bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient Synthesis of Amides and Esters from Alcohols under Aerobic Ambient Conditions Catalyzed by a Au/Mesoporous Al2O3 Nanocatalyst
Authors: Chng Leng Leng , Yang Jinhua , Ying Jackie Y. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAn efficient heterogeneous Au/mesoporous alumina nanocatalyst has been successfully developed for the synthesis of amides and esters from simple building blocks of readily available alcohols and amines. The processes were simple and were performed at room temperature and atmospheric pressure of O2 to form the desired products with up to 97 % isolated yield. The ability of Au/mesoporous alumina to catalyze these reactions under ambient conditions further enhances the sustainability of these chemical processes. Furthermore, the nanocatalyst was stable to air and water and could be recovered and reused easily. The enhanced catalytic activity of Au/mesoporous alumina might be attributed to the presence of negatively charged Au nanoparticles that could promote oxidation processes as well as the stability of the mesoporous alumina support calcined at a high temperature of 800 °C.
Improving the Thermochemical Energy Storage Performance of the Mn2O3/Mn3O4 Redox Couple by the Incorporation of Iron
Authors: Carrillo Alfonso J. , Serrano David P. , Pizarro Patricia , Coronado Juan M. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractRedox cycles of manganese oxides (Mn2O3/Mn3O4) are a promising alternative for thermochemical heat storage systems coupled to concentrated solar power plants as manganese oxides are abundant and inexpensive materials. Although their cyclability for such a purpose has been proved, sintering processes, related to the high‐temperature conditions at which charge–discharge cycles are performed, generally cause a cycle‐to‐cycle decrease in the oxidation rate of Mn3O4. To guarantee proper operation, both reactions should present stable reaction rates. In this study, it has been demonstrated that the incorporation of Fe, which is also an abundant material, into the manganese oxides improves the redox performance of this system by increasing the heat storage density, narrowing the redox thermal hysteresis, and, above all, stabilizing and enhancing the oxidation rate over long‐term operation, which counteracts the negative effects caused by sintering, although its presence is not avoided.
The effect of drainage ditches on vegetation diversity and CO2 fluxes in a Molinia caerulea‐dominated peatland
Authors: Gatis Naomi , Luscombe David J. , Grand‐Clement Emilie , Hartley Iain P. , Anderson Karen , Smith David , Brazier Richard E. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractPeatlands are recognized as important carbon stores; despite this, many have been drained for agricultural improvement. Drainage has been shown to lower water tables and alter vegetation composition, modifying primary productivity and decomposition, potentially initiating peat loss. To quantify CO2 fluxes across whole landscapes, it is vital to understand how vegetation composition and CO2 fluxes vary spatially in response to the pattern of drainage features. However, Molinia caerulea‐dominated peatlands are poorly understood despite their widespread extent.Photosynthesis (PG600) and ecosystem respiration (REco) were modelled (12 °C, 600 µmol photons m−2 s−1, greenness excess index of 60) using empirically derived parameters based on closed‐chamber measurements collected over a growing season. Partitioned below‐ground fluxes were also collected. Plots were arranged ⅛, ¼ and ½ the distance between adjacent ditches in two catchments located in Exmoor National Park, southwest England.Water table depths were deepest closest to the ditch and non‐significantly (p = 0·197) shallower further away. Non‐Molinia species coverage and the Simpson diversity index significantly decreased with water table depth (p < 0·024) and increased non‐significantly (p < 0·083) away from the ditch. No CO2 fluxes showed significant spatial distribution in response to drainage ditches, arguably due to insignificant spatial distribution of water tables and vegetation composition. Whilst REco showed no significant spatial variation, PG600 varied significantly between sites (p = 0·012), thereby controlling the spatial distribution of net ecosystem exchange between sites. As PG600 significantly co‐varied with water table depths (p = 0·034), determining the spatial distribution of water table depths may enable CO2 fluxes to be estimated across M. caerulea‐dominated landscapes. © 2015 The Authors. Ecohydrology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Porphyrinoid Aromaticity Induced by the Interaction between Oxidized and Reduced Pyridine Subunits
Authors: Neya Saburo , Suzuki Masaaki , Mochizuki Tomomi , Hoshino Tyuji , Kawaguchi Akira T. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe coupling of 3‐hydroxypyridine‐2,6‐dicarbaldehyde with a tripyrrane‐like precursor bearing a central pyridine ring afforded a new porphyrinoid with two pyridine‐related subunits. The sharp Soret‐like band at 421 nm in the electronic spectrum and the pyrrole NH signal at δ = –2.98 ppm in the NMR spectrum indicated that the product is aromatic with an 18π‐electron circuit. The proton and carbon NMR spectra further suggested that the electron circuit is produced not only by the keto‐enol isomerization of the 3‐hydroxypyridine unit but also by the local hydrogenative dearomatization in the other pyridine unit at the diagonal site. Single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis revealed that the carbon atom in the latter pyridine unit is indeed dearomatized to exhibit sp3 character. These observations, taken together, provide a rare example showing that aromaticity of porphyrinoids is accomplished by the cooperative interaction between oxidized and reduced pyridine rings.
