bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cryptic biodiversity and phylogeographic patterns of SeychelloisLigiaisopods
Authors: Santamaria Carlos A. , Bluemel Joanna K. , Bunbury Nancy , Curran Melinda
Published: October 2017

Ligiaisopods are conspicuous inhabitants of rocky intertidal habitats exhibiting several biological traits that severely limit their dispersal potential. Their presence in patchy habitats and low vagility may lead to long term isolation, allopatric isolation and possible cryptic speciation. Indeed, various species ofLigiahave been suggested to represent instead cryptic species complexes. Past studies; however, have largely focused in Eastern Pacific and Atlantic species ofLigia, leaving in doubt whether cryptic diversity occurs in other highly biodiverse areas. The Seychelles consists of 115 islands of different ages and geological origins spread across the western Indian Ocean. They are well known for their rich biodiversity with recent reports of cryptic species in terrestrial Seychellois organisms. Despite these studies, it is unclear whether coastal invertebrates from the Seychelles harbor any cryptic diversity. In this study, we examined patterns of genetic diversity and isolation withinLigiaisopods across the Seychelles archipelago by characterizing individuals from locations across both inner and outer islands of the Seychelles using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. We report the presence of highly divergent lineages of independent origin. At Aldabra Atoll, we uncovered a lineage closely related to theLigia vitiensiscryptic species complex. Within the inner islands of Cousine, Silhouette, and Mahé we detected the presence of two moderately divergent and geographically disjunct lineages most closely related toLigia dentipes. Our findings suggest that the Seychelles may harbor at least three novel species ofLigiain need of description and that these species may have originated independently.
Independent evolution of tetraloop in enterovirus oriL replicative element and its putative binding partners in virus protein 3C
Authors: Prostova Maria A. , Deviatkin Andrei A. , Tcelykh Irina O. , Lukashev Alexander N. , Gmyl Anatoly P.
Published: October 2017

Background

Enteroviruses are small non-enveloped viruses with a (+) ssRNA genome with one open reading frame. Enterovirus protein 3C (or 3CD for some species) binds the replicative element oriL to initiate replication. The replication of enteroviruses features a low-fidelity process, which allows the virus to adapt to the changing environment on the one hand, and requires additional mechanisms to maintain the genome stability on the other. Structural disturbances in the apical region of oriL domain d can be compensated by amino acid substitutions in positions 154 or 156 of 3C (amino acid numeration corresponds to poliovirus 3C), thus suggesting the co-evolution of these interacting sequences in nature. The aim of this work was to understand co-evolution patterns of two interacting replication machinery elements in enteroviruses, the apical region of oriL domain d and its putative binding partners in the 3C protein.

Methods

To evaluate the variability of the domain d loop sequence we retrieved all available full enterovirus sequences (>6, 400 nucleotides), which were present in the NCBI database on February 2017 and analysed the variety and abundance of sequences in domain d of the replicative element oriL and in the protein 3C.

Results

A total of 2,842 full genome sequences was analysed. The majority of domain d apical loops were tetraloops, which belonged to consensus YNHG (Y = U/C, N = any nucleotide, H = A/C/U). The putative RNA-binding tripeptide 154–156 (Enterovirus C3C protein numeration) was less diverse than the apical domain d loop region and, in contrast to it, was species-specific.

Discussion

Despite the suggestion that the RNA-binding tripeptide interacts with the apical region of domain d, they evolve independently in nature. Together, our data indicate the plastic evolution of both interplayers of 3C-oriL recognition.
Hypothesis – buttressed rings assemble, clamp, and release SNAREpins for synaptic transmission
Authors: Rothman James E. , Krishnakumar Shyam S. , Grushin Kirill , Pincet Frederic
Published: October 2017

Neural networks are optimized to detect temporal coincidence on the millisecond timescale. Here, we offer a synthetic hypothesis based on recent structural insights into SNAREs and the C2 domain proteins to explain how synaptic transmission can keep this pace. We suggest that an outer ring of up to six curved Munc13 ‘MUN’ domains transiently anchored to the plasma membrane via its flanking domains surrounds a stable inner ring comprised of synaptotagmin C2 domains to serve as a work‐bench on which SNAREpins are templated. This ‘buttressed‐ring hypothesis’ affords straightforward answers to many principal and long‐standing questions concerning how SNAREpins can be assembled, clamped, and then released synchronously with an action potential.
Characterization of Convective Plumes Associated With Oceanic Deep Convection in the Northwestern Mediterranean From High‐Resolution In Situ Data Collected by Gliders
Authors: Margirier Félix , Bosse Anthony , Testor Pierre , L'Hévéder Blandine , Mortier Laurent , Smeed David
Published: October 2017

