bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Authentication of Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) honey through its nectar signature and assessment of its typical physicochemical characteristics
Authors: Islam Md Khairul , Barbour Elizabeth , Locher Cornelia
Published: June 2024

Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) is a dominant forest tree endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. Its honey is appreciated for its highly desirable taste, golden colour, slow crystallisation, and high levels of bioactivity, which have placed Jarrah in the premium product range. However, whilst customers are willing to pay a high price for this natural product, there is currently no standard method for its authentication. As honey is naturally sourced from flower nectar, a novel route of authentication is to identify the nectar signature within the honey. This study reports on a high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC)-based authentication system which allows the tracing of six key marker compounds present in Jarrah flower nectar and Jarrah honey. Four of these markers have been confirmed to be epigallocatechin, lumichrome, taxifolin and o-anisic acid with two (Rf 0.22 and 0.41) still chemically unidentified. To assist with the characterisation of Jarrah honey, a range of physicochemical tests following Codex Alimentarius guidelines were carried out. A blend of authenticated Jarrah honey samples was used to define the properties of this honey type. The blend was found to have a pH of 4.95, an electric conductivity of 1.31 mS/cm and a moisture content of 16.8%. Its water-insoluble content was 0.04%, its free acidity 19 milli-equivalents acid/kg and its diastase content 13.2 (DN). It also contains fructose (42.5%), glucose (20.8%), maltose (1.9%) and sucrose (<0.5%). The HPTLC-based authentication system proposed in this study has been demonstrated to be a useful tool for identifying Jarrah honey and might also act as a template for the authentication of other honey types.
Assessing Chilli Genotypes: A Study of Morphological and Nutritional Traits
Authors: Patel J. S. , Prajapati K. N. , Tiwari Kapil , Chaudhari M. K. , Gondaliya S. B. , Joshi V. A. , Vyas S. R.
Published: June 2024

Capsicum spp., a member of the Solanaceae family, is a widely used vegetable crop that is mostly used as a spice, condiment, medicine, and vegetable. It is also a major source of vitamins A and C. There are about 22 wild and five cultivated species in the genus Capsicum. C. annuum, C. baccatum, C. Chinense, C. frutescens and C. pubescens are the species that are grown. Indian chilli peppers have become a major player in the world market for chilli peppers. India is the world's biggest producer, consumer, and exporter of chilli, making it unique in the world market. Over 40 per cent of the world's total chilli production comes from India. This study was planned to check the morphological and nutritional attributes of different chilli varieties/genotypes. Plant height ranged from 66.83 to 84.65 cm, while yield varied from 4699.08 to 7115.75 kg/ha.  There was a noticeable variation in moisture content, ranging from 6.36% to 8.37%. JCH-799 had the lowest protein content while Gholar had the highest concentration. Similarly, the percentage of carbohydrates ranged from 61.93% to 69.69%. JCH-18-835 and Kashmiri had the highest ascorbic acid content, ranging from 76.92 to 112.82 mg/100gm. Total phenol content was found from 1.75% to 2.14%. The principal component analyses (PCA) of plant height and yield of chilli and biochemical traits. The eigenvalue-based evaluation of economically useful features to identify the components that have a major influence on chilli genotype yield. The PCA revealed four principle components (PC) with eigenvalues greater than one, which explained roughly 77.17% of the overall variability. PC analysis revealed that PC-1 has the largest variation in eigenvalues (2.709), followed by PC-2 (1.589), and PC-3 (1.103). These findings show that there is genetic diversity amongst chilli, which can be leveraged to create high-yielding varieties with improved nutritional value.
Revolutionary Technologies in Horticultural Crops: A Review
Authors: Kale Satish Kumar , Sahrawat Rahul , Sangwan Madhu , Shikha  , Jain Shubham , Nandita  , Gautam Shivam Kumar , Nagaraju Vankadavath
Published: June 2024

Globally, the topic of agricultural automation is becoming more and more popular. Crop management system enables the systematic management of crops, incorporating all aspects of farming. India offers the opportunity to grow a wide variety of horticultural crops due to its diverse soil and climate conditions as well as its varied agro-ecological regions. These crops enhance farm output, generate employment opportunities, and supply raw materials to a variety of food-processing industries, all of which have a substantial positive economic impact on India. Although very little area is set specifically for horticulture, there is a strong demand for the production of horticulture crops. As a result, it can be difficult to meet demand with the least amount of resources. However, this can be done by introducing revolutionary technological interventions, such as nuclear technology, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, Internet of Things technological interventions, remote sensing, various breeding programs, hydroponics systems, and others. Remote sensing technologies for monitoring and recognizing plants, weeds, pests, and diseases have been developed and used by means of recent advancements in computer vision, robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Numerous studies examine the new digital tools and services that farmers may use to purchase inputs, handle their money, and obtain input-output pricing and farm management data.
Effect of Organic Manure and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Enriched Biocapsules on Growth Yield and Quality of Cape Gooseberry (Physalis Peruviana L.)
Authors: Kumar Punit , Mishra Saket , Bahadur Vijay , Bhadu Ajay
Published: June 2024