Isolation and characterization of bacteriocinogenic lactic bacteria from M‐Tuba and Tepache, two traditional fermented beverages in México
Authors: de la Fuente‐Salcido Norma M. , Castañeda‐Ramírez José Cristobal , García‐Almendárez Blanca E. , Bideshi Dennis K. , Salcedo‐Hernández Rubén , Barboza‐Corona José E. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMexican Tuba (M‐Tuba) and Tepache are Mexican fermented beverages prepared mainly with pineapple pulp and coconut palm, respectively. At present, reports on the microbiota and nutritional effects of both beverages are lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine whether M‐Tuba and Tepache contain cultivable lactic acid bacteria (LAB) capable of producing bacteriocins. Tepache and M‐Tuba contain mesophilic aerobic bacteria, LAB, and yeast. Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua, Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhimurium, and Salmonella spp, were the microorganisms most susceptible to metabolites produced by bacterial isolates. M‐Tuba and Tepache contain bacteria that harbor genes coding for nisin and enterocin, but not pediocin. The presence of Lactococcus lactis and E. faecium in M‐Tuba and Tepache, was identified by 16S rDNA. These bacteria produced bacteriocins of ~3.5 kDa and 4.0–4.5 kDa, respectively. Partial purified bacteriocins showed inhibitory effect against Micrococcus luteus, L. monocytogenes, L. innocua, Str. agalactiae, S. aureus, Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis, E. faecalis, and K. pneumoniae. We characterized, for the first time, cultivable microbiota of M‐Tuba and Tepache, and specifically, identified candidate lactic bacteria (LAB) present in these beverages that were capable of synthesizing antimicrobial peptides, which collectively could provide food preservative functions.
Viability of dental implants in head and neck irradiated patients: A systematic review
Authors: Zen Filho Edson Virgílio , Tolentino Elen de Souza , Santos Paulo Sérgio Silva 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the safety of dental implants placed in irradiated bone and to discuss their viability when placed post‐radiotherapy (RT).MethodsA systematic review was performed to answer the questions: “Are dental implants in irradiated bone viable?” and “What are the main factors that influence the loss of implants in irradiated patients?”ResultsThe search strategy resulted in 8 publications. A total of 331 patients received 1237 implants, with an overall failure rate of 9.53%. The osseointegration success rates ranged between 62.5% and 100%. The optimal time interval between irradiation and dental implantation varied from 6 to 15 months.ConclusionThe interval time between RT and implant placement and the radiation doses are not associated with significant implant failure rates. The placement of implants in irradiated bone is viable, and head and neck RT should not be considered as a contraindication for dental rehabilitation with implants. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2229–E2240, 2016
From synaptic plasticity to spatial maps and sequence learning
Authors: Mehta Mayank R. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe entorhinal–hippocampal circuit is crucial for several forms of learning and memory, especially sequence learning, including spatial navigation. The challenge is to understand the underlying mechanisms. Pioneering discoveries of spatial selectivity in this circuit, i.e. place cells and grid cells, provided a major step forward in tackling this challenge. Considerable research has also shown that sequence learning relies on synaptic plasticity, especially the Hebbian or the NMDAR‐dependent synaptic plasticity. This raises several questions: Are spatial maps plastic? If so, what is the contribution of Hebbian plasticity to spatial map plasticity? How does the spatial map plasticity contribute to sequence learning? A combination of computational and experimental studies has shown that NMDAR‐mediated plasticity and theta rhythm can have specific effects on the formation and experiential modification of spatial maps to facilitate predictive coding. Advances in transgenic techniques have provided further support for these mechanisms. Although many exciting challenges remain, these findings have brought us closer to solving the puzzle of how the hippocampal system contributes to spatial memory, and point to a way forward. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional research and cognitive‐process research in behavioural science: An unequal but firmly connected pair
Authors: Fiedler Klaus 
Published: April 2015

AbstractDrawing on illustrative examples of the functional and cognitive psychology in contemporary research, the present article emphasizes the primacy of functional relationships, which provide the fundament for all attempts to uncover invisible cognitive processes. Cognitive research is not only inherently more difficult and much more ambitious than functional research. It also suffers from several home‐made problems, such as unwarranted inferences from model fitting, the mediation‐analysis cult and the failure to take environmental influences into account. However, despite the primacy of functional psychology and the problems associated with the ambitious goals of cognitive research, the two partners in this unequal pair are firmly connected and jointly responsible for the most impressive examples of progress in behavioural science.
A simple approach for non‐invasive transcranial optical vascular imaging (nTOVI)
Authors: Kalchenko Vyacheslav , Israeli David , Kuznetsov Yuri , Meglinski Igor , Harmelin Alon 
Published: April 2015

In vivo imaging of cerebral vasculature is highly vital for clinicians and medical researchers alike. For a number of years non‐invasive optical‐based imaging of brain vascular network by using standard fluorescence probes has been considered as impossible. In the current paper controverting this paradigm, we present a robust non‐invasive optical‐based imaging approach that allows visualize major cerebral vessels at the high temporal and spatial resolution. The developed technique is simple to use, utilizes standard fluorescent dyes, inexpensive micro‐imaging and computation procedures. The ability to clearly visualize middle cerebral artery and other major vessels of brain vascular network, as well as the measurements of dynamics of blood flow are presented. The developed imaging approach has a great potential in neuroimaging and can significantly expand the capabilities of preclinical functional studies of brain and notably contribute for analysis of cerebral blood circulation in disorder models.
An example of 1 × 1.5 cm color‐coded image of brain blood vessels of mouse obtained in vivo by transcranial optical vascular imaging (TOVI) approach through the intact cranium.magnified imageAn example of 1 × 1.5 cm color‐coded image of brain blood vessels of mouse obtained in vivo by transcranial optical vascular imaging (TOVI) approach through the intact cranium.
In situ Analysis of Smoothelin‐like 1 and Calmodulin Interactions in Smooth Muscle Cells by Proximity Ligation
Authors: Ulke‐Lemée Annegret , Turner Sara R. , MacDonald Justin A. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTThe smoothelin‐like 1 (SMTNL1) protein is the newest member of the smoothelin family of muscle proteins. Two calmodulin (CaM)‐binding domains (CBD1 for Ca‐CaM; CBD2 for apo‐CaM) have been described for the SMTNL1 protein using in vitro assays. We now demonstrate in situ associations of SMTNL1 and CaM in A7r5 smooth muscle cells using the proximity ligation assay (PLA). We quantified CaM‐SMTNL1 proximity events accurately after taking into account variations in protein expression levels. The refined method allows quantification of in situ proximity after transient transfection with an associated error of <10%. The proximity of SMTNL1 and CaM in A7r5 cells could be reduced by scrambling the amino acid sequence and mutation of large hydrophobic amino acids of CBD1. The truncation of CBD2 did not influence SMTNL1 proximity to CaM. Ultimately, we conclude that SMTNL1 forms complex interactions with CaM in smooth muscle cells, with a role for CBD1 and possibly the intrinsically disordered region. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 2667–2675, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Light and electron microscopy study of the spermatheca of Eupholidoptera chabrieri bimucronata (Ramme, 1927) and Uromenus brevicollis trinacriaeLa Greca 1964 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)
Authors: Viscuso Renata , Camiolo Giuseppina , Vitale Danilo G.M. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTARCTA study by both optical and electron microscopy has been carried out on the spermatheca of Eupholidoptera chabrieri bimucronata and Uromenus brevicollis trinacriae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). In both the examined species, the spermatheca consists of a sac/kidney‐shaped seminal receptacle and a more or less tortuous spermathecal duct that opens into the common oviduct. The wall of both the organs consists of a pseudostratified epithelium surmounted by a cuticular intima; the latter is made up of a thicker endocuticle and an epicuticle. The epithelium shows two different cell types, irregularly arranged and with well differentiated functions: cuticle‐forming and gland cells. In both the species, the cuticle‐forming cells perform other functions, in addition to producing the cuticular intima. The gland cells never come in contact with the cuticular intima, have inside the reservoir a secretion whose appearance can diversify also in contiguous zones of the seminal receptacle. Based on our findings in both the species, the functions of the seminal receptacle would differ from those of the spermathecal duct. In the latter, some areas of the wall of the connecting tract show an activity of lysis, by contiguous epithelial cells, that could play a role in control and selection of spermatozoa. As for the feather‐shaped spermatodesms, similar in both the species, freeze‐fracture observations have shown that the acrosome of each spermatozoon regularly covers three‐quarters of the extension of the acrosome of the following spermatozoon. Finally, the significance of our findings, compared with what is known in literature, is discussed. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:577–586, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
N‐terminal truncation contributed to increasing thermal stability of mannanase Man1312 without activity loss
Authors: Zhou Haiyan , Yang Wenjiao , Tian Yun , Peng Hanhui , Wu Yongyao 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe disordered residues on distal loops affect the molecular structural stability and on some occasions have regulatory roles in catalytic reaction. To increase understanding of the influence of distal residue mutation, this study explored the thermostability and enzymatic activity of mannanase Man1312 deletion mutants. The focus was on residues located on the N‐terminal region because they are more disordered and changeable. The effects of N‐terminal truncation on enzymatic activity and thermal dynamics were investigated by spectrophotometry, circular dichroism and differential scanning calorimetry assays.RESULTSThe deletion mutants on V3, N7 and Q11 showed a marked increase in stability, while the enzymatic activity was significantly improved when triplet deletion was carried out. Triplet deletion MandVNQ showed around double the stability of its corresponding single‐site and double‐site deletion mutants. The Tm value of MandVNP was about 8 °C higher than that of Man1312. MandVNP had improved characteristics of Topt by 10 °C, t1/2 by 10 min and catalytic activity by 11% in comparison with Man1312. Analysis of spectra and modeling showed that MandVNQ had increased helix and strand contents.CONCLUSIONN‐terminal truncation had positive effects on the thermostability and activity of mannanase. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Functionality of kumquat (Fortunella margarita) in the production of fruity ice cream
Authors: Çakmakçı Songül , Topdaş Elif Feyza , Çakır Yusuf , Kalın Pınar 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of kumquat (Fortunella margarita) on the quality characteristics of ice cream. Kumquat paste (KP) was added to an ice cream mix at four concentrations, 0 (control), 5, 10 and 15% (w/w), for ice cream production.RESULTSThe increment of KP level caused an increase in acidity, vitamin C content, b* value and overrun value compared with the control ice cream. The apparent viscosity of samples decreased with the addition of KP at concentrations of 5 and 10% compared with the control. Results indicated that lyophilized water extract of KP (LKE) contained remarkable phenolic compounds. It was observed that LKE exhibited moderate in vitro antioxidant capacity. KP enhanced the color, flavor, vitamin C content and Mg and K contents of the ice cream. The addition of KP positively affected the sensory properties.CONCLUSIONKP may be used as a suitable source of natural color and flavor agent in ice cream production. KP enhanced the vitamin C content and Mg and K contents of ice cream and improved its sensory properties. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Triplet State Formation in Photovoltaic Blends of DPP‐Type Copolymers and PC71BM
Authors: Ochsmann Julian R. , Chandran Deepak , Gehrig Dominik W. , Anwar Husna , Madathil Pramod Kandoth , Lee Kwang‐Sup , Laquai Frédéric 
Published: April 2015

The exciton dynamics in pristine films of two structurally related low‐bandgap diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)‐based donor–acceptor copolymers and the photophysical processes in bulk heterojunction solar cells using DPP copolymer:PC71BM blends are investigated by broadband transient absorption (TA) pump‐probe experiments covering the vis–near‐infrared spectral and fs–μs dynamic range. The experiments reveal surprisingly short exciton lifetimes in the pristine poly­mer films in conjunction with fast triplet state formation. An in‐depth analysis of the TA data by multivariate curve resolution analysis shows that in blends with fullerene as acceptor ultrafast exciton dissociation creates charge carriers, which then rapidly recombine on the sub‐ns timescale. Furthermore, at the carrier densities created by pulsed laser excitation the charge carrier recombination leads to a substantial population of the polymer triplet state. In fact, virtually quantitative formation of triplet states is observed on the sub‐ns timescale. However, the quantitative triplet formation on the sub‐ns timescale is not in line with the power conversion efficiencies of devices indicating that triplet state formation is an intensity‐dependent process in these blends and is reduced under solar illumination conditions, as free charge carriers can be extracted from the photoactive layer in devices.
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Il10 and poly‐dl‐lactide‐ɛ‐caprolactone conduits in critical size nerve defect bridging—An experimental study
Authors: Leibig Nico , Boyle Veronika , Kraus Daniel , Stark Gerhard Bjoern , Penna Vincenzo 
Published: April 2015

IntroductionAim of this study is to evaluate if regeneration in repair of nerve defects can be improved by combination of a poly‐dl‐lactide‐ɛ‐caprolactone conduit (PLC) with long‐term release of anti‐inflammatory Interleukin 10 (IL10), which is known to reduce intraneural scarring in nerve regeneration through its anti‐inflammatoric properties.MethodExperiments were performed at 30 female Lewis rats. Conduits filled with fibrin (PLC‐group n = 10) and fibrin loaded with IL10 (IL10‐group n = 10) were compared to autologs nerve grafts (NG‐group n = 10) in a 15 mm sciatic nerve gap lesion. Sciatic function index (SFI) and electrophysiological analyses were performed 16 weeks after surgery prior to histological evaluation. In histological analyses total nerve count, total nerve area, myelination index, and N‐ratio were measured. Additionally, gastrocnemius muscle was weighed.ResultsSFI (NG‐group:‐50.68
7.03%; PLC‐group:‐56.48
2.30%; IL10‐group:‐56.54
8.22%) and nerve conduction velocity (NG‐group: 92.52
4.64 m/s; PLC‐group: 92.77
5.07 m/s; IL10‐group: 93.78
3.63 m/s) showed no significant differences after 16 weeks (P > 0.05). Significant higher axon count (17.592
483) were observed in the NG‐group compared to PLC‐ (6.722
553) and IL10‐group (6.842
681) (P < 0.001). NG‐group had significant highest nerve cross sections (604.214
±15.217 µm2) as compared to PLC‐ (245.669
±28.034 µm2) and IL10‐group (244.698
26.772 µm2) (P < 0.001). Comparison of myelination index showed significant higher values for NG‐group (0.46
0.02) than PLC‐ (0.64
0.01) and IL10‐group (0.62
0.01) (P < 0.001). N‐ratios in PLC‐group (0.21
0.01) and IL10‐group (0.24
0.01) were lower than in NG‐group (0.51
0.03) (P < 0.001). Between PLC‐ and IL10‐group no differences were observed (P > 0.05). Gastrocnemius muscle was heavier in NG‐group (0.86
0.21g) as compared to PLC‐ (0.26
0.05g) and IL‐10 group (0.29
0.06 g) (P < 0.05).ConclusionBridging critical nerve defects through fibrin‐filled PLC conduits is possible. Although, autologs nerve graft showed superior histological results. Long‐term release of IL10 in the conduit did not improve regeneration of critical nerve defects. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:410–416, 2016.
Fourth‐order dual mode substrate integrated waveguide filter
Authors: Rezaee Morteza , Attari Amir Reza 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTIn this letter, a simple approach for design and realization of dual mode substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) bandpass filter of order higher than two is presented. The dual mode resonators are square SIW cavities perturbed by corner cut perturbation. In the coupling configuration of the proposed filter, the odd and even modes of the perturbed cavities are used as basis modes. Different paths are provided for the odd modes and the even modes from input to output port and, therefore, the sensitivity of filter with respect to the fabrication tolerance is reduced. Using this approach, a fourth‐order dual mode bandpass filter is designed and realized and a filter prototype is fabricated on a single layer substrate using PCB technology. The measured results are in a good agreement with the simulated results. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:1550–1553, 2015