Numerous gliders have been deployed in the Gulf of Lions (northwestern Mediterranean Sea) and in particular during episodes of open‐ocean deep convection in the winter 2012–2013. The data collected represents an unprecedented density of in situ observations providing a first in situ statistical and 3‐D characterization of the important mixing agents of the deep convection phenomenon, the so‐called plumes. A methodology based on a glider‐static flight model was applied to infer the oceanic vertical velocity signal from the glider navigation data. We demonstrate that during the active phase of mixing, the gliders underwent significant oceanic vertical velocities up to 18 cm s−1. Focusing on the data collected by two gliders during the 2012–2013 winter, 120 small‐scale convective downward plumes were detected with a mean radius of 350 m and separated by about 2 km. We estimate that the plumes cover 27% of the convection area. Gliders detected downward velocities with a magnitude larger than that of the upward ones (−6 versus +2 cm s−1 on average). Along‐track recordings of temperature and salinity as well as biogeochemical properties (dissolved oxygen, fluorescence, and turbidity) allow a statistical characterization of the water masses' properties in the plumes' core with respect to the “background”: the average downward signal is of colder (−1.8 × 10−3 °C), slightly saltier (+4.9 × 10−4 psu) and thus denser waters (+7.5 × 10−4 kg m−3). The plunging waters are also on average more fluorescent (+2.3 × 10−2 μg L−1). The plumes are associated with a vertical diffusion coefficient of 7.0 m2 s−1 and their vertical velocity variance scales with the ratio of the buoyancy loss over the Coriolis parameter to the power 0.86.
Quasi‐Additivity of the Radiative Effects of Marine Cloud Brightening and Stratospheric Sulfate Aerosol Injection
Authors: Boucher Olivier , Kleinschmitt Christoph , Myhre Gunnar
Published: October 2017

Stratospheric sulfate aerosol injection (SAI) and marine cloud brightening (MCB) are the two most studied solar radiation management techniques. For the first time we combine them in a climate model to investigate their complementarity in terms of both instantaneous and effective radiative forcings. The effective radiative forcing induced by SAI is significantly stronger than its instantaneous counterpart evaluated at the top of atmosphere. Radiative kernel calculations indicate that this occurs because of a significant stratospheric warming and despite a large increase in stratospheric water vapor that strengthens the greenhouse effect. There is also a large decrease in high‐level cloudiness induced by a stratification of the upper tropopause. Our model experiments also show that the radiative effects of SAI and MCB are quasi‐additive and have fairly complementary patterns in the Tropics. This results in less spatial and temporal variability in the radiative forcing for combined SAI and MCB as compared to MCB alone.
The Magnetospheric Source Region of the Bright Proton Aurora
Authors: Spanswick E. , Donovan E. , Kepko L. , Angelopoulos V.
Published: October 2017

The bright proton aurora is generally understood to be the projection of the Central Plasma Sheet where there is sufficient particle energy to cause auroral luminosity and strong pitch angle scattering (presumably due to field line curvature). This region is often interpreted as the transition region between dipolar and tail‐like magnetic topologies. The location of auroral features relative to the peak in the proton aurora has been used, for example, to argue that the substorm onset arc lies on field lines that thread this transition region. In this paper, we present statistics of proton aurora luminosity computed from Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions in Substorms electrostatic analyzer measurements for various radial distances in the magnetotail. These results are compared to ground observations of proton auroral luminosity and used to derive a statistical source region of the bright proton aurora.
A twentieth century perspective on summer Antarctic pressure change and variability and contributions from tropical SSTs and ozone depletion
Authors: Fogt Ryan L. , Goergens Chad A. , Jones Julie M. , Schneider David P. , Nicolas Julien P. , Bromwich David H. , Dusselier Hallie E.
Published: October 2017

During the late twentieth century, the Antarctic atmospheric circulation has changed and significantly influenced the overall Antarctic climate, through processes including a poleward shift of the circumpolar westerlies. However, little is known about the full spatial pattern of atmospheric pressure over the Antarctic continent prior to 1979. Here we investigate surface pressure changes across the entire Antarctic continent back to 1905 by developing a new summer pressure reconstruction poleward of 60°S. We find that only across East Antarctica are the recent pressures significantly lower than pressures in the early twentieth century; we also discern periods of significant positive pressure trends in the early twentieth century across the coastal South Atlantic sector of Antarctica. Climate model simulations reveal that both tropical sea surface temperature variability and other radiative forcing mechanisms, in addition to ozone depletion, have played an important role in forcing the recent observed negative trends.
Effect of Topography Degradation on Crater Size‐Frequency Distributions: Implications for Populations of Small Craters and Age Dating
Authors: Xie Minggang , Zhu Meng‐Hua , Xiao Zhiyong , Wu Yunzhao , Xu Aoao
Published: October 2017

Whether or not background secondary craters dominate populations of small impact craters on terrestrial bodies is a half‐century controversy. It has been suggested that small craters on some planetary bodies are dominated by background secondary craters based partly on the steepened slope of crater size‐frequency distribution (CSFD) toward small diameters, such as the less than ~1 km diameter crater population on the lunar mare. Here we show that topography degradation enlarges craters and increases CSFD slopes with time. When topography degradation is taken into account, for various‐aged crater populations, the observed steep CSFD at small diameters is uniformly consistent with an originally shallower CSFD, whose slope is undifferentiated from the CSFD slope estimated from near‐Earth objects and terrestrial bolides. The results show that the effect of topography degradation on CSFD is important in dating planetary surfaces, and the steepening of CSFD slopes is not necessarily caused by secondary cratering, but rather a natural consequence of topography degradation.
Thermal Conductivity of the Multicomponent Neutral Atmosphere
Authors: Pavlov A. V.
Published: October 2017

Approximate expressions for the thermal conductivity coefficient of the multicomponent neutral atmosphere consisting of N2, O2, O, He, and H are analyzed and evaluated for the atmospheric conditions by comparing them with that given by the rigorous hydrodynamic theory. The new approximations of the thermal conductivity coefficients of simple gases N2, O2, O, He, and H are derived and used. It is proved that the modified Mason and Saxena approximation of the atmospheric thermal conductivity coefficient is more accurate in reproducing the atmospheric values of the rigorous hydrodynamic thermal conductivity coefficient in comparison with those that are generally accepted in atmospheric studies. This approximation of the thermal conductivity coefficient is recommended to use in calculations of the neutral temperature of the atmosphere.
Turbulence and Mixing in a Shallow Shelf Sea From Underwater Gliders
Authors: Schultze Larissa K. P. , Merckelbach Lucas M. , Carpenter Jeffrey R.
Published: October 2017

The seasonal thermocline in shallow shelf seas acts as a natural barrier for boundary‐generated turbulence, damping scalar transport to the upper regions of the water column and controlling primary production to a certain extent. To better understand turbulence and mixing conditions within the thermocline, two unique 12 and 17 day data sets with continuous measurements of the dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy (ɛ) collected by autonomous underwater gliders under stratified to well‐mixed conditions are presented. A highly intermittent ɛ signal was observed in the stratified thermocline region, which was mainly characterized by quiescent flow (turbulent activity index below 7). The rate of diapycnal mixing remained relatively constant for the majority of the time with peaks of higher fluxes that were responsible for much of the increase in bottom mixed layer temperature. The water column stayed predominantly strongly stratified, with a bulk Richardson number across the thermocline well above 2. A positive relationship between the intensity of turbulence, shear, and stratification was found. The trend between turbulence levels and the bulk Richardson number was relatively weak but suggests that ɛ increases as the bulk Richardson number approaches 1. The results also highlight the interpretation difficulties in both quantifying turbulent thermocline fluxes as well as the responsible mechanisms.
Physical Mechanisms Routing Nutrients in the Central Red Sea
Authors: Zarokanellos Nikolaos D. , Kürten Benjamin , Churchill James H. , Roder Cornelia , Voolstra Christian R. , Abualnaja Yasser , Jones Burton H.
Published: October 2017

Mesoscale eddies and boundary currents play a key role in the upper layer circulation of the Red Sea. This study assesses the physical and biochemical characteristics of an eastern boundary current (EBC) and recurrent eddies in the central Red Sea (CRS) using a combination of in situ and satellite observations. Hydrographic surveys in November 2013 (autumn) and in April 2014 (spring) in the CRS (22.15°N–24.1°N) included a total of 39 and 27 CTD stations, respectively. In addition, high‐resolution hydrographic data were acquired in spring 2014 with a towed undulating vehicle (ScanFish). In situ measurements of salinity, temperature, chlorophyll fluorescence, colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), and dissolved nitrate: phosphorous ratios reveal distinct water mass characteristics for the two periods. An EBC, observed in the upper 150 m of the water column during autumn, transported low‐salinity and warm water from the south toward the CRS. Patches of the low‐salinity water of southern origin tended to contain relatively high concentrations of chlorophyll and CDOM. The prominent dynamic feature observed in spring was a cyclonic/anticyclonic eddy pair. The cyclonic eddy was responsible for an upward nutrient flux into the euphotic zone. Higher chlorophyll and CDOM concentrations, and concomitant lower nitrate:phosphorous ratios indicate the influence of the EBC in the CRS at the end of the stratified summer period.
Multiple‐cumulative probabilities used to cluster and visualize transcriptomes
Authors: Jia Xingang , Liu Yisu , Han Qiuhong , Lu Zuhong
Published: October 2017

Analysis of gene expression data by clustering and visualizing played a central role in obtaining biological knowledge. Here, we used Pearson's correlation coefficient of multiple‐cumulative probabilities (PCC‐MCP) of genes to define the similarity of gene expression behaviors. To answer the challenge of the high‐dimensional MCPs, we used icc‐cluster, a clustering algorithm that obtained solutions by iterating clustering centers, with PCC‐MCP to group genes. We then used t‐statistic stochastic neighbor embedding (t‐SNE) of KC‐data to generate optimal maps for clusters of MCP (t‐SNE‐MCP‐O maps). From the analysis of several transcriptome data sets, we demonstrated clear advantages for using icc‐cluster with PCC‐MCP over commonly used clustering methods. t‐SNE‐MCP‐O was also shown to give clearly projecting boundaries for clusters of PCC‐MCP, which made the relationships between clusters easy to visualize and understand.
Assessment of radiopharmaceutical retention for vascular access ports using positron emission tomography imaging
Authors: Gossman Michael S. , Zheng Huaiyu , Evans John G. , Li Junling , Ng Chin K.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to resolve the issue of whether various generations of CR Bard peripheral vascular access ports and catheters are prone to retain PET radiopharmaceuticals. The study evaluates the residual radioactivity remaining following injection for two PET radiopharmaceuticals currently used extensively in the clinic, FDG and Na18F.

Methods

FDG was purchased from a local cyclotron facility and Na18F was prepared in‐house. Three generations of currently marketed vascular access ports were tested. A total of five (n = 5) of each model was tested. Radiopharmaceutical of 2–3 mCi of each was injected into each port and flushed with 10, 30, 60, and 120 ml of saline. MicroPET scans were performed after each flush to detect the residual radioactivity on each port. A dose calibrator was used to detect the retention of radioactivity after each flush.

Results

Radioactivity retention for all vascular port models measured by microPET imaging was similar for both FDG and Na18F, with less than 1% residual activity following a 10 ml saline flush. Based on the microPET images, all the subsequent flushes of 30, 60, and 120 ml were also considered. Dose calibrator activity measurements validated microPET measurements as negligible for all the ports, even with the first 10 ml flush.

Conclusions

MicroPET imaging was more sensitive than the dose calibrator in determining the radioactivity retention of the vascular access ports from CR Bard. These ports may be used for the injection of FDG and Na18F to track glucose metabolism and bone uptake with PET imaging. It is recommended to apply at least a 10 ml flush after radiopharmaceutical administration, to reduce residual activity to baseline levels.
Thermoreversible Self‐Assembly of Perfluorinated Core‐Coronas Cellulose‐Nanoparticles in Dry State
Authors: Wang Yonggui , Groszewicz Pedro B. , Rosenfeldt Sabine , Schmidt Hendrik , Volkert Cynthia A. , Vana Philipp , Gutmann Torsten , Buntkowsky Gerd , Zhang Kai
Published: October 2017

Self‐assembly of nanoparticles (NPs) forming unique structures has been investigated extensively over the past few years. However, many self‐assembled structures by NPs are irreversible, because they are generally constructed using their suspensions. It is still challenging for NPs to reversibly self‐assemble in dry state, let alone of polymeric NPs with general sizes of hundreds of nm. Herein, this study reports a new reversible self‐assembly phenomenon of NPs in dry state, forming thermoreversible strip‐like supermolecular structures. These novel NPs of around 150 nm are perfluorinated surface‐undecenoated cellulose nanoparticles (FSU‐CNPs) with a core‐coronas structure. The thermoreversible self‐assembled structure is formed after drying in the air at the interface between FSU‐CNP films and Teflon substrates. Remarkably, the formation and dissociation of this assembled structure are accompanied by a reversible conversion of the surface hydrophobicity, film transparency, and anisotropic properties. These findings show novel feasibility of reversible self‐assembly of NPs in dry state, and thereby expand our knowledge of self‐assembly phenomenon.
Giant Room‐Temperature Magnetodielectric Response in a MOF at 0.1 Tesla
Authors: Chen Li‐Hong , Guo Jiang‐Bin , Wang Xuan , Dong Xin‐Wei , Zhao Hai‐Xia , Long La‐Sheng , Zheng Lan‐Sun
Published: October 2017

A giant room‐temperature magnetodielectric (MD) response upon the application of a small magnetic field is of fundamental importance for the practical application of a new generation of devices. Here, the giant room‐temperature magnetodielectric response is demonstrated in the metal–organic framework (MOF) of [NH2(CH3)2]n[FeIIIFeII(1−x)NiIIx(HCOO)6]n (x ≈ 0.63–0.69) (1) with its MD coefficient remaining between −20% and −24% in the 300–410 K temperature range, even at 0.1 T. Because a room‐temperature magnetodielectric response has never been observed in MOFs, the present work not only provides a new type of magnetodielectric material but also takes a solid step toward the practical application of MOFs in a new generation of devices.
Lithiation Mechanism of Tunnel‐Structured MnO2 Electrode Investigated by In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Lee Seung‐Yong , Wu Lijun , Poyraz Altug S. , Huang Jianping , Marschilok Amy C. , Takeuchi Kenneth J. , Takeuchi Esther S. , Kim Miyoung , Zhu Yimei
Published: October 2017

Manganese oxide (α‐MnO2) has been considered a promising energy material, including as a lithium‐based battery electrode candidate, due to its environmental friendliness. Thanks to its unique 1D [2 × 2] tunnel structure, α‐MnO2 can be applied to a cathode by insertion reaction and to an anode by conversion reaction in corresponding voltage ranges, in a lithium‐based battery. Numerous reports have attributed its remarkable performance to its unique tunnel structure; however, the precise electrochemical reaction mechanism remains unknown. In this study, finding of the lithiation mechanism of α‐MnO2 nanowire by in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is reported. By elaborately modifying the existing in situ TEM experimental technique, rapid lithium‐ion diffusion through the tunnels is verified. Furthermore, by tracing the full lithiation procedure, the evolution of the MnO intermediate phase and the development of the MnO and Li2O phases with preferred orientations is demonstrated, which explains how the conversion reaction occurs in α‐MnO2 material. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the electrochemical lithiation process and mechanism of α‐MnO2 material, in addition to the introduction of an improved in situ TEM biasing technique.
Electrochemical Tantalum Oxide for Resistive Switching Memories
Authors: Zaffora Andrea , Cho Deok‐Yong , Lee Kug‐Seung , Di Quarto Francesco , Waser Rainer , Santamaria Monica , Valov Ilia
Published: October 2017

Redox‐based resistive switching memories (ReRAMs) are strongest candidates for the next‐generation nonvolatile memories fulfilling the criteria for fast, energy efficient, and scalable green IT. These types of devices can also be used for selector elements, alternative logic circuits and computing, and memristive and neuromorphic operations. ReRAMs are composed of metal/solid electrolyte/metal junctions in which the solid electrolyte is typically a metal oxide or multilayer oxides structures. Here, this study offers an effective and cheap electrochemical approach to fabricate Ta/Ta2O5‐based devices by anodizing. This method allows to grow high‐quality and dense oxide thin films onto a metallic substrates with precise control over morphology and thickness. Electrochemical‐oxide‐based devices demonstrate superior properties, i.e., endurance of at least 106 pulse cycles and/or 103I–V sweeps maintaining a good memory window with a low dispersion in ROFF and RON values, nanosecond fast switching, and data retention of at least 104 s. Multilevel programing capability is presented with both I–V sweeps and pulse measurements. Thus, it is shown that anodizing has a great prospective as a method for preparation of dense oxide films for resistive switching memories.
Supramolecular Synthesis of Multifunctional Holey Carbon Nitride Nanosheet with High‐Efficiency Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Wan Shipeng , Ou Man , Zhong Qin , Zhang Shule , Cai Wei
Published: October 2017

Novel carbon nitride (CN) nanosheets are for the first time fabricated by facial supramolecular approach using cyanuric acid, melamine, and 2,4‐diamino‐6‐methyl‐1,3,5‐triazine as starting materials. This is also the first report where the third monomer is used in such synthetic route. With the unique structural advantages for efficient separation of photoinduced charge–hole pairs, light absorption, and the richly available restive sites, the as‐synthesized porous CN nanosheets exhibit a superior photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity whether they are under simulated solar light or under visible light (λ > 420 nm) irradiation. The hydrogen evolution rate can reach 11 946.1 µmol h−1g−1under visible light irradiation, to the best of our knowledge, the highest of all the metal‐free CN semiconductor photocatalysts. Also, the synthetic holey CN nanosheets exhibit excellent photocatalytic oxidation performance of high concentration nitric oxide (NO, ≈400 ppm) and outstanding photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B under visible light. The supramolecular synthesis of multifunctional CN nanosheets using suitable monomers as raw materials may provide a possible pathway for alleviating energy issues and environmental pollution problems.
Association of common genetic variants with human skin color variation in Indian populations
Authors: Sarkar Anujit , Nandineni Madhusudan R.
Published: October 2017

Objectives

Human skin color is one of the most conspicuously variable physical traits that has attracted the attention of physical anthropologists, social scientists and human geneticists. Although several studies have established the underlying genes and their variants affecting human skin color, they were mostly confined to Europeans and Africans and similar studies in Indian populations have been scanty. Studying the association between candidate genetic variants and skin color will help to validate previous findings and to better understand the molecular mechanism of skin color variation.

Methods

In this study, 22 candidate SNPs from 12 genes were tested for association with skin color in 299 unrelated samples sourced from nine geographical locations in India.

Results

Our study establishes the association of 9 SNPs with the phenotype in Indian populations and could explain ∼31% of the variance in skin color. Haplotype analysis of chromosome 15 revealed a significant association of alleles G, A and C of SNPs rs1426654, rs11070627, and rs12913316, respectively, to the phenotype, and accounted for 17% of the variance. Latitude of the sampling location was also a significant factor, contributing to ∼19% of the variation observed in the samples.

Conclusions

These observations support the findings that rs1426654 and rs4775730 located in SLC24A5, and rs11070627 and rs12913316 located in MYEF2 and CTXN2 genes respectively, are major contributors toward skin pigmentation and would aid in further unraveling the genotype‐phenotype association in Indian populations. These findings can be utilized in forensic DNA applications for criminal investigations.
A variant associated with sagittal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis alters the regulatory function of a non‐coding element
Authors: Justice Cristina M. , Kim Jinoh , Kim Sun‐Don , Kim Kyunhgho , Yagnik Garima , Cuellar Araceli , Carrington Blake , Lu Chung‐Ling , Sood Raman , Boyadjiev Simeon A. , Wilson Alexander F.
Published: October 2017

Craniosynostosis presents either as a nonsyndromic congenital anomaly or as a finding in nearly 200 genetic syndromes. Our previous genome‐wide association study of sagittal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis identified associations with variants downstream from BMP2 and intronic in BBS9. Because no coding variants in BMP2 were identified, we hypothesized that conserved non‐coding regulatory elements may alter BMP2 expression. In order to identify and characterize noncoding regulatory elements near BMP2, two conserved noncoding regions near the associated region on chromosome 20 were tested for regulatory activity with a Renilla luciferase assay. For a 711 base pair noncoding fragment encompassing the most strongly associated variant, rs1884302, the luciferase assay showed that the risk allele (C) of rs1884302 drives higher expression of the reporter than the common allele (T). When this same DNA fragment was tested in zebrafish transgenesis studies, a strikingly different expression pattern of the green fluorescent reporter was observed depending on whether the transgenic fish had the risk (C) or the common (T) allele at rs1884302. The in vitro results suggest that altered BMP2 regulatory function at rs1884302 may contribute to the etiology of sagittal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. The in vivo results indicate that differences in regulatory activity depend on the presence of a C or T allele at rs1884302.
Are Legal Disputes Just About Money? Answers from Mediators on the Front Line
Authors: Abramson Hal , Glasner Birgit Sambeth , Marsh Bill , Picker Bennett G. , Weiss Jerry
Published: October 2017

Are most disputes in mediation just about money? That's an old and familiar question that many lawyers still seem to reply to with an emphatic “yes.” Mediated cases are frequently viewed as a clash of binary claims, subject only to a sorting out of financial winners and losers.
Fear and Anxiety as Tools of Hope
Authors: Creo Robert A.
Published: October 2017

Fear is a prime emotion, along with anger; disgust and contempt; happiness; sadness, and surprise.
Direct Access to MIDA Acylboronates through Mild Oxidation of MIDA Vinylboronates
Authors: Lepage Mathieu L. , Lai Samson , Peressin Nicolas , Hadjerci Romain , Patrick Brian O. , Perrin David M.
Published: October 2017

Acylboronate esters/trifluoroborates represent an elusive class of boronates that are of increasing interest for both fundamental study as well as applications at the interface of chemistry and biology. Their preparation has been limited by the use of strongly basic anions, often introduced in multistep reactions. Herein, we demonstrate the facile preparation of acylboronate N‐methyliminodiacetyl (MIDA) esters from alkenyl‐2‐boronate esters through mild dihydroxylation and meta‐periodate cleavage. Given the well‐known functional‐group tolerance of this mild reaction sequence and the availability of alkenyl‐2‐boronates, this method should greatly increase access to acylboronate MIDA esters.
Synthesis of acid dyes containing polyetheramine moieties and their low‐temperature dyeing properties on wool fiber
Authors: Wang Haiying , Wang Guowei , Zheng Chunlin , Zhou Tijian , Sun Jie
Published: October 2017

To realize the low‐temperature dyeing of wool fibers, the use of auxiliaries and wool modification are common methods. Low‐temperature auxiliaries may cause water‐pollution problems, and wool modification is a costly and uncontrollable process. In this study, new acid dyes, named D1–D3, containing polyetheramine groups were synthesized and applied to wool fiber by conventional and low‐temperature exhaust dyeing procedures. The results indicate that the new acid dyes could interact with wool‐fiber‐like auxiliaries and render a high exhaustion rate to the wool fiber at a dyeing temperature of 80 °C. In comparison with Acid Blue 25, the D1–D3 dyes showed an increased dyeing rate, especially under a dyeing temperature of 80 °C. Despite the bigger relative molecular masses of D1–D3, the exhaustion rates of D1–D3 were still higher, and the times of half‐dyeing were shorter than that of Acid Blue 25. The color differences between the wool fabrics dyed with the four dyes at 80 and 98 °C, respectively, were compared. We found that the color differences of D1–D3 between 80 and 98 °C were smaller than that of Acid Blue 25. The interactions between the dyes and wool fiber were analyzed and manifested by the measurement of the ζ potential of the dyes and wool fiber. The leveling and transfer properties of the D1–D3 dyes were also investigated, and the color differences of the wool fabrics dyed with Acid Blue 25, D1, and D2 were very low at all measured pH values and temperatures. The fastnesses of D1–D3 on wool fabric were almost the same as that of Acid Blue 25. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45793.
A strategy for the preparation of closed‐cell and crosslinked polypropylene foam by supercritical CO2 foaming
Authors: Yang Chenguang , Xing Zhe , Zhao Quan , Wang Mouhua , Wu Guozhong
Published: October 2017

We report the preparation of a closed‐cell polypropylene (PP) foam material by supercritical carbon dioxide foaming with the assistance of γ‐ray radiation crosslinking. Styrene–ethylene–butadiene–styrene (SEBS) copolymer was added to PP to enhance radiation crosslinking and nucleation. Radiation effects on the foaming of the PP/SEBS blend with different ratios were investigated. A significant improvement in the foaming of the crosslinked PP/SEBS blend was achieved as compared to pristine PP. The cell density of the crosslinked PP/SEBS foam greatly increased at a dose of 10 kGy and a high closed‐cell ratio was obtained. The tensile strength of the crosslinked PP/SEBS foams (10 kGy) was improved from 14 to 20.7 MPa compared to pristine PP foam (0 kGy). In addition, the crosslinked PP/SEBS blend exhibited a wider foaming temperature window (10 °C) as compared to the non‐crosslinked ones (4 °C). © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45809.
Fabrication and characterization of novel nanofibers from cress seed mucilage for food applications
Authors: Fahami Arezoo , Fathi Milad
Published: October 2017

Cress seed mucilage (CSM) as a new source of biomacromolecule has gained attraction in food science due to its biodegradability and biocompatibility. In this research CSM–poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers were produced under different conditions by electrospinning technique. Viscosity and electrical conductivity of the produced biopolymers were analyzed. The effect of CSM to PVA volume ratio and applied electrical field were evaluated on nanofiber morphology by scanning electron spectroscopy. The optimum nanofibers showed smooth and uniform surfaces with diameter size range of 95–278 nm. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of CSM–PVA nanofiber with volume ratio of 60:40 showed characteristic peaks of CSM and PVA. X‐ray diffractometer data clearly revealed the amorphous structure of the electrospun nanofibers. Thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric analysis indicated that thermal stability of electrospun nanofibers increased in comparison to CSM and PVA. The results of this study indicated that CSM can be applied as a new source of biopolymer for production of nanofibers that could be used for different applications such as delivery systems and packaging film fabrication. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45811.
Preparation of fluorescent pigment latex and its application on binder‐free printing of cotton fabrics
Authors: Li Min , Zhang Liping , Peng Hongyun , Fu Shaohai
Published: October 2017

The recognized disadvantages of pigment printing are the stiff hand feel owing to the large particle size of the binder and pigments and the crosslinked binder introducing rigidity. In the current study, fluorescent pigment latex (FPL) was prepared via mini‐emulsion polymerization and further applied on cotton fabric printing in the absence of binder. The mini‐emulsions were prepared by dispersing the fluorescein in the monomers methyl methacrylate (MMA) and butyl acrylate (BA) with DNS‐86 as emulsifier, hexadecane as co‐emulsifier, and ammonium persulfate as initiator. The Fourier‐transform infrared‐attenuated total refraction, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis showed that the fluorescein was successfully encapsulated into P(MMA‐co‐BA) and the polymer content was 91.22%. The surface morphology study revealed that compact and smooth film was formed onto the surface of FPL printings, which resulted in better hand feel and rubbing fastness as compared to the conventional printings with a large amount of binder. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45826.
Atmospheric pressure plasma jet treatment of wheat straw for improved compatibility in epoxy composites
Authors: Huner Umit , Gulec Haci Ali , Damar Huner Irem
Published: October 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an atmospheric‐pressure gas plasma jet treatment on the interior and exterior surface characteristics of wheat straw and on the mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced with wheat straw. Dry air was used as the process gas in the plasma system. A distance between the nozzle and the substrate surface (DNSS) of 35 mm was determined as the most effective parameter enabling remarkable decreases in the
(surface energy) values of both the interior and exterior surfaces of virgin wheat straw. Increased intensities of the peaks related to carbon‐rich species and 11% to 43% decreases in the oxygen/carbon ratios on the surfaces confirmed the more hydrophobic nature of the plasma‐treated wheat straw. A further increase in the DNSS decreased the effectiveness of the plasma treatment, while a decrease in the DNSS caused an inverse effect on the
value, probably due to the etching effect of the plasma action, which was supported by the atomic force microscopy analysis. The overall results indicated that the increased hydrophobicity and valley‐like occurrences without sharp pits created by the plasma action improved the compatibility of the wheat straw with the epoxy matrix, which contributed to superior mechanical properties of the composites. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45828.
Electrospinning of flux‐enhanced chitosan–poly(lactic acid) nanofiber mats as a versatile platform for oil–water separation
Authors: Wang Dong , Lu Qifang , Wei Mingzhi , Guo Enyan
Published: October 2017

Environmentally friendly chitosan (CS)–poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanofiber mats were designed and constructed by an electrospinning strategy. Studies on the wettability of the CS–PLA nanofiber mats showed that they possessed excellent hydrophobic and oleophilic properties in the pH range 1–12. A layered oil–water mixture was separated by CS–PLA nanofiber mats, and the oil flux of the mats collected by #10 stainless steel wire mesh (sample P‐10) was up to 511.36 L m−2 h−1, which was approximately 25 times higher than that of the mats collected by #0 stainless steel wire meshes (sample P‐N). The superior properties of the CS–PLA nanofiber mats may have been due to their tunable porous structure and fine flexibility. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45830.
Wiederanbindung des historischen Hafens Bad Karlshafen an die Weser
Authors: Helfers Björn
Published: October 2017

Bad Karlshafen an der Nordspitze Hessens ist der geplante Traum. Der Gründer Landgraf Carl ließ das sumpfige Gebiet an der Mündung der Diemel in die Weser 1699 trockenlegen, um dort eine Barockstadt vom Reißbrett rund um ein Hafenbecken anzulegen. Das Hafenbecken inmitten der neuen Stadt wiederum sollte – ganz im Denken der Epoche – den Besatzungen der einfahrenden Schiffe ein prachtvoller Hinweis auf den Herrscher sein. Indem er solches mit den modernsten Techniken der Zeit erschaffen ließ, zeigte der Landgraf, dass es ihm sogar gelang, die Natur zu beherrschen und das Landschaftsbild regelrecht zu inszenieren. Die historische Schleuse zur Weser hin versieht ihren Dienst schon lange nicht mehr und die Brücke über die einstige Hafeneinfahrt wurde zum befestigten Straßendamm, der das Becken für Schiffe von der Zufahrt zur Weser abriegelt. Dies soll durch die Wiederanbindung des Hafens Bad Karlshafen an die Weser wieder korrigiert und der Hafen damit wieder zur Weser hin geöffnet werden.

Im Februar 2016 sprach sich eine knappe Mehrheit der Bad Karlshafener Bürger (51:49) in einem Bürgerentscheid für die Öffnung des Hafens zur Weser aus. Im Herbst 2016 wurde daraufhin mit den Planungen zur Hafenöffnung begonnen.
Ecological and Evolutionary Benefits of Temperate Phage: What Does or Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger
Authors: Harrison Ellie , Brockhurst Michael A.
Published: October 2017

Infection by a temperate phage can lead to death of the bacterial cell, but sometimes these phages integrate into the bacterial chromosome, offering the potential for a more long‐lasting relationship to be established. Here we define three major ecological and evolutionary benefits of temperate phage for bacteria: as agents of horizontal gene transfer (HGT), as sources of genetic variation for evolutionary innovation, and as weapons of bacterial competition. We suggest that a coevolutionary perspective is required to understand the roles of temperate phages in bacterial populations.
Ten‐year immune persistence and safety of the HPV‐16/18 AS04‐adjuvanted vaccine in females vaccinated at 15–55 years of age
Authors: Schwarz Tino F. , Galaj Andrzej , Spaczynski Marek , Wysocki Jacek , Kaufmann Andreas M. , Poncelet Sylviane , Suryakiran Pemmaraju V. , Folschweiller Nicolas , Thomas Florence , Lin Lan , Struyf Frank
Published: October 2017

Women remain at risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection for most of their lives. The duration of protection against HPV‐16/18 from prophylactic vaccination remains unknown. We investigated the 10‐year immune response and long‐term safety profile of the HPV‐16/18 AS04‐adjuvanted vaccine (AS04‐HPV‐16/18 vaccine) in females aged between 15 and 55 years at first vaccination. Females who received primary vaccination with three doses of AS04‐HPV‐16/18 vaccine in the primary phase‐III study (NCT00196937) were invited to attend annual evaluations for long‐term immunogenicity and safety. Anti‐HPV‐16/18 antibodies in serum and cervico‐vaginal secretions (CVS) were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serious adverse events (SAEs) were recorded throughout the follow‐up period. Seropositivity rates for anti‐HPV‐16 remained high (≥96.3%) in all age groups 10 years after first vaccination. It was found that 99.2% of 15–25‐year olds remained seropositive for anti‐HPV‐18 compared to 93.7% and 83.8% of 26–45‐year olds and 45–55‐year olds, respectively. Geometric mean titers (GMT) remained above natural infection levels in all age groups. Anti‐HPV‐16 and anti‐HPV‐18 titers were at least 5.3‐fold and 3.1‐fold higher than titers observed after natural infection, respectively, and were predicted to persist above natural infection levels for ≥30 years in all age groups. At Year 10, anti‐HPV‐16/18 antibody titers in subjects aged 15–25 years remained above plateau levels observed in previous studies. Correlation coefficients for antibody titers in serum and CVS were 0.64 (anti‐HPV‐16) and 0.38 (anti‐HPV‐18). This study concluded that vaccinated females aged 15–55 years elicited sustained immunogenicity with an acceptable safety profile up to 10 years after primary vaccination, suggesting long‐term protection against HPV.
Inhibition of telomerase activity and induction of apoptosis by Rhodospirillum rubrum L‐asparaginase in cancer Jurkat cell line and normal human CD4+ T lymphocytes
Authors: Zhdanov Dmitry D. , Pokrovsky Vadim S. , Pokrovskaya Marina V. , Alexandrova Svetlana S. , Eldarov Mikhail A. , Grishin Dmitry V. , Basharov Marsel M. , Gladilina Yulia A. , Podobed Olga V. , Sokolov Nikolai N.
Published: October 2017

Rhodospirillum rubrum L‐asparaginase mutant E149R, V150P, F151T (RrA) down‐regulates telomerase activity due to its ability to inhibit the expression of telomerase catalytic subunit hTERT. The aim of this study was to define the effect of short‐term and long‐term RrA exposure on proliferation of cancer Jurkat cell line and normal human CD4+ T lymphocytes. RrA could inhibit telomerase activity in dose‐ and time‐dependent manner in both Jurkat and normal CD4+ T cells. Continuous RrA exposure of these cells resulted in shortening of telomeres followed by cell cycle inhibition, replicative senescence, and development of apoptosis. Complete death of Jurkat cells was observed at the day 25 of RrA exposure while normal CD4+ T cells died at the day 50 due to the initial longer length of telomeres. Removal of RrA from senescent cells led to a reactivation of hTERT expression, restoration telomerase activity, re‐elongation of telomeres after 48 h of cultivation, and survival of cells. These findings demonstrate that proliferation of cancer and normal telomerase‐positive cells can be limited by continuous telomerase inhibition with RrA. Longer telomeres of normal CD4+ T lymphocytes make such cells more sustainable to RrA exposure that could give them an advantage during anti‐telomerase therapy. These results should facilitate further investigations of RrA as a potent anti‐telomerase therapeutic protein.
Limbless movement simulation with a particle‐based system
Authors: Waszak Bartlomiej
Published: October 2017

Snakes and other limbless animals continue to attract the close attention of scientists because of their unique locomotion abilities. This paper presents a novel approach to limbless movement simulation. We built our simulation framework using position‐based dynamics. We describe the body configuration of snakes using different types of distance constraints. The limbless movement is based on the formulation of a friction constraint to model the behavior of a snake's scales. In our approach, it is easy to solve collisions between objects and self‐collisions for simulated snakes. Our model includes a dynamic geometrical environment colliding with simulated animals. Detailed patterns are presented for four main types of limbless movement: serpentine, rectilinear, concertina, and sidewinding. Finally, we present the process of computing the final smooth visual mesh from the physical simulation data. This paper concludes with several simulation scenarios showing the high‐quality results of our framework for limbless movement simulation.
Towards Tuneable Retaining Glycosidase‐Inhibiting Peptides by Mimicry of a Plant Flavonol Warhead
Authors: Yoshisada Ryoji , van Gijzel Lieke , Jongkees Seino A. K.
Published: October 2017

Retaining glycosidases are an important class of enzymes involved in glycan degradation. To study better the role of specific enzymes in deglycosylation processes, and thereby the importance of particular glycosylation patterns, a set of potent inhibitors, each specific to a particular glycosidase, would be an invaluable toolkit. Towards this goal, we detail here a more in‐depth study of a prototypical macrocyclic peptide inhibitor of the model retaining glycosidase human pancreatic α‐amylase (HPA). Notably, incorporation of l‐DOPA into this peptide affords an inhibitor of HPA with potency that is tenfold higher (Ki=480 pm) than that of the previously found consensus sequence. This represents a first successful step in converting a recently discovered natural‐product‐derived motif, already specific for the catalytic side‐chain arrangement conserved in the active sites of retaining glycosidases, into a tuneable retaining glycosidase inhibition warhead.