workshops on Developing Tools as Plug‐ins (TOPI) tries to address these questions. Researchers are invited to present position papers spotting the medium‐term and long‐term challenges of developing tools as plug‐ins as well as research contributions identifying recent successful tools as plug‐ins, characteristics of good plug‐ins and reports of the main difficulties in implementing plug‐ins in current platforms. This issue includes extended versions of the best papers presented at TOPI 2012. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On angular momentum and rest mass of the photon
Authors: LEHNERT BO
Published: January 2014

A reconsideration is made on the basic concepts of the individual photon, including its angular momentum (spin) and a possibly existing very small rest mass. In terms of conventional classical theory, as well as of its quantum mechanical counterpart, the results from a so far established Standard Model of an empty vacuum state are not found to be reconcilable with an experimentally relevant photon model. The main properties of such a model would on the other hand become compatible with the results of a recently established revised quantum electrodynamic theory based on a non-zero electric field divergence in the vacuum and a corresponding symmetry breaking of the electromagnetic field.
Preface
Authors: ELIASSON B. , STENFLO L. , BINGHAM R. , MENDONÇA J. T.
Published: January 2014

This special issue is devoted to the memory of Professor Padma Kant Shukla, who passed away 26 January 2013 on his travel to New Delhi, India to receive the prestigious Hind Rattan (Jewel of India) award. Padma was born in Tulapur, Uttar Pradesh, India, 7 July 1950, where he grew up and got his education. He received a PhD degree in Physics at the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, in 1972, under the supervision of late Prof. R. N. Singh, and a second PhD degree in Theoretical Plasma Physics from Umeå University in Sweden in 1975, under the supervision of Prof. Lennart Stenflo. He worked at the Faculty of Physics & Astronomy, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany since January 1973, where he was a permanent faculty member and Professor of International Affairs, a position that was created for him to honour his international accomplishments and reputation.
Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coliin swine: the public health perspective
Authors: Tseng Marion , Fratamico Pina M. , Manning Shannon D. , Funk Julie A.
Published: January 2014

Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) strains are food-borne pathogens that are an important public health concern. STEC infection is associated with severe clinical diseases in human beings, including hemorrhagic colitis (HC) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure and death. Cattle are the most important STEC reservoir. However, a number of STEC outbreaks and HUS cases have been attributed to pork products. In swine, STEC strains are known to be associated with edema disease. Nevertheless, the relationship between STEC of swine origin and human illness has yet to be determined. This review critically summarizes epidemiologic and biological studies of swine STEC. Several epidemiologic studies conducted in multiple regions of the world have demonstrated that domestic swine can carry and shed STEC. Moreover, animal studies have demonstrated that swine are susceptible to STEC O157:H7 infection and can shed the bacterium for 2 months. A limited number of molecular epidemiologic studies, however, have provided conflicting evidence regarding the relationship between swine STEC and human illness. The role that swine play in STEC transmission to people and the contribution to human disease frequency requires further evaluation.
CR8, a Novel Inhibitor of CDK, Limits Microglial Activation, Astrocytosis, Neuronal Loss, and Neurologic Dysfunction after Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Kabadi Shruti V , Stoica Bogdan A , Loane David J , Luo Tao , Faden Alan I
Published: January 2014

Central nervous system injury causes a marked increase in the expression of cell cycle-related proteins. In this study, we show that cell cycle activation (CCA) is detected in mature neurons at 24 hours after rat lateral fluid percussion (LFP)-induced traumatic brain injury (TBI), as reflected by increased expression of cyclin G1, phosphorylated retinoblastoma (phospho-Rb), E2F1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). These changes were associated with progressive cortical, hippocampal, and thalamic neuronal loss and microglial and astrocyte activation. Notably, we detected 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive neurons, microglia, and astrocytes at 7 days, but not at 24 hours, suggesting that cell cycle reaches the S phase in these cell types at the latter time point. A delayed systemic post-LFP administration at 3 hours of CR8—a potent second-generation cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor—reduced CCA; cortical, hippocampal, and thalamic neuronal loss; and cortical microglial and astrocyte activation. Furthermore, CR8 treatment attenuated sensorimotor and cognitive deficits, alleviated depressive-like symptoms, and decreased lesion volume. These findings underscore the contribution of CCA to progressive neurodegeneration and chronic neuroinflammation following TBI, and demonstrate the neuroprotective potential of cell cycle inhibition in a clinically relevant experimental TBI model.
Preparation of a core–shell magnetic ion-imprinted polymer via a sol–gel process for selective extraction of Cu(ii) from herbal medicines
Authors: He Huan , Xiao Deli , He Jia , Li Hui , He Hua , Dai Hao , Peng Jun
Published: January 2014

A magnetic surface ion-imprinted polymer (c-MMWCNTs-SiO2-IIP) was synthesized using c-MMWCNTs as the core, 3-ammonium propyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as the functional monomer, tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as the cross-linker and Cu(ii) as the template.
Ring transformation of (4-chloro-5H-1,2,3-dithiazol-5-ylidene)acetonitriles to 3-haloisothiazole-5-carbonitriles
Authors: Kalogirou Andreas S. , Christoforou Irene C. , Ioannidou Heraklidia A. , Manos Manolis J. , Koutentis Panayiotis A.
Published: January 2014

Improved conditions for the ring transformation of 1,2,3-dithiazoles into isothiazole-5-carbonitriles are presented together with mechanistic rationale.
Ion source issues for the DAEδALUS neutrino experiment
Authors: Alonso Jose R. , Barletta William A. , Toups Matthew H. , Conrad Janet , Liu Y. , Bannister Mark E. , Havener C. C. , Vane Randy
Published: January 2014

The DAEδALUS experiment calls for 10 mA of protons at 800 MeV on a neutrino-producing target. To achieve this record-setting current from a cyclotron system, H2+ ions will be accelerated. Loosely bound vibrationally excited H2+ ions inevitably produced in conventional ion sources will be Lorentz stripped at the highest energies. Presence of these states was confirmed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and strategies were investigated to quench them, leading to a proposed R&D effort towards a suitable ion source for these high-power cyclotrons.
Arc plasma generator of atomic driver for steady-state negative ion source
Authors: Ivanov A. A. , Belchenko Yu. I. , Davydenko V. I. , Ivanov I. A. , Kolmogorov V. V. , Listopad A. A. , Mishagin V. V. , Putvinsky S. V. , Shulzhenko G. I. , Smirnov A.
Published: January 2014

The paper reviews the results of development of steady-state arc-discharge plasma generator with directly heated LaB6 cathode. This arc-discharge plasma generator produces a plasma jet which is to be converted into an atomic one after recombination on a metallic plate. The plate is electrically biased relative to the plasma in order to control the atom energies. Such an intensive jet of hydrogen atoms can be used in negative ion sources for effective production of negative ions on a cesiated surface of plasma grid. All elements of the plasma generator have an augmented water cooling to operate in long pulse mode or in steady state. The thermo-mechanical stresses and deformations of the most critical elements of the plasma generator were determined by simulations. Magnetic field inside the discharge chamber was optimized to reduce the local power loads. The first tests of the steady-state arc plasma generator prototype have performed in long-pulse mode.
Temperature controlled tensile testing of individual nanowires
Authors: Chen Lisa Y. , Terrab Soraya , Murphy Kathryn F. , Sullivan John P. , Cheng Xuemei , Gianola Daniel S.
Published: January 2014

We present a novel experimental method for quantitatively characterizing the temperature-dependent mechanical behavior of individual nanostructures during uniaxial straining. By combining a microelectromechanical tensile testing device with a low thermal mass and digital image correlation providing nm-level displacement resolution, we show successful incorporation of a testing platform in a vacuum cryostat system with an integrated heater and temperature control. Characterization of the local sample temperature and time-dependent response at both low and high temperature demonstrates a testing range of ∼90–475 K and steady-state drift rates less than 0.04 K/min. In situ operation of the tensile testing device employing resistively heated thermal actuators while imaging with an optical microscope enables high-resolution displacement measurements, from which stress-strain behavior of the nanoscale specimens is deduced. We demonstrate the efficacy of our approach in measuring the temperature dependence of tensile strength in nominally defect-free ⟨110⟩ Pd nanowhiskers. We uncover a pronounced sensitivity of the plastic response to testing temperature over a range of ∼300 K, with an ultimate strength in excess of 6 GPa at low temperature. The results are discussed in the context of thermally activated deformation mechanisms and defect nucleation in defect-free metallic nanostructures.
Coexistence of synchrony and incoherence in oscillatory media under nonlinear global coupling
Authors: Schmidt Lennart , Schönleber Konrad , Krischer Katharina , García-Morales Vladimir
Published: January 2014

We report a novel mechanism for the formation of chimera states, a peculiar spatiotemporal pattern with coexisting synchronized and incoherent domains found in ensembles of identical oscillators. Considering Stuart-Landau oscillators, we demonstrate that a nonlinear global coupling can induce this symmetry breaking. We find chimera states also in a spatially extended system, a modified complex Ginzburg-Landau equation. This theoretical prediction is validated with an oscillatory electrochemical system, the electro-oxidation of silicon, where the spontaneous formation of chimeras is observed without any external feedback control.
Low-temperature thermal conductivity of antiferromagnetic S = 1/2 chain material CuCl2·2((CH3)2SO)
Authors: Ke W. P. , Shi J. , Zhang F. B. , Zhao Z. Y. , Fan C. , Zhao X. , Sun X. F.
Published: January 2014

We study the heat transport of S = 1/2 chain compound CuCl2·2((CH3)2SO) along the b axis (vertical to the chain direction) at very low temperatures. The zero-field thermal conductivity (κ) shows a distinct kink at about 0.9 K, which is related to the long-range antiferromagnetic (AF) transition. With applying magnetic field along the c axis, κ(H) curves also show distinct changes at the phase boundaries between the AF and the high-field disordered states. These results indicate a strong spin-phonon interaction and the magnetic excitations play a role in the b-axis heat transport as phonon scatterers.
Magnetic texture and coercivity of anisotropic nanocrystalline SmCo6.1Si0.9 magnets
Authors: An Shizhong , Zhang Tianli , Jiang Chengbao
Published: January 2014

The magnetic texture and coercivity of anisotropic nanocrystalline SmCo6.1Si0.9 magnets prepared by surfactant-assisted high energy ball milling and spark plasma sintering have been investigated by verifying the processing parameters including surfactant's type, sintering temperature, and pressure. Surfactant, including oleic acid (OA) and oleylamine (OY), played a major role in enhancing the magnetic texture of the magnets because the flake morphology of the powder milled with surfactant favored the magnetic alignment. The magnets with OA had a little higher magnetic texture than that with OY, while the coercivity of the magnets with OA (4.2 kOe) was much lower than that with OY (7.7 kOe). Increasing sintering temperature or pressure resulted in a little decrease of magnetic texture, while improving the coercivity due to densification. And for the fully dense samples, the higher sintering temperature deteriorated the coercivity of the magnets resulting from grain growth.
Fatty acid synthesis is inhibited by inefficient utilization of unusual fatty acids for glycerolipid assembly
Authors: Bates Philip D. , Johnson Sean R. , Cao Xia , Li Jia , Nam Jeong-Won , Jaworski Jan G. , Ohlrogge John B. , Browse John
Published: January 2014

Significance

Many plants produce valuable fatty acids in seed oils that provide renewable alternatives to petrochemicals for production of lubricants, coatings, or polymers. However, most plants producing these unusual fatty acids are unsuitable as crops. Metabolic engineering of oilseed crops, or model species, to produce the high-value unusual fatty acids has produced only low yields of the desired products, and previous research has indicated fatty acid degradation as a potential major factor hindering oilseed engineering. By contrast, we here present evidence that inefficient utilization of unusual fatty acids within the endoplasmic reticulum can induce posttranslational inhibition of acetyl–CoA carboxylase activity in the plastid, thus inhibiting fatty acid synthesis and total oil accumulation.
Probability Zero in Bohm’s Theory
Authors: Hemmo Meir , Shenker Orly
Published: January 2014

We describe two anomalies in Bohm’s quantum theory that shed light on the notion of probability zero in quantum mechanics. In one anomaly the preferred reference frame may be discovered.