bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Annual and spatial variation in composition and activity of terrestrial mammals on two replicate plots in lowland forest of eastern Ecuador
Authors: Blake John G. , Loiselle Bette A.
Published: January 2018

Terrestrial mammals are important components of lowland forests in Amazonia (as seed dispersal agents, herbivores, predators) but there are relatively few detailed studies from areas that have not been affected by human activities (e.g., hunting, logging). Yet, such information is needed to evaluate effects of humans elsewhere. We used camera traps to sample medium to large-sized terrestrial mammals at a site in lowland forests of eastern Ecuador, one of the most biologically rich areas in the world. We deployed cameras on two study plots interra firmeforest at Tiputini Biodiversity Station. Sixteen cameras were arranged 200 m apart in a 4 × 4 grid on each plot. Cameras were operated for  60 days in January–March, 2014–2017, for a total of 3,707 and 3,482 trap-days on the two plots (Harpia, Puma). A total of 28 species were recorded; 26 on Harpia and 25 on Puma. Number of species recorded each year was slightly greater on Harpia whereas overall capture rates (images/100 trap-days) were higher on Puma. Although most species were recorded on each plot, differences in capture rates meant that yearly samples on a given plot were more similar to each other than to samples on the other plot. Images of most species showed a clumped distribution pattern on each plot;Panthera oncawas the only species that did not show a clumped distribution on either plot. Images at a given camera location showed no evidence of autocorrelation with numbers of images at nearby camera locations, suggesting that species were responding to small-scale differences in habitat conditions. A redundancy analysis showed that environmental features within 50 or 100 m of camera locations (e.g., elevation, variation in elevation, slope, distance to streams) accounted for significant amounts of variation in distribution patterns of species. Composition and relative importance based on capture rates were very similar to results from cameras located along trails at the same site; similarities decreased at increasing spatial scales based on comparisons with results from other sites in Ecuador and Peru.
Tropical Cyclone Activity in the High‐Resolution Community Earth System Model and the Impact of Ocean Coupling
Authors: Li Hui , Sriver Ryan L.
Published: January 2018

High‐resolution Atmosphere General Circulation Models (AGCMs) are capable of directly simulating realistic tropical cyclone (TC) statistics, providing a promising approach for TC‐climate studies. Active air‐sea coupling in a coupled model framework is essential to capturing TC‐ocean interactions, which can influence TC‐climate connections on interannual to decadal time scales. Here we investigate how the choices of ocean coupling can affect the directly simulated TCs using high‐resolution configurations of the Community Earth System Model (CESM). We performed a suite of high‐resolution, multidecadal, global‐scale CESM simulations in which the atmosphere (∼0.25° grid spacing) is configured with three different levels of ocean coupling: prescribed climatological sea surface temperature (SST) (ATM), mixed layer ocean (SLAB), and dynamic ocean (CPL). We find that different levels of ocean coupling can influence simulated TC frequency, geographical distributions, and storm intensity. ATM simulates more storms and higher overall storm intensity than the coupled simulations. It also simulates higher TC track density over the eastern Pacific and the North Atlantic, while TC tracks are relatively sparse within CPL and SLAB for these regions. Storm intensification and the maximum wind speed are sensitive to the representations of local surface flux feedbacks in different coupling configurations. Key differences in storm number and distribution can be attributed to variations in the modeled large‐scale climate mean state and variability that arise from the combined effect of intrinsic model biases and air‐sea interactions. Results help to improve our understanding about the representation of TCs in high‐resolution coupled Earth system models, with important implications for TC‐climate applications.
Direct Breakthrough Curve Prediction From Statistics of Heterogeneous Conductivity Fields
Authors: Hansen Scott K. , Haslauer Claus P. , Cirpka Olaf A. , Vesselinov Velimir V.
Published: January 2018

This paper presents a methodology to predict the shape of solute breakthrough curves in heterogeneous aquifers at early times and/or under high degrees of heterogeneity, both cases in which the classical macrodispersion theory may not be applicable. The methodology relies on the observation that breakthrough curves in heterogeneous media are generally well described by lognormal distributions, and mean breakthrough times can be predicted analytically. The log‐variance of solute arrival is thus sufficient to completely specify the breakthrough curves, and this is calibrated as a function of aquifer heterogeneity and dimensionless distance from a source plane by means of Monte Carlo analysis and statistical regression. Using the ensemble of simulated groundwater flow and solute transport realizations employed to calibrate the predictive regression, reliability estimates for the prediction are also developed. Additional theoretical contributions include heuristics for the time until an effective macrodispersion coefficient becomes applicable, and also an expression for its magnitude that applies in highly heterogeneous systems. It is seen that the results here represent a way to derive continuous time random walk transition distributions from physical considerations rather than from empirical field calibration.
Pyrolytically Modified Polyacrylonitrile‐Covalently Grafted MoS2 Nanosheets for a Nonvolatile Rewritable Memory Device
Authors: Fan Fei , Zhang Bin , Song Sannian , Liu Bo , Cao Yaming , Chen Yu
Published: January 2018

