bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Boron Nitride Nanosheets (BNNSs) Chemically Modified by “Grafting‐From” Polymerization of Poly(caprolactone) for Thermally Conductive Polymer Composites
Authors: Lee Jinseong , Jung Haejong , Yu Seunggun , Man Cho Suk , Tiwari Vimal K. , Babu Velusamy Dhinesh , Park Cheolmin 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTo meet the growing demand for rapid heat dissipation in electronic devices to ensure their reliable performance with a high level of safety, many polymer composites with thermally conductive but electrically insulating 2D boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) are being developed. Here we present an efficient way to enhance the thermal conductivity (TC) of a polymer composite by means of “grafting‐from” polymerization of a poly(caprolactone) (PCL) onto BNNSs. The BNNSs, which were exfoliated from bulk BN by means of ultra‐sonication, were prepared by means of radical oxidation. These oxidized BNNSs (oxi‐BNNSs) were employed as initiators for subsequent ring‐opening polymerization of PCL, which successfully resulted in PCL chemically grafted onto BNNSs (PCL‐g‐BNNSs). The excellent dispersion of PCL‐g‐BNNSs in common solvents allowed us to readily fabricate a polymer composite that contained PCL‐g‐BNNSs embedded in a PCL matrix, and the composite showed TC values that were five and nine times greater in the out‐of‐plane and in‐plane mode, respectively, than those of pristine PCL.
Organizational topology of brain and its relationship to ADHD in adolescents with d‐transposition of the great arteries
Authors: Schmithorst Vincent J. , Panigrahy Ashok , Gaynor J. William , Watson Christopher G. , Lee Vince , Bellinger David C. , Rivkin Michael J. , Newburger Jane W. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractObjectiveLittle is currently known about the impact of congenital heart disease (CHD) on the organization of large‐scale brain networks in relation to neurobehavioral outcome. We investigated whether CHD might impact ADHD symptoms via changes in brain structural network topology in a cohort of adolescents with d‐transposition of the great arteries (d‐TGA) repaired with the arterial switch operation in early infancy and referent subjects. We also explored whether these effects might be modified by apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype, as the APOE ε2 allele has been associated with worse neurodevelopmental outcomes after repair of d‐TGA in infancy.MethodsWe applied graph analysis techniques to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data obtained from 47 d‐TGA adolescents and 29 healthy referents to construct measures of structural topology at the global and regional levels. We developed statistical mediation models revealing the respective contributions of d‐TGA, APOE genotype, and structural network topology on ADHD outcome as measured by the Connors ADHD/DSM‐IV Scales (CADS).ResultsChanges in overall network connectivity, integration, and segregation mediated worse ADHD outcomes in d‐TGA patients compared to healthy referents; these changes were predominantly in the left and right intrahemispheric regional subnetworks. Exploratory analysis revealed that network topology also mediated detrimental effects of the APOE ε4 allele but improved neurobehavioral outcomes for the APOE ε2 allele.ConclusionOur results suggest that disruption of organization of large‐scale networks may contribute to neurobehavioral dysfunction in adolescents with CHD and that this effect may interact with APOE genotype.
Generation of Stable Transgenic Rice (Oryza sativa L.) by Agrobacterium‐Mediated Transformation
Authors: Zhang Yi , Li Jun , Gao Caixia 
Published: June 2016

AbstractRice (Oryza sativa L.) is the staple food for more than half of the world's population, and has also become an important model monocot. As a result, numerous genetic transformation protocols have been developed to improve and better understand this particular agronomic plant. Here we introduce a convenient transformation method using Agrobacterium. The explants used are embryogenic calli derived from mature seeds, which are easily obtained and can be used all year round. After selection and regeneration, transformants are obtained from resistant calli cultured on the regeneration medium. This protocol has been used to generate transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L.) in as little as 4 months. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An Improved Transient Expression System Using Arabidopsis Protoplasts
Authors: Cao Yangrong , Li Hong , Pham An Q. , Stacey Gary 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTransient gene expression in protoplasts provides a powerful tool to study protein expression, protein localization, protein‐protein association, and gene expression regulation, etc. There are several methods including electroporation, which have been reported to introduce DNA into protoplasts. However, one of the best methods used is polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐mediated transfection. Here, we describe an improved PEG‐mediated transformation method including preparation of protoplasts, PEG‐mediated transformation, and, by way of example, expression of the AtLYK5 gene (AT2G33580) in protoplasts. The protoplast transient expression system provides unique capabilities to support cell‐based experiments involved in plant biochemistry and physiology. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Extraction and Analysis of Terpenes/Terpenoids
Authors: Jiang Zuodong , Kempinski Chase , Chappell Joe 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTerpenes/terpenoids constitute one of the largest classes of natural products, due to the incredible chemical diversity that can arise from the biochemical transformations of relatively simple prenyl diphosphate starter units. All terpenes/terpenoids comprise a hydrocarbon backbone generated from various length prenyl diphosphates (a polymer chain of prenyl units). Upon ionization (removal) of the diphosphate group, the remaining allylic carbocation intermediates can be coaxed down complex chemical cascades leading to diverse linear and cyclized hydrocarbon backbones that can be further modified with a wide range of functional groups (e.g., alcohols or ketones) and substituent additions (e.g., sugars or fatty acids). Because of this chemical diversity, terpenes/terpenoids have great industrial uses as flavors, fragrances, high grade lubricants, biofuels, agricultural chemicals, and medicines. The protocols presented here focus on the extraction of terpenes/terpenoids from various plant sources and have been divided into extraction methods for terpenes/terpenoids with various levels of chemical decoration—from relatively small, nonpolar, volatile hydrocarbons to substantially large molecules with greater physical complexity due to chemical modifications. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes as a Catalyst for Gas‐Phase Oxidation of Ethanol to Acetaldehyde
Authors: Wang Jia , Huang Rui , Feng Zhenbao , Liu Hongyang , Su Dangsheng 
Published: June 2016

AbstractMulti‐walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were directly used as a sustainable and green catalyst to convert ethanol into acetaldehyde in the presence of molecular oxygen. The C=O groups generated on the nanocarbon surface were demonstrated as active sites for the selective oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde. The transformation of disordered carbon debris on the CNT surface to ordered graphitic structures induced by thermal‐treatment significantly enhanced the stability of the active C=O groups, and thus the catalytic performance. A high reactivity with approximately 60 % ethanol conversion and 93 % acetaldehyde selectivity was obtained over the optimized CNT catalyst at 270 °C. More importantly, the catalytic performance was quite stable even after 500 h, which is comparable with a supported gold catalyst. The robust catalytic performance displayed the potential application of CNTs in the industrial catalysis field.
Application of Concanavalin A during immune responsiveness skin‐swelling tests facilitates measurement interpretation in mammalian ecology
Authors: Bílková Barbora , Albrecht Tomáš , Chudíčková Milada , Holáň Vladimír , Piálek Jaroslav , Vinkler Michal 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe skin‐swelling test is a simple and widespread method used in field ecological research to estimate cellular immune responsiveness in animals. This immunoecological test is based on measuring the magnitude of tissue swelling response at specific times following subcutaneous application of an experimental pro‐inflammatory stimulant. In the vast majority of studies across vertebrate taxa, phytohemagglutinin (PHA) is used as a universal stimulant. Given the complexity of immune response activation pathways of PHA, however, interpretation of test results can be ambiguous. Goal of this study was to improve methodology of the skin‐swelling test to decrease this ambiguity. Here, we present an alternative protocol aimed at facilitating interpretation of skin‐swelling data for mammals. Based on previous evidence suggesting that mammalian T cells are readily activated by Concanavalin A (ConA) in vitro, we compared cellular immune responses in vivo to PHA and ConA as an alternative pro‐inflammatory stimulant in mice. We measured magnitude of tissue swelling and compared it with intensity of blood cell infiltration into tissue over a 72‐hour interval. Our results corroborate that PHA and ConA show important differences in both dynamics and response amplitude in rodents. ConA induces stronger swelling with a distinct leukocyte activity pattern and higher pro‐inflammatory cytokine (interleukin 6 [IL‐6] and interferon gamma[IFN‐γ]) expression than PHA during peak response (24‐h post‐treatment). Furthermore, unlike PHA, magnitude of swelling was positively associated with cellular activity (number of neutrophils infiltrating tissue) following ConA injection. We conclude that ConA is the more suitable stimulant for skin‐swelling tests in mammals. This is because of the molecular binding specificity in the two lectins, that is, ConA specifically activates T cells while PHA also triggers erythroagglutination. We propose that ConA be used in all future ecological testing in mammals as it exhibits better performance and its application facilitates immunological interpretation of skin‐swelling test results.
Pyrogenic fuels produced by savanna trees can engineer humid savannas
Authors: Platt William J. , Ellair Darin P. , Huffman Jean M. , Potts Stephen E. , Beckage Brian 
Published: June 2016

AbstractNatural fires ignited by lightning strikes following droughts frequently are posited as the ecological mechanism maintaining discontinuous tree cover and grass‐dominated ground layers in savannas. Such fires, however, may not reliably maintain humid savannas. We propose that savanna trees producing pyrogenic shed leaves might engineer fire characteristics, affecting ground‐layer plants in ways that maintain humid savannas. We explored our hypothesis in a high‐rainfall, frequently burned pine savanna in which the dominant tree, longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), produces resinous needles that become highly flammable when shed and dried. We postulated that pyrogenic needles should have much greater influence on fire characteristics at ground level, and hence post‐fire responses of dominant shrubs and grasses, than other abundant fine fuels (shed oak leaves and grass culms). We further reasoned that these effects should increase with amounts of needles. We managed site conditions that affect fuels (time since fire, dominant vegetation), manipulated amounts of needles in ground‐layer plots, prescribed burned the plots, and measured fire characteristics at ground level. We also measured characteristics of ground‐layer oaks and grasses before, then 2 and 8 months after fires. We tested our hypotheses regarding effects of pyrogenic pine fuels on fire characteristics and vegetation regrowth and explored direct and indirect effects of fuels on fire characteristics and vegetation using a structural equation model. Pine needles influenced fire characteristics, elevating maximum temperature increases, durations of heating above 60°C, and fine fuel consumption considerably above measurements when fuels only included other savanna plants. Presence of pine needles depressed post‐fire numbers of oak stems and grass culms, especially in the interior of grass genets, as well as post‐fire flowering of grasses. The structural equation model indicated strong direct and indirect pathways from pine needles to post‐fire responses of oaks and grasses. The experimental field tests of hypotheses, bolstered by structural equation modeling, indicate pyrogenic fine fuels modify characteristics of prescribed fires at ground level, negatively affecting dominant ground‐layer oaks and grasses. Frequent fires fueled by pyrogenic needles should maintain humid savannas and generate spatial pyrodiversity that affects composition and dynamics of pine savanna ground‐layer vegetation.
Toxicity of three strobilurins (kresoxim-methyl, pyraclostrobin, and trifloxystrobin) on Daphnia magna
Authors: Cui Feng , Chai Tingting , Liu Xiaoxu , Wang Chengju 
Published: June 2016

Abstract

Strobilurins constitute a new class of fungicides that is the most widely used in the world. The present study was conducted to investigate the aquatic toxicity of 3 common strobilurin fungicides (kresoxim-methyl, pyraclostrobin, and trifloxystrobin) to Daphnia magna. The neonate acute immobilization test showed that the 48-h 50% effective concentration (EC50) values of kresoxim-methyl, pyraclostrobin, and trifloxystrobin were 443.3 µg/L, 20.9 µg/L, and 23.0 µg/L, respectively. In addition, the 3 strobilurins significantly induced activity of the important detoxification enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) in D. magna, and there was a significant positive relationship between GST activity and immobility of D. magna after acute exposure. The 3 strobilurins showed higher toxicity to D. magna embryos, and the 48-h EC50 were 157.3 µg/L, 3.9 µg/L, and 1.7 µg/L for kresoxim-methyl, pyraclostrobin, and trifloxystrobin, respectively. The 21-d chronic test revealed that the strobilurins could also significantly affect the reproduction, development, and growth of D. magna at sublethal concentrations. The lowest-observed-effect concentrations of kresoxim-methyl, pyraclostrobin, and trifloxystrobin for reproduction were 20 µg/L, 0.15 µg/L, and 0.2 µg/L, respectively, which were close to environmental concentrations. The findings indicate that strobilurin fungicides are very toxic to D. magna and they are sufficient to cause harm to D. magna at environmentally relevant concentrations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:182–189. © 2016 SETAC
Paclitaxel‐releasing mesenchymal stromal cells inhibit the growth of multiple myeloma cells in a dynamic 3D culture system
Authors: Bonomi Arianna , Steimberg Nathalie , Benetti Anna , Berenzi Angiola , Alessandri Giulio , Pascucci Luisa , Boniotti Jennifer , Coccè Valentina , Sordi Valeria , Pessina Augusto , Mazzoleni Giovanna 
Published: June 2016

AbstractMultiple myeloma is an aggressive tumour able to suppress osteoblastogenesis probably mediated by bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM‐MSCs) that can also support plasma cell growth/survival. The use of MSCs for multiple myeloma therapy is a controversial topic because of the contradictory results on the capacity of MSCs to inhibit or to promote cancer growth. Our previous studies demonstrated that MSCs could be loaded with Paclitaxel (PTX) and used to deliver the drug in situ in amount affecting tumour growth (in vitro and in vivo). Therefore, independently on the discussed action of MSCs in myeloma, MSCs could represent a ‘trojan horse’ to vehicle and deliver anti‐tumour agents into bone marrow. This study confirms, by an in vitro 3D dynamic culture system, that PTX loaded BM‐MSCs (PTXr‐MSCs) are active on the proliferation of RPMI 8226, a human myeloma cell line. Our results demonstrated a dramatic suppression of myeloma cell growth by PTXr‐MSCs, suggesting that drug loaded MSCs could be a tool to deliver drug into the bone marrow. Drug releasing MSCs provide a therapeutic approach to potentiate the existing treatments against a very aggressive malignancy as multiple myeloma. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Green HRM Practices on Employee Workplace Green Behavior: The Role of Psychological Green Climate and Employee Green Values
Authors: Dumont Jenny , Shen Jie , Deng Xin 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAs an emerging concept, green human resource management (green HRM) has been conceptualized to influence employee workplace green behavior. This research empirically tested this link. We first developed measures for green HRM, and then drew on the behavioral HRM and psychological climate literature along with the supplies‐values fit theory, to test a conceptual model integrating the effects of psychological green climate and individual green values. Results revealed that green HRM both directly and indirectly influenced in‐role green behavior, but only indirectly influenced extra‐role green behavior, through the mediation of psychological green climate. Individual green values moderated the effect of psychological green climate on extra‐role green behavior, but it did not moderate the effect of either green HRM or psychological green climate on in‐role green behavior. These findings indicate that green HRM affects both employee in‐role and extra‐role workplace green behavior; however, this occurs through different social and psychological processes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Abnormal Bone Acquisition With Early-Life HIV Infection: Role of Immune Activation and Senescent Osteogenic Precursors
Authors: Manavalan John S , Arpadi Stephen , Tharmarajah Shenthuraan , Shah Jayesh , Zhang Chiyuan A , Foca Marc , Neu Natalie , Bell David L , Nishiyama Kyle K , Kousteni Stavroula , Yin Michael T 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACT

Chronic immune activation associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection may have negative consequences on bone acquisition in individuals infected with HIV early in life. Bone mineral density (BMD) and microarchitecture were characterized in 38 HIV-infected men on antiretroviral therapy (18 perinatally-infected, 20 adolescence-infected) and 20 uninfected men age 20 to 25 years by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT). Flow cytometry was utilized to measure CD4+/CD8+ activation (HLADR+CD38+) and senescence (CD28–CD57+) and to quantify circulating osteogenic precursor (COP) cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using antibodies to RUNX2 and osteocalcin (OCN). Telomere lengths were measured in sorted COP cells using qPCR. DXA-derived areal BMD Z-scores and HRpQCT-derived volumetric BMD (vBMD) measures were lower in HIV-infected than uninfected men. Proportion of activated and senescent CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were higher in HIV-infected than uninfected men. The percentage of COP cells (mean ± SE) was lower in HIV-infected than uninfected (0.19% ± 0.02% versus 0.43% ± 0.06%; p &lt; 0.0001) men, and also lower in perinatally-infected than adolescence-infected men (0.15% ± 0.02% versus 0.22% ± 0.03%; p &lt; 0.04). A higher proportion of COP cells correlated with higher bone stiffness, a measure of bone strength, whereas a higher proportion of activated CD4+ T cells correlated with lower BMD and stiffness and lower proportion of COP cells. T cell activation with HIV-infection was associated with decreased numbers of osteogenic precursors as well as lower peak bone mass and bone strength. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Modelling daily rainfall with climatological predictors: Poisson‐gamma generalized linear modelling approach
Authors: Yunus Rossita M. , Hasan Masud M. , Razak Nuradhiathy A. , Zubairi Yong Z. , Dunn Peter K. 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTGeneralized linear models (GLMs) are used in understanding the impact of predictors on a dependent variable. The aim of this study is to fitGLMsto daily rainfall totals using potential predictors. First, the appropriate probability distributions within a specific family, the Tweedie family, were determined for daily rainfall totals from four stations of Peninsular Malaysia from 1983 to 2012. Within the Tweedie family, the Poisson Gamma (PG) distribution was found appropriate to model both components: occurrence (dry/wet days) and amount (rainfall totals on wet days) of rainfall simultaneously. Then, thePG‐GLMswere fitted to rainfall data with a sine term, a cosine term, lagged rainfall,NINO3.4 and Southern oscillation index (SOI) as predictors. Finally, the models were compared using the Likelihood ratio test and the Akaike information criterion. Initially, considering the cyclic pattern of rainfall data, models with only sine and cosine terms (the base model) were fitted. Then the lagged rainfall and climatological variables were added each time to the base model. DiagnosticQQplots indicate that the models fit the data well. The models were fitted using the first 60% of data and validated using the remainder. The models capture the various characteristics of observed datasets reasonably well. Including single climatological variables in the model significantly improves the fit compared to the base model with lagged rainfall (except for the south‐east coastal station, Mersing), however, including both climatological predictors in the same model does not improve the model significantly. The model withSOIis only favoured for the east coastal station, Kuala Terengganu, and the model withNINO3.4 fits better to the inland and west coastal stations. The models are useful in understanding the impact of the studied climatological variables and to predict the amount and probability of rainfall.
Winter diet and hunting success of Canada lynx in Colorado
Authors: Ivan Jacob S. , Shenk Tanya M. 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTInformation regarding the diet of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) at the southernmost extent of its range is critical for managing the species under current and predicted climate conditions. Therefore, from 1999–2009, we investigated winter diet and hunting strategies of Canada lynx in Colorado, USA by tracking individuals in the snow to identify sites where lynx encountered and killed prey. Similar to other parts of lynx range, snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) were the primary winter food in Colorado, especially when considering total biomass consumed. Red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) comprised the bulk of the remaining food items and were a substantial occurrence during several years, which is consistent with previous hypotheses regarding the diet of lynx in southerly populations. Lynx successfully captured snowshoe hares on 31% of attempts and red squirrels on 47% of attempts, similar to lynx in other regions. In contrast to other populations, the majority of chases of both prey species were initiated while actively hunting rather than by ambush and this behavior did not change through time. We found evidence for snowshoe hare refugia during winter; hunting success for hares peaked at sites with approximately 3,000 stems/ha, but was lower in more dense vegetation where hare densities were greater. Given this finding and the apparent importance of red squirrels as alternate prey, we suggest that management for lynx in the southern Rocky Mountains, USA, focus on maintenance of mature, uneven‐aged Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii)‐subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) stands. Such stands naturally provide patches of dense and open habitats juxtaposed closely together that should simultaneously facilitate high hare densities (and refuge from predation) and accessibility to hares by lynx. Mature trees in such stands also provide abundant cone crops to sustain populations of red squirrels for use as alternate prey. © 2016 The Authors.Journal of Wildlife Managementpublished by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.