The present experiment was conducted at Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj. Prayagraj during the session 2023 - 2024. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications, and the study consists of ten treatment combinations including control by using different Effect of organic manure and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria enriched biocapsules on growth yield and quality of cape gooseberry. The best treatment was T8 (Poultry manure @0.56 kg + 500 PPM Biocapsule) &T7 (Green manure @1.12 kg + 500 PPM Biocapsule) which shows highest values in all the parameters viz., plant height (85.80 cm), number of leaf/plant (71.76), Leaf area (cm2) (64.62 cm2), Days to anthesis of 1st flower after planting (35.75), Flowering duration (138.36), flower/plant (118.86), Fruit setting after flowering (8.91), fruit set to maturity (50.10), 1st fruit harvesting (101.16), fruit/plant(84.00) fruit weight (10.77 g), fruit yield/plant (400.68 kg), TSS (17.68 %), Ascorbic acid (61.22 mg/100g), Acidity (0.49 %), total sugar (12.39 %). All the treatments were significantly superior in their growth, flowering, fruit yield and quality of cape gooseberry over control (T0) and (T9).
Enhancing Timber and Medicinal Plant Resources: Propagation Techniques for Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss. in Tropical Regions
Authors: Georges Yao Kouakou Abessika , Anique Gbotto Ahou , Gwladys Gnamien Yah , Emmanuella Kouame Brou Grâce , Sélastique Akaffou Doffou , Arsene Zoro Bi Irié
Published: June 2024

Human uses the resources of tropical forests, which contain great biological diversity, for food, traditional and commercial purposes, including on an international scale. Some species have been exploited for timber production. The aim of this work was to identify the best part of the shoot for regeneration of Khaya senegalensis in the two seedling sebstrates. This work will provide a database for the regeneration and domestication of forest products, with Khaya senegalensis as a model plant. It is one of the medicinal and timber species on which sustained attention and priority actions should be focused. The main objective of this study was to determine whether this plant, with its high health value, can be regenerated by cuttings. The set-up comprised 180 bags arranged in a random block of 90 bags for each of the seeding substrates (black earth and red earth). The results showed that regeneration by cuttings is possible in the substrates. Old cuttings showed the best viability rates, at 70% and 43.33% for black earth and red earth substrates respectively. The best regeneration percentage was observed for aged cuttings (36.66% and 20%). These results showed variability in length and collar diameter according to cutting type and substrate. Of the three types of explants tested, the old part of the stem proved better than the young and intermediate parts. However, it would be interesting to improve the rate of regeneration and rooting of cuttings by using vegetative hormones.
Research and Prospect of Intelligent Workshop AGV Path Planning Algorithm
Authors: Sun Jingran , Zhang Yuyin , Fu Fangjia , Kang Liyan , Junxu Ma
Published: June 2024

Path planning algorithm is one of the core algorithms for automatic guided vehicle（AGV）to complete the autonomous task of intelligent workshop. The research status of grid method and Viewable method in environment modeling at home and abroad is described. The research results of traditional path search algorithms such as artificial potential field method, Dijstra algorithm and A* algorithm are analyzed and compared with intelligent algorithms such as particle swarm optimization algorithm, ant colony algorithm and genetic algorithm. The analysis finds that in the face of complex workshop environment, multi-factor influence and complex obstacles, some tasks are not completed or work overtime depending on the traditional algorithm. Therefore, starting from the algorithm improvement, in order to improve the operational efficiency and efficient obstacle avoidance of AGV, the fusion of intelligent algorithm and traditional algorithm will become the focus of research. Finally, combined with the existing problems in the current AGV path planning research, the research trend of intelligent development and integrated development is prospected. In future research, improvements in algorithm efficiency and integration with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence can be considered.
DEM‐simulation of the magnetic field enhanced cake filtration
Authors: Eichholz Christian , Nirschl Hermann , Chen Fei , Hatton T. Alan
Published: January 2012

Using the discrete element method, we simulate numerically the cake formation and growth in magnetic field enhanced cake filtration to give further insight on the mechanisms of the structuring of the filter cake due to the interaction of magnetic, hydrodynamic, and mass forces. The motion of the discrete particles is obtained by applying the three‐dimensional Newton's equations to individual particles, allowing for both external forces (gravity, applied magnetic field) and particle–particle interactions calculated using the modified DLVO‐theory. Continuous liquid phase flow is assumed as one‐dimensional. The simulation results compare favorably with reported experimental data,1 and can be used to delineate the regimes associated with different liquid flow and magnetic field effects that are observed experimentally. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Selbstorganisierte Gelbildner für die organische Elektronik
Authors: Babu Sukumaran Santhosh , Prasanthkumar Seelam , Ajayaghosh Ayyappanpillai
Published: January 2012

Die Natur erzeugt Materialien durch chemische Synthese und molekulare Selbstorganisation unter Beteiligung nichtkovalenter Kräfte. Wissenschaftler haben von diesen Phänomenen gelernt und dieses Wissen genutzt, um selbstorganisierte künstliche Materialien vielfältiger Größen, Formen und Eigenschaften für ein breites Spektrum von Anwendungen herzustellen. Ein besonders interessantes Gebiet ist die lösungsmittelunterstützte Gelierung funktioneller organischer Moleküle zur Bildung eindimensionaler Fasern. Solche Fasern weisen hervorragende elektronische Eigenschaften auf und sind vielversprechende Materialien für die organische Elektronik, insbesondere für Heterokontakt‐Solarzellen. Dieser Kurzaufsatz beschreibt, wie Methoden der molekularen Selbstorganisation zur Entwicklung weicher funktioneller Materialien mit Anwendungen in elektronischen Bauelementen wie organischen Feldeffekttransistoren und organischen Solarzellen beigetragen haben.
Recovery of cerium(III) from aqueous solutions by complexation—ultrafiltration process
Authors: Zeng Jianxian , He Qincheng , Zhou Hu , Sun Xiahui , Zhang Jiaojiao
Published: January 2012

Complexation–ultrafiltration process was investigated for cerium(III) recovery from aqueous solutions by using poly (acrylic acid) sodium salt (PAASS) as a complexing agent. The adsorption of cerium(III) on PAASS was preliminarily studied at different pH values. Next, effects of pH, polymer metal ratio (PMR), calcium(II) and competitive complexing agents on permeate flux (J) and cerium rejection coefficient (R) were investigated in the total recirculation mode. Finally, the integrations of four experiments including concentration, decomplexation, regeneration of PAASS and reuse of regenerated PAASS were carried out. Obtained results show that the adsorption can be described well using the Langmuir equation. If pH is reduced below 4, J decreases rapidly. PMR has negligible effect on J. R increases with increasing pH or PMR. Calcium(II) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt have the effects on R, but these effects can decrease by increasing pH. Tartrate sodium does not influence R. In the process of concentration, J declines slowly, and R is about 1. It takes 40 min to reach the decomplexation equilibrium at pH 3. The decomplexation percentage of cerium(III)–PAASS complex is about 70%. In the regeneration of PAASS, cerium(III) can be removed effectively, and the purification of regenerated PAASS is acceptably satisfactory. The binding capacity of regenerated PAASS is close to that of fresh PAASS, and the recovery percentage of binding capacity is higher than 90%. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is three‐dimensional videography the cutting edge of surgical skill acquisition?
Authors: Roach Victoria A. , Brandt Michael G. , Moore Corey C. , Wilson Timothy D.
Published: January 2012

The process of learning new surgical technical skills is vital to the career of a surgeon. The acquisition of these new skills is influenced greatly by visual‐spatial ability (VSA) and may be difficult for some learners to rapidly assimilate. In many cases, the role of VSA on the acquisition of a novel technical skill has been explored; however, none have probed the impact of a three‐dimensional (3D) video learning module on the acquisition of new surgical skills. The first aim of this study is to capture spatially complex surgical translational flaps using 3D videography and incorporate the footage into a self‐contained e‐learning module designed in line with the principles of cognitive load theory. The second aim is to assess the efficacy of 3D video as a medium to support the acquisition of complex surgical skills in novice surgeons as evaluated using a global ratings scale. It is hypothesized that the addition of depth in 3D viewing will augment the learner's innate visual spatial abilities, thereby enhancing skill acquisition compared to two‐dimensional viewing of the same procedure. Despite growing literature suggesting that 3D correlates directly to enhanced skill acquisition, this study did not differentiate significant results contributing to increased surgical performance. This topic will continue to be explored using more sensitive scales of measurement and more complex “open procedures” capitalizing on the importance of depth perception in surgical manipulation. Anat Sci Educ. © 2012 American Association of Anatomists.
A Basic Tutorial on Cyclic Voltammetry for the Investigation of Electroactive Microbial Biofilms
Authors: Harnisch Falk , Freguia Stefano
Published: January 2012

Electroactive microbial biofilms and the microorganisms embedded therein are not only of crucial fundamental interest because they play an important role in redox cycles that occur in nature, they are also attracting increasing attention as key component of microbial bioelectrochemcial systems (BES). In these systems, interconversion of chemical and electrical energy and the associated exchange of electrons between living microbial cells and solid electrodes take place. The fascinating prospects and promise of BES technology have considerably increased the research on electroactive microbial biofilms over recent years. As a consequence, the research community is truly multifaceted, with backgrounds and interests ranging from molecular biology, via chemistry, to engineering. One of the most‐important and most‐widespread applied electrochemical techniques is cyclic voltammetry (CV). This Focus Review illustrates the power of this electrochemical technique and the versatility of the information that can be gained by its application for the electrochemical freshman. This Review will also pinpoint hurdles in using this technique, especially for the non‐electrochemist, and the limitations of present models for data analysis. Because it aims to be a basic introduction, this Review will not discuss the latest intricacies in the field.
A model mechanism for protein precipitation by caprylic acid: Application to plasma purification
Authors: Morais Victor , Massaldi Hugo
Published: January 2012

