bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polarized Fluorescence Microscopy to Study Cytoskeleton Assembly and Organization in Live Cells
Authors: McQuilken Molly , Mehta Shalin B. , Verma Amitabh , Harris Grant , Oldenbourg Rudolf , Gladfelter Amy S.
Published: June 2015

The measurement of not only the location but also the organization of molecules in live cells is crucial to understanding diverse biological processes. Polarized light microscopy provides a nondestructive means to evaluate order within subcellular domains. When combined with fluorescence microscopy and GFP‐tagged proteins, the approach can reveal organization within specific populations of molecules. This unit describes a protocol for measuring the architectural dynamics of cytoskeletal components using polarized fluorescence microscopy and OpenPolScope open‐access software (http://www.openpolscope.org). The protocol describes installation of linear polarizers or a liquid crystal (LC) universal compensator, calibration of the system, polarized fluorescence imaging, and analysis. The use of OpenPolScope software and hardware allows for reliable, user‐friendly image acquisition to measure and analyze polarized fluorescence. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Visualizing G Protein‐Coupled Receptor‐Receptor Interactions in Brain Using Proximity Ligation In Situ Assay
Authors: Taura Jaume , Fernández‐Dueñas Víctor , Ciruela Francisco
Published: June 2015

G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest family of plasma membrane receptors, thus representing the more investigated drug targets in the design of new therapeutic strategies. The existence of receptor‐receptor interactions has revolutionized the field, since GPCR oligomerization might confer new intervention opportunities in pharmacotherapy. However, demonstrating the existence of such receptor‐receptor interactions in native tissue has been a bottleneck in GPCR pharmacology. Here, we discuss an experimental approach, the proximity ligation in situ assay (P‐LISA), which provides enough sensitivity to evaluate a receptor's close proximity within a named GPCR oligomer. Indeed, we provide a detailed step‐by‐step protocol for P‐LISA experiments visualizing receptor‐receptor interactions in brain slices. Additionally, we provide instructions for slide observation, data acquisition and quantification. Finally, we also discuss these critical aspects determining the success of the technique, namely the fixation process and the validation of the primary antibodies used. Overall, the P‐LISA is a powerful and straightforward technique to visualize receptor‐receptor interactions when performed under optimal conditions. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Holidays in lights: Tracking cultural patterns in demand for energy services
Authors: Román Miguel O. , Stokes Eleanor C.
Published: June 2015

Successful climate change mitigation will involve not only technological innovation, but also innovation in how we understand the societal and individual behaviors that shape the demand for energy services. Traditionally, individual energy behaviors have been described as a function of utility optimization and behavioral economics, with price restructuring as the dominant policy lever. Previous research at the macro‐level has identified economic activity, power generation and technology, and economic role as significant factors that shape energy use. However, most demand models lack basic contextual information on how dominant social phenomenon, the changing demographics of cities, and the sociocultural setting within which people operate, affect energy decisions and use patterns. Here we use high‐quality Suomi‐NPP VIIRS nighttime environmental products to: (1) observe aggregate human behavior through variations in energy service demand patterns during the Christmas and New Year's season and the Holy Month of Ramadan and (2) demonstrate that patterns in energy behaviors closely track sociocultural boundaries at the country, city, and district level. These findings indicate that energy decision making and demand is a sociocultural process as well as an economic process, often involving a combination of individual price‐based incentives and societal‐level factors. While nighttime satellite imagery has been used to map regional energy infrastructure distribution, tracking daily dynamic lighting demand at three major scales of urbanization is novel. This methodology can enrich research on the relative importance of drivers of energy demand and conservation behaviors at fine scales. Our initial results demonstrate the importance of seating energy demand frameworks in a social context.
Interpreting fluid pressure anomalies in shallow intraplate argillaceous formations
Authors: Neuzil C. E.
Published: June 2015

Investigations have revealed several instances of apparently isolated highs or lows in pore fluid potential in shallow (< ~ 1 km depth) argillaceous formations in intraplate settings. Formations with the pressure anomalies are distinguished by (1) smaller ratios of hydraulic conductivity to formation thickness and (2) smaller hydraulic (or pressure) diffusivities than those without anomalies. This is consistent with transient Darcian flow caused by strain at rates of ~ 10−17 to 10‐16 s‐1, by significant perturbing events in the past 104 to 106 annum or by some combination of the two. Plausible causes include erosional downwasting, tectonic strain, and glaciation. In this conceptualization the anomalies provide constraints on formation‐scale flow properties, flow history, and local geological forcing in the last 106 annum and in particular indicate zones of low permeability (10−19–10−22 m2) that could be useful for isolation of nuclear waste.
Pathways of F region thermospheric mass density enhancement via soft electron precipitation
Authors: Zhang B. , Varney R. H. , Lotko W. , Brambles O. J. , Wang W. , Lei J. , Wiltberger M. , Lyon J. G.
Published: June 2015

The efficiencies of pathways of thermospheric heating via soft electron precipitation in the dayside cusp region are investigated using the coupled magnetosphere‐ionosphere‐thermosphere model (CMIT). Event‐based data‐model comparisons show that the CMIT model is capable of reproducing the thermospheric mass density variations measured by the CHAMP satellite during both quite and active periods. During the 24 August 2005 storm event (Kp = 6−) while intense Joule heating rate occurs in the polar cusp region, including soft electron precipitation is important for accurately modeling the F region thermospheric mass density distribution near the cusp region. During the 27 July 2007 event (Kp = 2−) while little Joule heating rate occurs in the polar cusp region, the controlled CMIT simulations suggest that the direct pathway through the energy exchange between soft electrons and thermospheric neutrals is the dominant process during this event, which only has a small effect on the neutral temperature and mass density at 400 km altitude. Comparisons between the two case studies show that the indirect pathway via increasing the F region Joule heating rate is a dominant process during the 24 August 2005 storm event, which is much more efficient than the direct heating process.
Variability of the pitch angle distribution of radiation belt ultrarelativistic electrons during and following intense geomagnetic storms: Van Allen Probes observations
Authors: Ni Binbin , Zou Zhengyang , Gu Xudong , Zhou Chen , Thorne Richard M. , Bortnik Jacob , Shi Run , Zhao Zhengyu , Baker Daniel N. , Kanekal Shrikhanth G. , Spence Harlan E. , Reeves Geoffrey D. , Li Xinlin
Published: June 2015

Fifteen months of pitch angle resolved Van Allen Probes Relativistic Electron‐Proton Telescope (REPT) measurements of differential electron flux are analyzed to investigate the characteristic variability of the pitch angle distribution of radiation belt ultrarelativistic (>2 MeV) electrons during storm conditions and during the long‐term poststorm decay. By modeling the ultrarelativistic electron pitch angle distribution as sinnα, where α is the equatorial pitch angle, we examine the spatiotemporal variations of the n value. The results show that, in general, n values increase with the level of geomagnetic activity. In principle, ultrarelativistic electrons respond to geomagnetic storms by becoming more peaked at 90° pitch angle with n values of 2–3 as a supportive signature of chorus acceleration outside the plasmasphere. High n values also exist inside the plasmasphere, being localized adjacent to the plasmapause and exhibiting energy dependence, which suggests a significant contribution from electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) wave scattering. During quiet periods, n values generally evolve to become small, i.e., 0–1. The slow and long‐term decays of the ultrarelativistic electrons after geomagnetic storms, while prominent, produce energy and L‐shell‐dependent decay time scales in association with the solar and geomagnetic activity and wave‐particle interaction processes. At lower L shells inside the plasmasphere, the decay time scales τd for electrons at REPT energies are generally larger, varying from tens of days to hundreds of days, which can be mainly attributed to the combined effect of hiss‐induced pitch angle scattering and inward radial diffusion. As L shell increases to L~3.5, a narrow region exists (with a width of ~0.5 L), where the observed ultrarelativistic electrons decay fastest, possibly resulting from efficient EMIC wave scattering. As L shell continues to increase, τd generally becomes larger again, indicating an overall slower loss process by waves at high L shells. Our investigation based upon the sinnα function fitting and the estimate of decay time scale offers a convenient and useful means to evaluate the underlying physical processes that play a role in driving the acceleration and loss of ultrarelativistic electrons and to assess their relative contributions.
Generation of large‐amplitude electric field and subsequent enhancement of O+ ion flux in the inner magnetosphere during substorms
Authors: Nakayama Y. , Ebihara Y. , Tanaka T.
Published: June 2015

Energetic O+ ions are rapidly enhanced in the inner magnetosphere because of abrupt intensification of the dawn‐to‐dusk electric field and significantly contribute to the ring current during substorms. Here we examine the generation mechanism of the dawn‐to‐dusk electric field that accelerates the O+ ions and the spatial and temporal evolution of the differential flux of the O+ ions by using a test particle simulation in the electric and magnetic fields that are provided by a global magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulation. In the MHD simulation, strong dawn‐to‐dusk electric field appears in the near‐Earth tail region by a joint action of the earthward tension force and pileup of magnetic flux near an onset of substorm expansion. The peak of the electric field is ~9–13 mV/m and is located ~1–2 RE earthward of the peak of the plasma bulk speed because of the pileup. O+ ions coming from the lobe are accelerated from ~eV to >100 keV in ~10 min. The reconstructed flux of the O+ ions shows that at ~7 RE near midnight, the flux has a peak near a few tens of keV and the flux below ~10 keV is small. This structure, called a “void” structure, is consistent with the Polar observation and can be regarded as a manifestation of the acceleration of unmagnetized ions perpendicular to the magnetic field. In the inner magnetosphere (at 6.0 RE), reconstructed energy‐time spectrograms show the nose dispersion structure that is also consistent with satellite observations.
Emission of methyl chloride from a fern growing in subtropical, temperate, and cool‐temperate climate zones
Authors: Yokouchi Yoko , Takenaka Akio , Miyazaki Yuzo , Kawamura Kimitaka , Hiura Tsutom
Published: June 2015

Tropical and subtropical forests are believed to be the largest source of methyl chloride (CH3Cl), which is a natural stratospheric ozone destroyer. However, very little is known about what controls the rate of emission from these forests or why biogenic CH3Cl emission is concentrated in the tropics and subtropics. In this study, we investigated the seasonal and spatial variations of the rate of CH3Cl emission from the fern Osmunda japonica, which has a broad distribution covering the subtropical, temperate, and subboreal climate zones. The average rates of CH3Cl emission from the fern were similar (~1–4 µg g(dw)−1 h−1) among three areas, and there was no significant seasonal change in the temperate zone, although the rate was highly variable among individual plants. These findings suggest that meteorological climate such as temperature and solar radiation is not a major environmental factor controlling biogenic CH3Cl emission of individual plants, but species with high CH3Cl emission activity are more abundant in tropical and subtropical zones. We also found that developmental stage might be an important factor controlling biogenic CH3Cl emission rates. These results have implications for predicting future global CH3Cl emission budgets and for understanding of the plant‐atmosphere interaction.
High‐Resolution Respirometry for Mitochondrial Characterization of Ex Vivo Mouse Tissues
Authors: Cantó Carles , Garcia‐Roves Pablo M.
Published: June 2015

This article describes methodologies to examine mitochondrial respiration in fresh preparations of mouse tissues, including skeletal muscle, heart, liver, white and brown adipose tissue, and brain. Reference values and tips to maximize experimental efficiencies are also provided. Finally, correction methods and complementary techniques to properly interpret the results are presented and contrasted. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Establishment and Use of Mouse Haploid ES Cells
Authors: Leeb Martin , Perry Anthony C.F. , Wutz Anton
Published: June 2015

Haploid genetics has facilitated new insights into mammalian pathways and disease mechanisms. Most animal cells are diploid, and mammalian haploid cell cultures have remained elusive for a long time. Recent methodological progress has enabled the routine derivation of haploid stem cell lines from mammalian haploid embryos. Here we provide detailed protocols for the establishment, culture, and manipulation of parthenogenetic and androgenetic haploid embryonic stem cells from mouse embryos. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Using the Effects of Youngsters’ Eyesight on Quality of Life Questionnaire to Measure Visual Outcomes in Children With Uveitis
Authors: Angeles‐Han Sheila T. , Yeh Steven , McCracken Courtney , Jenkins Kirsten , Stryker Daneka , Myoung Erica , Vogler Larry B. , Rouster‐Stevens Kelly , Lambert Scott R. , Harrison Melanie J. , Prahalad Sampath , Drews‐Botsch Carolyn
Published: June 2015

Objective

The Effects of Youngsters’ Eyesight on Quality of Life (EYE‐Q) is a novel measure of vision‐related quality of life (QOL) and function in children. We aim to determine the validity of the EYE‐Q in childhood uveitis.

Methods

We abstracted medical record data on arthritis and uveitis in a convenience sample of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and/or uveitis. In addition to the EYE‐Q, parents and patients completed questionnaires on overall QOL (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory [PedsQL]), and physical functioning (Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire [C‐HAQ]).

Results

Among 57 children (8 JIA, 24 JIA and uveitis, 25 uveitis alone), 102 ocular examinations were performed within 1 month of completing questionnaires. Uveitis patients had bilateral disease (69%), anterior involvement (78%), synechiae (51%), and cataracts (49%). Children with vision loss in their better eye (visual acuity [VA] 20/50 or worse) had worse EYE‐Q (P = 0.006) and PedsQL (P = 0.028) scores, but not C‐HAQ scores. The EYE‐Q moderately correlated with logMAR VA (rs = −0.43), PedsQL (rs = 0.43), and C‐HAQ (rs = −0.45), but was not correlated with anterior chamber cells or intraocular pressure. The PedsQL and C‐HAQ did not correlate with VA or cells. There were strong correlations between the parent and child EYE‐Q (rs = 0.62). Cronbach's α for the child report was 0.91. The EYE‐Q had strong test–retest reliability (rs = 0.75).

Conclusion

The EYE‐Q may be an important tool in the assessment of visual outcomes in childhood uveitis and an improvement over general measures in detecting changes in vision‐related function.
Dual Targeted Immunotherapy via In Vivo Delivery of Biohybrid RNAi‐Peptide Nanoparticles to Tumor‐Associated Macrophages and Cancer Cells
Authors: Conde João , Bao Chenchen , Tan Yeqi , Cui Daxiang , Edelman Elazer R. , Azevedo Helena S. , Byrne Hugh J. , Artzi Natalie , Tian Furong
Published: June 2015

Lung cancer is associated with very poor prognosis and considered one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Here, highly potent and selective biohybrid RNA interference (RNAi)‐peptide nanoparticles (NPs) are presented that can induce specific and long‐lasting gene therapy in inflammatory tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), via an immune modulation of the tumor milieu combined with tumor suppressor effects. The data here prove that passive gene silencing can be achieved in cancer cells using regular RNAi NPs. When combined with M2 peptide–based targeted immunotherapy that immuno‐modulates TAMs cell population, a synergistic effect and long‐lived tumor eradication can be observed along with increased mice survival. Treatment with low doses of siRNA (ED50 0.0025–0.01 mg kg−1) in a multi and long‐term dosing system substantially reduces the recruitment of inflammatory TAMs in lung tumor tissue, reduces tumor size (≈95%), and increases animal survival (≈75%) in mice. The results here suggest that it is likely that the combination of silencing important genes in tumor cells and in their supporting immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, such as TAMs, will greatly improve cancer clinical outcomes.
Large‐Scale Growth of Two‐Dimensional SnS2 Crystals Driven by Screw Dislocations and Application to Photodetectors
Authors: Xia Jing , Zhu Dandan , Wang Lei , Huang Ben , Huang Xing , Meng Xiang‐Min
Published: June 2015

2D SnS2 crystals are attracting increasing attention owning to the huge potential for electronic and optoelectronic applications. However, batch production of 2D SnS2 crystals via a simple vapor process remains challenging by far. Moreover, the growth mechanism for vapor growth of 2D SnS2 is not well documented as well. Herein, a simple approach is presented for preparation of large‐scale 2D SnS2 crystals on mica sheets and it is demonstrated that these 2D crystals follow a screw‐dislocation‐driven (SDD) spiral growth process. The synthesized 2D crystals show hexagonal and truncated triangular shapes with the lateral size ranging from a few micrometers to dozens of micrometers. Observations of key features for screw dislocations, such as helical fringes, dislocation hillocks, and herringbone contours, solidly confirm the SDD spiral growth behavior of the SnS2. Possible mechanism is proposed in this work to show the generation and propagation of screw dislocations. Furthermore, in order to explore the optoelectronic property of the SnS2, photodetectors based on 2D SnS2 crystals are fabricated. The resulting device shows excellent operating characteristics, including good photo‐stability and reproducibility as well as a fast photoresponse time (≈42 ms), which enable the SnS2 a promising candidate for photodetectors.
Patterning of Fibroblast and Matrix Anisotropy within 3D Confinement is Driven by the Cytoskeleton
Authors: Serbo Janna V. , Kuo Scot , Lewis Shawna , Lehmann Matthew , Li Jiuru , Gracias David H. , Romer Lewis H.
Published: June 2015

Effects of 3D confinement on cellular growth and matrix assembly are important in tissue engineering, developmental biology, and regenerative medicine. Polydimethylsiloxane wells with varying anisotropy are microfabicated using soft‐lithography. Microcontact printing of bovine serum albumin is used to block cell adhesion to surfaces between wells. The orientations of fibroblast stress fibers, microtubules, and fibronectin fibrils are examined 1 day after cell seeding using laser scanning confocal microscopy, and anisotropy is quantified using a custom autocorrelation analysis. Actin, microtubules, and fibronectin exhibit higher anisotropy coefficients for cells grown in rectangular wells with aspect ratios of 1:4 and 1:8, as compared to those in wells with lower aspect ratios or in square wells. The effects of disabling individual cytoskeletal components on fibroblast responses to anisotropy are then tested by applying actin or microtubule polymerization inhibitors, Rho kinase inhibitor, or by siRNA‐mediated knockdown of AXL or cofilin‐1. Latrunculin A decreases cytoskeletal and matrix anisotropy, nocodazole ablates both, and Y27632 mutes cellular polarity while decreasing matrix anisotropy. AXL siRNA knockdown has little effect, as does siRNA knockdown of cofilin‐1. These data identify several specific cytoskeletal strategies as targets for the manipulation of anisotropy in 3D tissue constructs.
Cell Sheet‐Based Tissue Engineering for Organizing Anisotropic Tissue Constructs Produced Using Microfabricated Thermoresponsive Substrates
Authors: Takahashi Hironobu , Okano Teruo
Published: June 2015

In some native tissues, appropriate microstructures, including orientation of the cell/extracellular matrix, provide specific mechanical and biological functions. For example, skeletal muscle is made of oriented myofibers that is responsible for the mechanical function. Native artery and myocardial tissues are organized three‐dimensionally by stacking sheet‐like tissues of aligned cells. Therefore, to construct any kind of complex tissue, the microstructures of cells such as myotubes, smooth muscle cells, and cardiomyocytes also need to be organized three‐dimensionally just as in the native tissues of the body. Cell sheet‐based tissue engineering allows the production of scaffold‐free engineered tissues through a layer‐by‐layer construction technique. Recently, using microfabricated thermoresponsive substrates, aligned cells are being harvested as single continuous cell sheets. The cell sheets act as anisotropic tissue units to build three‐dimensional tissue constructs with the appropriate anisotropy. This cell sheet‐based technology is straightforward and has the potential to engineer a wide variety of complex tissues. In addition, due to the scaffold‐free cell‐dense environment, the physical and biological cell–cell interactions of these cell sheet constructs exhibit unique cell behaviors. These advantages will provide important clues to enable the production of well‐organized tissues that closely mimic the structure and function of native tissues, required for the future of tissue engineering.
Long‐term efficacy and safety of bosutinib in patients with advanced leukemia following resistance/intolerance to imatinib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: Gambacorti‐Passerini Carlo , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Kim Dong‐Wook , Khoury Hanna J. , Turkina Anna G. , Brümmendorf Tim H. , Matczak Ewa , Bardy‐Bouxin Nathalie , Shapiro Mark , Turnbull Kathleen , Leip Eric , Cortes Jorge E.
Published: June 2015

Long‐term efficacy and safety of bosutinib (≥4 years follow‐up from last enrolled patient) were evaluated in an ongoing phase 1/2 study in the advanced leukemia cohort with prior treatment failure (accelerated‐phase [AP, n = 79] chronic myeloid leukemia [CML], blast‐phase [BP, n = 64] CML, acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL, n = 24]). Fourteen AP, 2 BP, and 1 ALL patient remained on bosutinib at 4 years (vs. 38, 8, 1 at 1 year); median (range) treatment durations: 10.2 (0.1–88.6), 2.8 (0.03–55.9), 0.97 (0.3–89.2) months. Among AP and BP patients, 57% and 28% newly attained or maintained baseline overall hematologic response (OHR); 40% and 37% attained/maintained major cytogenetic response (MCyR) by 4 years (most by 12 months). In responders at 1 versus 4 years, Kaplan‐Meier (KM) probabilities of maintaining OHR were 78% versus 49% (AP) and 28% versus 19% (BP); KM probabilities of maintaining MCyR were 65% versus 49% (AP) and 21% versus 21% (BP). Most common AEs (AP, BP) were gastrointestinal (96%; 83%), primarily diarrhea (85%; 64%), which was typically low grade (maximum grade 1/2: 81%; 59%) and transient; no patient discontinued due to diarrhea. Serious AEs occurred in 44 (56%) AP and 37 (58%) BP patients, most commonly pneumonia (n = 9) for AP and pyrexia (n = 6) for BP; 11 and 13 died within 30 days of last dose (2 considered bosutinib‐related [AP] per investigator). Responses were durable in ∼50% AP responders at 4 years (∼25% BP patients responded at year 1, suggesting possible bridge‐to‐transplant role in BP patients); toxicity was manageable.Am. J. Hematol. 90:755–768, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. American Journal of Hematology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A cautionary note on fecal sampling and molecular epidemiology in predatory wild great apes
Authors: De Nys Hélène Marie , Madinda Nadège Freda , Merkel Kevin , Robbins Martha , Boesch Christophe , Leendertz Fabian Hubertus , Calvignac‐Spencer Sébastien
Published: June 2015

Fecal samples are an important source of information on parasites (viruses, prokaryotes, or eukaryotes) infecting wild great apes. Molecular analysis of fecal samples has already been used for deciphering the origins of major human pathogens such as HIV‐1 orPlasmodium falciparum. However, for apes that hunt (chimpanzees and bonobos), detection of parasite nucleic acids may reflect either true infection of the host of interest or ingestion of an infected prey, for example, another non‐human primate. To determine the potential magnitude of this issue, we estimated the prevalence of prey DNA in fecal samples obtained from two wild chimpanzee communities. We observed values >15%, which are higher than or close to the fecal detection rates of many great ape parasites. Contamination of fecal samples with parasite DNA from dietary origin may therefore occasionally impact non‐invasive epidemiological studies. This problem can be addressed (at least partially) by monitoring the presence of prey DNA. Am. J. Primatol. 77:833–840, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Geographic comparison of plant genera used in frugivory among the pitheciidsCacajao,Callicebus,Chiropotes, andPithecia
Authors: Boyle Sarah A. , Thompson Cynthia L. , Deluycker Anneke , Alvarez Silvia J. , Alvim Thiago H.G. , Aquino Rolando , Bezerra Bruna M. , Boubli Jean P. , Bowler Mark , Caselli Christini Barbosa , Chagas Renata R.D. , Ferrari Stephen F. , Fontes Isadora P. , Gregory Tremaine , Haugaasen Torbjørn , Heiduck Stefanie , Hores Rose , Lehman Shawn , de Melo Fabiano R. , Moreira Leandro S. , Moura Viviane S. , Nagy‐Reis Mariana B. , Palacios Erwin , Palminteri Suzanne , Peres Carlos A. , Pinto Liliam , Port‐Carvalho Marcio , Rodríguez Adriana , dos Santos Ricardo R. , Setz Eleonore Z.F. , Shaffer Christopher A. , Silva Felipe Ennes , Soares da Silva Rafaela F. , Souza‐Alves João P. , Trevelin Leonardo C. , Veiga Liza M. , Vieira Tatiana M. , DuBose Mary E. , Barnett Adrian A.
Published: June 2015

Pitheciids are known for their frugivorous diets, but there has been no broad‐scale comparison of fruit genera used by these primates that range across five geographic regions in South America. We compiled 31 fruit lists from data collected from 18 species (threeCacajao, sixCallicebus, fiveChiropotes, and fourPithecia) at 26 study sites in six countries. Together, these lists contained 455 plant genera from 96 families. We predicted that 1) closely relatedChiropotesandCacajaowould demonstrate the greatest similarity in fruit lists; 2) pitheciids living in closer geographic proximity would have greater similarities in fruit lists; and 3) fruit genus richness would be lower in lists from forest fragments than continuous forests. Fruit genus richness was greatest for the compositeChiropoteslist, even thoughPitheciahad the greatest overall sampling effort. We also found that theCallicebuscomposite fruit list had lower similarity scores in comparison with the composite food lists of the other three genera (both within and between geographic areas).ChiropotesandPitheciashowed strongest similarities in fruit lists, followed by sister taxaChiropotesandCacajao. Overall, pitheciids in closer proximity had more similarities in their fruit list, and this pattern was evident in the fruit lists for bothCallicebusandChiropotes. There was no difference in the number of fruit genera used by pitheciids in habitat fragments and continuous forest. Our findings demonstrate that pitheciids use a variety of fruit genera, but phylogenetic and geographic patterns in fruit use are not consistent across all pitheciid genera. This study represents the most extensive examination of pitheciid fruit consumption to date, but future research is needed to investigate the extent to which the trends in fruit genus richness noted here are attributable to habitat differences among study sites, differences in feeding ecology, or a combination of both. Am. J. Primatol. 78:493–506, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Unpredictable environments, opportunistic responses: Reproduction and population turnover in two wild mouse lemur species (Microcebus rufus and M. griseorufus) from eastern and western Madagascar
Authors: Blanco Marina B. , Rasoazanabary Emilienne , Godfrey Laurie R.
Published: June 2015

Small‐bodied, nocturnal mouse lemurs (Microcebus) are widespread across diverse forest habitats in Madagascar. They are strict seasonal breeders and can, depending on the habitat and species, undergo daily or prolonged torpor to minimize energy expenditure during periods of food and water scarcity. Duration of reproduction, number of litters per season and timing of births vary across individuals and species. The “polyestry‐seasonality” hypothesis proposes that the duration of reproduction and number of litters per year are positively correlated with rainfall but negatively correlated with longevity, whereas the “hypervariability” hypothesis suggests that the duration of reproduction is negatively correlated with the degree of predictability of food resources. We test these hypotheses in two mouse lemur species inhabiting contrasting habitats, the brown mouse lemurs, Microcebus rufus, from Ranomafana (a less seasonal and more climatically predictable habitat) and the gray‐brown mouse lemurs, M. griseorufus, from Beza Mahafaly (a more seasonal and less climatically predictable environment). We use capture/mark/recapture techniques and records of female reproductive status. We found evidence of polyestry at both study sites but faster population turnover and longer duration of the reproductive season at Beza Mahafaly. The “polyestry‐seasonality” hypothesis is not supported but the “hypervariability” hypothesis could not be rejected. We conclude that reproductive output cannot be tied to climatic factors in a simple manner. Paradoxically, polyestry can be expressed in contrasting habitats: less seasonal forests where females can sustain multiple reproductive events, but also highly seasonal environments where females may not fatten sufficiently to sustain prolonged torpor but instead remain active throughout the year by relying on fallback resources. Am. J. Primatol. 77:936–947, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Offspring of primiparous mothers do not experience greater mortality or poorer growth: Revisiting the conventional wisdom with archival records of Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Nuñez Chase L. , Grote Mark N. , Wechsler Michelle , Allen‐Blevins Cary R. , Hinde Katie
Published: June 2015

Female mammals often begin to reproduce before achieving somatic maturity and therefore face tradeoffs between allocating energy to reproduction or their own continued development. Constraints on primiparous females are associated with greater reproductive failure, and first‐born infants often have slower growth and greater mortality and morbidity than infants born to multiparous females. Effects of early life investment may persist even after weaning when juveniles are no longer dependent on maternal care and mother's milk. We investigated the long‐term consequences of birth order in a large sample of rhesus macaques, Macaca mulatta, assigned to the outdoor breeding colony at the California National Primate Research Center (n = 2,724). A joint model for growth and mortality over the first three years of life allowed us to explicitly connect growth rates to survival. As expected, males are born heavier and grow faster relative to females. However, contrary to expectations, later‐born males face substantially lower survival probability during their first three years, whereas first‐born males survive at greater rates similar to both first‐born and later‐born females. Primiparous mothers are less likely to conceive during the subsequent breeding season, suggesting that their reproductive costs are greater than those of multiparous mothers. We speculate that compensatory tactics, both behavioral and physiological, of first‐born offspring and their mothers, as well as the novel ecology of the captive environment, underlie these findings. The results presented here provide new insights into how maternal and infant life history tradeoffs may influence developmental trajectories even after the period of maternal dependence. Am. J. Primatol. 77:963–973, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diaminodiacid Bridges to Improve Folding and Tune the Bioactivity of Disulfide‐Rich Peptides
Authors: Guo Ye , Sun De‐Meng , Wang Feng‐Liang , He Yao , Liu Lei , Tian Chang‐Lin
Published: June 2015

Disulfide‐rich peptides containing three or more disulfide bonds are promising therapeutic and diagnostic agents, but their preparation is often limited by the tedious and low‐yielding folding process. We found that a single cystine‐to‐diaminodiacid replacement could significantly increase the folding efficiency of disulfide‐rich peptides and thus improve their production yields. The practicality of this strategy was demonstrated by the synthesis and folding of derivatives of the μ‐conotoxin SIIIA, the preclinical hormone hepcidin, and the trypsin inhibitor EETI‐II. NMR and X‐ray crystallography studies confirmed that these derivatives of disulfide‐rich peptide retained the correct three‐dimensional conformations. Moreover, the cystine‐to‐diaminodiacid replacement enabled structural tuning, thereby leading to an EETI‐II derivative with higher bioactivity than the native peptide.
Extraordinary Changes in the Electronic Structure and Properties of CdS and ZnS by Anionic Substitution: Cosubstitution of P and Cl in Place of S
Authors: Kouser Summayya , Lingampalli S. R. , Chithaiah P. , Roy Anand , Saha Sujoy , Waghmare Umesh V. , Rao C. N. R.
Published: June 2015

Unlike cation substitution, anion substitution in inorganic materials such as metal oxides and sulfides would be expected to bring about major changes in the electronic structure and properties. In order to explore this important aspect, we have carried out first‐principles DFT calculations to determine the effects of substitution of P and Cl on the properties of CdS and ZnS in hexagonal and cubic structures and show that a sub‐band of the trivalent phosphorus with strong bonding with the cation appears in the gap just above the valence band, causing a reduction in the gap and enhancement of dielectric properties. Experimentally, it has been possible to substitute P and Cl in hexagonal CdS and ZnS. The doping reduces the band gap significantly as predicted by theory. A similar decrease in the band gap is observed in N and F co‐substituted in cubic ZnS. Such anionic substitution helps to improve hydrogen evolution from CdS semiconductor structures and may give rise to other applications as well.
Design of New Ligands for the Palladium‐Catalyzed Arylation of α‐Branched Secondary Amines
Authors: Park Nathaniel H. , Vinogradova Ekaterina V. , Surry David S. , Buchwald Stephen L.
Published: June 2015

In Pd‐catalyzed CN cross‐coupling reactions, α‐branched secondary amines are difficult coupling partners and the desired products are often produced in low yields. In order to provide a robust method for accessing N‐aryl α‐branched tertiary amines, new catalysts have been designed to suppress undesired side reactions often encountered when these amine nucleophiles are used. These advances enabled the arylation of a wide array of sterically encumbered amines, highlighting the importance of rational ligand design in facilitating challenging Pd‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions.
Preparation of Furo[3,2‐c]coumarins from 3‐Cinnamoyl‐4‐hydroxy‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones and Acyl Chlorides: A Bu3P‐Mediated C‐Acylation/Cyclization Sequence
Authors: Lee Chia‐Jui , Tsai Cheng‐Che , Hong Shao‐Hao , Chang Geng‐Hua , Yang Mei‐Chun , Möhlmann Lennart , Lin Wenwei
Published: June 2015

A Bu3P‐mediated cyclization reaction of 3‐cinnamoyl‐4‐hydroxy‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones though electrophilic addition of acyl chlorides towards the synthesis of highly functionalized furo[3,2‐c]coumarins bearing a phosphorus ylide moiety is described. These unprecedented cyclization reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions within short reaction times (1 min to 1 h), and can be further applied in the synthesis of alkenyl‐substituted furo[3,2‐c]coumarins by the treatment with carbonyl electrophiles under basic conditions.
Hydroaminomethylation Beyond Carbonylation: Allene–Imine Reductive Coupling by Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation
Authors: Oda Susumu , Sam Brannon , Krische Michael J.
Published: June 2015

Ruthenium(II)‐catalyzed hydrogen transfer from 2‐propanol mediates reductive coupling of 1,1‐disubstituted allenes with formaldimines with complete branch‐regioselectivity, thus representing a new method for hydroaminomethylation beyond classical hydroformylation/reductive amination.
Psychoanalysis of Advertising
Authors: Forest Frédéric
Published: June 2015

This article proposes elements for a psychoanalysis of advertisement and advertising messages. As a technique that has seen a recent boom, advertisement has been studied by multiple disciplines, including sociology, structural analysis, motivational studies, linguistics, and psychoanalysis. We insist on the analysis of the process of advertising communication, based on the hypothesis that “advertisements are structured like dreams”. In this sense, advertisement would be subject to the same interpretation as unconscious formations. First, we address the question of how an advert can carry hidden meaning. Secondly, we analyze how an advert can be like a speech without an author. Thus, advertisement addresses the unconscious, which plays the role of purchasing advisor. It presents itself as a technique for the commercialization of conscious attention, the origins of which can be described by psychoanalysis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Disturbance Decoupling of Time Delay Systems
Authors: Kaldmäe A. , Moog C. H.
Published: June 2015

A necessary and sufficient condition is derived for the solvability of the disturbance decoupling problem by a pure shift dynamic compensator. It corrects previously obtained results for multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) systems. Also, necessary and sufficient conditions are given for the solvability of the problem by a dynamic compensator for single input single output (SISO) systems.
The national birth defects prevention study: A review of the methods
Authors: Reefhuis Jennita , Gilboa Suzanne M. , Anderka Marlene , Browne Marilyn L. , Feldkamp Marcia L. , Hobbs Charlotte A. , Jenkins Mary M. , Langlois Peter H. , Newsome Kimberly B. , Olshan Andrew F. , Romitti Paul A. , Shapira Stuart K. , Shaw Gary M. , Tinker Sarah C. , Honein Margaret A. ,   the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Published: June 2015

Background

The National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) is a large population‐based multicenter case–control study of major birth defects in the United States.

Methods

Data collection took place from 1998 through 2013 on pregnancies ending between October 1997 and December 2011. Cases could be live born, stillborn, or induced terminations, and were identified from birth defects surveillance programs in Arkansas, California, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Texas, and Utah. Controls were live born infants without major birth defects identified from the same geographical regions and time periods as cases by means of either vital records or birth hospitals. Computer‐assisted telephone interviews were completed with women between 6 weeks and 24 months after the estimated date of delivery. After completion of interviews, families received buccal cell collection kits for the mother, father, and infant (if living).

Results

There were 47,832 eligible cases and 18,272 eligible controls. Among these, 32,187 (67%) and 11,814 (65%), respectively, provided interview information about their pregnancies. Buccal cell collection kits with a cytobrush for at least one family member were returned by 19,065 case and 6,211 control families (65% and 59% of those who were sent a kit). More than 500 projects have been proposed by the collaborators and over 200 manuscripts published using data from the NBDPS through December 2014.

Conclusion

The NBDPS has made substantial contributions to the field of birth defects epidemiology through its rigorous design, including case classification, detailed questionnaire and specimen collection, large study population, and collaborative activities across Centers. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:656–669, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Direct competitive chemiluminescence immunoassays based on gold‐coated magnetic particles for detection of chloramphenicol
Authors: Liang Xiaohui , Fang Xiangyi , Yao Manwen , Yang Yucong , Li Junfeng , Liu Hongjun , Wang Linyu
Published: June 2015

Direct competitive chemiluminescence immunoassays (CLIA) based on gold‐coated magnetic nanospheres (Au‐MNPs) were developed for rapid analysis of chloramphenicol (CAP). The Au‐MNPs were modified with carboxyl groups and amino groups by 11‐mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) and cysteamine respectively, and then were respectively conjugated with CAP base and CAP succinate via an activating reaction using 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). NSP‐DMAE‐NHS, a new and effective luminescence reagent, was employed to label anti‐CAP antibody (mAb) as a tracer in direct CLIA for CAP detection using a ‘homemade’ luminescent measurement system that was set up with a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and a photon counting unit linked to a computer. The sensitivities and limits of detection (LODs) of the two methods were obtained and compared according to the inhibition curves. The 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) values of the two methods were about 0.044 ng/mL and 0.072 ng/mL respectively and LODs were approximately 0.001 ng/mL and 0.006 ng/mL respectively. To our knowledge, they were much more sensitive than any traditional enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) ever reported. Moreover, the new luminescence reagent NSP‐DMAE‐NHS is much more sensitive and stable than luminol and its derivatives, contributing to the sensitivity enhancement. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biocompatibility of low molecular weight polymers for two‐phase partitioning bioreactors
Authors: Harris Jesse , Daugulis Andrew J.
Published: June 2015

Two phase partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs) improve the efficiency of fermentative processes by limiting the exposure of microorganisms to toxic solutes by sequestering them into a non‐aqueous phase (NAP). A potential limitation of this technology, when using immiscible organic solvents as the NAP, is the cytoxicity that these materials may exert on the microbes. An improved TPPB configuration is one in which polymeric NAPs are used to replace organic solvents in order to take advantage of their low cost, improved handling qualities, and biocompatibility. A recent study has shown that low molecular weight polymers may confer improved solute uptake relative to high molecular weight polymers (i.e., have higher partition coefficients), but it is unknown whether sufficiently low molecular weight polymers may inhibit cell growth. This study has investigated the biocompatibility of a range of low molecular weight polymers, and compared trends in biocompatibility to the well‐established “critical log P” concept. This was achieved by determining the biocompatibility of polypropylene glycol polymers over a molecular weight (MW) range of 425–4,000 to Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pseudomonas putida, two organisms which have been previously used in TPPB systems. The lower MW polymers were shown to have lower average log P values, and showed more cytotoxicity than polymers of the same structure but with higher molecular weight. Since polymers are generally polydisperse (i.e., polymer samples contain a distribution of MWs), removal of the lower MW fractions via water washing was found to result in improved polymer biocompatibility. These results suggest that the critical log P concept remains useful for describing the toxicity of polymeric substances of different MWs, although it is complicated by the presence of the low MW fractions in the polymers arising from polydispersity. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 2450–2458. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Disruption of human vigilin impairs chromosome condensation and segregation
Authors: Wei Ling , Xie Xiaoyan , Li Junhong , Li Ran , Shen Wenyan , Duan Shuwang , Zhao Rongce , Yang Wenli , Liu Qiuying , Fu Qiang , Qin Yang
Published: June 2015

Appropriate packaging and condensation are critical for eukaryotic chromatin's accommodation and separation during cell division. Human vigilin, a multi‐KH‐domain nucleic acid‐binding protein, is associated with alpha satellites of centromeres. DDP1, a vigilin's homolog, is implicated with chromatin condensation and segregation. The expression of vigilin was previously reported to elevate in highly proliferating tissues and increased in a subset of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Other studies showed that vigilin interacts with CTCF, contributes to regulation of imprinted genes Igf2/H19, and colocalizes with HP1α on heterochromatic satellite 2 and β‐satellite repeats. These studies indicate that human vigilin might be involved in chromatin remodeling and regular cell growth. To investigate the potential role of human vigilin in cell cycle, the correlations between vigilin and chromosomal condensation and segregation were studied. Depletion of human vigilin by RNA interference in HepG2 cells resulted in chromosome undercondensation and various chromosomal defects during mitotic phase, including chromosome misalignments, lagging chromosomes, and chromosome bridges. Aberrant polyploid nucleus in telophase was also observed. Unlike the abnormal staining pattern of chromosomes, the shape of spindle was normal. Furthermore, the chromatin showed a greater sensitivity to MNase digestion. Collectively, our findings show that human vigilin apparently participates in chromatin condensation and segregation.
The Challenges and Rewards of Teaching Spanish in a Community College Prison Program
Authors: Palomino Erick Nava , Ragsdale Lee
Published: June 2015

Two authors describe how teaching Spanish in an Illinois prison led them to rewrite the examples used in a Spanish textbook and engage incarcerated students in novel ways in order to make up for the lack of conventional classroom resources.