The electrical conductivity of laterally ordered polyacrylonitrile (PAN) can be improved by pyrolytic modification. Newly synthesized MoS2 nanosheets covalently grafted with PAN (MoS2‐PAN) do not exhibit any electrical switching and memory effect in an indium tin oxide (ITO)/MoS2‐PAN/Au device under applied bias voltages. After annealing at 220 °C for 4 h, the resultant pyrolytically modified product “pyro‐MoS2‐PAN” shows good nonvolatile rewritable memory performance, with a large ON/OFF current ratio of 4 × 104 and lower switching on and off voltages of −1.09 and 1.24 V. Highly reproducible memory I–V loops of more than 60 consecutive cycles are achieved without clear degradation of the ON and OFF states. The first oxidation potential of pyro‐MoS2‐PAN is cathodically shifted to over 530 mV lower than that of MoS2‐PAN, indicating the higher hole injection of pyro‐MoS2‐PAN when compared to MoS2‐PAN. As expected, the nonannealed MoS2/PAN blend‐based device does not show any memory effect under the same experimental condition. After annealing at 220 °C for 4 h, the blends exhibit unstable electrical switching and rewritable memory performance.
Utilization of Donor–Acceptor Interactions for the Catalytic Acceleration of Nucleophilic Additions to Aromatic Carbonyl Compounds
Authors: Uchikura Tatsuhiro , Ono Kosuke , Takahashi Kohei , Iwasawa Nobuharu
Published: January 2018

A conceptually new method for the catalytic electrophilic activation of aromatic carbonyl substrates, by utilizing donor–acceptor interactions between an electron‐deficient macrocyclic boronic ester host ([2+2]BTH‐F) and an aromatic carbonyl guest substrate, was realized. In the presence of a catalytic amount of [2+2]BTH‐F, dramatic acceleration of the nucleophilic addition of a ketene silyl acetal towards either electron‐rich aromatic aldehydes or ketones was achieved. Several control experiments confirmed that inclusion of the aromatic substrates within [2+2]BTH‐F, through efficient donor–acceptor interactions, is essential for the acceleration of the reaction.
Single fiber peel test to assess ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fiber mesostructure interactions
Authors: McDaniel Preston B. , Deitzel Joseph M. , Gregory Domenick , Polakovic Timothy , Gillespie John W.
Published: January 2018

In this work, a variable angle, single fiber peel test is developed to analyze the effects of fiber structure on the mixed mode failure within ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers. The Mode I and Mode II peel energy release rates are quantified and the effects of fiber meso/nanostructure on these modes are examined. Comparison of the load‐extension curves from the peel test with in‐situ video, and post‐mortem analysis using high‐resolution microscopy techniques indicates that Mode I and Mode II splitting are both significantly influenced by the deformation of nanoscale fibrils within a mesoscale network. The fibrils in the network are placed in tension across the peel/shear interface resulting in elevated values of peel energy release rates with an increasing number of engaged fibrils. The number of engaged fibrils is shown to increase with decreasing peel angle and increasing Mode II failure contribution. A bi‐linear mixed‐mode failure criterion is established. The results, and analysis of the fiber structure are discussed in context of their implications for load pathways in the fiber. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46156.
Scalable Preparation of Photochromic Composite Foils with Excellent Reversibility for Light Printing
Authors: Zhou Yijie , Huang Aibing , Ji Shidong , Zhou Huaijuan , Jin Ping , Li Rong
Published: January 2018

Photochromic inks for repeatable light‐printed media have attracted increasing attention owing to the fact that they may be widely applied to reduce the consumption of papers and plastics and conserve the environment. Therefore, it is of practical significance to develop convenient photochromic inks with a low cost and on a large scale. In this study, a simple one‐step hydrothermal route was used to prepare tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanoparticles, which were further used to make photochromic inks and transparent photochromic films. The obtained transparent photochromic film could rapidly respond to UV light within tens of seconds, then return to its initial state, with different recovery times at different temperatures, and also exhibit good reversible coloration–bleaching effect. A typical polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foil coated with the photochromic ink could also be repeatedly printed with various patterns and displayed excellent rewritable performance over tens of cycles. This study proposes a simple method for widespread applications of WO3‐based photochromic inks.
Full analytical evaluation of the line shift and line width of ions in solids for Raman processes
Authors: Eser Erhan , Koç Hüseyin
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we present a new analytical method to evaluate the temperature dependence of the thermal line shift and thermal line width of spectral lines in the Raman process using a simple approximation for the Debye functions. The proposed formulae guarantee the accurate and fast calculation of the thermal line shift and thermal line width. As an example of application, the analytical expression obtained is used to calculate the line shift and line width of the 2E → 4A2 transitions in V2+:MgO at temperatures from 0 K up to 500 K. This analytical evaluation shows that our results are satisfactory for the wide range temperature variations.
Short‐ and long‐term effects on mAb‐producing CHO cell lines after cryopreservation
Authors: Subramanian Jayashree , Aulakh Rigzen P. S. , Grewal Parbir S. , Sanford Mark , Pynn Abigail F. J. , Yuk Inn H.
Published: January 2018

