bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Modeling on Heat Transport Across Stochastic Magnetic Field
Authors: Wang Q. , Zha X. , Lu H. , Wang X. , Wu B. , Zhu S.
Published: May 2016

The heat diffusion across the stochastic magnetic field is studied numerically. The stochastic field is generated by the overlap of two magnetic islands. The parameter w/wc, is found tobe an important parameter in charactering the transport, where w is the magnetic island width, and wc is the critical island width for flattening the electron temperature across an island. For w/wc < 1, the enhanced radial heat diffusivity χr is proportional to the parallel heat diffusivity χ∥, and the heat transport is dominated by the additive effect of individual islands. For w/wc > 3, χr is also proportional to χ∥ and the additional degradation of the energy confinement due to stochastic magnetic field becomes apparent. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Age and gender leucocytes variances and references values generated using the standardized ONE‐Study protocol
Authors: Kverneland Anders H. , Streitz Mathias , Geissler Edward , Hutchinson James , Vogt Katrin , Boës David , Niemann Nadja , Pedersen Anders Elm , Schlickeiser Stephan , Sawitzki Birgit
Published: May 2016

Flow cytometry is now accepted as an ideal technology to reveal changes in immune cell composition and function. However, it is also an error‐prone and variable technology, which makes it difficult to reproduce findings across laboratories. We have recently developed a strategy to standardize whole blood flow cytometry. The performance of our protocols was challenged here by profiling samples from healthy volunteers to reveal age‐ and gender‐dependent differences and to establish a standardized reference cohort for use in clinical trials. Whole blood samples from two different cohorts were analyzed (first cohort:n = 52, second cohort:n = 46, both 20–84 years with equal gender distribution). The second cohort was run as a validation cohort by a different operator. The “ONE Study” panels were applied to analyze expression of >30 different surface markers to enumerate proportional and absolute numbers of >50 leucocyte subsets. Indeed, analysis of the first cohort revealed significant age‐dependent changes in subsets e.g. increased activated and differentiated CD4+and CD8+T cell subsets, acquisition of a memory phenotype for Tregs as well as decreased MDC2 and Marginal Zone B cells. Males and females showed different dynamics in age‐dependent T cell activation and differentiation, indicating faster immunosenescence in males. Importantly, although both cohorts consisted of a small sample size, our standardized approach enabled validation of age‐dependent changes with the second cohort. Thus, we have proven the utility of our strategy and generated reproducible reference ranges accounting for age‐ and gender‐dependent differences, which are crucial for a better patient monitoring and individualized therapy. © 2016 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Nanoluciferase signal brightness using furimazine substrates opens bioluminescence resonance energy transfer to widefield microscopy
Authors: Kim Jiho , Grailhe Regis
Published: May 2016

Fluorescence and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (FRET, BRET) techniques are powerful tools for studying protein–protein interactions in cellular assays. In contrast to fluorescent proteins, chemiluminescent proteins do not require excitation light, known to trigger autofluorescence, phototoxicity, and photobleaching. Regrettably, low signal intensity of luciferase systems restricts their usage as they require specialized microscopes equipped with ultra low‐light imaging cameras. In this study, we report that bioluminescence quantification in living cells using a standard widefield automated microscope dedicated to screening and high content analysis is possible with the newer luciferase systems, Nanoluciferase (Nluc). With such equipment, we showed that robust intramolecular BRET can be measured using a combination of Nluc and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). Using the human Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1) dimer model, we next validated that intermolecular BRET could be quantified at a single cell level. The enhanced signal brightness of Nluc enabling BRET imaging to widefield microscopy shows strong potential to open up single cell protein–protein interactions studies to a wider audience. © 2016 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in human pluripotent stem cells: Harnessing human genetics in a dish
Authors: González Federico
Published: May 2016

Abstract: Because of their extraordinary differentiation potential, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can differentiate into virtually any cell type of the human body, providing a powerful platform not only for generating relevant cell types useful for cell replacement therapies, but also for modeling human development and disease. Expanding this potential, structures resembling human organs, termed organoids, have been recently obtained from hPSCs through tissue engineering. Organoids exhibit multiple cell types self‐organizing into structures recapitulating in part the physiology and the cellular interactions observed in the organ in vivo, offering unprecedented opportunities for human disease modeling. To fulfill this promise, tissue engineering in hPSCs needs to be supported by robust and scalable genome editing technologies. With the advent of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology, manipulating the genome of hPSCs has now become an easy task, allowing modifying their genome with superior precision, speed, and throughput. Here we review current and potential applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology in hPSCs and how they contribute to establish hPSCs as a model of choice for studying human genetics. Developmental Dynamics 245:788–806, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fortifying the forest: thinning and burning increase resistance to a bark beetle outbreak and promote forest resilience
Authors: Hood Sharon M. , Baker Stephen , Sala Anna
Published: May 2016

Fire frequency in low‐elevation coniferous forests in western North America has greatly declined since the late 1800s. In many areas, this has increased tree density and the proportion of shade‐tolerant species, reduced resource availability, and increased forest susceptibility to forest insect pests and high‐severity wildfire. In response, treatments are often implemented with the goal of increasing ecosystem resilience by increasing resistance to disturbance. We capitalized on an existing replicated study of fire and stand density treatments in a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)–Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forest in western Montana, USA, that experienced a naturally occurring mountain pine beetle (MPB;Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreak 5 yr after implementation of fuels treatments. We explored whether treatment effects on tree‐level defense and stand structure affected resistance toMPB. Mortality fromMPBwas highest in the denser, untreated control and burn‐only treatments, with approximately 50% and 39%, respectively, of ponderosa pine killed during the outbreak, compared to almost no mortality in the thin‐only and thin‐burn treatments. Thinning treatments, with or without fire, dramatically increased tree growth and resin ducts relative to control and burn‐only treatments. Prescribed burning did not increase resin ducts but did cause changes in resin chemistry that may have affectedMPBcommunication and lowered attack success. While ponderosa pine remained dominant in the thin and thin‐burn treatments after the outbreak, the high pine mortality in the control and burn‐only treatment caused a shift in species dominance to Douglas‐fir. The high Douglas‐fir component in the control and burn‐only treatments due to 20th century fire exclusion, coupled with high pine mortality fromMPB, has likely reduced resilience of this forest beyond the ability to return to a ponderosa pine‐dominated system in the absence of further fire or mechanical treatment. Our results show treatments designed to increase resistance to high‐severity fire in ponderosa pine‐dominated forests in the Northern Rockies can also increase resistance toMPB, even during an outbreak. This study suggests that fuel and restoration treatments in fire‐dependent ponderosa pine forests that reduce tree density increase ecosystem resilience in the short term, while the reintroduction of fire is important for long‐term resilience.
The most commonly available woody plant species are the most useful for human populations: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Gonçalves Paulo Henrique Santos , Albuquerque Ulysses Paulino , Medeiros Patrícia Muniz de
Published: May 2016

An increasing number of studies have aimed to clarify the factors leading human groups to prioritize the use of some woody plant species compared to others. Some of these studies have tested the apparency hypothesis in aiming to understand this phenomenon. According to the apparency hypothesis, the most commonly available local plant species on a forest path are the most useful to that local human population. However, the sparse and diverse nature of the results from studies investigating the factors that influence human exploitation of plant resources motivated us to perform a meta‐analysis on the apparency hypothesis. We searched in the main databases (Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Scielo) for studies that correlated the environmental availability of woody species (estimated through vegetation parameters) with the degree of importance of such species to the local human population (estimated by means of the use value index). Overall, this meta‐analysis supported the apparency hypothesis, although we also found high levels of heterogeneity in these studies. When the distinct uses of woody flora were considered separately, we found that local species availability is important for fuelwood (firewood and charcoal) and construction (houses, fences, etc.) purposes but does not explain medicinal and technological (object manufacture) plant use. We found no important differences in correlation values between the degree of species importance for people and the different vegetation parameters, although correlations are slightly higher for the dominance and importance value index. Our findings suggest that the exploitation of woody flora is influenced by local availability.
Sensitivity to dietary phosphorus limitation in native vs. invasive lineages of a New Zealand freshwater snail
Authors: Neiman Maurine , Krist Amy
Published: May 2016

Why some species and lineages are more likely to be invasive than others is one of the most important unanswered questions in basic and applied biology. In particular, the relative contributions to the invasion process of factors like pre‐adaptation to invasiveness in the native range, evolution post‐colonization, and random vs. non‐random sampling of colonist lineages remain unclear. We use a powerful common garden approach to address the potential for a role for sensitivity to nutrient limitation in determining the invasiveness of particular lineages of Potamopyrgus antipodarum, a New Zealand freshwater snail that has become globally invasive. We quantified specific growth rate (SGR), an important fitness‐related trait in this species, under high phosphorus (P) vs. low‐P conditions for a diverse set of native and invasive P. antipodarum. This experiment revealed that native‐range P. antipodarum experience a more severe decline in SGR in low‐P conditions relative to SGR in high‐P conditions than their invasive range counterparts. Although these results suggest resilience to P limitation in invasive lineages, the absence of significant absolute differences in SGR between native and invasive lineages indicates that a straightforward connection between response to P limitation and invasiveness in P. antipodarum is unlikely. Regardless, our data demonstrate that invasive vs. native lineages of P. antipodarum exhibit consistently different responses to an important environmental variable that is rarely studied in the context of invasion success. Further studies directed at exploring and disentangling the roles of sampling effects, selection on preexisting variation, and evolution after colonization will be required to provide a comprehensive picture of the role (or lack thereof) of nutrient limitation in the global invasion of P. antipodarum, as well for as other invasive taxa.
Caviar versus brill eggs: A novel high performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry application for evaluating cosmetic ingredients composition
Authors: Dal Bello Federica , Santoro Valentina , Aigotti Riccardo , Medana Claudio , Gastaldi Daniela , Baiocchi Claudio
Published: May 2016

In this study, raw materials, sturgeon and brill roe, were analyzed and compared as regard their use in cosmetic products. Recently, expensive caviar was largely used in beauty creams as lipids source. We compared lipids from caviar and brill eggs to propose a technological alternative. The fatty acids amount was determined with a new GC‐MS method. The triacylglycerols were identified and characterized by HPLC coupled with high resolution MS (HRMS). Both techniques showed a higher content of fatty acids and triacylglycerols in caviar respect to brill eggs. Some fatty acids, such as linoleic and linolenic acids, which are recognized to enhance skin metabolism, are absent, or show very low concentration, in brill eggs respect to sturgeon ones. It was possible to conclude that brill eggs are not a proper substitute of caviar in the formulation of cosmetic.

Practical application: The developed analytical techniques provided a satisfactory analytical characterization of the raw materials. Although the sample preparation for GC‐MS analysis is quite time consuming due to the derivatization of fatty acids, the one for triacylglycerols analyzed by HPLC‐HRMS is very fast, and involves the use of a small amount of organic solvent. Fatty acids and triacylglycerols were identified and characterized.

Comparison between Acipenser trasmontanus (caviar) and Scophthalmus rhombus eggs as active ingredient in beauty cream. A fatty acid quantitation and triacylglycerols quantitation, and characterization methods are showed. GC‐MS and HPLC‐HRMS are satisfactory tool to provide a full description of the studied raw materials.
Electrochemistry and Spectroelectrochemistry of Luminescent Europium Complexes
Authors: Lines Amanda M. , Wang Zheming , Clark Sue B. , Bryan Samuel A.
Published: May 2016

Fast, cost effective, and robust means of detecting and quantifying lanthanides are needed to support more efficient tracking within the nuclear, medicinal, and industrial fields. Furthermore, methods for isolating lanthanide signal from spectroscopic interferents are also needed. Applying spectroelectrochemistry to the detection of these species can meet those needs. However, application of this technique is limited by the low molar absorptivities and quantum yields of the lanthanides. These limitations can be circumvented by complexing the lanthanides with sensitizing ligands that enhance fluorescence, thereby dropping the limits of detection. Complexation will also cause changes in the electrochemical behavior of the lanthanides. To demonstrate this concept, studies were completed using europium as a model lanthanide in complexes with four different sensitizing ligands, which included 2,2′‐bipyridine and related derivatives. Results indicate that all four studied complexes demonstrate quasi‐reversible redox couples and improvements in limits of detection where electrochemical and spectroscopic characteristics showed some dependence on attached ligand. All four complexes studied display the necessary characteristics for spectroelectrochemical analysis, which was successfully and reproducibly applied to all Eu complexes.
Construction of Electrochemical Immunosensing Interface for Multiple Cancer Biomarkers Detection
Authors: Wang Liyuan , Rong Qinfeng , Ma Zhanfang
Published: May 2016

The quick and early detection of cancer biomarkers is crucial for improving resectability rate and reducing mortality rate of cancer treatment. Cancer biomarkers detection with electrochemical assay has attracted considerable attention due to its high sensitivity, rapid response, high efficiency and good specificity. Recent developments of electrochemical immunosensing interface have significantly improved the sensitivity and efficiency by constructing substrates and immunoprobes using hybrid nanomaterials. As is known, electrochemical signal overlapping and sensitivity enhancement are two main challenges in the development of multiplexed electrochemical immunoassay. Many researches have been conducted to solve these problems and have received great progress. Herein, this review describes the recent advances of nanomaterials on the development of the electrochemical immunosensing interface for the detection of multiple cancer biomarkers and provides a perspective in this field.
Hydrodynamic Rocking Disc Electrode Study of the TEMPO‐mediated Catalytic Oxidation of Primary Alcohols
Authors: Ahn Sunyhik D. , Fisher Adrian C. , Buchard Antoine , Bull Steven D. , Bond Alan M. , Marken Frank
Published: May 2016

The hydrodynamically thinned diffusion layer at a sinusoidally rocking disc is approximately uniform and can be expressed in terms of a diffusion layer thickness
with D, the diffusion coefficient of the redox active species, v, the kinematic viscosity, Θ, the total rocking angle (here 90 degrees), and f, the rocking frequency (ranging here from 0.83 to 25 Hz). For the one‐electron oxidation of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) in aqueous carbonate buffer pH 9.5, it is shown that there is quantitative agreement between the expression for the diffusion layer thickness and experimental data. Next, for seven primary alcohols, the catalytic TEMPO‐mediated oxidation mechanism is investigated under rocking disc conditions. Chemical rate constants are evaluated (by varying the diffusion layer thickness) employing the DigiElch4.F simulation package. Trends in the chemical rate constants (compared with DFT calculations) suggest enhanced reactivity for methanol versus higher primary alcohols and for aromatic versus non‐aromatic primary alcohols. Rocking disc voltammetry allows quantitative mechanistic analysis in the laminar flow regime.
Iron–Nickel Alloys for Carbon Dioxide Activation by Chemical Looping Dry Reforming of Methane
Authors: More Amey , Bhavsar Saurabh , Veser Götz
Published: May 2016

Chemical looping combustion is a clean combustion technology for fossil or renewable fuels. We have previously shown that the process can also be used to enable CO2 activation through reduction to CO with Fe oxygen carriers in so‐called “chemical looping dry reforming” (CLDR). Although Fe shows good reactivity with CO2, its reactivity with methane as a fuel is low. In contrast, Ni is highly reactive for methane conversion but cannot be oxidized with CO2. Here, we demonstrate that Fe–Ni alloys combine the reactivities of each metal synergistically. By combining materials synthesis and characterization with reactive evaluation in multicycle CLDR operation, we demonstrate that relatively low amounts of Ni suffice to activate the carrier for methane conversion and that the presence of Fe enables the reoxidation of Ni with CO2. Moreover, the weak oxidant CO2 allows the controlled oxidation of the Fe–Ni alloy, which enables CH4 upgrading through syngas (CO+H2) production.
Cyclic Oxygen Release Characteristics of Bifunctional Copper Oxide/Calcium Oxide Composites
Authors: Duan Lunbo , Godino Danilo , Manovic Vasilije , Montagnaro Fabio , Anthony Edward J.
Published: May 2016

Integrated calcium–copper (Ca–Cu) looping is a novel carbon capture technology that uses copper oxide to transport oxygen and calcium oxide to capture CO2 in the same process. Investigations into the oxygen release behavior of the bifunctional CuO/CaO composite are critical to assess the potential for applying this technology to solid fuels such as coal. In this study, three different CuO/CaO composites having different relative percentages (CuO75CaO25, CuO50CaO50, and CuO25CaO75) were manufactured in a commercial granulator and then tested in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor to examine their oxygen release characteristics at temperatures in the 880–940 °C range. All the composites exhibited clear oxygen release properties during the testing, indicating that the solid fuel can be directly oxidized rather than being gasified first in the Ca–Cu looping process. At the same temperature, the oxygen release rate of CuO25CaO75 is the fastest and its final oxygen yield is the largest, followed by CuO75CuO25 and CuO50CaO50. XRD results reveal that Ca2CuO3 is formed in the used samples of CuO75CuO25 and CuO50CaO50, but not in the case of CuO25CaO75, which may explain the performance difference observed. Further examination of the attrition and agglomeration behavior shows that all the composites are stable and strong, and it appears that CuO25CaO75 is the most stable and strongest of the materials examined.
Spatial modelling framework for the characterisation of rainfall extremes at different durations and under climate change
Authors: Lehmann Eric A. , Phatak Aloke , Stephenson Alec , Lau Rex
Published: May 2016

This paper describes a statistical modelling framework for the characterisation of rainfall extremes over a region of interest. Using a Bayesian hierarchical approach, the data are assumed to follow the generalised extreme value distribution, whose parameters are modelled as spatial Gaussian processes in the latent process layer. We also integrate a parametric relationship between precipitation maxima accumulated over increasing durations. The inference of the model parameters is thus improved by pooling information across both space and accumulation duration. In addition, we propose and investigate two different approaches for the integration of daily and sub‐daily rainfall data within the framework. We also demonstrate how information from a regional climate model can be integrated to enable the investigation of future projections of extreme rainfall characteristics.

We apply the proposed methodology to precipitation datasets from two large‐scale study regions located on the east coast of Australia. The models are fitted using Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations, and we present estimated model parameters and posterior inferences of return levels at various durations and sites of interest. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the framework in spatially extrapolating the inference to locations other than those at which direct rainfall measurements are available. We also provide comparisons between rainfall extremes at various durations obtained for the current climate and those based on future projections from a regional climate model. Both methods proposed for the integration of daily and sub‐daily records were found to yield similar results in terms of model performance and computational requirements. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A general procedure for selecting a class of fully symmetric space‐time covariance functions
Authors: De Iaco S. , Palma M. , Posa D.
Published: May 2016

Sometimes, space‐time covariance models can be derived as solutions of partial differential equations, for phenomena which can be described by physical laws. When the complexity of natural processes does not allow such a description, it would be useful to have a guide for selecting an appropriate class of space‐time covariance models for a given data set, among the classes constructed in the last years. Thus, the main aim of this paper is to provide a general procedure for space‐time modeling, where the first step to be made is not the choice of a particular covariance model but the choice of the class of covariance functions suitable for the variable under study. Hence, starting from a space‐time data set, an adequate class of models will be properly chosen by considering the main characteristics, such as full symmetry, separability, behavior at the origin, anisotropy aspects, as well as type of non separability and asymptotic behavior. In the literature, these aspects have never been considered in a unified way; nevertheless, they can be relevant for selecting a suitable class of covariance models. The proposed procedure has been applied to both a simulated data set and an environmental case study. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bidirectional substructure pseudo‐dynamic tests and analysis of a full‐scale two‐story buckling‐restrained braced frame
Authors: Khoo Hsen‐Han , Tsai Keh‐Chyuan , Tsai Ching‐Yi , Tsai Cheng‐Yu , Wang Kung‐Juin
Published: May 2016

A two‐story buckling‐restrained brace (BRB) frame was tested under bidirectional in‐plane and out‐of‐plane loading to evaluate the BRB stability and gusset plate design. The test comprised pseudo‐dynamic loadings using the 1999 Chi‐Chi earthquake scaled to the 50%, 10%, and 2% probability of exceedance in 50 years and a cyclic regime of increasing amplitudes of up to 3.0% story drift ratio (SDR). The specimen had a unique configuration where the beams were connected to the columns through shear tabs welded to the column flanges and bolted to the beam webs. Stable hysteretic behavior with only minor cracking at the gusset‐to‐column welds was observed under the pseudo‐dynamic tests, with maximum in‐plane and out‐of‐plane SDRs of 2.24% and 1.47% respectively. Stable behavior continued into the cyclic test where fracture of the gusset‐to‐column welds occurred in the first cycle to simultaneous bidirectional SDR of 3.0%. The observed BRB stability is consistent with a methodology developed for BRB frames under simultaneous in‐plane and out‐of‐plane drifts. The specimen behavior was studied using a finite element model. It was shown that gusset plates are subjected to a combination of BRB force and frame action demands, with the latter increasing the gusset‐to‐beam and gusset‐to‐column interface demands by an average of 69% and 83% respectively. Consistent with the test results, failure at the gusset‐to‐column interfaces is computed when frame action demands are included, thus confirming that not considering frame action demands may results in unconservative gusset plate designs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aroma characterization of freshly‐distilled French brandies; their specificity and variability within a limited geographic area
Authors: Malfondet Nicolas , Gourrat Karine , Brunerie Pascal , Le Quéré Jean‐Luc
Published: May 2016

Freshly‐distilled French wine brandies were evaluated by gas chromatography‐olfactometry (GC‐O). Six brandy samples were studied, coming from two growth areas, both belonging to the same limited geographic zone, which is a homogeneous vineyard area. The GC‐O methodology, using detection frequency analysis, revealed 88 olfactive areas (OAs) for which the detection frequency was ≥ 25%. OAs were then identified using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry in electron and chemical ionization modes and semi‐quantified by internal normalization using gas‐chromatography with flame ionization detection. Co‐eluting species were separated by multidimensional gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry/olfactometry (MDGC‐MS/O). Eleven new molecules were tentatively identified for the first time in brandy, as impact odorant compounds: ethyl prop‐2‐enoate, 2‐furfuryl formate, 1,2,4,5‐tetramethylbenzene, (Z)‐ocimenol, 1,4,6‐trimethyl‐1,2‐dihydronaphthalene, 2‐ethoxybenzyl alcohol, 2‐ethylhexanoic acid, 2‐phenoxyethanol, 4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylacetophenone, 4‐(2,3,6‐trimethylphenyl)butan‐2‐one and 2,3‐dihydrofarnesol. Composition and perception differences between samples according to their origin were investigated. Statistical analyses on OA detection frequencies and semi‐quantitative data were used to distinguish the samples. A lot of variables appeared to be common to all spirits, and may represent an aromatic background for the brandies, characteristic of the geographic zone. Although a few particular OAs were found more relevant in particular samples, no growth area‐specific compound was identified. Therefore, differences between spirits are more likely due to an aromatic balance between concentrations of a set of common molecules, among which ethyl esters and alcohols played a prominent role, rather than the presence of specific compounds with unique aromas. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Specific inhibition of secreted NRG1 types I–II by heparin enhances Schwann Cell myelination
Authors: Eshed‐Eisenbach Yael , Gordon Aaron , Sukhanov Natalya , Peles Elior
Published: May 2016

Primary cultures of mixed neuron and Schwann cells prepared from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are extensively used as a model to study myelination. These dissociated DRG cultures have the particular advantage of bypassing the difficulty in purifying mouse Schwann cells, which is often required when using mutant mice. However, the drawback of this experimental system is that it yields low amounts of myelin. Here we report a simple and efficient method to enhance myelination in vitro. We show that the addition of heparin or low molecular weight heparin to mixed DRG cultures markedly increases Schwann cells myelination. The myelin promoting activity of heparin results from specific inhibition of the soluble immunoglobulin (Ig)‐containing isoforms of neuregulin 1 (i.e., NRG1 types I and II) that negatively regulates myelination. Heparin supplement provides a robust and reproducible method to increase myelination in a simple and commonly used culture system. GLIA 2016;64:1227–1234
Toward a cumulative science of functional integration: A meta‐analysis of psychophysiological interactions
Authors: Smith David V. , Gseir Mouad , Speer Megan E. , Delgado Mauricio R.
Published: May 2016

Much of the work in cognitive neuroscience is shifting from a focus on single brain regions to a focus on the connectivity between multiple brain regions. These inter‐regional connectivity patterns contribute to a wide range of behaviors and are studied with models of functional integration. The rapid expansion of the literature on functional integration offers an opportunity to scrutinize the consistency and specificity of one of the most popular approaches for quantifying connectivity: psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis. We performed coordinate‐based meta‐analyses on 284 PPI studies, which allowed us to test (a) whether those studies consistently converge on similar target regions and (b) whether the identified target regions are specific to the chosen seed region and psychological context. Our analyses revealed two key results. First, we found that different types of PPI studies—e.g., those using seeds such as amygdala and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and contexts such as emotion and cognitive control, respectively—each consistently converge on similar target regions, thus supporting the reliability of PPI as a tool for studying functional integration. Second, we also found target regions that were specific to the chosen seed region and psychological context, indicating distinct patterns of brain connectivity. For example, the DLPFC seed reliably contributed to a posterior cingulate cortex target during cognitive control but contributed to an amygdala target in other contexts. Our results point to the robustness of PPI while highlighting common and distinct patterns of functional integration, potentially advancing models of brain connectivity. Hum Brain Mapp 37:2904–2917, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The functional connectome of cognitive reserve
Authors: Marques Paulo , Moreira Pedro , Magalhães Ricardo , Costa Patrício , Santos Nadine , Zihl Josef , Soares José , Sousa Nuno
Published: May 2016

Cognitive Reserve (CR) designates the brain's capacity to actively cope with insults through a more efficient use of its resources/networks. It was proposed in order to explain the discrepancies between the observed cognitive ability and the expected capacity for an individual. Typical proxies of CR include education and Intelligence Quotient but none totally account for the variability of CR and no study has shown if the brain's greater efficiency associated with CR can be measured. We used a validated model to estimate CR from the residual variance in memory and general executive functioning, accounting for both brain anatomical (i.e., gray matter and white matter signal abnormalities volume) and demographic variables (i.e., years of formal education and sex). Functional connectivity (FC) networks and topological properties were explored for associations with CR. Demographic characteristics, mainly accounted by years of formal education, were associated with higher FC, clustering, local efficiency and strength in parietal and occipital regions and greater network transitivity. Higher CR was associated with a greater FC, local efficiency and clustering of occipital regions, strength and centrality of the inferior temporal gyrus and higher global efficiency. Altogether, these findings suggest that education may facilitate the brain's ability to form segregated functional groups, reinforcing the view that higher education level triggers more specialized use of neural processing. Additionally, this study demonstrated for the first time that CR is associated with more efficient processing of information in the human brain and reinforces the existence of a fine balance between segregation and integration. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3310–3322, 2016.. © 2016 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Testosterone administration in females modulates moral judgment and patterns of brain activation and functional connectivity
Authors: Chen Chenyi , Decety Jean , Huang Pin‐Chia , Chen Chin‐Yau , Cheng Yawei
Published: May 2016

Morality is defined as prescriptive norms regarding how people should treat one another, and includes concepts of fairness, justice, and rights. One recent study with moral dilemmas suggested that testosterone administration increases utilitarian judgments, which depends on second‐to‐fourth (2D: 4D) digit ratio, as a proxy of prenatal priming. However, the neural mechanism by which acute testosterone modulates moral reasoning remains to be determined. Using a placebo‐controlled within‐subject design, the current study examined the neuromodulatory effect of testosterone in young females by combining moral dilemmas, 2D: 4D, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and subjective ratings of morally laden scenarios. Results showed that testosterone administration elicited more utilitarian responses to evitable dilemmas. The high 2D: 4D group scored more punishments for moral evaluation, whereas the low 2D: 4D group did the opposite. The activity in the amygdala, anterior insular cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) was increased when participants evaluated morally unorthodox actions (intentional harm). The activity in the posterior superior temporal sulcus/temporoparietal junction (pSTS/TPJ) to accidental harm was decreased, specific to the high 2D: 4D group. The functional connectivity between the amygdala and dlPFC was reduced. The activity in the pSTS/TPJ to perceived agency predicted utilitarian responses to evitable dilemmas. The findings demonstrate the acute effect of testosterone on neural responses associated with moral judgment, and provide evidence to support that prenatal sex‐hormones priming could be important for early neurodevelopment, which plays a crucial role in the neural and behavioral manifestations of testosterone on adult moral reasoning. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3417–3430, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nasoseptal flap for reconstruction after robotic radical tonsillectomy
Authors: Pinheiro–Neto Carlos D. , Galati Lisa T.
Published: May 2016

Background

The nasoseptal flap has revolutionized reconstruction of ventral skull base defects. The past decade is also noticeable by the evolution of transoral robotic surgery (TORS). Reconstruction of the oropharyngeal defect is challenging. Good reconstructive options with less cicatricial retraction are desirable and still lacking in the literature.

Methods

Cadaver dissection and illustrative case are used to show the feasibility of harvesting a nasoseptal flap to reconstruct oropharyngeal defect after radical tonsillectomy. Surgical resection included part of the soft palate and tongue base.

Results

The flap was sufficient to cover two‐thirds of the tonsillar defect during the cadaver dissection. In our illustrative case, the flap filled the palatal defect and also was sufficient to cover the superior half of the tonsillar defect.

Conclusion

The nasoseptal flap has shown to be feasible and reliable for reconstruction of the oropharyngeal defect after TORS. When soft palate resection is warranted, this flap provides excellent coverage. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2495–E2498, 2016
Persistent impacts to the deep soft-bottom benthos one year after the Deepwater Horizon event
Authors: Montagna Paul A , Baguley Jeffrey G , Cooksey Cynthia , Hyland Jeffrey L
Published: May 2016

In fall 2010, several months after the Deepwater Horizon blowout was capped, zones of moderate and severe impacts to deep-sea, soft-bottom benthos were identified that together extended over an area of 172 km2. A subset of stations sampled in 2010 was resampled in May and June 2011, 10 to 11 months after the event, to determine whether the identified adverse effects were persisting. The design compared 20 stations from the combined moderate and severe impact zone to 12 stations in the reference zone that were sampled in both years. There were no statistically significant differences in contaminant concentrations between the impact and nonimpact zones from 2010 to 2011, which indicates contaminants persisted after 1 y. Whereas there were some signs of recovery in 2011 (particularly for the meiofauna abundance and diversity), there was evidence of persistent, statistically significant impacts to both macrofauna and meiofauna community structure. Macrofaunal taxa richness and diversity in 2011 were still 22.8% and 35.9% less, respectively, in the entire impact zone than in the surrounding nonimpact area, and meiofaunal richness was 28.5% less in the entire impact zone than in the surrounding area. The persistence of significant biodiversity losses and community structure change nearly 1 y after the wellhead was capped indicates that full recovery had yet to have occurred in 2011. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:342–351. © 2016 SETAC

Key Points

Contaminants from the Deepwater Horizon blowout persisted for 1 y in the deep sea. Persistent community structure change occurred for both macrofauna and meiofauna communities within 1 to 3 km of the wellhead. Biodiversity loss persisted for both macrofauna and meiofauna taxa richness. Persistent contaminants, biodiversity losses, and community structure change in the impact zone indicate little recovery in the deep sea 1 y after the spill.
A novel antagonist anti‐cMet antibody with antitumor activities targeting both ligand‐dependent and ligand‐independent c‐Met receptors
Authors: Gonzalez Alexandra , Broussas Matthieu , Beau‐Larvor Charlotte , Haeuw Jean‐François , Boute Nicolas , Robert Alain , Champion Thierry , Beck Alain , Bailly Christian , Corvaïa Nathalie , Goetsch Liliane
Published: May 2016

c‐Met is a prototypic member of a sub‐family of RTKs. Inappropriate c‐Met activation plays a crucial role in tumor formation, proliferation and metastasis. Using a key c‐Met dimerization assay, a set of 12 murine whole IgG1 monoclonal antibodies was selected and a lead candidate, m224G11, was humanized by CDR‐grafting and engineered to generate a divalent full antagonist humanized IgG1 antibody, hz224G11. Neither m224G11 nor hz224G11 bind to the murine c‐Met receptor. Their antitumor activity was investigated in vitro in a set of experiments consistent with the reported pleiotropic effects mediated by c‐Met and, in vivo, using several human tumor xenograft models. Both m224G11 and hz224G11 exhibited nanomolar affinities for the receptor and inhibited HGF binding, c‐Met phosphorylation, and receptor dimerization in a similar fashion, resulting in a profound inhibition of all c‐Met functions in vitro. These effects were presumably responsible for the inhibition of c‐Met's major functions including cell proliferation, migration, invasion scattering, morphogenesis and angiogenesis. In addition to these in vitro properties, hz224G11 dramatically inhibits the growth of autocrine, partially autophosphorylated and c‐Met amplified cell lines in vivo. Pharmacological studies performed on Hs746T gastric cancer xenografts demonstrate that hz224G11 strongly downregulates c‐Met expression and phosphorylation. It also decreases the tumor mitotic index (Ki67) and induces apoptosis. Taken together, the in vitro and in vivo data suggest that hz224G11 is a promising candidate for the treatment of tumors. This antibody, now known as ABT‐700 and currently in Phase I clinical trials, may provide a novel therapeutic approach to c‐Met‐expressing cancers.
Characterization of three human cell line models for high‐throughput neuronal cytotoxicity screening
Authors: Tong Zhi‐Bin , Hogberg Helena , Kuo David , Sakamuru Srilatha , Xia Menghang , Smirnova Lena , Hartung Thomas , Gerhold David
Published: May 2016

More than 75 000 man‐made chemicals contaminate the environment; many of these have not been tested for toxicities. These chemicals demand quantitative high‐throughput screening assays to assess them for causative roles in neurotoxicities, including Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. To facilitate high throughput screening for cytotoxicity to neurons, three human neuronal cellular models were compared: SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, LUHMES conditionally‐immortalized dopaminergic neurons, and Neural Stem Cells (NSC) derived from human fetal brain. These three cell lines were evaluated for rapidity and degree of differentiation, and sensitivity to 32 known or candidate neurotoxicants. First, expression of neural differentiation genes was assayed during a 7‐day differentiation period. Of the three cell lines, LUHMES showed the highest gene expression of neuronal markers after differentiation. Both in the undifferentiated state and after 7 days of neuronal differentiation, LUHMES cells exhibited greater cytotoxic sensitivity to most of 32 suspected or known neurotoxicants than SH‐SY5Y or NSCs. LUHMES cells were also unique in being more susceptible to several compounds in the differentiating state than in the undifferentiated state; including known neurotoxicants colchicine, methyl‐mercury (II), and vincristine. Gene expression results suggest that differentiating LUHMES cells may be susceptible to apoptosis because they express low levels of anti‐apoptotic genes BCL2 and BIRC5/survivin, whereas SH‐SY5Y cells may be resistant to apoptosis because they express high levels of BCL2, BIRC5/survivin, and BIRC3 genes. Thus, LUHMES cells exhibited favorable characteristics for neuro‐cytotoxicity screening: rapid differentiation into neurons that exhibit high level expression neuronal marker genes, and marked sensitivity of LUHMES cells to known neurotoxicants. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Therapeutic plasma exchange and pregnancy: A case report and guidelines for performing plasma exchange in a pregnant patient
Authors: Cox Jesse L. , Koepsell Scott A. , Shunkwiler Sara M.
Published: May 2016

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been demonstrated to be of significant clinical value in a number of diseases and conditions, with well‐established guidelines and recommendations. However, technical support in providing this procedure for pregnant patients is largely absent from these recommendations, leaving therapeutic apheresis practitioners without guidance to safely and adequately treat appropriate conditions in this important patient population. Here, we describe our experience in treating a 35‐year‐old pregnant patient with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis with TPE. Additionally, we outline the principle considerations when developing her treatment plan, and we provide recommendations for apheresis practitioners when performing TPE in pregnant patients. J. Clin. Apheresis 32:191–195, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
3T MRI investigation of cardiac left ventricular structure and function in a UK population: The tayside screening for the prevention of cardiac events (TASCFORCE) study
Authors: Gandy Stephen J. , Lambert Matthew , Belch Jill , Cavin Ian , Crowe Elena , Littleford Roberta , MacFarlane Jennifer A. , Matthew Shona Z. , Martin Patricia , Nicholas R. Stephen , Struthers Allan , Sullivan Frank , Waugh Shelley A. , White Richard D. , Weir‐McCall Jonathan R. , Houston J. Graeme
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To scan a volunteer population using 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI of the left ventricular (LV) structure and function in healthy volunteers has been reported extensively at 1.5T.

Materials and Methods

A population of 1528 volunteers was scanned. A standardized approach was taken to acquire steady‐state free precession (SSFP) LV data in the short‐axis plane, and images were quantified using commercial software. Six observers undertook the segmentation analysis.

Results

Mean values (±standard deviation, SD) were: ejection fraction (EF) = 69 ± 6%, end diastolic volume index (EDVI) = 71 ± 13 ml/m2, end systolic volume index (ESVI) = 22 ± 7 ml/m2, stroke volume index (SVI) = 49 ± 8 ml/m2, and LV mass index (LVMI) = 55 ± 12 g/m2. The mean EF was slightly larger for females (69%) than for males (68%), but all other variables were smaller for females (EDVI 68v77 ml/m2, ESVI 21v25 ml/m2, SVI 46v52 ml/m2, LVMI 49v64 g/m2, all P < 0.05). The mean LV volume data mostly decreased with each age decade (EDVI males: –2.9 ± 1.3 ml/m2, females: –3.1 ± 0.8 ml/m2; ESVI males: –1.3 ± 0.7 ml/m2, females: –1.7 ± 0.5 ml/m2; SVI males: –1.7 ± 0.9 ml/m2, females: –1.4 ± 0.6 ml/m2; LVMI males: –1.6 ± 1.1 g/m2, females: –0.2 ± 0.6 g/m2) but the mean EF was virtually stable in males (0.6 ± 0.6%) and rose slightly in females (1.2 ± 0.5%) with age.

Conclusion

LV reference ranges are provided in this population‐based MR study at 3.0T. The variables are similar to those described at 1.5T, including variations with age and gender. These data may help to support future population‐based MR research studies that involve the use of 3.0T MRI scanners. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1186–1196.
Genotype, environment and G × E interaction influence (1,3;1,4)‐β‐d‐glucan fine structure in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Cory Aron T , Gangola Manu P , Anyia Anthony , Båga Monica , Chibbar Ravindra N
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

The structure of β‐glucan influences its use in cereal‐based foods and feed. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of environment (E) and genotype (G) on β‐glucan fine structure and its genetic control in two‐row spring barley with normal starch characteristics.

RESULTS

A population of 89 recombinant inbred lines, derived from the cross of two‐row spring barley genotypes Merit × H93174006 (H92076F1 × TR238), was characterized for concentration and structure of grain β‐glucan in two environments. Results showed that concentrations of β‐glucan, DP3, DP4 and DP3 + DP4 were positively correlated with each other, suggesting no preference for DP3 or DP4 subunit production in high‐ or low‐β‐glucan lines. The concentrations of β‐glucan, DP3, DP4 and DP3:DP4 ratios were significantly influenced by genotype and environment. However, only DP3:DP4 ratio showed a significant effect of G × E interaction. Association mapping of candidate markers in 119 barley genotypes showed that marker CSLF6_4105 was associated with β‐glucan concentration, whereas Bmac504 and Bmac211 were associated with DP3:DP4 ratio. Bmac273e was associated with both β‐glucan concentration and DP3:DP4 ratio.

CONCLUSION

The grain β‐glucan concentration and DP3:DP4 ratio are strongly affected by genotype and environment. Single‐marker analyses suggested that the genetic control of β‐glucan concentration and DP3:DP4 ratio was linked to separate chromosomal regions on barley genome. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry