bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low‐Temperature Deposition of Reactively Sputtered SiNx Films Applicable to TSV Process
Authors: SATO MASARU , TAKEYAMA MAYUMI B. , KOBAYASHI YASUSHI , NAKATA YOSHIHIRO , NAKAMURA TOMOJI , NOYA ATSUSHI
Published: August 2016

In the through silicon via (TSV) process, which is a key technology for a three‐dimensional large‐scale integration (LSI), particularly in the “via‐last process,” SiNx films of high density are urgently needed for fabrication at low deposition temperatures. However, it is generally known that a SiNx film prepared at low temperatures shows low film density, resulting in poor insulating barrier properties. As a solution to this issue, we propose the use of the SiNx films deposited by reactive sputtering. We can obtain sputtered SiNx films at high density (2.78 to 2.99 g/cm3) in spite of deposition without substrate heating. The 20‐nm‐thick SiNx films passed an experimental check on barrier properties with respect to Cu diffusion upon annealing at 700 °C for 1 h. The films also show good step coverage for a TSV with an aspect ratio of 1.5. The SiNx films prepared by reactive sputtering are a candidate for a good insulating barrier applicable to the via‐last TSV process.
Macrophage tolerance in the gut: It is in the epigenome!
Authors: Schultze Joachim L.
Published: August 2016

Intestinal macrophages are functionally specialized to phagocytose bacteria, including harmful and invading pathogens, without releasing pro‐inflammatory mediators. This unique functional combination guarantees an optimal defense against millions of gut bacteria while at the same time protecting the host from inflammation‐related tissue damage. IL‐10 seems to be a critical tissue factor involved in this balance and deficiencies in IL‐10 in humans and mice have been shown to deteriorate this fine balance, leading to chronic inflammation and diseases such as Crohn's disease. However, the molecular mechanisms downstream of IL‐10 are poorly understood. In this issue of European Journal of Immunology, Simon et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2016. 46: 1912–1925] demonstrate that the chromatin landscape in gut macrophages derived from mice lacking IL‐10 is characteristic of inflammatory macrophages, even in the absence of bacteria. The observed changes of the chromatin landscape represent an important initiating event in chronic intestinal inflammation. These observations are not only an excellent example linking a classical loss‐of‐function experiment to a molecular mechanism responsible for the induction of chronic inflammation; they also open up new avenues for targeting chromatin and remodeling enzymes in Crohn's disease.
Dynamic Directing Effect and Symmetric Correlation in Three pH‐Modulated 1,4‐Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane/Iodoargentate Hybrids
Authors: Yu Tanlai , Li Huihui , Hao Pengfei , Shen Junju , Fu Yunlong
Published: August 2016

Three iodoargentate hybrids, [(Hdabco)(H2dabco)][(Ag3I6)] (1), [(Hdabco)2(H2dabco)][Ag3I7] (2), and [(H2dabco·H2O)(AgI3)] (3) (dabco = 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane), have been synthesized by simply changing the pH of the reaction solution. The hybrids 1–3 are all constructed exclusively of corner‐sharing AgI4 tetrahedra, but they clearly exhibit different structural features (typical halozeotype in 1 and 2, chiral chain in 3). Noteworthy, variation of the hydrogen‐bonded aggregating forms of dabco at different pH, regular modulation of the inorganic moieties from the [3276] cage in 1 to the larger [32114] cage in 2 and a three‐fold helical chain in 3, as well as their intrinsic symmetric correlation reveal unique dynamic structural directing effects and structural adaptability of the iodoargentate framework. Moreover, the three compounds display wide‐band‐gap semiconductor properties (band gaps of about 3.70 eV for 1, 3.49 eV for 2, and 3.89 eV for 3) and photoluminescence properties (emission bands at about 430 nm for 1, 467 nm for 2,and 460 nm for 3).
Synthesis and Reactivity of Ferrocenyl‐Substituted Allylamine Derivatives
Authors: Bouchene Rafika , Daran Jean‐Claude , Bouacida Sofiane , Manoury Eric
Published: August 2016

[(2‐Ferrocenylvinyl)methyl]dimethylamine (2) was obtained in good yields and with perfect regio‐ and stereoselectivity by reaction of dimethylmethylideneammonium salts with vinylferrocene. After methylation of amine 2, [(2‐ferrocenylvinyl)methyl]trimethylammonium iodide (4) was obtained in high yields and used to transfer the ferrocene‐containing allyl group to various amines. By controlling reaction conditions, various linear and branched ferrocenyl‐substituted allylamines could be obtained with good yields and selectivities. When anilines were used as substrates against ammonium salt 4, compounds originating from Friedel–Crafts reactions were also obtained, with complete regioselectivity towards the para position.
Bioactive Spirobisnaphthalenes and Lactones from a Cup Fungus Plectania sp. Collected in the Tibet Plateau Region
Authors: Wang Kai , Bao Li , Ma Ke , Qi Wei , Song Fuhang , Yao Yijian , Yin Wenbing , Zhang Lixin , Huang Ying , Han Junjie , Liu Hongwei
Published: August 2016

Five new spirobisnaphthalenes (1–5), one new tetralone derivative (6), and six new lactones (7–12) together with the known compound urnucratin C (13) have been isolated from the solid culture of the cup fungus Plectania sp. The structures of the new compounds were unambiguously elucidated on the basis of one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy, high‐resolution mass spectrometry, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Compounds 1–6 were found to be active against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, the cytotoxicities of 1–13 were evaluated against the HepG2 and K562 cell lines by using the CCK8 assay. Compounds 1–3 and 13 showed moderate cytotoxicity against HepG2 and K562 with IC50 values in the range 10.7–38.5 µm. This is the first report of secondary metabolites from this cup fungus.
Impregnated Copper(II) Oxide on Magnetite as Catalyst for the Synthesis of Benzo[b]furans from 2‐Hydroxyarylcarbonyl Derivatives and Alkynes
Authors: Pérez Juana M. , Ramón Diego J.
Published: August 2016

The coupling‐allenylation‐cyclization reaction sequence of o‐hydroxybenzaldehydes with alkynes in the presence of 4‐methylbenzenesulfonohydrazide was carried out in ethanol as a nontoxic biorenewable solvent and in the presence of impregnated copper(II) oxide on magnetite as a heterogeneous catalyst. The catalyst can be easily removed from the reaction medium by a simple magnetic decantation, and the reaction can be performed with a very low copper loading. The in situ reduction of the starting copper(II) oxide nanoparticles into copper(0) sheets made the recyclability of catalyst impossible. The versatility of the reaction was shown by employing different o‐hydroxyacetophenones to give 2,3‐disubstituted benzo[b]furans. The reaction can be carried out on a gram scale without any complications.
Detection of Metal‐reducing Enzyme Complexes by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy
Authors: Rudolph Douglas , Bates David , DiChristina Thomas J. , Mizaikoff Boris , Kranz Christine
Published: August 2016

The in‐situ detection of dissolved redox‐active metals and metalloids such as iron and manganese is attracting increasing interest for understanding the complex network of enzymatic and geochemical reactions occurring at the microbe‐mineral interface. A versatile and promising tool for the investigation of redox‐active metal distributions at a microscopic scale is scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), specifically in combination with square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). Here, we report the application of platinum/mercury (Pt/Hg) microelectrodes for the direct detection of chemical species with negative reduction potentials including Mn2+, Fe2+, O2, and sulfur species. The combination of Pt/Hg microelectrodes with SWASV‐SECM was evaluated as a potential read‐out tool in gel electrophoresis for identifying Fe(III)‐ and Mn(IV)‐reducing proteins isolated from the outer membrane of metal‐respiring bacteria (here, Shewanella oneidensis) prior to separation in native polyacrylamide gels. PMA‐SWASV‐SECM facilitated direct detection of metal reductase activity above protein complexes separated in native gel buffered at neutral pH without the aid of traditional colorimetric stains. Control experiments at inactive reductase proteins confirmed the involvement of sulfur species within this microbial respiratory redox process.
Ultra‐thin layer chromatography with integrated silver colloid‐based SERS detection
Authors: Wallace Ryan A. , Lavrik Nickolay V. , Sepaniak Michael J.
Published: August 2016

Simplified lab‐on‐a‐chip techniques are desirable for quick and efficient detection of analytes of interest in the field. The following work involves the use of deterministic pillar arrays on the micro‐scale as a platform to separate compounds, and the use of Ag colloid within the arrays as a source of increased signal via surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). One problem traditionally seen with SERS surfaces containing Ag colloid is oxidation; however, our platforms are superhydrophobic, reducing the amount of oxidation taking place on the surface of the Ag colloid. This work includes the successful separation and SERS detection of a fluorescent dye compounds (resorufin and sulforhodamine 640), fluorescent anti‐tumor drugs (Adriamycin and Daunomycin), and purine and pyrimidine bases (adenine, cytosine, guanine, hypoxanthine, and thymine).
Seismic retrofit of MRF buildings using decentralized semi‐active control for multi‐target performances
Authors: Cha Young‐Jin , Agrawal Anil K.
Published: August 2016

Numerous structures have been designed and built without taking earthquake ground motions or outdated seismic design codes into account. In order to improve the seismic performance of existing structures, many retrofit approaches based on performance‐based design have been developed. However, some of these approaches are inapplicable due to structural limitations or because they were developed with the assumption of single‐degree‐of‐freedom, which does not take higher modes into account. To overcome the limitations of these traditional methods, a multi‐performance‐based control design (MPBCD) methodology has been proposed by integrating a decentralized semi‐active control algorithm, magnetorheological dampers, and an advanced multi‐objective optimization method to provide various sets of retrofit control designs to satisfy multiple target performances under multiple seismic intensities without changing structural cross‐section sizes or material properties. This MPBCD method provides engineers with numerous sets of control designs (i.e., control device layouts with control design parameters) to help them select proper control designs to retrofit existing building structures and improve seismic performance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A wind tunnel investigation of particle segregation, ripple formation and armouring within sand beds of systematically varied texture
Authors: McKenna Neuman Cheryl , Bédard ottO
Published: August 2016

This paper reports on a wind tunnel investigation of particle segregation, ripple formation and surface armouring within sand beds of systematically varied particle size distribution, from coarsely skewed to bimodal. By design, the system was closed with no external inputs of mass from an external particle feed. Particles too coarse to travel in saltation for the given range in wind speed were dyed red in order to distinguish them in optical images from finer sand particles, which could be entrained into the unidirectional airflow. A 3D laser scanner measured the changing bed topography at regular time intervals during 18 experiments involving varied combinations of wind speed and bed texture. Image classification techniques were used to investigate the coincident self‐organization of the two populations of particles, as distinguished by their colour. As soon as saltation commenced, some of the red particles segregated into thin discontinuous patches. Particle trapping and sheltering on these rough patches was strongly favoured, causing them to grow preferentially. During the earliest stages of formation, bedform growth coincided with: (i) rapid coarsening of the surface texture; and (ii) the merging of proto‐ripple ‘crests’ to generate larger rhythmic bedforms of lower frequency. Consistent with previous work, ripple size was observed to increase under stronger winds when not exceeding the threshold for entrainment of the coarse‐mode or red particles from the crest. With declining rates of mass transport and particle segregation as the bed surface armoured, and the consequent deceleration of ripple propagation through to the end of each experiment, all surfaces eventually attained a steady‐state morphometry. At saturation, the largest ripples developed on beds having the lowest initial concentration of red particles. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydropedology of a mildly‐arid loess covered area, southern Israel
Authors: Yair Aaron , Goldshleger Naftali , Shachar Yossi
Published: August 2016

Extensive loess covered areas characterize the mildly arid areas of western Israel, where average annual rainfall is 280 mm. Hydrological data point to a peculiar hydrological behavior of the ephemeral streams. The frequency of sporadic flash floods is very high. However, even in extreme rain events peak discharges are extremely low. Hydrographs are usually characterized by very steep rising and falling limbs, representative of saturated areas, extending over a limited part of the watershed. Following this observation we advanced the hypothesis that storm channel runoff originated in the channel itself, with negligible contribution from the adjoining hillslopes. The study was based on two complementary approaches. The hydrological approach was based on the detailed analysis of rainfall–runoff relationships in a small watershed (11 km2) and on the analysis of the hydrological characteristics of the drainage network. The second approach was based on the toposequence concept. Several boreholes were dug along a hillslope 400 m long. Chemical data obtained show no significant difference in the downslope direction. Similar results were also obtained for the particle size distribution and soil moisture content. Data obtained perfectly fit the concept of ‘Partial Area Contribution’ as it presents an extreme case of hydrological discontinuity at the hillslope–channel interface. The lack of pedological trends in the downslope direction is an additional indication of the limited connectivity between the hillslopes and the adjoining channel. The limited connectivity is attributed to the prevalence of low rain intensities in the study area. The present study is also relevant to our understanding of pedological processes in dryland areas. The high frequency of intermittent low intensity rainstorms limits runoff generation and flow distances, and casts doubt on the general application of the toposequence approach. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A software‐defined 5G cellular network with links virtually pooled for public safety operators
Authors: Casoni Maurizio , Grazia Carlo Augusto , Klapez Martin
Published: August 2016

During disaster relief operations, public safety personnel performs data communication almost exclusively through terrestrial commercial networks. However, common cellular infrastructures are often unable to provide acceptable throughput and even basic availability owing to congestion or infrastructural disruption. In order to overcome these issues, this paper proposes the implementation of a network abstraction that we define as virtual resource pooling. This allows to virtually pool the resources provided by the cellular channels on which field operators are connected. The proposal aims to harmoniously blend together the multihoming capabilities of modern devices and their collaborative potential by leveraging the software‐defined networking facilities that are expected to be present in the core infrastructures of fifth‐generation networks. Coupled with the envisioned performance and packet core plasticity of the latter, such a system may have the potential to provide future public safety operators with broadband capabilities and high quality of experience in day‐to‐day tasks and major planned events while providing improved communication guarantees in unplanned disasters. To experimentally assess our proposal, we present a test bed that has been built and used to perform network emulation runs and to extract their results. These indicate that a system with virtual resource pooling may greatly enhance not only throughput and quality of service properties but also the resilience guarantees that network tenants may offer to field operators. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FGFR3 preferentially colocalizes with IGH in the interphase nucleus of multiple myeloma patient B‐cells when FGFR3 is located outside of CT4
Authors: Martin Lorri D. , Harizanova Jana , Mai Sabine , Belch Andrew R. , Pilarski Linda M.
Published: August 2016

Many B‐cell malignancies are characterized by chromosomal translocations involving IGH and a proto‐oncogene. For translocations to occur, spatial proximity of translocation‐prone genes is necessary. Currently, it is not known how such genes are brought into proximity with one another. Although decondensed chromosomes occupy definitive, non‐random spaces in the interphase nucleus known as chromosome territories (CTs), chromatin at the edges of CTs can intermingle, and specific genomic regions from some chromosomes have been shown to “loop out” of their respective CTs. This extra‐territorial positioning of specific genomic regions may provide a mechanism whereby translocation‐prone genes are brought together in the interphase nucleus. FGFR3 and MAF recurrently participate in translocations with IGH at different frequencies. Using 3D, 4‐color FISH, and 3D analysis software, we show frequent extra‐territorial positioning of FGFR3 and significantly less frequent extra‐territorial positioning of MAF. Frequent extra‐territorial positioning may be characteristic of FGFR3 in B‐cells from healthy adult donors and non‐malignant B‐cells from patients, but not in hematopoietic stem cells from patients with translocations. The frequency of extra‐territorial positioning of FGFR3 and MAF in B‐cells correlates with the frequency of translocations in the patient population. Most importantly, in patient B‐cells, we demonstrate a significant proportion of extra‐territorial FGFR3 participating in close loci pairs and/or colocalizing with IGH. This preliminary work suggests that in patient B‐cells, extra‐territorial positioning of FGFR3 may provide a mechanism for forming close loci pairs and/or colocalization with IGH; indirectly facilitating translocation events involving these two genes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Balkenbiegeversuche an zwei Tonen und Verformbarkeitsnachweis für eine multifunktionale Deponieabdichtung
Authors: Vrettos Christos , Becker Andreas
Published: August 2016

Für den Nachweis der Verformbarkeit mineralischer Deponieabdichtungen werden Angaben zu den Grenzzugdehnungen benötigt. Biegeversuche stellen eine praxisnahe Alternative zur indirekten Ermittlung dieser Werte dar. Zwei Tone wurden diesbezüglich untersucht. Zum Einsatz kamen Drei‐ und Vier‐Punkt‐Versuche sowie Versuche mit einer flächigen Belastung. Die Rückrechnung der Dehnungen aus den Durchbiegungen erfolgt anhand eines FEM‐Modells des Balkens als Kontinuum und ein Vergleich mit gängigen Methoden der Balkentheorie wird vorgenommen. Die Ergebnisse werden dann für den Nachweis der Verformbarkeit einer multifunktionalen Abdichtung eines Deponie‐auf‐Deponie‐Systems verwendet. Die Beanspruchungen im Deponiekörper werden ebenfalls mittels der FEM bestimmt. Die bodenmechanischen Eingangsparameter werden aus der Auswertung von In‐situ Messungen hergeleitet. Der Beitrag beschreibt die Versuchstechnik, die experimentellen Ergebnisse, die Auswertungsprozedur sowie die einzelnen Schritte der Nachweisführung.
Age‐related differences in autism: The case of white matter microstructure
Authors: Koolschijn P Cédric M.P. , Caan Matthan W.A. , Teeuw Jalmar , Olabarriaga Sílvia D. , Geurts Hilde M.
Published: August 2016

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is typified as a brain connectivity disorder in which white matter abnormalities are already present early on in life. However, it is unknown if and to which extent these abnormalities are hard‐wired in (older) adults with ASD and how this interacts with age‐related white matter changes as observed in typical aging. The aim of this first cross‐sectional study in mid‐ and late‐aged adults with ASD was to characterize white matter microstructure and its relationship with age. We utilized diffusion tensor imaging with head motion control in 48 adults with ASD and 48 age‐matched controls (30–74 years), who also completed a Flanker task. Intra‐individual variability of reaction times (IIVRT) measures based on performance on the Flanker interference task were used to assess IIVRT‐white matter microstructure associations. We observed primarily higher mean and radial diffusivity in white matter microstructure in ASD, particularly in long‐range fibers, which persisted after taking head motion into account. Importantly, group‐by‐age interactions revealed higher age‐related mean and radial diffusivity in ASD, in projection and association fiber tracts. Subtle dissociations were observed in IIVRT‐white matter microstructure relations between groups, with the IIVRT‐white matter association pattern in ASD resembling observations in cognitive aging. The observed white matter microstructure differences are lending support to the structural underconnectivity hypothesis in ASD. These reductions seem to have behavioral percussions given the atypical relationship with IIVRT. Taken together, the current results may indicate different age‐related patterns of white matter microstructure in adults with ASD. Hum Brain Mapp 38:82–96, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predicting Pt‐195 NMR chemical shift using new relativistic all‐electron basis set
Authors: Paschoal D. , Guerra C. Fonseca , de Oliveira M. A. L. , Ramalho T. C. , Dos Santos H. F.
Published: August 2016

Predicting NMR properties is a valuable tool to assist the experimentalists in the characterization of molecular structure. For heavy metals, such as Pt‐195, only a few computational protocols are available. In the present contribution, all‐electron Gaussian basis sets, suitable to calculate the Pt‐195 NMR chemical shift, are presented for Pt and all elements commonly found as Pt‐ligands. The new basis sets identified as NMR‐DKH were partially contracted as a triple‐zeta doubly polarized scheme with all coefficients obtained from a Douglas–Kroll–Hess (DKH) second‐order scalar relativistic calculation. The Pt‐195 chemical shift was predicted through empirical models fitted to reproduce experimental data for a set of 183 Pt(II) complexes which NMR sign ranges from −1000 to −6000 ppm. Furthermore, the models were validated using a new set of 75 Pt(II) complexes, not included in the descriptive set. The models were constructed using non‐relativistic Hamiltonian at density functional theory (DFT‐PBEPBE) level with NMR‐DKH basis set for all atoms. For the best model, the mean absolute deviation (MAD) and the mean relative deviation (MRD) were 150 ppm and 6%, respectively, for the validation set (75 Pt‐complexes) and 168 ppm (MAD) and 5% (MRD) for all 258 Pt(II) complexes. These results were comparable with relativistic DFT calculation, 200 ppm (MAD) and 6% (MRD). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Antiamyloidogenic Effects of Ellagic Acid on Human Serum Albumin Fibril Formation Induced by Potassium Sorbate and Glucose
Authors: Taghavi F. , Habibi‐Rezaei M. , Bohlooli M. , Farhadi M. , Goodarzi M. , Movaghati S. , Maghami P. , Taghibiglou C. , Amanlou M. , Haertlé T. , Moosavi‐Movahedi A.A.
Published: August 2016

Oxidative stress has the main role in protein conformational changes and consequent direct involvement in different kind of diseases. Potassium sorbate as a widespread industrial preservative and glucose are two important oxidants that can be involved in oxidative stress. In this study the effect of ellagic acid as a phenolic antioxidant on amyloid fibril formation of human serum albumin upon incubation of potassium sorbate and glucose was studied using thioflavin T assay, surface tension, atomic force microscopy, Amadori product, and carbonyl content assays. The thioflavin T assay and atomic force microscopy micrographs demonstrated the antiamyloidogenic effect of ellagic acid on the human serum albumin fibril formation. This antioxidant also had the repair effect on surface tension of the modified human serum albumin (amyloid intermediates), which was destructed, caused by potassium sorbate and glucose. This mechanism takes place because of potent carbonyl stress suppression effect of ellagic acid, which was strengthening by potassium sorbate in the presence and absence of glucose.
Comprehensive two‐dimensional liquid chromatography for polyphenol analysis in foodstuffs
Authors: Cacciola Francesco , Farnetti Sara , Dugo Paola , Marriott Philip John , Mondello Luigi
Published: August 2016

Polyphenols are a class of plant secondary metabolites that are recently drawing a special interest because of their broad spectrum of pharmacological effects. As they are characterized by an enormous structural variability, the identification of these molecules in food samples is a difficult task, and sometimes having only a limited number of commercially available reference materials is not of great help. One‐dimensional liquid chromatography is the most widely applied analytical approach for their analysis. In particular, the hyphenation of liquid chromatography to mass spectrometry has come to play an influential role by allowing relatively fast tentative identification and accurate quantification of polyphenolic compounds at trace levels in vegetable media. However, when dealing with very complex real‐world food samples, a single separation system often does not provide sufficient resolving power for attaining rewarding results. Comprehensive two‐dimensional liquid chromatography is a technique of great analytical impact, since it offers much higher peak capacities than separations in a single dimension. In the present review, we describe applications in the field of comprehensive two‐dimensional liquid chromatography for polyphenol analysis in real‐world food samples. Comprehensive two‐dimensional liquid chromatography applications to nonfood matrices fall outside the scope of the current report and will not be discussed.
Acid‐Labile Copolymer Micelles Cross‐Linked by a Twin Ortho Ester Cross‐Linking Agent: Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation
Authors: Wang Xin , Zhou Xiaojing , Wang Jun , Cao Zhipeng , Zhang Lei , Tang Rupei
Published: August 2016

In this work, a series of poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(N‐succinimidyl methacrylate) (PEG‐b‐PNSM) micelles with different length of PNSM are prepared by self‐assembly in phosphate buffer. In situ cross‐linked micelles (CLM) with high stability at neutral pH are obtained by adding a pH‐sensitive cross‐linker bearing two five‐membered ortho ester rings, 2‐{4‐[2‐(2‐amino‐ethoxy)‐[1,3]dioxolan‐4‐ylmethoxymethyl]‐[1,3]dioxolan‐2‐yloxy}‐thylamine. Nile Red as a model drug is easily loaded into CLM, and the release rate accelerate at acidic environments (pH 5). Cytotoxicity of PEG‐b‐PNSM and CLM against NIH3T3 cells is determined and favorable biocompatibility is possessed. Confocal laser scanning microscopy study shows that Nile Red‐loaded CLM has excellent cellular uptake by MCF‐7 cells. Paclitaxel (PTX) is successfully encapsulated into the cross‐linked micelles. In vitro cytotoxicity of free PTX, and PTX‐loaded CLM causes almost the same potency in killing MCF‐7 cells. These results suggest that cross‐linked micelles can be a potential vehicle for delivering hydrophobic anticancer drugs to tumors.

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Influence of food groups on plasma total homocysteine for specific MTHFR C677T genotypes in Chinese population
Authors: Zeng Qiang , Li Fan , Xiang Tianyuan , Wang Weimin , Ma Cong , Yang Chao , Chen Haixu , Xiang Hang
Published: August 2016

Scope

It has been demonstrated that a mutation of MTHFR C677T increases plasma total homocysteine (Hcy) concentration and decreases folate. Natural foods can improve Hcy levels, but the effect of certain foods remains undetermined. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between food groups and Hcy, and to explore the correlations between Hcy and dietary folate/vitamin (Vit) B12 for genotype‐specific population.

Methods and results

A total of 4507 adults were enrolled in this study, all of whom underwent physical examinations and genotyping. A dietary recall questionnaire, which assessed the frequency (F) and quantity (Q) of food consumption, was completed by all. For the male CC group, after adjustment for age and BMI, fish (F) was negatively correlated with Hcy; for the male CT group, fish (F) and eggs (F) were negatively associated with Hcy, whereas cereal/wheat (Q) were positively correlated with Hcy; for the male TT group, fish (F), meat (Q), milk (F), and fruits/vegetables (Q) were negatively associated with Hcy, whereas sugar (Q) and salt (Q) were positively associated with Hcy. For the female CC group, fruits/vegetables (Q), eggs (F) and meat (F) were negatively correlated with Hcy, but soy (F) was positively correlated with Hcy; for the female CT group, eggs (F) and meat (Q) were negatively correlated with Hcy, whereas soy (F), fried foods (F) and salt (Q) were positively correlated with Hcy; for the female TT group, fish(F), eggs (F), and fruits/vegetables (F) were negatively associated with Hcy. Furthermore, we found that Hcy was more closely correlated with folate than with Vit B12 for males (CC, CT and TT) and female TT genotype. However, the correlation between Hcy and Vit B12 was stronger for the female CT/CC groups.

Conclusion

Hcy levels were influenced by food groups to varying degrees, which were based on gender and MTHFR C677T genotypes. Hcy levels were more closely correlated with folate for males (CC, CT and TT) and the female TT group, but it was more closely correlated with Vit B12 for the female CT/CC groups.
Utilizing on‐ and off‐line monitoring tools to follow a kinetic resolution step during flow synthesis
Authors: Farley Kathleen A. , Reilly Usa , Anderson Dennis P. , Boscoe Brian P. , Bundesmann Mark W. , Foley David A. , Lall Manjinder S. , Li Chao , Reese Matthew R. , Yan Jiangli
Published: August 2016

In situ reaction monitoring tools offer the ability to track the progress of a synthetic reaction in real time to facilitate reaction optimization and provide kinetic/mechanistic insight. Herein, we report the utilization of flow NMR, flow IR, and other off‐line spectroscopy tools to monitor the progress of a flow chemistry reaction. The on‐line and off‐line tools were selected to facilitate the stereoselective kinetic resolution of a key racemic monomer, which lacked a chromophore, making conventional reaction monitoring difficult. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
19F NMR transverse and longitudinal relaxation filter experiments for screening: a theoretical and experimental analysis
Authors: Dalvit Claudio , Piotto Martial
Published: August 2016

Ligand‐based19F NMR screening represents an efficient approach for performing binding assays. The high sensitivity of the methodology to receptor binding allows the detection of weak affinity ligands. The observable NMR parameters that are typically used are the19F transverse relaxation rate and isotropic chemical shift. However, there are few cases where the19F longitudinal relaxation rate should also be used. A theoretical and experimental analysis of the19F NMR transverse and longitudinal relaxation rates at different magnetic fields is presented along with proposed methods for improving the sensitivity and dynamic range of these experiments applied to fragment‐based screening. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A fully smoothed XFEM for analysis of axisymmetric problems with weak discontinuities
Authors: Wan Detao , Hu Dean , Natarajan Sundararajan , Bordas Stéphane P.A. , Yang Gang
Published: August 2016

In this paper, we propose a fully smoothed extended finite element method for axisymmetric problems with weak discontinuities. The salient feature of the proposed approach is that all the terms in the stiffness and mass matrices can be computed by smoothing technique. This is accomplished by combining the Gaussian divergence theorem with the evaluation of indefinite integral based on smoothing technique, which is used to transform the domain integral into boundary integral. The proposed technique completely eliminates the need for isoparametric mapping and the computing of Jacobian matrix even for the mass matrix. When employed over the enriched elements, the proposed technique does not require sub‐triangulation for the purpose of numerical integration. The accuracy and convergence properties of the proposed technique are demonstrated with a few problems in elastostatics and elastodynamics with weak discontinuities. It can be seen that the proposed technique yields stable and accurate solutions and is less sensitive to mesh distortion. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) may contribute to partition of energy storage into visceral and subcutaneous fat depots
Authors: Guiu‐Jurado Esther , Unthan Mark , Böhler Nina , Kern Matthias , Landgraf Kathrin , Dietrich Arne , Schleinitz Dorit , Ruschke Karen , Klöting Nora , Faßhauer Mathias , Tönjes Anke , Stumvoll Michael , Körner Antje , Kovacs Peter , Blüher Matthias
Published: August 2016

Objective

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are important regulators of adipogenesis and may play a role in obesity. In this study, the hypothesis that BMP2 is related to adipose tissue (AT) distribution in obesity was tested.

Methods

BMP2 serum concentration (n = 439) and BMP2 and Schnurri‐1 and −2 mRNA expression were measured in paired samples of visceral and subcutaneous AT from 547 individuals with a wide range of body mass index. In addition, a single nucleotide polymorphism rs979012 in the BMP2 gene was genotyped for subsequent association studies on quantitative traits related to obesity in 631 individuals.

Results

BMP2 and Schnurri‐1 mRNA were significantly higher in visceral compared with subcutaneous AT. Compared with individuals who were healthy and lean, BMP2 expression in both depots was significantly higher in people with obesity. Significantly higher BMP2 serum concentrations were found in patients with type 2 diabetes with moderate but not morbid obesity. Schnurri‐1 and −2 mRNA expression was not related to either BMP2 expression or circulating BMP2. Finally, rs979012 showed nominal association with body mass index and total cholesterol levels.

Conclusions

Data suggest that with increasing demand to store excessive energy, AT BMP2 expression increases and may contribute to partitioning of energy storage into visceral and subcutaneous AT depots.
Regulation of alternative splicing in human obesity loci
Authors: Kaminska Dorota , Käkelä Pirjo , Nikkola Elina , Venesmaa Sari , Ilves Imre , Herzig Karl‐Heinz , Kolehmainen Marjukka , Karhunen Leila , Kuusisto Johanna , Gylling Helena , Pajukanta Päivi , Laakso Markku , Pihlajamäki Jussi
Published: August 2016

Objective

Multiple obesity susceptibility loci have been identified by genome‐wide association studies, yet the mechanisms by which these loci influence obesity remain unclear. Alternative splicing could contribute to obesity by regulating the transcriptomic and proteomic diversity of genes in these loci.

Methods

Based on a database search, 72 of the 136 genes at the 13 obesity loci encoded multiple protein isoforms. Thus, alternative splicing of these genes in adipose tissue samples was analyzed from the Metabolic Syndrome in Men population‐based study and from two weight loss intervention studies (surgical and very low calorie diet).

Results

Alternative splicing was confirmed in 11 genes with PCR capillary electrophoresis in human subcutaneous adipose tissue. Interestingly, differential splicing of TRA2B, BAG6, and MSH5 was observed between lean individuals with normoglycemia and overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes. Of these genes, we detected fat depot‐dependent splicing of TRA2B and BAG6 and weight loss‐induced regulation of MSH5 splicing in the intervention studies. Finally, body mass index was a major determinant of TRA2B, BAG6, and MSH5 splicing in the combined data.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence for alternative splicing in obesity loci, suggesting that alternative splicing at least in part mediates the obesity‐associated risk in these loci.
Three‐dimensional modelling identifies novel genetic dependencies associated with breast cancer progression in the isogenic MCF10 model
Authors: Maguire Sarah L , Peck Barrie , Wai Patty T , Campbell James , Barker Holly , Gulati Aditi , Daley Frances , Vyse Simon , Huang Paul , Lord Christopher J , Farnie Gillian , Brennan Keith , Natrajan Rachael
Published: August 2016

The initiation and progression of breast cancer from the transformation of the normal epithelium to ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive disease is a complex process involving the acquisition of genetic alterations and changes in gene expression, alongside microenvironmental and recognized histological alterations. Here, we sought to comprehensively characterise the genomic and transcriptomic features of the MCF10 isogenic model of breast cancer progression, and to functionally validate potential driver alterations in three‐dimensional (3D) spheroids that may provide insights into breast cancer progression, and identify targetable alterations in conditions more similar to those encountered in vivo. We performed whole genome, exome and RNA sequencing of the MCF10 progression series to catalogue the copy number and mutational and transcriptomic landscapes associated with progression. We identified a number of predicted driver mutations (including PIK3CA and TP53) that were acquired during transformation of non‐malignant MCF10A cells to their malignant counterparts that are also present in analysed primary breast cancers from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Acquisition of genomic alterations identified MYC amplification and previously undescribed RAB3GAP1–HRAS and UBA2–PDCD2L expressed in‐frame fusion genes in malignant cells. Comparison of pathway aberrations associated with progression showed that, when cells are grown as 3D spheroids, they show perturbations of cancer‐relevant pathways. Functional interrogation of the dependency on predicted driver events identified alterations in HRAS, PIK3CA and TP53 that selectively decreased cell growth and were associated with progression from preinvasive to invasive disease only when cells were grown as spheroids. Our results have identified changes in the genomic repertoire in cell lines representative of the stages of breast cancer progression, and demonstrate that genetic dependencies can be uncovered when cells are grown in conditions more like those in vivo. The MCF10 progression series therefore represents a good model with which to dissect potential biomarkers and to evaluate therapeutic targets involved in the progression of breast cancer. © 2016 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Fabrication of castor‐oil/polycaprolactone based bio‐polyurethane foam reinforced with nanocellulose
Authors: Lee You Jung , Park Chang Kyu , Kim Seong Hun
Published: August 2016

Polyurethane (PU) foam retains many of the merits of PU such as low density, outstanding energy absorption, and high dimensional stability, which can satisfy various applications. PU foam based on biomaterials was investigated to replace traditional petroleum‐based polyol. Polyols were synthesized from castor oil (CO) and polycaprolactone (PCL). In addition, the effects of the nanocellulose on the thermal and mechanical properties of CO‐based PU foam were investigated. Nanocellulose at the content of 0.2 wt% was used as reinforcement for CO‐based PU foam in this research. Investigation of thermal and mechanical properties found that the CO‐based PU foam with the addition of the nanocellulose allowed the best properties. This result indicates that addition of the nanocellulose could be an effective way to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of PU foams. The foamed structure was examined using scanning electron microscopy to determine cell morphology. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2004–2011, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis, characterization and investigation of proton exchange properties of sulfonated polytriazoles from a new semifluorinated diazide monomer
Authors: Saha Sayantani , Mukherjee Rajdeep , Singh Asheesh , Banerjee Susanta
Published: August 2016

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of a new series of semifluorinated sulfonated polytriazole copolymers (PTATSH‐XX) with varying degree of sulfonation and higher IEC. The copolymers have been prepared by click reaction using a combination of diazide monomers; a newly synthesized diazide monomer namely 4,4‐bis[3‐trifluoromethyl‐4(4‐azidophenoxy)phenyl]benzene (TAZ) and a commercially available diazide monomer namely 4,4′‐diazido‐2,2′‐stilbenedisulfonic acid disodium salt (DADSDB) with a bis‐alkyne monomer namely 4,4′‐(propane‐2,2‐diyl)bis((prop‐2‐ynyloxy)benzene) (BPEBPA). The copolymers are well characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy and have exhibited good solubility and film forming abilities along with good thermal and chemical stability, low water uptake, good dimensional stability and high mechanical properties. The TEM micrographs of the copolymer membranes show good phase separated morphology with cluster size in the range 10–60 nm. The proton conductivity values of the copolymer membranes are found in the range of 15–90 mS cm−1 at 80°C and 16–97 mS cm−1 at 90°C. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:312–323, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Interaction between intrinsically disordered regions in transcription factors Sp1 and TAF4
Authors: Hibino Emi , Inoue Rintaro , Sugiyama Masaaki , Kuwahara Jun , Matsuzaki Katsumi , Hoshino Masaru
Published: August 2016

The expression of eukaryotic genes is precisely controlled by specific interactions between general transcription initiation factors and gene‐specific transcriptional activators. The general transcription factor TFIID, which plays an essential role in mediating transcriptional activation, is a multisubunit complex comprising the TATA box‐binding protein (TBP) and multiple TBP‐associated factors (TAFs). On the other hand, biochemical and genetic approaches have shown that the promoter‐specific transcriptional activator Sp1 has the ability to interact with one of the components of TFIID, the TBP‐associated factor TAF4. We herein report the structural details of the glutamine‐rich domains (Q‐domains) of Sp1 and TAF4 using circular dichroism (CD) and heteronuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. We found that the two Q‐domains of Sp1 and four Q‐domains of TAF4 were disordered under physiological conditions. We also quantitatively analyzed the interaction between the Q‐domains of Sp1 and TAF4 by NMR and surface plasmon resonance, and detected a weak but specific association between them. Nevertheless, a detailed analysis of CD spectra suggested that any significant conformational change did not occur concomitantly with this association, at least at the level of the overall secondary structure. These results may represent a prominent and exceptional binding mode for the IDPs, which are not categorized in a well‐accepted concept of “coupled folding and binding.”
Generalized optimal design for two‐arm, randomized phase II clinical trials with endpoints from the exponential dispersion family
Authors: Jiang Wei , Mahnken Jonathan D. , He Jianghua , Mayo Matthew S.
Published: August 2016

For two‐arm randomized phase II clinical trials, previous literature proposed an optimal design that minimizes the total sample sizes subject to multiple constraints on the standard errors of the estimated event rates and their difference. The original design is limited to trials with dichotomous endpoints. This paper extends the original approach to be applicable to phase II clinical trials with endpoints from the exponential dispersion family distributions. The proposed optimal design minimizes the total sample sizes needed to provide estimates of population means of both arms and their difference with pre‐specified precision. Its applications on data from specific distribution families are discussed under multiple design considerations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal stability of anatase TiO2 aerogels
Authors: Zhao Lele , Wang Shouxin , Wang Yuanyang , Li Zhihong
Published: August 2016

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) aerogels were prepared with sol–gel ambient pressure drying method by using titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) as precursor and tetraethoxysilane as modifier, calcinated at different temperature and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and small angle X‐ray scattering. The results showed that the TiO2 aerogels remained amorphous under 500 °C, changed to anatase from 600 °C and further changed to rutile from 900 °C. Between 60 °C and 500 °C, the primary particles within the samples concentrated mainly upon small sizes, enlarged and diverged remarkably above 600 °C. The crystalline grains grew and agglomerated with the rise of the calcination temperature. The TiO2 aerogels at a temperature higher than 800 °C have better stability than anatase because of the formation of partial Ti―O―Si bonds. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Consider problems with FERPA quizzes: A galaxy of similarities
Authors: Rainsberger Richard
Published: August 2016

It wasn't quite a surprise. But it came darn close. The more than 60 online FERPA tutorials that I described last month did have some twists I didn't expect. Although the colleges covered FERPA Basics well, the quizzes at the end of the tutorials left something to be desired.
Follow 3 key tips for engaging your direct reports
Authors: Jarvis Kimberly , Munin Art
Published: August 2016

Staff members qualify as the strongest resource for helping Registrar's Offices to advance their mission and support their students. And that's why supporting, developing, and engaging the individuals we supervise are central components of the work we do.