Cryopreservation provides the foundation for research, development, and manufacturing operations in the CHO‐based biopharmaceutical industry. Despite its criticality, studies are lacking that explicitly demonstrate that the routine cell banking process and the potential stress and damage during cryopreservation and recovery from thaw have no lasting detrimental effects on CHO cells. Statistics are also scarce on the decline of cell‐specific productivity (Qp) over time for recombinant CHO cells developed using the glutamine synthetase (GS)‐based methionine sulfoximine (MSX) selection system. To address these gaps, we evaluated the impact of freeze‐thaw on 24 recombinant CHO cell lines (generated by the GS/MSX selection system) using a series of production culture assays. Across the panel of cell lines expressing one of three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), freeze‐thaw did not result in any significant impact beyond the initial post‐thaw passages. Production cultures sourced from cryopreserved cells and their non‐cryopreserved counterparts yielded similar performance (growth, viability, and productivity), product quality (size, charge, and glycosylation distributions), and flow cytometric profiles (intracellular mAb expression). However, many production cultures yielded lower Qp at increased cell age: 17 of the 24 cell lines displayed ≥20% Qp decline after ∼2–3 months of passaging, irrespective of whether the cells were previously cryopreserved. The frequency of Qp decline underscores the continued need for understanding the underlying mechanisms and for careful clone selection. Because our experiments were designed to decouple the effects of cryopreservation from those of cell age, we could conclusively rule out freeze‐thaw as a cause for Qp decline. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:463–477, 2018
Gradual enhancement of ethyl acetate production through promoter engineering in chinese liquor yeast strains
Authors: Dong Jian , Hong Kun‐Qiang , Hao Ai‐Li , Zhang Cui‐Ying , Fu Xiao‐Meng , Wang Peng‐Fei , Xiao Dong‐Guang
Published: January 2018

As content and proportion of ethyl acetate is critical to the flavor and quality of beverages, the concise regulation of the ethyl acetate metabolism is a major issue in beverage fermentations. In this study, for ethyl acetate yield regulation, we finely modulated the expression of ATF1 through precise and seamless insertion of serially truncated PGK1 promoter from the 3′ end by 100bp steps in the Chinese liquor yeast, CLy12a. The three engineered promoters carrying 100‐, 200‐, and 300‐bp truncations exhibited reduced promoter strength but unaffected growth. These three promoters were integrated into the CLy12a strain, generating strains CLy12a‐P‐100, CLy12a‐P‐200, and CLy12a‐P‐300, respectively. The transcription levels of CLy12a‐P‐100, CLy12a‐P‐200, and CLy12a‐P‐300 were 20%, 17%, and 10% of that of CLy12a‐P, respectively. The AATase (alcohol acetyl transferases, encoded by the ATF1 gene) activity of three engineered strains were 36%, 56%, and 62% of that of CLy12a‐P. In the liquid fermentation of corn hydrolysate at 30°C, the concentration of ethyl acetate in CLy12a‐P‐100, CLy12a‐P‐200, and CLy12a‐P‐300 were reduced by 28%, 30%, and 42%, respectively, compared to CLy12a‐P. These results verifying that the ethyl acetate yield could be gradually enhanced by finely modulating the expression of ATF1. The engineered strain CLy12a‐P‐200 produced the ethyl acetate concentration with the best sensorial quality compared to the other engineered yeast strains. The method proposed in this work supplies a practical proposal for breeding Chinese liquor yeast strains with finely modulated ethyl acetate yield. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:328–336, 2018
Concomitant reduction of lactate and ammonia accumulation in fed‐batch cultures: Impact on glycoprotein production and quality
Authors: Karengera Eric , Robotham Anna , Kelly John , Durocher Yves , De Crescenzo Gregory , Henry Olivier
Published: January 2018

Lactate and ammonia accumulation is a major factor limiting the performance of fed‐batch strategies for mammalian cell culture processes. In addition to the detrimental effects of these by‐products on production yield, ammonia also contributes to recombinant glycoprotein quality deterioration. In this study, we tackled the accumulation of these two inhibiting metabolic wastes by culturing in glutamine‐free fed‐batch cultures an engineered HEK293 cell line displaying an improved central carbon metabolism. Batch cultures highlighted the ability of PYC2‐overexpressing HEK293 cells to grow and sustain a relatively high viability in absence of glutamine without prior adaptation to the culture medium. In fed‐batch cultures designed to maintain glucose at high concentration by daily feeding a glutamine‐free concentrated nutrient feed, the maximum lactate and ammonia concentrations did not exceed 5 and 1 mM, respectively. In flask, this resulted in more than a 2.5‐fold increase in IFNα2b titer in comparison to the control glutamine‐supplied fed‐batch. In bioreactor, this strategy led to similar reductions in lactate and ammonia accumulation and an increase in IFNα2b production. Of utmost importance, this strategy did not affect IFNα2b quality with respect to sialylation and glycoform distribution as confirmed by surface plasmon resonance biosensing and LC‐MS, respectively. Our strategy thus offers an attractive and simple approach for the development of efficient cell culture processes for the mass production of high‐quality therapeutic glycoproteins. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:494–504, 2018
Giant genital warts
Authors: Georgopoulos Ioannis , Nastos Constantinos , Dellis Athanasios
Published: January 2018

Key Clinical Message

Genital warts are quite common and should be treated early with nonaggressive conservative or invasive methods. When they are severely neglected patients may be submitted to amputative surgical management. Preoperatively malignant transformation of the tumors cannot be excluded.
Monitoring the Spin States of Ferrous Ions by Fluorescence Spectroscopy in Spin‐Crossover–Fluorescent Hybrid Materials
Authors: Wang Chun‐Feng , Yang Guo‐Yu , Yao Zi‐Shuo , Tao Jun
Published: January 2018

The grafts of fluorophores 9‐anthraldehyde (AD) and 9‐phenanthrenecarboxaldehyde (PD), respectively, on the one‐dimensional spin‐crossover compound [Fe(L)3](ClO4)2 (FeL, L=4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole) by post‐synthetic aldimine condensation reactions produced two spin‐crossover (SCO)–fluorescent hybrid materials, that is, FeL‐AD and FeL‐PD. The spin‐crossover critical temperatures of the two materials both centered at Tc↓=254 and Tc↑=256 K, whereas the fluorescence intensities of the two materials featured functions of the temperature that strictly synchronized with the spin‐crossover processes, which showed that the ligand‐centered fluorescence was dominated by the spin states of the ferrous ions. The bifunctional entities (spin‐crossover centers and fluorophores) in FeL‐AD or FeL‐PD showed spectral band overlap that purported the Förster resonance energy transfer mechanism of such spin‐crossover–fluorescence correlation. The post‐synthetic modification of SCO materials and the relationship between the fluorescence and the SCO may be helpful in the development of multifunctional materials that can be sensitive to multiple stimuli.
Ion Selectivity in Nonpolymeric Thermosensitive Systems Induced by Water‐Attenuated Supramolecular Recognition
Authors: Qi Zhenhui , Chiappisi Leonardo , Gong Hanlin , Pan Ren , Cui Ning , Ge Yan , Böttcher Christoph , Dong Shengyi
Published: January 2018

The chemistry of aqueous salt solutions is rich with ambiguities, especially in stimuli‐responsive supramolecular systems. Rational use of ion specificity to design supramolecular responsive materials, however, remains a challenging task. In this work, a low‐molecular‐weight supramolecular system was developed that was used to reveal the underlying systematic relationship between ions, water, and solutes. By utilizing these water‐attenuated supramolecular forces (with Ka only ca. 30 m−1), an alternative concept for fabricating an aqueous responsive system in ionic medium was demonstrated. This work not only provides mechanistic insight into the underdeveloped role of topology in ion specificity upon noncharged polar surfaces, but also demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing weak supramolecular approaches to control the thermoresponsiveness.
Ground State versus Excited State: Discrepancy in Electronic Communication in a Series of meso–meso Two‐Atom‐Bridged Diporphyrins
Authors: Zieleniewska Anna , Harper Shannon R. , Arnold Dennis P. , Guldi Dirk M.
Published: January 2018

The focal point of this work is the photophysical characterization of three meso–meso two‐atom‐bridged diporphyrins. Detailed investigations by means of cyclic voltammetry, absorption, fluorescence, and femto‐/nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy revealed the discrepancy in electronic communication in a series of meso–meso two‐atom‐bridged porphyrins in the ground state and in the excited state. In the ground state, the azo bridge facilitates the strongest electronic communication between the two porphyrins. In the excited state, however, the ethene bridge induces the strongest coupling, followed by the imine and azo bridges.
Catalyst‐ and Initiator‐Free Radical Addition under Mild Conditions: A Macromolecular Conjugation Tool
Authors: Autissier Laurent , Mabrouk Kamel , Chendo Christophe , Guillaneuf Yohann , Rollet Marion , Charles Laurence , Gigmes Didier , Trimaille Thomas
Published: January 2018

A catalyst/initiator‐free radical addition reaction performed under mild conditions (water, 30 °C) with high yields is reported for the first time. This reaction implies simple pH‐mediated alkoxyamine dissociation followed by addition onto olefinic substrates. The versatility and relevance of this selective reaction for macromolecular conjugation and engineering are shown through the syntheses of block copolymers, as well as hydrogels containing in situ‐loaded proteins, which could retain biological activity. This contrasts with standard thermal radical conditions that lead to complete protein inactivation.
Versatile Organic Chemistry on Vanadium‐Based Multi‐Electron Reservoirs
Authors: Nachtigall Olaf , Spandl Johann
Published: January 2018

We report the synthesis, post‐functionalization, and redox behavior of two organically functionalized aggregates, [V6O7(OMe)9{(OCH2)3C−CH2N3}] and [V6O7(OMe)9{(OCH2)3C−NH2}]. All twelve μ2‐oxo groups on the edges of the Lindqvist‐type {V6O19} core were replaced by alkoxo ligands. The absence of a negative charge and the closed organic shell make these neutral mixed‐valence compounds very stable towards hydrolysis and well soluble in almost all common organic solvents. These are important advantages over classical POMs. By post‐functionalization through copper(I)‐catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition or imine formation, various organic moieties could be introduced. Even a well‐soluble trimer composed of three hexanuclear vanadium units connected through an aromatic triimino core was synthesized and studied. The diverse redox behavior, the versatile reactivity, the good stability, and the excellent solubility make our vanadium compounds highly interesting for applications as building blocks in macromolecular chemistry as well as redox labels in biochemistry.
Novel In Situ Magnetic Separator for Magnetic Particle‐Based Enzyme Purification or Biocatalysis
Authors: Shaikh Yonas S. , Seibert Christian , Kampeis Percy
Published: January 2018

A novel in situ magnetic separator is presented in which the separation unit is directly mounted on the bioreactor. Therefore, it is possible to collect the magnetic particles directly from the reaction liquid and transfer them in one step sterile out of the reactor. By consecutive flushing, the particles are concentrated and separated from the rest. The operating parameters were determined and evaluated experimentally and by computational fluid dynamics. The separator was tested in combination with a 5‐L bioreactor with glass flask. Hereby, the accumulation kinetics of the particles were analyzed and used for a simple theoretical model.
Methylation of Tcf712 promoter by high‐fat diet impairs β‐cell function in mouse pancreatic islets
Authors: Hu Yun , Shi Ping , He Ke , Zhu Yun‐qing , Yang Fan , Yang Min , He Bang‐Shun , Mao Xiao‐Ming
Published: January 2018

Background

The TCF7L2 (transcription factor 7 like 2) gene is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes risk. However, many people without the TCF7L2 at‐risk allele develop T2D. The aim of this study was to investigate altered Tcf7l2 DNA methylation and gene expression caused by high‐fat diets (HFDs).

Methods

C57BL/6 mice were fed either an HFD or normal diet for 8 weeks, and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests were performed. Pancreatic islets were sorted for bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction to determine DNA methylation status. We cloned the Tcf7l2 promoter, methylated it with methyltransferase, and transfected this construct into MIN‐6 cells to confirm the effects of promoter methylation on Tcf7l2 expression.

Results

Aberrant methylation at position −165 bp relative to the transcriptional start site of Tcf7l2 was present in mice fed an HFD. Accordingly, expression of Tcf7l2 mRNA and its corresponding protein was lower in the HFD group (P < .05). Methylation of the Tcf7l2 promoter suppressed gene expression in MIN‐6 cells.

Conclusion

An HFD was shown to induce aberrant methylation of the Tcf7l2 promoter in mouse islets, which resulted in diminished gene expression. This study provides an evidence of the association between nutrient consumption and gene expression.
New frontiers in RNA transport and local translation in neurons
Authors: Van Driesche Sarah J. , Martin Kelsey C.
Published: January 2018

RNA localization to neuronal dendrites and axons is increasingly recognized as a significant and widespread mechanism of gene expression control in neurons. High‐throughput RNA sequencing is rapidly expanding the universe of known localized mRNAs. Although there are inherent difficulties in preparing sequencing libraries from dendrites and axons in the context of intact brain, genetic labeling strategies have paved the way for improved studies of this type. As the list of localized mRNAs grows, there is increasing need for functional validation of localized transcripts—that is, do particular localized transcripts serve demonstrable physiologic functions in axons or dendrites? Finally, specific details about what localized mRNAs do once they reach distal processes have long been elusive. Recent work using single‐molecule imaging and other techniques is starting to fill in the picture of how transcripts navigate the localized environment and undergo activity‐dependent translational de‐repression. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 78: 331–339, 2018
Validation of eating disorders examination questionnaire in Mexican women
Authors: Unikel Santoncini Claudia , Bojorquez Chapela Ietza , Díaz de León Vázquez Concepción , Vázquez Velázquez Verónica , Rivera Márquez José Alberto , Galván Sánchez Griselda , Rocha Velis Ingrid
Published: January 2018

Background

Efficient assessment of eating disorders (ED) is indispensable for research and clinical practice in Mexico. One of the most commonly used questionnaires, the EDE‐Q, has a self‐applicable questionnaire format with 28 questions and four subscales drawn from the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE), a semistructured interview developed to evaluate the specific symptomatology of eating disorders.

Objective

Obtain the factorial structure and construct validity of the EDE‐Q questionnaire in Mexican women.

Method

The language in the EDE‐Q was adapted. It was applied to university students (N = 330) and a sample of patients with ED (N = 165) from two ED outpatient treatment services. The anthropometric data of the participants was obtained. Internal consistency was explored using the Cronbach's Alpha coefficient and a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted by group.

Results

Cronbach's alpha was 0.9 for the full scale in all groups, while the reliability of each of the subscales fluctuated between 0.8 and 0.9. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the fit of the seven‐item model in three factors was better than that of the original 22‐item one and that of the eight‐item model for one factor.

Conclusions

This study provides information supporting the seven‐item and three‐factor version, rather than the original or eight‐item versions of the EDE‐Q. In the future, the adapted version of the EDE‐Q will make it possible to draw comparisons between Mexican samples in other socio‐cultural contexts. Future research is required to continue refining the instruments to achieve more representative results from the general ED population.
Are parental self‐efficacy and family flexibility mediators of treatment for anorexia nervosa?
Authors: Sadeh‐Sharvit Shiri , Arnow Katherine D. , Osipov Lilya , Lock James D. , Jo Booil , Pajarito Sarah , Brandt Harry , Dodge Elizabeth , Halmi Katherine A. , Johnson Craig , Kaye Walter , Wilfley Denise , Agras W. Stewart
Published: January 2018

Objective

Family‐based treatment (FBT) for adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN) promotes faster weight restoration when compared to other treatments. However, the mechanisms through which this occurs are not clarified. This study explored the trajectories of parental self‐efficacy and perceived family flexibility during FBT and systemic family therapy (SyFT). We also explored whether parental self‐efficacy mediates the effects of treatment on weight gain early in treatment.

Method

158 adolescents (12–18 years old; 89% girls) and their parents were randomized to FBT or SyFT. Parental self‐efficacy as well as adolescents' and parental perceptions of the family's flexibility were collected at baseline and at sessions 2, 4, 6, and 8.

Results

Over time, only parents in FBT reported significantly greater self‐efficacy. The change in maternal self‐efficacy over the first 8 weeks of treatment was a significant mediator of session 10 weight gain. There were no significant group differences in perceived flexibility by session 8.

Discussion

Both parents in FBT and mothers in SyFT understand early the need to change their family's rules and roles. However, the specific strategies of FBT appear to mediate early weight gain in AN.
Interannual variations in needle and sapwood traits ofPinus edulisbranches under an experimental drought
Authors: Guérin Marceau , Martin‐Benito Dario , von Arx Georg , Andreu‐Hayles Laia , Griffin Kevin L. , Hamdan Rayann , McDowell Nate G. , Muscarella Robert , Pockman William , Gentine Pierre
Published: January 2018

In the southwesternUSA, recent large‐scale die‐offs of conifers raise the question of their resilience and mortality under droughts. To date, little is known about the interannual structural response to droughts. We hypothesized that piñon pines (Pinus edulis) respond to drought by reducing the drop of leaf water potential in branches from year to year through needle morphological adjustments. We tested our hypothesis using a 7‐year experiment in central New Mexico with three watering treatments (irrigated, normal, and rain exclusion). We analyzed how variation in “evaporative structure” (needle length, stomatal diameter, stomatal density, stomatal conductance) responded to watering treatment and interannual climate variability. We further analyzed annual functional adjustments by comparing yearly addition of needle area (LA) with yearly addition of sapwood area (SA) and distance to tip (d), defining the yearly ratiosSA:LAandSA:LA/d. Needle length (l) increased with increasing winter and monsoon water supply, and showed more interannual variability when the soil was drier. Stomatal density increased with dryness, while stomatal diameter was reduced. As a result, anatomical maximal stomatal conductance was relatively invariant across treatments.SA:LAandSA:LA/dshowed significant differences across treatments and contrary to our expectation were lower with reduced water input. Within average precipitation ranges, the response of these ratios to soil moisture was similar across treatments. However, when extreme soil drought was combined with highVPD, needle length,SA:LAandSA:LA/dbecame highly nonlinear, emphasizing the existence of a response threshold of combined highVPDand dry soil conditions. In new branch tissues, the response of annual functional ratios to water stress was immediate (same year) and does not attempt to reduce the drop of water potential. We suggest that unfavorable evaporative structural response to drought is compensated by dynamic stomatal control to maximize photosynthesis rates.
Total Synthesis of Two 8‐Oxoprotoberberine Alkaloids: Alangiumkaloids A and B
Authors: Nishiyama Takashi , Hironaka Miharu , Taketomi Mizuki , Taguchi Eri , Kotouge Rika , Shigemori Yoshiyuki , Hatae Noriyuki , Ishikura Minoru , Choshi Tominari
Published: January 2018

A new and versatile synthetic route for 8‐oxoprotoberberine 17 through synthesis of isoquinolinone 16 and construction of a B‐ring is described. The key step is the synthesis of isoquinolinone 14 through thermal cyclization of 2‐alkynylbenzaldehyde oxime 12 to afford isoquinoline N‐oxide 13, followed by a Reissert–Henze‐type reaction. The first total synthesis of 8‐oxoprotoberberine alkaloid alangiumkaloids A and B was achieved by using this strategy.
Rosarium Philosophorum on Organic Synthesis
Authors: Marek Ilan
Published: January 2018

Many prominent colleagues have discussed over the years the past and future of our field and it is clear that organic chemistry had, and will continue to have, an extremely important impact on the development of our modern society and on the quality of life. In this essay, I am not planning to repeat the importance of the field, the major breakthroughs that shape our discipline, as several authors of this Rosarium will certainly do it much better than me. I am rather going to express my personal opinion on a general problem that our field has to confront in our modern time and will then discuss the origin, importance and impact of organic chemistry in Israel. Finally, I will finish this Rosario by giving the words to the youngest generation of chemists that will continue to expand organic synthesis to different directions by sharing a “brainstorming” session we had in one of our weekly group meetings.
Cyclotriphosphate associated to fluoride increases hydroxyapatite resistance to acid attack
Authors: Amaral Jackeline G. , Pessan Juliano P. , Souza José Antonio S. , Moraes João Carlos S. , Delbem Alberto Carlos B.
Published: January 2018

This study evaluated the effect of sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP) associated or not with fluoride (F) on the structure and dissolution of carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA). Synthetic CHA powder (1.0 g) was suspended in solutions containing TMP at 0–10%, associated with 0, 1100, 4500, or 9000 ppm F, and the precipitates were submitted to a pH cycle (n = 6/group). Samples were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X‐ray diffraction. F, calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) concentrations were determined in CHA, while P and F were analyzed in the supernatants. Data were submitted to analysis of variance, Student‐Newman–Keuls' test and Pearson's correlation coefficient (α = 0.05). Solutions containing 1100 ppm F with TMP between 2–4% and 4500 and 9000 ppm F with TMP between 4 and 8% led to higher Ca/P ratio (p < 0.05) in CHA. Alkali‐soluble F deposition was directly related to TMP concentrations whereas an inverse pattern was observed for acid‐soluble F incorporation (p < 0.05). Greater P adsorption in the CHA structure was observed with increasing concentrations of TMP for the 0 and 1100 ppm F solutions (p < 0.05). All diffractograms and FTIR spectra showed a similar pattern to that for pure hydroxyapatite. Thus, when TMP and F are coadministered, TMP interferes with F deposition on CHA, and an ideal TMP:F ratio can enhance the precipitation of CHA with lower solubility. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2553–2564, 2018.
Chemical Composition and Reaction Mechanisms for Aged p‐Xylene Secondary Organic Aerosol in the Presence of Ammonia
Authors: Xu Jun , Huang Ming‐Qiang , Cai Shun‐You , Liao Ying‐Min , Hu Chang‐Jin , Zhao Wei‐Xiong , Gu Xue‐Jun , Zhang Wei‐Jun
Published: January 2018

A laboratory study was carried out to investigate the chemical composition of aged aromatic secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formed from the photoxidation of p‐xylene in the presence of ammonia (NH3). The experiments were conducted by irradiating p‐xylene/CH3ONO/NH3 air mixtures without and with NO in a home‐made smog chamber. The particulate products of aged p‐ xylene SOA in the presence of NH3 were measured by UV–vis spectrophotometry, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy, and aerosol laser time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (ALTOFMS) coupled with the fuzzy C‐means (FCM) clustering algorithm. The experimental results show that NH3 does not alter the gas–particle partitioning in the photoxidation of p‐xylene without NO and that 2,5‐dimethylphenol is the predominant NH3‐aged p‐xylene SOA without NO. However, NH3 has a significant promotional effect on the formation of organonitrogen compounds in the OH‐initiated oxidation of p‐xylene with NO. Organic ammonium salts such as ammonium glyoxylate and p‐methyl ammonium benzoate, which are formed from NH3 reactions with gaseous organic acids, were detected as the major particulate organonitrogen products of NH3‐aged p‐xylene SOA with NO. 1H‐Imidazole, 4‐methyl‐1H‐imidazole, and other imidazole products of the heterogeneous reactions between NH3 and dialdehydes of p‐xylene SOA were newly measured. The possible reaction mechanisms leading to these organonitrogen products are also discussed and proposed. The formation of imidazole products suggests that some ambient particles containing organonitrogen compounds may be the result of this mechanism. The results of this study may provide valuable information for discussing anthropogenic SOA aging mechanisms.
A Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship Study of Calpeptin (Calpain Inhibitor) as an Anticancer Agent
Authors: Irandoost Ali , Tahmasbpour Eisa , Beigi Harchegani Asghar , Borna Hojat , Iman Maryam
Published: January 2018

Calpeptin analogs show anticancer properties with inhibition of calpain. In this work, we applied a quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) model on 34 calpeptin derivatives to select the most appropriate compound. QSAR was employed to generate the models and predict the more significant compounds through a series of calpeptin derivatives. The HyperChem, Gaussian 09, and Dragon software programs were used for geometry optimization of the molecules. The 2D and 3D molecular structures were drawn by ChemDraw (Ultra 16.0) and Chem3D (Pro16.0) software. The Unscrambler program was used for the analysis of data. Multiple linear regression (MLR‐MLR), partial least‐squares (MLR‐PLS1), principal component regression (MLR‐PCR), a genetic algorithm‐artificial neural networks (GA‐ANN), and a novel similarity analysis‐artificial neural network (SA‐ANN) method were used to create QSAR models. Among the three MLR models, MLR‐MLR provided better statistical parameters. The R2 and RMSE of the prediction were estimated as 0.8248 and 0.26, respectively. Nevertheless, the constructed model using GA‐ANN revealed the best statistical parameters among the studied methods (R2 test = 0.9643, RMSE test = 0.0155, R2 train = 0.9644, RMSE train = 0.0139). The GA‐ANN model is found to be the most favorable method among the statistical methods and can be employed for designing new calpeptin analogs as potent calpain inhibitors in cancer treatment.
Recent trends in daily temperature extremes over the central Adriatic region of Italy in a Mediterranean climatic context
Authors: Scorzini Anna R. , Di Bacco Mario , Leopardi Maurizio
Published: January 2018

This study provides an assessment of recent changes in near‐surface air temperature over the central Adriatic region of Italy, focusing on extreme events at annual and seasonal scales. It investigates trends in selected indices calculated from quality controlled and homogenized daily temperature data recorded from 1980 to 2012 at 34 meteorological stations distributed over the territory. The results reveal overall warming tendencies, particularly pronounced in spring and summer, with significant increases in the duration of warm spells (WSDI) and in the frequency of warm days (TX90p) and warm nights (TN90p), summer days (SU) and tropical nights (TR). Moreover, cold‐related extremes (cold spell duration (CSDI), cool days (TX10p) and cool nights (TN10p), frost days (FD) and icing days (ID)) show significant reductions, although of lower magnitudes, thus confirming the recent warming over the study domain. Prevalent increasing tendencies are also observed for absolute extreme temperature indices (highest and lowest daily values of maximum and minimum temperatures), but with more mixed and less uniform spatial patterns. Finally, the influence of large‐scale circulation modes on temperature extremes is examined. The results highlight the presence of significant correlations between most of the selected extreme temperature indices and the East‐Atlantic pattern, in particular for the warm season.
Reviewing Reviews: An Evaluation of Peer Reviews of Journal Article Submissions
Authors: Falkenberg Laura J. , Soranno Patricia A.
Published: January 2018

Publication is the key means by which science is disseminated, with evaluation by journal editors and peer reviewers an important component of the scientific process. Peer reviews are, however, a typically occluded genre of documents not publicly available. Consequently, relatively little is known about peer reviews, including what makes them relevant to editors who are assessing submitted manuscripts. Here we aim to address this knowledge gap by answering the questions: (1) Does reviewer and editor (dis)agreement on the manuscript decision (i.e., accept, minor revision, major revision, reject) relate to how editors assess overall review quality? and, (2) What are the characteristics of review text that distinguish high quality reviews from lower quality reviews for editors? We analyzed 49 reviews of 26 manuscript submissions to Limnology and Oceanography: Letters. We found editor perception of review quality was based on review content rather than if there was agreement on the manuscript decision. Specifically, reviews judged by editors to be ‘highly relevant’ rather than ‘sufficient’ were typically: longer; included more comments related to study goals, analyses conducted, and resulting claims; and contained more descriptive terms related to the manuscript's importance. Reviewers who consider these factors may produce reviews most relevant to editor decisions.
Toenail mercury Levels are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis risk
Authors: Andrew Angeline S. , Chen Celia Y. , Caller Tracie A. , Tandan Rup , Henegan Patricia L. , Jackson Brian P. , Hall Brenda P. , Bradley Walter G. , Stommel Elijah W.
Published: January 2018

Introduction: Mercury is a neurotoxic metal that is potentially a risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Consumption of methylmercury contaminated fish is the primary source of US population exposure to mercury. Methods: We used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to measure levels of mercury in toenail samples from patients with ALS (n = 46) and from controls (n = 66) as a biomarker of mercury exposure. Results: Patients with ALS had higher toenail mercury levels (odds ratio 2.49, 95% confidence interval 1.18–5.80, P = 0.024) compared with controls, adjusted for age and sex. We also estimated the amount of mercury consumed from finfish and shellfish and found toenail mercury levels elevated overall among patients with ALS and controls in the top quartile for consumption (P = 0.018). Discussion: Biomarker data show that ALS is associated with increased with mercury levels, which were related to estimated methylmercury intake via fish. Replication of these associations in additional populations is warranted. Muscle Nerve 58: 36–41, 2018
Lumbar to sacral root rerouting to restore bladder function in a feline spinal cord injury model: Urodynamic and retrograde nerve tracing results from a pilot study
Authors: Lam Van Ba Ornella , Barbe Mary F. , Caremel Romain , Aharony Shachar , Loutochin Oleg , Jacques Line , Wood Matthew W. , Tiwari Ekta , Tuite Gerald F. , Campeau Lysanne , Corcos Jacques , Ruggieri Michael R.
Published: January 2018

Aims

Lumbar to sacral rerouting surgery can potentially allow voiding via a skin‐central nervous system‐bladder reflex pathway. Here, we assessed if this surgery was effective in treating neurogenic bladder dysfunction/sphincter in felines.

Methods

Eight cats underwent spinal cord transection (SCT) at thoracic level 10/11. Unilateral L7 to S1 ventral root anastomosis was performed 1 month later in six cats. Two cats served as transection‐only controls. Electrical and manual stimulation of L6‐S1 dermatomes, and urodynamics were performed at 3, 5, 7, and 9/10 months post transection. At 9/10 months, cats were also evaluated by direct electrophysiological testing of anastomosed roots with urodynamics, then tissue collection and examination of the root anastomosis site and lumbosacral cord ventral horns for cells retrogradely labeled from tracer dye injected 2 weeks earlier into the bladder wall.

Results

At 9/10 months, four of six rerouted cats exhibited increased detrusor pressure provoked by cutaneous stimulation, one cat bilaterally. Two cats presented with a voiding stream after ipsilateral cutaneous stimulation at 7 and 9 months. All six rerouted animals showed regrowth of axons from the L7 ventral horn to the bladder, although some aberrant axonal regrowth was also observed.

Conclusion

L7 to S1 ventral root rerouting below the level of SCT showed successful axonal regrowth to the bladder from the L7 spinal cord segment in all rerouted animals, and induced increased detrusor pressure response to cutaneous stimulation in a subset. This feasibility study paves the way for future animal studies for bladder reinnervation.
Enhancing interfacial and mechanical strength of styrene‐butadiene rubber composites via in situ fabricated halloysite nanotubes/silica nano hybrid
Authors: Lin Jing , Zhong Bangchao , Luo Yuanfang , Jia Zhixin , Hu Dechao , Xu Tiwen , Jia Demin
Published: January 2018

In situ fabricated nano hybrid halloysite nanotubes (HNTs‐g‐Silica) by chemically grafting silica nanoparticles onto HNTs was used as the reinforcing filler for styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). The dispersion of HNTs‐g‐Silica and the interfacial interaction between HNTs‐g‐Silica and SBR were systematically investigated. The results suggested that HNTs‐g‐Silica was uniformly dispersed in SBR matrix. Moreover, compared with HNTs or the mixture of mixed HNTs/silica, HNTs‐g‐Silica could immobilize more rubber chains on its surface, manifesting a strong interfacial interaction between HNTs‐g‐Silica and SBR. Consequently, SBR/HNTs‐g‐Silica composites showed much higher mechanical strength and extensibility than SBR/HNTs/Silica or SBR/HNTs composites, for example, showing 123% increase in tensile strength compared with SBR/HNTs composites when the filler content was 30 phr. Besides, the loss factor at 60°C of SBR/HNTs‐g‐Silica composites was significantly lower than that of SBR/HNTs composites, indicating that HNTs‐g‐Silica should be better energy saving than HNTs when used in rubber tire materials. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:677–684, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers