bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rape embryogenesis. II. Development of embryo proper
Authors: Tykarska Teresa
Published: April 2015

It was found in the continued studies on rape embryogenesis, started by the description of the proembryo (Tykarska, 1976) that the development of embryo is extremely regular and based on differentiating divisions. It appeared that the transverse segmentation boundary and cell walls separating the mother cells of the histogens in the proembryo can be distinguished in all the later stages of the embryo. The border between the cytoledons and epicotyl part of the embryonal axis, and the hypocotyl corresponds to the segmentation boundary between layer l and layer l' at the octant stage. As border between the hypocotyl and radicle was assumed the upper boundary of the root cap reaching usually to the level of the boundary between segments II and III of dermatogen and periblem. The apical meristem of the shoot forms from dermatogen and the periaxial cells of the globular embryo subepidermis. The promeristem of the radicle constists of 3 layers of initial cells surrounding on all sides the inactive layer of central binding cells.
Modeling of growth in shoot apical dome
Authors: Hejnowicz Z. , Nakielski J.
Published: April 2015

The vectorial field of displacement velocities V in growing apical dome is calculated from the scalar field adjusted to the geometry of the dome and to different variants of the distribution of linear growth rate along axis. The distribution of growth rate in volume and the temporal course of cell wall net deformation in the apical dome calculated from the V fit within the range of empirical data when the linear growth rate along the axis increases with distance from the tip. The distribution of volume growth rate attains the minimum inside the distal region of the dome where the zone of central mother cells occurs.
Bacterial microflora isolated from the bark surface of poplars growing in areas where air pollution is very high
Authors: Przybył Krystyna
Published: April 2015

In the autumn of 1976 bacteria of the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Erwinia and Cellulomonas were isolated from the bark surface of poplars growing in protective belts around several industrial plants. It was found that the qualitative and quantitative composition of the surface bacterial microflora changes in dependence on the degree of resistance of the poplars to the action of the dust emitted by the industrial establishment and containing high amounts of heavy metals.
The bark of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestis L.) as a biological indicator of atmospheric air pollution
Authors: Świeboda Maria , Kalemba Andrzej
Published: April 2015

In dead bark layer 0f Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) exposed to the emission of aluminium works and the electric power plant "Skawina" as well as of chemical plants in Cracow, pH was determined and the content of F, S, Mg, Na, P, K, and Ca. The F content in the dead pine bark varied from 0.018 to 0.386 mg/g, and that of sulphur from 1.00 to 3.83 mg/g. A significant correlation was demonstrated between pH, and fluorine and calcium content in the bark. On the other hand, sulphur content was dependent on the amount of Na, K and Ca. For demonstrating contamination of the surface bark layer a test was applied consisting in evaluation of the germinating and development capacity of seeds. Fluorine content in pine dead bark layer reflects the F concentration in atmospheric air, it may, therefore, serve as indicator of the degree of air pollution with fluorine compounds.
A simple biophysical model emulates budding yeast chromosome condensation
Authors: Cheng Tammy MK , Heeger Sebastian , Chaleil Raphaël AG , Matthews Nik , Stewart Aengus , Wright Jon , Lim Carmay , Bates Paul A , Uhlmann Frank
Published: April 2015

Mitotic chromosomes were one of the first cell biological structures to be described, yet their molecular architecture remains poorly understood. We have devised a simple biophysical model of a 300 kb-long nucleosome chain, the size of a budding yeast chromosome, constrained by interactions between binding sites of the chromosomal condensin complex, a key component of interphase and mitotic chromosomes. Comparisons of computational and experimental (4C) interaction maps, and other biophysical features, allow us to predict a mode of condensin action. Stochastic condensin-mediated pairwise interactions along the nucleosome chain generate native-like chromosome features and recapitulate chromosome compaction and individualization during mitotic condensation. Higher order interactions between condensin binding sites explain the data less well. Our results suggest that basic assumptions about chromatin behavior go a long way to explain chromosome architecture and are able to generate a molecular model of what the inside of a chromosome is likely to look like.
Günebakan: uzay tabanli güneş enerji sistemi
Authors: Yildiz Ercan , Aslan Alim Rüstem
Published: April 2015

Özet

Bu çalışmada uzay tabanlı güneş enerji sistemlerinin uzayda kurulumunu gerçekleştirip, yeryüzündeki diğer enerji kaynakları ile ekonomik olarak rekabet edebilmesi için; geliştirilmesi gereken, yeryüzünden yörüngeye ulaşım, enerji üretimi ve kablosuz enerji iletimi gibi teknolojilerin mevcut durumu ve geliştirme çalışmaları ayrıntılı bir şekilde hukuki yönleri de dahil olmak üzere ele alınmıştır. Uzay tabanlı güneş enerji sistemlerinin ticari olarak gerçekleştirilebilmesi için değerlendirmeler ve çözüm önerileri sunulmuştur. Son olarak, Türkiye’nin 2035 vizyon hedefi göz önüne alınarak, “Günebakan” adı verilen, Güneş eş zamanlı yer yörüngesinde, ticari olarak kullanılmak üzere kurulacak ve yeryüzünde 500 MW elektrik sağlayacak, uzay tabanlı güneş enerji sistemi kavramsal tasarımı yapılmıştır.
Plume‐cratonic lithosphere interaction recorded by water and other trace elements in peridotite xenoliths from the Labait volcano, Tanzania
Authors: Hui Hejiu , Peslier Anne H. , Rudnick Roberta L. , Simonetti Antonio , Neal Clive R.
Published: April 2015

Water and other trace element concentrations in olivine (1–39 ppm H2O), orthopyroxene (10–150 ppm H2O), and clinopyroxene (16–340 ppm H2O) of mantle xenoliths from the Labait volcano, located on the edge of the Tanzanian craton along the eastern branch of the East African Rift, record melting and subsequent refertilization by plume magmas in a stratified lithosphere. These water contents are at the lower end of the range observed in other cratonic mantle lithospheres. Despite correlations between water content and indices of melting in orthopyroxene from the shallow peridotites, and in both olivine and orthopyroxene from the deep peridotites, water concentrations are too high for the peridotites to be simple residues. Instead, the Labait water contents are best explained as reflecting interaction between residual peridotite with a melt having relatively low water content (<1 wt.% H2O). Plume‐derived melts are the likely source of water and other trace element enrichments in the Labait peridotites. Only garnet may have undergone addition of water from the host magma as evidenced by water content increasing toward the kelyphite rim in one otherwise homogeneous garnet. Based on modeling of the diffusion profile, magma ascent occurred at 4–28 m/s. In summary, plume‐craton interaction appears to result in only moderate water enrichment of the lithosphere.
Retrieving high‐resolution tropospheric gradients from multiconstellation GNSS observations
Authors: Li Xingxing , Zus Florian , Lu Cuixian , Ning Tong , Dick Galina , Ge Maorong , Wickert Jens , Schuh Harald
Published: April 2015

The developing multi‐Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) constellations have the potential to provide accurate high‐resolution tropospheric gradients. Such data, closely linked to strong humidity gradients accompanying severe weather phenomena, are considered a new important data source for meteorological studies, e.g., nowcasting of severe rainfall events. Here we describe the development of a multi‐GNSS processing system for the precise retrieval of high‐resolution tropospheric gradients. The retrieved products were validated by using independent water vapor radiometer (WVR) observations and numerical weather model (NWM) data. The multi‐GNSS high‐resolution gradients agree well with those, derived from NWM and WVR, especially for the fast‐changing peaks which were mostly associated with synoptic fronts. Compared to GPS‐only gradients, the correlations with the validation data are significantly improved up to 20–35%. The new data product has significant potential to improve numerical weather prediction and to advance meteorological studies.
Response of sea surface fugacity of CO2 to the SAM shift south of Tasmania: Regional differences
Authors: Xue Liang , Gao Libao , Cai Wei‐Jun , Yu Weidong , Wei Meng
Published: April 2015

Using observational data collected south of Tasmania during 14 austral summer cruises during 1993–2011, we examined the response of sea surface fugacity of carbon dioxide (fCO2) to the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) shift, which occurred around 2000. In the southern part of the Southern Ocean (SO) or the Polar Zone (PZ) and the Polar Frontal Zone (PFZ), fCO2 increased faster at the sea surface than in the atmosphere before the SAM shift, but not after the shift. In the northern part of the SO or the Subantarctic Zone (SAZ), however, surface fCO2 increased faster than atmospheric fCO2 both before and after the shift. The SAM shift had an important influence on the surface fCO2 trend in the PZ and PFZ but not in the SAZ, which we attribute to differences in regional oceanographic processes (upwelling versus nonupwelling). The SAM shift may have reversed the negative trend of SO CO2 uptake.
Plasmon–Phonon Interactions in Topological Insulator Microrings
Authors: Autore Marta , D'Apuzzo Fausto , Di Gaspare Alessandra , Giliberti Valeria , Limaj Odeta , Roy Pascale , Brahlek Matthew , Koirala Nikesh , Oh Seongshik , García de Abajo Francisco Javier , Lupi Stefano
Published: April 2015

The great potential of Dirac electrons for plasmonics and photonics has been readily recognized after their discovery in graphene, followed by applications to smart optical devices. Dirac carriers are also found in topological insulators (TIs)—quantum systems having an insulating gap in the bulk and intrinsic Dirac metallic states at the surface. Here, the plasmonic response of ring structures patterned in Bi2Se3 TI films is investigated through terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. The rings are observed to exhibit a bonding and an antibonding plasmon modes, which we tune in frequency by varying their diameter. An analytical theory based on the THz conductance of unpatterned films is developed, which accurately describes the strong plasmon–phonon hybridization and Fano interference experimentally observed as the bonding plasmon is swiped across the prominent 2 THz phonon exhibited by this material. This work opens the road for the investigation of plasmons in topological insulators and for their application in tunable THz devices.
Unprecedented Reductive Esterification of Carboxylic Acids under Hydrogen by Reusable Heterogeneous Platinum Catalysts
Authors: Touchy Abeda S. , Kon Kenichi , Onodera Wataru , Shimizu Ken‐ichi
Published: April 2015

Supported metal catalysts have been tested for an unprecedented reductive dimerization of carboxylic acids to esters under 8 bar hydrogen in solvent‐free conditions. Among various metal‐loaded tin oxide catalysts, platinum‐loaded tin dioxide (Pt/SnO2) shows the highest ester yield for the reaction of dodecanoic acid. Among Pt catalysts on various supports, Lewis acidic oxides, especially SnO2, show high activity. The most active catalyst, 5 wt% Pt/SnO2 reduced at 100 °C, is effective for the reductive esterification of various carboxylic acids, and the catalyst is reusable for nine cycles, demonstrating the first successful example for the title reaction. Infrared (IR) studies of a model compound (formic acid) on some metal oxides indicate a strong Lewis acid‐base interaction between SnO2 and the carbonyl oxygen. For Pt/SnO2 catalysts with different Pt particle sizes, the activity increases with decreasing size of Pt metal. A cooperative catalysis of the Pt metal nanoparticles and the Sn4+ Lewis acid sites is proposed.

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Identification of an ε‐Keto Ester Reductase for the Efficient Synthesis of an (R)‐α‐Lipoic Acid Precursor
Authors: Zhang Yu‐Jun , Zhang Wen‐Xia , Zheng Gao‐Wei , Xu Jian‐He
Published: April 2015

A novel reductase (CpAR2) with unusually high activity toward an ε‐keto ester, ethyl 8‐chloro‐6‐oxooctanoate, was isolated from Candida parapsilosis. The asymmetric reduction of ethyl 8‐chloro‐6‐oxooctanoate using Escherichia coli cells coexpressing CpAR2 and glucose dehydrogenase genes gave ethyl (R)‐8‐chloro‐6‐hydroxyoctanoate, a key precursor for the synthesis of (R)‐α‐lipoic acid, in high space‐time yield (530 g L−1 d−1) and with excellent enantiomeric excess (>99%). This bioprocess was shown to be viable on a 10‐L scale. This method provides a greener and more cost‐effective method for the industrial production of (R)‐α‐lipoic acid.

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Asymmetric One‐Pot Conjugate Addition of Grignard Reagents to α,β‐Unsaturated Compounds Followed by Reaction with Carbenium Ions
Authors: Drusan Michal , Rakovský Erik , Marek Jaromír , Šebesta Radovan
Published: April 2015

Asymmetric catalytic multistep reactions enable the formation of structurally complex compounds from simple starting materials. Enantioselective Cu‐catalyzed 1,4‐additions of Grignard reagents to Michael acceptors form reactive chiral enolates. We show here that these chiral enolates react in a one‐pot fashion with naked carbenium ions, such as tropylium, 1,3‐benzodithiolium, and dianisylmethylium ions. The corresponding products were obtained in good yields, with enantioselectivities up to 96% ee and high diastereomeric purities.

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Complete Enzymatic Oxidation of Methanol to Carbon Dioxide: Towards More Eco‐Efficient Regeneration Systems for Reduced Nicotinamide Cofactors
Authors: Kara Selin , Schrittwieser Joerg H. , Gargiulo Serena , Ni Yan , Yanase Hideshi , Opperman Diederik J. , van Berkel Willem J. H. , Hollmann Frank
Published: April 2015

A novel system for in situ regeneration of reduced nicotinamide cofactors (NADH) is proposed: through a cascade of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), formaldehyde dismutase (FDM) and formate dehydrogenase (FDH) complete oxidation of methanol to carbon dioxide (CO2) is coupled to the regeneration of NADH. As a consequence, from one equivalent of methanol three equivalents of NADH can be obtained. The feasibility of this cascade is demonstrated at the examples of an NADH‐dependent reduction of conjugated CC‐double bonds (catalysed by an enoate reductase) and the NADH‐dependent hydroxylation of phenols (catalysed by a monooxygenase). The major limitation of the current regeneration system is the comparably poor catalytic efficiency of the methanol oxidation step (low kcat and high KM value of the ADH used) necessitating higher than theoretical methanol concentrations.

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Rapid prediction of solvation free energy and vapor pressure of liquid and solid from molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Yang Li , Lin Shiang‐Tai
Published: April 2015

We show that the solvation free energy and vapor pressure, important thermodynamic properties of pure substances in liquid or solid states, can be obtained from short, about 20 ps, molecular dynamics simulations. The method combines the determination of free energy of a chemical in vacuum using the normal‐mode analysis (NMA, energy minimization), and in the condensed phase using the two‐phase thermodynamic (2PT) model. We have examined the calculation results for common liquids and solids, including water, alcohol, acid, aromatics, and alkanes. The results, referred to as 2PT‐NMA, is comparable to those calculated from thermodynamic integration (TI) for liquids, and is readily applicable to solids, where simple TI is not applicable. Furthermore, the free energy from 2PT‐NMA converges (20 ps) much faster than that from TI (1 ns). The new method could be a very useful tool for fast screening of condensed phase pressure from the trajectory of MD simulations. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2298–2306, 2015
A probabilistic model for correcting the directional sensitivity of optical probe measurements
Authors: Lee Boung Wook , Dudukovic Milorad P.
Published: April 2015

A probabilistic model is introduced for correcting the directional sensitivity of the optical probe technique routinely used to determine gas holdup and bubble dynamics in gas‐liquid systems. Measurements from optical probes oriented at various angles were collected from the tapered end of optical probes in regions where approximately unidirectional and bubbly flow conditions were observed. Based on logical assumptions, constitutive equations for a probabilistic model were formulated, and contributions to the overall local gas phase holdup from bubbles traveling in two opposite directions were quantified. The results demonstrate a novel and useful way to interpret optical probe measurements. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 3516–3527, 2015
Proceedings from the Turner Resource Network symposium: The crossroads of health care research and health care delivery
Authors: Backeljauw Philippe F. , Bondy Carolyn , Chernausek Steven D. , Cernich Joseph T. , Cole David A. , Fasciano Laura P. , Foodim Joan , Hawley Scott , Hong David S. , Knickmeyer Rebecca C. , Kruszka Paul , Lin Angela E. , Lippe Barbara M. , Lorigan Gary A. , Maslen Cheryl L. , Mauras Nelly , Page David C. , Pemberton Victoria L. , Prakash Siddharth K. , Quigley Charmian A. , Ranallo Kelly C. , Reiss Allan L. , Sandberg David E. , Scurlock Cindy , Silberbach Michael
Published: April 2015

Turner syndrome, a congenital condition that affects ∼1/2,500 births, results from absence or structural alteration of the second sex chromosome. There has been substantial effort by numerous clinical and genetic research groups to delineate the clinical, pathophysiological, cytogenetic, and molecular features of this multisystem condition. Questions about the molecular‐genetic and biological basis of many of the clinical features remain unanswered, and health care providers and families seek improved care for affected individuals. The inaugural “Turner Resource Network (TRN) Symposium” brought together individuals with Turner syndrome and their families, advocacy group leaders, clinicians, basic scientists, physician‐scientists, trainees and other stakeholders with interest in the well‐being of individuals and families living with the condition. The goal of this symposium was to establish a structure for a TRN that will be a patient‐powered organization involving those living with Turner syndrome, their families, clinicians, and scientists. The TRN will identify basic and clinical questions that might be answered with registries, clinical trials, or through bench research to promote and advocate for best practices and improved care for individuals with Turner syndrome. The symposium concluded with the consensus that two rationales justify the creation of a TRN:

inadequate attention has been paid to the health and psychosocial issues facing girls and women who live with Turner syndrome;

investigations into the susceptibility to common disorders such as cardiovascular or autoimmune diseases caused by sex chromosome deficiencies will increase understanding of disease susceptibilities in the general population. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rare de novo deletion of metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (GRM7) gene in a patient with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Liu Yi , Zhang Yanqing , Zhao Dongmei , Dong Rui , Yang Xiaomeng , Tammimies Kristiina , Uddin Mohammed , Scherer Stephen W. , Gai Zhongtao
Published: April 2015

GRM7, the gene encoding metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGluR7), have been implicated in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders and shown to mediate excitatory synaptic neurotransmitter signaling and plasticity in the mammalian brain. Here we report a 303 kb de novo deletion at band 3p26.1, disrupting five coding exons of GRM7 in a proband with autism spectrum disorder, and hyperactivity. Our exon transcriptome‐mutation contingency index method shows that three of the exons within the breakpoint boundaries are under purifying selection and highly expressed in prenatal brain regions. Based on our results and a thorough review of the literature, we propose that haploinsufficiency of the GRM7 product (mGluR7) contributes to autism spectrum disorders and hyperactivity phenotype as seen in the patient described here. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Performance analysis of deciduous morphology for detecting biological siblings
Authors: Paul Kathleen S. , Stojanowski Christopher M.
Published: April 2015

Objectives:

Family‐centered burial practices influence cemetery structure and can represent social group composition in both modern and ancient contexts. In ancient sites dental phenotypic data are often used as proxies for underlying genotypes to identify potential biological relatives. Here, we test the performance of deciduous dental morphological traits for differentiating sibling pairs from unrelated individuals from the same population.

Materials and Methods:

We collected 46 deciduous morphological traits for 69 sibling pairs from the Burlington Growth Centre's long term Family Study. Deciduous crown features were recorded following published standards. After variable winnowing, inter‐individual Euclidean distances were generated using 20 morphological traits. To determine whether sibling pairs are more phenotypically similar than expected by chance we used bootstrap resampling of distances to generatePvalues. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) plots were used to evaluate the degree of clustering among sibling pairs.

Results:

Results indicate an average distance between siblings of 0.252, which is significantly less than 9,999 replicated averages of 69 resampled pseudo‐distances generated from: 1) a sample of non‐relative pairs (P < 0.001), and 2) a sample of relative and non‐relative pairs (P < 0.001). MDS plots indicate moderate to strong clustering among siblings; families occupied 3.83% of the multidimensional space on average (versus 63.10% for the total sample).

Conclusions:

Deciduous crown morphology performed well in identifying related sibling pairs. However, there was considerable variation in the extent to which different families exhibited similarly low levels of phenotypic divergence. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:615–629, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Skill ontogeny among Tsimane forager‐horticulturalists
Authors: Schniter Eric , Gurven Michael , Kaplan Hillard S. , Wilcox Nathaniel T. , Hooper Paul L.
Published: April 2015

Objectives

We investigate whether age profiles of Tsimane forager‐horticulturalists' reported skill development are consistent with predictions derived from life history theory about the timing of productivity and reproduction. Previous studies of forager skill development have often focused on a few abilities (e.g. hunting), and neglected the broad range of skills and services typical of forager economies (e.g. childcare, craft production, music performance, story‐telling).

Materials and Methods

By systematically examining age patterns in reported acquisition, proficiency, and expertise across a broad range of activities including food production, childcare, and other services, we provide the most complete skill development study of a traditional subsistence society to date.

Results

Our results show that: (1) most essential skills are acquired prior to first reproduction, then developed further so that their productive returns meet the increasing demands of dependent offspring during adulthood; (2) as postreproductive adults age beyond earlier years of peak performance, they report developing additional conceptual and procedural proficiency, and despite greater physical frailty than younger adults, are consensually regarded as the most expert (especially in music and storytelling), consistent with their roles as providers and educators. We find that adults have accurate understandings of their skillsets and skill levels –an important awareness for social exchange, comparison, learning, and pedagogy.

Discussion

These findings extend our understanding of the evolved human life history by illustrating how changes in embodied capital and the needs of dependent offspring predict the development of complementary skills and services in a forager‐horticulturalist economy. Am J Phys Anthropol 158:3–18, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Suprachiasmatic neuron numbers and rest–activity circadian rhythms in older humans
Authors: Wang Joshua L. , Lim Andrew S. , Chiang Wei‐Yin , Hsieh Wan‐Hsin , Lo Men‐Tzung , Schneider Julie A. , Buchman Aron S. , Bennett David A. , Hu Kun , Saper Clifford B.
Published: April 2015

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, the master mammalian circadian pacemaker, synchronizes endogenous rhythms with the external day–night cycle. Older humans, particularly those with Alzheimer disease (AD), often have difficulty maintaining normal circadian rhythms compared to younger adults, but the basis of this change is unknown. We report that the circadian rhythm amplitude of motor activity in both AD subjects and age‐matched controls is correlated with the number of vasoactive intestinal peptide–expressing SCN neurons. AD was additionally associated with delayed circadian phase compared to cognitively healthy subjects, suggesting distinct pathologies and strategies for treating aging‐ and AD‐related circadian disturbances. Ann Neurol 2015;78:317–322
Correcting Neuromuscular Deficits With Gene Therapy in Pompe Disease
Authors: Todd Adrian G. , McElroy Jessica A. , Grange Robert W. , Fuller David D. , Walter Glenn A. , Byrne Barry J. , Falk Darin J.
Published: April 2015

Objective

We have recently reported on the pathology of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in Pompe disease, reflecting disruption of neuronal and muscle homeostasis as a result of glycogen accumulation. The aim of this study was to examine how the alteration of NMJ physiology contributes to Pompe disease pathology; we performed molecular, physiological, and histochemical analyses of NMJ‐related measures of the tibialis anterior muscles of young‐, mid‐, and late‐stage alpha‐glucosidase (GAA)‐deficient mice.

Methods

We performed intramuscular injection of an adeno‐associated virus (AAV)9 vector expressing GAA (AAV9‐hGAA) into the tibialis anterior muscle of Gaa–/– mice at early, mid, and severe pathological time points. We analyzed expression of NMJ‐related genes, in situ muscle force production, and clearance of glycogen in conjunction with histological assessment of the NMJ.

Results

Our data demonstrate that AAV9‐hGAA is able to replace GAA to the affected tissue and modify AChR mRNA expression, muscle force production, motor endplate area, and innervation status. Importantly, the degree of restoration for these outcomes is limited by severity of disease. Early restoration of GAA activity was most effective, whereas late correction of GAA expression was not effective in modifying parameters reflecting NMJ structure and function nor in force restoration despite resolution of glycogen storage in muscle.

Interpretation

Our data provide new mechanistic insight into the pathology of Pompe disease and suggest that early systemic correction to both neural and muscle tissues may be essential for successful correction of neuromuscular function in Pompe disease. Ann Neurol 2015;78:222–234
Silica‐Based Liquid Marbles as Microreactors for the Silver Mirror Reaction
Authors: Sheng Yifeng , Sun Guanqing , Wu Jie , Ma Guanghui , Ngai To
Published: April 2015

Little attention has been paid to the participation of the shell of silica‐particle‐based liquid marbles and their influence on chemical reactions. The fabrication of liquid marbles with the encapsulating particle shells not only act as protecting layers to provide a confined environment, but also provide the reactive substrate surfaces to regulate the classical silver mirror reaction. Fabrication of silver mirrors with different morphologies was achieved by modifying particle surface properties, which could further lead to Janus liquid marbles. The different evaporation behavior of microreactors was demonstrated. Micrometer‐sized silica particles were used for the preparation of monolayer‐stabilized liquid marbles, which show great potential in fabricating Janus particles from superhydrophobic particles that are not attainable from Pickering emulsions.
CH Activation of Benzene by a Photoactivated NiII(azide): Formation of a Transient Nickel Nitrido Complex
Authors: Vreeken Vincent , Siegler Maxime A. , de Bruin Bas , Reek Joost N. H. , Lutz Martin , van der Vlugt Jarl Ivar
Published: April 2015

Photochemical activation of nickel‐azido complex 2 [Ni(N3)(PNP)] (PNHP=2,2′‐di(isopropylphosphino)‐4,4′‐ditolylamine) in neat benzene produces diamagnetic complex 3 [Ni(Ph)(PNPNH)], which is crystallographically characterized. DFT calculations support photoinitiated N2‐loss of the azido complex to generate a rare, transient NiIV nitrido species, which bears significant nitridyl radical character. Subsequent trapping of this nitrido through insertion into the NiP bond generates a coordinatively unsaturated NiII imidophosphorane PN donor. This species shows unprecedented reactivity toward 1,2‐addition of a CH bond of benzene to form 3. The structurally characterized chlorido complex 4 [Ni(Cl)(PNPNH)] is generated by reaction of 3 with HCl or by direct photolysis of 2 in chlorobenzene. This is the first report of aromatic CH bond activation by a trapped transient nitrido species of a late transition metal.
Fluktuierender Kupferacetylid‐Cluster in der CuAAC‐Katalyse
Authors: Makarem Ata , Berg Regina , Rominger Frank , Straub Bernd F.
Published: April 2015

Ein molekular definierter Kupferacetylidcluster mit N‐heterocyclischen Carben‐Steuerliganden (NHC) wurde zum ersten Mal unter sauren Reaktionsbedingungen hergestellt. Dieser Cluster ist der erste molekulare Kupferacetylid‐Komplex, der eine hohe Aktivität in der Kupfer‐katalysierten Azid‐Alkin‐Cycloaddition aufweist, bei Essigsäurezusatz sogar bei −5 °C. Ethylpropiolat protoniert alle Acetatliganden des zweikernigen Vorläuferkomplexes zu Essigsäure und ersetzt jeden vierten Steuerliganden. Als Konsequenz werden zwei Kupfer(I)‐Ionen freigesetzt, die den Kern des Clusters des in dieser Studie beschriebenen gelben C2‐symmetrischen Hexa‐NHC‐Octakupfer‐Hexaacetylid‐Dikations bilden. Koaleszenzphänomene in Tieftemperatur‐NMR‐Experimenten offenbaren das Fluktuieren des Clusters, was jeweils zu einem schnellen Austausch der jeweiligen NHC‐ und Acetylidpositionen führt. Kinetische Untersuchungen gewähren Einsichten in die Rolle verschiedener Kupferacetylid‐Koordinationsmodi und der Essigsäurezugabe auf die katalytische Aktivität. Die wechselseitige Abhängigkeit der “Klick”‐Aktivität und der Kupferacetylid‐Aggregation über zweikernige Intermediate hinaus fügt dem mechanistischen Verständnis der CuAAC‐Reaktion eine neue Komplexitätsebene hinzu.
Synthesis and characterization of organosoluble and transparent polyimides derived from trans‐1,2‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)cyclohexane dianhydride
Authors: Zhao Huiwen , Chen Guofei , Zhou Yu , Li Xing , Fang Xingzhong
Published: April 2015

A novel dianhydride, trans‐1,2‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)cyclohexane dianhydride (1,2‐CHDPA), was prepared through aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction of 4‐nitrophthalonitrile with trans‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diol followed by hydrolysis and dehydration. A series of polyimides (PIs) were synthesized from one‐step polycondensation of 1,2‐CHDPA with several aromatic diamines, such as 2,2′‐bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl‐4,4′‐diamine (TFDB), bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenyl)ether (TFODA), 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA), 1,4‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)benzene (TPEQ), 4,4′‐(1,3‐phenylenedioxy)dianiline (TPER), 2,2′‐bis[4‐(3‐aminodiphenoxy)phenyl]sulfone (m‐BAPS), and 2,2′‐bis[4‐(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)phenyl]sulfone (6F‐BAPS). The glass transition temperatures (Tgs) of the polymers were higher than 198°C, and the 5% weight loss temperatures (Td5%s) were in the range of 424–445°C in nitrogen and 415–430°C in air, respectively. All the PIs were endowed with high solubility in common organic solvents and could be cast into tough and flexible films, which exhibited good mechanical properties with tensile strengths of 76–105 MPa, elongations at break of 4.7–7.6%, and tensile moduli of 1.9–2.6 GPa. In particular, the PI films showed excellent optical transparency in the visible region with the cut‐off wavelengths of 369–375 nm owing to the introduction of trans‐1,2‐cyclohexane moiety into the main chain. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42317.
The Origin of the Variations of the Hyoid Apparatus in Human
Authors: Rodríguez‐Vázquez José Francisco , Verdugo‐López Samuel , Abe Hiroshi , Murakami Gen
Published: April 2015

Currently, theories based on acquired calcification of the stylohyoid ligament are believed to be a pathogenesis of syndromes associated with the hyoid apparatus (HA) and its variations. We studied the development of the HA from Reichert´s cartilage using serial sections of 25 human embryos and 45 fetuses. We ensured a fact that, at the initial stage, the HA appeared as two independent cartilage segments, that is, the cranial or styloid segment and the caudal or hyoid segment of Reichert's cartilage, those are connected by a mesenchymal structure. However, between 8 and 10 weeks of development, the mesenchymal connection was lost. We hypothesize that this disconnection is likely to be one of the major factors to make a descent of the hyoid bone in evolution. The stylohyoid ligament was not observed. The variations of the HA, should be considered variations of the development of Reicherts cartilage. If these variations are maintained in the adult, are likely to explain a major symptom associated with Eagle's syndrome. Anat Rec, 298:1395–1407, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interrater reliability and convergent validity of F1000Prime peer review
Authors: Bornmann Lutz
Published: April 2015

Peer review is the backbone of modern science. F1000Prime is a postpublication peer review system of the biomedical literature (papers from medical and biological journals). This study is concerned with the interrater reliability and convergent validity of the peer recommendations formulated in the F1000Prime peer review system. The study is based on about 100,000 papers with recommendations from faculty members. Even if intersubjectivity plays a fundamental role in science, the analyses of the reliability of the F1000Prime peer review system show a rather low level of agreement between faculty members. This result is in agreement with most other studies that have been published on the journal peer review system. Logistic regression models are used to investigate the convergent validity of the F1000Prime peer review system. As the results show, the proportion of highly cited papers among those selected by the faculty members is significantly higher than expected. In addition, better recommendation scores are also associated with higher performing papers.
Photoluminescence and thermoluminescence studies of CaAl2O4:Dy3+ phosphor
Authors: Ziyauddin Mohammad , Tigga Shalinta , Brahme Nameeta , Bisen D. P.
Published: April 2015

Calcium aluminate phosphors activated by Dy3+ have been prepared by a combustion method at a temperature of 600°C. Photoluminescence (PL) and thermoluminescence (TL) properties of gamma‐irradiated Dy‐doped calcium aluminate were investigated. The PL spectrum shows a broad peak around 488 nm and 573 nm, under 347 nm excitation. Thermoluminescence studies were performed for different concentrations of Dy. Optimum intensity of photoluminescence was found for 0.02 mol% concentration of Dy. It was found that initially the peak TL intensity increases with increasing concentration of Dy in the CaAl2O4 host, attains a maximum value for 0.05 mol% concentration and decreases with further increase in the doping concentration due to concentration quenching. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Separating chemical and excluded volume interactions of polyethylene glycols with native proteins: Comparison with PEG effects on DNA helix formation
Authors: Shkel Irina A. , Knowles D. B. , Record M. Thomas
Published: April 2015

Small and large PEGs greatly increase chemical potentials of globular proteins (μ2), thereby favoring precipitation, crystallization, and protein–protein interactions that reduce water‐accessible protein surface and/or protein‐PEG excluded volume. To determine individual contributions of PEG‐protein chemical and excluded volume interactions to μ2 as functions of PEG molality m3, we analyze published chemical potential increments μ23 = dμ2/dm3 quantifying unfavorable interactions of PEG (PEG200‐PEG6000) with BSA and lysozyme. For both proteins, μ23 increases approximately linearly with the number of PEG residues (N3). A 1 molal increase in concentration of PEG ‐CH2OCH2‐ groups, for any chain‐length PEG, increases μBSA by ∼2.7 kcal/mol and μlysozyme by ∼1.0 kcal/mol. These values are similar to predicted chemical interactions of PEG ‐CH2OCH2‐ groups with these protein components (BSA ∼3.3 kcal/mol, lysozyme ∼0.7 kcal/mol), dominated by unfavorable interactions with amide and carboxylate oxygens and counterions. While these chemical effects should be dominant for small PEGs, larger PEGS are expected to exhibit unfavorable excluded volume interactions and reduced chemical interactions because of shielding of PEG residues in PEG flexible coils. We deduce that these excluded volume and chemical shielding contributions largely compensate, explaining why the dependence of μ23 on N3 is similar for both small and large PEGs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 103: 517–527, 2015.
Proline‐poor hydrophobic domains modulate the assembly and material properties of polymeric elastin
Authors: Muiznieks Lisa D. , Reichheld Sean E. , Sitarz Eva E. , Miao Ming , Keeley Fred W.
Published: April 2015

Elastin is a self‐assembling extracellular matrix protein that provides elasticity to tissues. For entropic elastomers such as elastin, conformational disorder of the monomer building block, even in the polymeric form, is essential for elastomeric recoil. The highly hydrophobic monomer employs a range of strategies for maintaining disorder and flexibility within hydrophobic domains, particularly involving a minimum compositional threshold of proline and glycine residues. However, the native sequence of hydrophobic elastin domain 30 is uncharacteristically proline‐poor and, as an isolated polypeptide, is susceptible to formation of amyloid‐like structures comprised of stacked β‐sheet. Here we investigated the biophysical and mechanical properties of multiple sets of elastin‐like polypeptides designed with different numbers of proline‐poor domain 30 from human or rat tropoelastins. We compared the contributions of these proline‐poor hydrophobic sequences to self‐assembly through characterization of phase separation, and to the tensile properties of cross‐linked, polymeric materials. We demonstrate that length of hydrophobic domains and propensity to form β‐structure, both affecting polypeptide chain flexibility and cross‐link density, play key roles in modulating elastin mechanical properties. This study advances the understanding of elastin sequence‐structure‐function relationships, and provides new insights that will directly support rational approaches to the design of biomaterials with defined suites of mechanical properties. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 103: 563–573, 2015.
Application of ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy to the study of thermally induced changes in secondary structure of protein molecules in solid state
Authors: Cruz‐Angeles Jorge , Martínez Luz María , Videa Marcelo
Published: April 2015

FTIR spectroscopy in combination with ATR sampling technique is the most accessible analytical technique to study secondary structure of proteins both in solid and aqueous solution. Although several studies have demonstrated the applications of ATR‐FTIR to study conformational changes of solid dried proteins due to dehydration, there are no reports that demonstrate the application of ATR‐FTIR in the study of thermally induced changes of secondary structure of biomolecules directly on the solid state. In this study, four biomolecules of pharmaceutical interest, lysozyme, myoglobine, chymotripsin and human growth hormone (hGH), were studied on the solid state before and after different thermal treatments in order to relate changes of secondary structure to partial or total thermal denaturation processes. The results obtained provide experimental evidence that protein thermal denaturation in the solid state can be detected by displacement of carbonyl bands which correspond to conformational transformations between α–helix to β‐sheet or intermolecular β‐sheet; the molecules studied undergo this transformation when exposed to a temperature close to their denaturation temperature which may become irreversible depending on the extent of the heating treatment. These findings demonstrate that ATR‐FTIR is an effective and time efficient technique that allows the monitoring of the protein thermal denaturation process of solid samples without further reconstitution or prior sample preparation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 103: 574–584, 2015.
Functional assessment of the liver with gadolinium–ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine penta-acetate-enhanced MRI in living-donor liver transplantation
Authors: Ninomiya M , Shirabe K , Kayashima H , Ikegami T , Nishie A , Harimoto N , Yamashita Y , Yoshizumi T , Uchiyama H , Maehara Y
Published: April 2015

