bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic Relationships of the Genus Chamaecyparis Inferred from Leaf Essential Oil
Authors: Chen Ying‐Ju , Lin Chun‐Ya , Cheng Seng‐Sung , Chang Shang‐Tzen
Published: June 2011

The species differentiation between Chamaecyparis formosensis, C. obtusa var. formosana, and C. obtusa, based on the composition of the leaf essential oils, was studied. The characterization of the oils by GC‐FID and GC/MS analyses showed remarkable differences between these three essential oils. Cluster analysis (CA) and principal‐component analysis (PCA) distinguished three groups of essential oils. The C. formosensis oil was dominated by α‐pinene while those isolated from C. obtusa var. formosana and C. obtusa were characterized by high levels of (−)‐thujopsene and α‐terpinyl acetate, respectively. Moreover, the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Chamaecyparis were in agreement with previous findings based on morphological and molecular evidence. In addition, the essential oils from C. obtusa var. formosana could be classified into three chemical types, according to their different characteristic main compounds (β‐elemol, (−)‐thujopsene, and cis‐thujopsenal). The biochemical correlations between the major constituents of the Chamaecyparis species were examined and their relationship is discussed.
An Image Analysis Method for the Measurement of Mixing Times in Stirred Vessels
Authors: Vega‐Alvarado L. , Taboada B. , Hidalgo‐Millán A. , Ascanio G.
Published: June 2011

An image analysis method has been developed for measuring mixing times in stirred vessels. The method consists of capturing images of the flow patterns observed in the agitated vessel by use of a fast acid‐base indicator reaction technique. These images are analyzed to quantify the color evolution by means of a hue, light, and saturation color model (HLS), which corresponds to mixing evolution. In comparison with other non‐intrusive techniques based on the red, green, and blue channels (RGB), the proposed methodology allows accurate analysis of the mixing evolution irrespective of the tracer color used, while reducing the subjectivity of the estimation of mixing times by the human eye.
Data Preprocessing of In Situ Laser‐Backscattering Measurements
Authors: Heinrich J. , Elter T. , Ulrich J.
Published: June 2011

In situ measurement techniques are promising tools to aid process development. However, they also pose new challenges in evaluating large amounts of recorded data. A new procedure for in situ laser‐backscattering devices has been developed that allows transformation of the raw recorded data, a chord length distribution, into a format suitable for population balance modeling. Emphasis is thereby laid on the influence of the suspension density on the measured data. Experimental data are recorded using a batch laboratory crystallizer equipped with an in situ 3D‐ORM laser backscattering device and an ultrasound probe. The new proposed five‐step procedure for data preprocessing is based on several independently developed tools from literature and is exemplarily illustrated with results on the crystallization of ascorbic acid. The proposed method is a step forward to use in situ laser‐backscattering devices also for quantitative purposes.
Safety‐Considered Proactive Flare Minimization Strategy under Ethylene Plant Upsets
Authors: Yang X. , Xu Q. , Li K.
Published: June 2011

Ethylene plant upsets usually lead to flaring of off‐spec products, resulting in significant losses of raw material and energy as well as to air emission problems. Under the premise of plant safe operation, establishing process recycles connecting off‐spec streams to their upper‐stream process can help to reduce flaring during plant upsets. Operational strategies for recycling the potential flaring sources, i.e., effluents from the acetylene reactor and ethylene tower overhead, under various process upsets are developed and analyzed based on rigorous plant‐wide dynamic simulations. Safety considerations on the compressor system performance have been addressed by quantitative comparison of the effectiveness of various recycling strategies. Case studies demonstrate that the safety‐considered flare minimization strategies can proactively reduce the flaring emission amount and upset time and thus have great potentials of economical and environmental benefits to ethylene plants.
Stochastic Modeling of Fluidized Bed Granulation: Influence of Droplet Pre‐Drying
Authors: Dernedde M. , Peglow M. , Tsotsas E.
Published: June 2011

A stochastic Monte Carlo method was used to solve the population dynamics of fluidized‐bed granulation. Special emphasis was put on the addition of liquid to the process and on the microprocess of droplet pre‐drying. Pre‐drying can occur during the flight of droplets from the tip of the nozzle to the fluidized bed, especially in top‐spray configuration. A single‐droplet drying model that considers the change of droplet diameter and of the radial concentration profile of binder in the droplet was developed and validated by experiments in an acoustic levitator. Combined with spray flow field considerations, this model can be used to retrieve an initial droplet diameter from spray measurements. Integrated in the Monte Carlo simulation, it shows that pre‐drying can significantly decrease the agglomeration rate due to overspray and premature solidification instead of successful droplet deposition.
Preparation of Pt@Fe2O3 Nanowires and their Catalysis of Selective Oxidation of Olefins and Alcohols
Authors: Hong Haiyan , Hu Lei , Li Min , Zheng Junwei , Sun Xuhui , Lu Xinhua , Cao Xueqin , Lu Jianmei , Gu Hongwei
Published: June 2011

Iron oxide coated platinum nanowires (Pt@Fe2O3 NWs) with a diameter of 2.8 nm have been prepared by the oxygen oxidation of FePt NWs in oleylamine. These “cable”‐like NWs were characterised by transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X‐ray absorption fine structure analysis. These Pt@Fe2O3 NWs were used as “non‐support” heterogeneous catalysts in oxidation of olefins and alcohols. The results revealed that it is an active and highly selective catalyst. Styrene derivatives were tested with molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant, with benzaldehyde successfully obtained from styrene in an absolute yield of 31 %, whereas the use of tert‐butyl hydroperoxide as the sole oxidant in the oxidation of alcohols led to yields of more than 80 % of the corresponding ketone or aldehyde. This unsupported catalyst was found to be more active (TOF=96.5 h−1) than other reported Fe2O3 nanoparticle catalysts and could be recycled multiple times without any notable decrease in activity. Our findings will extend the use of such nanomaterial catalysts to new catalytic systems.
Chemical Synthesis, Structural Characterization, Optical Properties, and Photocatalytic Activity of Ultrathin ZnSe Nanorods
Authors: Yao Tingting , Zhao Qing , Qiao Zhengping , Peng Feng , Wang Hongjuan , Yu Hao , Chi Cheng , Yang Jian
Published: June 2011

Ultrathin ZnSe nanorods in the cubic phase have been synthesized by the reaction of selenium and zinc oleate for 30 min at 240 °C. These nanorods showed an average diameter of 2.4 nm, which is much smaller than the Bohr size of bulk ZnSe. Thus, they exhibited a remarkable quantum size effect in terms of their optical properties. The formation of the ultrathin nanorods could be attributed to the oriented attachment mechanism, which was supported by the structure of the nanorods and the control experiments. The ultrathin nanorods were transferred into an aqueous solution by ligand exchange. The performance of these nanorods as a catalyst was examined, using the photodegradation of methyl orange as a model reaction. It was found that the ultrathin nanorods possessed better photocatalytic activities than conventional ones.
Crown Ether Complex Cation Ionic Liquids: Preparation and Applications in Organic Reactions
Authors: Song Yingying , Jing Huanwang , Li Bo , Bai Dongsheng
Published: June 2011

A series of crown ether complex cation ionic liquids (CECILs) were designed, synthesised and characterised by NMR spectroscopy, HRMS, thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA) and elemental analysis. Their applications in various organic reactions were investigated: [15‐C‐5Na][OH], [15‐C‐5Na][OAc], [18‐C‐6K][OH] and [18‐C‐6K][OAc] (15‐C‐5=[15]crown‐5; 18‐C‐6=[18]crown‐6) efficiently catalysed the Michael addition of alkenes and relevant nucleophiles; [18‐C‐6K][OH] and [15‐C‐5Na][OH] effectively catalysed the Henry reaction of nitromethane and aromatic aldehydes; [18‐C‐6K][OH] has excellent catalytic efficiency for Knoevenagel condensation of aromatic aldehydes and malononitrile; PdCl2/[18‐C‐6K]3[PO4]/K2CO3 efficaciously catalysed the Heck reaction of olefins and aromatic halides; [18‐C‐6K][BrO3] can be used as both oxidant and solvent in the oxidation reaction of aromatic alcohols. The CECIL catalysts [15‐C‐5Na][OH] (Michael addition) and [18‐C‐6K][OH] (Henry reaction) can be recycled and reused several times without obvious loss of activity and their recovery is very simple.
The Pivotal Role of Symmetry in the Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Ring‐Closing Metathesis of Olefins
Authors: Costabile Chiara , Mariconda Annaluisa , Cavallo Luigi , Longo Pasquale , Bertolasi Valerio , Ragone Francesco , Grisi Fabia
Published: June 2011

The synthesis of Ru‐based precatalysts with N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands bearing syn‐ and anti‐methyl groups on the NHC backbone and aryl N‐substituents with differing steric bulk was carried out. The catalytic behavior of the monophospine Ru precatalysts (7 a, 7 b, 8 a, and 8 b) was compared to the corresponding family of phosphine‐free catalysts (9 a, 9 b, 10 a and 10 b) in the ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) of olefins. These catalysts showed high efficiency in RCM reactions and the syn‐isomers 7 a and 9 a, in particular, proved to be among the most active catalysts in the formation of tetrasubstituted olefins through RCM. DFT studies on the entire RCM catalytic cycle of hindered olefins were performed to rationalize the different behaviors of catalysts with syn‐ and anti‐methyl groups on the NHC backbone. Theoretical results not only disclosed how NHC symmetry influences the overall activity of the catalyst, but also gave relevant and more general indications on the crucial steps of the RCM of olefins.
Photoelectrochemistry of Free‐Base‐Porphyrin‐Functionalized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Applications in Biosensing
Authors: Tu Wenwen , Lei Jianping , Wang Peng , Ju Huangxian
Published: June 2011

The photoelectrochemical properties of free‐base‐porphyrin‐functionalized zinc oxide nanoparticles were studied. A universal photoelectrochemical biosensing platform was constructed on indium tin oxide (ITO) by using the functional nanohybrid. The nanohybrid was synthesized by means of dentate binding of ZnO nanoparticles with carboxylic groups of 4,4′,4′′,4′′′‐(21H,23H‐porphine‐5,10,15,20‐tetrayl)tetrakis(benzoic acid) (TCPP), and characterized with scanning electron microscopy, contact angle measurement, and spectral techniques. The nanohybrid‐coated ITO electrode showed an efficient photocurrent response under irradiation at a wavelength of 360 nm, which could be greatly improved upon addition of cysteine by its oxidation at +0.3 V. The possible mechanism was that cysteine acts as a sacrificial electron donor to scavenge the photogenerated holes that locate on the excited state of TCPP, which then injects the photoexcitation electrons into the conduction band of ZnO nanoparticles, thereby transferring photoinduced electrons to the ITO electrode. Based on this enhanced photocurrent signal, a novel method for photoelectrochemical detection of cysteine was developed with a linear range of 0.6 to 157 μmol L−1 in physiological media. The detection limit was 0.2 μmol L−1 at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3. The novel strategy of cysteine analysis could provide an alternative method for monitoring biomolecules and extend the application of porphyrin‐functionalized semiconductor nanoparticles.
Expanding the Utility of Brønsted Base Catalysis: Biomimetic Enantioselective Decarboxylative Reactions
Authors: Pan Yuanhang , Kee Choon Wee , Jiang Zhiyong , Ma Ting , Zhao Yujun , Yang Yuanyong , Xue Hansong , Tan Choon‐Hong
Published: June 2011

As a result of the low reactivity of simple esters, the use of them as nucleophiles in direct asymmetric transformations is a long‐standing challenge in synthetic organic chemistry. Nature approaches this difficulty through a decarboxylative mechanism, which is used for polyketide synthesis. Inspired by nature, we report guanidine‐catalyzed biomimetic decarboxylative CC and CN bond‐formation reactions. These highly enantioselective decarboxylative Mannich and amination reactions utilized malonic acid half thioesters as simple ester surrogates. It is proposed that nucleophilic addition precedes decarboxylation in the mechanism, which has been investigated in detail through the identification of intermediates by using electrospray ionization (ESI) mass‐spectrometric analysis and DFT calculations.
The Role of Chirality in Directing the Formation of Cup‐Shaped Porphyrins and the Coordination Characteristics of such Hosts
Authors: Wang Bao‐Yu , Turner Daniel A. , Zujović Teodora , Hadad Christopher M. , Badjić Jovica D.
Published: June 2011

Cup‐shaped porphyrin 1 a has four norbornane rings for encircling space and this type of host could be of interest in supramolecular and catalytic chemistry. We used 1H NMR spectroscopy to investigate the acid‐catalyzed (pTsOH in CHCl3 and TFA in CH3CN) condensation of racemic, enantioenriched (80–85 % enantiomeric excess (ee)), and enantiopure (99 % ee) pyrromethanecarbinol 7 into 1 a. We found that the oligomerization of racemic 7rac would give 1 a–d in the ratio different from the statistical one, though a minuscule quantity of 1 a (<5 %) formed. The oligomerization of enantioenriched 7 (80–85 % ee), however, led to the formation of greater amounts of 1 a (31–47 %) along with other stereoisomers 1 b–d. Importantly, pTsOH catalyzed the conversion of enantiopure 7 (99 % ee) into 1 a (>95 % diastereomeric excess (de), 25 % overall yield) in CHCl3 although prolonged reaction times or greater concentration of the catalytic acid gave rise to 1 b–d at the expense of 1 a. The metallation of 1 a with Zn(OAc)2 led to the formation of ZnII‐1 a and we used computational (DFT: RI‐BP86/SV(P),TZVP) and experimental (1H NMR spectroscopy) methods to study the partitioning of smaller N‐methylimidazole 13 (94 Å3) and bigger 1,5‐dicyclohexylimidazole 14 (268 Å3) between the inner and outer side of the host. We found that bigger 14 was mostly encapsulated (90 %) inside ZnII‐1 a at 298.0 K, whereas smaller 13 would equally partition between the two sides of the host. Furthermore, the out/in equilibrium was, in the case of 14‐ZnII‐1 a, favored by entropy (TΔS°out/in=3.5±0.1 kcal mol−1) indicating that perhaps differential solvation of the coordinated ligand assisted the encapsulation.
Selective Palladium‐Loaded MIL‐101 Catalysts
Authors: Hermannsdörfer Justus , Kempe Rhett
Published: June 2011

Palladium nanoparticles (NPs) of different mean particle size have been synthesized in the host structure of the porous coordination polymer (or metal–organic framework: MOF) MIL‐101. The metal–organic chemical vapor deposition method was used to load MIL‐101 with the Pd precursor complex [(η5‐C5H5)Pd(η3‐C3H5)]. Loadings higher than 50 wt. % could be accomplished. Reduction of the Pd precursor complex with H2 gave rise to Pd NPs inside the MIL‐101 (Pd@MIL‐101). The reduction conditions, especially the temperature, allows us to make size‐conform (size of the Pd NPs correlates with the size of the cavities of the host structure of MIL‐101) and undersized Pd NPs. The Pd@MIL‐101 samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, Brauner–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, elemental analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Catalytic studies, hydrogenation of ketones, were performed with selected Pd@MIL‐101 catalysts. Activity, selectivity, and recyclability of the catalyst family are discussed.
Plasma Osteoprotegerin Levels and Long‐Term Prognosis in Patients With Intermediate Coronary Artery Lesions
Authors: Yang Qingmiao , Lu Shuzheng , Chen Yundai , Song Xiantao , Jin Zening , Yuan Fei , Li Hong , Zhou Yujie , Chen Fang , Huo Yong
Published: June 2011

Background:

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily and plays an important regulatory role in the skeletal, immune, and vascular systems. Intermediate coronary artery lesions that have a diameter stenosis of approximately 20%–70% might cause serious consequences. However, the prognostic value of plasma OPG levels in patients with intermediate coronary artery lesions has been less reported.

Hypothesis:

We hypothesized that OPG is a predictive marker of prognosis of intermediate coronary artery lesions.

Methods:

A prospective study was performed on 890 patients with intermediate (20%–70%) coronary lesions. The median age was 62 years (25th and 75th percentiles, 55 and 70 years, respectively) and 67.2% were male. Fasting blood was sampled at baseline. The primary clinical endpoint was a composite of readmission due to angina pectoris, nonfatal myocardial infarction, revascularization, and cardiovascular death.

Results:

During a median follow‐up of 24 months, events occurred in 11.1% of the patients. Of these patients, 7.9% were readmitted for angina pectoris, 1.5% received revascularization, 0.7% suffered nonfatal myocardial infarction, and 1.0% died. The plasma levels of OPG (median, 5304.7 pg/mL vs 2993.4 pg/mL, P<0.001) and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (median, 4.8 mg/L vs 2.6 mg/L, P<0.001) were higher in patients with events than those without events. After adjusting for traditional risk factors such as age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, percent area stenosis, and drug administration, a multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that higher OPG levels were an independent predictive factor of the composite clinical endpoint (hazard ratio: 2.49, 95% confidence interval: 1.26–4.89, fourth quartile vs first quartile).

Conclusions:

The higher level of OPG is an independent predictive factor of prognosis in patients with intermediate coronary lesions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This study was funded by Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Committee (No. D0906006000091). The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Fast learning and predicting of stock returns with virtual generalized random access memory weightless neural networks
Authors: De Souza Alberto F. , Freitas Fabio Daros , Coelho de Almeida André Gustavo
Published: June 2011

We employ virtual generalized random access memory weightless neural networks, VG‐RAM WNN, for predicting future stock returns. We evaluated our VG‐RAM WNN stock predictor architecture in predicting future weekly returns of the Brazilian stock market and obtained the same error levels and properties of baseline autoregressive neural network predictors; however, our VG‐RAM WNN predictor runs 5000 times faster than autoregressive neural network predictors. This allowed us to employ VG‐RAM WNN predictors to build a high frequency trading system able to achieve a monthly return of approximately 35% in the Brazilian stock market. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
QM/MM Nonadiabatic Decay Dynamics of 9H‐Adenine in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Lan Zhenggang , Lu You , Fabiano Eduardo , Thiel Walter
Published: June 2011

The photoinduced nonadiabatic decay dynamics of 9H‐adenine (hereafter, adenine) in aqueous solution were investigated by surface‐hopping simulations within a quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) framework. The QM subsystem (adenine) was treated at the semiempirical OM2/MRCI level, whereas the MM solvent (water) was described by the TIP3P force field model. Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to generate snapshots with different solvent configurations and geometries. For a representative number of these snapshots, the energy minima of the lowest electronic states and the most important conical intersections were located by QM/MM geometry optimization. Surface‐hopping QM/MM MD simulations were performed for all selected snapshots to study the nonadiabatic dynamics after photoexcitation, including the two lowest excited singlet states, which are both populated in the initial photoexcitation due to strong vibronic coupling in the Franck–Condon region. The simulations yield ultrafast S2–S1 decay within 40 fs and S1–S0 internal conversion to the ground state within 410 fs, which is consistent with recent experimental results from time‐resolved spectroscopy.
Bronchoalveolar lavage improves diagnostic accuracy in patients with diffuse lung disease
Authors: Capelozzi Vera Luiza , Faludi Eduardo Polizini , Balthazar Alípio Barbosa , Fernezlian Sandra de Morais , Filho João Valente Barbas , Parra Edwin Roger
Published: June 2011

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is an established diagnostic tool in diffuse parenchyma lung disease. The objective of the present study was designed to investigate whether immunophenotyping affects BAL results and improves diagnostic accuracy.

BAL from 61 patients was included in the study. The patients were also submitted to transbronchial biopsy, with a final diagnosis of granulomatous disease [tuberculosis (TB), n = 20; sarcoidosis (SARC), n = 3; and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), n = 4]; idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) [idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), n = 9; organizing pneumonia (OP), n = 17]; and lung cancer (LC), n = 8. Immunohistochemistry and histomorphometry were used to identify and quantify type 1 and type 2 alveolar epithelial cells, macrophages, CD3+T‐cells, CD4+T‐cells, CD8+T‐cells, and CD20+B‐cells in BAL. These markers were correlated with a database and pulmonary function tests.

The cellular, inflammatory, and immune components of BAL varied among the diagnostic groups and were negatively correlated with age and smoking history. An increased quantity of lymphocyte surface markers CD3 (P < 0.05) and CD20 (P = 0.01) was seen in IIPs. Patients with a pattern of OP had a higher proportion of type 2 alveolar epithelial cells; patients with SARC had a higher density of CD20+B‐cells and CD4+T‐helper cells; and patients with HP had a higher proportion of CD8+T‐cytotoxic cells. A positive association was found between the density of type I alveolar epithelial cells and forced vital capacity.

The immunophenotyping affects the cellular, inflammatory, or immune constituents of BAL and improved the diagnostic accuracy in diffuse parenchymal lung disease. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Understanding the social brain in autism
Authors: Volkmar Fred R.
Published: June 2011

Autism is an early onset neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by disruption of early social interaction. Although the social disability of autism remains the central defining feature of the condition, mechanisms that might account for this disability remain poorly understood. This paper briefly reviews some aspects of the social deficit in autism focusing on new approaches to characterizing social information processing problems, potential brain mechanisms, and theoretical models of the disorder. It will touch on aspects of specific social processes that appear to develop in unusual ways in autism including facial perception, joint attention, and social information processing. The importance of adopting more ecologically valid methods and for integrating the various approaches in deriving new models for social deficits in autism will be highlighted. Future research should build on the emerging synergy of different aspects of social neuroscience. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 53:428–434, 2011.
Reflections of experience‐expectant development in repair of the adult damaged brain
Authors: Jones Theresa A. , Jefferson Stephanie C.
Published: June 2011

Behavioral experience has long been known to influence functional outcome after brain injury, but only recently has its pervasive role in the reorganization of the adult brain after damage become appreciated. We briefly review findings from animal models on the role of experience in shaping neuronal events after stroke‐like injury. Experience‐dependent neural plasticity can be enhanced or impaired by brain damage, depending upon injury parameters and timing. The neuronal growth response to some experiences is heightened due to interactions with denervation‐induced plasticity. This includes compensatory behavioral strategies developed in response to functional impairments. Early behavioral experiences can constrain later experience‐dependent plasticity, leading to suboptimal functional outcome. Time dependencies and facets of neural growth patterns are reminiscent of experience‐expectant processes that shape brain development. As with sensitive periods in brain development, this process may establish behavioral patterns early after brain injury which are relatively resistant to later change. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 53:466–475, 2011.
Descartins, the memory molecules
Authors: Weiler Ivan Jeanne
Published: June 2011

Investigation of protein translation at the synapse, using functioning synaptic particles termed synaptoneurosomes, has led to identification of Fragile X protein as a key synaptic component. In its absence, some key mRNAs are translated more diffusely in the cell, and more slowly. Recent studies have implicated ERK (extracellular receptor regulated kinase) as a central factor in regulating the kinetics of translation at the synapse. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 53:476–481, 2011.
Embryonic development of the self‐fertilizing mangrove killifish Kryptolebias marmoratus
Authors: Mourabit Sulayman , Edenbrow Mathew , Croft Darren P. , Kudoh Tetsuhiro
Published: June 2011

The mangrove killifish, Kryptolebias marmoratus, is a self‐fertilizing vertebrate offering vast potential as a model species in many biological disciplines. Previous studies have defined developmental stages but lacked visual representations of the various embryonic structures. We offer detailed photographic images of K. marmoratus development with revised descriptions. An improved dechorionation method was developed to provide high resolution photographs, in addition to a microinjection technique enabling cell marking in the yolk syncytial layer. Embryos were also treated with PTU (1‐phenyl 2‐thiourea), an inhibitor of melanogenesis, to provide optical transparency revealing internal structures in late stages of development. Chemical exposures (PTU and retinoic acid) demonstrated that K. marmoratus embryos were sensitive to chemicals, illustrating further their usefulness in developmental biology studies. Our data suggest that K. marmoratus embryos are easily used and manipulated, supporting the use of this hermaphroditic vertebrate as a strong comparative model system in embryology, evolution, genetics, environmental and medical biology. Developmental Dynamics 240:1694–1704, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Abelson tyrosine kinase is required for Drosophila photoreceptor morphogenesis and retinal epithelial patterning
Authors: Xiong Wenjun , Rebay Ilaria
Published: June 2011

Coordinated differentiation and morphogenesis transform the Drosophila retina from a layer of epithelial cells into a complex three‐dimensional organ. In this study we show that the Abelson (Abl) tyrosine kinase localizes to the dynamically remodeling apical‐junctional membrane domains of the developing photoreceptor cells. Analyses of abl mutant clone phenotypes demonstrate that abl is required for enriched localization of adherens junction and apical polarity complex proteins at photoreceptor–photoreceptor cell junctions and apical membrane domains, respectively, for rhabdomere generation and for spatial organization of ommatidial cells along the apical–basal axis of the epithelium. Loss of abl does not alter expression or localization of Enabled (Ena) nor does heterozygosity for ena dominantly suppress the abl phenotypes, suggesting the downstream effector mechanisms used by Abl in the eye may differ from those used in the embryo. Together our results reveal a prominent role for Abl in coordinating multiple aspects of photoreceptor morphogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 240:1745–1755, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plasticity of neural crest–placode interaction in the developing visceral nervous system
Authors: Chen Yiju , Takano‐Maruyama Masumi , Gaufo Gary O.
Published: June 2011

The reciprocal relationship between rhombomere (r)‐derived cranial neural crest (NC) and epibranchial placodal cells derived from the adjacent branchial arch is critical for visceral motor and sensory gangliogenesis, respectively. However, it is unknown whether the positional match between these neurogenic precursors is hard‐wired along the anterior–posterior (A/P) axis. Here, we use the interaction between r4‐derived NC and epibranchial placode‐derived geniculate ganglion as a model to address this issue. In Hoxa1−/−b1−/− embryos, r2 NC compensates for the loss of r4 NC. Specifically, a population of r2 NC cells is redirected toward the geniculate ganglion, where they differentiate into postganglionic (motor) neurons. Reciprocally, the inward migration of the geniculate ganglion is associated with r2 NC. The ability of NC and placodal cells to, respectively, differentiate and migrate despite a positional mismatch along the A/P axis reflects the plasticity in the relationship between the two neurogenic precursors of the vertebrate head. Developmental Dynamics 240:1880–1888, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
IL‐33 induces skin inflammation with mast cell and neutrophil activation
Authors: Hueber Axel J. , Alves‐Filho Jose C. , Asquith Darren L. , Michels Chesney , Millar Neal L. , Reilly James H. , Graham Gerry J. , Liew Foo Y. , Miller Ashley M. , McInnes Iain B.
Published: June 2011

Psoriasis is a common chronic autoimmune condition of the skin characterized by hyperplasia of epidermal keratinocytes associated with pro‐inflammatory cytokines. IL‐33 is a new member of the IL‐1 superfamily that signals through the ST2 receptor and was originally defined as an inducer of T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines. Recently, broader immune activatory potential has been defined for IL‐33 particularly via mast cell activation and neutrophil migration. Here, we show that ST2−/− mice exhibit reduced cutaneous inflammatory responses compared with WT mice in a phorbol ester‐induced model of skin inflammation. Furthermore, injections of IL‐33 into the ears of mice induce an inflammatory skin lesion. This inflammatory response was partially dependent on mast cells as mast cell‐deficient mice (KitW‐sh/W‐sh) showed delayed responses to IL‐33. IL‐33 also recruited neutrophils to the ear, an effect mediated in part by increased production of the chemokine KC (CXCL1). Finally, we show that IL‐33 expression is up‐regulated in the epidermis of clinical psoriatic lesions, compared with healthy skin. These results therefore demonstrate that IL‐33 may play a role in psoriasis‐like plaque inflammation. IL‐33 targeting may provide a new treatment strategy for psoriasis.
Reducing or increasing β‐cell apoptosis without inflammation does not affect diabetes initiation in neonatal NOD mice
Authors: Carrington Emma M. , Kos Cameron , Zhan Yifan , Krishnamurthy Balasubramanian , Allison Janette
Published: June 2011

The presentation of islet antigens in the pancreatic LNs (PLNs) of mice is a developmentally regulated process. It has been hypothesized that, during physiological tissue remodeling, a wave of neonatal β‐cell apoptosis may initiate diabetes in autoimmune‐prone strains of mice. If true, increasing or decreasing physiological β‐cell apoptosis in neonatal NOD mice should alter the time‐course of antigen presentation in the PLNs. We used transgenic over‐expression of either an anti‐apoptotic protein (Bcl‐2) or a toxic transgene (rat insulin promoter‐Kb) in mouse β cells to reduce or increase neonatal β‐cell apoptosis, respectively. Neither intervention affected the timing of antigen presentation in the PLNs or the initiation of islet infiltration. This suggests that under physiological conditions and in the absence of inflammation, neonatal β‐cell apoptosis in NOD mice is not the trigger for antigen presentation in the draining LNs.
Type I interferons suppress CD4+ T‐cell‐dependent parasite control during blood‐stage Plasmodium infection
Authors: Haque Ashraful , Best Shannon E. , Ammerdorffer Anne , Desbarrieres Laure , de Oca Marcela Montes , Amante Fiona H. , de Labastida Rivera Fabian , Hertzog Paul , Boyle Glen M. , Hill Geoffrey R. , Engwerda Christian R.
Published: June 2011

During blood‐stage Plasmodium infection, large‐scale invasion of RBCs often occurs before the generation of cellular immune responses. In Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA)‐infected C57BL/6 mice, CD4+ T cells controlled parasite numbers poorly, instead providing early help to pathogenic CD8+ T cells. Expression analysis revealed that the transcriptional signature of CD4+ T cells from PbA‐infected mice was dominated by type I IFN (IFN‐I) and IFN‐γ‐signalling pathway‐related genes. A role for IFN‐I during blood‐stage Plasmodium infection had yet to be established. Here, we observed IFN‐α protein production in the spleen of PbA‐infected C57BL/6 mice over the first 2 days of infection. Mice deficient in IFN‐I signalling had reduced parasite burdens, and displayed none of the fatal neurological symptoms associated with PbA infection. IFN‐I substantially inhibited CD4+ T‐bet+ T‐cell‐derived IFN‐γ production, and prevented this emerging Th1 response from controlling parasites. Experiments using BM chimeric mice revealed that IFN‐I signalled predominantly via radio‐sensitive, haematopoietic cells, but did not suppress CD4+ T cells via direct signalling to this cell type. Finally, we found that IFN‐I suppressed IFN‐γ production, and hampered efficient control of parasitaemia in mice infected with non‐lethal Plasmodium chabaudi. Thus, we have elucidated a novel regulatory pathway in primary blood‐stage Plasmodium infection that suppresses CD4+ T‐cell‐mediated parasite control.
The binding activity of Mel‐18 at the Il17a promoter is regulated by the integrated signals of the TCR and polarizing cytokines
Authors: Hod‐Dvorai Reut , Jacob Eyal , Boyko Yulia , Avni Orly
Published: June 2011

We have previously shown that in differentiated T‐helper (Th)1 and Th2 cells, polycomb group (PcG) proteins are associated differentially with the promoters of the signature cytokine genes. The correlation of the binding activity of PcG proteins with gene expression is unusual, since they are well known as epigenetic regulators that maintain transcriptional silencing. Here we show that in Th17 cells, the more phenotypically flexible Th lineage, the PcG proteins Mel‐18 and less strikingly Ezh2 are associated differentially with the Il17a promoter. Using the RNAi approach, we found that Mel‐18 and Ezh2 positively regulate the expression of Il17a and Il17f. The inducible binding of Mel‐18 and Ezh2 at the Il17a promoter was dependent on signaling pathways downstream of the TCR. However, a continuous presence of TGF‐β, the cytokine that is necessary to maintain Il17a expression, was required to preserve the binding activity of Mel‐18, but not of Ezh2, following restimulation. The binding of Mel‐18 at the Il17a promoter was correlated with the recruitment of the lineage‐specifying transcription factor RORγt. Altogether, our results suggest that in Th17 cells the TCR and polarizing cytokines synergize to modulate the binding activity of Mel‐18 at the Il17a promoter, and consequently to facilitate Il17a expression.
Atom Transfer Radical Reactions as a Tool for Olefin Functionalization – On the Way to Practical Applications
Authors: Muñoz‐Molina José María , Belderrain Tomás R. , Pérez Pedro J.
Published: June 2011

Transition‐metal‐catalyzed atom transfer radical reactions of halogenated compounds with olefins constitute a versatile tool in organic synthesis within the area of C–C bond forming transformations. The inter‐ or intramolecular versions, atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) or cyclization (ATRC), respectively, lead to the atom‐economic, useful synthesis of compounds that can be further functionalized. This contribution summarizes the recent developments in this area in terms of catalyst design as well as the applicability of this methodology in sequential, domino, or tandem reactions.
Three Types of Products Obtained Unexpectedly from the Reaction of Dimedone with Chalcones
Authors: Wang Guan‐Wu , Lu Qing‐Quan , Xia Jing‐Jing
Published: June 2011

The apparently simple Michael reaction of dimedone with chalcones afforded three types of products. The reaction of dimedone with chalcones in water at reflux, mediated by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, gave the expected Michael adducts in good to excellent yields after purification by column chromatography. The attempted purification of the Michael adducts by recrystallization from ethanol in air unexpectedly generated hydroperoxidated and hydroxylated Michael adducts in low yields. The efficient synthesis of hydroperoxidated Michael adducts could be achieved in nearly quantitative yields by autoxidation of the Michael adducts in 1,2‐dichloroethane at room temperature under aerobic conditions. The conversion of the hydroperoxidated Michael adducts to hydroxylated Michael adducts was facilitated by reduction with triphenylphosphane in excellent yields. Some of the reported Michael adducts in the literature need to be reassigned. Particular caution must be exerted to assign the Michael products generated from cyclic β‐diketones, such as dimedone, because different purification processes may give different types of products.
A Selective Simultaneous Determination of Levodopa and Serotonin Using a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube/Chitosan Composite
Authors: Babaei Ali , Babazadeh M.
Published: June 2011

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with carbon nanotube/chitosan (MWCNTs‐CHT/GCE) was used for the sensitive voltammetric determination of levodopa (Lev) and serotonin (Ser). The measurements were carried out using cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and chronoamperometry (CA). Under the optimum conditions the electrode provides a linear response versus Lev and Ser concentrations in the range of 2.0–220.0 µM and 0.5–130.0 µM, respectively, using DPV. The modified electrode was satisfactorily used for determination of Lev and Ser in human serum and urine with satisfactory results.
Fictitious domain methods for two‐phase flow energy balance computations in nuclear components
Authors: Belliard M. , Ramière I.
Published: June 2011

This paper is dedicated to the numerical simulation of nuclear components (cores and steam generators) by fictitious domain methods. The fictitious domain approach consists in immersing the physical domain under study in a Cartesian domain, called the fictitious domain, and in performing the numerical resolution on this fictitious domain. The calculation times are then efficiently reduced by the use of fast solvers. In counterpart, one has to handle with an immersed boundary, generally non‐aligned with the Cartesian mesh, which can be non‐trivial.

The two fictitious domain methods compared here on industrial simulations and developed by Ramière et al. deal with an approximate immersed interface directly derived from the uniform Cartesian mesh. All the usual immersed boundary conditions (Dirichlet, Robin, Neumann), possibly mixed, are handled through a unique formulation of the fictitious problem. This kind of approximation leads to first‐order methods in space that exhibit a good ratio of the precision of the approximate solution over the CPU time, which is very important for industrial simulations.

After a brief recall of the fictitious domain method with spread interface (Ramière et al., CMAME 2007) and the fictitious domain method with immersed jumps (Ramière et al., JCP 2008), we will focus on the numerical results provided by these methods applied to the energy balance equation in a steam generator. The advantages and drawbacks of each method will be pointed out. Generally speaking, the two methods confirm their very good efficiency in terms of precision, convergence, and calculation time in an industrial context. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benchmark computations of diffuse interface models for two‐dimensional bubble dynamics
Authors: Aland S. , Voigt A.
Published: June 2011

Diffuse interface models for incompressible two‐phase flow with large density ratios are tested on benchmark configurations for a two‐dimensional bubble rising in liquid columns. The benchmark quantities circularity, center of mass, and mean rise velocity are compared with reference solutions from Hysing et al. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Submergence and uplift of settlements in the area of Helike, Greece, from the Early Bronze Age to late antiquity
Authors: Soter Steven , Katsonopoulou Dora
Published: June 2011

Excavations in the Helike Delta on the Gulf of Corinth have brought to light architectural remains from the Early Bronze Age (EBA), Geometric, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. Borehole results suggest that a lagoon intermittently occupied much of the delta during the Holocene. We discovered a well‐preserved EBA settlement about 1km inland from the present shore, buried under 3 to 5m of fine sediments containing marine, brackish, and freshwater microfossils. A Classical site 130m away, buried under 3m of similar sediments, may have been destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami of 373 B.C., which submerged the city of Helike. Possible tsunami evidence is noted. Although the EBA and Classical sites were both long submerged and buried by lagoonal sediments, tectonic uplift has raised both horizons above sea level. A shallow black clay layer suggests that a marsh covered the Classical and EBA sites in Byzantine times. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Motor imagery evokes increased somatosensory activity in parkinson's disease patients with tremor
Authors: Helmich Rick C. , Bloem Bastiaan R. , Toni Ivan
Published: June 2011

Parkinson's disease (PD) is surprisingly heterogeneous: some patients have a prominent resting tremor, while others never develop this symptom. Here we investigate whether the functional organization of the voluntary motor system differs between PD patients with and without resting tremor, and whether these differences relate to the cerebral circuit producing tremor. We compared 18 PD patients with marked tremor, 20 PD patients without tremor, and 19 healthy controls. Subjects performed a controlled motor imagery task during fMRI scanning. We quantified imagery‐related cerebral activity by contrasting imagery of biomechanically difficult and easy movements. Tremor‐related activity was identified by relating cerebral activity to fluctuations in tremor amplitude, using electromyography during scanning. PD patients with tremor had better behavioral performance than PD patients without tremor. Furthermore, tremulous PD patients showed increased imagery‐related activity in somatosensory area 3a, as compared with both healthy controls and to nontremor PD patients. This effect was independent from tremor‐related activity, which was localized to the motor cortex, cerebellum, and thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM). The VIM, with known projections to area 3a, was unique in showing both tremor‐ and imagery‐related responses. We conclude that parkinsonian tremor influences motor imagery by modulating central somatosensory processing through the VIM. This mechanism may explain clinical differences between PD patients with and without tremor. Hum Brain Mapp, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Diterpenoids from Diplopterygium rufopilosum
Authors: Hu Jiang , Chen Xuan‐Qin , Zhao Qin‐Shi
Published: June 2011

Two new diterpenoids, (3β,13S)‐3‐O‐[6‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl]‐13‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyllabda‐8(17),14‐diene (1) and (4R,13S)‐18‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyllabda‐8(17),14‐dien‐13‐ol (2) have been isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of the dry fronds of Diplopterygium rufopilosum. Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic methods, including 1D‐NMR, 2D‐NMR, and HR‐ESI‐MS.
Total Synthesis of Leiocarpin C and (+)‐Goniodiol via an Olefin Cross‐Metathesis Protocol
Authors: Krishna Palakodety Radha , Alivelu Munagala
Published: June 2011

A stereoselective total synthesis of leiocarpin C (2) and (+)‐Goniodiol (1) by applying olefin cross‐metathesis and substrate directed dihydroxylation as the key steps is reported (Scheme 3).
Synthesis of the Naphthalenone, Dihydroquinoline, and Dihydrofuran Derivatives
Authors: Güngör Füsun Şeyma , Anaç Olcay , Sezer Özkan
Published: June 2011

The reactions of enaminones with dimethyl diazomalonate were investigated in the presence of copper(II) acetylacetonate. From the reaction of (E)‐3‐[methyl(phenyl)amino]‐1‐phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐one (6c), dimethyl 2‐[methyl(phenyl)amino]‐4‐oxonaphthalene‐1,1‐(4H)‐dicarboxylate, was unexpectedly obtained as the major product. Quinoline derivatives were formed as the major products in the case of N‐methyl‐p‐anisidino and N‐methyl‐p‐toluidino enaminones. The reactions of acetyl enaminones were also realized, and quinoline derivatives were isolated as the major products. 3H‐ and 5H‐dihydrofurans were also formed as side products in these reactions. These results differ from those reported earlier on the reactions of tertiary enaminones with carbenes/metal carbenes.
Antimicrobial Depsides Produced by Cladosporium uredinicola, an Endophytic Fungus Isolated from Psidium guajava Fruits
Authors: de Medeiros Lívia Soman , Murgu Michael , de Souza Antônia Q. L. , Rodrigues‐Fo. Edson
Published: June 2011

Four depsides, all of them new as natural products, were isolated from Cladosporium uredinicola solid‐media culture and identified as 3‐hydroxy‐2,5‐dimethylphenyl 2,4‐dihydroxy‐3,6‐dimethylbenzoate (1), 3‐hydroxy‐2,4,5‐trimethylphenyl 2,4‐dihydroxy‐3,6‐dimethylbenzoate (2), 3‐hydroxy‐2,5‐dimethylphenyl 3‐[(2,4‐dihydroxy‐3,6‐dimethylbenzoyl)oxy]‐6‐hydroxy‐2,4‐dimethylbenzoate (3), and 3‐hydroxy‐2,4,5‐trimethylphenyl 3‐[(2,4‐dihydroxy‐3,6‐dimethylbenzoyl)oxy]‐6‐hydroxy‐2,4‐dimethylbenzoate (4). The endophytic fungus was isolated from Psidium guajava fruits and cultivated over sterilized rice. The compounds 1–4 were purified by classical chromatographic procedures, and the chemical structures were identified by spectroscopic studies, mainly 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR and LC/ESI‐MS/MS. Three of the isolated depsides exhibited moderate bacteriostatic and/or bactericide effects on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtillis.
Two New Alkaloids from Daphniphyllum angustifoliumHutch.
Authors: He Tao , Zhou Ying , Wang Yue‐Hu , Mu Shu‐Zhen , Hao Xiao‐Jiang
Published: June 2011

Daphangustifolines A and B (1 and 2), two new Daphniphyllum alkaloids were isolated from the whole plant of Daphniphyllum angustifolium Hutch. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic data. Their cytotoxicity against HL‐60, MCF‐7, and A549 cell lines was also evaluated.
Two New Cyclic Pentapeptides from the Marine‐Derived Fungus Aspergillus versicolor
Authors: Zhou Li‐Na , Gao Hu‐Quan , Cai Sheng‐Xin , Zhu Tian‐Jiao , Gu Qian‐Qun , Li De‐Hai
Published: June 2011

Two new cyclic pentapeptides, named versicotides A (1) and B (2), were obtained from a marine‐derived fungus strain ZLN‐60, identified as Aspergillus versicolor. Their structures were established on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence. Versicotides are new cyclic pentapeptides which contain an L‐alanine residue, two anthranilic acid (=2‐aminobenzoic acid) residues, and two N‐methyl‐L‐alanine residues. Antitumor activities were evaluated by the SRB and MTT methods.