bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preponderance of Oxygenated Sesquiterpenes and Diterpenes in the Volatile Oil Constituents of Lactuca serriola L. Revealed Antioxidant and Allelopathic Activity
Authors: Abd‐ElGawad Ahmed M. , Elshamy Abdelsamed I. , El‐Nasser El Gendy Abd , Al‐Rowaily Saud L. , Assaeed Abdulaziz M.
Published: June 2019

Using synthetic chemicals in industry and agriculture has led to several environmental problems. Thus, plant products derived from volatile oils (VOs) could be a potential green source for bioherbicides. Little is known about the VOs of Lactuca serriola. Hence, the present study aimed to characterize the VOs chemical composition from the aerial parts of L. serriola, assessment of antioxidant activity, and evaluate allelopathic potential against the noxious weed Bidens pilosa. The VOs were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS. The VOs from the Egyptian ecospecies of L. serriola were found to comprise 34 compounds mainly oxygenated sesquiterpenes and diterpenes. The major compounds were isoshyobunone (64.22 %), isocembrol (17.35 %), and alloaromadendrene oxide‐1 (7.32 %). So, L. serriola can be considered as a good source for isoshyobunone, considering that it has a much higher concentration than any other plants. Also, this plant has a high content of the oxygenated diterpene compound, isocembrol, which is rarely found in the VOs of most plants. The VOs expressed strong antioxidant activity. Also, for the first time, our results showed a strong allelopathic activity of VOs from L. serriola on germination and seedling growth of the noxious weed, B. pilosa. We suppose that the activity of the VOs from L. serriola could be attributed to these previously mentioned major compounds, as they represent about 89 % of the total identified oil constituents. Nevertheless, to evaluate these compounds as new allelochemicals, further study is needed to test the allelopathic activity of authenticated standard of these compounds either singular or in combination on several weeds as well as evaluate the safety, and improve the efficacy and stability at the field scale.
Evaluation of the Interaction between Bax and Hsp70 in Cells by Using a FRET System Consisting of a Fluorescent Amino Acid and YFP as a FRET Pair
Authors: Park Seong‐Hyun , Ko Wooseok , Park Sang‐Hyun , Lee Hyun Soo , Shin Injae
Published: June 2019

To gain insight into factors that lead to dissociation of Bax from a complex with Hsp70 during apoptosis, we recently constructed a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) system composed of the Hsp70‐YFP (YFP=yellow fluorescent protein) fusion protein and fluorescent amino acid (ANAP=6‐acetyl(naphthalen‐2‐ylamino)‐2‐aminopropanoic acid)‐containing Bax (Bax‐ANAP), which was produced by using the genetic code expansion technique. In the current study, the FRET system was employed to elucidate how brefeldin A (an endoplasmic reticulum stress inducer), chlorpromazine and apoptozole (lysosomal membrane destabilizers), bafilomycin A1 (an inhibitor of lysosomal acidification) as well as raptinal and Az‐TPP‐O3 (mitochondria‐targeted apoptosis inducers) affect the interaction between Bax and Hsp70. Analyses of single live cell images together with results of co‐immunoprecipitation assays reveal that brefeldin A, chlorpromazine, and apoptozole promote dissociation of the Bax/Hsp70 complex through activation of the activator BH3‐only protein. However, the results show that bafilomycin A1, raptinal, and Az‐TPP‐O3 have no influence on the interaction of Bax with Hsp70. The combined observations made in the current and previous studies demonstrate that the FRET system consisting of Bax‐ANAP and Hsp70‐YFP is highly useful to understand apoptotic processes associated with the Bax–Hsp70 interaction.
The effect of using water sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) extract on wheat pan bread quality characteristics
Authors: Al‐Marazeeq Khaled M. , Al‐Rousan Walid , Al‐obaidy Khalid , Al‐obaidy Mostafa
Published: June 2019

Background and objectives

Bread is a staple food that is widely consumed worldwide. The present study aimed to evaluate the use of sumac extract as a natural and functional improver on the quality attributes of wheat pan bread. Water sumac extracts were prepared at different sumac powder: water concentrations (w:v; 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 3%, and 5%) and then used in kneading of the dough and compared to the control dough kneaded with only water.

Findings

The rheological properties of the dough were measured using farinograph and extensograph, and these properties that include water absorption, development time, consistency, stability, softening, farinograph quality numbers, dough energy, resistance, maximum height, ratio R50/E, and ratio max significantly (p < 0.05) increased by using sumac extracts, while in contrast the dough extensibility decreased. An unexpected increase in bread volume index was obtained, which ranged from 108.87% to 154.84%, compared to the volume of control bread. Lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) of the crust and crumb significantly (p < 0.05) decreased, while redness (a*) increased. The organoleptic preferences of the bread significantly increased as the concentration of sumac extract increased, except for a slight decrease in crumb color preference due to the reddish color. These improvements in pan bread characteristics could be attributed to extractable organic acids, polyphenols, tannins, and anthocyanins from sumac contributing to the strength of the gluten network.

Conclusions

Water sumac extracts at levels from 0.5% to 5% significantly enhanced the quality and pan bread parameters of the all‐purpose wheat flour dough.

Significance and novelty

The use of sumac extract as a natural and GRAS method to improve pan bread formulation could be beneficial both to the baking industry and to general health.
Catalytic Materials for Low Concentration VOCs Removal through “Storage‐Regeneration” Cycling
Authors: Chen Bingbing , Wu Le , Wu Bo , Wang Zhihui , Yu Limei , Crocker Mark , Zhu Aimin , Shi Chuan
Published: June 2019

Compared with other approaches for the removal of VOCs, the concept of “storage‐regeneration” cycling is proposed as an effective and promising way to eliminate low‐concentration indoor VOCs. A key issue in this approach is the design of catalytic materials which should possess balanced properties between storage and regeneration. The materials used for the storage of VOCs such as formaldehyde and benzene should not only possess high and selective VOC storage capacity, but also be easily regenerated without any release of the VOCs or generation of secondary pollutants. To this end, appropriate regeneration methods have been proposed, including thermal regeneration, plasma (nonthermal plasma) oxidation or ozone enabled regeneration. In this short review, these essential features of the cycled “storage‐regeneration” concept for VOC destruction are considered and the prospects for the implementation of this technology are assessed.
Characterization and Elemental Quantification of Natural Hydroxyapatite Produced from Cow Bone
Authors: Akindoyo John O. , Ghazali Suriati , Beg Mohammad D. H. , Jeyaratnam Nitthiyah
Published: June 2019

The demand for hydroxyapatite (HA) is increasing annually due to the growing number of orthopedic patients, but it is a challenge to meet this growing demand without interfering with the integrity of the environment. Here, natural HA was produced from cow bone through ultrasound treatment followed by a calcination process at various temperatures. Characterization of the produced HA was performed by techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The elemental composition of the HA was quantified through X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray fluorescence, as well as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur (CHNS) analysis. The results demonstrate that pure HA was produced after calcination at 950 °C, corresponding to pure HA phase.
Mesoporous Carbons Templated by PEO‐PCL Block Copolymers as Electrode Materials for Supercapacitors
Authors: Li Jheng‐Guang , Ho Ya‐Fan , Ahmed Mahmoud M. M. , Liang Heng‐Chia , Kuo Shiao‐Wei
Published: June 2019

In this study, samples of activated mesoporous carbon are fabricated with pore structures with cylinder and gyroid nanostructures through the templating effect of amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide‐block‐caprolactone) (PEO‐PCL) and by using specific resol/PEO‐PCL weight ratios (e.g., 60:40 for cylinders; 55:45 for gyroids). After carbonization and KOH activation, the activated mesoporous carbons were tested as electrode materials for electric double‐layer capacitor (EDLC) supercapacitors. The electrochemical properties were examined by using three‐electrode (6 m KOH(aq) as electrolyte) and CR2032 coin‐cell (1 m tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEABF4)/CN as the electrolyte) systems. The gyroid carbon samples provided specific capacitances higher than those of the cylinder carbon samples in both aqueous and organic systems: 155 F g−1 compared with 135 F g−1 in 6 m KOH(aq), and 105.6 compared with 96 F g−1 in 1 m TEABF4/MeCN, after 100 charge/discharge cycles. It is suspected that the bi‐continuous mesochannels of the gyroid‐type activated mesoporous carbons provided a relatively higher effective adsorption surface area; in other words, the greater surface area for energy storage originated from a moderate pore size and an interconnected pore structure.
A Hydrogen Peroxide Activatable Gemcitabine Prodrug for the Selective Treatment of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Matsushita Katsunori , Okuda Takumi , Mori Shohei , Konno Masamitsu , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Asai Ayumu , Koseki Jun , Iwagami Yoshifumi , Yamada Daisaku , Akita Hirofumi , Asaoka Tadafumi , Noda Takehiro , Kawamoto Koichi , Gotoh Kunihito , Kobayashi Shogo , Kasahara Yuuya , Morihiro Kunihiko , Satoh Taroh , Doki Yuichiro , Mori Masaki , Ishii Hideshi , Obika Satoshi
Published: June 2019

The main concern in the use of anticancer chemotherapeutic drugs is host toxicity. Patients need to interrupt or change chemotherapy due to adverse effects. In this study, we aimed to decrease adverse events with gemcitabine (GEM) in the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and focused on the difference of hydrogen peroxide levels in normal versus cancer cells. We designed and synthesized a novel boronate‐ester‐caged prodrug that is activated by the high H2O2 concentrations found in cancer cells to release GEM. An H2O2‐activatable GEM (A‐GEM) has higher selectivity for H2O2 over other reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytotoxic effects corresponding to the H2O2 concentration in vitro. A xenograft model of immunodeficient mice indicated that the effect of A‐GEM was not inferior to that of GEM when administered in vivo. In particular, myelosuppression was significantly decreased following A‐GEM treatment compared with that following GEM treatment.
The Design of Potent, Selective and Drug‐Like RGD αvβ1 Small‐Molecule Inhibitors Derived from non‐RGD α4β1 Antagonists
Authors: Hatley Richard J. D. , Barrett Tim N. , Slack Robert J. , Watson Morag E. , Baillache Daniel J. , Gruszka Anna , Washio Yoshiaki , Rowedder James E. , Pogány Peter , Pal Sandeep , Macdonald Simon J. F.
Published: June 2019

Up to 45 % of deaths in developed nations can be attributed to chronic fibroproliferative diseases, highlighting the need for effective therapies. The RGD (Arg‐Gly‐Asp) integrin αvβ1 was recently investigated for its role in fibrotic disease, and thus warrants therapeutic targeting. Herein we describe the identification of non‐RGD hit small‐molecule αvβ1 inhibitors. We show that αvβ1 activity is embedded in a range of published α4β1 (VLA‐4) ligands; we also demonstrate how a non‐RGD integrin inhibitor (of α4β1 in this case) was converted into a potent non‐zwitterionic RGD integrin inhibitor (of αvβ1 in this case). We designed urea ligands with excellent selectivity over α4β1 and the other αv integrins (αvβ3, αvβ5, αvβ6, αvβ8). In silico docking models and density functional theory (DFT) calculations aided the discovery of the lead urea series.
Glioma incidence and survival variations by county‐level socioeconomic measures
Authors: Cote David J. , Ostrom Quinn T. , Gittleman Haley , Duncan Kelsey R. , CreveCoeur Travis S. , Kruchko Carol , Smith Timothy R. , Stampfer Meir J. , Barnholtz‐Sloan Jill S.
Published: June 2019

Background

Multiple studies have reported higher rates of glioma in areas with higher socioeconomic status (SES) but to the authors' knowledge have not stratified by other factors, including race/ethnicity or urban versus rural location.

Methods

The authors identified the average annual age‐adjusted incidence rates and calculated hazard ratios for death for gliomas of various subtypes, stratified by a county‐level index for SES, race/ethnicity, US region, and rural versus urban status.

Results

Rates of glioma were highest in counties with higher SES (rate ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.15‐1.22 comparing the highest with the lowest quintiles [P < .001]). Stratified by race/ethnicity, higher rates in high SES counties persisted for white non‐Hispanic individuals. Stratified by rural versus urban status, differences in incidence by SES were more pronounced among urban counties. Survival was higher for residents of high SES counties after adjustment for age and extent of surgical resection (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.76‐0.87 comparing the highest with the lowest quintile of SES [P < .001]). Survival was higher among white Hispanic, black, and Asian/Pacific Islander individuals compared with white non‐Hispanic individuals, after adjustment for age, SES, and extent of surgical resection, and when restricted to those individuals with glioblastoma who received radiation and chemotherapy.

Conclusions

The incidence of glioma was higher in US counties of high compared with low SES. These differences were most pronounced among white non‐Hispanic individuals and white Hispanic individuals residing in urban areas. Better survival was observed in high SES counties, even when adjusting for extent of surgical resection, and when restricted to those who received radiation and chemotherapy for glioblastoma. Differences in incidence and survival were associated with SES and race, rather than rural versus urban status.
Sample‐Based Optimal Transport and Barycenter Problems
Authors: Kuang Max , Tabak Esteban G.
Published: June 2019

A methodology is developed for the numerical solution to the sample‐based optimal transport and Wasserstein barycenter problems. The procedure is based on a characterization of the barycenter and of the McCann interpolants that permits the decomposition of the global problem under consideration into various local problems where the distance among successive distributions is small. These local problems can be formulated in terms of feature functions and shown to have a unique minimizer that solves a nonlinear system of equations. Both the theoretical underpinnings of the methodology and its practical implementation are developed, and illustrated with synthetic and real data sets. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A trust assurance technique for Internet of things based on human behavior compliance
Authors: Anisetti Marco , Ardagna Claudio Agostino , Damiani Ernesto , Sala Alessandro
Published: June 2019

The advent of the Internet of things (IoT) has radically changed the way in which computations and communications are carried out. People are just becoming another component of IoT environments, and in turn, IoT environments are becoming a mixture of platforms, software, services, things, and people. The price we pay for such dynamic and powerful environment is an intrinsic uncertainty and low trustworthiness due to its opaque perimeter, the multitude of different data sources with unknown providers, and uncertain responsibilities. Trustworthiness of observables collected by smart devices (from minuscle sensors to bigger machines) is fundamental to build a chain of trust on a decision process taken according to these observables. Some assurance solutions evaluate the quality of collected data, although they are difficult to apply in IoT environments for performance and cost reasons. In this paper, we take a different approach and put forward the idea that, in many cases, the behavior of people owning smart devices can contribute to the evaluation of the trustworthiness of collected data and, in turn, of the whole decision process. We therefore define an assurance methodology based on data analytics evaluating the compliance of people to behavioral policies. The more people behavior is compliant, the higher the trustworthiness of data collected through their smart devices.
Selective CO2 Conversion into Fuels on Nanochannels
Authors: Delgado Dario
Published: June 2019

The purpose of this research idea is to develop a method to electrochemically convert carbon dioxide into higher alcohol chains such as ethanol to be used as fuel. Electrochemical CO2 reduction has low yields and poor product selectivity, being able to improve this reaction would have an impact in the energy and food market. We propose the use of a modified nanofluidic transistor to block reaction steps that are thermodynamically favored by constraining the kinetics of the reaction when the reaction takes place in a geometrically restricted environment with different double layer properties to those found in conventional planar electrosynthesis.
A Chirality/Light Dual‐Responsive Calixarene‐Functionalized Gold Surface for the Separation of Naproxen Enantiomers
Authors: Xu Pingping , Quan Jiaxin , Chen Wan , Zhang Jin , Yan Hewei , Liu Yanxiang , Tan Shiliang , Zeng Xiangfei , Li Haibing , Yang Guangfu
Published: June 2019

Chiral and photo‐responsive calix[4]arene (trans CAC4) host system that can be adsorbed onto gold surfaces was rationally designed and produced in quantitative yields. Chiral recognition through strong host–guest interaction between trans CAC4 and (R)‐naproxen was confirmed by fluorescence titration and 1H NMR analysis. Functionalization of the gold surface with trans CAC4 was demonstrated by increased contact angle and XPS measurement. Photoswitching by trans‐cis isomerization of CAC4 and CAC4‐modified gold surfaces was confirmed by UV‐vis spectroscopy and contact angle experiments. Trans CAC4‐modified gold surfaces showed selective adsorption towards (R)‐naproxen, while cis CAC4‐modified gold surfaces did not show any distinctive interaction with (R)/(S)‐naproxen. Langmuir isothermal plots and LSCM studies proved quantitative adsorption of (R)‐naproxen by the trans CAC4‐modified surface. This study demonstrated chiral recognition of a drug system by visual macroscopic changes, which may be used as a convenient methodology to separate bioactive enantiomers.
Glycolated Thiophene‐Tetrafluorophenylene Copolymers for Bioelectronic Applications: Synthesis by Direct Heteroarylation Polymerisation
Authors: Parr Zachary S. , Halaksa Roman , Finn Peter A. , Rashid Reem B. , Kovalenko Alexander , Weiter Martin , Rivnay Jonathan , Krajčovič Jozef , Nielsen Christian B.
Published: June 2019

A series of copolymers containing a glycolated 1,4‐dithienyl‐2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorophenylene unit copolymerized with thiophene, bithiophene, thienothiophene and 1,2,4,5‐tetrafluorobenzene comonomer units were designed and synthesised by direct heteroarylation polymerisation. The optical, electrochemical, electrochromic and solid‐state structural properties of the copolymers were investigated. The copolymers exhibit stable redox properties in organic solvents and promising redox properties in thin film configuration with an aqueous electrolyte. Finally, the potential of the copolymers as active materials in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) was assessed, and promising performance was shown as an accumulation‐mode OECT material with a peak transconductance of 0.17 mS and a good on/off ratio of 105 for the thiophene copolymer.
Synthesis, Characterization and Performance of Promising Energetic Materials Based on 1,3‐Oxazinane
Authors: Xue Qi , Bi Fuqiang , Zhai Lianjie , Guo Tao , Zhang Jiarong , Zhang Shengyong , Wang Bozhou , Zhang Junlin
Published: June 2019

1,3‐oxazinane is an ideal framework for advanced energetic materials because of its compact skeleton and the presence of several modifiable sites. However, investigations on characterization and performance of 1,3‐oxazinane energetic compounds are extremely limited. Two heterocyclic 1,3‐oxazinane molecules were synthesized under different Mannich condensation processes and further reacted to form nitro‐ and azide‐substituted energetic compounds 3,5,5‐trinitro‐1,3‐oxazinane (TNTON) and 5‐azido‐3,5‐dinitro‐1,3‐oxazinane (ADTON), in good yields. Interestingly, the two energetic molecules showed distinct physical properties. ADTON shows an impressive glass transition temperature (Tg) as low as −46 °C with high density, which is highly suitable for rate‐accelerating materials. TNTON exhibits good thermal stabilities (melting point of 89 °C and a decomposition point of 231 °C) and highly insensitive behavior (38 J, 360 N). The theoretical detonation pressure of TNTON is ca. 63 % higher than that of TNT, indicating broad application prospects in melt‐cast explosives.
N‐Acetyl Cysteine Is Associated With Dopaminergic Improvement in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Monti Daniel A. , Zabrecky George , Kremens Daniel , Liang Tsao‐Wei , Wintering Nancy A. , Bazzan Anthony J. , Zhong Li , Bowens Brendan K. , Chervoneva Inna , Intenzo Charles , Newberg Andrew B.
Published: June 2019

This study assessed the biological and clinical effects in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) of N‐acetyl‐cysteine (NAC), the prodrug to l‐cysteine, a precursor to the natural biological antioxidant glutathione. Forty‐two patients with PD were randomized to either weekly intravenous infusions of NAC (50 mg/kg) plus oral doses (500 mg twice per day) for 3 months or standard of care only. Participants received prebrain and postbrain imaging with ioflupane (DaTscan) to measure dopamine transporter (DAT) binding. In the NAC group, significantly increased DAT binding was found in the caudate and putamen (mean increase from 3.4% to 8.3%) compared with controls (P < 0.05), along with significantly improved PD symptoms (P < 0.0001). The results suggest NAC may positively affect the dopaminergic system in patients with PD, with corresponding positive clinical effects. Larger scale studies are warranted.
An Update on Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Trevizol Alisson P. , Blumberger Daniel M.
Published: June 2019

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as an evidenced‐based treatment for major depression that does not respond to standard first‐line therapies. The majority of data support the use of high‐frequency (10 Hz) treatment delivered to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Intermittent theta burst stimulation is a new emerging treatment that reduces the time required to deliver treatment and can increase capacity and access to this treatment. This review will comprehensively cover recent advancements in the field of rTMS for depression, including stimulation parameters and targets aimed at enhancing outcomes. In addition, efforts to use modern neuroscience tools to personalize this treatment and optimize outcomes will be reviewed.
Impact of mothers’ experience and early‐life stress on aggression and cognition in adult male mice
Authors: Reshetnikov Vasiliy V. , Ryabushkina Yulia A. , Bondar Natalia P.
Published: June 2019

The postnatal period is important for brain development and behavioral programming. Here, we hypothesized that females’ stressful experience early in life can lead to disruption of mother–offspring interactions with their own progeny. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of mothers’ stressful experience, early‐life stress, or both on the behavior of adult male mice. In this study, female mice were allowed to raise their pups either without exposure to stress (normal rearing conditions, NC) or with exposure to maternal separation (3 hr/day, maternal separation, MS). Adult F1 female mice who had experienced MS (stressed mothers, SM) or had been reared normally (undisturbed mothers, UM) were used for generating F2 offspring, which was then exposed (or not exposed) to early‐life stress. We assessed anxiety‐like behavior, exploratory activity, locomotor activity, aggression, and cognition in four groups of adult F2 males (UM+NC, UM+MS, SM+NC, and SM+MS). We found that SM+MS males become more aggressive if agonistic contact is long enough; these results point to a change in their social coping strategy. Moreover, these aggressive males tended to show better long‐term spatial memory. Overall, our findings suggest that mothers’ early‐life experience may have important implications for the adult behavior of their offspring.
Drug concentrations in post‐mortem specimens
Authors: Ketola Raimo A. , Kriikku Pirkko
Published: June 2019

A meta‐analysis of drug concentrations in post‐mortem specimens is presented. The analysis involved 50 commonly used drugs and their concentrations in femoral blood, other blood (such as cardiac blood), vitreous humor, muscle, liver, kidney, brain, heart, lung, spleen, and bile. A total of 10 993 analytical results from 5375 post‐mortem cases in 388 studies were gathered and the ratios of drug concentrations in tissue material to median femoral blood concentrations were calculated. Analytical results from the laboratory's own database (years 2000–2018) were also included. The results show that the variation of ratios between post‐mortem specimens and femoral blood is highly compound dependent. This database can be utilized in interpretation of toxicological results in cases where femoral blood is not available. The specimens with similar concentrations as in femoral blood were vitreous humor, muscle, and other blood, such as cardiac blood, and the highest concentrations were generally measured from liver and bile. For these reasons we suggest the following order for biological specimens to be used for a quantitative toxicological analysis in cases where femoral blood is not available: 1. other blood, 2. muscle, 3. vitreous humor, 4. brain, 5. heart, 6. spleen, 7. kidney, 8. liver, and 9. bile.
Autonomous sound recording outperforms human observation for sampling birds: a systematic map and user guide
Authors: Darras Kevin , Batáry Péter , Furnas Brett J. , Grass Ingo , Mulyani Yeni A. , Tscharntke Teja
Published: June 2019

Autonomous sound recording techniques have gained considerable traction in the last decade, but the question remains whether they can replace human observation surveys to sample sonant animals. For birds in particular, survey methods have been tested extensively using point counts and sound recording surveys. Here, we review the latest evidence for this taxon within the frame of a systematic map. We compare sampling effectiveness of these two survey methods, the output variables they produce, and their practicality. When assessed against the standard of point counts, autonomous sound recording proves to be a powerful tool that samples at least as many species. This technology can monitor birds in an exhaustive, standardized, and verifiable way. Moreover, sound recorders give access to entire soundscapes from which new data types can be derived (vocal activity, acoustic indices). Variables such as abundance, density, occupancy, or species richness can be obtained to yield data sets that are comparable to and compatible with point counts. Finally, autonomous sound recorders allow investigations at high temporal and spatial resolution and coverage, which are more cost effective and cannot be achieved by human observations alone, even though small‐scale studies might be more cost effective when carried out with point counts. Sound recorders can be deployed in many places, they are more scalable and reliable, making them the better choice for bird surveys in an increasingly data‐driven time. We provide an overview of currently available recorders and discuss their specifications to guide future study designs.
Genetic analysis suggests extensive gene flow within and between catchments in a common and ecologically significant dryland river shrub species; Duma florulenta (Polygonaceae)
Authors: Murray Bruce , Reid Michael , Capon Samantha , Wu Shu‐Biao
Published: June 2019

Aim

The conservation of plant species biodiversity has been identified as a crucial factor for the resilience of dryland ecosystems in the face of climate change and desertification. Duma florulenta (lignum) is a keystone species that facilitates biodiversity in the floodplains and wetlands of Australia's dryland river systems. This paper explores spatial genetic structure of lignum and investigates factors influencing dispersal and gene flow within and among river catchments of the northern Murray–Darling Basin.

Location

Northern Murray–Darling Basin, eastern Australia.

Methods

A total of 122 individual plants from subpopulations located on rivers in four adjacent catchments were genotyped using 10 microsatellite markers. Microsatellite data were then analyzed using population genetic techniques to evaluate levels of gene flow and genetic structure and identify factors influencing dispersal.

Results

Results suggest high levels of gene flow between lignum subpopulations of the northern Murray–Darling Basin. AMOVA revealed small but significant differences between subpopulations, and STRUCTURE analysis did not detect meaningful structure when sampling information was not provided. However, when sampling information was supplied using the LOCPRIOR model, three genetic clusters were identified. All Lower Balonne subpopulations were assigned to cluster 1 while a number of the other subpopulations showed mixed ancestry. Weak relationships were identified between pairwise genetic distance and geographic as well as river distance, although the R2 value of the former was only half that of the latter.

Main conclusions

Patterns of genetic variation suggest frequent long‐distance overland gene flow largely as a result of the movement of seeds via floodwater. Therefore, maintenance of natural variability in flow regime is key both to maintain conditions favorable to recruitment and to promote dispersal and gene flow across the landscape. However, given future climate change projections persistence may be more reliant on the species ability to endure long periods of drought between flood events.
Hysteretic response of sap flow in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) to meteorological forcing in a humid low‐energy headwater catchment
Authors: Wang Hailong , Tetzlaff Doerthe , Soulsby Chris
Published: June 2019

Transpiration mediated by physiology is driven by the meteorological variables. Understanding their relationships is crucial to advancing terrestrial ecohydrological studies. Here, we used sap flow measurements in Scots pine to examine the temporal responses of transpiration to temperature (Ta), vapour pressure deficit (VPD), and net radiation (Rn). Seasonal variations and the hysteresis between sap flux density (Js) and meteorological variables were investigated. The results show that VPD and Rn were dominant factors influencing hourly Js. Daily peaks of Js lagged behind peaks of Ta, VPD, and Rn, by ~2–4 hr. Anticlockwise hysteresis loops between Js and Ta and VPD were observed, and the size of loops change with prevailing weather conditions (i.e., rainy or rainless) and seasons. Longer time lags were found in April and September than in other months. The hysteresis is partly related to the low energy, humid nature of the site which resulted in limited moisture stress to the trees, and thus the trees did not necessarily need a conservation mechanism to restrict water loss as proposed by other studies in semi‐arid areas. Release and refill of trunk water storage could plausibly contribute to the hysteresis, although the effect may be entwined with atmospheric demand making it difficult to separate without sophisticated measurements. This study highlights the diversity in plant water relations across temporal scales and seasons and calls for more work across geographic locations and climates.
Bromodomain inhibitor I‐BET151 suppresses immune responses during fungal–immune interaction
Authors: Domínguez‐Andrés Jorge , Ferreira Anaísa V , Jansen Trees , Smithers Nicholas , Prinjha Rab K. , Furze Rebecca C. , Netea Mihai G.
Published: June 2019

Changes in the epigenetic landscape of immune cells are a crucial component of gene activation during the induction of inflammatory responses, therefore it has been hypothesized that epigenetic modulation could be employed to restore homeostasis in inflammatory scenarios. Fungal pathogens cause a large burden of morbidity and even mortality due to the hyperinflammatory processes that induce mucosal, allergic or systemic infections. Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins are considered as one as the most tantalizing pharmacological targets for the modulation of inflammatory responses at the epigenetic level. Nothing is known of the role of BET inhibitors on the inflammation induced by fungal pathogens. In the present study, we assessed the in vitro efficacy of the small molecular histone mimic BET inhibitor I‐BET151 to modulate innate immune responses during fungal–immune interaction with the clinically relevant fungal pathogens Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. Our results prove that BET inhibitors (I‐BETs) represent an important modulator of inflammation induced by fungal pathogens: both direct production of proinflammatory cytokines and the induction of trained immunity were inhibited by I‐BET151. These modulatory effects are likely to have important potential implications in clinically relevant situations.
Homolytic Bond Strength and Radical Generation from (1‐Carbomethoxyethyl)pentacarbonylmanganese(I)
Authors: Morales‐Cerrada Roberto , Fliedel Christophe , Gayet Florence , Ladmiral Vincent , Améduri Bruno , Poli Rinaldo
Published: June 2019

Compound (1‐carbomethoxyethyl)pentacarbonylmanganese(I), [MnR(CO)5] (R = CHMeCOOMe, 1), was synthesized from K+[Mn(CO)5]– and methyl 2‐bromopropionate and isolated in pure form. Upon thermal activation, the Mn–R bond is homolytically cleaved and the resulting 1‐carbomethoxyethyl radical is able to initiate the polymerization of methyl acrylate (MA). A kinetic study of the decomposition of 1 in the presence of tris(trimethylsilyl)silane, TTMSS (10 equiv., saturation conditions) at 70, 65 and 60 °C yielded the T‐dependent activation rate constant, ka, which allowed the calculation of the activation enthalpy (ΔH‡ = 35.3 ± 2.8 kcal mol–1) and entropy (ΔS‡ = 27.2 ± 8.1 cal mol–1 K–1) through the use of the Eyring relationship. The ΔH‡ value can be taken as an upper limit for the thermodynamic bond dissociation enthalpy, which was estimated as 36.9 kcal mol–1 by DFT calculations. The higher thermal stability of 1 relative to that of simpler R derivatives that form stronger Mn–R bonds can be attributed to more difficult CO dissociation, precluding the decomposition by β‐H elimination.
Synthesis of Manganese‐Based Prussian Blue Nanocubes with Organic Solvent as High‐Performance Anodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Nie Chuanhao , Zhang Xun , Ren Haipeng , Xing Zheng , Cao Xichuan , Liu Jinlong , Wei Denghu , Ju Zhicheng
Published: June 2019

Prussian blue analogue KxMnFe(CN)6·yH2O (m‐KMHCF) nanocubes with an average edge length of about 60 nm were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal reaction involving methanol. The microscopic size of m‐KMHCF nanocubes could be easily reduced to less than 100 nm as methanol was added to the reaction, over a long range of reaction temperatures and reaction times. As anode material for lithium‐ion batteries, the m‐KMHCF electrode delivered a high specific capacity of over 900 mAh g–1 at a current density of 100 mA g–1 after 50 cycles. In addition, it provided stable rate capability and lithium storage performance at the high current density of 382.3 mAh g–1 at 5000 mA g–1. It is worth noting that the capacity continued to rise during the galvanostatic charge‐discharge, and the specific capacity increased after charging and discharging at the large current. This phenomenon and the excellent electrochemical performance are mainly derived from the smaller microscopic size, which further led to crystal particle refinement during charge‐discharge.
Zwitterionic Mixed‐Carbene Coinage Metal Complexes: Synthesis, Structures, and Photophysical Studies
Authors: Chotard Florian , Romanov Alexander S. , Hughes David L. , Linnolahti Mikko , Bochmann Manfred
Published: June 2019

A series of three zwitterionic mixed‐ligand bis(carbene) complexes of copper (1), silver (2) and gold (3) have been synthesized, based on a combination of ethyl‐substituted cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (Et2CAAC) and an anionic methyl‐malonate‐derived N‐heterocyclic carbene (maloNHC). The crystal structures confirm the linear two‐coordinate geometry without close intermolecular contacts. The compounds show blue‐white phosphorescence consistent with a wide HOMO‐LUMO energy gap (2.87–3.07 eV) estimated by cyclic voltammetry. The excited state lifetimes of crystalline powders decrease in the series Cu > Ag > Au, from 400 µs for copper 1 to 50 µs for the gold complex 3. DFT calculations indicate a large change in the transition dipole moment on excitation, of up to 16 D.
Single Laser Shot Photoinduced Phase Transition of Rubidium Manganese Hexacyanoferrate Investigated by X‐ray Diffraction
Authors: Azzolina Giovanni , Collet Eric , Mariette Céline , Cammarata Marco , Trzop Elzbieta , Sander Mathias , Levantino Matteo , Nakagawa Kosuke , Tokoro Hiroko , Ohkoshi Shin‐ichi , Bertoni Roman
Published: June 2019

Invited for the cover of this issue are the groups of Eric Collet from Université de Rennes 1, France, and Shin‐ichi Ohkoshi from The University of Tokyo, Japan. The cover image shows the application of X‐ray diffraction at the synchrotron to study photoinduced phase transition in charge‐transfer systems.
Benzoyl‐Protected Hydroxylamines for Improved Chemical Synthesis of Oligonucleotides Containing Nitroxide Spin Labels
Authors: Juliusson Haraldur Y. , Segler Anna‐Lena J. , Sigurdsson Snorri Th.
Published: June 2019

Oligonucleotides containing nitroxide spin labels, used in biophysical studies of nucleic acids, are frequently prepared by chemical synthesis. However, during the synthesis of spin‐labeled oligonucleotides, the nitroxides are partially reduced to the corresponding amines. Here we report that a benzoylated hydroxylamine can be used as a protected form of the nitroxide to avoid this reduction. The benzoyl group is stable through the oligonucleotide synthesis and is readily removed under standard oligonucleotide deprotection conditions, yielding a hydroxylamine that is oxidized in situ to the nitroxide. This method was used to incorporate the rigid spin labels Ç and Çm into DNA and RNA oligonucleotides, respectively, including a doubly labeled 36‐nucleotide long DNAzyme. Enzymatic digestion of the spin‐labeled oligonucleotides and subsequent HPLC analysis showed that the nitroxides were intact. This protecting group strategy facilitates the high‐yielding synthesis of spin‐labeled DNA and RNA oligonucleotides using the phosphoramidite method.
Change in school ethnic diversity and intergroup relations: The transition from segregated elementary to mixed secondary school for majority and minority students
Authors: Birtel Michèle D. , Reimer Nils K. , Wölfer Ralf , Hewstone Miles
Published: June 2019

This research examined the impact of a change in school diversity on school children's intergroup relations. A longitudinal survey tracked 551 White British and Asian British students (Mage = 11.32) transitioning from elementary (time 1) to secondary (time 2) school in an ethnically segregated town in the United Kingdom. We estimated a multivariate, multilevel model. A cross‐sectional comparison of segregated schools and a mixed elementary school at time 1 revealed that both Asian and White British in the mixed school reported more positive intergroup relations. A longitudinal analysis found that the transition from segregated elementary to mixed secondary schools was associated with Asian British developing more positive intergroup relations. White British reported overall less positive intergroup relations, although only trust decreased; evidence from other measures remains inconclusive. The findings are important for understanding early stages of diversity exposure, and the impact of changing diversity levels on majority and minority groups.
The Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 through Coating MnF2 Nano Protective Layer
Authors: Zhu Wei , Chong Shaokun , Sun Junjie , Guo Shengwu , Tai Zige , Wang Yingjun , Liu Yongning
Published: June 2019

While Li‐rich layered materials are one of the most promising next‐generation cathode materials for Li‐ion batteries, they still face some challenges, such as large irreversible capacity, bad cycling performance, and inferior rate capability. In this work, MnF2 nanolayers are successfully coated on Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 (LNMO) samples. There is a great progress in the electrochemical performance of LNMO after coating MnF2 nanolayers. The pristine LNMO shows a discharge capacity of only 269.4 mAhg−1, and after coating, MF‐1.5 (coating weight percent of 1.5%) the sample exhibits a high initial discharge capacity of 296.8 mAhg−1. Furthermore, the MF‐2.5 sample displays improved capacity retention of 85% after 100 cycles at 0.5 C. In terms of rate capability, MF‐1.5 retains 141.7 mAhg−1 of capacity at 5 C compared with pristine LNMO, which is only 70.4 mAhg−1. The enhanced electrochemical performance of MnF2‐coated samples is attributed to the conversion reaction of the MnF2 layer, which limits the electrode–electrolyte side reaction and decreases the dissolution of transition metal ions in the electrolyte. In addition, there is spinel phase formation after coating the MnF2 nanolayer, which promotes Li‐ion transfer and further restrains the transformation of structure on the surface of the material.
A conservative flux‐corrected continuous finite element method for fluid interface dynamics
Authors: Molina Jorge , Ortiz Pablo
Published: June 2019

This paper presents a continuous finite element solution for fluid flows with interfaces. The method is founded on the sign‐preserving flux correction transport methodology and extends nonoscillatory finite element algorithm capabilities to predict interface motion efficiently. The procedure is composed of three main stages, along the lines of the conservative level set method: transport of phase function, reconstruction of phase function, and solution of equations of motion of two incompressible fluids. The flux correction technique takes action on the three steps. Limiting process incorporates a straightforward refinement to remove global mass residuals present in the earliest version of the algorithm. This is of particular importance in the transport step. Moreover, new method retains the efficacy of the original. To reconstruct the phase function after transport, a novel nonlinear (and conservative) streamlined diffusion equation is proposed, with an anisotropic diffusivity comprising artificial compression and diffusive fluxes along interface displacements direction. A substantial reduction of unphysical overshoots along the interface is reached by an improved bound estimation that includes interface information. Complete operation of the correction algorithm for two incompressible fluids flows requires two pressure solutions. We explore a reduced form to circumvent this extra burden. Numerical experiments verify the formulation by reproducing stringent benchmarks both for transport/reinitialization and for two‐fluid interface propagation.
Green kiwifruit extracts protect motor neurons from death in a spinal muscular atrophy model in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Mazzarella Nadia , Giangrieco Ivana , Visone Serena , Santonicola Pamela , Achenbach Jannis , Zampi Giuseppina , Tamburrini Maurizio , Di Schiavi Elia , Ciardiello Maria Antonietta
Published: June 2019

Kiwifruit is considered a functional food and a good source of nutraceuticals. Among the possible beneficial effects of kiwifruit species, a neuroprotective activity exerted in rats with learning and memory impairment induced by exposure to different chemicals was reported. We sought to investigate the neuroprotective activities of kiwifruit toward spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). To this purpose, we have used a recently developed Caenorhabditis elegans SMA model, displaying an age‐dependent degeneration of motor neurons detected as locomotory defects, disappearance of fluorescent markers, and apoptotic death of targeted neurons. Although an anti‐nematode activity is reported for kiwifruit, it has been verified that neither green (Actinidia deliciosa, cultivar Hayward) nor gold (Actinidia chinensis, cultivar Hort 16A) kiwifruit extracts cause detectable effects on wild‐type C. elegans growth and life cycle. Conversely, green kiwifruit extracts have a clear effect on the C. elegans SMA model by partially rescuing the degeneration and death of motor neurons and the locomotion impairment. The gold species does not show the same effect. The components responsible for the neuroprotection are macromolecules with a molecular weight higher than 3 kDa, present in the green and not in the yellow kiwifruit. In conclusion, this is the first study reporting a protective activity of green kiwifruit toward motor neurons. In addition, we demonstrate that C. elegans is an animal model suitable to study the biological activities contained in kiwifruit. Therefore, this model can be exploited for future investigations aimed at identifying kiwifruit molecules with potential applications in the field of human health.
Is options trading informed? Evidence from credit rating change announcements
Authors: Zhang Jun
Published: June 2019

Using a sample of proactive credit rating changes, this study examines the information content of options trading before news events. Pre‐event informed options trading predicts cumulative abnormal returns around credit rating change announcements. The predictability of options trading is more pronounced before announcements of more severe and surprising rating changes. Moreover, the information content of pre‐event options trading is greater when the pre‐event underlying stock market is less informational, when the options market is more liquid, and in the post–regulation fair disclosure period. Overall results are consistent with informed options trading before credit rating change announcements.
Paradigm and pragmatism: GIS‐based spatial analyses of Roman infrastructure networks and land‐use concepts in the Upper Rhine Valley
Authors: Kempf Michael
Published: June 2019

The Roman infrastructural network in the Upper Rhine Valley aligns with the locations of military fortifications and also connects agricultural areas and settlements to trade routes and regional markets. Conventionally, the connection of rural areas to these broader networks is imagined as a straight line, suggesting direct connectivity, maximum accessibility, and engineering pragmatism. However, it is important to appreciate that local environmental conditions had a strong impact on Roman road development and land‐use strategies. This article examines the geomorphological, geological, and hydrogeological conditions in the Upper Rhine Valley to define and analyze the relationships between Roman transport routes, settlement, and land‐use opportunities, and physical‐geographical factors. An accumulative cost surface is generated using vegetation data based on satellite imagery, and attributes are recorded in geomorphological and geological maps in a GIS. This modeling technique leads to potential movement and infrastructure corridors. Topographical aspects and terrain roughness play only a minor role in the study area, and it is argued that the interplay of aquifer thickness, groundwater level, quaternary sedimentology, and soil communities is decisive for assessing the suitability of terrain for corridors of movement.