bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A critical evaluation of the Miller and Miller similar media theory for application to natural soils
Authors: Sadeghi Morteza , Ghahraman Bijan , Warrick Arthur W. , Tuller Markus , Jones Scott B.
Published: April 2016

The Miller‐Miller similar media theory is widely applied to characterize the spatial variability of soil hydraulic properties. For a group of soils, a distinct scaling factor is commonly assigned to each individual soil to coalesce the soil water characteristic and hydraulic conductivity functions to single curves. It is generally assumed that the Miller‐Miller theory is valid as long as soils are “similar” either with regard to their microscopic pore space geometry or the closely related macroscopic soil hydraulic functions. In this paper, it is illustrated that similarity is not the sole required condition for validity of the Miller‐Miller theory. In addition, the interrelation between the soil water characteristic and the hydraulic conductivity functions considered for scaling need to be comparable. The interrelation is dependent not only on the pore space geometry, but also on solid‐liquid interactions. Hence similar interrelation cannot be concluded from similarity of microscopic pore space geometry. A dimensionless parameter termed the “joint scaling factor” was defined and applied to evaluate the soundness of the interrelation condition for 26 soils from the UNSODA database that were grouped into six classes of similar soils. Obtained results clearly reveal the crucial importance of the interrelation condition for the Miller‐Miller scaling theory, which has been hidden behind the “similarity” requirement, and contradict the general belief that Miller‐Miller scaling is valid as long as soils are “similar.”
Vertical redistribution of zooplankton in an oligotrophic lake associated with reduction in ultraviolet radiation by wildfire smoke
Authors: Urmy Samuel S. , Williamson Craig E. , Leach Taylor H. , Schladow S. Geoffrey , Overholt Erin P. , Warren Joseph D.
Published: April 2016

We used a natural experiment to test whether wildfire smoke induced changes in the vertical distribution of zooplankton in Lake Tahoe by decreasing incident ultraviolet radiation (UV). Fires have a variety of effects on aquatic ecosystems, but these impacts are poorly understood and have rarely been observed directly. UV is an important driver of zooplankton vertical migration, and wildfires may alter it over large spatial scales. We measured UV irradiance and the distribution of zooplankton on two successive days. On one day, smoke haze from a nearby wildfire reduced incident UV radiation by up to 9%, but not irradiance in the visible spectrum. Zooplankton responded by positioning themselves, on average, 4.1 m shallower in the lake. While a limited data set such as this requires cautious interpretation, our results suggest that smoke from wildfires can change the UV environment and distribution of zooplankton. This process may be important in drought‐prone regions with increasingly frequent wildfires, and globally due to widespread biomass burning.
Germ Cell Fate Determination in

C. e

legans
Authors: Voronina Ekaterina , Greenstein David
Published: April 2016

Germ cell development is essential for the sexual reproduction of animals. Germ cells are immortal in that they contribute to successive generations, whereas somatic cells perish with the individual. The nematode
Caenorhabditis elegans
is a leading system for elucidating the developmental mechanisms controlling the germ cell fate determination because this organism is amenable to molecular genetic and mechanistic analysis. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms specifying the fate of germ cells from their journey in the embryo to fertilization.

Key Concepts

Germ cell development is essential for the sexual reproduction of animals.

Primordial germ cells are formed early in embryogenesis.

Germ cell specification happens in the absence of transcription.

Germ cell proliferation in the adult is regulated by the somatic niche.

Oocyte meiotic maturation is under hormonal control.

Gene expression in germline is regulated by a combination of epigenetic and posttranscriptional mechanisms.
Regulatory
T
Cells
Authors: Galustian Christine , Dasgupta Prokar
Published: April 2016

The study of these cells has been ongoing for over two decades, and publications about these cells have risen to over 39 000 in Pubmed alone. Regulatory T cells, which comprise mostly CD4 lymphocytes, can, as their name suggests, regulate or control immune responses elicited by a number of immune cell types. The overall goal of this regulation is the maintenance of immune self‐tolerance and the attenuation of immunological responses elicited towards a number of different stimuli, such as bacteria, viruses and foreign or neoantigens which may be encountered against either transplanted or cancerous tissue and cells.

Key Concepts

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a subset of T cells that participate in the downregulation of immune responses.

Tregs can develop in the thymus or in the periphery.

Their main role is to control autoimmune reactions and to regulate immune responses to foreign antigens.

The majority of Tregs are derived from CD4+ T cells.

They can suppress effector immune cells through direct contact, release of soluble factors and competition for IL‐2.

They can suppress effector immune cells in an antigen‐specific or independent manner.
Sucrose Metabolism
Authors: Lunn John E
Published: April 2016

Sucrose is one of the main products of photosynthesis in plants, and the most common form of carbohydrate transported from source to sink organs. It also functions as a storage reserve, compatible solute and signal metabolite in plants. Sucrose is synthesised via the phosphorylated intermediate sucrose‐6′‐phosphate, by sucrose‐phosphate synthase (SPS) and sucrose‐phosphatase (SPP). In sink organs, sucrose is broken down by invertase or sucrose synthase to provide carbon and energy for growth and accumulation of storage reserves, such as starch, oil and fructans. Sucrose and trehalose are the only common nonreducing disaccharides found in nature, and their metabolism is inextricably linked in plants. Trehalose‐6‐phosphate, the intermediate of trehalose synthesis, is a signal of sucrose availability in plant cells, regulating photoassimilate partitioning in leaves and the utilisation of sucrose in sink organs.

Key Concepts

Sucrose is one of the main products of photosynthesis and the most common transport sugar in plants.

Sucrose is a nonreducing disaccharide and is synthesised in the cytosol via the phosphorylated intermediate, sucrose‐6′‐phosphate.

In leaves, the rate of sucrose synthesis is tightly coordinated with the rates of photosynthetic carbon dioxide fixation and starch synthesis in the chloroplasts.

Sucrose is transported from leaves via the phloem, to provide the rest of the plant with carbon and energy for growth and storage product synthesis.

Sucrose is unloaded from the phloem in sink organs. It can be hydrolysed by cell wall invertases and imported into the cells as hexose sugars, or taken up intact and metabolised by intracellular invertases or sucrose synthase.

Fructans are soluble polymers of fructose found in about 15% of all flowering plants. Dicotyledonous plants generally make inulin‐type fructans, whereas monocotyledonous plants also make levan, inulin neoseries, levan neoseries and mixed levan (graminan)‐type fructans.

Fructans are synthesised from sucrose via trisaccharide intermediates – 1‐kestose, 6‐kestose or 6G‐kestose – by various fructosyltransferases in the vacuole.

Trehalose is a nonreducing disaccharide found in many bacteria, archaea, invertebrates and fungi, and is often used as a stress protectant, compatible solute, storage reserve or transport sugar.

Trehalose metabolism is ubiquitous in plants, and essential for their normal growth and development, but most flowering plants accumulate only trace amounts of trehalose.

Trehalose‐6‐phosphate, the intermediate of trehalose synthesis, is a signal of sucrose availability in plants, regulating photoassimilate partitioning in leaves and the utilisation of sucrose in sink organs.
Combination Therapy in Cancer
Authors: Liu Wai M , Scott Katherine A , Dalgleish Angus G
Published: April 2016

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of treatment approaches that can be used to manage patients with cancer. They range from those that are conventionally cytotoxic in nature to those that have been specifically designed with a particular target in mind. Although these ‘intelligent’ drugs successfully perform their intended function, their action can be more diverse than first anticipated. This is often the case with more conventional chemotherapies, where secondary effects are overlooked as the focus is rightly on the principal effect. For example, in addition to its more classic cytotoxic effect, gemcitabine is capable of increasing the antigenicity of tumours, causing them to become more visible to the immune system. It is this continued search for novel ways to exploit drugs that are already available that will increase the pool of treatment options available to patients.

Key Concepts

Pairing up treatment modalities can enhance the overall effect of each drug.

Certain immune therapies support chemotherapy.

Targeting multiple signalling pathways in cancer cells can improve overall activity.

Altering the tumour phenotype to restore visibility to the immune system can be achieved through the use of certain chemotherapy.

The sequence that drugs are given can affect overall drug combination efficacy.
Genetics of Human Zinc Deficiencies
Authors: Hogstrand Christer , Maret Wolfgang
Published: April 2016

The numerous mutations in two families of human zinc transporters (SLC30, 10 ZNT proteins and SLC39, 14 ZIP proteins) indicate that the inherited diseases established for ZIP4 (acrodermatitis enteropathica), ZIP13 (spondylocheirodysplastic Ehlers–Danlos syndrome), ZNT2 (transient neonatal zinc deficiency) and ZNT10 (manganism) signify an emerging field that is important for a wide variety of diseases. Discoveries also impact nutrition and toxicology as differences in requirements for zinc and sensitivities towards an excess of zinc are genetically determined. The spectrum of mutations leads to phenotypes of different severity and risk factors for diseases. Some mutations are rare but others such as the ones in ZNT2 and ZNT8 (the latter associated with diabetes risk) are important for the health of majorities in populations. Inherited diseases of zinc metabolism are also due to mutations in other genes. As metal ions interact and their concentrations are balanced, mutations affect the metabolism of metals ions other than zinc as already shown for manganese, iron and toxic metal ions such as cadmium.

Key Concepts

Zinc is involved in virtually all biological processes.

Zinc transporters, metallothioneins and other proteins are involved in inherited diseases of zinc metabolism with a large spectrum of phenotypes.

Two members of the human zinc transporter family ZNT (SLC30) have mutations that lead to inherited diseases: ZNT2 (transient neonatal zinc deficiency) and ZNT10 (manganism) – the list is likely to grow.

Two members of the human zinc transporter family ZIP (SLC39) have mutations that lead to inherited diseases: ZIP4 (acrodermatitis enteropathica) and ZIP13 (spondylocheirodysplastic Ehlers–Danlos syndrome) – the list is likely to grow.

Genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) reveal relationships between zinc transporters and a wide range of diseases.

Some associations between zinc transporters and diseases affect large fractions of populations.

Mutations in bona fide zinc transporters affect the metabolism of other metal ions and possibly other trace elements, for example, selenium.
Epigenetic Mechanisms in Lynch Syndrome
Authors: Nieminen Taina T , Niskakoski Anni , Peltomäki Päivi
Published: April 2016

Lynch syndrome (LS) has been known for a century. The syndrome was originally recognised as a dominant predisposition to cancers of multiple organs, including those of the gastrointestinal tract and female reproductive organs. In 1993–1995, LS was linked to germline mutations in DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) mismatch repair (MMR) genes
MLH1
,
MSH2
,
MSH6
and
PMS2
. Soon thereafter, promoter methylation as an alternative mechanism of DNA MMR gene inactivation was discovered. Such ‘epigenetic mutations’ (epimutations) may be somatic (e.g. biallelic methylation of
MLH1
in sporadic microsatellite‐unstable cancers) or constitutional (monoallelic methylation of
MLH1
or
MSH2
in normal tissue, involving cells derived from all three germ layers and causing predisposition to LS cancers). To date, epigenetic mechanisms are known to operate at all stages of LS tumourigenesis, from constitutional predisposition to cancer initiation and progression, and involve DNA MMR genes as well as multiple other growth‐regulatory genes. This review discusses the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of LS and more broadly, LS as a model of epigenetic mechanisms underlying common human cancers.

Key Concepts

Lynch syndrome (LS) is caused by mutations in one of the DNA mismatch repair genes;
MLH1
,
MSH2
,
MSH6
or
PMS2
.

DNA methylation, miRNAs and histone modifications are involved in epigenetic regulation of MMR genes.

Epigenetic regulation has been linked to constitutional predisposition, cancer initiation and progression in LS.

MLH1
gene may be constitutionally affected by primary epimutation (has no known genetic basis and is usually not inherited) or secondary epimutation (associated with genetic
cis
‐ or
trans
‐acting alteration, which can be transmitted to offspring).

EPCAM
deletions may induce secondary epimutations of the
MSH2
gene.

MMR genes typically, but not always, require two hit inactivation for tumour initiation.

LS spectrum tumours have epigenetic profiles characteristic of tumour type.

Environmental factors interact with genetic and epigenetic factors, influencing LS phenotype.
Cancer Evolution
Authors: Wu Joseph H
Published: April 2016

Cancer is an evolutionary process of somatic cellular selection. Genetic and epigenetic alterations in tumour cell populations generate the heritable variation on which natural selection can act. The multistep process of carcinogenesis can be rationalised as the acquisition of functional traits that enable incipient cancer cells to achieve replicative success and, eventually, immortality in a tumour microenvironment. Evolution explains why cancer exists, as it is a natural consequence of selection at the cellular level, despite being harmful at the organismic level. Evolution also explains why cancer therapy fails. Therapeutic intervention may eradicate many cancer cells, but this also inadvertently clears the ecological niche and positively selects for the expansion of resistant cells. New applications of evolutionary biology, ecological theory and multilevel selection theory are deepening our understanding of cancer progression. An evolutionary perspective of cancer also offers novel prevention and treatment strategies for cancer.

Key Concepts

Cancer is a process of somatic selection in which variant cells acquire fitness advantages in a tumour microenvironment.

The hallmark capabilities of cancer cells can be understood as functional adaptations that confer a reproductive advantage over normal cells.

Tumours are heterogeneous populations of cells. A high amount of cancer heterogeneity is associated with an increased rate of cancer progression and a negative prognostic factor for treatment.

The tumour microenvironment plays a key role in cancer suppression.

The availability of resources in a tumour microenvironment can influence cancer development, invasion and metastasis.

Cancer is an example of natural selection acting in opposing directions at different levels of the biological hierarchy – an increased fitness of the cancer cell is correlated with a decreased fitness of the host organism.

Evolutionary medicine offers reasons for why our bodies remain vulnerable to cancer despite years of evolving powerful mechanisms for suppressing the development of cancer.

The application of evolutionary thinking to cancer biology is offering fresh insights on new therapeutic strategies.
Reading Without Words: Eye Movements in the Comprehension of Comic Strips
Authors: Foulsham Tom , Wybrow Dean , Cohn Neil
Published: April 2016

The study of attention in pictures is mostly limited to individual images. When we ‘read’ a visual narrative (e.g., a comic strip), the pictures have a coherent sequence, but it is not known how this affects attention. In two experiments, we eyetracked participants in order to investigate how disrupting the visual sequence of a comic strip would affect attention. Both when panels were presented one at a time (Experiment 1) and when a sequence was presented all together (Experiment 2), pictures were understood more quickly and with fewer fixations when in their original order. When order was randomised, the same pictures required more attention and additional ‘regressions’. Fixation distributions also differed when the narrative was intact, showing that context affects where we look. This reveals the role of top‐down structures when we attend to pictorial information, as well as providing a springboard for applied research into attention within image sequences.Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design of Multistimuli Responsive Hydrogels Using Integrated Modeling and Genetically Engineered Silk–Elastin‐Like Proteins
Authors: Huang Wenwen , Tarakanova Anna , Dinjaski Nina , Wang Qin , Xia Xiaoxia , Chen Ying , Wong Joyce Y. , Buehler Markus J. , Kaplan David L.
Published: April 2016

Elastomeric, robust, and biocompatible hydrogels are rare, while the need for these types of biomaterials in biomedical‐related uses remains high. Here, a new family of genetically engineered silk–elastin‐like proteins (SELPs) with encoded enzymatic crosslinking sites is developed for a new generation of stimuli‐responsive yet robust hydrogels. Input into the designs is guided by simulation and realized via genetic engineering strategies. The avoidance of gamma irradiation or chemical crosslinking during gel fabrication, in lieu of an enzymatic process, expands the versatility of these new gels for the incorporation of labile proteins and cells. In the present study, the new SELP hydrogels offer sequence‐dependent, reversible stimuli‐responsive features. Their stiffness covers almost the full range of the elasticity of soft tissues. Further, physical modification of the silk domains provides a secondary control point to fine‐tune mechanical stiffness while preserving stimuli‐responsive features, with implications for a variety of biomedical material and device needs.
Recent Progress in Self‐Supported Metal Oxide Nanoarray Electrodes for Advanced Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Feng , Qi Limin
Published: April 2016

The rational design and fabrication of electrode materials with desirable architectures and optimized properties has been demonstrated to be an effective approach towards high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Although nanostructured metal oxide electrodes with high specific capacity have been regarded as the most promising alternatives for replacing commercial electrodes in LIBs, their further developments are still faced with several challenges such as poor cycling stability and unsatisfying rate performance. As a new class of binder‐free electrodes for LIBs, self‐supported metal oxide nanoarray electrodes have many advantageous features in terms of high specific surface area, fast electron transport, improved charge transfer efficiency, and free space for alleviating volume expansion and preventing severe aggregation, holding great potential to solve the mentioned problems. This review highlights the recent progress in the utilization of self‐supported metal oxide nanoarrays grown on 2D planar and 3D porous substrates, such as 1D and 2D nanostructure arrays, hierarchical nanostructure arrays, and heterostructured nanoarrays, as anodes and cathodes for advanced LIBs. Furthermore, the potential applications of these binder‐free nanoarray electrodes for practical LIBs in full‐cell configuration are outlined. Finally, the future prospects of these self‐supported nanoarray electrodes are discussed.
Asymmetry Price Transmission in the Deregulated Rice Markets in Bangladesh: Asymmetric Error Correction Model
Authors: Alam Mohammad Jahangir , McKenzie Andrew M. , Begum Ismat Ara , Buysse Jeroen , Wailes Eric J. , Van Huylenbroeck Guido
Published: April 2016

There is a widely held belief among public consumers that rice prices are manipulated in Bangladesh. This manipulation may have led to price asymmetry in the vertical chain of Bangladesh rice markets. This paper is an attempt to investigate the existence of asymmetry between wholesale and retail rice prices in Bangladesh. Maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) based cointegration test was applied to determine long‐run equilibrium relationship. We examine whether the wholesale market dominates the retail market—in terms of price discovery and price leadership—or vice versa. Finally, we analyze whether the wholesale‐retail price relationship is asymmetric with respect to price increases and price decreases. To test the asymmetric price transmission we used the asymmetric error correction‐EG approach. Our results show that wholesale and retail prices are cointegrated, and wholesale market plays a leadership role in determining retail prices, which is in line with industrial organization theory. Our results confirm the fear and concerns of consumers about the existence of price asymmetry. [JEL Classification: Q110; Q113].
Improvements in psychological dysfunction after endoscopic sinus surgery for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Levy Joshua M. , Mace Jess C. , DeConde Adam S. , Steele Toby O. , Smith Timothy L.
Published: April 2016

Background

Psychological dysfunction is highly prevalent among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Previous study has identified various measures of anxiety and depression as predictors of quality‐of‐life outcomes following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Psychological dysfunction scores, as measured by the 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22), have been found to influence treatment decision making in CRS. This study aims to further elucidate improvement in discrete psychological symptoms following ESS for CRS.

Methods

Adult patients with medically recalcitrant CRS electing to undergo ESS were prospectively enrolled into a multi‐institutional, observational cohort. Psychological‐related symptom severity and postoperative outcomes were assessed using psychological domain items of the SNOT‐22, including subgroup analysis of patients with and without comorbid depression.

Results

A total of 374 participants met inclusion criteria and were followed postoperatively for a mean ± standard deviation (SD) of 14.6 ± 5.0 months. Total mean psychological domain scores improved from 15.9 ± 8.2 to 8.5 ± 8.4 (p < 0.001). Significant relative mean improvements were reported in “waking up tired” (23%; p < 0.001), “fatigue” (25%; p < 0.001), “reduced productivity” (28%; p < 0.001), “reduced concentration” (27%; p < 0.001), “ frustrated/restless/irritable” (27%; p < 0.001), “sad” (15%; p < 0.001), and “embarrassed” (8%; p < 0.001) scores. A total of 64% to 66% of participants reported improvement in “reduced productivity,” “waking up tired,” “fatigue,” and “frustrated/restless/irritable,” compared to 46% and 38% reporting improvement in “sad” and “embarrassed,” respectively.

Conclusion

Patients with CRS report significant improvement in common mental health–related symptoms following ESS. Despite these improvements, some degree of persistent postoperative psychological dysfunction was reported. Further study is necessary to determine which factors are associated with persistent psychological dysfunction after ESS in order to optimize treatment outcomes.
Inserting CO2 into Aryl C−H Bonds of Metal–Organic Frameworks: CO2 Utilization for Direct Heterogeneous C−H Activation
Authors: Gao Wen‐Yang , Wu Haifan , Leng Kunyue , Sun Yinyong , Ma Shengqian
Published: April 2016

Described for the first time is that carbon dioxide (CO2) can be successfully inserted into aryl C−H bonds of the backbone of a metal–organic framework (MOF) to generate free carboxylate groups, which serve as Brønsted acid sites for efficiently catalyzing the methanolysis of epoxides. The work delineates the very first example of utilizing CO2 for heterogeneous C−H activation and carboxylation reactions on MOFs, and opens a new avenue for CO2 chemical transformations under mild reaction conditions.
A Sulfur Heterocyclic Quinone Cathode and a Multifunctional Binder for a High‐Performance Rechargeable Lithium‐Ion Battery
Authors: Ma Ting , Zhao Qing , Wang Jianbin , Pan Zeng , Chen Jun
Published: April 2016

We report a rational design of a sulfur heterocyclic quinone (dibenzo[b,i]thianthrene‐5,7,12,14‐tetraone=DTT) used as a cathode (uptake of four lithium ions to form Li4DTT) and a conductive polymer [poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)=PEDOT:PSS) used as a binder for a high‐performance rechargeable lithium‐ion battery. Because of the reduced energy level of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) caused by the introduced S atoms, the initial Li‐ion intercalation potential of DTT is 2.89 V, which is 0.3 V higher than that of its carbon analog. Meanwhile, there is a noncovalent interaction between DTT and PEDOT:PSS, which remarkably suppressed the dissolution and enhanced the conductivity of DTT, thus leading to the great improvement of the electrochemical performance. The DTT cathode with the PEDOT:PSS binder displays a long‐term cycling stability (292 mAh g−1 for the first cycle, 266 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.1 C) and a high rate capability (220 mAh g−1 at 1 C). This design strategy based on a noncovalent interaction is very effective for the application of small organic molecules as the cathode of rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Carbene Insertion into C(sp3)−H Bonds
Authors: Solé Daniel , Mariani Francesco , Bennasar M.‐Lluïsa , Fernández Israel
Published: April 2016

A palladium‐catalyzed carbene insertion into C(sp3)−H bonds leading to pyrrolidines was developed. The coupling reaction can be catalyzed by both Pd0 and PdII, is regioselective, and shows a broad functional group tolerance. This reaction is the first example of palladium‐catalyzed C(sp3)−C(sp3) bond assembly starting from diazocarbonyl compounds. DFT calculations revealed that this direct C(sp3)−H bond functionalization reaction involves an unprecedented concerted metalation–deprotonation step.
The Influence of Elastic Strain on Catalytic Activity in the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Yan Kai , Maark Tuhina Adit , Khorshidi Alireza , Sethuraman Vijay A. , Peterson Andrew A. , Guduru Pradeep R.
Published: April 2016

Understanding the role of elastic strain in modifying catalytic reaction rates is crucial for catalyst design, but experimentally, this effect is often coupled with a ligand effect. To isolate the strain effect, we have investigated the influence of externally applied elastic strain on the catalytic activity of metal films in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). We show that elastic strain tunes the catalytic activity in a controlled and predictable way. Both theory and experiment show strain controls reactivity in a controlled manner consistent with the qualitative predictions of the HER volcano plot and the d‐band theory: Ni and Pt's activities were accelerated by compression, while Cu's activity was accelerated by tension. By isolating the elastic strain effect from the ligand effect, this study provides a greater insight into the role of elastic strain in controlling electrocatalytic activity.
Bioorthogonally Functionalized NAD+ Analogues for In‐Cell Visualization of Poly(ADP‐Ribose) Formation
Authors: Wallrodt Sarah , Buntz Annette , Wang Yan , Zumbusch Andreas , Marx Andreas
Published: April 2016

Poly(ADP‐ribos)ylation (PARylation) is a major posttranslational modification and signaling event in most eukaryotes. Fundamental processes like DNA repair and transcription are coordinated by this transient polymer and its binding to proteins. ADP‐ribosyltransferases (ARTs) build complex ADP‐ribose chains from NAD+ onto various acceptor proteins. Molecular studies of PARylation thus remain challenging. Herein, we present the development of bioorthogonally functionalized NAD+ analogues for the imaging of PARylation in vitro and in cells. Our results show that 2‐modified NAD+ analogues perform remarkably well and can be applied to the in‐cell visualization of PARylation simultaneously in two colors. This tool gives insight into the substrate scope of ARTs and will help to further elucidate the biological role of PARylation by offering fast optical, multichannel read‐outs.
A Powerful CRISPR/Cas9‐Based Method for Targeted Transcriptional Activation
Authors: Katayama Shota , Moriguchi Tetsuo , Ohtsu Naoki , Kondo Toru
Published: April 2016

Targeted transcriptional activation of endogenous genes is important for understanding physiological transcriptional networks, synthesizing genetic circuits, and inducing cellular phenotype changes. The CRISPR/Cas9 system has great potential to achieve this purpose, however, it has not yet been successfully used to efficiently activate endogenous genes and induce changes in cellular phenotype. A powerful method for transcriptional activation by using CRISPR/Cas9 was developed. Replacement of a methylated promoter with an unmethylated one by CRISPR/Cas9 was sufficient to activate the expression of the neural cell gene OLIG2 and the embryonic stem cell gene NANOG in HEK293T cells. Moreover, CRISPR/Cas9‐based OLIG2 activation induced the embryonic carcinoma cell line NTERA‐2 to express the neuronal marker βIII‐tubulin.
Aromaticity Reversal in the Lowest Excited Triplet State of Archetypical Möbius Heteroannulenic Systems
Authors: Oh Juwon , Sung Young Mo , Kim Woojae , Mori Shigeki , Osuka Atsuhiro , Kim Dongho
Published: April 2016

The aromaticity reversal in the lowest triplet state (T1) of a comparable set of Hückel/Möbius aromatic metalated expanded porphyrins was explored by optical spectroscopy and quantum calculations. In the absorption spectra, the T1 states of the Möbius aromatic species showed broad, weak, and ill‐defined spectral features with small extinction coefficients, which is in line with typical antiaromatic expanded porphyrins. In combination with quantum calculations, these results indicate that the Möbius aromatic nature of the S0 state is reversed to Möbius antiaromaticity in the T1 state. This is the first experimental observation of aromaticity reversal in the T1 state of Möbius aromatic molecules.
Oxidation of ethylbenzene to styrene oxide in the presence of cellulose‐supported Pd magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Keshipour Sajjad , Kalam Khalteh Nastaran
Published: April 2016

Palladium and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were deposited on N‐(2‐aminoethyl)acetamide‐functionalized cellulose for use in a catalytic reaction. The catalyst was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis and transmission electron microscopy, and applied in the oxidation reaction of ethylbenzene at 100 °C using H2O2. Styrene oxide was obtained as the sole product of the oxidation reaction during 24 h. This reaction has some advantages such as one‐pot transformation of ethylbenzene to styrene oxide, high yield, excellent selectivity and magnetically recoverable catalyst. Also, the recovered catalyst could be used in the oxidation reaction four times without decrease in yield. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Properties and preparation of olefin block copolymer/thermoplastic polyurethane blends
Authors: Chen Wen‐Chih , Lai Sun‐Mou , Liao Zong‐Ching
Published: April 2016

The properties of olefin block copolymer (OBC)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) blends with or without maleic anhydride (MA) modification were characterized and compared. Compared with the OBC/TPU blends, OBC‐g‐MA/TPU blends displayed finer morphology and reduced domain size in the dispersed phase. The crystallization temperatures of TPU decreased significantly from 155.9 °C (OBC/TPU) to 117.5 °C (OBC‐g‐MA/TPU) at low TPU composition in the blends, indicating the inhibition of crystallization through the sufficient interaction of modified OBC with TPU composition. The modified systems showed higher thermal stability than the unmodified systems over the investigated temperature range due to the enhanced interaction through inter‐bonding. The highest improvement in tensile strength was more than fivefold for OBC‐g‐MA/TPU (50/50) in comparison with its unmodified blend via the enhanced interfacial interaction between OBC‐g‐MA and TPU. This also led to the highest Young's modulus of 77.8 ± 3.9 MPa, about twofold increase, among the investigated blend systems. A corresponding improvement on the ductility was also observed for modified blends. The modification did not vary the glass transition temperature and crystalline structure much, thus the improvement in the mechanical properties was mainly attributed to the improved compatibility and interaction from the compatibilization effect as well as increased viscosity from the crosslinking effect for modified blends. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43703.
Novel biocomposites based on wheat gluten and rubber wood sawdust
Authors: Bootklad Munlika , Chantarak Sirinya , Kaewtatip Kaewta
Published: April 2016

Rubber wood sawdust (RWS) was used as a reinforcement for wheat gluten based bioplastics. The RWS content was varied from 0, 5, 10, 15–20 wt %. Effects of the RWS content on the morphology, water absorption, mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation properties of the wheat gluten based bioplastic were investigated. An addition of RWS caused an improvement of the tensile strength and water resistance of the wheat gluten based bioplastics. Scanning electron micrograph of the wheat gluten/RWS composites with a 10 wt % of RWS revealed a good dispersion and uniform embedding of the RWS within the wheat gluten matrix. Agglomeration of RWS was observed when the RWS loads were increased (15 and 20 wt %). The biodegradation process of the composites depended on the amount of RWS. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43705.
A polypropylene/high density polyethylene blend compatibilized with an ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer block copolymer: Fitting dynamic rheological data by emulsion models with a physical scheme
Authors: Liao Hua‐Yong , Tao Guo‐Liang , Liu Chun‐Lin , Gong Fang‐Hong
Published: April 2016

The dynamic rheological behaviors at 210, 230, and 250 °C are measured by small amplitude oscillatory shear on a rotational rheometer for a polypropylene(PP)/ ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer(EPDM) block copolymer/ high density polyethylene (HDPE)/blend. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) photomicrographs show the blend has a droplet/matrix, semi‐co‐continuous, co‐continuous morphology respectively at different weight ratios. The Cole–Cole (G″ vs. G′) data of the blends can be fitted by the simplified Palierne's model only for very narrow weight ratios. A physical scheme is proposed that the dispersed droplets are enclosed by EPDM, thus an equivalent dispersed phase is made up of “expanded” EPDM. With this physical scheme the G″ vs. G′ data of the HDPE‐rich blends at 210 °C can be fitted well by Palierne's model. Also with the physical scheme the G″ vs. G′ data of the PP‐rich blends at three temperatures can be fitted well by G–M's model with G* of interface equals to zero. This means the proposed physical scheme is reasonable. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43709.
Ultrafine fly ash as a reinforcing filler in poly(lactic acid) matrix
Authors: Xue Bai , Bao Jianjun , Zhang Junhua
Published: April 2016

Fly ash, inexpensive and not eco‐friendly material, is the residue from the coal burning in thermal power stations. If ways can be found to use it, it will facilitate applications for the ash materials and simultaneously reduce the pollution. In this study, silane‐grafted ultrafine fly ash (S‐UFA) was used as a reinforcing filler in poly(lactic acid) (PLA) to prepare a series of PLA/S‐UFA composites. The tensile strength of PLA/S‐UFA composites increases with the increase of S‐UFA content when less than 20 wt %; after a loading fraction greater than 30 wt %, the tensile strength of the composites decreases with the increasing S‐UFA weight fraction. The morphology of PLA/S‐UFA composites was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was applied to investigate the crystal structure of S‐UFA and the composites. The thermal properties of these composites were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The TGA results showed that the thermal stability of PLA/S‐UFA composites slightly decreased with the increasing S‐UFA loading fraction. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43716.
Vom Bakterium zum Kollektiv
Authors: Kleiner Diethelm
Published: April 2016

Viele, wenn nicht die meisten Bakterienarten können in individueller (planktonischer) oder kollektiver Daseinsform existieren. Der Übergang zum Kollektiv wird meist durch externe Faktoren bewirkt. Schwärme ermöglichen die effektivere Besiedlung neuer Nischen, der Aufbau von Biofilmen und besseren Schutz vor Giften und Fressfeinden. Das Fehlen bestimmter Nährstoffe zwingt zu kollektiven Überlebensstrategien wie Bildung von Sporen, Fruchtkörpern oder Heterocysten. Pathogene Bakterien können durch synchrone Ausschüttung von Virulenzfaktoren die Abwehrmechanismen des Wirtes unterlaufen. Der Übergang zur kollektiven Lebensform ist von einem bestimmten “Punkt ohne Wiederkehr” ab irreversibel. Dafür sind autokatalytische Regelkreise verantwortlich.
Aquakultur – quo vadis?!
Authors: Palm Harry W. , Bischoff Adrian A.
Published: April 2016

Aquakultur umfasst mehr als reine Fischzucht und ist ein weltweit wichtiger Sektor der Lebensmittelproduktion. Durch die Weiterentwicklung der Produktionssysteme sowie der eingesetzten Stoffe kann negativer Einfluss auf die Umwelt gesteuert und minimiert werden. Hierzu zählen unter anderem der Wasserverbrauch und die Nährstoffeffizienz in den Produktionssystemen und folglich auch die Stoffabgabe aus den Produktionssystemen. Durch eine Optimierung der Kulturbedingungen der Organismen verbessern sich das Tierwohl, die Krankheitsanfälligkeit, die Produktqualität und konsequenterweise die Wirtschaftlichkeit von Aquakultursystemen. Nicht zu vernachlässigen sind dabei das öffentliche Meinungsbild und das Verbraucherverhalten, welches erst neue Marktchancen eröffnet, und damit das globale Ziel einer ökologisch und ökonomisch nachhaltigen Aquakultur beflügelt.
RNA‐Schalter für das alternative Spleißen beim Seidenspinner
Authors: Kronberg Inge
Published: April 2016

Eine genetische Geschlechtsbestimmung wurde im Tierreich mehrfach unabhängig voneinander entwickelt. Anders als das verbreitete XX/XY‐Schema bei Säugern folgen Schmetterlinge einem ZW/ZZ‐Muster. Der domestizierte Seidenspinner dient als Modell für die Aufklärung der genetischen Hintergründe der Geschlechtsbestimmung beim Schmetterling.
β‐Actin protein expression differs in the submandibular glands of male and female mice
Authors: Chen Gang , Zou Ye , Zhang Xuan , Xu Lingfei , Hu Qiaoyun , Li Ting , Yao Chenjuan , Yu Shali , Wang Xiaoke , Wang Chun
Published: April 2016

β‐actin, a cytoskeletal protein, is the most widely used housekeeping gene. Although housekeeping genes are expressed in all tissues, the β‐actin gene is expressed in certain cell types because of differential binding of transcriptional factors to the regulatory elements of the gene. The expression and localization of β‐actin protein in the submandibular glands (SMG) of mice were investigated in this study, using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. In ICR and C57BL/6J mice, the levels of β‐actin protein in the SMG of females are significantly higher than those in the SMG of males. β‐actin protein is majorly distributed in acinar cells of SMG. There is no significant difference in the expression level of β‐actin protein between females and castrated males. After castrated male ICR mice are treated with 10 mg/kg/day testosterone propionate (TP) for 3 weeks, the levels of β‐actin protein in SMG decrease. The numbers of duct per unit area increase, whereas the numbers of acinus per unit area decrease after TP administration. These data suggest that β‐actin protein is mainly distributed in acinar cells of SMG and results in a marked sexual dimorphism in mice.
Anion‐Directed Copper(II) Metallocages, Coordination Chain, and Complex Double Salt: Structures, Magnetic Properties, EPR Spectra, and Density Functional Study
Authors: Wu Jing‐Yun , Zhong Ming‐Shiou , Chiang Ming‐Hsi , Bhattacharya Dibyendu , Lee Yen‐Wei , Lai Long‐Li
Published: April 2016

A series of CuII metallo‐assemblies showing anion‐directed structural variations, including five metallocages [(Gn−)⊂{Cu2(Hdpma)4}](8−n)+(A−)8−n (Gn−=NO3−, ClO4−, SiF62−, BF4−, SO42−; A−=NO3−, ClO4−, BF4−, CH3SO4−; Hdpma=bis(3‐pyridylmethyl)ammonium cation), a complex double salt, namely, (H3dpma)4(CuCl4)5Cl2, and a coordination chain, namely, [Cu2(dpma)(OAc)4], are reported. The influence of the anion can be explained by its coordinating ability, the affinity of which for the CuII center interferes significantly with metallocage formation, and its shape, which offers host–guest recognition ability to engage in weak metal–anion coordination and hydrogen bonding to the organic ligand, which are responsible for metallocage templation. EPR studies of these metallocages in the powder phase at room temperature and 77 K showed a trend of the g values (g||>2.10>g⊥>2.00) indicating a
‐based ground state with square‐pyramidal geometry for the CuII centers. The magnetism of these metallocages can be interpreted as the result of a combination of relatively small magnetic coupling integrals and a substantial contribution of temperature‐independent paramagnetism (TIP). The weak magnetic interaction is corroborated by the results of DFT calculations and the EPR spectra. Availability of the low‐lying state for spin population was confirmed by a magnetization study, which revealed a magnetic moment approaching 2Nβ, which would explain the presence of the larger TIP term.
ChemInform Abstract: AN INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE BASIC CHARACTER IN NITROGEN TRIFLUORIDE BY VAPOR PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS ON THE SYSTEMS NITROGEN TRIFLUORIDE‐BORON TRIFLUORIDE AND ‐HYDROGEN CHLORIDE
Authors: ALDERSLEY S. C. , CALADO J. C. G. , STAVELEY L. A. K.
Published: April 2016

Die Dampfdrücke der flüssigen Titelgemische werden bei 158.95 K (Tripelpunkt von HCl) als Funktion der Zusammensetzung gemessen.
ChemInform Abstract: PHASE DIAGRAM OF THE SYSTEM A(I)‐B(V)‐C(VI). II. TERNARY SYSTEM SODIUM‐TIN‐SELENIUM
Authors: SALOV A. V. , LAZAREV V. B. , SHAPLYGIN I. S.
Published: April 2016

Anhand von DTA‐ und Röntgen‐Daten in den Bereichen NaSb ‐ Se, Na2Se4 ‐ Sb und Na0.22Se0.78Sb sowie dem bereits früher untersuchten Bereich Na2Se ‐ Sb2Se3 wird die Liquidusoberfläche des Titelsystems konstruiert.
ChemInform Abstract: FLAME INHIBITION BY POTASSIUM
Authors: JENSEN D. E. , JONES G. A. , MACE A. C. H.
Published: April 2016

Die durch Zusatz von K in Molenbrüchen von ⩽10‐3 zu Brennstoff‐reichen, vorgemischten (Wasserstoff + Sauerstoff + Stickstoff)‐ Flammen bei 1 at verursachte Beschleunigung der H‐ und OH‐Radikalrekombination wird flammenphotometrisch gemessen.
ChemInform Abstract: CHARACTERIZATION OF ELECTROOXIDATION CATALYSTS PREPARED BY ION‐EXCHANGE OF PLATINUM SALTS WITH SURFACE OXIDE GROUPS ON CARBON
Authors: LOWDE D. R. , WILLIAMS J. O. , ATTWOOD P. A. , BIRD R. J. , MCNICOL B. D. , SHORT R. T.
Published: April 2016

Durch Kombination titrimetrischer, cyclisch voltammetrischer sowie photoelektronenspektroskopischer Methoden läßt sich zeigen, daß die oxidischen, auf Kohlenstoffaser‐Papierelektroden gebildeten Oberflächengruppen vorherrschend schwach sauer sind und im Charakter phenolischen OH‐Gruppen ähneln.
ChemInform Abstract: PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF THE COMPOUND (ASFSEO4)N
Authors: TOUZIN J. , MITACEK L.
Published: April 2016

AsF3 (I) und SeO3 (II) reagieren während einiger Tage ohne Lösungsmittel zu einer kristallinen, weißen Substanz (III), die sich nach einigen Wochen bei Raumtemp. partiell in eine zweite kristalline Substanz (IV) gleicher Zusammensetzung, jedoch unterschiedlicher physikalisch‐chemischer Eigenschaften umwandelt.
ChemInform Abstract: DIOXOURANIUM(VI) CARBONATE COMPLEXES IN ACID SOLUTION
Authors: CIAVATTA L. , FERRI D. , GRIMALDI M. , PALOMBARI R. , SALVATORE F.
Published: April 2016

Die Gleichgewichte zwischen UO22+ und CO32‐‐Ionen in sauren Lösungen (log[H+] >‐5) werden bei 25°C durch Messung der H‐Ionenkonzentration einer Reihe von CO2‐gesättigten (0.2‐0.97 at) UO22+‐perchloratlösungen ([U(VI)]: 2.5·10‐4‐0.01 M) mit einer Glaselektrode untersucht.
ChemInform Abstract: COUPLING OF ACETYLENES HELD PROXIMATE TO A METAL: ALKYNE‐ALKYNE INTERACTIONS IN CIS‐PHOSPHINOACETYLENE COMPLEXES
Authors: CARTY A. J. , TAYLOR N. J. , JOHNSON D. K.
Published: April 2016

Der aus cis‐Dichlorocyclooctadien‐Pt mit Diphenylphosphino‐phenylacetylen gebildete cis‐Pt‐Komplex (Ia), seine durch Metathese erhaltenen Derivate (Ib) sowie der direkt aus Pd(II)‐chlorid und dem Ligand gewonnene Pd‐Komplex (Ic) lagern sich aufgrund der benachbarten Acetylengruppen thermisch zu den cis‐Bis‐[diphenylphosphino]‐naphthalin‐Komplexen (II) um.
ChemInform Abstract: NEW POLYCYCLIC PHOSPHINES AND ARSINES: P11(SIME3)3 AND AS7(SIME3)3
Authors: VON SCHNERING H. G. , FENSKE D. , HOENLE W. , BINNEWIES M. , PETERS K.
Published: April 2016

Die Behandlung von in sauerstofffreiem Toluol suspendiertem Na3P11 oder Cs3P11 mit Chlorotrimethylsilan führt unter Erhitzen zu der Titelverbindung (I).
ChemInform Abstract: AN UNEXPECTED BLUE SHIFT CAUSED BY DIFFERENTIAL SOLVATION OF A CHROMOPHORE ORIENTED IN A LIPID BILAYER
Authors: LOEW L. M. , SIMPSON L. , HASSNER A. , ALEXANIAN V.
Published: April 2016

Der Chromophor (III) zeigt in Wasser, Ethanol, Butanol und wäßriger Na‐dodecylsulfat‐Lösung die erwartete UV‐Rotverschiebung, dagegen wird durch Lecithine eine merkliche Blauverschiebung induziert.
ChemInform Abstract: α,β‐UNSATURATED THIO COMPOUNDS. XI. REACTIONS IN THE PRESENCE OF TRIETHYLAMINE AND ACID PROPERTIES OF 3‐ARYLAMINO‐2‐ARYL‐1‐INDENETHIONES
Authors: TSETLIN YA. S. , USOV V. A. , KASHIK T. V. , PONOMAREVA S. M. , VORONKOV M. G.
Published: April 2016

Die Titelverbindungen (I) gehen unter der Einwirkung von Triethylamin in Acetonitril oder Ethylenchlorid in die tautomeren Aryliminothiole und weiter in kristalline Gemische von H‐Komplexen (II) mit salzartigen Verbindungen (III) über (IR‐Spektren).
ChemInform Abstract: ELECTROPHILIC SUBSTITUTION IN DIHYDROURACILS
Authors: SALISBURY S. A. , BROWN D. M.
Published: April 2016

Das Uridin (I) liefert mit Dimethylamin und Formaldehyd das Amin (II).
ChemInform Abstract: CYCLOPARAFFINS CONDENSED WITH HETEROCYCLIC RINGS. PART XXIX. ADDITION OF NUCLEOPHILIC REAGENTS TO PRODUCTS OF THE REACTION BETWEEN 1‐PYRROLIDINECYCLOALKENES AND 2,3‐BIS(BROMOMETHYL)QUINOXALINE OR O‐XYLYLENE DIBROMIDE
Authors: HAHN W. E. , JATCZAK M.
Published: April 2016

Die Bis‐brommethyl‐Aromaten (I) werden mit den Enaminen (II) zu den Bicycloalkenonen (III) umgesetzt (neben (IIIc) entsteht auch das Cyclopentaphenazin (IV) (8.5% Ausb.)), deren Reduktion mit NaBH4 bzw. Grignardierung mit den Agenzien (VI) stereoselektiv zu den syn‐Alkoholen (V) bzw. (VII) führt.
ChemInform Abstract: CYCLOADDITION OF KETENES WITH N‐FLUORENYLIDENEALKYLAMINE AND ‐ARYLAMINE OXIDES. SYNTHESIS OF SPIROOXAZOLIDINONES AND SPIROISOXAZOLIDINONES
Authors: ABOU‐GHARBIA M. A. , JOUILLIE M. M.
Published: April 2016

Durch Oxidation entsprechender Imine mit m‐Chlorperbenzoesäure erhält man die N‐Oxide (I) bzw. (II), die mit Ketenen zu spirocyclischen Addukten (III) oder (IV) reagieren.