A model for the mechanism of protein precipitation by caprylic acid (CA) is developed on the basis of quantitative assays of precipitation with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and CA at different concentrations. It was found that the effect of CA is due to direct interaction with the precipitating protein. Maximum precipitation was achieved when the mass ratio of CA–BSA was close to 1, equivalent to about 450 CA molecules per molecule of BSA. This value was confirmed by optimizing the CA purification of immunoglobulins from equine blood plasma. With a sample diluted 1:1, it was found that CA at a final concentration of 3.5% is optimal to obtain immunoglobulins essentially free of albumin by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It is proposed that CA binds to specific sites of the protein, thereby inducing partial unfolding of the protein, which exposes additional binding sites. More CA molecules incorporate into all sites in the form of mixed micelles. Thus, the interfacial protein surface becomes highly hydrophobic and increases protein–protein attraction, causing association and precipitation of the macromolecular complexes.
Validation of a microscale extraction and high‐throughput UHPLC‐QTOF‐MS analysis method for huperzine A in Huperzia
Authors: Cuthbertson Daniel , Piljac‐Žegarac Jasenka , Lange Bernd Markus
Published: January 2012

Herein we report on an improved method for the microscale extraction of huperzine A (HupA), an acetylcholinesterase‐inhibiting alkaloid, from as little as 3 mg of tissue homogenate from the clubmoss Huperzia squarrosa (G. Forst.) Trevis with 99.95% recovery. We also validated a novel UHPLC‐QTOF‐MS method for the high‐throughput analysis of H. squarrosa extracts in only 6 min, which, in combination with the very low limit of detection (20 pg on column) and the wide linear range for quantification (20–10,000 pg on column), allow for a highly efficient screening of extracts containing varying amounts of HupA. Utilization of this methodology has the potential to conserve valuable plant resources. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discovery of the Rhizopodin Biosynthetic Gene Cluster in Stigmatella aurantiaca Sg a15 by Genome Mining
Authors: Pistorius Dominik , Müller Rolf
Published: January 2012

The field of bacterial natural product research is currently undergoing a paradigm change concerning the discovery of natural products. Previously most efforts were based on isolation of the most abundant compound in an extract, or on tracking bioactivity. However, traditional activity‐guided approaches are limited by the available test panels and frequently lead to the rediscovery of already known compounds. The constantly increasing availability of bacterial genome sequences provides the potential for the discovery of a huge number of new natural compounds by in silico identification of biosynthetic gene clusters. Examination of the information on the biosynthetic machinery can further prevent rediscovery of known compounds, and can help identify so far unknown biosynthetic pathways of known compounds. By in silico screening of the genome of the myxobacterium Stigmatella aurantiaca Sg a15, a trans‐AT polyketide synthase/non‐ribosomal peptide synthetase (PKS/NRPS) gene cluster was identified that could not be correlated to any secondary metabolite known to be produced by this strain. Targeted gene inactivation and analysis of extracts from the resulting mutants by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC‐HRMS), in combination with the use of statistical tools resulted in the identification of a compound that was absent in the mutants extracts. By matching with our in‐house database of myxobacterial secondary metabolites, this compound was identified as rhizopodin. A detailed analysis of the rhizopodin biosynthetic machinery is presented in this manuscript.
A water‐soluble calix[4]resorcinarene with L‐pipecolinic acid groups as a chiral NMR solvating agent
Authors: Pham Ngoc H. , Wenzel Thomas J.
Published: January 2012

A sulfonated calix[4]resorcinarene containing L‐pipecolinic acid groups is investigated as a water‐soluble chiral NMR solvating agent. Aromatic substrates with phenyl, indole, indane, naphthyl, and pyridyl rings are analyzed. The substrates, which are water soluble because of ammonium, hydroxyl, or carboxylate functional groups, form host–guest complexes by insertion of the aromatic ring into the cavity of the calix[4]resorcinarene. Enantiomeric discrimination with the calix[4]resorcinarene derivative with L‐pipecolinic acid is compared with similar reagents with proline, hydroxyproline, and α‐methylproline moieties that have previously been reported. The derivative with L‐pipecolinic acid often produces the best enantiomeric discrimination for one or more hydrogen atoms of the 24 substrates examined herein. Chirality, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and application of the first planar chiral strong brønsted acid organocatalysts
Authors: Enders Dieter , Ludwig Monika , Raabe Gerhard
Published: January 2012

The synthesis of planar chiral strong Brønsted acid organocatalysts derived from [2.2]paracyclophane is described. Resolution was accomplished according to a modified protocol involving pseudo‐ortho‐substituted [2.2]paracyclophane‐based sulfoxides for the synthesis of three new sulfonic acids. The first planar chiral phosphoric acid diester was obtained from the corresponding phenyl‐substituted diol derived from enantiopure 4‐bromo‐12‐hydroxy [2.2]paracyclophane. These new classes of catalysts were tested in an enantioselective Friedel–Crafts reaction as well as in a direct asymmetric Mannich reaction and gave yields of up to 93% and ee‐values of up to 38%. Chirality, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Asymmetric Michael reaction of aldehydes with β‐nitroalkenes catalyzed by pyrrolidine–camphor derived organocatalysts bearing hydrogen‐bond donors
Authors: Weng Jiang , Ai Hui‐Bing , Luo, Ren‐Shi , Lu Gui
Published: January 2012

Several pyrrolidine–camphor derived organocatalysts were designed and synthesized. These organocatalysts were used for direct Michael reaction of aldehydes with nitroalkenes to give the desired γ‐nitrocarbonyl compounds in high yields (up to 99%), high diastereoselectivities (syn:anti up to 92:8), and good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 94% ee). Possible transition‐state model was also proposed for this asymmetric transformation, which may involve hydrogen‐bond interactions between the nucleophilic enamine formed in situ and the nitroalkenes. Chirality, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigation of the Formation of Pores in Solid State Materials
Authors: Klank Dietmar , Lohmeier Sven Jare
Published: January 2012

Dieser Artikel beschäftigt sich mit der Entstehung und Charakterisierung des Porensystems sowie der Oberflächeneigenschaften von mikro‐ und mesoporösen zeolithischen Verbindungen in Form von Aluminiumphosphaten, mikroporösen Kohlen, Baustoffen am Beispiel des Zementsteins und natürlichen Bodenproben. Im Detail wird dabei auf die Untersuchungen der verschiedenen Materialien mittels Gasadsorption eingegangen und die Interpretation der Daten, insbesondere bei speziellen Sorptionsphänomenen wie kinetischer Hemmung, Sorptionshysteresen und Porensystemen, die sich zeitlich verändern, diskutiert.
Methods to Characterize the Dispersability of Carbon Nanotubes and Their Length Distribution
Authors: Krause Beate , Mende Mandy , Petzold Gudrun , Boldt Regine , Pötschke Petra
Published: January 2012

Es werden zwei Eigenschaften von Carbon Nanotube (CNT)‐Materialien näher untersucht. Zum einen wird eine Methode zur Charakterisierung der Dispergierbarkeit von CNT‐Materialien in wässrigen Tensid‐Lösungen vorgestellt, aus der auch Schlussfolgerungen zur Dispergierbarkeit in anderen Medien, wie Polymerschmelzen, gezogen werden können. Zum anderen wird gezeigt, wie die Länge von CNTs vor und nach der Verarbeitung, z. B. nach Schmelzemischen mit Thermoplasten, quantifiziert werden kann. Beide Methoden werden mit Beispielen unterlegt und die praktische Relevanz aufgezeigt.
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activity of Hydroxamic Tertiary Amines as Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
Authors: Terracciano Stefania , Chini Maria Giovanna , Riccio Raffaele , Bruno Ines , Bifulco Giuseppe
Published: January 2012

Herein we describe the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of new hydroxamic tertiary amines as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. These compounds have allowed us to clarify the influence of cap group dimension and hydrophobicity on HDAC inhibitory activity. This report also reveals the recognition pattern between the linear compounds and the histone deacetylase‐like protein (HDLP) model receptor, and discusses the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of HDAC inhibitory activity in HeLa cell nuclear extracts. We obtained good qualitative agreement between experimental results and theoretical predictions, confirming that appropriately substituted hydroxamic tertiary amines are potential active HDAC inhibitors.
Probabilistic Methods for Discrete Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations
Authors: Chatterjee Sourav , Kirkpatrick Kay
Published: January 2012

We show that the thermodynamics of the focusing cubic discrete nonlinear Schrödinger equation are exactly solvable in dimension 3 and higher. A number of explicit formulas are derived. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bayesian‐Inference‐Based Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy and Single‐Molecule Burst Analysis Reveal the Influence of Dye Selection on DNA Hairpin Dynamics
Authors: Kügel Wolfgang , Muschielok Adam , Michaelis Jens
Published: January 2012

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is a powerful tool to gain information about dynamics of biomolecules. However, the key problem is to extract the rates hidden in the FCS data by fitting the data to a meaningful model. A number of different fitting approaches have been described in recent years but the extraction of relevant information to date has still been limited by numerous experimental problems and the fact that the set of starting parameter values chosen could often predefine the result. We establish a new way to globally analyze FCS data based on Bayesian inference to overcome these issues. Moreover, the influence of other remaining experimental error sources, for example, photophysics, is excluded by additional means. Using this approach in combination with the results from single‐molecule burst analysis, we investigate the kinetics of DNA hairpins labeled with a variety of different fluorescent probes as a function of the salt concentration. We find that the rates of hairpin opening and closing as well as the equilibrium constant of the transition depend on the characteristics of the dye molecules used to label the hairpin. Thus, great caution has to be used when utilizing dye molecules as reporters for the kinetics of dynamic macromolecular structures.
Facile One‐Pot Synthesis of ZnO/SnO2 Heterojunction Photocatalysts with Excellent Photocatalytic Activity and Photostability
Authors: Zheng Lirong , Zheng Yuanhui , Chen Chongqi , Zhan Yingying , Lin Xinyi , Zheng Qi , Wei Kemei
Published: January 2012

A series of porous ZnO/SnO2 heterojunction photocatalysts with different Sn contents were successfully synthesized through a simple one‐pot solvothermal method. The evolution of particle size, composition, texture structure, and photocatalytic performance as a function of Sn content was systematically studied. It is found that the as‐synthesized ZnO/SnO2 heterojunction photocatalysts show much higher photocatalytic activity than ZnO, SnO2, SnxZn1−xO2, and ZnO/Zn2SnO4. Photocorrosion of ZnO was observed, for all samples that contain ZnO nanocrystals, during the photocatalytic process. The photostability of ZnO/SnO2 samples containing small ZnO nanoparticles were significantly enhanced. The most photostable ZnO/SnO2 sample exhibits at least 6.5 times higher photostability than pure ZnO sample. It is proposed that the photocatalytic activities and photostability of the ZnO/SnO2 photocatalysts are determined by the photogenerated carrier transport rates at the SnO2–ZnO and ZnO–electrolyte interfaces.
Porous Frameworks Based on Carborane–Ln2(CO2)6: Architecture Influenced by Lanthanide Contraction and Selective CO2 Capture
Authors: Huang Sheng‐Li , Lin Yue‐Jian , Yu Wei‐Bin , Jin Guo‐Xin
Published: January 2012

A series of microporous lanthanide coordination polymers containing p‐dicarboxylate carborane ligand (1–8) have been synthesized from the reactions of 1,12‐dihydroxycarbonyl‐1,12‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane (p‐CDCH2) with rare earth metals. Based on the well‐known effect of lanthanide contraction, three distinct structure types were isolated: Structure type I crystallizes in the triclinic space group P$\bar 1$ with formula {[Ln2(p‐CDC)3S6]⋅χS}n (S=solvent molecules, such as H2O, MeOH, and DMF), Ln=Yb3+ (1), Y3+ (2), Tb3+ (3), Gd3+ (4), Sm3+ (6) and structure type II also crystallizes in the triclinic space group P$\bar 1$ with formula {[Eu2(p‐CDC)3(MeOH)2(H2O)4]⋅[Eu2(p‐CDC)3(H2O)4(DMF)2]⋅2DMF}n (5). Nevertheless, structure type III crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with formula {[Ln2(p‐CDC)3(MeOH)4(DMF)2]⋅2 MeOH}n, Ln=Ce3+ (7) and La3+ (8). The structures of type I polymers consist of four‐connected 2D lamellar networks, but type II and type III polymers are composed of six‐connected 3D structures. Gas sorption property of compound 1’ was studied, which showed selective CO2 capture over CH4 and N2.
Recent Changes in Patenting Behavior in Microprocess Technology and its Possible Use for Gas–Liquid Reactions and the Oxidation of Glucose
Authors: Dencic Ivana , Hessel Volker , de Croon Mart H. J. M. , Meuldijk Jan , van der Doelen Christianus W. J. , Koch Kasper
Published: January 2012

The miniaturization of continuous processes has been of increasing interest in the past decade, and microreaction technology and flow chemistry have moved from academic and industrial research to commercial applications. With industry taking up such innovations, this trend is also reflected in the patenting behavior of companies active in this area. This review is a continuation of the review paper on microreactor patents published by Hessel et al. and indicates major changes in patenting trends since 2006. Moreover, a different patent database search algorithm is presented, which complements the algorithm explained in the previous review. In addition, the preservation of intellectual property is analyzed for multiphase reactions and particularly solid‐catalyzed gas–liquid reactions in microreactors, which play an important role in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and are reactions that benefit largely from microprocessing. Among other results, we show that the number of patents has increased in this field, with solid‐catalyst design and deposition, control of the flow pattern, and ensured stable flow as the main challenges.
Roundabout is required in the visceral mesoderm for proper microvillus length in the hindgut epithelium
Authors: Soplop Nadine H. , Cheng Yi‐Shan , Kramer Sunita G.
Published: January 2012

Introduction: In this study we examined Roundabout signaling in the Drosophila embryonic hindgut. Results: Slit and its receptors Roundabout (Robo) and Roundabout 2 (Robo2) localize to discrete regions in the hindgut epithelium and surrounding visceral mesoderm. Loss of robo, robo2 or slit did not disrupt overall hindgut patterning. However, slit and robo mutants showed a decrease in microvillus length on the boundary cells of the hindgut epithelium. Rescue and overexpression analysis revealed that robo is specifically required in the visceral mesoderm for correct microvillus length in the underlying hindgut epithelium. Expression of robo in the visceral mesoderm of robo mutant embryos restored normal microvillus length, while overexpression of robo resulted in an increase in microvillus length. Microvillus length was also increased in robo2 mutants suggesting that robo2 may antagonize robo function in the hindgut. Conclusion: Together, these results establish a novel, dose‐dependent role for Robo in regulating microvilli growth and provide in vivo evidence for the role of the visceral mesoderm in controlling morphological changes in the underlying intestinal epithelium. Developmental Dynamics 241:759–769, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Replacement of HMPA in Samarium Diiodide Promoted Cyclizations and Reactions of Organolithium Compounds
Authors: Berndt Mathias , Hölemann Alexandra , Niermann André , Bentz Christoph , Zimmer Reinhold , Reissig Hans‐Ulrich
Published: January 2012

Tripyrrolidinophosphoric acid triamide (TPPA) can replace carcinogenic HMPA as a Lewis basic additive in many reactions involving samarium ketyls. In most cases, yields and selectivities of cyclizations of (het)aryl, alkenyl, and alkynyl ketones are similar. TPPA is also a good substitute of HMPA in the O‐silylation of an ester enolate and in reactions oflithiated 1,3‐dithiane. All these results clearly demonstrate that in many cases the use of HMPA can be avoided.
Retention and maternal transfer of environmentally relevant polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, and polychlorinated biphenyls in zebrafish (Danio rerio) after dietary exposure
Authors: Arnoldsson Kristina , Haldén Anna Norman , Norrgren Leif , Haglund Peter
Published: January 2012

High levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), mono- and non-ortho-polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs) are found in fish from coastal areas in the Baltic Sea, which may cause ecotoxicological effects. To increase our understanding of the persistency of the emerging pollutants polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs), fish feed was spiked with 21 PBDD/Fs, 17 PCDD/Fs, and 30 PCBs and fed to zebrafish (Danio rerio). Concentrations in fish and eggs were examined during a 6- or 12-week uptake period, and a 6-week elimination period. Steady-state was reached for 2-, 3-, 7-, and/or 8-substituted tri- and tetra-BDD/Fs; 2,3,7,8-tetra-BDD (2,3,7,8-TeBDD) was the most strongly retained. Steady-state was not reached for tetra- to hexa-CDDs. Non-2,3,7,8 congeners showed little or no retention. Most PCBs had high retention and did not reach steady state. Half-lives decreased in the order PCBs > PCDD/Fs > PBDD/Fs. Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-substituted penta- to octa-CDD/Fs decreased with their degree of chlorination, suggesting that the rate-limiting factor for uptake is low bioavailability. Maternal transfer was observed for all retained compounds, with most transfer factors <1, indicating that transfer rates are affected by the poor water solubility of the compounds. The limited retention of the major PBDD congeners found in Baltic Sea fish suggests that they are exposed to high or very high concentrations via either food or water. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:804–812. © 2012 SETAC
Effects of fish on mercury contamination of macroinvertebrate communities of Grassland ponds
Authors: Henderson Byron L. , Chumchal Matthew M. , Drenner Ray W. , Deng Yanci , Diaz Peter , Nowlin Weston H.
Published: January 2012

Mercury is an environmental contaminant that negatively affects the health of vertebrate consumers such as fish, birds, and mammals. Although aquatic macroinvertebrates are a key link in the trophic transfer of Hg to vertebrate consumers, Hg contamination in macroinvertebrate communities has not been well studied. The purpose of the present study was to examine how Hg in macroinvertebrate communities is affected by the presence of fish. We sampled macroinvertebrates from five ponds with fish and five ponds without fish, at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland in north Texas, USA. Ponds without fish contained a higher biomass of macroinvertebrates and taxa with higher concentrations of Hg, which led to a higher Hg pool in the macroinvertebrate community. A total of 73% of the macroinvertebrate biomass from ponds without fish was composed of taxa with the potential to emerge and transport Hg out of ponds into terrestrial food webs. The results of the present study suggest that small ponds, the numerically dominant aquatic ecosystems in the United States, may be more at risk for containing organisms with elevated Hg concentrations than has been appreciated. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:870–876. © 2012 SETAC
Improved accuracy in regularization models of incompressible flow via adaptive nonlinear filtering
Authors: Bowers A. L. , Rebholz L. G. , Takhirov A. , Trenchea C.
Published: January 2012

We study the adaptive nonlinear filtering in the Leray regularization model for incompressible, viscous Newtonian flow. The filtering radius is locally adjusted so that resolved flow regions and coherent flow structures are not ‘filtered out’, which is a common problem with these types of models. A numerical method is proposed that is unconditionally stable with respect to time step and decouples the problem so that the filtering becomes linear at each time step and is decoupled from the system. Several numerical examples are given that demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of cognitive fluctuation in dementia: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Lee David R. , Taylor John‐Paul , Thomas Alan J.
Published: January 2012

Objective

Cognitive fluctuations (CF) are defined as spontaneous alterations in cognition, attention and arousal. They are a recognised feature of the dementias, especially dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia. However, the accurate identification and assessment of CF presents a major clinical difficulty, with the operationalisation of the term ‘cognitive fluctuation’ remaining elusive, despite several attempts to identify, quantify and assess the phenomenon. No published reviews of CF in dementia exist despite this being an important clinical phenomenon and a core diagnostic feature of DLB.

Methods

We systematically explored the literature and measures available for the definition, assessment and quantification of CF in the dementias.

Results

We identified only three psychometric measures, which have been developed for the identification and assessment of CF, and these have not been adequately tested as yet for reliability and validity.

Discussion and Conclusions

We conclude that further research is warranted into the assessment of CF, and this is timely given the increasing recognition of the clinical importance of CF as a dementia symptom, particularly in the Lewy body dementias. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genomic analysis of hepatic farnesoid X receptor binding sites reveals altered binding in obesity and direct gene repression by farnesoid X receptor in mice
Authors: Lee Jiyoung , Seok Sunmi , Yu Pengfei , Kim Kyungsu , Smith Zachary , Rivas-Astroza Marcelo , Zhong Sheng , Kemper Jongsook Kim
Published: January 2012

The nuclear bile acid receptor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR), is an important transcriptional regulator of liver metabolism. Despite recent advances in understanding its functions, how FXR regulates genomic targets and whether the transcriptional regulation by FXR is altered in obesity remain largely unknown. Here, we analyzed hepatic genome-wide binding sites of FXR in healthy and dietary obese mice by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) analysis. A total of 15,263 and 5,272 FXR binding sites were identified in livers of healthy and obese mice, respectively, after a short 1-hour treatment with the synthetic FXR agonist, GW4064. Of these sites, 7,440 and 2,344 were detected uniquely in healthy and obese mice. FXR-binding sites were localized mostly in intergenic and intron regions at an inverted repeat 1 motif in both groups, but also clustered within 1 kilobase of transcription start sites. FXR-binding sites were detected near previously unknown target genes with novel functions, including diverse cellular signaling pathways, apoptosis, autophagy, hypoxia, inflammation, RNA processing, metabolism of amino acids, and transcriptional regulators. Further analyses of randomly selected genes from both healthy and obese mice suggested that more FXR-binding sites are likely functionally inactive in obesity. Surprisingly, occupancies of FXR, retinoid X receptor alpha, RNA polymerase II, and epigenetic gene activation and repression histone marks, and messenger RNA levels of genes examined, suggested that direct gene repression by agonist-activated FXR is common. Conclusion: Comparison of genomic FXR-binding sites in healthy and obese mice suggested that FXR transcriptional signaling is altered in dietary obese mice, which may underlie aberrant metabolism and liver function in obesity. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;56:108–117)
Early transcriptional programming links progression to hepatitis C virus–induced severe liver disease in transplant patients
Authors: Rasmussen Angela L. , Tchitchek Nicolas , Susnow Nathan J. , Krasnoselsky Alexei L. , Diamond Deborah L. , Yeh Matthew M. , Proll Sean C. , Korth Marcus J. , Walters Kathie-Anne , Lederer Sharon , Larson Anne M. , Carithers Robert L. , Benecke Arndt , Katze Michael G.
Published: January 2012

Liver failure resulting from chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause for liver transplantation worldwide. Recurrent infection of the graft is universal in HCV patients after transplant and results in a rapid progression to severe fibrosis and end-stage liver disease in one third of all patients. No single clinical variable, or combination thereof, has, so far, proven accurate in identifying patients at risk of hepatic decompensation in the transplant setting. A combination of longitudinal, dimensionality reduction and categorical analysis of the transcriptome from 111 liver biopsy specimens taken from 57 HCV-infected patients over time identified a molecular signature of gene expression of patients at risk of developing severe fibrosis. Significantly, alterations in gene expression occur before histologic evidence of liver disease progression, suggesting that events that occur during the acute phase of infection influence patient outcome. Additionally, a common precursor state for different severe clinical outcomes was identified. Conclusion: Based on this patient cohort, incidence of severe liver disease is a process initiated early during HCV infection of the donor organ. The probable cellular network at the basis of the initial transition to severe liver disease was identified and characterized. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;56:17–27)
Liver stiffness predicts clinical outcome in human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients with compensated liver cirrhosis
Authors: Merchante Nicolás , Rivero-Juárez Antonio , Téllez Francisco , Merino Dolores , Ríos-Villegas Maria José , Márquez-Solero Manuel , Omar Mohamed , Macías Juan , Camacho Ángela , Pérez-Pérez Montserrat , Gómez-Mateos Jesús , Rivero Antonio , Pineda Juan Antonio
Published: January 2012

Our aim was to assess the predictive value of liver stiffness (LS), measured by transient elastography (TE), for clinical outcome in human immunodeficiency virus / hepatitis C virus (HIV/HCV)-coinfected patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. This was a prospective cohort study of 239 consecutive HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with a new diagnosis of cirrhosis, done by TE, and no previous decompensation of liver disease. The time from diagnosis to the first liver decompensation and death from liver disease, as well as the predictors of these outcomes, were evaluated. After a median (Q1-Q3) follow-up of 20 (9-34) months, 31 (13%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9%-17%) patients developed a decompensation. The incidence of decompensation was 6.7 cases per 100 person-years (95% CI, 4.7-9-6). Fourteen (8%) out of 181 patients with a baseline LS < 40 kPa developed a decompensation versus 17 (29%) out of 58 with LS ≥ 40 kPa (P = 0.001). Factors independently associated with decompensation were Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class B versus A (hazard ratio [HR] 7.7; 95% CI 3.3-18.5; P < 0.0001), log-plasma HCV RNA load (HR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2-3.6; P = 0.01), hepatitis B virus coinfection (HR, 10.3; 95% CI, 2.1-50.4; P = 0.004) and baseline LS (HR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.05; P = 0.02). Fifteen (6%, 95% CI: 3.5%-9.9%) patients died, 10 of them due to liver disease, and one underwent liver transplantation. CTP class B (HR 16.5; 95% CI 3.4-68.2; P < 0.0001) and previous exposure to HCV therapy (HR 7.4; 95% CI 1.7-32.4, P = 0.007) were independently associated with liver-related death; baseline LS (HR 1.03; 95% CI 0.98-1.07; P = 0.08) was of borderline significance. Conclusion: LS predicts the development of hepatic decompensations and liver-related mortality in HIV/HCV-coinfection with compensated cirrhosis and provides additional prognostic information to that provided by the CTP score. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;56:228–238)