Background

A precise estimation of the capacity of the remnant liver following partial liver resection is important. In this study, the regional function of the liver in patients undergoing living-donor liver transplantation was evaluated by gadolinium–ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (EOB)-enhanced MRI, with special reference to the congested region.

Methods

EOB-MRI analysis was performed before hepatectomy in donors, and 7 days after surgery in the donor and recipient. In the hepatocyte phase, from images obtained 15 min after Primovist® injection, the signal intensity in each liver segment was measured and divided by the signal intensity of the erector spinae muscle (liver to muscle ratio, LMR) for standardization. Inter-regional differences in LMRs were analysed in donors and recipients.

Results

Thirty-two living donors and 31 recipients undergoing living-donor liver transplantation were enrolled. In donors, the LMRs of the remnant left lobe were almost equivalent among the liver segments. In the remnant right lobe without the middle hepatic vein, the mean(s.d.) LMR for congested segments (S5 and S8) was significantly lower than that for non-congested segments (S6 and S7): 2·60(0·52) versus 3·64(0·56) respectively (P < 0·001). After surgery, values in the non-congested region were almost identical to those in the preoperative donor liver. LMR values in the left and right lobe graft were significantly lower than those in the corresponding segment before donor surgery (P < 0·001).

Conclusion

The function of the congested region secondary to outflow obstruction in the remnant donor liver was approximately 70 per cent of that in the non-congested region. EOB-MRI is a promising tool to assess regional liver function, with good spatial resolution.
Guidance path scheduling using particle swarm optimization in crowd simulation
Authors: Wong Sai‐Keung , Tang Pao‐Kun , Li Fu‐Shun , Wang Zong‐Min , Yu Shih‐Ting
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we propose a method for using particle swarm optimization (PSO) to compute optimal guidance paths for various crowd densities in an agent‐based crowd simulation. The inputs of our system are guidance paths that provide hints for the movement directions of agents. Input guidance paths may not be located correctly (e.g., leading to congestion or high traveling cost); therefore, our method adjusts the guidance paths by using PSO. We consider several factors for evaluating the quality of a guidance path, including the average traveling time and interaction distance between agents. We apply our method in several examples. Experimental results show that our method can compute adaptive guidance paths for various crowd densities. Our system can simulate organized crowds that move in directions specified by the guidance paths. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Giant soap bubble creation model
Authors: Kim Namjung , Oh SaeWoon , Park Kyoungju
Published: April 2015

We present a simple and real‐time technique for animating giant realistic looking soap bubbles. Unlike small spherical soap bubbles, giant soap bubbles stretch significantly and undergo globally varying and locally consistent deformations because of time‐varying surface tensions. For physically plausible surface tensions, we introduce and combine a variable‐length mass spring system and Gibbs elasticity and Marangoni elasticity. Using a proposed framework, we deform our models because of general forces from surface tensions, winds, and excessive pressures. Our framework effectively generates a physically plausible animation of giant soap bubbles, differing in shape according to the user's design; generates capillary waves and vibrations while floating in the air; and shows vivid iridescent colors corresponding to the deformations, all of which have been difficult to achieve using previous soap bubble animation methods. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hybrid‐based snow simulation and snow rendering with shell textures
Authors: Wong Sai‐Keung , Fu I‐Ting
Published: April 2015

In this study, we develop a system for interactive snow simulation and rendering. Snow is modeled as a hybrid structure that handles movable snow and static snow separately. We develop a simple approach to convert between these two types of snow. Movable snow is represented by a set of particles, whereas static snow is modeled as grid cells. For a piece of movable snow (e.g., snowflake), the particles are connected using springs. Thus, we can model snow as a type of brittle material, such as a snow pile split into chunks of smaller snow pieces after a collision. To render the snow, we adopt a shell structure that has a series of concentric, semitransparent, textured shells. We applied our system to several examples, with the rendered snow appearing similar to real snow. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SpaceTime: adaptive control of the teleported avatar for improved AR tele‐conference experience
Authors: Jo Dongsik , Kim Ki‐Hong , Kim Gerard Jounghyun
Published: April 2015

With the continued technology innovation in object sensing and human motion tracking, the traditional two‐dimensional video‐based tele‐conference systems are projected to evolve into the three‐dimensional immersive and augmented reality (AR) based on which one can communicate with the teleported remote other as if present, moving and interacting naturally in the same location. One technical hurdle to this vision is the need to resolve the environmental differences and the resulting teleported avatar motion anomaly between the remote and local sites. This paper presents a novel method to first establish a spatial and object‐level match between the remote and local sites and adapts the position and motion of the teleported avatar into the local AR space according to the matched information. This results in a natural looking and spatially correct rendering of the remote user in the local augmented space and a significantly improved tele‐conference experience and communication performance. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.