bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic Dendritic Spine Quantification from Confocal Data with Neurolucida 360
Authors: Dickstein Dara L. , Dickstein Daniel R. , Janssen William G. M. , Hof Patrick R. , Glaser Jacob R. , Rodriguez Alfredo , O'Connor Nate , Angstman Paul , Tappan Susan J.
Published: October 2016

Determining the density and morphology of dendritic spines is of high biological significance given the role of spines in synaptic plasticity and in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Precise quantification of spines in three dimensions (3D) is essential for understanding the structural determinants of normal and pathological neuronal function. However, this quantification has been restricted to time‐ and labor‐intensive methods such as electron microscopy and manual counting, which have limited throughput and are impractical for studies of large samples. While there have been some automated software packages that quantify spine number, they are limited in terms of their characterization of spine structure. This unit presents methods for objective dendritic spine morphometric analysis by providing image acquisition parameters needed to ensure optimal data series for proper spine detection, characterization, and quantification with Neurolucida 360. These protocols will be a valuable reference for scientists working towards quantifying and characterizing spines. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Post‐crystallization cooling behavior of aqueous supersaturated ammonium dihydrogen phosphate solutions containing acetone and methanol antisolvents added at different rates
Authors: Sangwal Keshra , Mielniczek‐Brzóska Ewa
Published: October 2016

Experimental results of post‐crystallization cooling behavior of aqueous supersaturated ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) solutions containing acetone and methanol antisolvents fed at different rate RA are described and discussed. The supersaturated solutions were contained in a double‐walled crystallizer connected to a thermostating arrangement maintaining the temperature at 30 °C. It was found that: (1) there is a steady decrease in temperature Ts of aqueous ADP solutions with increasing time t, which follows Newton's law of cooling, with constant K as characteristic of solution composition and its value for a system increases with an increase in RA, and (2) at a particular acetone and methanol feeding rate RA, the value of constant K for aqueous ADP solutions is much higher than that obtained from the data of decrease in the temperature Tm of pure water. The experimental results are discussed from consideration of a steady decrease in solution supersaturation with increasing t as a result of diffusion of ions/molecules involved in transporting heat from aqueous ADP solutions contained in the crystallizer to the thermostating system.
Independent Directors and CSR Disclosures: The moderating effects of proprietary costs
Authors: García‐Sánchez I. M. , Martínez‐Ferrero J.
Published: October 2016

The aim of this paper is two‐fold: (i) to evidence if the role of independent directors regarding the disclosure of corporate social responsibility (CSR) information is determined by the aim of protecting shareholders' value; and (ii) to highlight whether non‐executive directors only have incentives to disclose this information when it does not damage ownerships' interest, being a trade‐off between the benefits of reducing the information asymmetry in capital markets and the cost of aiding competitors by revealing proprietary information. From an international sample from 2004 to 2010, we proposed several Tobit regressions for panel data. This research evidences that independent directors show an initial opposition to CSR disclosure practices except in firms with a higher yearly cost of equity capital and lower proprietary costs. Moreover, this opposition is avoiding if there is an assurance statement that reduces their reputation risks associated with potential misleading CSR information. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Sprouting as a gardening strategy to obtain superior supplementary food: evidence from a seed‐caching marine worm
Authors: Zhu Zhenchang , van Belzen Jim , Hong Tao , Kunihiro Tadao , Ysebaert Tom , Herman Peter M. J. , Bouma Tjeerd J.
Published: October 2016

Only a handful of non‐human animals are known to grow their own food by cultivating high‐yield fungal or algal crops as staple food. Here we report an alternative strategy utilized by an omnivorous marine worm, Hediste diversicolor, to supplement its diet: gardening by sprouting seeds. In addition to having many other known feeding modes, we showed using video recordings and manipulative mesocosm experiments that this species can also behave like gardeners by deliberately burying cordgrass seeds in their burrows, which has been previously shown to reduce the loss of seeds to water. These seeds, however, are protected by the seed husk, and we used feeding experiments to show that they were not edible for H. diversicolor until they had sprouted or the seed husk had been artificially removed. Additionally, sprouts were shown to be highly nutritious, permitting higher growth rates in H. diversicolor than the low‐quality basal food, detritus. We propose both a proximate cause (seed husk as a physical barrier) and ultimate cause (nutritional demand) for this peculiar feeding behavior. Our findings suggest that sprouting may be a common strategy used by seed‐collecting animals to exploit nutrients from well‐protected seeds.
Two Discrete Ln12 Shelf‐Shaped Clusters: Magnetic Studies Reveal a Significant Cryogenic Magnetocaloric Effect and Slow Magnetic Relaxation
Authors: Li Yi‐Ming , Kuang Wei‐Wei , Zhu Li‐Li , Xu Yun , Yang Pei‐Pei
Published: October 2016

Two unique dodecanuclear lanthanide clusters, [LnIII12Na3(µ3‐OH)2(hmmp)6(piv)12(CO3)6(MeOH)6]OH·5MeOH {Ln = Gd3+, Dy3+; hmmpH2 = 2‐[(2‐hydroxyethylimino)methyl]‐6‐methoxyphenol}, have been synthesized by treating the simple Schiff‐base ligand hmmpH2 with the relevant lanthanide chloride and sodium pivalate (NaPiv). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that the central cores of Gd12 and Dy12 are unprecedented and composed of a distorted four‐layer triangular shelf‐like molecular structure, which can be broken down into two types of four parallel triangular layers with an ABBA arrangement. Magnetic investigations revealed that the Gd12 cluster is a good candidate for magnetic refrigeration with a significant entropy change (–ΔSm) of 30.99 J kg–1 K–1 for H = 7 T at 4 K, whereas the Dy12 cluster shows single‐molecule magnet behavior.
A protein extraction method for low protein concentration solutions compatible with the proteomic analysis of rubber particles
Authors: Wang Dan , Sun Yong , Tong Zheng , Yang Qian , Chang Lili , Meng Xueru , Wang Limin , Tian Weimin , Wang Xuchu
Published: October 2016

The extraction of high‐purity proteins from the washing solution (WS) of rubber particles (also termed latex‐producing organelles) from laticifer cells in rubber tree for proteomic analysis is challenging due to the low concentration of proteins in the WS. Recent studies have revealed that proteins in the WS might play crucial roles in natural rubber biosynthesis. To further examine the involvement of these proteins in natural rubber biosynthesis, we designed an efficiency method to extract high‐purity WS proteins. We improved our current borax and phenol‐based method by adding reextraction steps with phenol (REP) to improve the yield from low protein concentration samples. With this new method, we extracted WS proteins that were suitable for proteomics. Indeed, compared to the original borax and phenol‐based method, the REP method improved both the quality and quantity of isolated proteins. By repeatedly extracting from low protein concentration solutions using the same small amount of phenol, the REP method yielded enough protein of sufficiently high‐quality from starting samples containing less than 0.02 mg of proteins per milliliter. This method was successfully applied to extract the rubber particle proteins from the WS of natural rubber latex samples. The REP‐extracted WS proteins were resolved by 2DE, and 28 proteins were positively identified by MS. This method has the potential to become widely used for the extraction of proteins from low protein concentration solutions for proteomic analysis.
Rejoinder
Authors: Ilvonen Liisa , Holmstöm Lasse , Seppä Heikki , Veski Siim
Published: October 2016

We thank the editors of Environmetrics for their decision to publish our article as a discussion paper. We appreciate the contributions of all discussants and thank them for many insightful comments and suggestions for alternative approaches. Many of their ideas offer excellent opportunities for future work. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibitory geostatistical designs for spatial prediction taking account of uncertain covariance structure
Authors: Chipeta Michael , Terlouw Dianne , Phiri Kamija , Diggle Peter
Published: October 2016

The problem of choosing spatial sampling designs for investigating an unobserved spatial phenomenon
arises in many contexts, for example, in identifying households to select for a prevalence survey to study disease burden and heterogeneity in a study region
. We studied randomized inhibitory spatial sampling designs to address the problem of spatial prediction while taking account of the need to estimate covariance structure. Two specific classes of design are inhibitory designs and inhibitory designs plus close pairs. In an inhibitory design, any pair of sample locations must be separated by at least an inhibition distance δ. In an inhibitory plus close pairs design, n − k sample locations in an inhibitory design with inhibition distance δ are augmented by k locations each positioned close to one of the randomly selected n − k locations in the inhibitory design, uniformly distributed within a disk of radius ζ. We present simulation results for the Matérn class of covariance structures. When the nugget variance is non‐negligible, inhibitory plus close pairs designs demonstrate improved predictive efficiency over designs without close pairs. We illustrate how these findings can be applied to the design of a rolling Malaria Indicator Survey that forms part of an ongoing large‐scale, 5‐year malaria transmission reduction project in Malawi.
Bathymetric Structure‐from‐Motion: extracting shallow stream bathymetry from multi‐view stereo photogrammetry
Authors: Dietrich James T.
Published: October 2016

Stream bathymetry is a critical variable in a number of river science applications. In larger rivers, bathymetry can be measured with instruments such as sonar (single or multi‐beam), bathymetric airborne LiDAR (light detection and ranging), or acoustic Doppler current profilers. However, in smaller streams with depths less than 2 m, bathymetry is one of the more difficult variables to map at high‐resolution. Optical remote sensing techniques offer several potential solutions for collecting high‐resolution bathymetry. In this research, I focus on direct photogrammetric measurements of bathymetry using multi‐view stereo photogrammetry, specifically Structure‐from‐Motion (SfM). The main barrier to accurate bathymetric mapping with any photogrammetric technique is correcting for the refraction of light as it passes between the two different media (air and water), which causes water depths to appear shallower than they are. I propose and test an iterative approach that calculates a series of refraction correction equations for every point/camera combination in a SfM point cloud. This new method is meant to address shortcomings of other correction techniques and works within the current preferred method for SfM data collection, oblique and highly convergent photographs. The multi‐camera refraction correction presented here produces bathymetric datasets with accuracies of ~0.02% of the flying height and precisions of ~0.1% of the flying height. This methodology, like many fluvial remote sensing methods, will only work under ideal conditions (e.g. clear water), but it provides an additional tool for collecting high‐resolution bathymetric datasets for a variety of river, coastal, and estuary systems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bright spots: seeds of a good Anthropocene
Authors: Bennett Elena M , Solan Martin , Biggs Reinette , McPhearson Timon , Norström Albert V , Olsson Per , Pereira Laura , Peterson Garry D , Raudsepp‐Hearne Ciara , Biermann Frank , Carpenter Stephen R , Ellis Erle C , Hichert Tanja , Galaz Victor , Lahsen Myanna , Milkoreit Manjana , Martin López Berta , Nicholas Kimberly A , Preiser Rika , Vince Gaia , Vervoort Joost M , Xu Jianchu
Published: October 2016

