bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic Accumulation of Retrotransposons Was Facilitated by Repressive RNA‐Binding Proteins: A Hypothesis
Authors: Attig Jan , Ule Jernej
Published: February 2019

Retrotransposon‐derived elements (RDEs) can disrupt gene expression, but are nevertheless widespread in metazoan genomes. This review presents a hypothesis that repressive RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) facilitate the large‐scale accumulation of RDEs. Many RBPs bind RDEs in pre‐mRNAs to repress the effects of RDEs on RNA processing, or the formation of inverted repeat RNA structures. RDE‐binding RBPs often assemble on extended, multivalent binding sites across the RDE, which ensures repression of cryptic splice or polyA sites. RBPs thereby minimize the effects of RDEs on gene expression, which likely reduces the negative selection against RDEs. While mutations that change splice sites in RDEs act as an off‐on switch in exon formation, mutations that decrease the multivalency of RBP binding sites resemble a rheostat that enables a more gradual evolution of new RDE‐derived exons. RBPs might also repress aberrant processing of active retrotransposons, thus increasing the chance that full‐length copies are made. Taken together, in this review, it is proposed that RBPs facilitate the widespread accumulation of intronic RDEs by repressing RNA processing while chaperoning their potential to gradually evolve into new exons.
Ultrasensitive detection of glibenclamide based on its enhancing effect on the fluorescence emission of CdTe quantum dots
Authors: Gazizadeh Masoud , Dehghan Gholamreza , Amjadi Mohammad
Published: February 2019

Glibenclamide (GB), as a sulfonylurea‐based medication is commonly prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Due to its increasing consumption, there is a need to develop a simple, fast, and reliable detection method to follow its concentration in pharmaceutical and biological samples. Herein, a novel fluorometric method is developed for the sensitive measurement of GB. The method is based on the enhancing effect of GB on the fluorescence emission of mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) capped cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs). QDs were synthesized in aqueous solution and were characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). Fluorescence intensity of QDs was enhanced by adding GB in a very low concentration. The effect of operative factors such as pH, buffer, contact time and concentration of CdTe QDs were investigated and in the optimized condition, a linear increase was achieved for the emission intensity of QDs by increasing GB concentration in the range 49–345 ng mL−1, with a detection limit of 17.84 ng mL−1. The offered method has an acceptable precision (relative standard deviations were < 2.8%) and was satisfactorily applied for the determination of GB in pharmaceutical products and human urine samples.
Effectiveness of mobile devices as audience response systems in the chemistry laboratory classroom
Authors: Santos Jenifer , Parody Luisa , Ceballos Manuel , Alfaro María C. , Trujillo‐Cayado Luis A.
Published: February 2019

Pedagogical innovation involving smartphone technology may offer teachers the opportunity to create an environment of engaging learning in laboratories. In this paper, we outline how to use Socrative Student Response by Mastery Connect, a variation of a real‐time audience response system. We hypothesized that using this application as an audience response system can enhance learning and identify student knowledge gaps in chemistry laboratory classes. In order to explore the relationships among factors and the educational effectiveness of Socrative, data from a graduate‐level chemistry course students were investigated. Before and after laboratory classes, experimental subjects completed an audience response system quiz using Socrative application in their mobile devices. Students felt that the method enhanced their learning process whereas teachers reported that it improved academic performance and the relationships between teachers and students. Socrative can be considered as a powerful tool to dynamize and evaluate chemistry laboratory practices.
Branded entertainment: Gender differences in reactions to star ratings
Authors: Kim Kacy , Park Chanmo , Yoon Sukki , Choi Yung Kyun , Oh Sangdo , Lee Jooyoung
Published: February 2019

The consumer behavior literature shows that men are externally focused and women are internally focused consumers. The authors conduct three studies to test gender differences in the use of media‐posted public ratings for deciding whether to recommend branded entertainment films. The Study 1 results indicate that men are more (less) likely to recommend films that have high (low) star ratings, but women are equally likely to recommend films regardless of star ratings. In an interesting twist, Study 2 results show that if women are momentarily distracted by being made more aware of their surroundings, they process information similarly to men and are more persuaded by public ratings. In Study 3, the authors replicate and extend the findings by including a no‐star control group and examining additional variables—film and brand attitudes and recommendations—with a no star rating control group. The overall results show that men (women) are more (less) likely to look to public ratings for forming film and brand attitudes and recommendations.
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis developing during steroid treatment in a patient with organizing pneumonia in association with atypical chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Hosoda Chiaki , Saito Keisuke , Fujimoto Shota , Yamanaka Yumie , Watanabe Naoaki , Miyagawa Hanae , Kurita Yusuke , Seki Yoshitaka , Kinoshita Akira , Endo Yasuhiko , Kuwano Kazuyoshi
Published: February 2019

Key Clinical Message

Organizing pneumonia (OP) and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) are rare complications in patients with hematologic disorders. We herein report a case of PAP that developed during steroid treatment for OP in a patient with atypical chronic myeloid leukemia. Physicians should pay close attention to these complications in patients with hematologic malignancies.
Use of botulinum toxin in Frey's syndrome
Authors: Freni Francesco , Gazia Francesco , Stagno d’Alcontres Ferdinando , Galletti Bruno , Galletti Francesco
Published: February 2019

Key Clinical Message

Frey's syndrome is the most common adverse event after parotidectomy, and usually, it appears after 6 months. In our case, symptoms appear 20 years from surgery, an uncommon condition. Intralesional botulinum toxin gives excellent results in therapy, regardless of the time elapsed between surgery and the first treatment.
Reductive Elimination and Oxidative Addition of Hydrogen at Organostannylium and Organogermylium Cations
Authors: Diab Fatima , Aicher Frederik S. W. , Sindlinger Christian P. , Eichele Klaus , Schubert Hartmut , Wesemann Lars
Published: February 2019

Bulkily substituted organodihydrogermylium and ‐stannylium cations [Ar*EH2]+ (E=Ge, Sn; Ar*=2,6‐Trip2C6H3, Trip=2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl) were characterized as salts of the weakly coordinating perfluorinated alkoxyaluminate anion [Al{OC(CF3)3}4]−. At room temperature, the stannylium cation liberates hydrogen to generate the low valent organotin cation [Ar*Sn]+. In contrast, the dihydrogermylium cation transfers the hydrogen atoms to an aryl moiety of the terphenyl ligand and oxidatively adds either hydrogen under an atmosphere of hydrogen or a sp2 CH unit of the 1,2‐difluorobenzene solvent.
Revisiting the Perfluorinated Trityl Cation
Authors: Delany Eoghan G. , Kaur Satnam , Cummings Steven , Basse Kristoffer , Wilson David J. D. , Dutton Jason L.
Published: February 2019

Although ultimately not isolable for X‐ray structural characterization, the free perfluorinated trityl cation was shown to be observable in neat triflic acid, which represents milder conditions than previous reports of this cation in “magic acid” or oleum. A triflate‐bound species could be generated in organic solvents using stoichiometric amounts of triflic acid and was shown to be synthetically viable for hydride abstraction from Et3SiH. It was demonstrated that the para‐position on the ‐C6F5 rings is the primary point of attack for decomposition of the cation.
Reactions of a Silylyne Complex with Aldehydes: Formation of W−Si−O−C Four‐Membered Metallacycles and Their Metathesis‐Like Fragmentation
Authors: Yoshimoto Takashi , Hashimoto Hisako , Takagi Nozomi , Sakaki Shigeyoshi , Hayakawa Naoki , Matsuo Tsukasa , Tobita Hiromi
Published: February 2019

A tungsten silylyne complex having a W≡Si triple bond reacted with two molecules of aldehydes at room temperature to give W−Si−O−C four‐membered metallacycles by [2+2] cycloaddition and subsequent formyl hydrogen transfer from one aldehyde molecule to another. Upon heating to 70 °C, the four‐membered metallacycles underwent metathesis‐like fragmentation cleanly to afford carbyne complexes and “silanoic esters,” in a manner similar to that of metallacyclobutadiene, an intermediate of alkyne metathesis reactions, and dimerization of the latter products gave 1,3‐cyclodisiloxanes. The “silanoic ester” was also trapped by pivalaldehyde to give a [2+2] cycloaddition product in high yield.
Immunogenicity and safety of the adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine in patients with solid tumors, vaccinated before or during chemotherapy: A randomized trial
Authors: Vink Peter , Delgado Mingorance Ignacio , Maximiano Alonso Constanza , Rubio‐Viqueira Belen , Jung Kyung Hae , Rodriguez Moreno Juan Francisco , Grande Enrique , Marrupe Gonzalez David , Lowndes Sarah , Puente Javier , Kristeleit Hartmut , Farrugia David , McNeil Shelly A. , Campora Laura , Di Paolo Emmanuel , El Idrissi Mohamed , Godeaux Olivier , López‐Fauqued Marta , Salaun Bruno , Heineman Thomas C. , Oostvogels Lidia ,   on behalf of the Zoster‐028 Study Group
Published: February 2019

Background

The adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) has demonstrated >90% efficacy against herpes zoster in adults ≥50 years of age and 68% efficacy in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients ≥18 years of age. We report the immunogenicity and safety of RZV administered to patients with solid tumors (STs) before or at the start of a chemotherapy cycle.

Method

In this phase 2/3 observer‐blind, multicenter study (NCT01798056), patients with STs who were ≥18 years of age were randomized (1:1) to receive 2 doses of RZV or placebo 1‐2 months apart and stratified (4:1) according to the timing of the first dose with respect to the start of a chemotherapy cycle (first vaccination 8‐30 days before the start or at the start [±1 day] of a chemotherapy cycle). Anti‐glycoprotein E (gE) antibody concentrations, gE‐specific CD4+ T cell frequencies, and vaccine response rates (VRRs) were assessed 1 month after dose 1 and 1 and 12 months after dose 2. Reactogenicity and safety were assessed in the total vaccinated cohort through 12 months after dose 2.

Results

There were 232 participants in the total vaccinated cohort, 185 participants in the according‐to‐protocol cohort for humoral immunogenicity, and 58 participants in the according‐to‐protocol cohort for cell‐mediated immunogenicity. Postvaccination anti‐gE antibody concentrations, gE‐specific CD4+ T cell frequencies and VRRs were higher in RZV recipients than in placebo recipients. Solicited adverse events (AEs) were more frequent among RZV recipients than placebo recipients. Incidence of unsolicited AEs, serious AEs, fatalities, and potential immune‐mediated diseases were similar between RZV and placebo recipients.

Conclusion

RZV was immunogenic in patients with STs receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapies. Humoral and cell‐mediated immune responses persisted 1 year after vaccination. No safety concerns were identified.
The e13a2 BCR‐ABL transcript negatively affects sustained deep molecular response and the achievement of treatment‐free remission in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia who receive tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: D'Adda Mariella , Farina Mirko , Schieppati Francesca , Borlenghi Erika , Bottelli Chiara , Cerqui Elisa , Ferrari Samantha , Gramegna Doriana , Pagani Chiara , Passi Angela , Maifredi Adriana , Tucci Alessandra , Capucci Maria A. , Ruggeri Giuseppina , Rossi Giuseppe
Published: February 2019

Background

Stopping tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment has become a realistic and safe objective for patients who have chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Both a sustained deep molecular response (sDMR) and the lack of a molecular recurrence after TKI discontinuation are required to reach a durable treatment‐free remission (TFR).

Methods

The potential predictive role of BCR‐ABL transcripts in attaining an sDMR and a TFR was analyzed in a strictly consecutive, unselected series of 194 patients who were diagnosed and treated with TKIs at the authors’ center.

Results

Of 173 fully evaluable patients, 67 (38.7%) had the e13a2 transcript, and 106 (61.3%) had the e14a2 transcript. Complete cytogenetic and major molecular remissions were not affected, whereas the achievement of both a DMR (P = .008) and an sDMR (P = .004) was favored significantly in patients who had the e14a2 transcript. After a median of 68 months, the sDMR rate was 39.6% in those with the e14a2 transcript and 19.4% in those with the e13a2 transcript. In addition to transcript type, both the early achievement of a molecular response and starting treatment with a second‐generation TKI positively affected the attainment of an sDMR in multivariate analysis. The use of a second‐generation TKI as frontline treatment increased the sDMR rate in both transcript types. However, in patients who had the e13a2 transcript, the probability of attaining an sDMR was 37% after 60 months and did not increase further despite continuing therapy. Among 51 of 60 patients who attained an sDMR after discontinuing TKIs, 24 experienced a molecular relapse, but all regained molecular remission after resuming TKI treatment. Again, transcript type influenced TFR maintenance (P = .005), because only 2 patients (3%) with the e13a2 transcript enjoyed a durable TFR compared with 25 (23.5%) of those with the e14a2 transcript.

Conclusions

The e13a2 transcript hinders the achievement of deep responses and the possibility of stopping TKI treatment in patients with CML.
Primary care provider–reported involvement in breast cancer treatment decisions
Authors: Wallner Lauren P. , Li Yun , McLeod M. Chandler , Gargaro Joan , Kurian Allison W. , Jagsi Reshma , Radhakrishnan Archana , Hamilton Ann S. , Ward Kevin C. , Hawley Sarah T. , Katz Steven J.
Published: February 2019

Background

Treatment decisions for patients with early‐stage breast cancer often involve discussions with multiple oncology providers. However, the extent to which primary care providers (PCPs) are involved in initial treatment decisions remains unknown.

Methods

A stratified random sample of PCPs identified by newly diagnosed patients with early‐stage breast cancer from the Georgia and Los Angeles Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries were surveyed (n = 517; a 61% response rate). PCPs were asked how frequently they discussed surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy options with patients; how comfortable they were with these discussions; whether they had the necessary knowledge to participate in decision making; and what their confidence was in their ability to help (on 5‐item Likert‐type scales). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify PCP‐reported attitudes associated with more PCP participation in each treatment decision.

Results

In this sample, 34% of PCPs reported that they discussed surgery, 23% discussed radiation, and 22% discussed chemotherapy options with their patients. Of those who reported more involvement in surgical decisions, 22% reported that they were not comfortable having a discussion, and 17% did not feel that they had the necessary knowledge to participate in treatment decision making. PCPs who positively appraised their ability to participate were more likely to participate in all 3 decisions (odds ratio [OR] for surgery, 6.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.16‐8.68; OR for radiation, 8.37; 95% CI, 5.16‐13.58; OR for chemotherapy, 6.56; 95% CI, 4.23‐10.17).

Conclusions

A third of PCPs reported participating in breast cancer treatment decisions, yet gaps in their knowledge about decision making and in their confidence in their ability to help exist. Efforts to increase PCPs’ knowledge about breast cancer treatment options may be warranted.
Sustainable cytopathology in the precision medicine era: Exploring new sources for molecular testing in thyroid cytology specimens
Authors: Nishino Michiya
Published: February 2019

The growing demand for ancillary molecular testing on cytology and small biopsy specimens must be met with systematic and innovative ways to maximize diagnostic yield from limited amounts of tissue. In this issue of Cancer Cytopathology, Ye et al describe their analytic validation of supernatant fluid from centrifuged thyroid fine‐needle aspiration specimens (fluid that generally is discarded during routine processing) as the source of nucleic acid for targeted next‐generation sequencing for cancer‐related mutations.
Scalability analysis of different parallel solvers for 3D fractional power diffusion problems
Authors: Čiegis Raimondas , Starikovičius Vadimas , Margenov Svetozar , Kriauzienė Rima
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we develop and investigate the parallel numerical algorithms for three different state‐of‐the‐art numerical methods for solving the non‐local problems described by fractional powers of elliptic operators. These methods transform the non‐local problem into some local differential problems of elliptic or parabolic type. A two‐level parallelization approach is applied to construct the efficient parallel algorithms using the domain decomposition and master‐slave methods, to deal with the increase in computational complexity. We show and compare the serial and parallel solution times that are required to achieve similar accuracy of the solution using different algorithms. Results of extensive convergence tests are presented solving a three‐dimensional test problem with known decrease of the solution's convergence rate depending on the fractional power coefficient. We analyze and discuss the non‐trivial question, which parallel algorithm is recommended to achieve certain accuracy for the given fractional power coefficient.
Systematic review of measurement properties of methods for objectively assessing masticatory performance
Authors: Elgestad Stjernfeldt Per , Sjögren Petteri , Wårdh Inger , Boström Anne‐Marie
Published: February 2019

The objectives of this study is to identify methods for objectively assessing masticatory performance (MP) and to evaluate their measurement properties. A secondary objective was to identify any reported adverse events associated with the methods to assess MP. Bibliographic databases were searched, including MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane, and Cinahl databases. Eligible papers that satisfied predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were appraised independently by two investigators. Four other investigators independently appraised any measurement properties of the assessment method according to the consensus‐based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments checklist. The qualities of the measurement properties were evaluated using predefined criteria. The level of evidence was rated by using data synthesis for each MP assessment method, where the rating was a product of methodological quality and measurement properties quality. All studies were quality assessed separately, initially, and subsequently for each method. Studies that described the use of identical assessment method received an individual score, and the pooled sum score resulted in an overall evidence synthesis. The level of evidence was synthesized across studies with an overall conclusion, that is, unknown, conflicting, limited, moderate, or strong evidence. Forty‐six out of 9,908 articles were appraised, and the assessment methods were categorized as comminution (n = 21), mixing ability (n = 23), or other methods (n = 2). Different measurement properties were identified, in decreasing order construct validity (n = 30), reliability (n = 22), measurement error (n = 9), criterion validity (n = 6), and responsiveness (n = 4). No adverse events associated with any assessment methods were reported. In a clinical setting or as a diagnostic method, there are no gold standard methods for assessing MP with a strong level of evidence for all measurement properties. All available assessment methods with variable level of evidence require lab‐intensive equipment, such as sieves or digital image software. Clinical trials with sufficient sample size, to infer trueness and precision, are needed for evaluating diagnostic values of available methods for assessing masticatory performance.
Dental professionals' experience with and handling of suspicion of child maltreatment in a small‐scale society, the Faroe Islands
Authors: Jakobsen Unn , Fjallheim Anna Sofia , Gislason Hannes , Gudmundsen Eina , Poulsen Sven , Haubek Dorte
Published: February 2019

The aims of the present study were to describe how frequently dental professionals in a small‐scale society like the Faroese Islands, experience suspicion on child maltreatment, and how they handle their suspicion. Furthermore, we wanted to investigate the hypothesis that the special interpersonal characteristics of small‐scale societies like the Faroese, influence how dental professionals handle suspicion of child maltreatment compared to how their colleagues in larger societies handled such suspicion.

The design of our study was cross‐sectional using a non‐probability purposive sampling method. A translated and slightly modified version of the Danish questionnaire regarding suspicion on child maltreatment was sent to all 71 dental professionals (44 dentists and 27 dental hygienists) in the Faroe Islands. 51 (72%) returned a valid questionnaire. Of these, 61% experienced suspicion of child maltreatment at some point in their career, 33% within the last 6 months, and 10% percent were certain of child maltreatment during the last six months. Of those respondents who had experienced suspicion at some point of their career, 39% had reported their suspicion. The main reasons for withholding a suspicion were: uncertainty as to whether the suspicion was reliable, fear of the consequences for the child, and lack of procedural knowledge. Faroese dental professionals suspected child maltreatment much more frequently (61%) than their Danish (38%), Scottish (29%), and Croatian colleagues (26%) did. Child maltreatment raises concern among the Faroese dental professionals more frequently than among their colleagues in larger societies. They also seem to report their concern more frequently than their Scottish colleagues do. Thus, the present study indicates that the social structure in small‐scale societies may affect dental professionals' suspicions, and handling of child maltreatment.
Fast adaptive comparator offset calibration in pipeline ADC with self‐repairing thermometer to binary encoder
Authors: Ginés Antonio José , Peralías Eduardo José , Aledo Cristina , Rueda Adoración
Published: February 2019

This paper presents a fast background calibration method for comparator offsets in pipeline ADCs and analyzes the practical considerations in a 1.8 V 0.18 μm 100Msps pipeline ADC with 15‐bit resolution (74 dB‐Signal‐to‐noise plus Distortion Ratio [SNDR]). A self‐repairing (SR) thermometer‐to‐binary encoder is developed to deal with malfunctioning in presence of high comparator offsets greater than one‐half least‐significant bit (LSB). In this situation, the effective thresholds between two adjacent comparators could be inverted leading to a faulty behavior with conventional architectures. The proposed solution allows a dynamic assignment of the calibration code associated to each comparator improving convergence speed. As demonstrator, its application to a 15‐bit pipeline ADC using a novel calibrated dynamic‐latch comparator (DLC) with internal threshold reference generation and no preamplifier is presented, showing a reduction on the total power consumption of 22% with respect to a design without calibration targeting the same specifications.
Risk factors and predictive biomarkers of early cardiovascular disease in obese youth
Authors: Ho Howard Chong Huat , Maddaloni Ernesto , Buzzetti Raffaella
Published: February 2019

Obesity in childhood and adolescence continues to be a major health issue due to significant health implications and to the economic burden that arise from treating this disease and its complications. Current data show that childhood obesity is no longer just a concern for developed countries, but more significantly affecting developing countries. In adult population, cardiovascular disease is the main cause of mortality and morbidity among obese patients. It is therefore believed that risk factors found in adult patients could also be observed in obese youth. These risk factors will then persist and become progressively worse if obese youth remain obese as they reach adulthood. However, risk reduction is achievable through various prevention and management strategies of obesity and obese children who become nonobese in adulthood have a significant reduction in their risk of developing cardiovascular disease. New biomarkers to improve risk assessment in obese youth are an open research field, which will eventually lead to a more targeted approach in prevention and treatment. Nevertheless, there is still a need for continuous research in understanding the roles of these biomarkers and their potential in risk prediction. Cardiovascular risk modification of childhood obesity depends on a more concerted effort among the various parties involved and particularly a global collaboration to stop the rising prevalence of the epidemic in developing countries.
Alliance, technique, both, or more? Clinicians' views on what works in cognitive‐behavioral therapy for eating disorders
Authors: D'Souza Walsh Katrina , Davies Laura , Pluckwell Hayley , Huffinley Holly , Waller Glenn
Published: February 2019

Objective

This study examined clinicians' views of the roles of two elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in explaining treatment outcomes—CBT techniques and the therapeutic alliance.

Method

Ninety‐eight clinicians who reported delivering CBT for eating disorders completed measures addressing their beliefs about what is effective in CBT, their use of specific techniques, and their own anxiety levels.

Results

Clinicians substantially overestimated the role of both therapeutic techniques and the alliance in explaining treatment outcomes in CBT. Weak but significant correlations were found between therapist anxiety levels and their beliefs about the value of therapeutic techniques or the alliance. However, these associations were in different directions, with higher levels of clinician anxiety associated with more belief in the effects of the alliance but with less belief in the role of CBT techniques. Belief in the role of the therapeutic alliance was associated with a lower likelihood of encouraging the patient to change their eating pattern, while belief in the role of techniques was linked to greater use of case formulation, cognitive restructuring, behavioral experiments and body image work.

Discussion

Clinicians overestimate the value of both the alliance and therapy techniques in explaining treatment outcomes in CBT for eating disorders. Their beliefs about the strength of these factors are related to their own anxiety, and to their choice of techniques. Clinicians and supervisors should attend to the evidence regarding the impact of a range of elements of therapy, and work with all of those factors to enhance outcomes.
Living on the edge: Exploring the role of coastal refugia in the Alexander Archipelago of Alaska
Authors: Sawyer Yadéeh E. , MacDonald Stephen O. , Lessa Enrique P. , Cook Joseph A.
Published: February 2019

Although islands are of long‐standing interest to biologists, only a handful of studies have investigated the role of climatic history in shaping evolutionary diversification in high‐latitude archipelagos. In this study of the Alexander Archipelago (AA) of Southeast Alaska, we address the impact of glacial cycles on geographic genetic structure for three mammals co‐distributed along the North Pacific Coast. We examined variation in mitochondrial and nuclear loci for long‐tailed voles (Microtus longicaudus), northwestern deermice (Peromyscus keeni), and dusky shrews (Sorex monticola), and then tested hypotheses derived from Species Distribution Models, reconstructions of paleoshorelines, and island area and isolation. In all three species, we identified paleoendemic clades that likely originated in coastal refugia, a finding consistent with other paleoendemic lineages identified in the region such as ermine. Although there is spatial concordance at the regional level for endemism, finer scale spatial and temporal patterns are less clearly defined. Demographic expansion across the region for these distinctive clades is also evident and highlights the dynamic history of Late Quaternary contraction and expansion that characterizes high‐latitude species.
Size, weapons, and armor as predictors of competitive outcomes in fossil and contemporary marine communities
Authors: Liow L. H. , Reitan T. , Voje K. L. , Taylor P. D. , Di Martino E.
Published: February 2019

Inter‐ and intraspecific competition are usually observed over a few generations but their patterns and consequences are seldom tractable in natural systems over longer timescales relevant to macroevolutionary change. Here, we use win‐draw‐lose competitive overgrowths for a marine benthic community of encrusting bryozoans that have evolved together in New Zealand for at least 2.3 million years to investigate battles for substrate space, a resource that is limiting for these colonial organisms. Using more than 6,000 fossilized and contemporary battles, we explored what combination of traits—including relative zooid (module) size, weapons, armor, and relative abundance—best predict battle outcomes, and if these are time varying. In simpler models, where we disregard trait–trait interactions, we find that the effects of larger zooid sizes and three‐dimensional growth on battle outcomes are both positive, while that of relative abundance is negative, such that more common species are more often overgrown by less common species. When we include trait–trait and trait–time interactions in our models, we confirm that a larger zooid size is advantageous for successful overgrowth but infer that it is time varying. In these complex models, we also detect interactions between combinations of traits, where more armored and weaponized bryozoans seem to be at a disadvantage in overgrowth battles. Our best models do perform statistically better than the null model, but we find that there is low predictability for overgrowth outcomes for our New Zealand data set of fossil and contemporary battles, suggesting unmeasured variables and/or high stochasticity in a system that is otherwise well characterized. A best model, developed using our New Zealand data, is applied to three ecologically similar systems described in previous studies to investigate its general predictive power, with the expectation that it would perform better than null models. Surprisingly, we find that the best model developed within the New Zealand system cannot be extrapolated to other encrusting cheilostome bryozoan communities and that these three communities often even have opposite signs for trait coefficients. We conclude that there is much to learn about multi‐species marine communities where biotic interactions such as competition may have long‐lasting consequences for ecological and evolutionary dynamics.
Constraints on shrub cover and shrub–shrub competition in a U.S. southwest desert
Authors: Ji Wenjie , Hanan Niall P. , Browning Dawn M. , Monger H. Curtis , Peters Debra P. C. , Bestelmeyer Brandon T. , Archer Steve R. , Ross C. Wade , Lind Brianna M. , Anchang Julius , Kumar Sanath S. , Prihodko Lara
Published: February 2019

The cover of woody perennial plants (trees and shrubs) in arid ecosystems is at least partially constrained by water availability. However, the extent to which maximum canopy cover is limited by rainfall and the degree to which soil water holding capacity and topography impacts maximum shrub cover are not well understood. Similar to other deserts in the U.S. southwest, plant communities at the Jornada Basin Long‐Term Ecological Research site in the northern Chihuahuan Desert have experienced a long‐term state change from perennial grassland to shrubland dominated by woody plants. To better understand this transformation, and the environmental controls and constraints on shrub cover, we created a shrub cover map using high spatial resolution images and explored how maximum shrub cover varies with landform, water availability, and soil characteristics. Our results indicate that when clay content is below ~18%, the upper limit of shrub cover is positively correlated with plant available water as mediated by surface soil clay influence on water retention. At surface soil clay contents >18%, maximum shrub cover decreases, presumably because the amount of water percolating to depths preferentially used by deep‐rooted shrubs is diminished. In addition, the relationship between shrub cover and density suggests that self‐thinning occurs in denser stands in most landforms of the Jornada Basin, indicating that shrub–shrub competition interacts with soil properties to constrain maximum shrub cover in the northern Chihuahuan Desert.
Increased fire risk in Mojave and Sonoran shrublands due to exotic species and extreme rainfall events
Authors: Moloney Kirk A. , Mudrak Erika L. , Fuentes‐Ramirez Andres , Parag Hadas , Schat Marjolein , Holzapfel Claus
Published: February 2019

Historically, desert ecosystems in the southwestern United States have been characterized by low incidence of fire. However, widespread wildfires in these systems have been recently observed. Large areas of creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) scrub scattered in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts were impacted by wildfires in 2005, after a series of years with above‐average precipitation. It has been hypothesized that exotic invasive grasses, for example, Schismus arabicus, are responsible as they are able to grow in the open and may produce sufficient biomass to carry fires during high‐rainfall years. However, there has been little experimental evidence to support this hypothesis. We conducted a field experiment exploring the response of the annual plant community to increased rainfall in two creosote‐dominated sites in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts by manipulating precipitation levels, fire history, soil disturbance, and exotic‐annual‐plant seed availability. We examined how these treatments impacted fuel loads (biomass) and species distributions as a function of distance from shrubs. We found that enhanced rainfall produces a general increase in biomass and density of annual plants. At the Sonoran site, rainfall tends to increase the density of exotic annuals. At the Mojave site, it is the opposite, where native annuals benefit more from higher rainfall. However, it is important to note that in the Mojave site, native annuals produce higher biomass under shrubs and exotic annuals produce higher biomass in the open in response to increased rainfall. The introduction of fire at both sites slightly increased biomass production as well. Soil disturbance and seed addition had only subtle effects. From our results, it is clear that increased rainfall in southwestern U.S. deserts is conducive to increasing biomass of annual plants, especially in the inter‐shrub areas, which in turn can lead to enhanced fire risk. The potential to shift toward higher dominance by exotic annuals with fire at the Sonoran site could further enhance this risk. With several consecutive years of high rainfall, increased seed production by exotics would potentially amplify this effect.
Reducing allochthonous resources in a subarctic grassland alters arthropod food webs via predator diet and density
Authors: Hoekman David , McCary Matthew A. , Dreyer Jamin , Gratton Claudio
Published: February 2019

Emergent aquatic insects can be major conduits of resources moving from freshwater to adjacent terrestrial ecosystems. These allochthonous resources can influence the structure and function of adjacent ecosystems, yet their effect on arthropod consumer populations remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated how flying adult midges influence terrestrial arthropod food webs in subarctic grasslands by blocking midge inputs over four years in 2 × 2‐m plots near the shore of Lake Mývatn, Iceland, where midge abundances are naturally high. We examined responses of terrestrial arthropods by measuring their densities, community composition, and stable isotopes (δ13C) in midge‐exclusion and open (control) plots. Cage treatments significantly reduced midge deposition into exclusion plots (99% reduction) relative to control plots but were designed to allow ground‐active arthropods to move freely among plots. Predator densities (e.g., spiders and harvestmen) were on average 30% lower in exclusion plots relative to control plots, while no other trophic guild (detritivores, omnivores, or herbivores) showed a response to midge exclusion. As a result, blocking midges shifted arthropod communities toward a composition dominated by springtails, mites, and aphids relative to large predators such as wolf spiders and harvestmen. All trophic guilds (detritivores, omnivores, and predators), except for herbivores, were more depleted in δ13C in midge‐exclusion plots, indicating an increased reliance on terrestrial (i.e., plant‐based) resources when midge inputs were blocked. Arthropod predators were the only guild that had both a depleted δ13C and a negative density response to midge exclusion. Apart from predators, these results indicate a weak association between resource type (aquatic vs. terrestrial) and density responses across most arthropod guilds in this grassland system. Overall, our findings suggest that aquatic insect subsidies have significant effects on terrestrial arthropod communities, but predators appear most responsive to insect allochthony in subarctic grasslands.
CXCR4, but not CXCR3, drives CD8+ T‐cell entry into and migration through the murine bone marrow
Authors: Goedhart Marieke , Gessel Stephanie , van der Voort Robbert , Slot Edith , Lucas Beth , Gielen Ellis , Hoogenboezem Mark , Rademakers Timo , Geerman Sulima , van Buul Jaap D. , Huveneers Stephan , Dolstra Harry , Anderson Graham , Voermans Carlijn , Nolte Martijn A.
Published: February 2019

The BM serves as a blood‐forming organ, but also supports the maintenance and immune surveillance function of many T cells. Yet, in contrast to other organs, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that drive T‐cell migration to and localization inside the BM. As BM accumulates many CXCR3‐expressing memory CD8+ T cells, we tested the involvement of this chemokine receptor, but found that CXCR3 is not required for BM entry. In contrast, we could demonstrate that CXCR4, which is highly expressed on both naive and memory CD8+ T cells in BM, is critically important for homing of all CD8+ T‐cell subsets to the BM in mice. Upon entry into the BM parenchyma, both naïve and memory CD8+ T cells locate close to sinusoidal vessels. Intravital imaging experiments revealed that CD8 T cells are surprisingly immobile and we found that they interact with ICAM‐1+VCAM‐1+BP‐1+ perivascular stromal cells. These cells are the major source of CXCL12, but also express key survival factors and maintenance cytokines IL‐7 and IL‐15. We therefore conclude that CXCR4 is not only crucial for entry of CD8+ T cells into the BM, but also controls their subsequent localization toward BM niches that support their survival.
Double and Reversible Alkyl Transfer from ZrBn4/HfBn4 to a Diiminepyridine Ligand
Authors: Rahimi Naser , Herbert David E. , Budzelaar Peter H. M.
Published: February 2019

Reaction of MBn4 (M = Zr, Hf) with diiminepyridine ligands MeDIP, EtDIP and iPrDIP [RDIP = 2,6‐(2,6‐R2C6H3N=CMe)2‐C5H3N] results in the transfer of two benzyl groups to the DIP imine carbon atoms, generating mixtures of rac and meso isomers of [RDIP + 2Bn]MBn2. The diastereomers could in several cases be separated by fractional crystallization, and the X‐ray structures of rac and meso [EtDIP + 2Bn]ZrBn2, meso‐[MeDIP + 2Bn]ZrBn2 and meso‐[EtDIP + 2Bn]HfBn2 are reported. On heating either diastereomer of [EtDIP + 2Bn]ZrBn2 in solution, the other isomer grows back in, demonstrating reversibility of the alkyl transfer. Transfer to other positions of the DIP skeleton was not observed. The reaction of [EtDIP + 2Bn]ZrBn2 with two equivalents of TEMPO produced structurally characterized [EtDIP + 2Bn]Zr(Bn)(TEMPO) which shows no tendency to isomerize.
A Laccase Heterogeneous Magnetic Fibrous Silica‐Based Biocatalyst for Green and One‐Pot Cascade Synthesis of Chromene Derivatives
Authors: Mogharabi‐Manzari Mehdi , Ghahremani Mohammad Hossein , Sedaghat Tabassom , Shayan Fatemeh , Faramarzi Mohammad Ali
Published: February 2019

Green cascade approaches, which utilize sustainable and recyclable heterogeneous biocatalysts, can be used in the catalysis of multicomponent organic reactions to synthesize biologically important substances. Three magnetic nanoparticles, iron (II, III) oxide, cobalt ferrite, and nickel ferrite, were prepared by co‐precipitation and functionalized with fibrous silica (KCC‐1), and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Laccase immobilized on CoFe2O4‐KCC‐1 was used as a heterogeneous biocatalyst for green and one‐pot cascade synthesis of 2‐amino‐5‐oxo‐4‐aryl‐4H,5H‐pyrano[3,2‐c]chromene‐3‐carbonitriles. The reaction was performed in the presence of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) as a synthetic redox mediator. The optimum reaction conditions were found to be as immobilized laccase (100 mg, 95 U) and TEMPO (2 mol‐%) in a 100 mm sodium citrate buffer (pH 4.5), 40 °C, and incubation time 17 h. About 80 % of initial activity of the immobilized laccase was retained after 15 independent runs.
Influence of Donor‐Substituents on Triphenylamine Chromophores Bearing Pyridine Fragments
Authors: Tydlitát Jiří , Fecková Michaela , le Poul Pascal , Pytela Oldřich , Klikar Milan , Rodríguez‐López Julián , Robin‐le Guen Françoise , Achelle Sylvain
Published: February 2019

Efficient synthetic routes that combine different palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions have been developed for the preparation of a new family of push‐pull derivatives in which pyridine was used as the acceptor group and different para‐substituted diphenylamines as the donor groups. All compounds showed absorption in the UV/Vis region and blue‐green emission with high quantum yields. Significant red shifts were observed in the absorption and fluorescence emission maxima on increasing the electron‐donating ability of the substituents or on incorporating a π‐conjugated linker. This finding can be explained on the basis of enhanced intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). Strong emission solvatochromism confirmed the formation of an intramolecular charge‐separated emitting state. The HOMO‐LUMO energy gaps have been estimated by experimental electrochemical measurements and the results were interpreted with the aid of DFT calculations. The thermal behavior of all materials has also been studied by differential scanning calorimetry.
Carbon nanotube/polyurethane modified hollow fiber‐pencil graphite electrode for in situ concentration and electrochemical quantification of anticancer drugs Capecitabine and Erlotinib
Authors: Es'haghi Zarrin , Moeinpour Fatemeh
Published: February 2019

A sensitive electrochemical sensor has been designed for in situ preconcentration and determination of anticancer drugs Capecitabine (CPT) and Erlotinib hydrochloride (ETHC) based on a pencil graphite electrode modified with multivalued carbon nanotube—polyurethane (MWCNT‐PUFIX) nanocomposite that was supported with a piece of polypropylene hollow fiber (HF‐PGE). The electrochemical behavior of CPT and ETHC on the MWCNT‐PUFIX/HF‐PGE modified electrode was investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques and the obtained results confirmed its efficiency for sensing of CPT and ETHC. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope. After optimization of some effective parameters on the method efficiency including pH, nanocomposite amount, the type of organic solvent, scan rate and the effect of some additives, the mentioned sensor presented suitable results for determination of CPT and ETHC with the linear ranges from 7.70 to 142.00 μM and 0.11 to 23.50 μM and detection limits of 0.11 and 0.02 μM, respectively. Also, the fabricated sensor has shown good performance in analysis of CPT and ETHC in biological samples.
Structure dependent weather normalization
Authors: Beheshti Soosan , Sahebalam Asad , Nidoy Edward
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we introduce a new analytical method to normalize and forecast the energy usage/loss of residential and commercial buildings. Weather conditions have large effects on energy and economic activity. Weather Normalization is an important step in building energy rating and retrofit measurements. It has also become increasingly important because of changes in the worlds weather patterns due to global warming. Accounting for the impacts of weather on energy use in buildings is an extremely exhaustive challenge because of the complexity and diversity in the operation of the mechanical and electrical systems. In traditional weather normalization methods some building parameters, such as building size, window size, construction joints, and the effect of flues, are missing. We present a Structure Dependent Energy Usage/Loss (SDE U/L) linear and nonlinear models by using Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to capture and forecast the behavior of energy consumption/loss. This model considers different building and weather parameters. Using the (SDE U/L) model, we present an innovative approach for linear and nonlinear weather normalization. Our simulation results demonstrate the flexibility and advantages of our structure dependent weather normalization method. Unlike most existing methods, the (SDE U/L) method does not impose any constraints on a property on its property type, use details, and energy data to be able to perform weather normalization for any building over time.