bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ocean eddy freshwater flux convergence into the North Atlantic subtropics
Authors: Gordon Arnold L. , Giulivi Claudia F.
Published: May 2014

For a quasi steady state condition, the water vapor flux from the ocean to atmosphere typical of the salty subtropics must be compensated by ocean processes that transfer freshwater into the evaporative regime. Observations of the North Atlantic subtropical sea surface salinity maximum region frequently reveal the presence of eddies with distinct salinity/temperature signatures of up to 0.2 psu/1°C, with horizontal scales of up to 200 km. Using the surface layer salinity and meridional velocity from the Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) reanalysis data, we find that the eddy flux can accomplish 50% to 75% of the required freshwater convergence into the subtropical regime, the rest being delivered by Ekman transport convergence, and therefore represents a significant component of the marine hydrological cycle. Interannual fluctuations of the eddy freshwater flux are reflected in sea surface salinity variability.
Low‐latitude midnight brightness in 630.0 nm limb observations by FORMOSAT‐2/ISUAL
Authors: Rajesh P. K. , Chen C. H. , Lin C. H. , Liu J. Y. , Huba J. D. , Chen A. B. , Hsu R. R. , Chen Y. T.
Published: May 2014

This paper investigates the intense airglow brightness often observed in the 630.0 nm limb images taken using Imager of Sprites and Upper Atmospheric Lightnings (ISUAL), onboard FORMOSAT‐2 satellite, where the tangent plane of the measurement falls in the local midnight sector. Most of the images show only single brightness, but in some cases there could be multiple peaks, which sometimes appears to be centered on geographic equator and in some cases falls on either sides of the magnetic equator. In order to understand such intense emission in the near‐midnight hours, the observations are simulated using SAMI2 (SAMI2 is Another Model of the Ionosphere) model parameters based on the ISUAL viewing geometry. The simulations reproduced the measured airglow intensity pattern quite remarkably and suggested that the meridional neutral wind and the resulting plasma distribution are closely related with the observed brightness. The intensity and locations of the airglow brightness peaks could potentially be utilized to infer the strength of meridional neutral wind.
Changes in mining‐induced seismicity before and after the 2007 Crandall Canyon Mine collapse
Authors: Kubacki Tex , Koper Keith D. , Pankow Kristine L. , McCarter Michael K.
Published: May 2014

On 6 August 2007, the Crandall Canyon Mine in central Utah experienced a major collapse that was recorded as anMw4.1 seismic event. Application of waveform cross‐correlation detection techniques to data recorded at permanent seismic stations located within ~30 km of the mine has resulted in the discovery of 1494 previously unknown microseismic events related to the collapse. These events occurred between 26 July 2007 and 19 August 2007 and were detected with a magnitude threshold of completeness of 0.0, about 1.6 magnitude units smaller than the threshold associated with conventional techniques. Relative locations for the events were determined using a double‐difference approach that incorporated absolute and differential arrival times. Absolute locations were determined using ground‐truth reported in mine logbooks. Lineations apparent in the newly detected events have strikes similar to those of known vertical joints in the mine region, which may have played a role in the collapse. Prior to the collapse, seismicity occurred mostly in close proximity to active mining, though several distinct seismogenic hot spots within the mine were also apparent. In the 48 h before the collapse, changes inbvalue and event locations were observed. The collapse appears to have occurred when the migrating seismicity associated with direct mining activity intersected one of the areas identified as a seismic hot spot. Following the collapse,bvalues decreased and seismicity clustered farther to the east.
Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field measurements at the Hylaty station and methodology of signal analysis
Authors: Kulak Andrzej , Kubisz Jerzy , Klucjasz Slawomir , Michalec Adam , Mlynarczyk Janusz , Nieckarz Zenon , Ostrowski Michal , Zieba Stanislaw
Published: May 2014

We present the Hylaty geophysical station, a high‐sensitivity and low‐noise facility for extremely low frequency (ELF, 0.03–300 Hz) electromagnetic field measurements, which enables a variety of geophysical and climatological research related to atmospheric, ionospheric, magnetospheric, and space weather physics. The first systematic observations of ELF electromagnetic fields at the Jagiellonian University were undertaken in 1994. At the beginning the measurements were carried out sporadically, during expeditions to sparsely populated areas of the Bieszczady Mountains in the southeast of Poland. In 2004, an automatic Hylaty ELF station was built there, in a very low electromagnetic noise environment, which enabled continuous recording of the magnetic field components of the ELF electromagnetic field in the frequency range below 60 Hz. In 2013, after 8 years of successful operation, the station was upgraded by extending its frequency range up to 300 Hz. In this paper we show the station's technical setup, and how it has changed over the years. We discuss the design of ELF equipment, including antennas, receivers, the time control circuit, and power supply, as well as antenna and receiver calibration. We also discuss the methodology we developed for observations of the Schumann resonance and wideband observations of ELF field pulses. We provide examples of various kinds of signals recorded at the station.
A novel multiple linear multivariate NIR calibration model‐based strategy for in‐line monitoring of continuous mixing
Authors: Quiñones Leonel , Velazquez Carlos , Obregon Luis
Published: May 2014

The capability of near infra‐red (NIR) spectroscopy to predict many different variables, such as concentration and humidity, has been demonstrated in many published works. Several of those articles have been in the subject of real time prediction of continuous operations. However, those demonstrations have been for narrow ranges of the variables, especially for powder concentration, which could present a nonlinear behavior of the NIR absorbance as a function of the entire range of concentration. This work developed a novel strategy to predict the entire range of powder concentration using multiple linear NIR calibration models. The root mean standard error of prediction and relative standard deviation (RSD) parameters were used to establish the number of the multiple linear calibration models; other statistical features were used to establish the correct prediction. It was found that a minimum number of linear partial least squares (PLS) calibration models were necessary to accurately predict the range from 0 to 100% w/w. This technique could also be used with other nonlinear behaviors. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3123–3132, 2014
Females with FVIII and FIX deficiency have reduced joint range of motion
Authors: Sidonio Robert F. , Mili Fatima D. , Li Tengguo , Miller Connie H. , Hooper William C. , DeBaun Michael R. , Soucie Michael ,   The Hemophilia Treatment Centers Network
Published: May 2014

Little is known about rates of joint bleeding among females with FVIII/FIX deficiency or hemophilia carriers. In a cross‐sectional study, we tested the hypothesis that females with FVIII or FIX deficiency enrolled in the Universal Data Collection (UDC) project had a reduced mean overall joint range of motion (ROM) compared with historic controls from the Normal Joint Study. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and joint ROM measurements on 303 females without a bleeding disorder and 148 females with FVIII and FIX deficiency, respectively, between the ages of 2–69 years and a body mass index (BMI) ≤ 35 were compared. Multivariate linear regression was performed with the overall joint ROM (sum of the right and left ROM measurements of five joints) as the dependent variable and FVIII or FIX activity as the independent variable adjusting for age, race, BMI, and number of joint bleeds reported over the last 6 months. As FVIII and FIX activity decreased, the mean overall joint ROM became reduced and in most cases was significantly lower than that of the controls regardless of age and clinical hemophilia severity. Further investigation of reduced joint ROM as evidence of subclinical joint bleeding in females with FVIII and FIX deficiency is warranted. Am. J. Hematol. 89:831–836, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparative analysis of facial morphology between Okinawa Islanders and mainland Japanese using three‐dimensional images
Authors: Miyazato Eri , Yamaguchi Kyoko , Fukase Hitoshi , Ishida Hajime , Kimura Ryosuke
Published: May 2014

Objectives

Differences in facial height and breadth between Okinawa Islanders and mainland Japanese have been reported in previous craniometric and somatometric studies. This study using three‐dimensional (3D) images aimed to identify more detailed characteristics of facial morphology in each population.

Methods

Using a hand‐held 3D scanner, we obtained 60 facial surface images each from Okinawa Islanders and mainland Japanese. Twenty‐one landmarks were plotted on a computer and 27 measurements of distances and angles between the landmarks were taken. Statistical analyses such as t test, principal component analysis (PCA), regression analysis, and discriminant analysis were performed to identify sex and regional differences, the patterns of facial features, factors explaining the facial patterns, and other features.

Results

Okinawa Islanders showed lower facial and nasal heights than mainland Japanese. Furthermore, we identified larger protrusions of the glabella and nasal root in Okinawa Islanders than in mainland Japanese. In the PCA, we observed components of facial shape patterns. These components mainly represented facial size (PC1), facial depth (PC2), the prominence of the glabella and nasal root (PC3), and facial breadth (PC4). We identified that the population difference is strongly associated with PC3.

Conclusions

This study quantitatively identified differences in the facial morphology between Okinawa Islanders and mainland Japanese using 3D digital images, with special emphases on the differences in the nasal height and the prominence of the glabella and nasal root. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 26:538–548, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Removal of Cd2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions using tururi fibers as an adsorbent
Authors: Melo Diego Q. , Vidal Carla B. , da Silva André Leandro , Teixeira Raimundo N. P. , Raulino Giselle Santiago Cabral , Medeiros Thiago C. , Fechine Pierre B. A. , Mazzeto Selma Elaine , De Keukeleire Denis , Nascimento Ronaldo F.
Published: May 2014

This work investigates the removal of Cd2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions using tururi fibers as an adsorbent under both batchwise and fixed‐bed conditions. It was found that modification of the tururi fibers with sodium hydroxide increased the adsorption efficiencies of all metal ions studied. The fractional factorial design showed that pH, adsorbent mass, agitation rate, and initial metal concentration influenced each metal adsorption differently. The kinetics showed that multi‐element adsorption equilibria were reached after 15 min following pseudo‐second‐order kinetics. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich–Peterson models were used to evaluate the adsorption capacities by tururi fibers. The Langmuir model was found to be suitable for all metal ions. Breakthrough curves revealed that saturation of the bed was reached in 160.0 mL with Cd2+ and Cu2+, and 52.0 mL with Ni2+ and Pb2+. The Thomas model was applied to the experimental data of breakthrough curves and represented the data well. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40883.
Morphology and chain mobility of reactive blend nanocomposites of PP‐EVA/Clay
Authors: Mata‐Padilla José M. , Medellín‐Rodríguez Francisco J. , Ávila‐Orta Carlos A. , Ramírez‐Vargas Eduardo , Cadenas‐Pliego Gregorio , Valera‐Zaragoza Mario , Vega‐Díaz Sofía M.
Published: May 2014

Polypropylene (PP)‐ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/clay nanocomposites were prepared via reactive blending using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as an initiator with the goal of enhancing the interaction between both phases and modified nanoclay. The effect of the reactive blending and clay incorporation strategies (direct and masterbatch) on the blend and nanostructure morphology, and chain mobility of nanocomposites were studied. The chemical analysis showed the chemical bonding of PP‐EVA, which helped to enhance the interaction in the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites obtained from the direct clay strategy presented a co‐continuous morphology of bordering intercalated and agglomerated nanoclay sheets, while the nanocomposites obtained from the masterbatch strategy showed that blend morphology change from droplet to co‐continuous with the increase of EVA concentration, with intercalated/exfoliated nanoclay sheets located in the EVA domains and at the interface. The dynamic mechanical and creep‐recovery results showed different behavior for the both strategies in terms of chain mobility and relaxation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40897.
The effect of graft copolymers of maleic anhydride and epoxy resin on the mechanical properties and morphology of PP/ABS blends
Authors: Luo Zhu , Lu Qiuyi , Ma Fenghe , Jiang Yi
Published: May 2014

In this work, maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MAH) and maleic anhydride‐grafted poly(acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene) (ABS‐g‐MAH) at 2 : 1 mass ratio were added as a compatibilizer in the PP/ABS blends. The compatibilizing effect was evaluated by adding the graft copolymers together with epoxy resin/imidazole curing agent (E51/2E4MZ). The reaction in reactive extrusion, morphological structure, and properties of PP and ABS blends were investigated by using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X‐ray spectrum, transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical properties tests. The results showed that the compatibilizing effect was greatly improved because of the addition of the graft copolymers together with epoxy resin/imidazole curing agent (E51/2E4MZ) because the link structure of PP‐g‐MAH and ABS‐g‐MAH was formed by the reaction of anhydride group with epoxy group catalyzed by the imidazole. The size of the dispersed phase decreased dramatically, the interfacial adhesion between ABS particles and PP matrix was improved, and the tensile strength and flexural modulus of the PP/ABS blends increased further. The optimizing properties were obtained at 3 phr E51/2E4MZ. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40898.
Synthesis and characterization of polyhydroxylated polybutadiene binding 2,2′‐thiobis(4‐methyl‐6‐tert‐butylphenol) with isophorone diisocyanate
Authors: Wu Wenjian , Zeng Xingrong , Li Hongqiang , Lai Xuejun , Yan Zengyang
Published: May 2014

A macromolecular hindered phenol antioxidant, polyhydroxylated polybutadiene containing thioether binding 2,2′‐thiobis(4‐methyl‐6‐tert‐butylphenol) (PHPBT‐b‐TPH), was synthesized via a two‐step nucleophilic addition reaction using isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) as linkage. First, the OH groups of PHPBT reacted with secondary NCO groups of IPDI to form the adduct PHPBT‐NCO, then the PHPBT‐b‐TPH was obtained by one phenolic OH of 2,2′‐thiobis(4‐methyl‐6‐tert‐butylphenol) (TPH) reacting with the PHPBT‐NCO. The PHPBT‐b‐TPH was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR), 13C‐NMR, and thermogravimetric analysis, and its antioxidant activity in natural rubber was studied by an accelerated aging test. Influences of reaction conditions on the two nucleophilic reactions between OH group and NCO group were investigated. In addition, catalytic mechanism for the reaction between PHPBT‐NCO and TPH was discussed. The results showed that the adduct PHPBT‐NCO could be obtained by using dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) as catalyst, and the suitable temperature and DBTDL amount were 35°C and 3 wt %, respectively. However, triethylamine (TEA) was more efficient than DBTDL to catalyze the reaction between PHPBT‐NCO and TPH because of steric hindrance effect. In addition, it was found that the thermal stability and antioxidant activity of PHPBT‐b‐TPH were higher than those of the low molecular weight antioxidant TPH. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40942.
Optimization of Coordinate Transformation Matrix for H∞ Static‐Output‐Feedback Control of Linear Discrete‐Time Systems
Authors: Feng Zhi‐Yong , Xu Li , She Jinhua , Guo Xue‐Xun
Published: May 2014

This paper presents a new iterative algorithm as an upgrade to sufficient LMI conditions for the H∞ static‐output‐feedback (SOF) control of discrete‐time systems. Based on an analysis of the structures of the coordinate transformation matrix and the Lyapunov matrix, the open question of how to fix the Lyapunov matrix structure raised by G. I. Bara and M. Boutayeb is replaced with the question of how to choose the coordinate transformation matrix. Then, an iterative algorithm for selecting the optimum coordinate transformation matrix that produces a locally optimal solution is presented. Finally, numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness and advantages of this method.
A Port‐Hamiltonian Approach to Visual Servo Control of a Pick and Place System
Authors: Dirksz Daniel A. , Scherpen Jacquelien M.A. , Steinbuch Maarten
Published: May 2014

In this paper, we take a port‐Hamiltonian approach to address the problem of image‐based visual servo control of a pick and place system. Through a coordinate transformation and a passive interconnection between mechanical system and camera dynamics we realize a closed‐loop system that is port‐Hamiltonian. The resulting control strategy depends only on the camera states and it can be proven that the closed‐loop system is also asymptotically stable. Furthermore, a region of attraction is defined for which asymptotic stability holds.
Planar cell polarity gene mutations contribute to the etiology of human neural tube defects in our population
Authors: De Marco Patrizia , Merello Elisa , Piatelli Gianluca , Cama Armando , Kibar Zoha , Capra Valeria
Published: May 2014

Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) are congenital malformations that involve failure of the neural tube closure during the early phases of development at any level of the rostro‐caudal axis. The planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway is a highly conserved, noncanonical Wnt‐Frizzled‐Dishevelled signaling cascade, that was first identified in the fruit fly Drosophila. We are here reviewing the role of the PCP pathway genes in the etiology of human NTDs, updating the list of the rare and deleterious mutations identified so far. We report 50 rare nonsynonymous mutations of PCP genes in 54 patients having a pathogenic effect on the protein function. Thirteen mutations that have previously been reported as novel are now reported in public databases, although at very low frequencies. The mutations were private, mostly missense, and transmitted by a healthy parent. To date, no clear genotype‐phenotype correlation has been possible to create. Even if PCP pathway genes are involved in the pathogenesis of neural tube defects, future studies will be necessary to better dissect the genetic causes underlying these complex malformations. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 100:633–641, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Empirical kernel map approach to nonlinear underdetermined blind separation of sparse nonnegative dependent sources: pure component extraction from nonlinear mixture mass spectra
Authors: Kopriva Ivica , Jerić Ivanka , Filipović Marko , Brkljačić Lidija
Published: May 2014

Nonlinear underdetermined blind separation of nonnegative dependent sources consists in decomposing a set of observed nonlinearly mixed signals into a greater number of original nonnegative and dependent component (source) signals. This hard problem is practically relevant for contemporary metabolic profiling of biological samples, where sources (a.k.a. pure components or analytes) are aimed to be extracted from mass spectra of nonlinear multicomponent mixtures. This paper presents a method for nonlinear underdetermined blind separation of nonnegative dependent sources that comply with a sparse probabilistic model, that is, sources are constrained to be sparse in support and amplitude. This model is validated on experimental pure component mass spectra. Under a sparse prior, a nonlinear problem is converted into an equivalent linear one comprised of original sources and their higher‐order, mostly second‐order, monomials. The influence of these monomials, which stand for error terms, is reduced by preprocessing a matrix of mixtures by means of robust principal component analysis and hard, soft and trimmed thresholding. Preprocessed data matrices are mapped in high‐dimensional reproducible kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) of functions by means of an empirical kernel map. Sparseness‐constrained nonnegative matrix factorizations in RKHS yield sets of separated components. They are assigned to pure components from the library using a maximal correlation criterion. The methodology is exemplified on demanding numerical and experimental examples related respectively to extraction of eight dependent components from three nonlinear mixtures and to extraction of 25 dependent analytes from nine nonlinear mixture mass spectra recorded in nonlinear chemical reaction of peptide synthesis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1,4‐Addition of TMSCCl3 to Nitroalkenes: Efficient Reaction Conditions and Mechanistic Understanding
Authors: Wu Na , Wahl Benoit , Woodward Simon , Lewis William
Published: May 2014

Improved synthetic conditions allow preparation of TMSCCl3 in good yield (70 %) and excellent purity. Compounds of the type NBu4X [X=Ph3SiF2 (TBAT), F (tetrabutylammonium fluoride, TBAF), OAc, Cl and Br] act as catalytic promoters for 1,4‐additions to a range of cyclic and acyclic nitroalkenes, in THF at 0–25 °C, typically in moderate to excellent yields (37–95 %). TBAT is the most effective promoter and bromide the least effective. Multinuclear NMR studies (1H, 19F, 13C and 29Si) under anaerobic conditions indicate that addition of TMSCCl3 to TBAT (both 0.13 M) at −20 °C, in the absence of nitroalkene, leads immediately to mixtures of Me3SiF, Ph3SiF and NBu4CCl3. The latter is stable to at least 0 °C and does not add nitroalkene from −20 to 0 °C, even after extended periods. Nitroalkene, in the presence of TMSCCl3 (both 0.13 M at −20 °C), when treated with TBAT, leads to immediate formation of the 1,4‐addition product, suggesting the reaction proceeds via a transient [Me3Si(alkene)CCl3] species, in which (alkene) indicates an Si⋅⋅⋅O coordinated nitroalkene. The anaerobic catalytic chain is propagated through the kinetic nitronate anion resulting from 1,4 CCl3− addition to the nitroalkene. This is demonstrated by the fact that isolated NBu4[CH2NO2] is an efficient promoter. Use of H2CCH(CH2)2CHCHNO2 in air affords radical‐derived bicyclic products arising from aerobic oxidation.
New Developments of a Multifrequency Virtual Spectrometer: Stereo‐Electronic, Dynamical, and Environmental Effects on Chiroptical Spectra
Authors: Barone Vincenzo , Baiardi Alberto , Bloino Julien
Published: May 2014

Computational spectroscopy has recently evolved from a field reserved for specialists toward a general tool allowing interpretations and analyses of experimental results. However, the current practice of providing tables of transitions for rigid geometries, possibly tuned by phenomenological broadening, is by far too naive. In order to improve this situation in the last few years we have been developing a general, robust, and user‐friendly virtual spectrometer (VS) able to complement experimental studies for complex systems in condensed phases. The VS is based on flexible graphical pre‐ and postprocessing tools interfaced with general number‐crunching software. This last tool is rooted in several electronic structure methodologies (DFT, TD‐DFT, post‐Hartree‐Fock), powerful discrete/continuum models for describing environmental effects, and general vibrational and vibronic models. These last topics are the main focus of this work, which sketches our latest developments related to effective inclusion of anharmonic contributions, together with time‐independent and/or time‐dependent descriptions of vibronic transitions including Franck‐Condon, Herzberg‐Teller, and Duschinsky effects. Some test cases are described in some detail with the aim of showing the role of different effects in ruling vibrational (VCD) and electronic (ECD, CPL) chiral spectroscopies. Chirality 26:588–600, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Circular Dichroism Sensing of Chiral Compounds Using an Achiral Metal Complex as Probe
Authors: Irfanoglu Burcin , Wolf Christian
Published: May 2014

Coordination of a chiral substrate to (meso‐salen)cobalt(II) nitrate and subsequent oxidation generates a Co(III) complex exhibiting a strong chiroptical readout that is attributed to spontaneous substrate‐to‐ligand chirality imprinting. The characteristic circular dichroism (CD) response of the (salen)cobalt complex can be used for enantiomeric analysis of a variety of chiral substrates based on a simple CD measurement at low concentration and without additional purification steps. This chirality sensing approach has potential for high‐throughput enantiomeric excess (ee) screening applications and minimizes solvent waste production. Chirality 26:379–384, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Insights into Physiological Responses of the Halophyte Suaeda fruticosa to Simultaneous Salinity and Iron Deficiency
Authors: Houmani Hayet , Debez Ahmed , Slatni Tarek , Yousfi Sabah , Jellali Nahida , M'sehli Wissal , Abdelly Chedly , Gharsalli Mohammed
Published: May 2014

Physiological responses of the halophyte Suaeda fruticosa cultivated under combined effects of salinity and iron deficiency were addressed. Plants were grown hydroponically for one month with a complete nutrient solution containing iron (Fe) of 0 or 30 μM, without or with salinity (100 and 400 mM NaCl). Growth parameters, chlorophyll concentration, mineral status, Fe(III) chelate reductase (FCR) activity and the acidification capacity were evaluated. Fe deficiency restricted significantly the plant biomass production as well as Fe uptake. Interestingly, the exposure to salinity mitigated the impact of Fe shortage on the plant growth whereas the impacts of salinity and Fe deficiency were not additive with respect to the plant Fe status. Salinity had no effect on the root proton release except a slight reduction at 400 mM and the FCR activity. Interestingly, both Fe absorption and use efficiencies were significantly higher in salt‐treated plants under optimal Fe supply.
Quantum chemical meta‐workflows in MoSGrid
Authors: Herres‐Pawlis Sonja , Hoffmann Alexander , Balaskó Ákos , Kacsuk Peter , Birkenheuer Georg , Brinkmann André , de la Garza Luis , Krüger Jens , Gesing Sandra , Grunzke Richard , Terstyansky Gabor , Weingarten Noam
Published: May 2014

Quantum chemical workflows can be built up within the science gateway Molecular Simulation Grid. Complex workflows required by the end users are dissected into smaller workflows that can be combined freely to larger meta‐workflows. General quantum chemical workflows are described here as well as the real use case of a spectroscopic analysis resulting in an end‐user desired meta‐workflow. All workflow features are implemented via Web Services Parallel Grid Runtime and Developer Environment and submitted to UNICORE. The workflows are stored in the Molecular Simulation Grid repository and ported to the SHIWA repository. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does subdivision of the “atypical” urine cytology increase predictive accuracy for urothelial carcinoma?
Authors: Bostwick David G. , Hossain Deloar
Published: May 2014

Urine cytology is routinely used for early diagnosis and monitoring of patients with hematuria or a history of urothelial carcinoma, but its clinical utility is greatly diminished by a high frequency of “atypical” specimens, reportedly around 20% in the literature. We compared our results with double‐stained urine cytology specimens (papanicolaou and acid hematoxylin stains) with published results with only a single or double papanicolaou stain. The acid hematoxylin stain enhanced nuclear chromatin staining, eliminated significant background debris, and improved visibility of diagnostic cells in the presence of obscuring blood. Medical records of all urine cytologies received between 2005 and 2012 in our laboratories were reviewed. The study group consisted of all cases with bladder biopsy follow‐up within one year of cytology. Of 43,131 urine cytologies diagnosed in our laboratories, biopsy follow‐up results were available within one year in 10,473 cases, including 852 for symptoms and 1,461 for follow‐up of bladder cancer. An additional 6,427 cases had cystoscopy results in which no biopsy was obtained. Cases were classified as negative (81.6%), atypical, favor reactive (2.9%), atypical, favor neoplastic (7.3%), suspicious (5.7%), and malignant (2.5%), with subsequent frequencies for urothelial cancer on biopsy of 13.3%, 31.1%, 37.6%, 53.6%, and 74.3%, respectively. No significant difference was found if atypical was subdivided into two categories: favor reactive and favor neoplastic. Subdivision of the atypical category did not improve diagnostic accuracy. Addition of the acid hematoxylin stain decreased the incidence of atypical urine cytologies from about 20% to 10.2%. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42:1034–1044. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Crosstalk between Agrin and Wnt signaling pathways in development of vertebrate neuromuscular junction
Authors: Barik Arnab , Zhang Bin , Sohal Gurkirpal S. , Xiong Wen‐Cheng , Mei Lin
Published: May 2014

Neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a cholinergic synapse where motor neurons elicit muscle contraction. Agrin and its coreceptors LRP4 and MuSK are critical for vertebrate NMJ formation. This paper reviews recent evidence for Wnts and Wnt signaling molecules in NMJ formation including a possible retrograde mechanism by muscle β‐catenin. We also present data that Wnt3a, 7a, 8a and 10b could inhibit agrin‐mediated AChR clustering. Together with the stimulating effect of Wnt9a, 9b, 10b, 11 and 16 on AChR clustering in the absence of agrin, these results suggest diverse roles for Wnt ligands in NMJ development. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 74: 828–838, 2014
Developmental wave of Brn3b expression leading to RGC fate specification is synergistically maintained by miR‐23a and miR‐374
Authors: Rasheed Vazhanthodi A. , Sreekanth Sreekumaran , Dhanesh Sivadasan B. , Divya Mundackal S. , Divya Thulasi S. , Akhila Palakkottu K. , Subashini Chandramohan , Chandrika Sivakumar Krishnankutty , Das Ani V. , James Jackson
Published: May 2014

Differential regulation of Brn3b is essential for the Retinal Ganglion Cell (RGC) development in the two phases of retinal histogenesis. This biphasic Brn3b regulation is required first, during early retinal histogenesis for RGC fate specification and secondly, during late histogenesis, where Brn3b is needed for RGC axon guidance and survival. Here, we have looked into how the regulation of Brn3b at these two stages happens. We identified two miRNAs, miR‐23a and miR‐374, as regulators of Brn3b expression, during the early stage of RGC development. Temporal expression pattern of miR‐23a during E10–19, PN1–7, and adult retina revealed an inverse relation with Brn3b expression. Though miR‐374 did not show such a pattern, its co‐expression with miR‐23a evidently inhibited Brn3b. We further substantiated these findings by ex vivo overexpression of these miRNAs in E14 mice retina and found that miR‐23a and miR‐374 together brings about a change in Brn3b expression pattern in ganglion cell layer (GCL) of the developing retina. From our results, it appears that the combined expression of these miRNAs could be regulating the timing of the wave of Brn3b expression required for early ganglion cell fate specification and later for its survival and maturation into RGCs. Taken together, here we provide convincing evidences for the existence of a co‐ordinated mechanism by miRNAs to down regulate Brn3b that will ultimately regulate the development of RGCs from their precursors. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 74: 1155–1171, 2014
Abiotic stress QTL in lettuce crop–wild hybrids: comparing greenhouse and field experiments
Authors: Hartman Yorike , Hooftman Danny A. P. , Uwimana Brigitte , Schranz M. Eric , van de Wiel Clemens C. M. , Smulders Marinus J. M. , Visser Richard G. F. , Michelmore Richard W. , van Tienderen Peter H.
Published: May 2014

The development of stress‐tolerant crops is an increasingly important goal of current crop breeding. A higher abiotic stress tolerance could increase the probability of introgression of genes from crops to wild relatives. This is particularly relevant to the discussion on the risks of new GM crops that may be engineered to increase abiotic stress resistance. We investigated abiotic stress QTL in greenhouse and field experiments in which we subjected recombinant inbred lines from a cross between cultivated Lactuca sativa cv. Salinas and its wild relative L. serriola to drought, low nutrients, salt stress, and aboveground competition. Aboveground biomass at the end of the rosette stage was used as a proxy for the performance of plants under a particular stress. We detected a mosaic of abiotic stress QTL over the entire genome with little overlap between QTL from different stresses. The two QTL clusters that were identified reflected general growth rather than specific stress responses and colocated with clusters found in earlier studies for leaf shape and flowering time. Genetic correlations across treatments were often higher among different stress treatments within the same experiment (greenhouse or field), than among the same type of stress applied in different experiments. Moreover, the effects of the field stress treatments were more correlated with those of the greenhouse competition treatments than to those of the other greenhouse stress experiments, suggesting that competition rather than abiotic stress is a major factor in the field. In conclusion, the introgression risk of stress tolerance (trans‐)genes under field conditions cannot easily be predicted based on genomic background selection patterns from controlled QTL experiments in greenhouses, especially field data will be needed to assess potential (negative) ecological effects of introgression of these transgenes into wild relatives.
Maximizing species conservation in continentalEcuador: a case of systematic conservation planning for biodiverse regions
Authors: Lessmann Janeth , Muñoz Jesús , Bonaccorso Elisa
Published: May 2014

Ecuador has the largest number of species by area worldwide, but also a low representation of species within its protected areas. Here, we applied systematic conservation planning to identify potential areas for conservation in continental Ecuador, with the aim of increasing the representation of terrestrial species diversity in the protected area network. We selected 809 terrestrial species (amphibians, birds, mammals, and plants), for which distributions were estimated via species distribution models (SDMs), using Maxent. For each species we established conservation goals based on conservation priorities, and estimated new potential protected areas using Marxan conservation planning software. For each selected area, we determined their conservation priority and feasibility of establishment, two important aspects in the decision‐making processes. We found that according to our conservation goals, the current protected area network contains large conservation gaps. Potential areas for conservation almost double the surface area of currently protected areas. Most of the newly proposed areas are located in the Coast, a region with large conservation gaps and irreversible changes in land use. The most feasible areas for conservation were found in the Amazon and Andes regions, which encompass more undisturbed habitats, and already harbor most of the current reserves. Our study allows defining a viable strategy for preserving Ecuador's biodiversity, by combining SDMs, GIS‐based decision‐support software, and priority and feasibility assessments of the selected areas. This approach is useful for complementing protected area networks in countries with great biodiversity, insufficient biological information, and limited resources for conservation.
Molecular signatures and transcriptional regulatory networks of human immature decidual NK and mature peripheral NK cells
Authors: Wang Fuyan , Zhou Yonggang , Fu Binqing , Wu Yang , Zhang Ruya , Sun Rui , Tian Zhigang , Wei Haiming
Published: May 2014

Many differences exist between human immature and mature natural killer (NK) cells, but their respective molecular signatures and transcriptional regulators are relatively unknown. To gain new insights into the diversity and developmental regulation of human NK cells, we used data from high‐resolution microarrays with independent verification to describe a comprehensive comparative analysis between immature decidual NK (idNK) cells with a CD56brightCD16−T‐bet− phenotype and mature peripheral NK (mpNK) cells with a CD56dimCD16+T‐bet+ phenotype. This study shows that many novel growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines are expressed by NK cells, and they may regulate NK‐cell development or function in an autocrine manner. Notably, we present that idNK and mpNK cells are enriched for homeobox and zinc‐finger transcription factors (TFs), respectively. Additionally, many novel candidate transcriptional regulators are common to both idNK and mpNK cells. We further describe the transcriptional regulatory networks of NK cells and show that the endogenous growth factors, cytokines, and TFs enriched in idNK cells regulate each other and may contribute to idNK‐cell immaturity. Together, these findings provide novel molecular signatures for immature and mature NK cells, and the novel candidate regulators identified here can be used to describe and further understand NK‐cell differentiation and function.
Orphan chemoattractant receptor GPR15 mediates dendritic epidermal T‐cell recruitment to the skin
Authors: Lahl Katharina , Sweere Johanna , Pan Junliang , Butcher Eugene
Published: May 2014

Homing of murine dendritic epidermal T cells (DETCs) from the thymus to the skin is regulated by specific trafficking receptors during late embryogenesis. Once in the epidermis, Vγ3δ1 TCR DETCs are maintained through self‐renewal and participate in wound healing. GPR15 is an orphan G protein‐linked chemoattractant receptor involved in the recruitment of regulatory T cells to the colon. Here we show that GPR15 is highly expressed on fetal thymic DETC precursors and on recently recruited DETCs, and mediates the earliest seeding of the epidermis, which occurs at the time of establishment of skin barrier function. DETCs in GPR15−/− mice remain low at birth, but later participation of CCR10 and CCR4 in DETC homing allows DETCs to reach near normal levels in adult skin. Our findings establish a role for GPR15 in skin lymphocyte homing and suggest that it may contribute to lymphocyte subset targeting to diverse epithelial sites.
Recovery of biologically produced 3‐hydroxypropionaldehyde and its dehydrated product acrolein
Authors: Oehmke Sebastian , Zeng An‐Ping
Published: May 2014

3‐Hydroxypropionaldehyde (3‐HPA), which can be derived from biomass, is an important precursor for low‐cost, large‐volume acrolein‐based chemicals like acrylic acid and acrylamide with a wide range of applications. In order to find an efficient process for isolating 3‐HPA from fermentation broth, we comparatively investigated several separation methods including precipitation with hydrazides, immobilization with amines, reactive extraction with thiols, extraction with hydrophilic solvents, and reactive distillation as acrolein. It turned out that the reactive distillation is the most efficient method for in situ recovery of 3‐HPA as acrolein. In a reactive distillation process at 37°C and Hammett acidity H0 = –1, the aldehyde concentration was reduced to 6 ± 1 mM in the transformation medium and increased to 1866 ± 146 mM in the distillate. The yield was 96 ± 8%. These experimental results are close to the calculated ideal equilibrium results assuming total dehydration of 3‐HPA to acrolein. The main advantages of the reactive distillation process are that the recovery, purification, and concentration of acrolein are carried out in one step and the process is well suited for large‐scale production at low costs.
Cell‐free synthesis of 1,3‐propanediol from glycerol with a high yield
Authors: Rieckenberg Fabian , Ardao Inés , Rujananon Rosarin , Zeng An‐Ping
Published: May 2014

Currently established fermentation processes converting glycerol to 1,3‐propanediol reach a yield of only about 0.6 mol/mol with about 40% of the used glycerol being converted to unrequested side products and biomass. From economic and ecological points of view, the yield of 1,3‐PDO is one of the most important parameters for bioconversion. The feasibility of engineering an enzymatic in vitro production process for 1,3‐propanediol from glycerol was investigated. A very high production yield of about 0.95 mol/mol was reached. Current 1,3‐propanediol production processes from glycerol established in industry and technology add up to fermentation processes exclusively. Those exhibit the disadvantage of reaching a production yield of about 0.6 mol/mol, which equals 60% of the theoretically possible maximum. In the present work, a cell‐free in vitro system for nearly total glycerol conversion was developed. For this purpose, the enzymes glycerol dehydratase (from Lactobacillus reuteri), propanediol oxidoreductase isoenzyme (from Escherichia coli), and hydrogenase I (from Pyrococcus furiosus) were produced and partly purified. Through the combined activity of the mentioned enzymes, glycerol was successfully transformed into 1,3‐propanediol at a yield close to 1 mol 1,3‐propanediol/mol glycerol. The required cofactor NADPH for this reaction was continuously regenerated by hydrogenase I using hydrogen. The mechanism‐based suicide‐effect of glycerol dehydratase was partially overcome through continuous feeding of coenzyme B12, ATP, and magnesium to the reaction process. In this way, the durability of the glycerol dehydratase could be extended from few minutes to several hours. A novel in vitro approach for a highly efficient production process for 1,3‐propanediol from glycerol was demonstrated.
1,3‐Propanediol adsorption on a cation exchange resin: Adsorption isotherm, thermodynamics, and mechanistic studies
Authors: Wang Shizhen , Dai Hongfei , Yan Zhengping , Zhu Chunjie , Huang Lingfeng , Fang Baishan
Published: May 2014

1,3‐Propanediol (1,3‐PD) is widely used in cosmetics, foods, antifreezes, and polyester. A low‐cost cation exchange resin, 001×7 H‐form resin, was selected for 1,3‐PD adsorption obtained from microbial fermentation of crude glycerol. The thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption were studied. To identify the characteristics of the adsorption process, the influence of 1,3‐PD concentration, temperature, and resin particle diameters was studied. The temperature dependence of the adsorption equilibrium in the range of 288 to 318 K was observed to satisfy the Langmuir isotherm well. The thermodynamic parameters, adsorption enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy, were determined as 36.2 kJ·moL−1, 160 mol−1·K−1, and −11.2 kJ·moL−1, respectively, which indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. The adsorption kinetics was accurately represented by the shell progressive model and indicated that the particle diffusion was the rate‐limiting step. Based on the kinetic simulation, the rate constant of exchange (k0), order reaction (α), and the apparent activation energy reaction (Ea) were obtained as 3.11×10−3, 0.644, and 11.5 kJ·moL−1, respectively. This kinetic and thermodynamic analysis of 1,3‐PD recovery presented in this article is also applicable for the separation of other polyols by resin adsorption, which will promote value‐added utilization of glycerol.
Modeling oxyanion adsorption on ferralic soil, part 1: Parameter validation with phosphate ion
Authors: Pérez Claudio , Antelo Juan , Fiol Sarah , Arce Florencio
Published: May 2014

Surface complexation models have proved to be valuable tools for predicting processes that occur at the solid–solution interface. Use of such models has become more widespread and nowadays more complex systems are studied, in an attempt to explain processes such as the competition between different species for mineral surfaces and the effect of the presence of organic matter. The aim of the present study was to analyze the mobility of phosphate in ferralic soils. The charge distribution model parameters for phosphate–goethite adsorption were used to predict phosphate mobility on samples from 2 horizons of a ferralic soil containing large amounts of iron oxides. The soil reactivity was attributed to the iron oxides, and some specific parameters were determined by means of phosphate adsorption–desorption experiments and included in the model. Adsorption of phosphate in the upper horizon, which contained more organic carbon and phosphate than the deeper one, was modeled by using the information obtained for the soil and the charge distribution model parameters derived for phosphate–goethite interaction with no need of further optimization. In contrast, some extra fitting parameters were required to improve the modeling of the phosphate adsorption in the deeper horizon. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:2208–2216. © 2014 SETAC
Growth, oxidative stress responses, and gene transcription of juvenile bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) under chronic-term exposure of ammonia
Authors: Sun Hongjie , Wang Wenqian , Li Jiajia , Yang Zhou
Published: May 2014

Ammonia toxicity has become a universal problem for aquatic animals, especially fish. The purpose of the present study was to assess the chronic toxicity of ammonia to the juvenile bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis). The authors measured the responses of growth performance (specific growth rate, condition factor, body weight, and body length), oxidative stress, and related gene transcription of juvenile bighead carp exposed to solutions with different concentrations of un-ionized ammonia (UIA; 0 mg L−1, 0.053 mg L−1, 0.106 mg L−1, 0.159 mg L−1, and 0.212 mg L−1). The results showed that UIA had no effect on growth performance, glutathione content, or glutathione S-transferase gene transcription, but superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly elevated. In addition, different concentrations of UIA produced different degrees of damage to juvenile bighead carp: compared with control, lower UIA levels significantly decreased gene transcription of catalase (CAT) and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels; higher UIA concentration (0.212 mg L−1) significantly increased gene transcription of the antioxidant enzymes CAT and SOD and reduced MDA levels. The data clearly demonstrate that chronic exposure of UIA at lower concentrations can result in some degree of impairment of antioxidative function, and chronic exposure at higher concentrations can enhance damage to juvenile bighead carp by modulating antioxidant enzyme activities and gene transcription. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1726–1731. © 2014 SETAC