bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracking Fusion of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells After Transplantation to the Heart
Authors: Freeman Brian T. , Kouris Nicholas A. , Ogle Brenda M.
Published: April 2015

Evidence suggests that transplanted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can aid recovery of damaged myocardium caused by myocardial infarction. One possible mechanism for MSC-mediated recovery is reprogramming after cell fusion between transplanted MSCs and recipient cardiac cells. We used a Cre/LoxP-based luciferase reporter system coupled to biophotonic imaging to detect fusion of transplanted human pluripotent stem cell-derived MSCs to cells of organs of living mice. Human MSCs, with transient expression of a viral fusogen, were delivered to the murine heart via a collagen patch. At 2 days and 1 week later, living mice were probed for bioluminescence indicative of cell fusion. Cell fusion was detected at the site of delivery (heart) and in distal tissues (i.e., stomach, small intestine, liver). Fusion was confirmed at the cellular scale via fluorescence in situ hybridization for human-specific and mouse-specific centromeres. Human cells in organs distal to the heart were typically located near the vasculature, suggesting MSCs and perhaps MSC fusion products have the ability to migrate via the circulatory system to distal organs and engraft with local cells. The present study reveals previously unknown migratory patterns of delivered human MSCs and associated fusion products in the healthy murine heart. The study also sets the stage for follow-on studies to determine the functional effects of cell fusion in a model of myocardial damage or disease.

Significance

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are transplanted to the heart, cartilage, and other tissues to recover lost function or at least limit overactive immune responses. Analysis of tissues after MSC transplantation shows evidence of fusion between MSCs and the cells of the recipient. To date, the biologic implications of cell fusion remain unclear. A newly developed in vivo tracking system was used to identify MSC fusion products in living mice. The migratory patterns of fusion products were determined both in the target organ (i.e., the heart) and in distal organs. This study shows, for the first time, evidence of fusion products at sites distal from the target organ and data to suggest that migration occurs via the vasculature. These results will inform and improve future, MSC-based therapeutics.
Concise Review: Macrophages: Versatile Gatekeepers During Pancreatic β-Cell Development, Injury, and Regeneration
Authors: Van Gassen Naomi , Staels Willem , Van Overmeire Eva , De Groef Sofie , Sojoodi Mozhdeh , Heremans Yves , Leuckx Gunter , Van de Casteele Mark , Van Ginderachter Jo A. , Heimberg Harry , De Leu Nico
Published: April 2015

Macrophages are classically considered detrimental for pancreatic β-cell survival and function, thereby contributing to β-cell failure in both type 1 (T1D) and 2 (T2D) diabetes mellitus. In addition, adipose tissue macrophages negatively influence peripheral insulin signaling and promote obesity-induced insulin resistance in T2D. In contrast, recent data unexpectedly uncovered that macrophages are not only able to protect β cells during pancreatitis but also to orchestrate β-cell proliferation and regeneration after β-cell injury. Moreover, by altering their activation state, macrophages are able to improve insulin resistance in murine models of T2D. This review will elaborate on current insights in macrophage heterogeneity and on the evolving role of pancreas macrophages during organogenesis, tissue injury, and repair. Additional identification of macrophage subtypes and of their secreted factors might ultimately translate into novel therapeutic strategies for both T1D and T2D.

Significance

Diabetes mellitus is a pandemic disease, characterized by severe acute and chronic complications. Macrophages have long been considered prime suspects in the pathogenesis of both type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus. In this concise review, current insights in macrophage heterogeneity and on the, as yet, underappreciated role of alternatively activated macrophages in insulin sensing and β-cell development/repair are reported. Further identification of macrophage subtypes and of their secreted factors might ultimately translate into novel therapeutic strategies for diabetes mellitus.
Building Library Community Through Social Media
Authors: Young Scott Woodward Hazard , Rossmann Doralyn
Published: April 2015

In this article academic librarians present and analyze a model for community building through social media. Findings demonstrate the importance of strategy and interactivity via social media for generating new connections with library users. Details of this research include successful guidelines for building community and developing engagement online with social media. By applying intentional social media practices, the researchers’ Twitter user community grew 100 percent in one year, with a corresponding 275 percent increase in user interactions. Using a community analysis approach, this research demonstrates that the principles of personality and interactivity can lead to community formation for targeted user groups. Discussion includes the strategies and research approaches that were employed to build, study, and understand user community, including user type analysis and action-object mapping. From this research a picture of the library as a member of an active academic community comes into focus.
Linked Data in Libraries: A Case Study of Harvesting and Sharing Bibliographic Metadata with BIBFRAME
Authors: Tharani Karim
Published: April 2015

By way of a case study this paper illustrates and evaluates the Bibliographic Framework (or BIBFRAME) as means for harvesting and sharing bibliographic metadata over the Web for libraries. BIBFRAME is an emerging framework developed by the Library of Congress for bibliographic description based on Linked Data. Much like Semantic Web, the goal of Linked Data is to make Web “data aware” and transform the existing Web of documents into a Web of data. Linked Data leverages the existing Web infrastructure and allows linking and sharing of structured data for human and machine consumption.

The BIBFRAME model attempts to contextualize the Linked Data technology for libraries. Library applications and systems contain high-quality structured metadata but this data is generally static in its presentation and seldom integrated with other internal metadata sources or linked to external Web resources. With BIBFRAME existing disparate library metadata sources such as catalogs and digital collections can be harvested and integrated over the Web. In addition, bibliographic data enriched with Linked Data could offer richer navigational control and access points for users. With Linked Data principles, metadata from libraries could also become harvestable by search engines, transforming dormant catalogs and digital collections into active knowledge repositories. Thus experimenting with Linked Data using existing bibliographic metadata holds the potential to empower libraries to harness the reach of commercial search engines to continuously discover, navigate, and obtain new domain specific knowledge resources on the basis of their verified metadata.

The initial part of the paper introduces BIBFRAME and discusses Linked Data in the context of libraries. The final part of this paper outlines a step-by-step process for implementing BIBFRAME with existing library metadata.
Geographic Information and Technologies in Academic Research Libraries: An ARL Survey of Services and Support
Authors: Holstein Ann L
Published: April 2015

One hundred fifteen academic libraries, all current members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), were selected to participate in an online survey in an effort to better understand campus usage of geographic data and geospatial technologies, and how libraries support these uses. The survey was used to capture information regarding geographic needs of their respective campuses, the array of services they offer, and the education and training of geographic information services department staff members. The survey results, along with review of recent literature, were used to identify changes in geographic information services and support since 1997, when a similar survey was conducted by ARL. This new study has enabled recommendations to be made for building a successful geographic information service center within the campus library that offers a robust and comprehensive service and support model for all geographic information usage on campus.
De l’art que l’on dit à l’art qui se fait. Étude menée dans des classes à projet artistique à l’école primaire
Authors: Ruppin Virginie
Published: April 2015

Comprendre les enjeux de l’entrée de l’art dans l’école d’aujourd’hui soulève les questions de ce que les enseignants disent, pensent et font lorsqu’ils s’engagent dans les pratiques artistiques. Une proposition d’identification de notre problème, inspirée de la théorie des cités et du thème de la justification, permet d’introduire, au coeur de l’apparent consensus dont l’art qui éduque est l’objet, la pluralité des mondes propre à notre temps. Ce texte présente une recherche menée initialement auprès de sept classes à projet artistique et culturel d’écoles primaires françaises, d’une trentaine d’élèves chacune, où dans chacune d’entre elles, des observations de situations et des entretiens d’enseignants ont été menés. Cet article expose les cas les plus représentatifs de notre étude. Les analyses révèlent l’existence d’une pluralité de valeurs et de principes de justice dans les pratiques pédagogiques effectives.
In vivo targeting of de novo DNA methylation by histone modifications in yeast and mouse
Authors: Morselli Marco , Pastor William A , Montanini Barbara , Nee Kevin , Ferrari Roberto , Fu Kai , Bonora Giancarlo , Rubbi Liudmilla , Clark Amander T , Ottonello Simone , Jacobsen Steven E , Pellegrini Matteo
Published: April 2015

Methylation of cytosines (5meC) is a widespread heritable DNA modification. During mammalian development, two global demethylation events are followed by waves of de novo DNA methylation. In vivo mechanisms of DNA methylation establishment are largely uncharacterized. Here, we use Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a system lacking DNA methylation to define the chromatin features influencing the activity of the murine DNMT3B. Our data demonstrate that DNMT3B and H3K4 methylation are mutually exclusive and that DNMT3B is co-localized with H3K36 methylated regions. In support of this observation, DNA methylation analysis in yeast strains without Set1 and Set2 shows an increase of relative 5meC levels at the transcription start site and a decrease in the gene-body, respectively. We extend our observation to the murine male germline, where H3K4me3 is strongly anti-correlated while H3K36me3 correlates with accelerated DNA methylation. These results show the importance of H3K36 methylation for gene-body DNA methylation in vivo.
Features and variability of the Cuban Countercurrent in the Yucatan Basin, Caribbean Sea
Authors: Pérez-Santos Iván , Schneider Wolfgang , Fernández-Vila Lázaro
Published: April 2015

The Cuban Countercurrent (CCC), along with the Yucatan Current, forms part of the Yucatan Basin circulation system, but it has not been well described and its connection to the system of currents in the Caribbean Sea has not been studied. Based on altimetry data (1993–2009) and the MERCATOR three-dimensional assimilation model (2007–2009), the CCC was observed flowing ~1000 km from the eastern Yucatan Channel to Jamaica and to have a width of ~150 km. Off southern Cuba, the mean velocity was 0.20 m s–1 at the surface and 0.05 m s–1 at 1000 m depth. The CCC transported ~3.5 Sv when it passed through the Yucatan Channel towards the Caribbean Sea, where ~1.6 Sv was recorded south of Cuba. During its annual cycle, the CCC weakened from December to February (0–250 m) and in the summer its magnitude intensified slightly, reaching 0.35 m s–1 in August, due to the increase in water temperature of the Atlantic warm pool. Consequently, the sea level rose in the center of the Yucatan Basin and the pressure gradient increased along the Cuban coast, producing an increase in zonal velocity (0.1 m s–1) and transport (2–3 Sv; r = 0.90). Its connection to the Caribbean current system demonstrated the importance of its study.
Spatial patterns in CO2 evasion from the global river network
Authors: Lauerwald Ronny , Laruelle Goulven G. , Hartmann Jens , Ciais Philippe , Regnier Pierre A.G.
Published: April 2015

CO2 evasion from rivers (FCO2) is an important component of the global carbon budget. Here we present the first global maps of CO2 partial pressures (pCO2) in rivers of stream orders 3 and higher and the resulting FCO2 at 0.5° resolution constructed with a statistical model. A geographic information system based approach is used to derive a pCO2 prediction function trained on data from 1182 sampling locations. While data from Asia and Africa are scarce and the training data set is dominated by sampling locations from the Americas, Europe, and Australia, the sampling locations cover the full spectrum from high to low latitudes. The predictors of pCO2 are net primary production, population density, and slope gradient within the river catchment as well as mean air temperature at the sampling location (r2 = 0.47). The predicted pCO2 map was then combined with spatially explicit estimates of stream surface area Ariver and gas exchange velocity k calculated from published empirical equations and data sets to derive the FCO2 map. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we assessed the uncertainties of our estimates. At the global scale, we estimate an average river pCO2 of 2400 (2019–2826) µatm and a FCO2 of 650 (483–846) Tg C yr−1 (5th and 95th percentiles of confidence interval). Our global CO2 evasion is substantially lower than the recent estimate of 1800 Tg C yr−1 although the training set of pCO2 is very similar in both studies, mainly due to lower tropical pCO2 estimates in the present study. Our maps reveal strong latitudinal gradients in pCO2, Ariver, and FCO2. The zone between 10°N and 10°S contributes about half of the global CO2 evasion. Collection of pCO2 data in this zone, in particular, for African and Southeast Asian rivers is a high priority to reduce uncertainty on FCO2.
What processes control the chemical compositions of arc front stratovolcanoes?
Authors: Turner Stephen J. , Langmuir Charles H.
Published: April 2015

Arc front stratovolcanoes have global chemical systematics that constrain processes at convergent margins. Positive correlations exist for arc averages among “fluid mobile,” “high field strength,” and “large ion lithophile” elements. 143Nd/144Nd and 87Sr/86Sr from rear‐arc lavas lacking subduction signature align with the oceanic “mantle array,” and correlate with arc front 143Nd/144Nd. Most chemical parameters (but not isotopes) also correlate well with crustal thickness and slightly less well with the slab thermal parameter, but not with the depth of the slab nor model slab surface temperatures. Successful models of arc volcanism should account for these global regularities. Two distinct models can quantitatively account for the observations—different extents of melting of the mantle wedge caused by variations in wedge thermal structure, or varying contributions from the subducting slab owing to variations in the slab thermal structure. Both successful model scenarios require a significant flux of melted ocean crust to the mantle source of all volcanic arcs. The wedge melting model has constant contributions from ocean crust, sediment, and mantle wedge to lavas globally, while the slab model varies slab contributions with slab temperature. The wedge melting model fit improves by incorporating convergence rate and slab dip, which should affect the wedge thermal structure; the slab model is not supported by a similar analysis. The wedge model also more easily accommodates the isotope data. The two models predict different primary H2O contents, with large variations in H2O for the wedge model, and relatively constant H2O for the slab model. An evaluation of the effects of varying sediment compositions on arc lavas will benefit from considering the very different consequences of the two models.
Quantifying near‐field and off‐fault deformation patterns of the 1992 Mw 7.3 Landers earthquake
Authors: Milliner Christopher W. D. , Dolan James F. , Hollingsworth James , Leprince Sebastien , Ayoub Francois , Sammis Charles G.
Published: April 2015

Coseismic surface deformation in large earthquakes is typically measured using field mapping and with a range of geodetic methods (e.g., InSAR, lidar differencing, and GPS). Current methods, however, either fail to capture patterns of near‐field coseismic surface deformation or lack preevent data. Consequently, the characteristics of off‐fault deformation and the parameters that control it remain poorly understood. We develop a standardized method to fully measure the surface, near‐field, coseismic deformation patterns at high resolution using the COSI‐Corr program by correlating pairs of aerial photographs taken before and after the 1992 Mw 7.3 Landers earthquake. COSI‐Corr offers the advantage of measuring displacement across the entire zone of surface deformation and over a wider aperture than that available to field geologists. For the Landers earthquake, our measured displacements are systematically larger than the field measurements, indicating the presence of off‐fault deformation. We show that 46% of the total surface displacement occurred as off‐fault deformation, over a mean deformation width of 154 m. The magnitude and width of off‐fault deformation along the rupture is primarily controlled by the macroscopic structural complexity of the fault system, with a weak correlation with the type of near‐surface materials through which the rupture propagated. Both the magnitude and width of distributed deformation are largest in stepovers, bends, and at the southern termination of the surface rupture. We find that slip along the surface rupture exhibits a consistent degree of variability at all observable length scales and that the slip distribution is self‐affine fractal with dimension of 1.56.
Recent and future changes in the Asian monsoon‐ENSO relationship: Natural or forced?
Authors: Li Xiaoqiong , Ting Mingfang
Published: April 2015

The Asian monsoon‐ENSO (El Niño–Southern Oscillation) relationship in the 20th and 21st centuries is examined using observations and Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) model simulations. CMIP5 models can simulate the ENSO‐monsoon spatial structure reasonably well when using the multimodel mean. Running correlations show prominent decadal variability of the ENSO‐monsoon relationship in observations. The modeled ENSO‐monsoon relation shows large intermodel spread, indicating large variations across the model ensemble. The anthropogenically forced component of ENSO‐monsoon relationship is separated from the naturally varying component based on a signal‐to‐noise maximizing empirical orthogonal function analysis using global sea surface temperature (SST). Results show that natural variability plays a dominant role in the varied ENSO‐monsoon relationship during the 20th century. In the 21st century, the forced component is dominated by enhanced monsoon rainfall associated with SST warming, which may contribute to a slightly weakened ENSO‐monsoon relation in the future.
The frequency and duration of U.S. hurricane droughts
Authors: Hall Timothy , Hereid Kelly
Published: April 2015

As of the end of the 2014 hurricane season, the U.S. has experienced no major hurricane landfall since Hurricane Wilma in 2005, a drought that currently stands at 9 years. Here we use a stochastic tropical cyclone model to calculate the mean waiting time for multiyear landfall droughts. We estimate that the mean time to wait for a 9 year drought is 177 years. We also find that the average probability of ending the drought with a major landfall in the next year is 0.39 and is independent of the drought duration, as one would expect for a Bernoulli process.
On the resolution of the phase space density required to obtain a specified accuracy of the solar wind bulk velocity
Authors: Podesta John J.
Published: April 2015

Plasma measurements with significantly improved accuracy and time resolution are needed to advance knowledge and understanding of plasma physical process in the magnetosphere and the solar wind. In this study, it is shown how small unresolved features in particle distribution functions can have significant impacts on the measurement of plasma bulk parameters such as the plasma bulk velocity. Errors are caused by the numerical integration scheme used to compute the phase space integrals and by errors or experimental uncertainties in measurements of the phase space distribution. Here the errors in the bulk velocity caused by the numerical integration procedure are investigated for both Gaussian (Maxwellian) velocity distributions and Kappa distributions. The particle distribution functions are perturbed by a small “bump” represented by a relatively small amplitude Gaussian with a thermal width that is much smaller than the thermal width of the unperturbed distribution. The goal is to find the grid spacing Δv in phase space required to obtain a specified accuracy of the mean flow velocity . For parameters encountered in the solar wind near the orbit of the Earth, it is shown that to determine the radial component of the solar wind bulk velocity with an accuracy less than 0.1 km/s requires a grid spacing less than Δv/v = 0.8% or, equivalently, an energy spacing less than ΔE/E = 1.6%. To accurately resolve the velocity components transverse to the heliocentric radial direction, it is found that the spacing of the angle bins must be less than Δθ = 0.4∘. The required spacing of the energy and angle bins are approximately 1 order of magnitude less than those of any solar wind ion instrument ever flown in space.
The Requirements for Superplasticity with an Emphasis on Magnesium Alloys
Authors: Kawasaki Megumi , Figueiredo Roberto B. , Langdon Terence G.
Published: April 2015

Superplasticity is defined formally as a tensile elongation of at least 400% and a strain rate sensitivity of ≈0.5. It is now well established that superplasticity occurs only in materials having very small grain sizes, typically less than ≈10 μm. These small grains may be achieved in two different ways in magnesium alloys: either by thermomechanical processing or through the occurrence of recrystallization in the early stages of deformation in alloys tested with coarse grain sizes.
High‐Temperature Micropillar Compression Creep Testing of Constituent Phases in Lead‐Free Solder
Authors: Mayer Carl R. , Lotfian Saeid , Molina‐Aldareguia Jon , Chawla Nikhilesh
Published: April 2015

As the size of solder interconnects used in electronics packaging decreases, methods for characterizing the creep behavior of solder at ever smaller length scales need to be developed. Long duration micropillar compression experiments at constant loads and temperatures ranging from 60 to 160 °C were used to characterize the creep behavior in pure Sn dendrites and the Sn–Ag3Sn eutectic constituent in a lead‐free Sn–3.5Ag solder alloy. The stress exponent for the Sn dendtrites as well as the eutectic at low stresses was shown to be 1, suggesting a diffusion‐based mechanism, while at high stresses the eutectic stress exponent was 4, suggesting a dislocation‐based mechanism. Low activation energies indicative of a high diffusivity path (around 30 kJ mol−1) were seen in the dendrites at all temperatures and stresses as well as in the eutectic at low stresses. In the high stress regime of the eutectic, the activation energy transitions from 36 to 97 kJ mol−1 above 120 °C, indicating a transition to a lattice diffusion‐based mechanism.
Efficient Sb2S3‐Sensitized Solar Cells Via Single‐Step Deposition of Sb2S3 Using S/Sb‐Ratio‐Controlled SbCl3‐Thiourea Complex Solution
Authors: Choi Yong Chan , Seok Sang Il
Published: April 2015

To replace the conventional chemical bath deposition method, which is time‐consuming and has a high impurity level, a chemical single‐step deposition process employing a S/Sb ratio‐controlled SbCl3‐thiourea complex solution is introduced to load Sb2S3 into a mesoporous TiO2 electrode. This technique enables the fabrication of efficient and reproducible Sb2S3‐sensitzed inorganic–organic heterojunction hybrid solar cells with hole‐conducting conjugated polymers. The most efficient cell exhibits a short‐circuit current density of 16.1 mA cm−2, an open circuit voltage of 595.5 mV, and a fill factor of 66.5%, yielding a power conversion efficiency of ≈6.4% at standard AM1.5G condition (100 mW cm−2).
Theoretical Study of Rotary Freestanding Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Jiang Tao , Chen Xiangyu , Han Chang Bao , Tang Wei , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: April 2015

The use of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) is a highly effective technology for harvesting ambient mechanical energy to produce electricity. In this work, a theoretical model of rotary freestanding TENG with grating structure is constructed, including the conductor‐to‐dielectric and dielectric‐to‐dielectric categories. The finite element simulations are performed to capture the fundamental physics of rotary freestanding TENG. Based on the simulations and derivations of approximate analytical equations, the real‐time output characteristics of TENG with arbitrary load resistance are calculated. Furthermore, the influences of structural parameters of TENG and rotation rate on the output performance are investigated. The theory presented here facilitates a deep understanding of the working mechanism of rotary freestanding TENG and provides useful guidance for designing high performance TENG for energy harvesting applications.
Improved Photocatalytic Performance of Heterojunction by Controlling the Contact Facet: High Electron Transfer Capacity between TiO2 and the {110} Facet of BiVO4 Caused by Suitable Energy Band Alignment
Authors: Li Houfen , Yu Hongtao , Quan Xie , Chen Shuo , Zhao Huimin
Published: April 2015

Charge separation at the interface of heterojunctions is affected by the energy band alignments of the materials that compose the heterojunctions. Controlling the contact crystal facets can lead to different energy band alignments owing to the varied electronic structures of the different crystal facets. Therefore, BiVO4‐TiO2 heterojunctions are designed with different BiVO4 crystal facets at the interface ({110} facet or {010} facet), named BiVO4‐110‐TiO2 and BiVO4‐010‐TiO2, respectively, to achieve high photocatalytic performance. Higher photocurrent density and lower photoluminescence intensity are observed with the BiVO4‐110‐TiO2 heterojunction than those of the BiVO4‐010‐TiO2 heterojunction, which confirms that the former possesses higher charge carrier separation capacity than the latter. The photocatalytic degradation results of both Rhodamine B and 4‐nonylphenol demonstrate that better photocatalytic performance is achieved on the BiVO4‐110‐TiO2 heterojunction than the BiVO4‐010‐TiO2 heterojunction under visible light (≥422 nm) irradiation. The higher electron transfer capacity and better photocatalytic performance of the BiVO4‐110‐TiO2 heterojunction are attributed to the more fluent electron transfer from the {110} facet of BiVO4 to TiO2 caused by the smaller interfacial energy barrier. This is further confirmed by the selective deposition of Pt on the TiO2 surface as well as the longer lifetime of Bi5+ in the BiVO4‐110‐TiO2 heterojunction.
Recent Advances in Lithium Sulfide Cathode Materials and Their Use in Lithium Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Son Yoonkook , Lee Jung‐Soo , Son Yeonguk , Jang Ji‐Hyun , Cho Jaephil
Published: April 2015

Increasing interest in electric transportation and bulk energy storage systems has fueled a growth in the demand for battery technologies that can offer both a high capacity and high energy density. Potential candidates include lithium sulfur batteries based on a lithium sulfide (Li2S) cathode material, which overcome many of the problems associated with other lithium sulfur battery designs. The downside of this is that Li2S has a sluggish activation process, and so, in a bid to overcome this shortcoming, various studies have aimed at better understanding the activation mechanism of this material so that it can be more effectively utilized. An overview of these efforts, as well as of the various full‐cell systems that have been subsequently developed based on Li2S cathodes in combination with different anode materials such as silicon nanowires, silicon thin films, and tin composites is provided.
Analysis of the human osseous nasal shape—population differences and sexual dimorphism
Authors: Schlager Stefan , Rüdell Alexandra
Published: April 2015

Objectives

In this study, the shape of the outer osseous nose in a German and a Chinese sample is analyzed using a dense set of semi‐landmarks. Shape differences related to population and sex as well as directional and fluctuating asymmetry were statistically evaluated and also visualized.

Materials and Methods

Shape differences in the bony nose were investigated between a large sample of CT scans of German (140 ♀, 127 ♂) and Chinese (135 ♀, 132 ♂) crania. We used semi‐automatic methods to represent the shape of this region as a dense point‐cloud, consisting of 370 three‐dimensional bilateral coordinates. Both the symmetric and asymmetric modes of shape variation were addressed.

Results

Strong differences in nasal shape were found between the two populations, while sex was found to play a minor role in explaining the observed shape variation. The expression of sexual dimorphism was similar in both populations. Differences attributed to population affinity and to sexual dimorphism were both found to affect the shape of theossa nasaliaand the projection of thespina nasalis. The correlation with population/sex was weak for directional asymmetry, but strong for fluctuating asymmetry. The nasal region is more asymmetric in Germans than in Chinese, with males displaying more asymmetry than females in both populations.

Discussion

While the bony nose is well suited for predicting population affinity, regarding the populations under investigation, its value for sexing unknown individuals is rather moderate. The similar expression of sexual dimorphism in those otherwise very dissimilar populations indicates common factors responsible for these differences. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:571–581, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Highly Efficient Ruthenium‐Catalyzed N‐Formylation of Amines with H2 and CO2
Authors: Zhang Lei , Han Zhaobin , Zhao Xiaoyu , Wang Zheng , Ding Kuiling
Published: April 2015

A highly efficient catalyst system based on ruthenium‐pincer‐type complexes has been discovered for N‐formylation of various amines with CO2 and H2, thus affording the corresponding formamides with excellent productivity (turnover numbers of up to 1 940 000 in a single batch) and selectivity. Using a simple catalyst recycling protocol, the catalyst was reused for 12 runs in N,N‐dimethylformamide production without significant loss of activity, thus demonstrating the potential for practical utilization of this cost‐effective process. A one‐pot two‐step procedure for hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol via the intermediacy of formamide formation has also been developed.
From Bacteria to Mollusks: The Principles Underlying the Biomineralization of Iron Oxide Materials
Authors: Faivre Damien , Godec Tina Ukmar
Published: April 2015

Various organisms possess a genetic program that enables the controlled formation of a mineral, a process termed biomineralization. The variety of biological material architectures is mind‐boggling and arises from the ability of organisms to exert control over crystal nucleation and growth. The structure and composition of biominerals equip biomineralizing organisms with properties and functionalities that abiotically formed materials, made of the same mineral, usually lack. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms underlying biomineralization and morphogenesis is of interdisciplinary interest to extract design principles that will enable the biomimetic formation of functional materials with similar capabilities. Herein, we summarize what is known about iron oxides formed by bacteria and mollusks for their magnetic and mechanical properties. We describe the chemical and biological machineries that are involved in controlling mineral precipitation and organization and show how these organisms are able to form highly complex structures under physiological conditions.
Heterobi‐ and ‐trimetallic Ion Pairs of Zirconocene‐Based Isoselective Olefin Polymerization Catalysts with AlMe3
Authors: Theurkauff Gabriel , Bondon Arnaud , Dorcet Vincent , Carpentier Jean‐François , Kirillov Evgueni
Published: April 2015

The reactivity towards AlMe3 of discrete cationic ansa‐zirconocenes 2 a,b that are ubiquitously used in isoselective propylene polymerization and based on [{Ph(H)C(3,6‐tBu2‐Flu)(3‐tBu‐5‐Et‐Cp)}ZrMe2)] {Cp‐Flu} and rac‐[{Me2Si‐(2‐Me‐4‐Ph‐Ind)2}ZrMe2] {SBI} was scrutinized. The first example of a structurally characterized Group 4 metallocene AlMe3 adduct (3 b) is reported. In the presence of excess AlMe3, the {SBI}‐based AlMe3 adduct 3 b undergoes a slow decomposition via CH activation in a bridging methyl unit to yield a new species (4 b) with a trimetallic {Zr(μ‐CH2)(μ‐Me)AlMe(μ‐Me)AlMe2} core. EXSY NMR data for the process 2 b⇄3 b→4 b suggest very rapid and reversible binding of an additional AlMe3 molecule onto AlMe3 adduct 3 b. The resulting heterotrimetallic species intermediates exchange of methyl groups between different metal centers and slowly undergoes the CH activation reaction towards 4 b.
Synthesis and characterization of vinyl‐polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes‐reinforced silicone resin with three‐dimensional cross‐linking structure
Authors: Zhang Yan , Li Yin‐wen , Zheng Jian , Guo Hui‐long , Guan Xiao‐xiao , Lu Man‐geng , Wu Kun , Liang Li‐yan
Published: April 2015

A novel thermal stability and highly transparent silicone resin‐type material was prepared via hydrosilylation of vinyl‐polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS)‐grafted methylhydrosilicone oil and vinylmethylsilicone oil in the presence of Karstedt catalyst. The morphology, mechanical property, thermal stability, optical transmittance, thermal‐oxidation resistance of the vinyl‐POSS‐reinforced silicone resins were systematically investigated. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the vinyl‐POSS‐reinforced silicone resins had good compatibility with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) systems. The mechanical analysis and thermo gravimetric analysis indicated that the mechanical properties and thermal stability increased with increasing quantity of vinyl‐POSS. However, the optical transmittance increased with the increasing amount of vinyl‐POSS rather than decreased. In addition, the incorporation of vinyl‐POSS did not improve the thermal resistance of the PDMS polymers. The product has the potential application for LED packaging. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2015,132, 42187.
COMPARISON OF CHITIN STRUCTURES DERIVED FROM THREE COMMON WASP SPECIES (Vespa crabro LINNAEUS, 1758, Vespa orientalis LINNAEUS, 1771 and Vespula germanica (FABRICIUS, 1793))
Authors: Kaya Murat , Bağrıaçık Nil , Seyyar Osman , Baran Talat
Published: April 2015

There has been no study on the chitin structure of wasp species. Here, we selected the three most common wasp species belonging to the family Vespidae for chitin extraction and characterization. Chitin was isolated from each wasp species and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffractometry (XRD), elemental analysis (EA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chitin contents of Vespa crabro, Vespa orientalis, and Vespula germanica were 8.3, 6.4, and 11.9%, respectively. The crystalline index (CrI) values for the chitin extracted from each species were 69.88, 53.92, and 50%, respectively. The most important finding of the study is that although the same method was used to extract chitin from each of the three wasp species, the degree of acetylation was different: for V. crabro and V. orientalis it was 96.85 and 99.82% (the chitin was extremely pure), respectively, whereas that for V. germanica the chitin was 79.83%.
Research data sharing: Developing a stakeholder‐driven model for journal policies
Authors: Sturges Paul , Bamkin Marianne , Anders Jane H.S. , Hubbard Bill , Hussain Azhar , Heeley Melanie
Published: April 2015

Conclusions of research articles depend on bodies of data that cannot be included in articles themselves. To share this data is important for reasons of both transparency and reuse. Science, Technology, and Medicine journals have a role in facilitating sharing, but by what mechanism is not yet clear. The Journal Research Data (JoRD) Project was a JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee)‐funded feasibility study on the potential for a central service on journal research data policies. The objectives of the study included identifying the current state of journal data sharing policies and investigating stakeholders’ views and practices. The project confirmed that a large percentage of journals have no data sharing policy and that there are inconsistencies between those that are traceable. This state leaves authors unsure of whether they should share article related data and where and how to deposit those data. In the absence of a consolidated infrastructure to share data easily, a model journal data sharing policy was developed by comparing quantitative information from analyzing existing journal data policies with qualitative data collected from stakeholders. This article summarizes and outlines the process by which the model was developed and presents the model journal data sharing policy.
Users' music information needs and behaviors: Design implications for music information retrieval systems
Authors: Lee Jin Ha , Cho Hyerim , Kim Yea‐Seul
Published: April 2015

User studies in the music information retrieval (MIR) domain tend to be exploratory and qualitative in nature, involving a small number of users, which makes it difficult to derive broader implications for system design. In order to fill this gap, we conducted a large‐scale user survey questioning various aspects of people's music information needs and behaviors. In particular, we investigated if general music users' needs and behaviors have significantly changed over time by comparing our current survey results with a similar survey conducted in 2004. In this paper, we present the key findings from the survey data and discuss 4 emergent themes—(a) the shift in access and use of personal music collections; (b) the growing need for tools to support collaborative music seeking, listening, and sharing; (c) the importance of “visual” music experiences; and (d) the need for ontologies for providing rich contextual information. We conclude by making specific recommendations for improving the design of MIR systems and services.
Review insights into the interactions of amino acids and peptides with inorganic materials using single molecule force spectroscopy
Authors: Das Priyadip , Reches Meital
Published: April 2015

Understanding the interactions between proteins and inorganic surfaces is important for the development of new biomaterials and implants as they interface with the immune response by proteins. In addition, the adsorption of proteins to inorganic surfaces leads to the formation of a conditioning layer that facilitates bacterial attachments and biofilm formation. As biofilm provides bacterial resistance to antibiotics, biofilm formation is an undesirable process that could be prevented by resisting protein interactions with the substrate. Moreover, the interaction between proteins and inorganic materials is the basis for the formation of composite materials in nature. Understanding the underlying forces that governs these interactions would lead to the design of new and unique composite materials in vitro. This review focuses on the insights gained using single‐molecule force spectroscopy by AFM on these interactions. This tool provides molecular information, at the single molecule level, on the interaction between a molecule on the AFM tip and a substrate. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 104: 480–494, 2015.
Engineering protein folding and translocation improves heterologous protein secretion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Tang Hongting , Bao Xiaoming , Shen Yu , Song Meihui , Wang Shenghuan , Wang Chengqiang , Hou Jin
Published: April 2015

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is widely used as a producer of heterologous proteins of medical and industrial interest. Numerous efforts have been made to overcome bottlenecks in protein expression and secretion. However, the effect of engineering protein translocation to heterologous protein secretion has not been studied extensively in S. cerevisiae. In this work, we confirmed that heterologous protein expression in S. cerevisiae induced the unfolded protein response (UPR). To enhance protein folding capacity, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone protein BiP and the disulfide isomerase Pdi1p were each over‐expressed, and the secretion of three heterologous proteins, β‐glucosidase, endoglucanase, and α‐amylase, was improved. The impact of engineering key translocation components was also studied. The over‐expression of co‐translational translocation components Srp14p and Srp54p enhanced the secretion of three heterologous proteins (β‐glucosidase, endoglucanase, and α‐amylase), but over‐expressing the cytosolic chaperone Ssa1p (involved in post‐translational translocation) only enhanced the secretion of β‐glucosidase. By engineering both co‐translational translocation and protein folding, we obtained strains with β‐glucosidase, endoglucanase, and α‐amylase activities increased by 72%, 60%, and 103% compared to the controls. Our results show that protein translocation may be a limiting factor for heterologous protein production. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 1872–1882. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Applications of yeast‐based signaling sensor for characterization of antagonist and analysis of site‐directed mutants of the human serotonin 1A receptor
Authors: Nakamura Yasuyuki , Ishii Jun , Kondo Akihiko
Published: April 2015

The monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin (5‐HT) regulates a wide spectrum of human physiology through the 5‐HT receptor family. One such receptor, the 5‐HT1A receptor (HTR1A), is the most widely studied subtype and represents a significant molecular target in medicinal and therapeutic fields. Yeast‐based fluorescent reporter systems have proven to be especially useful for GPCR assays, since detection using a fluorescent reporter considerably simplifies measurement procedures. However, previously reported systems using enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) as the reporter in yeast still showed low signal‐to‐noise (S/N) ratios, making EGFP difficult to apply as an easily accessible tool. Therefore, we constructed a refined yeast‐based GPCR biosensor employing a high‐sensitivity strain that incorporated both a Gα‐engineered receptor and a fluorescent reporter (ZsGreen). As we report here, the refined yeast‐based fluorescent biosensor was applied successfully to antagonist characterization and analysis of site‐directed mutants of the HTR1A receptor. Pindolol, a known antagonist of HTR1A, specifically inhibited agonist‐induced signaling, demonstrating the ease of evaluating inhibition effects using our reporter strain. Characterization of site‐specific receptor mutants confirmed the role of specific targeted residues, including the highly conserved DRY motif, in the activation of HTR1A. Thus, our refined yeast biosensor strain, which incorporates a ZsGreen reporter and an engineered Gα receptor, is expected to serve as a simple and practical sensing tool for evaluating the ligand candidates and defining residues important to the function of human GPCRs. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 1906–1915. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High tolerance and physiological mechanism of Zymomonas mobilis to phenolic inhibitors in ethanol fermentation of corncob residue
Authors: Gu Hanqi , Zhang Jian , Bao Jie
Published: April 2015

Corncob residue as the lignocellulosic biomass accumulated phenolic compounds generated from xylitol production industry. For utilization of this biomass, Zymomonas mobilis ZM4 was tested as the ethanol fermenting strain and presented a better performance of cell growth (2.8 × 108 CFU/mL) and ethanol fermentability (54.42 g/L) in the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) than the typical robust strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae DQ1 (cell growth of 2.9 × 107 CFU/mL, ethanol titer of 48.6 g/L). The physiological response of Z. mobilis ZM4 to the twelve typical phenolic compounds derived from lignocellulose was assayed and compared with that of S. cerevisiae DQ1. Z. mobilis ZM4 showed nearly the same tolerance to the phenolic aldehydes with S. cerevisiae DQ1, but the stronger tolerance to the phenolic acids existing in corncob residue (2‐furoic acid, p‐hydroxybenzoic acid, p‐coumaric acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, and syringic acid). The tolerance mechanism of Z. mobilis was investigated in terms of inhibitor degradation, cell morphology and membrane permeability under the stress of phenolics using GC‐MS, scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM), as well as fluorescent probes. The results reveal that Z. mobilis ZM4 has the capability for in situ detoxification of phenolic aldehydes, and the lipopolysaccharide aggregation on the cell outer membrane of Z. mobilis ZM4 provided the permeable barrier to the attack of phenolic acids. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 1770–1782. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Key successful factors of knowledge management for university students using e‐portfolios: Approach of Fuzzy Delphi and Fuzzy AHP
Authors: Chang Chi‐Cheng , Liang Chaoyun , Shu Kuen‐Ming , Tsai Cheng‐Wei
Published: April 2015

The key successful factors (KSFs) of knowledge management for university students using e‐portfolio were established in the present study based on the Fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP). According to experts, the KSFs of KM using e‐portfolio included knowledge sharing, innovation, acquisition, application, and accumulation. Detailed sub‐KSFs were developed based on the activities of the e‐portfolios including reflection, work revision, self‐assessment on works, arrangement of learning content, teacher feedback, modeling, communication, and discussion. Each KSF and sub‐KSF was weighted and ranked and had an acceptable reliability and validity. Among these sub‐KSFs, reflection had the highest weight, followed by work revision, implying that reflection had the greatest impact on knowledge management. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput. Appl. Eng. Educ. Comput Appl Eng Educ 23:673–681, 2015; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21640