The scale, rate, and intensity of humans’ environmental impact has engendered broad discussion about how to find plausible pathways of development that hold the most promise for fostering a better future in the Anthropocene. However, the dominance of dystopian visions of irreversible environmental degradation and societal collapse, along with overly optimistic utopias and business‐as‐usual scenarios that lack insight and innovation, frustrate progress. Here, we present a novel approach to thinking about the future that builds on experiences drawn from a diversity of practices, worldviews, values, and regions that could accelerate the adoption of pathways to transformative change (change that goes beyond incremental improvements). Using an analysis of 100 initiatives, or “seeds of a good Anthropocene”, we find that emphasizing hopeful elements of existing practice offers the opportunity to: (1) understand the values and features that constitute a good Anthropocene, (2) determine the processes that lead to the emergence and growth of initiatives that fundamentally change human–environmental relationships, and (3) generate creative, bottom‐up scenarios that feature well‐articulated pathways toward a more positive future.
Genetic factors in threatened species recovery plans on three continents
Authors: Pierson Jennifer C , Coates David J , Oostermeijer J Gerard B , Beissinger Steven R , Bragg Jason G , Sunnucks Paul , Schumaker Nathan H , Young Andrew G
Published: October 2016

Around the world, recovery planning for threatened species is being applied in an attempt to stem the current extinction crisis. Genetic factors linked to small population processes (eg inbreeding, loss of genetic diversity) play a key role in species viability. We examined how often genetic factors are considered in threatened species recovery planning. We selected recent species recovery plans from Europe (n = 110), North America (the US only; n = 100), and Australia (n = 108), and reviewed three broad categories of genetic data they address: population‐genetic, fitness‐related, and life‐history data. We found that the host country, taxonomic group to which the species belonged, and several proposed management actions were important predictors of the inclusion of genetic factors. Notably, species recovery plans from the US were more likely to include genetic issues, probably due to legislative requirements. We recommend an international standard, similar to an IUCN Red List framework, that requires explicit consideration of genetic aspects of long‐term viability.
A robust low‐dissipation AUSM‐family scheme for numerical shock stability on unstructured grids
Authors: Zhang Fan , Liu Jun , Chen Biaosong , Zhong Wanxie
Published: October 2016

The simple low‐dissipation advection upwind splitting method (SLAU) scheme is a parameter‐free, low‐dissipation upwind scheme that has been applied in a wide range of aerodynamic numerical simulations. In spite of its successful applications, the SLAU scheme could be showing shock instabilities on unstructured grids, as many other contact resolved upwind schemes. Therefore, a hybrid upwind flux scheme is devised for improving the shock stability of SLAU scheme, without compromising on accuracy and low Mach number performance. Numerical flux function of the hybrid scheme is written in a general form, in which only the scalar dissipation term is different from that of the SLAU scheme. The hybrid dissipation term is defined by using a differentiable multidimensional‐shock‐detection pressure weight function, and the dissipation term of SLAU scheme is combined with that of the Van Leer scheme. Furthermore, the hybrid dissipation term is only applied for the solution of momentum fluxes in numerical flux function. Based on the numerical test results, the hybrid scheme is deemed to be a successful improvement on the shock stability of SLAU scheme, without compromising on the efficiency and accuracy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An efficient high order direct ALE ADER finite volume scheme with a posteriori limiting for hydrodynamics and magnetohydrodynamics
Authors: Boscheri Walter
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we present a new family of direct arbitrary–Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) finite volume schemes for the solution of hyperbolic balance laws on unstructured meshes in multiple space dimensions. The scheme is designed to be high‐order accurate both in space and time, and the mesh motion, which provides the new mesh configuration at the next time step, is taken into account in the final finite volume scheme that is based directly on a space‐time conservation formulation of the governing PDE system. To improve the computational efficiency of the algorithm, high order of accuracy in space is achieved using the a posteriori MOOD limiting strategy that allows the reconstruction procedure to be carried out with only one reconstruction stencil for any order of accuracy. We rely on an element‐local space‐time Galerkin finite element predictor on moving curved meshes to obtain a high‐order accurate one‐step time discretization, while the mesh velocity is computed by means of a suitable nodal solver algorithm that might also be supplemented with a local rezoning procedure to improve the mesh quality. Next, the old mesh configuration at time level tn is connected to the new one at tn + 1 by straight edges, hence providing unstructured space‐time control volumes, on the boundary of which the numerical flux has to be integrated. Here, we adopt a quadrature‐free integration, in which the space‐time boundaries of the control volumes are split into simplex sub‐elements that yield constant space‐time normal vectors and Jacobian matrices. In this way, the integrals over the simplex sub‐elements can be evaluated once and for all analytically during a preprocessing step.

We apply the new high‐order direct ALE algorithm to the Euler equations of compressible gas dynamics (also referred to as hydrodynamics equations) as well as to the magnetohydrodynamics equations and we solve a set of classical test problems in two and three space dimensions. Numerical convergence rates are provided up to fifth order of accuracy in 2D and 3D for both hyperbolic systems considered in this paper. Finally, the efficiency of the new method is measured and carefully compared against the original formulation of the algorithm that makes use of a WENO reconstruction technique and Gaussian quadrature formulae for the flux integration: depending on the test problem, the new class of very efficient direct ALE schemes proposed in this paper can run up to ≈12 times faster in the 3D case. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inflammation‐induced myeloid‐derived suppressor cells associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Chen Wen‐Cheng , Lai Chia‐Hsuan , Chuang Huei‐Chieh , Lin Paul‐Yang , Chen Miao‐Fen
Published: October 2016

Background

The purpose of this study was to present our assessment of the significance of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

We examined the percentage of MDSCs in the peripheral blood of patients with HNSCC. The relationship among MDSC recruitment, tumor progression, and cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 inhibition was also evaluated by animal models.

Results

Circulating MDSCs were significantly increased in patients with HNSCC compared with healthy people, and this was associated with the clinical tumor burden. In immunocompetent 4‐nitroquinoline‐1‐oxide (4‐NQO)‐induced oral tumor and immunocompromised tumor implantation animal models, MDSC recruitment was associated with the duration of 4‐NQO treatment and tumor progression. The responsible mechanisms included the suppressive ability of T‐cell proliferation and augmenting angiogenesis by MDSC. Blockade of COX‐2 attenuated the induction and function of MDSCs and subsequently inhibited tumor growth.

Conclusion

The levels of MDSC are linked with tumor progression in HNSCC. Moreover, targeting COX‐2 could be a promising strategy for the treatment of HNSCC. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 347–355, 2017
Food availability and initial relative abundance determine the outcome of interspecific competition between two different‐sized cladocerans
Authors: Chen Rui , Tang Hengxing , Zhao Feixi , Wu Yingyuan , Huang Yuan , Yang Zhou
Published: October 2016

Competition amongst different‐sized cladocerans has attracted the interest of many researchers because of their similar life strategies and overlap in feeding habits. To test the combined effects of food concentration and initial relative abundance on the competition outcomes between small‐ and large‐bodied cladocerans, we grew large Daphnia magna and small Moina micrura with two initial relative abundances under five algal densities. At the lowest food concentration (0.10 mg L−1 carbon), D. magna could not maintain a population in the presence or absence of M. micrura. Under conditions in which both species grew together, food levels as high as 0.30 mg L−1 favoured superior population growth of D. magna, irrespective of inoculation abundance. Under conditions in which both species had equal initial abundance, population growth of M. micrura was inhibited by the presence of Daphnia at ≥0.30 mg L−1 food levels. M. micrura was superior to D. magna at higher food concentrations (≥0.60 mg L−1) and high initial abundance. These results suggest that population growth of large Daphnia was more successful than that of small Moina when the food availability was low, while the small Moina dominated under conditions of high initial abundance and high food supply. Therefore, interspecific competition amongst cladocerans depends not only on the size of competing species, but also on their initial relative abundance and food availability.
Arranging response requirements and the distribution of reinforcers: A brief review of preference and performance outcomes
Authors: Ward-Horner John C. , Cengher Mirela , Ross Robert K. , Fienup Daniel M.
Published: October 2016

Recent research has demonstrated that some participants prefer to complete a larger series of responses in exchange for a longer duration of reinforcer access, rather than completing fewer tasks associated with smaller, but more frequent, reinforcer access. This review provides a summary of this line of research, examines variables contributing to participant preference and performance under different response‐reinforcer arrangements, and discusses limitations and areas for future research.
Growth factor delivery of BMP9 using a novel natural bovine bone graft with integrated atelo‐collagen type I: Biosynthesis, characterization, and cell behavior
Authors: Fujioka‐Kobayashi Masako , Schaller Benoit , Saulacic Nikola , Zhang Yufeng , Miron Richard J.
Published: October 2016

Within the past years, BMP9 has been characterized as one of the most osteogenic bone‐inducers among the BMP family, however up until recently, BMP9 has only been available through adenovirus transfection experiments (gene therapy) not approved for clinical use. The aim of this study was to investigate recombinant rhBMP9 versus rhBMP2 at 2 concentrations (10 and 100 ng/mL) in combination with 2 bone grafts: (1) a natural bone mineral (NBM) without collagen versus (2) a novel NBM integrated with atelo‐collagen type I (NBM‐Col). Scanning electron microscopy revealed that while NBM demonstrated a mineralized roughened surface morphology, NBM‐Col particles contained many more visible collagen fibrils throughout the scaffold surface significantly increasing rhBMP adsorption from 8 h to 10 days (as quantified by ELISA). Thereafter, ST2 preosteoblasts were used to investigate cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation. While little change was observed for cell attachment/proliferation, osteoblast differentiation demonstrated a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity when scaffolds were loaded with rhBMP9 when compared to rhBMP2. Furthermore, a 2‐3 fold increase in alizarin red staining, and in mRNA levels of osteoblast differentiation markers Runx2, Collagen1α2, ALP, and osteocalcin was observed when rhBMP9 was combined with NBM‐Col when compared to NBM without collagen at equivalent doses and when compared to rhBMP2. The results from this study demonstrate that (1) the use of rhBMP9 significantly and markedly induced osteoblast differentiation when compared to rhBMP2 and (2) the incorporation of atelo‐collagen type I into NBM bone grafts markedly improved these findings by serving as a scaffold capable of improving growth factor adsorption and osteoblast behavior. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 408–418, 2017.
Immune‐affinity monolithic array with chemiluminescent detection for mycotoxins in barley
Authors: Li Li , Xia Liru , Zhao Yongfu , Wang Min , Jiang Xizhi
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

Mycotoxins are produced by fungi as secondary metabolites. They often multi‐contaminate food and feed commodities posing a health risk to humans and animals. Fast and easy multiplex screening could be thought as a useful tool for detection of multi‐contaminated food and feed commodities.

RESULTS

A highly sensitive immune‐affinity monolithic arrays for detecting the mycotoxins zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, T‐2 toxin, HT‐2 toxin, aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, and fumonisin B1were fabricated using UV induced co‐polymerisation. The mycotoxin antibodies firstly reacted with functional monomer to form antibody/functional monomer bio‐conjugates. Subsequently, the antibody/functional monomer bio‐conjugates co‐polymerised with cross‐linker to form mycotoxins immune‐affinity arrays. With optimal fabrication conditions, all mycotoxin immune‐affinity monolithic arrays exhibited a linear response spanning three orders of magnitude. And the immune‐affinity monolithic array has a low detection limit and has a good uniformity (intra‐assay CV, and inter‐assay CV both <8%).

CONCLUSION

The fabricated mycotoxin immune‐affinity monolithic arrays were proved as a sensitive, stable and economical tool in real food samples detection. Moreover, the mycotoxin immune‐affinity monolithic arrays would be able to minimise manipulation steps: add samples and enzyme labelled mycotoxins, and detect CL signals. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Nutrient profiles of the hybrid grape cultivar ‘Isabel’ during berry maturation and ripening
Authors: Kurt Aynur , Torun Hülya , Colak Nesrin , Seiler Gerald , Hayirlioglu‐Ayaz Sema , Ayaz Faik Ahmet
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

The hybrid grape cultivar ‘Isabel’ (Vitis labrusca × V. vinifera) is widely grown in the Black Sea region of Turkey and constitutes an important part of the diet of its inhabitants. Phenological and ampelographic studies of the grape have previously been performed, but there are no data concerning nutrient composition. Its nutrient content needs to be investigated to ascertain its potential economic and nutritional uses in the region.

RESULTS

The concentrations (range, g kg−1 fresh weight) of major soluble sugars (fructose 2.08–79.70; glucose 3.71–66.74) increased and those of organic acids (tartaric acid 0.05–6.60; malic acid 2.38–9.92) decreased in the skin and pulp during ripening. The major fatty acid was linoleic acid in the skin (50.13), pulp (18.11) and seed (704), while the main minerals (dry weight) were potassium (2.70–19.70), followed by phosphorus (0.53–3.40) and calcium (0.42–5.90) in the parts.

CONCLUSION

Berry maturation and ripening significantly influenced the concentrations of sugars and organic acids the most in the skin and pulp, but did not significantly affect the concentrations of fatty acids and minerals in the ‘Isabel’ grape. Our findings also suggest an optimal harvest time in terms of levels of the nutrients. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Grape by‐product extracts against microbial proliferation and lipid oxidation: a review
Authors: Mattos Gabriela N , Tonon Renata V , Furtado Angela AL , Cabral Lourdes MC
Published: October 2016

The wine industry is responsible for the production of million tons of waste, such as grape skin, stalk, sludge and seeds, which can be considered inexpensive sources of phenolic compound owing to incomplete extraction during wine production. Phenolic compounds, also called polyphenols, comprise the most abundant bioactive compounds in grape and are recognized by their antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. Because of their functional properties, extracts obtained from grape wastes, which are rich in phenolic compounds, can be employed in the development of many products, ranging from medical to food applications, decreasing the growth of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms and inhibiting lipid oxidation. These characteristics are motivating the research for alternative sources of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents, aimed at decreasing the use of artificial additives, which have been associated with some toxic effects. This article provides a review of the use of grape by‐product extracts and their bioactive compounds as natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents in food products. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Fluid manipulation on the micro‐scale: Basics of fluid behavior in microfluidics
Authors: Novotný Jakub , Foret František
Published: October 2016

Fluid manipulation on the micro‐scale (microfluidics) is bringing new potential applications in a number of fields, including chemistry, biology and medicine. At sub‐millimeter channel scale, some phenomena, unimportant at the macroscale, become an important force to consider when designing a microfluidics system. For example, the decrease in fluid mass causes the effects of viscosity to overcome the influence of inertia. Turbulent flow cannot be achieved at any realistic fluid velocity, making mixing a challenging task. The only phenomenon capable of blending liquids at microscale is diffusion and liquid streams can be flowed side‐by‐side for tens of minutes before they completely fuse together. The decrease in the channel size also leads to an increased surface‐to‐volume ratio, which increases the importance of surface effects, including adsorption, capillary action and surface wetting and/or electric double layer formation with related electrokinetic phenomena. While rivers cannot flow uphill, a stream of liquid can easily flow up against gravity inside a capillary. Similarly, the formation of electric double layer near the charged surface of a micro‐channel or capillary can be applied for electrokinetic actuating. This review summarizes selected physical phenomena related to liquid‐based (water solutions) microfluidics as described recently.
Ongoing and Emerging Questions in Water Erosion Studies
Authors: García‐Ruiz José M. , Beguería Santiago , Lana‐Renault Noemí , Nadal‐Romero Estela , Cerdà Artemi
Published: October 2016

Soil erosion is a threat to food security, especially in regions where the area of arable land is shrinking dramatically because of soil degradation. Research on soil erosion expanded progressively throughout the 20th centu\ry, although a number of unresolved problems persist despite this issue being crucial for the environment and the welfare of society. Some basic unresolved issues, including the absence of a universally accepted definition of soil erosion and disagreement about how to measure it have contributed to a degree of scientific stagnation. Accurate prediction of the response of soils to disturbance is hampered by the dependence of the erosion process on the spatial scale involved, the time lag between the disturbance and the erosion response and the short periods for which data are typically available. We argue that devoting increased attention to the following environmental, demographic, political and societal issues will reinvigorate progress in the field. (i) The relationships between on‐site and off‐site consequences of soil erosion need to be elucidated if the economic and environmental costs are to be adequately assessed. (ii) Effective measures for soil conservation need to focus on spatial patterns of plant cover that reduce sediment connectivity, and most importantly on the relationships between hillslopes and sediment transfer in eroded channels. (iii) The scientific community must be able to identify early warning signs of critical transitions, if irreversible soil degradation is to be prevented. (iv) Consensus needs to be reached concerning the contribution of soil erosion to the carbon cycle. (v) The consequences of climate change on erosion and sediment transport should be investigated in depth. (vi) The general society needs to perceive soil erosion as a critical matter requiring an urgent response. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epidemic transmission on SEIR stochastic models with nonlinear incidence rate
Authors: Lopez‐Herrero Mariajesus
Published: October 2016

Our interest is to quantify the spread of an infective process with latency period and generic incidence rate that takes place in a finite and homogeneous population.

Within a stochastic framework, two random variables are defined to describe the variations of the number of secondary cases produced by an index case inside of a closed population. Computational algorithms are presented in order to characterize both random variables. Finally, theoretical and algorithmic results are illustrated by several numerical examples. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Loss of function of KIF1B impairs oocyte meiotic maturation and early embryonic development in mice
Authors: Kong Xiang‐Wei , Wang Dong‐Hui , Zhou Cheng‐Jie , Zhou Hong‐Xia , Liang Cheng‐Guang
Published: October 2016

Kinesin family member 1B (KIF1B) is an important microtubule‐dependent monomeric motor in mammals, although little is known about its role in meiosis. We profiled KIF1B expression and localization during oocyte maturation and early embryonic development in mice, revealing a dynamic pattern throughout meiotic progression. Depletion or inhibition of KIF1B leads to abnormal polar body extrusion, disordered spindle dynamics, defects in chromosome congression, increased aneuploidy, and impaired embryonic development. Further, KIF1B depletion affects the distribution of mitochondria and abundance of ATP. Taken together, our study demonstrates that mouse KIF1B is important for spindle assembly, chromosome congression, and mitochondrial distribution during oocyte maturation and early embryonic development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 1027–1040, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tomoelastography of the abdomen: Tissue mechanical properties of the liver, spleen, kidney, and pancreas from single MR elastography scans at different hydration states
Authors: Dittmann Florian , Tzschätzsch Heiko , Hirsch Sebastian , Barnhill Eric , Braun Jürgen , Sack Ingolf , Guo Jing
Published: October 2016

Purpose

To develop a compact magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) protocol for abdomen and to investigate the effect of water uptake on tissue stiffness in the liver, spleen, kidney, and pancreas.

Methods

Nine asymptomatic volunteers were investigated by MRE before and after 1 liter water uptake. Shear‐wave excitation at four frequencies was transferred to the abdomen from anterior and posterior directions using pressurized air drivers. Tomographic representations of shear‐wave speed were produced by analysis of multifrequency wave numbers in axial and coronal images acquired within four breath‐holds or under free breathing, respectively.

Results

Pre and post water, stiffness of the spleen (pre/post: 2.20 ± 0.10/2.06 ± 0.18 m/s) and kidney (pre/post: 1.93 ± 0.22/1.97 ± 0.23 m/s) was higher than in the liver (pre/post: 1.36 ± 0.10/1.38 ± 0.13 m/s) and pancreas (pre/post: 1.20 ± 0.12/1.20 ± 0.08 m/s), all P < 0.01. Accounting for four drive frequencies, water drinking only changed the splenic stiffness (–6%, P = 0.03), whereas in the frequency range from 50 to 60 Hz the effect became significant also in the pancreas (–6%, P = 0.04) and liver (+3%, P = 0.03). Elastograms of the kidney in coronal view clearly depicted higher stiffness in cortex than in medulla.

Conclusion

Tomoelastography reveals sensitivity of tissue mechanical properties to the hydration state of multiple abdominal organs within one scan and in unprecedented resolution of anatomical details. Magn Reson Med 78:976–983, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Intermuscular coherence in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A preliminary assessment
Authors: Issa Naoum P. , Frank Samuel , Roos Raymond P. , Soliven Betty , Towle Vernon L. , Rezania Kourosh
Published: October 2016

Introduction: Simple laboratory tests of upper motor neuron involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are not available. Intermuscular coherence has been shown to distinguish patients with primary lateral sclerosis, a pure upper motor neuron disorder, from normal subjects, suggesting it could be useful for assessing ALS. We aimed to determine whether intermuscular coherence can distinguish ALS patients from normal subjects. Methods: We measured biceps brachii and brachioradialis activity using surface electromyography while subjects held the elbow at flexion and the forearm in semipronation. Intermuscular coherence was calculated at between 20 and 40 Hz in 15 ALS patients and 15 normal subjects. Results: On average, intermuscular coherence was 3.8‐fold greater in normal subjects than in ALS patients (P < 0.01), and it distinguished ALS patients from normal subjects with a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 87%. Conclusion: Intermuscular coherence measurement is a rapid, painless method that may detect upper motor neuron dysfunction in ALS. Muscle Nerve 55: 862–868, 2017
A multi‐level adaptive mesh refinement method for level set simulations of multiphase flow on unstructured meshes
Authors: Ngo Long Cu , Choi Hyoung Gwon
Published: October 2016

An adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) technique is proposed for level set simulations of incompressible multiphase flows. The present AMR technique is implemented for two‐dimensional/three‐dimensional unstructured meshes and extended to multi‐level refinement. Smooth variation of the element size is guaranteed near the interface region with the use of multi‐level refinement. A Courant–Friedrich–Lewy condition for zone adaption frequency is newly introduced to obtain a mass‐conservative solution of incompressible multiphase flows. Finite elements around the interface are dynamically refined using the classical element subdivision method. Accordingly, finite element method is employed to solve the problems governed by the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations, using the level set method for dynamically updated meshes. The accuracy of the adaptive solutions is found to be comparable with that of non‐adaptive solutions only if a similar mesh resolution near the interface is provided. Because of the substantial reduction in the total number of nodes, the adaptive simulations with two‐level refinement used to solve the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations with a free surface are about four times faster than the non‐adaptive ones. Further, the overhead of the present AMR procedure is found to be very small, as compared with the total CPU time for an adaptive simulation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Production and characterization of novel nanocomposites based on poly(amide‐imide) containing N‐trimellitylimido‐l‐alanine diacid and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethan segments reinforced with grafted nano‐ZnO by citric acid as a biological ligand
Authors: Mallakpour Shadpour , Abdolmaleki Amir , Elmira Moosavi Seyede
Published: October 2016

Nanocomposite (NC) materials containing polymers and dispersed nanofillers such as nanoparticles (NPs) are one of the most attractive topics due to their potential ability to provide high‐performance novel materials. In this study, novel optically active poly(amide–imide)/zinc oxide nanocomposites (PAI/ZnO NCs) containing different amounts of modified ZnO NPs were prepared using an ultrasonic assisted. For this reason, at first the surface of ZnO NPs was successfully modified with citric acid (2‐hydroxypropane‐1,2,3‐tricarboxylic acid, C6H8O7) (CA) as a coupling agent to improve dispersion stability of NPs and increase the possible interaction such as hydrogen bonding, physical van der Waals between NPs and PAI matrix. Then, the optically active PAI chains were formed from the polymerization of N‐trimellitylimido‐l‐alanine diacid (3) with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane (4) under green conditions by using molten tetra‐n‐butylammonium bromide and triphenyl phosphite as a condensing agent. Finally, modified ZnO NPs with CA (ZnO‐CA NPs) were incorporated into the obtained PAI matrix to prepare chiral PAI/ZnO‐CA NCs through the ultrasonic irradiation. PAI/ZnO‐CA NCs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, X‐ray diffraction patterns, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and UV–visible techniques. The TGA results proved that the thermal stability of obtained NCs was improved compared with the pure polymer. Also, the TEM and FE‐SEM images showed that NPs were uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix on nanoscale. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2394–2402, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Progress in Understanding the Dynamics, Internal Structure and Palaeoenvironmental Potential of Ice Wedges and Sand Wedges
Authors: Christiansen Hanne H. , Matsuoka Norikazu , Watanabe Tatsuya
Published: October 2016

A review of recent progress in understanding the dynamics, internal structure and palaeoenvironmental potential of ice wedges and sand wedges is presented, based on literature published between 2008 and 2015. Ice wedges constitute the most ice‐rich and widespread periglacial landform in permafrost lowlands. Thus, progress in understanding the processes associated with them, using a large variety of direct and indirect field and remote sensing methods, is important, particularly in a changing climate with increased potential for ice‐wedge degradation. Ice‐wedge polygons have been found to control microclimate, hydrology and greenhouse gas fluxes from permafrost. New technologies have allowed the identification of more fossil polygons, increasing their role in reconstructing periglacial conditions. Study of ice‐wedge casts, sand wedges and ice wedges has improved palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, particularly from the last glacial period and the Holocene, of changes to these landforms in both present and former permafrost areas. Polygons on Mars have recently attracted considerable attention, primarily due to increased remote sensing capabilities and even on‐site investigations, which identify ice in these landforms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mapping the interactions of adenoviral E1A proteins with the p160 nuclear receptor coactivator binding domain of CBP
Authors: Haberz Peter , Arai Munehito , Martinez‐Yamout Maria A. , Dyson H. Jane , Wright Peter E.
Published: October 2016

Many viruses deregulate the cell and force transcription of viral genes by competing with cellular proteins for binding to the transcriptional co‐activators CREB‐binding protein (CBP) and p300. Through its interactions with CBP/p300 and the retinoblastoma protein, the adenovirus (AdV) early region 1A (E1A) oncoprotein hijacks the cell cycle and, in rodents, transforms the cell; the mechanistic and structural basis for these effects remain unclear. In this study we compare the affinity of protein constructs from the E1A proteins from two adenovirus serotypes, non‐oncogenic AdV5 and highly oncogenic AdV12, for binding to the nuclear receptor coactivator binding domain (NCBD) of CBP. NMR spectra show that the E1A constructs from both serotypes are intrinsically disordered in the free state and that each contains three homologous binding sites for the NCBD, one in the N‐terminal region and two within conserved region 1 (CR1) of E1A. The binding sites in CR1 correspond to the motifs that bind the retinoblastoma protein and the TAZ2 domain of CBP/p300. The E1A and NCBD peptides fold synergistically upon complex formation. Binding affinities determined from NMR titrations show that, although the overall affinities for AdV5 and AdV12 E1A are comparable, there are significant differences between the two E1A serotypes in the relative strength with which their constituent interaction motifs bind to the NCBD. The individual E1A interaction motifs were unable to compete effectively with p53 for binding to the NCBD and both the N‐terminal region and CR1 region of E1A are required for efficient competition with p53.
Structures and recognition modes of toll‐like receptors
Authors: Gao Dong , Li Wang
Published: October 2016

Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) recognize common structural patterns in diverse microbial molecules and play central roles in the innate immune response. The structures of extracellular domains and their ligand complexes of several TLRs have been determined by X‐ray crystallography. Here, we discuss recent advances on structures and activation mechanisms of TLRs. Despite the differences in interaction areas of ligand with TLRs, the extracellular domains of TLRs all adopt horseshoe‐shaped structures and the overall M‐shape of the TLR–ligand complexes is strikingly similar. The structural rearrangement information of TLRs sheds new light on their ligand‐recognition and ‐activation mechanisms. Proteins 2016; 85:3–9. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sensitivity of Fusarium culmorum to triazoles: impact of trichothecene chemotypes, oxidative stress response and genetic diversity
Authors: Hellin Pierre , Scauflaire Jonathan , Van Hese Viviane , Munaut Françoise , Legrève Anne
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

Fusarium culmorum is a fungal pathogen occurring worldwide on various weeds and important crops. Triazoles have been shown to be the most effective fungicide for managing Fusarium spp., but little is known about their specific activity on F. culmorum.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of 107 F. culmorum strains to triazoles was assessed using microtitre plate assays. The EC50 values ranged from 0.14 to 1.53 mg L−1 for tebuconazole and from 0.25 to 2.47 mg L−1 for epoxiconazole. Cross‐resistance to both azoles was found (r = 0.61). F. culmorum appeared to be significantly more sensitive than F. graminearum or F. cerealis. No increase in the mean EC50 was observed over time, which might be related to an unfavourable fitness cost, measured here as fungal growth. On average, nivalenol‐producing strains of F. culmorum were significantly more resistant than deoxynivalenol‐producing strains. The relationship between resistance and chemotype‐dependent adaptation to oxidative stress was investigated, but remained unclear. No link between inter‐simple sequence repeat (ISSR) genetic diversity and triazole resistance could be established.

CONCLUSION

Fungicide use might not be a driving force in the evolution of F. culmorum, and the benefit of a resistance trait probably does not outweigh its costs. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry