bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contemporary Architecture Practice: Samsung Raemian Housing Masterplan, Haan River, Seoul, Korea
Authors: Jamelle Hina , Rahim Ali
Published: November 2015

In Seoul, the relentless uniformity of new speculative housing developments is such that it caused the mayor to intervene in 2009 by passing a law requiring differentiation. Hina Jamelle and Ali Rahim of Contemporary Architecture Practice (CAP) in New York describe the research and design work that they have undertaken for Samsung, Korea's largest construction company, to develop a cost‐effective and highly nuanced masterplan that embraces variation.
Growth Typologies, Localities and Defamiliarisation: Experiments with Artificial Urbanism in Sichuan, Guangzhou and Beijing
Authors: Huang Jeffrey
Published: November 2015

For the last 8 years, the Media × Design Lab at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has been engaged on research into ‘Artificial Urbanism’. Jeffrey Huang, Director of the lab, describes how generative computer codes and algorithms are employed in pursuit of an accelerated design process; with the aim of not only meeting the demands of rapid urbanisation, but also being responsive to the ecological and contextual conditions of a particular locality.
Rocker‐Lange Architects: Shanghai Lilong Tower Urbanism, Shanghai, China
Authors: Lange Christian J
Published: November 2015

In Shanghai, rapid urbanisation has made the high‐rise the predominant building type – supplanting traditional low‐rise row houses. Here Christian J Lange, founding partner of Rocker‐Lange Architects, based in Boston and Hong Kong, describes an alternative model for the generic housing tower. By employing a computational adaptable system, dense housing is created that recreates the courtyards and access lanes of the original city through an ingenious use of a podium.
Catalytic Urbanism: The Role of Customised Design Solutions in Delivering Transformational Urban Change
Authors: Eisenstein Elad
Published: November 2015

Elad Eisenstein is a Director at Arup, leading the firm's urban design and masterplanning practice from London. Here he describes how through a highly customised approach, ‘catalytic urbanism’, Arup is working internationally in cities undergoing rapid change in a manner that is tailored to both global and local forces – accounting for climate change, macroeconomics and mobility. This bespoke method is illustrated in three diverse contexts: in North London, Pretoria in South Africa and Wanzhuang in China.
Engineering Urban Complexity: Bespoke Integrated Design
Authors: May Rob
Published: November 2015

Rapid urbanisation across the globe and far‐reaching technological changes are transforming urban design. Building Information modelling (BIM) is combining 3D modelling techniques and the employment of rich datasets, which is eliding the gap between the disciplines of architecture and engineering. This is enabling the introduction of a new level of complexity in the modelling of cities and the simulation and testing of urban and environmental conditions. Rob May, an Associate Director at BuroHappold Engineering and the leader of the structures team in Beijing, reflects on the potential of complex bespoke processes for creative problem‐solving in the urban context.
Archi‐Union Architects, City of Breeze, Shenzhen Bay, Shenzhen, China
Authors: Yuan Philip F
Published: November 2015

What happens when ancient cultural practices are combined with the most current design technologies? Archi‐Union Architects used the opportunity of their entry to the 2014 Shenzhen Bay ‘Super City’ International Competition to develop a bespoke generational method that integrated feng shui with advanced environmental simulation techniques. Philip F Yuan, the founder and director of Archi‐Union Architects, who is Associate Professor in Architecture at Tongji University, Shanghai, here describes the City of Breeze project and the design methodology behind it.
Scratching under positive and negative arousal in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Neal Sarah J. , Caine Nancy G.
Published: November 2015

Scratching has been widely used as an indicator of anxiety in many primate species. However, a handful of studies have shown no change in scratching under anxiety‐provoking circumstances. In addition, the existing literature has investigated scratching only in relation to negative arousal (i.e., anxiety), even though anxiety and excitement (positive arousal) share important physiological and behavioral correlates, including increased heart rate, blood pressure, and locomotion. In the current study, we scored all instances of scratching in 11 outdoor‐housed captive common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) during three contexts that were intended to be negatively arousing and three contexts that were intended to be positively arousing during a baseline, manipulation, and post‐induction period. Summed across the three negative arousal contexts, the results showed that subjects exhibited significantly lower scratching rates during the manipulation than during either the baseline or post‐induction periods, and the pattern of means was the same for all three of those contexts. Under the three contexts of positive arousal, subjects exhibited different patterns of scratching rates during the manipulation periods (play = increases, foraging = decreases, food anticipation = no change). Data from the current study, and a close examination of data from studies showing no change in scratching under anxiety‐provoking circumstances, suggest that the anxiety–scratching relationship may be more complex than has been reported previously. Our results raise a potential concern about the unchallenged use of scratching as a behavioral indicator of anxiety in captive non‐human primates, with important implications for welfare and management of these species. Am. J. Primatol. 78:216–226, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The First Crystal Structure of a Reactive Dirhodium Carbene Complex and a Versatile Method for the Preparation of Gold Carbenes by Rhodium‐to‐Gold Transmetalation
Authors: Werlé Christophe , Goddard Richard , Fürstner Alois
Published: November 2015

The dirhodium carbene derived from bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)diazomethane and [Rh(tpa)4]⋅CH2Cl2 (tpa=triphenylacetate) was characterized by UV, IR, and NMR spectroscopy, HRMS, as well as by X‐ray diffraction. The isolated complex exhibits prototypical rhodium carbene reactivity in that it cyclopropanates 4‐methoxystyrene at low temperature. Experimental structural information on this important type of reactive intermediate is extremely scarce and thus serves as a reference point for mechanistic discussions of rhodium catalysis in general. Moreover, dirhodium carbenes are shown to undergo remarkably facile carbene transfer on treatment with [LAuNTf2] (L=phosphine). This formal transmetalation opens a valuable new entry into gold carbene complexes that cannot easily be made otherwise; three fully characterized representatives illustrate this aspect.
Photoinduced Bioorthogonal 1,3‐Dipolar Poly‐cycloaddition Promoted by Oxyanionic Substrates for Spatiotemporal Operation of Molecular Glues
Authors: Hatano Junichi , Okuro Kou , Aida Takuzo
Published: November 2015

PGluePZ, a pyrazoline (PZ)‐based fluorescent adhesive which can be generated spatiotemporally in living systems, was developed. Since PGluePZ carries many guanidinium ion (Gu+) pendants, it strongly adheres to various oxyanionic substrates through a multivalent salt‐bridge interaction. PGluePZ is given by bioorthogonal photopolymerization of a Gu+‐appended monomer (GlueTZ), bearing tetrazole (TZ) and olefinic termini. Upon exposure to UV light, GlueTZ transforms into a nitrileimine (NI) intermediate (GlueNI), which is eligible for 1,3‐dipolar polycycloaddition. However, GlueNI in aqueous media can concomitantly be deactivated into GlueWA by the addition of water, and the polymerization hardly occurs unless GlueNI is concentrated. We found that, even under high dilution, GlueNI is concentrated on oxyanionic substrates to a sufficient level for the polymerization, so that their surfaces can be point‐specifically functionalized with PGluePZ by the use of a focused beam of UV light.
Isolation and Structure Determination of a Missing Endohedral Fullerene La@C70 through In Situ Trifluoromethylation
Authors: Wang Zhiyong , Aoyagi Shinobu , Omachi Haruka , Kitaura Ryo , Shinohara Hisanori
Published: November 2015

D5h‐symmetric fullerene C70 (D5h‐C70) is one of the most abundant members of the fullerene family. One longstanding mystery in the field of fullerene chemistry is whether D5h‐C70 is capable of accommodating a rare‐earth metal atom to form an endohedral metallofullerene M@D5h‐C70, which would be expected to show novel electronic properties. The molecular structure of La@C70 remains unresolved since its discovery three decades ago because of its extremely high instability under ambient conditions and insolubility in organic solvents. Herein, we report the single‐crystal X‐ray structure of La@C70(CF3)3, which was obtained through in situ exohedral functionalization by means of trifluoromethylation. The X‐ray crystallographic study reveals that La@C70(CF3)3 is the first example of an endohedral rare‐earth fullerene based on D5h‐C70. The dramatically enhanced stability of La@C70(CF3)3 compared to La@C70 can be ascribed to trifluoromethylation‐induced bandgap enlargement.
Das Triboracyclopropenyl‐Dianion: der leichteste Hückel‐π‐Aromat aller Hauptgruppenelemente
Authors: Kupfer Thomas , Braunschweig Holger , Radacki Krzysztof
Published: November 2015

Hückel‐π‐Aromatizität wird üblicherweise bei kohlenstoffreichen Verbindungen beobachtet. Analoge Systeme mit kohlenstofffreien Grundgerüsten sind äußerst selten, wobei die bekannten Beispiele ausschließlich auf schwereren Elementen aufbauen. Wir konnten nun das Triboracyclopropenyl‐Dianion synthetisieren, ein Bor‐basiertes Analogon des klassischen Cyclopropenyl‐Kations, das zu den prototypischen Hückel‐π‐Aromaten zählt. Die Reduktion von Cl2BNCy2mit elementarem Natrium lieferte Na4[B3(NCy2)3]2⋅2 DME (1), das in 45 % Ausbeute isoliert und mittels Einkristall‐Röntgenstrukturanalyse charakterisiert wurde. Elektrochemische Messungen offenbarten ein außergewöhnlich hohes Oxidationspotential für1(Epc=−2.42 V), das sich auch in Reaktivitätsstudien widerspiegelte. Die Gegenwart eines Hückel‐artigen π‐Elektronensystems in [B3(NCy2)3]2−wurde mittels unterschiedlicher theoretischer Ansätze nachgewiesen. Die π‐Aromatizität des B3‐Systems ist demnach ähnlich stark ausgeprägt wie in [C3H3]+und Benzol.
A Reversible DNA Logic Gate Platform Operated by One‐ and Two‐Photon Excitations
Authors: Tam Dick Yan , Dai Ziwen , Chan Miu Shan , Liu Ling Sum , Cheung Man Ching , Bolze Frederic , Tin Chung , Lo Pik Kwan
Published: November 2015

We demonstrate the use of two different wavelength ranges of excitation light as inputs to remotely trigger the responses of the self‐assembled DNA devices (D‐OR). As an important feature of this device, the dependence of the readout fluorescent signals on the two external inputs, UV excitation for 1 min and/or near infrared irradiation (NIR) at 800 nm fs laser pulses, can mimic function of signal communication in OR logic gates. Their operations could be reset easily to its initial state. Furthermore, these DNA devices exhibit efficient cellular uptake, low cytotoxicity, and high bio‐stability in different cell lines. They are considered as the first example of a photo‐responsive DNA logic gate system, as well as a biocompatible, multi‐wavelength excited system in response to UV and NIR. This is an important step to explore the concept of photo‐responsive DNA‐based systems as versatile tools in DNA computing, display devices, optical communication, and biology.
The Triboracyclopropenyl Dianion: The Lightest Possible Main‐Group‐Element Hückel π Aromatic
Authors: Kupfer Thomas , Braunschweig Holger , Radacki Krzysztof
Published: November 2015

Hückel π aromaticity is typically a domain of carbon‐rich compounds. Only very few analogues with non‐carbon frameworks are currently known, all involving the heavier elements. The isolation of the triboracyclopropenyl dianion is presented, a boron‐based analogue of the cyclopropenyl cation, which belongs to the prototypical class of Hückel π aromatics. Reduction of Cl2BNCy2by sodium metal produced [B3(NCy2)3]2−, which was isolated as its dimeric Na+salt (Na4[B3(NCy2)3]2⋅2 DME;1) in 45 % yield and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Cyclic voltammetry measurements established an extremely high oxidation potential for1(Epc=−2.42 V), which was further confirmed by reactivity studies. The Hückel‐type π aromatic character of the [B3(NCy2)3]2−dianion was verified by various theoretical methods, which clearly indicated π aromaticity for the B3core of a similar magnitude to that in [C3H3]+and benzene.
Development of a non‐hydrostatic atmospheric model using the Chimera grid method for a steep terrain
Authors: Takemura Kazushi , Ishioka Keiichi , Shige Shoichi
Published: November 2015

In a high‐resolution atmospheric model, the terrain is resolved in detail, and thus steeper and more complex terrain can be represented. Thus, we developed an atmospheric model that represents the terrain by using the Chimera grid method, which represents the computational region as a composite of overlapping grids. To test this model, we simulated a lee wave over a semicircular mountain and one over a tall semi‐elliptical mountain. The results show that the Chimera grid method can be used to represent a very steep terrain which terrain‐following coordinates and numerically generated coordinates cannot represent appropriately.
Light‐Controlled Cellular Internalization and Cytotoxicity of Nucleic Acid‐Binding Agents: Studies in Vitro and in Zebrafish Embryos
Authors: Penas Cristina , Sánchez Mateo I. , Guerra‐Varela Jorge , Sanchez Laura , Vázquez M. Eugenio , Mascareñas José L.
Published: November 2015

We synthesized octa‐arginine conjugates of DNA‐binding agents (bisbenzamidine, acridine and Thiazole Orange) and demonstrated that their DNA binding and cell internalization can be inhibited by appending a (negatively charged) oligoglutamic tail through a photolabile linker. UV irradiation released the parent conjugates, thus restoring cell internalization and biological activity. Assays with zebrafish embryos demonstrates the potential of this prodrug strategy for controlling in vivo cytotoxicity.
Diarylmethanes through an Unprecedented Palladium‐Catalyzed C−C Cross‐Coupling of 1‐(Aryl)methoxy‐1 H‐Benzotriazoles with Arylboronic Acids
Authors: Singh Manish K. , Lakshman Mahesh K.
Published: November 2015

1‐(Aryl)methoxy‐1H‐benzotriazoles (ArCH2OBt) are bench‐stable reagents that are prepared readily from 1H‐benzotriazol‐1‐yl‐4‐methylbenzenesulfonate and benzylic alcohols. These compounds, which contain a N−O−C bond, undergo cross‐coupling with arylboronic acids by C−O bond scission with catalysts that comprise Pd(OAc)2 and biarylphosphine ligands. Such reactivity of ArCH2OBt derivatives, which lead to diarylmethanes, has not been described previously and constitutes a new activation of benzylic alcohols. With regard to the various ligand‐metal complexes that support catalytic activity, it appears that those with smaller “percent buried volumes” (%Vbur) provide better outcomes. This factor has been evaluated in the initial optimization studies and in further reactions with difficult coupling partners. Ligand electronics of the biaryl moiety seem to play a lesser role in this type of reaction. The biscoordinating bis[(2‐diphenylphosphino)phenyl] ether appears to be suitable to improve the yields of low‐yielding reactions.
Template Design and Economical Strategy for the Synthesis of SSZ‐13 (CHA‐Type) Zeolite as an Excellent Catalyst for the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NOx by Ammonia
Authors: Xu Ruinian , Zhang Runduo , Liu Ning , Chen Biaohua , Zhang Qiao Shi
Published: November 2015

The front cover artwork for Issue 23/2015 is provided by a collaboration between Beijing University of Chemical Technology (P.R. China) and the University of Adelaide (Australia). The image shows the routine of synthesis for the SSZ‐13 zeolite by means of a low‐cost and environmentally friendly template and an ideal NOx exhaust control covering a broad temperature range. See the Full Paper itself at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201500771.
Influence of Filter Operating Parameters on Fine Dust Emissions from Pulse‐Cleaned Filter Bags
Authors: Kurtz Oliver , Meyer Joerg , Kasper Gerhard
Published: November 2015

Dust emission and operating behavior of a pilot baghouse filter operated in Δp‐controlled mode were investigated for a range of tank pressures and different cleaning sequences at filter ages up to 5000 cycles. The emitted mass per cycle decreased by one order of magnitude with filter age and fourfold with decreasing pulse intensity. Cycle times also were reduced with cleaning intensity by one order of magnitude. There was no decisive advantage of increasing or lowering the cleaning intensity with regard to emitted concentration. In the long run, stable operation is crucial to maintain low emissions because a significant shortening of filter cycles would outweigh any decrease in emissions with filter age.
Hetero Agglomeration Processes in a High‐Gradient Magnetic Filter Design
Authors: Förster Eva , Schmidt Armin , Rhein Frank , Anlauf Harald , Nirschl Hermann
Published: November 2015

An innovative magnetic filter in combination with a Mandhala magnet for oil filtration processes has been developed. With this filter design also nonmagnetizable particles can be separated. Responsible are hetero agglomeration processes that arise due to agglomeration of magnetizable with nonmagnetizable particles. Separation efficiencies in dependence of the particle size distribution and particle shape are quantitatively determined. An evaluation method for the quantification of the separation efficiency of nonmagnetizable particles is developed and validated by experimental data. On this basis, a statement about the efficiency of the hetero agglomeration can finally be made.
Evaluation of the Efficiency of Filtration Processes Using Precoat Materials
Authors: Schiller Sascha , Hellmich Christoph , Schmid Hans‐Joachim
Published: November 2015

The highly efficient filtration of ultrafine dust emitted by biomass combustion processes with a baghouse filter has been successfully tested in the last years. To protect the filter material from the very small and sticky fine dust particles and to guarantee very high total collection efficiencies (> 99 %) in a long‐term stable process, the use of a precoat is necessary. Tests done in a laboratory and a real‐application plant show that the reuse of precoat materials can lead to significant savings. Considering the influences of different combustion processes, the associated precoat efficiencies could be calculated. With these characteristic ratios, it is possible to evaluate different process settings. Hence, the amount and the cost of the needed precoat could be reduced significantly.
Current Trends in Pretreatment and Fractionation of Lignocellulose as Reflected in Industrial Patent Activities
Authors: María Pablo Domínguez de , Grande Philipp M. , Leitner Walter
Published: November 2015

The pretreatment process to disintegrate lignocellulose and to fractionate its three main components hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, is a crucial step to enable sustainable and economic value chains based on biomass feedstock. This review provides an overview of the recent patenting activities on pretreatment. Most of these activities focus on optimization of different known processes to improve economics, such as increased catalyst efficiency, effluents recirculation, or lignin valorization. However, also a number of patents and demonstration activities based on emerging concepts for pretreatments are observed.
Using the bootstrap for statistical inference on random graphs
Authors: Thompson Mary E. , Ramirez Ramirez Lilia L. , Lyubchich Vyacheslav , Gel Yulia R.
Published: November 2015

In this paper we propose a new nonparametric approach to network inference that may be viewed as a fusion of block sampling procedures for temporally and spatially dependent processes with the classical network methodology. We develop estimation and uncertainty quantification procedures for network mean degree using a “patchwork” sample and nonparametric bootstrap, under the assumption of unknown degree distribution. We provide a heuristic justification of asymptotic properties of the proposed “patchwork” sampling and present cross‐validation methodology for selecting an optimal “patch” size. We validate the new “patchwork” bootstrap on simulated networks with short‐ and long‐tailed mean degree distributions, and revisit the Erdös collaboration data to illustrate the proposed methodology. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 44: 3–24; 2016 © 2015 Statistical Society of Canada
Crop Residues Mulch as Organic Weed Management Strategy in Maize
Authors: Mahmood Azhar , Ihsan Muhammad Zahid , Khaliq Abdul , Hussain Saddam , Cheema Zahid Ata , Naeem Muhammad , Daur Ihsanullah , Hussain Hafiz Athar , Alghabari Fahad
Published: November 2015

Crop residues mulching can be opted for organic and sustainable weed management in maize. A 2‐year field study was conducted to evaluate the influence of different crop residues on weeds dynamics and productivity of maize under semi‐arid conditions. Chaffed herbage (2–3 cm) of four crops viz., sorghum, sunflower, rice, and maize was mixed in different combinations (each crop at a rate of 6 t ha−1) and was surface applied as mulch. A weedy check and s‐metolachlor + atrazine application treatments were also established for comparison. Infestation of weeds had a negative impact on maize growth and yield. Nevertheless, surface applied mulches were helpful in suppressing weed pressure and improving maize growth and yield performance. Among different mulching combinations, the rice + sunflower + maize herbage recorded the maximum reductions in density and dry biomass of horse purslane and purple nutsedge compared with weedy check control. Total weeds suppression by this treatment was almost similar with s‐metolachlor + atrazine application. A maximum increment in terms of crop growth rate, total dry matter accumulation and grain yield was observed due to the mulching of rice + sunflower + maize. All the mulching combinations significantly enhanced the quality of maize as compared with weedy check and the sorghum + sunflower + maize was more effective for maize quality. Taking together, the results depicted that crop residue mulches can effectively suppress weed growth along with enhancing growth, yield and quality of maize, suggesting that it can be successfully employed in organic weed management programs in maize.
Efficient bridgeless PFC converter with reduced voltage stress
Authors: Lee Sin‐Woo , Do Hyun‐Lark
Published: November 2015

An efficient bridgeless power factor correction converter with reduced voltage stress is proposed. In the proposed converter, the input full‐bridge rectifier is removed to reduce the conduction loss of rectification, and the voltage stress of switching devices is significantly reduced by utilizing the additional circuit composed of a capacitor and a diode. Therefore, low‐voltage‐rating diodes with less forward voltage drop and low‐voltage‐rating Metal‐Oxide‐Semiconductor Field‐Effect Transistor (MOSFET) with low RDS(on) is utilized. The proposed converter is based on the single‐ended primary‐inductor converter power factor correction operation in discontinuous conduction mode to achieve a high power factor with a simple control circuit. Consequently, the proposed converter can provide a high power factor and a high power efficiency, and it is also suitable for low‐cost converter for high input/output voltage system. The operational principles, steady‐state analysis, and design equations of the proposed converter are described in detail. Experimental results are verified for a 130 W prototype at a constant switching frequency 100 kHz. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electron‐Precise 1,3‐Bishomocubanes – A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Barik Subrat Kumar , Rao Chokkapu Eswara , Yuvaraj K. , Jagan R. , Kahlal Samia , Halet Jean‐François , Ghosh Sundargopal
Published: November 2015

A combined experimental and quantum‐chemical study of a series of homometallic metallaheteroboranes [(Cp*M)2E6B2H2] (M = Rh or RuH; E = S or Se; Cp* = η5‐C5Me5), which are analogues of 1,3‐bishomocubane, is reported. The thermolysis of nido‐[(Cp*Rh)2B3H7] (1) in the presence of S or Se powder in toluene yielded bishomocubane clusters [(Cp*Rh)2(μ‐E)2(μ3‐E)4B2H2], (3: E = S; 4: E = Se). In a similar fashion, the treatment of nido‐[(Cp*RuH)2B3H7] (2) with S or Se powder in p‐xylene yielded [(Cp*Ru)2(μ‐E)2(μ3‐E)4B2H2] (5: E = S; 6: E = Se) and [(Cp*Ru)2(μ3‐Se)(μ4‐Se)B3H5] (7). One of the noteworthy features of 3–6 is the presence of an electron‐precise trichalcogenoborato ligand. All of the compounds have been characterized by mass spectrometry; IR spectroscopy; and 1H, 11B, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The structures of 3, 4, 6, and 7 were established unequivocally by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. Quantum‐chemical calculations by DFT methods for 3, 4, and 6 showed reasonable agreement with the experimentally observed structural parameters. The large HOMO–LUMO gaps are consistent with the high stabilities of these complexes.
Protein immobilization on the surface of polydimethylsiloxane and polymethyl methacrylate microfluidic devices
Authors: Khnouf Ruba , Karasneh Dina , Albiss Borhan Aldeen
Published: November 2015

PDMS and PMMA are two of the most used polymers in the fabrication of lab‐on‐chip or microfluidic devices. In order to use these polymers in biological applications, it is sometimes essential to be able to bind biomolecules such as proteins and DNA to the surface of these materials. In this work, we have evaluated a number of processes that have been developed to bind protein to PDMS surfaces which include passive adsorption, passive adsorption with glutaraldehyde cross‐linking, (3‐aminopropyl) triethoxysilane functionalization followed by glutaraldehyde or 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride cross‐linkers. It has been shown that the latter technique—using 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride—results in more than twice the bonding of protein to the surface of PDMS microchannels than proteins binding passively. We have also evaluated a few techniques that have been tested for the functionalization of PMMA microchannels where we have found that the use of polyethyleneimine (PEI) has led to the strongest protein‐PMMA microchannel bond. We finally demonstrated the effect of PDMS curing methodology on protein adsorption to its surface, and showed that increased curing time is the factor that reduces passive adsorption the most.
Single‐drop microextraction combined in‐line with capillary electrophoresis for the determination of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in urine samples
Authors: García‐Vázquez Alejandro , Borrull Francesc , Calull Marta , Aguilar Carme
Published: November 2015

This study describes a method to determine nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in urine samples based on the use of single‐drop microextraction (SDME) in a three‐phase design as a preconcentration technique coupled in‐line to capillary electrophoresis. Different parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of the SDME process were evaluated (e.g. type of extractant, volume of the microdroplet, and extraction time). The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of human urine samples with LODs ranging between 1.0 and 2.5 μg/mL for all of the NSAIDs under study. This method shows RSD values ranging from 8.5 to 15.3% in interday analysis. The enrichment factors were calculated, resulting 27‐fold for ketoprofen, 14‐fold for diclofenac, 12‐fold for ibuprofen, and 44‐fold naproxen. Samples were analyzed applying the SDME–CE method and the obtained results presented satisfactory recovery values (82–115%). The overall method can be considered a promising approach for the analysis of NSAIDs in urine samples after minimal sample pretreatment.
Effect of thermodiffusion on pH‐regulated surface charge properties of nanoparticle
Authors: Das Pradipta Kr.
Published: November 2015

Surface properties of nanoparticle are of high importance in the field of biotechnology, drug delivery and micro/nanofabrication. In this article, we developed a comprehensive theoretical model and subsequently solved that numerically to study the effect of thermodiffusion of ions on surface charge properties of nanoparticle. The theoretical study has been done considering silica nanoparticle for two aqueous solutions NaCl and KCl. The effect of solution pH in conjunction with nanoparticle temperature on surface charge density has been obtained for different salt concentrations (1, 10 and 100 mM) and nanoparticle size (diameter of 2 and 100 nm). It is observed from the results that with increasing temperature of the nanoparticle, the negative surface charge density gets higher due to increasing thermodiffusion effect. It is also found out that the magnitude of surface charge density is higher for KCl solution than NaCl solution under same condition which is attributed mostly due to less thermodiffusion of counterions for KCl than NaCl. Present study also shows that magnitude of surface charge density decreases with increasing nanoparticle size until it reaches a limiting value (called critical size) above which the effect of nanoparticle size on surface charge density is insignificant.
In‐capillary detection of fast antibody‐peptide binding using fluorescence coupled capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Qin Yuqin , Qiu Lin , Qin Haifang , Ding Shumin , Liu Li , Teng Yiwan , Chen Yao , Wang Cheli , Li Jinchen , Wang Jianhao , Jiang Pengju
Published: November 2015

Herein, we report a technique for detecting the fast binding of antibody‐peptide inside a capillary. Anti‐HA was mixed and interacted with FAM‐labeled HA tag (FAM‐E4) inside the capillary. Fluorescence coupled capillary electrophoresis (CE‐FL) was employed to measure and record the binding process. The efficiency of the antibody‐peptide binding on in‐capillary assays was found to be affected by the molar ratio. Furthermore, the stability of anti‐HA‐FAM‐E4 complex was investigated as well. The results indicated that E4YPYDVPDYA (E4) or TAMRA‐E4YPYDVPDYA (TAMRA‐E4) had the same binding priorities with anti‐HA. The addition of excess E4 or TAMRA‐E4 could lead to partial dissociation of the complex and take a two‐step mechanism including dissociation and association. This method can be applied to detect a wide range of biomolecular interactions.
Recovery of terrestrial plants in vegetative vigor and seedling emergence tests from exposure to atrazine
Authors: Brain Richard A. , Hoberg James
Published: November 2015

Ten species of terrestrial plants, including 6 dicotyledonous and 4 monocotyledonous species, were exposed to a direct overspray of atrazine according to US Environmental Protection Agency seedling emergence and vegetative vigor study guidelines and subsequently evaluated for potential recovery. For each species, no-observed-effect rate (NOER), 10% effect rate, 25% effect rate, and 50% effect rate values were calculated (where possible) for a variety of guideline-required endpoints (but focusing on growth rate) for both the standard experimental phase and a recovery phase; and the rates subsequently were compared. For the seedling emergence study, the standard experimental (designated test 1) and recovery (designated test 2) phases encompassed days 0 to 14 and days 14 to 28, respectively. Similarly, for the vegetative vigor study, test 1 and test 2 encompassed days 0 to 21 and days 21 to 42, respectively. Plants were exposed to atrazine at nominal application rates ranging from 1.1 g active ingredient (a.i.)/ha (0.0010 lb a.i./A) to 28 000 g a.i./ha (25 lb a.i./A), depending on the species; the 28 000 g a.i./ha rate is greater than 12 times the maximum application rate of 2250 g a.i./ha (2 lb a.i./A) registered on corn. For seedling emergence, only 2 of 10 species tested, cabbage and tomato, provided clear rate responses in the initial 14 d of exposure (test 1). Based on a comparison of x% effect rate (ERx) and NOER values for growth rates of shoot length and shoot dry weight for days 0 to 14 relative to days 14 to 28, recovery was apparent for cabbage shoot length growth rate and tomato shoot length and shoot dry weight growth rates. Test application rates selected for the remaining 8 species showed either a weak response that did not allow a clear assessment of recovery or no response at all. For the vegetative vigor study, 9 of the 10 species tested provided clear rate responses in test 1 (days 0–21); corn did not demonstrate any herbicidal response up to the highest rate tested, 28 000 g a.i./ha. Based on comparison of day 0 to 21 (test 1) relative to day 21 to 42 (test 2) ERx and NOER values for shoot length, average growth rates indicated that 8 of 9 species clearly demonstrated an increase in 2 or more metrics (cabbage did not demonstrate a response based on shoot length). Clear recovery was also indicated by an increase in ERx and/or NOER values from test 1 to test 2 for shoot dry weight average growth rates for 7 of the 9 species (corn did not show a response, and oat and soybean showed variable responses). Thus, in most species, where initial herbicidal effects were observed, the effects are largely ameliorated over time. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1284–1296. © 2015 SETAC
Effects of inhaled juniper volatile oil in amyloid beta (1‐42)‐induced anxiety and depression in laboratory rats
Authors: Hritcu Lucian , Hancianu Monica , Mihasan Marius , Cioanca Oana
Published: November 2015

Juniper volatile oil is extracted from Juniperus communis L., of the Cupressaceae family, also known as common juniper. Also, in aromatherapy the juniper volatile oil is used against anxiety, nervous tension and stress‐related conditions. The present study analysed the possible anxiolytic, antidepressant and antioxidant properties of the juniper volatile oil in beta‐amyloid (1‐42) rat model of Alzheimer's disease. The anxiolytic‐ and antidepressant‐like effects of the juniper volatile oil were studied by means of in vivo (elevated plus‐maze and forced swimming tests) approaches. Also, the antioxidant activity in the amygdala was assessed using superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase specific activities, the total content of the reduced glutathione, protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde levels. The beta‐amyloid (1‐42)‐treated rats exhibited the following: decrease of the exploratory activity, the percentage of the time spent and the number of entries in the open arm within elevated plus‐maze test and decrease of swimming time and increase of immobility time within forced swimming test. Inhalation of the juniper volatile oil significantly exhibited anxiolytic‐ and antidepressant‐like effects and also antioxidant potential. Our results suggest that the juniper volatile oil inhalation ameliorates beta‐amyloid (1‐42)‐induced anxiety and depression and attenuated oxidative stress in the rat amygdala. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bayesian Model Averaging under Regime Switching with Application to Cyclical Macro Variable Forecasting
Authors: Shi Jianmin
Published: November 2015

Model uncertainty and recurrent or cyclical structural changes in macroeconomic time series dynamics are substantial challenges to macroeconomic forecasting. This paper discusses a macro variable forecasting methodology that combines model uncertainty and regime switching simultaneously. The proposed predictive regression specification permits both regime switching of the regression parameters and uncertainty about the inclusion of forecasting variables by employing Bayesian model averaging. In an empirical exercise involving quarterly US inflation, we observed that our Bayesian model averaging with regime switching leads to substantial improvements in forecast performance, particularly in the medium horizon (two to four quarters). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Backtesting Aggregate Risk
Authors: Danciulescu Cristina
Published: November 2015

This paper proposes the implementation of a VaR backtesting procedure able to overcome the subadditivity property failure of value‐at‐risk (VaR). More precisely, we propose the implementation of a multivariate portmanteau test statistic of Ljung–Box type applied to hits collected from several trading desks or divisions at once. Simulation \exercises illustrate that this method is testing for aggregate risk, accurately accounting both for diversification (negative hit cross‐correlation) and contagion/risk spillovers (positive hit cross‐correlation). An application using profit and loss and VaR data collected for two international major banks illustrates how our proposed backtesting procedure performs in a realistic environment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long Non‐Coding RNA Central of Glucose Homeostasis
Authors: Ruan Xiangbo
Published: November 2015

Glucose metabolism is one of the fundamental biochemical processes in mammals. Metabolism of glucose is subjected to tissue and cell specific regulation involving many transporters, enzymes, and transcriptional factors. Dysregulation of glucose metabolism has been linked to many human diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a novel class of functional RNAs that regulate multiple biological functions through diverse mechanisms including recruitment of epigenetic modifier proteins, control of mRNA decay and translation, and DNA sequestration of transcription factors. Recent studies have demonstrated that lncRNAs play an important role in regulating differentiation and homeostasis of metabolic tissues. This review will discuss lncRNA biology with a focus on their role in regulating glucose metabolism in cancer cells and metabolic tissues. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1061–1065, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An index of wind–wave coupling and its global climatology
Authors: Jiang Haoyu , Chen Ge , Yu Fangjie
Published: November 2015

Using the fully developed wind–wave relation and simultaneous data of surface wind speed and wave height, an index of wind–wave coupling is presented. The validity of this index is demonstrated by comparing it to other wind–wave indices using 45‐year European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Re‐Analysis (ERA‐40). The comparison shows that the angle between wind and wave directions need not be considered in practice when mapping climatology of wind–wave interaction, and the rationality behind it is explained from a statistical point of view. The results also indicate that probability‐based indices are not robust enough to represent wave climate. A global climatology of this index is developed using both ERA‐40 and jointly‐calibrated altimeter data. Its spatial distributions show that the wind–wave coupling is strong in the mid‐latitudes while weak in the low latitudes except for the trade‐wind regions. Mixing of wind‐sea and swell is found to be common in the ocean, especially in the trade‐wind region, where two‐way momentum transfer may exist because the directions of wind‐sea and swell are different. The weakly coupled regions usually have a clear preference for the eastern sides and low latitudes of ocean basins, because the eastward swells there are mainly from the storms in westerlies. However, in the Pacific Ocean, trade‐wind‐generated swells may propagate westward, causing western side to be also weakly coupled.
Associative Algorithms for Computational Creativity
Authors: Varshney Lav R. , Wang Jun , Varshney Kush R.
Published: November 2015

abstract

Computational creativity, the generation of new, unimagined ideas or artifacts by a machine that are deemed creative by people, can be applied in the culinary domain to create novel and flavorful dishes. In fact, we have done so successfully using a combinatorial algorithm for recipe generation combined with statistical models for recipe ranking and selection. However, the algorithm of creation in our prior work may be difficult for people to interpret, understand, and ultimately adopt because the process differs from the process of human creativity theorized in the psychology and neuroscience literatures. In this paper, to address this issue, we discuss how human creativity, including in the food arena, may be built on associations and how an algorithm also built on associations can be more relatable to people so they can interact with the tool more easily. We propose a computational creativity approach that extends the data mining technique of association rule mining to generate new food recipes. We illustrate this associative algorithm on real‐world culinary data.
A Bayesian missing data framework for generalized multiple outcome mixed treatment comparisons
Authors: Hong Hwanhee , Chu Haitao , Zhang Jing , Carlin Bradley P.
Published: November 2015

Bayesian statistical approaches to mixed treatment comparisons (MTCs) are becoming more popular because of their flexibility and interpretability. Many randomized clinical trials report multiple outcomes with possible inherent correlations. Moreover, MTC data are typically sparse (although richer than standard meta‐analysis, comparing only two treatments), and researchers often choose study arms based upon which treatments emerge as superior in previous trials. In this paper, we summarize existing hierarchical Bayesian methods for MTCs with a single outcome and introduce novel Bayesian approaches for multiple outcomes simultaneously, rather than in separate MTC analyses. We do this by incorporating partially observed data and its correlation structure between outcomes through contrast‐based and arm‐based parameterizations that consider any unobserved treatment arms as missing data to be imputed. We also extend the model to apply to all types of generalized linear model outcomes, such as count or continuous responses. We offer a simulation study under various missingness mechanisms (e.g., missing completely at random, missing at random, and missing not at random) providing evidence that our models outperform existing models in terms of bias, mean squared error, and coverage probability then illustrate our methods with a real MTC dataset. We close with a discussion of our results, several contentious issues in MTC analysis, and a few avenues for future methodological development. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monitoring the oleuropein content of olive leaves and fruits using ultrasound‐ and salt‐assisted liquid–liquid extraction optimized by response surface methodology and high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Ismaili Ahmad , Heydari Rouhollah , Rezaeepour Reza
Published: November 2015

A novel and rapid ultrasound‐ and salt‐assisted liquid–liquid extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography has been optimized by response surface methodology for the determination of oleuropein from olive leaves. Box–Behnken design was used for optimizing the main parameters including ultrasound time (A), pH (B), salt concentration (C), and volume of miscible organic solvent (D). In this technique, a mixture of plant sample and extraction solvent was subjected to ultrasound waves. After ultrasound‐assisted extraction, phase separation was performed by the addition of salt to the liquid phase. The optimal conditions for the highest extraction yield of oleuropein were ultrasound time, 30 min; volume of organic solvent, 2.5 mL; salt concentration, 25% w/v; and sample pH, 4. Experimental data were fitted with a quadratic model. Analysis of variance results show that BC interaction, A2, B2, C2, and D2 are significant model terms. Unlike the conventional extraction methods for plant extracts, no evaporation and reconstitution operations were needed in the proposed technique.
Separation of intact proteins on γ‐ray‐induced polymethacrylate monolithic columns: A highly permeable stationary phase with high peak capacity for capillary high‐performance liquid chromatography with high‐resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Simone Patrizia , Pierri Giuseppe , Foglia Patrizia , Gasparrini Francesca , Mazzoccanti Giulia , Capriotti Anna Laura , Ursini Ornella , Ciogli Alessia , Laganà Aldo
Published: November 2015

Polymethacrylate‐based monolithic capillary columns, prepared by γ‐radiation‐induced polymerization, were used to optimize the experimental conditions (nature of the organic modifiers, the content of trifluoroacetic acid and the column temperature) in the separation of nine standard proteins with different hydrophobicities and a wide range of molecular weights. Because of the excellent permeability of the monolithic columns, an ion‐pair reversed‐phase capillary liquid chromatography with high‐resolution mass spectrometry method has been developed by coupling the column directly to the mass spectrometer without a flow‐split and using a standard electrospray interface. Additionally, the high working flow and concomitant high efficiency of these columns allowed us to employ a longer column (up to 50 cm) and achieve a peak capacity value superior to 1000. This work is motivated by the need to develop new materials for high‐resolution chromatographic separation that combine chemical stability at elevated temperatures (up to 75°C) and a broad pH range, with a high peak capacity value. The advantage of the γ‐ray‐induced monolithic column lies in the batch‐to‐batch reproducibility and long‐term high‐temperature stability. Their proven high loading capacity, recovery, good selectivity and high permeability, moreover, compared well with that of a commercially available poly(styrene‐divinylbenzene) monolithic column, which confirms that such monolithic supports might facilitate analysis in proteomics.
Global detection and semi‐quantification of Fritillaria alkaloids in Fritillariae Ussuriensis Bulbus by a non‐targeted multiple reaction monitoring approach
Authors: Wang Li , Yao Zhong Ping , Li Ping , Chen Si‐Bao , So Pui‐Kin , Shi Zi‐Qi , Hu Bin , Liu Li‐Fang , Xin Gui‐Zhong
Published: November 2015

Methods based on triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry have been widely used and reported as highly selective and sensitive methods for quantifying substances of herbal medicines. However, most of them were limited to targeted components, due to the difficulties to optimize the multiple reaction monitoring transitions without authentic standards. This study proposed a novel strategy for non‐targeted optimization of multiple reaction monitoring method based on the diagnostic ion guided family classifications, tandem mass spectrometry database establishment, and transitions and collision energy screening. Applying this strategy, 59 Fritillaria alkaloids in Fritillariae Ussuriensis Bulbus have been classified, and 51 of these Fritillaria alkaloids were successfully detected by the optimal multiple reaction monitoring method. For semi‐quantification, the easy‐to‐obtain Fritillaria alkaloids of each type, such as verticinone for cevanine type and peimisine for jervine type, were used as the reference standards to calibrate the other Fritillaria alkaloids in the same type. The method was demonstrated a good linearity (R2 > 0.998) with satisfactory accuracy and precision, and the lower limits of quantification of verticinone and peimisine were estimated to be 0.076 and 0.216 pg, respectively. In addition, the results suggested that the proposed strategy might obtained high quality metabolomics data in discrimination of Fritillaria unibracteata and Fritillaria ussuriensis.