bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Covalent immobilization of cytochrome P450 BM3 (R966D/W1046S) on glutaraldehyde activated SPIONs
Authors: Bahrami Atieh , Garnier Alain , Larachi Faïçal , Iliuta Maria C. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSelective hydroxylation of the C‐H bond of saturated hydrocarbon chains at room temperature is the signature of an invaluable biocatalyst, cytochrome P450 BM3 from Bacillus megaterium. Despite this remarkable ability, because of the enzyme's inherent low stability and dependence on electron supply by expensive NADPH, developing stable and economic BM3 systems is a challenging subject. To improve BM3 stability, facilitate its reuse, and reduce the process cost, this study suggests covalent immobilization of R966D/W1046S P450 BM3 on glutaraldehyde pre‐activated super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). This double mutant consumes less expensive cofactors like NADH and BNAH and its immobilization on magnetic support facilitates its separation and reuse. Free and immobilized enzyme performances were evaluated by 10‐pNCA hydroxylation and BM3 selectivity (hydroxylation at ω (1–3) positions of a fatty acid) was confirmed in a reaction involving myristic acid. The enzyme activity recovery was up to 60 % with 100 % enzyme binding efficiency. BM3‐SPIONs were easily separated from the reaction medium by applying a magnet, and recycled for 5 times, after which they could still present half of their initial activity. The enzyme storage stability was significantly improved: after one month of storage at 4 °C, the immobilized enzyme showed 80 % residual activity toward NADH while the soluble enzyme was inactive after a week. Binding an enzyme to fabricated SPIONs is a promising technique to increase enzyme stability and prevent downstream contamination in biocatalytic processes. In this context, BM3‐SPIONs can be a practical model system in cost‐effective large‐scale applications of such enzymes.
Decarboxylative Fluorination of Arylcarboxylic Acids Promoted by ortho‐Hydroxy and Amino Groups
Authors: Wang Dinghai , Yuan Zheliang , Liu Qilun , Chen Pinhong , Liu Guosheng 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA novel decarboxylative fluorination process has been developed for the synthesis of ortho‐hydroxy/amino arylfluorides from salicylic acid analogs, in which the ortho‐hydroxy/amino group plays an important role in the transformation. In addition, various arylfluorides are obtained in good to excellent yields under mild conditions.
Distribution of cytochrome oxidase‐rich patches in human primary visual cortex
Authors: Marcondes Marco , Rosa Marcello G.P. , Fiorani Mario , Lima Bruss , Gattass Ricardo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe studied the tangential distribution of cytochrome oxidase (CytOx)‐rich patches (blobs) in the striate cortex (V1) of normally sighted Homo sapiens. We analyzed the spatial density and cross‐sectional area of patches in CytOx‐reacted tangential sections of flat‐mounted preparations of V1 and surrounding areas. CytOx‐rich patches were most clearly defined in the supragranular cortical layers of V1, particularly at middle levels of layer III. Variations in patch spatial density were subtle across different visual eccentricity representations. Within the binocular representation of V1, the average patch spatial density decreased slightly with increasing cortical eccentricity, from around 1.0 patch/mm2 in the foveal representation to 0.6 patch/mm2 at the representation of ∼60° eccentricity, but seemed to increase again at the representation of the monocular crescent. Across the entire sample, the cross‐sectional area of patches (i.e., patch size) varied from approximately 0.2–0.8 mm2, with a mean value of 0.32 mm2. Notably, there was no significant variation in the mean patch size across eccentricity representations. Human patches are on average larger than those reported for nonhuman primate brains, and analysis of species with different brain sizes suggests an approximately linear relationship between V1 area and patch size. The relative constancy of patch metrics across eccentricities is in stark contrast with the exponential variation in V1 cortical magnification, suggesting a nearly invariant modular organization throughout human V1.
Counterion Specificity of Polyelectrolyte Brushes: Role of Specific Ion‐Pairing Interactions
Authors: Kou Ran , Zhang Jian , Chen Zhen , Liu Guangming 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe demonstrate here that the properties of poly (2‐(methacryloyloxy) ethyl trimethylammonium chloride) brushes can be tuned by counterion species. When the brushes are exposed to external chloride (Cl−) counterions, obvious dehydration and collapse are only observed at high salt concentrations. In the presence of very strongly chaotropic perchlorate (ClO4−), the brushes strongly dehydrate and collapse at a very low salt concentration. For the strongly chaotropic thiocyanate ion (SCN−), the changes in hydration and conformation of the brushes are similar to those observed for ClO4− but at a smaller extent at very low salt concentrations. With the addition of kosmotropic acetate (Ac−), hydration of the brushes increases, accompanied by a swelling of the brushes in the low‐salt‐concentration regime. In contrast, the brushes dehydrate and collapse with increasing concentration of Ac− in the high‐salt‐concentration regime. The counterion specificity of the brushes demonstrated here is determined by specific ion‐pairing interactions through modulating the osmotic pressure within the brushes and the hydrophobicity of the ion pairs.
Delivering cognitive behavioural therapy to advanced cancer patients: A qualitative exploration into therapists' experiences within a UK psychological service
Authors: Hassan Suzan , Bennett Kirsty , Serfaty Marc 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundCognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is commonly used to treat cancer patients with psychological disorders such as depression. There has been little qualitative research exploring the experience of therapists delivering CBT to patients with advanced cancer and long‐term health conditions generally. Therapists' views may help identify difficulties in delivering therapy and how these may be overcome. The aim of this study was to inform practice by qualitatively exploring the experiences of therapists delivering CBT to patients with advanced cancer.DesignSixteen semi‐structured interviews were conducted with therapists from Increasing Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services in London, UK, who had delivered CBT to patients enrolled on the CanTalk trial. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using framework analysis.ResultsTherapists reported positive experiences when working with the target population. Flexibility, adaptability, and a consideration of individual needs were identified as important when delivering CBT, but the rigidity of IAPT policies and demand for services were perceived as problematic. Although therapists reported adequate training, specialist supervision was desired when delivering therapy to this complex population.ConclusionIAPT therapists can deliver CBT to advanced cancer patients, given therapists positive experiences evident in the present study. However, it was concluded that additional service and modifications of therapy may be needed before positive outcomes for both therapists and patients can be achieved.
Syntheses and Excited‐State Intramolecular Proton Transfer of 3‐Hydroxythioflavone and Its Sulfone Analogue
Authors: Meng Fan‐Yi , Chen Yi‐An , Chen Chih‐Lin , Chou Pi‐Tai 
Published: March 2018

Abstract3‐Hydroxythioflavone (3‐HTF) was synthesized upon oxidation with selenium dioxide, in contrast to 3‐hydroxyflavone, a prototype molecule undergoing excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction. Also achieved were the syntheses of the 3‐HTF sulfone analogue and an interesting sulfonyl selane intermediate. Their structures were fully characterized. 3‐HTF showed an ultrafast ESIPT property, as evidenced by >150 fs−1 reaction rate constant and it solely exhibited a proton‐transfer tautomer emission (590 nm) in cyclohexane at room temperature and in a 77 K solid matrix. The lower electronegativity of the sulfur atom in 3‐HTF leads to a significant redshift of the tautomer emission compared with that of 3‐hydroxyflavone. The sulfone analogue showed a lack of ESIPT, mainly owing to the decrease in carbonyl basicity.
Design and implementation of sub 0.5‐V OTAs in 0.18‐μm CMOS
Authors: Kulej Tomasz , Khateb Fabian 
Published: March 2018

SummaryA family of bulk‐driven CMOS operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs) has been designed for extremely low supply voltages (0.3‐0.5 V). Three OTA design schemes with different gain boosting techniques and class AB input/output stages are discussed. A detailed comparison among these schemes has been presented in terms of performance characteristics such as voltage gain, gain‐bandwidth product, slew rate, circuit sensitivity to process/mismatch variations, and silicon area. The design procedures for all the compared structures have been developed. The OTAs have been fabricated in a standard 0.18‐μm n‐well CMOS process from TSMC. Chip test results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions and simulations.
Recurrent reciprocal copy number variants: Roles and rules in neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Deshpande Aditi , Weiss Lauren A. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTDeletions and duplications, called reciprocal CNVs when they occur at the same locus, are implicated in neurodevelopmental phenotypes ranging from morphological to behavioral. In this article, we propose three models of how differences in gene expression in deletion and duplication genotypes may result in deleterious phenotypes. To explore these models, we use examples of the similarities and differences in clinical phenotypes of five reciprocal CNVs known to cause neurodevelopmental disorders: 1q21.1, 7q11.23, 15q13.3, 16p11.2, and 22q11.2. These models and examples may inform some insights into better understanding of gene–phenotype relationships. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 78: 519–530, 2018
Niche similarities among introduced and native mountain ungulates
Authors: Lowrey B. , Garrott R. A. , McWhirter D. E. , White P. J. , DeCesare N. J. , Stewart S. T. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe niche concept provides a strong foundation for theoretical and applied research among a broad range of disciplines. When two ecologically similar species are sympatric, theory predicts they will occupy distinct ecological niches to reduce competition. Capitalizing on the increasing availability of spatial data, we built from single species habitat suitability models to a multispecies evaluation of the niche partitioning hypothesis with sympatric mountain ungulates: native bighorn sheep (BHS; Ovis canadensis) and introduced mountain goats (MTG; Oreamnos americanus) in the northeast Greater Yellowstone Area. We characterized seasonal niches using two‐stage resource selection functions with a used‐available design and descriptive summaries of the niche attributes associated with used GPS locations. We evaluated seasonal similarity in niche space according to confidence interval overlap of model coefficients and similarity in geographic space by comparing model predicted values with Schoener's D metric. Our sample contained 37,962 summer locations from 53 individuals (BHS = 31, MTG = 22), and 79,984 winter locations from 57 individuals (BHS = 35, MTG = 22). Slope was the most influential niche component for both species and seasons, and showed the strongest evidence of niche partitioning. Bighorn sheep occurred on steeper slopes than mountain goats in summer and mountain goats occurred on steeper slopes in winter. The pattern of differential selection among species was less prevalent for the remaining covariates, indicating similarity in niche space. Model predictions in geographic space showed broad seasonal similarity (summer D = 0.88, winter D = 0.87), as did niche characterizations from used GPS locations. The striking similarities in seasonal niches suggest that introduced mountain goats will continue to increase their spatial overlap with native bighorn. Our results suggest that reducing densities of mountain goats in hunted areas where they are sympatric with bighorn sheep and impeding their expansion may reduce the possibility of competition and disease transfer. Additional studies that specifically investigate partitioning at finer scales and along dietary or temporal niche axes will help to inform an adaptive management approach.
Contrasting patterns of Andean diversification among three diverse clades of Neotropical clearwing butterflies
Authors: Chazot Nicolas , De‐Silva Donna Lisa , Willmott Keith R. , Freitas André V. L. , Lamas Gerardo , Mallet James , Giraldo Carlos E. , Uribe Sandra , Elias Marianne 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe Neotropical region is the most biodiverse on Earth, in a large part due to the highly diverse tropical Andean biota. The Andes are a potentially important driver of diversification within the mountains and for neighboring regions. We compared the role of the Andes in diversification among three subtribes of Ithomiini butterflies endemic to the Neotropics, Dircennina, Oleriina, and Godyridina. The diversification patterns of Godyridina have been studied previously. Here, we generate the first time‐calibrated phylogeny for the largest ithomiine subtribe, Dircennina, and we reanalyze a published phylogeny of Oleriina to test different biogeographic scenarios involving the Andes within an identical framework. We found common diversification patterns across the three subtribes, as well as major differences. In Dircennina and Oleriina, our results reveal a congruent pattern of diversification related to the Andes with an Andean origin, which contrasts with the Amazonian origin and multiple Andean colonizations of Godyridina. In each of the three subtribes, a clade diversified in the Northern Andes at a faster rate. Diversification within Amazonia occurred in Oleriina and Godyridina, while virtually no speciation occurred in Dircennina in this region. Dircennina was therefore characterized by higher diversification rates within the Andes compared to non‐Andean regions, while in Oleriina and Godyridina, we found no difference between these regions. Our results and discussion highlight the importance of comparative approaches in biogeographic studies.
Habitat quality is more important than matrix quality for bird communities in protected areas
Authors: Häkkilä Matti , Abrego Nerea , Ovaskainen Otso , Mönkkönen Mikko 
Published: March 2018

AbstractProtected areas are meant to preserve native local communities within their boundaries, but they are not independent from their surroundings. Impoverished habitat quality in the matrix might influence the species composition within the protected areas through biotic homogenization. The aim of this study was to determine the impacts of matrix quality on species richness and trait composition of bird communities from the Finnish reserve area network and whether the communities are being subject of biotic homogenization due to the lowered quality of the landscape matrix. We used joint species distribution modeling to study how characteristics of the Finnish forest reserves and the quality of their surrounding matrix alter species and trait compositions of forest birds. The proportion of old forest within the reserves was the main factor in explaining the bird community composition, and the bird communities within the reserves did not strongly depend on the quality of the matrix. Yet, in line with the homogenization theory, the beta‐diversity within reserves embedded in low‐quality matrix was lower than that in high‐quality matrix, and the average abundance of regionally abundant species was higher. Influence of habitat quality on bird community composition was largely explained by the species' functional traits. Most importantly, the community specialization index was low, and average body size was high in areas with low proportion of old forest. We conclude that for conserving local bird communities in northern Finnish protected forests, it is currently more important to improve or maintain habitat quality within the reserves than in the surrounding matrix. Nevertheless, we found signals of bird community homogenization, and thus, activities that decrease the quality of the matrix are a threat for bird communities.
New approaches in bioprocess‐control: Consortium guidance by synthetic cell‐cell communication based on fungal pheromones
Authors: Hennig Stefan , Wenzel Mandy , Haas Christiane , Hoffmann Andreas , Weber Jost , Rödel Gerhard , Ostermann Kai 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBioconversions in industrial processes are currently dominated by single‐strain approaches. With the growing complexity of tasks to be carried out, microbial consortia become increasingly advantageous and eventually may outperform single‐strain fermentations. Consortium approaches benefit from the combined metabolic capabilities of highly specialized strains and species, and the inherent division of labor reduces the metabolic burden for each strain while increasing product yields and reaction specificities. However, consortium‐based designs still suffer from a lack of available tools to control the behavior and performance of the individual subpopulations and of the entire consortium. Here, we propose to implement novel control elements for microbial consortia based on artificial cell–cell communication via fungal mating pheromones. Coupling to the desired output is mediated by pheromone‐responsive gene expression, thereby creating pheromone‐dependent communication channels between different subpopulations of the consortia. We highlight the benefits of artificial communication to specifically target individual subpopulations of microbial consortia and to control e.g. their metabolic profile or proliferation rate in a predefined and customized manner. Due to the steadily increasing knowledge of sexual cycles of industrially relevant fungi, a growing number of strains and species can be integrated into pheromone‐controlled sensor‐actor systems, exploiting their unique metabolic properties for microbial consortia approaches.
Testing geomorphic signal of active normal faulting: The case of the Cittanova Fault (Calabria, southern Italy)
Authors: Peronace Edoardo , Della Seta Marta , Troiani Francesco , Galli Paolo , Giaccio Biagio , Messina Paolo , Fredi Paola 
Published: March 2018

AbstractExtracting tectonic signals from the landscape is an important challenge for constraining the style and rate of deformation associated with active faults, especially where their displacement history cannot be independently determined. Based on previous paleoseismological data coupled with new geomorphological field work and 14C dating of geomorphic markers, we analysed the geomorphic signal of the along‐strike differential throw of the Cittanova Fault in southern Calabria (Italy), the recent activity of which is already well documented and constrained. Through DTM‐derived stream power law parameters (SL and χ), we provide evidence of drainage network disequilibrium and reorganization in response to fault growth and deformation style. Furthermore, a methodological test of the reliability of the χ metric as a proxy for the differential throw along the strike of active normal faults provided good preliminary results, consistent with a strong inverse linear correlation with fault throw. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing the release of copper from nanocopper-treated and conventional copper-treated lumber into marine waters I: Concentrations and rates
Authors: Parks Ashley N. , Cantwell Mark G. , Katz David R. , Cashman Michaela A. , Luxton Todd P. , Ho Kay T. , Burgess Robert M. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Little is known about the release of metal engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) from consumer goods, including lumber treated with micronized copper. Micronized copper is a recent form of antifouling wood preservative containing nanosized copper particles for use in pressure-treated lumber. The present study investigated the concentrations released and the release rate of total copper over the course of 133 d under freshwater, estuarine, and marine salinity conditions (0, 1, 10, and 30‰) for several commercially available pressure-treated lumbers: micronized copper azole (MCA) at 0.96 and 2.4 kg/m3, alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) at 0.30 and 9.6 kg/m3, and chromated copper arsenate (CCA) at 40 kg/m3. Lumber was tested as blocks and as sawdust. Overall, copper was released from all treated lumber samples. Under leaching conditions, total release ranged from 2 to 55% of the measured copper originally in the lumber, with release rate constants from the blocks of 0.03 to 2.71 (units per day). Generally, measured release and modeled equilibrium concentrations were significantly higher in the estuarine conditions compared with freshwater or marine salinities, whereas rate constants showed very limited differences between salinities. Furthermore, organic carbon was released during the leaching and demonstrated a significant relationship with released copper concentrations as a function of salinity. The results indicate that copper is released into estuarine/marine waters from multiple wood treatments including lumber amended with nanoparticle-sized copper. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1956–1968. Published 2018 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Postnatal maturation of microglia is associated with alternative activation and activated TGFβ signaling
Authors: Attaai Abdelraheim , Neidert Nicolas , von Ehr Alexander , Potru Phani Sankar , Zöller Tanja , Spittau Björn 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMicroglia are involved in a widespread set of physiological and pathological processes and further play important roles during neurodevelopmental events. Postnatal maturation of microglia has been associated with the establishment of microglia‐specific gene expression patterns. The mechanisms governing microglia maturation are only partially understood but Tgfβ1 has been suggested to be one important mediator. In the present study, we demonstrate that early postnatal microglia maturation is associated with alternative microglia activation, increased engulfment of apoptotic cells as well as activated microglial Tgfβ signaling. Interestingly, microglial Tgfβ signaling preceded the induction of the microglia‐specific gene expression indicating the importance of Tgfβ1 for postnatal microglia maturation. Moreover, we provide evidence that Tgfβ1 is expressed by neurons in postnatal and adult brains defining neuron‐microglia communication via Tgfβ1 as an important event. Finally, we introduce the recently identified microglia marker Tmem119 as a direct Tgfβ1‐Smad2 target gene. Taken together, the data presented here further increase the understanding of Tgfβ1‐mediated effects in microglia and place emphasis on the importance of Tgfβ1 for microglia maturation and maintenance.