bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluorescent Cadmium Bipillared‐Layer Open Frameworks: Synthesis, Structures, Sensing of Nitro Compounds, and Capture of Volatile Iodine
Authors: Chen Tang‐Ching , Tsai Meng‐Jung , Wu Jing‐Yun
Published: November 2018

Fluorescent Cd metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), [Cd2(dicarboxylate)2(NI‐bpy‐44)2] (dicarboxylate=benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate (1,4‐bdc, 1), 2‐bromobenzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate (Br‐1,4‐bdc, 2), 2‐nitrobenzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate (NO2‐1,4‐bdc, 3), biphenyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate (bpdc, 4); NI‐bpy‐44=N‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,8‐naphthalimide)), featuring non‐ and twofold interpenetrating pcu‐type bipillared‐layer open structures with sufficient free voids of 58.4, 51.4, 51.5, and 41.4 %, respectively, have been hydro(solvo)thermally synthesized. MOFs 1–4 emitted solid‐state blue or cyan fluorescence emissions at 447±7 nm, which mainly arose from NI‐bpy‐44 and are dependent on the incorporated solvents. After immersing the crystalline samples in different solvents, that is, H2O and DMSO (1 and 2) as well as nitrobenzene and phenol (1–4), they exhibited a remarkable fluorescence quenching effect, whereas o‐xylene and p‐xylene (4) caused significant fluorescence enhancement. The sensing ability of MOFs 1–4 toward nitro compounds carried out in the vapor phase showed that nitrobenzene and 2‐nitrophenol displayed detectable fluorescence quenching with 1, 2, and 4 whereas 4‐nitrotoluene was an effective fluorescence quencher for 1 and 2; this is most likely attributed to their electron‐deficient properties and higher vapor pressures. Moreover, MOFs 1–4 are highly reusable for quick capture of volatile iodine, as supported by clear crystal color change and also by immense fluorescence quenching responses owing to the donor–acceptor interaction. Low‐pressure CO2 adsorption isotherms indicate that activated materials 1′–4′ are inefficient at taking up CO2.
Application of In Situ Product Crystallization and Related Techniques in Biocatalytic Processes
Authors: Hülsewede Dennis , Meyer Lars‐Erik , von Langermann Jan
Published: November 2018

This Minireview highlights the application of crystallization as a very powerful in situ product removal (ISPR) technique in biocatalytic process design. Special emphasis is placed on its use for in situ product crystallization (ISPC) to overcome unfavorable thermodynamic reaction equilibria, inhibition, and undesired reactions. The combination of these unit operations requires an interdisciplinary perspective to find a holistic solution for the underlying bioprocess intensification approach. Representative examples of successful integrated process options are selected, presented, and assessed regarding their overall productivity and applicability. In addition, parallels to the use of adsorption as a very similar technique are drawn and similarities discussed.
A simple quantitative chiral analysis of amino acid esters by fluorine‐19 nuclear magnetic resonance using the modified James–Bull method
Authors: Hamaguchi Naoto , Okuno Yuta , Oe Yohei , Ohta Tetsuo
Published: November 2018

A simple chiral analysis of amino acid esters by fluorine‐19 nuclear magnetic resonance (19F NMR) through the modified James–Bull method is described. Thus, amino acid ester acid salt was treated with 5‐fluoro‐2‐formylphenylboronic acid and (S)‐BINOL in the presence of triethylamine (TEA) and MS4A for 10 minutes. The reaction mixture was analysed by 19F NMR directly to afford good quantifications.
Bacteria Hunt Bacteria through an Intriguing Cyclic Peptide
Authors: Abdel Monaim Shimaa A. H. , Somboro Anou M. , El‐Faham Ayman , de la Torre Beatriz G. , Albericio Fernando
Published: November 2018

In the last few decades, peptides have been victorious over small molecules as therapeutics due to their broad range of applications, high biological activity, and high specificity. However, the main challenges to overcome if peptides are to become effective drugs is their low oral bioavailability and instability under physiological conditions. Cyclic peptides play a vital role in this context because they show higher stability under physiological conditions, higher membrane permeability, and greater oral bioavailability than that of their corresponding linear analogues. In this regard, cyclic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have gained considerable attention in the field of novel antibiotic development. Bacterial strains produce cyclic AMPs through two pathways: ribosomal and nonribosomal. This review provides an overview of the chemical classification of cyclic AMPs isolated from bacteria, and provides a description of their biological activity and mode of action.
Air Pollution in Europe
Authors: Koolen Cedric D. , Rothenberg Gadi
Published: November 2018

In this short critical perspective, we outline the serious problems caused by air pollution in Europe. Using two types of metrics, level assessment and trend assessment, we quantify the contribution of ammonia, NOx, SOx, non‐methane volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter in terms of years of life lost per capita and explain the connection between the various pollutants and their effects on human health and the environment. This is done on the basis of data collected by individual European Union (EU) member states as well as by the EU as a whole. We examine general emission trends as well as sector‐specific emissions and discuss the effectiveness of current legislation in reducing health risks and environmental damage. By combining these results with a cost–benefit analysis, we show that a further reduction in NOx emissions is the most urgent and potentially the most beneficial.
Study on arc mode and shape transformation in the arc motion stage between transverse magnetic field contacts
Authors: Pang X.H. , Wang T. , Xiu S.X. , Feng D.Y. , Jing H.
Published: November 2018

Transverse magnetic field (TMF) contacts drive the vacuum arc moving along the contact surface by producing a magnetic field perpendicular to the arc current flow, which makes the arc energy distribute uniformly and prevents the contact from serious ablation due to local overheating. The characteristics of arc motion between the TMF contacts directly determine the surface temperature distribution and contact erosion. Also, it is closely related to the breaking ability of the contacts. In this paper, the arc motion between spiral‐type contacts was recorded by a high‐speed camera. By analysing the arc voltage and arc images, the characteristics of arc shape transformation in the motion stage under different currents were studied. At the same time, the influence of arc duration and arc characteristics before the motion stage on the arc motion is discussed. It is found that the arc behaviour before the motion stage did influence the shape transformation and range of arc rotation. After entering the motion stage, there was always a rapid transformation process of the arc shape and the arc would return to where it first became constricted after a short movement. After a continuous movement, it might rotate in a small region where the arc stagnated before the motion stage. In addition, the arc behaviour was also related to its duration. When the opening time was varied from 2 to 5 ms, the arc velocity decreased. Meanwhile, it was more likely that multiple transformations of the arc aggregation degree occurred.
Detecting species at low densities: a new theoretical framework and an empirical test on an invasive zooplankton
Authors: Walsh Jake R. , Pedersen Eric J. , Vander Zanden M. Jake
Published: November 2018

Species often occur at low abundance and, as a result, may evade detection during sampling. Here, we develop a general theoretical model of how the probability of detecting a species in a discrete sample varies with its mean density in that location based on sampling statistics. We show that detection probability at low densities can be approximated with a simple one parameter saturating function: The probability of detection (P) should increase with the mean number of individuals in a discrete sample (N) as P ~ αN/(1 + αN). We further show how the parameter α will be affected by species spatial aggregation, within‐sample observability, and gear catchability. We use the case of the invasive zooplankter, spiny water flea (Bythotrephes longimanus), to demonstrate that this theoretical model fits the empirical pattern of detectability. In Lake Mendota, WI, Bythotrephes went undetected despite rigorous long‐term zooplankton monitoring (possibly as long as 14 yr with 15 sampling dates/yr). Using our modeling framework, we found that the likelihood of detecting Bythotrephes was low unless peak annual densities exceeded 0.1 individuals/m3 over multiple years. Despite using models based on Bythotrephes ecology to identify ways to increase detectability, detection probabilities remained low at low densities, such that cases of missed detection such as Lake Mendota are possible despite rigorous monitoring effort. As such, our theoretical model provides a simple rule of thumb for estimating sampling effort required to detect rare species when densities are expected to be low: The minimum samples required (S) to reliably detect a species can be approximated as S ~ (1 + N)/N.
Towards Weakly Coordinating Anions with the Extremely Electron Withdrawing Perfluoropyridinoxy Ligand –OC5F4N
Authors: Riddlestone Ian M. , Keller Sarah , Kirschenmann Florian , Schorpp Marcel , Krossing Ingo
Published: November 2018

The extreme electron withdrawing properties of the perfluoropyridinoxy ligand –OC5F4N were used for the preparation of new (weakly) coordinating borate and aluminate anions of the type [E(OC5F4N)4]– (E = B or Al). These new anions are based on the potent parent Lewis acids E(OC5F4N)3, which possess exceptionally high calculated fluoride ion affinities (FIAs) of 500 and 587 kJ mol–1 for E = B and Al respectively. For aluminum, this extreme Lewis acidity dominates the chemistry and from mixtures of the neutral polymeric Lewis acid [Al(OC5F4N)3]n, the five‐ and six‐coordinate complexes Al(OC5F4N)3(OEt2)2 (1) and [Al(OC5F4N)2(µ‐OC5F4N) (NCMe)2]2 (2) were crystallized upon addition of ether or MeCN. The aluminate salts M[Al(OC5F4N)4] (M = Li or K) were prepared from the reaction between the alcohol 4‐HO–C5F4N and either LiAlH4 or K[AlEt4] respectively. The aluminate anion [Al(OC5F4N)4]– remains Lewis acidic coordinating small donor molecules forming [Al(OC5F4N)4(L)]– (L = THF or NMe3) and even supports formation and structural characterisation of the aluminum dianion containing salt [Na(OEt2)2][Na][Al(OC5F4N)5] (8). The from NaBH4 and 4‐HO–C5F4N accessible borate salt Na[B(OC5F4N)4] shows increased kinetic stability in comparison to the aluminum analogue.
Application of X‐Ray Computed Tomography Technology in Gas Hydrate
Authors: Ma Shihui , Zheng Jia‐nan , Tang Dawei , Li Yuanping , Li Qingping , Lv Xin
Published: November 2018

Clathrate hydrates are formed by water molecules and natural gas molecules under a certain temperature and pressure. Natural gas hydrates are mainly distributed in the marine sediments and the permafrost in nature. As a kind of potential clean energy, determining the structural characteristics of hydrates in sediments is the prerequisite for the safe and economic exploitation of natural gas hydrate. X‐ray computed tomography (CT) is a potential method to nondestructively detect the occurrence of natural gas hydrate. The basic physical properties such as porosity, hydrate saturation, and sediment permeability of the hydrate‐bearing sediments are analyzed by calculating the CT numbers or combining with the network model. Therefore, the X‐ray CT is used to study the hydrates produced in the laboratory and the hydrates formed in the nature by scientists all over the world. By summarizing the previous research, this article focuses on the important role of X‐ray CT in the hydrate research from the following three aspects: analyzing the basic physical properties of hydrate sediment, identifying the occurrence mode of hydrate in sediments, and measuring the hydrate formation and decomposition process. In response to the research progress and future research directions, relevant suggestions had been put forward.
Forecasting the Dubai financial market with a combination of momentum effect with a deep belief network
Authors: Karathanasopoulos Andreas , Osman Mohammed
Published: November 2018

Applying recent advances in machine learning techniques, we propose a hybrid model to forecast the Dubai financial market general index. Particularly, we exploit a deep belief networks model that applies a restricted Boltzmann machine as its main component in combination with momentum effects. We also introduce an innovative way of selecting the inputs by using momentum effects. With this hybrid methodology we generate a prediction model along with a comparison of three different linear models. The results obtained from the hybrid model are better and more stable than the three linear models. The findings support that the hybrid model we applied will find their way into finance because of their reliability and good performance.
Germinated brown rice combined with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis inhibits colorectal carcinogenesis in rats
Authors: Lin Pao‐Ying , Li Sing‐Chung , Lin Hui‐Pu , Shih Chun‐Kuang
Published: November 2018

Colorectal cancer is a common cancer strongly associated with diet. Certain probiotics and prebiotics possess an inhibitory activity against colorectal cancer, while synbiotics may be more effective in preventing this cancer than either prebiotics or probiotics alone. Germinated brown rice (GBR) is considered as a candidate prebiotics with anticancer potential. However, the effect of GBR combined with probiotics on colorectal cancer is not clear. The present study investigated the preventive effect of combination of GBR and Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, or both on colorectal carcinogenesis and the possible mechanism in rats treated with 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). DMH/DSS treatment induced preneoplastic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and mucin‐depleted foci (MDF), reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, increased anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 expression, and decreased the expression of pro‐apoptotic p53, Bax, and caspase‐3 in the colon. Germinated brown rice alone or combined with probiotics inhibited the formation of MDF in the middle colon, enhanced the colonic expression of p53 and Bax, and increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl‐2. Combined treatment of GBR and probiotics inhibited the formation of ACF‐producing sialomucin (SIM‐ACF) and recovered the activity of SOD in the colon. Combination of GBR and L. acidophilus further increased caspase‐3 expression and decreased Bcl‐2 expression. These findings suggest that GBR combined with L. acidophilus and/or B. animalis subsp. lactis may inhibit colorectal carcinogenesis by enhancing antioxidative capacity and inducing apoptosis. This synbiotics may be a potential functional food or chemopreventive agent for controlling colorectal cancer.
A Flexible, Self‐Floating Composite for Efficient Water Evaporation
Authors: Fang Zhenxing , Jiao Shihui , Wang Boran , Yin Wen , Pang Guangsheng
Published: November 2018

A flexible, self‐floating W18O49/carbon foam composite is fabricated by calcining melamine foam with W18O49 as an adsorbate in N2 atmosphere. This self‐floating property is simply realized by a carbonization process other than the complicated surface modification process. The simple synthesis procedure helps to increase not only the solar absorption but also the retention of W18O49 in the porous net structure. This composite absorbs almost the whole solar spectrum and generates localized heat at the surface, which is beneficial for water evaporation. Its water evaporation rate is 6.6 times higher than that of pure water. It has a stable cyclic performance over ten cycles under the illumination of simulated sunlight (500 W Xe lamp). Its flexibility makes it easy to reuse and transfer, which is evaluated by the bending deformation test. The W18O49/carbon foam composite is a prospective material in solar energy conversion field, and the preparation procedure is feasible to scale‐up.
Microglial glutamate release evoked by α‐synuclein aggregates is prevented by dopamine
Authors: dos‐Santos‐Pereira Mauricio , Acuña Leonardo , Hamadat Sabah , Rocca Jeremy , González‐Lizárraga Florencia , Chehín Rosana , Sepulveda‐Diaz Julia , Del‐Bel Elaine , Raisman‐Vozari Rita , Michel Patrick P.
Published: November 2018

When activated, microglial cells have the potential not only to secrete typical proinflammatory mediators but also to release the neurotransmitter glutamate in amounts that may promote excitotoxicity. Here, we wished to determine the potential of the Parkinson's disease (PD) protein α‐Synuclein (αS) to stimulate glutamate release using cultures of purified microglial cells. We established that glutamate release was robustly increased when microglial cultures were treated with fibrillary aggregates of αS but not with the native monomeric protein. Promotion of microglial glutamate release by αS aggregates (αSa) required concomitant engagement of TLR2 and P2X7 receptors. Downstream to cell surface receptors, the release process was mediated by activation of a signaling cascade sequentially involving phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) and NADPH oxidase, a superoxide‐producing enzyme. Inhibition of the Xc‐ antiporter, a plasma membrane exchange system that imports extracellular l‐cystine and exports intracellular glutamate, prevented the release of glutamate induced by αSa, indicating that system Xc‐ was the final effector element in the release process downstream to NADPH oxidase activation. Of interest, the stimulation of glutamate release by αSa was abrogated by dopamine through an antioxidant effect requiring D1 dopamine receptor activation and PI3K inhibition. Altogether, present data suggest that the activation of microglial cells by αSa may possibly result in a toxic build‐up of extracellular glutamate contributing to excitotoxic stress in PD. The deficit in dopamine that characterizes this disorder may further aggravate this process in a vicious circle mechanism.
LAR and PTPσ receptors are negative regulators of oligodendrogenesis and oligodendrocyte integrity in spinal cord injury
Authors: Dyck Scott , Kataria Hardeep , Akbari‐Kelachayeh Khashayar , Silver Jerry , Karimi‐Abdolrezaee Soheila
Published: November 2018

Following spinal cord injury (SCI), the population of mature oligodendrocytes undergoes substantial cell death; promoting their preservation and replacement is a viable strategy for preserving axonal integrity and white matter repair in the injured spinal cord. Dramatic upregulation of matrix chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) is shown to pose an obstacle to endogenous repair processes, and targeting CSPGs improves functional recovery after SCI. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of CSPGs remain largely undefined. Modulation of CSPGs specific signaling receptors, leukocyte common antigen‐related (LAR), and protein tyrosine phosphatase‐sigma (PTPσ) allows us to uncover the role and mechanisms of CSPGs in regulating oligodendrocytes in SCI. Here, utilizing specific functionally blocking peptides in a clinically relevant model of contusive/compressive SCI in the rat, we demonstrate that inhibition of PTPσ and LAR receptors promotes oligodendrogenesis by endogenous precursor cells, attenuates caspase 3‐mediated cell death in mature oligodendrocytes, and preserves myelin. In parallel in vitro systems, we have unraveled that CSPGs directly induce apoptosis in populations of neural precursor cells and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and limit their ability for oligodendrocyte differentiation, maturation, and myelination. These negative effects of CSPGs are mediated through the activation of both LAR and PTPσ receptors and the downstream Rho/ROCK pathway. Thus, we have identified a novel inhibitory role for PTPσ and LAR in regulating oligodendrocyte differentiation and apoptosis in the injured adult spinal cord and a new feasible therapeutic strategy for optimizing endogenous cell replacement following SCI.
MicroRNA expression profiles discriminate childhood T‐ from B‐acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Almeida Renata Santos , Costa e Silva Matheus , Coutinho Luiz Lehmann , Garcia Gomes Renan , Pedrosa Francisco , Massaro Juliana Doblas , Donadi Eduardo Antônio , Lucena‐Silva Norma
Published: November 2018

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role on biological and cellular processes; the search for functional markers may be of importance for differential diagnosis, prognosis, and development of new therapeutic regimens. In this context, we evaluated the bone marrow miRNA profile of Brazilian children exhibiting T‐ or B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‐ALL or B‐ALL), using massive parallel sequencing, using the HiSeq 2500 platform (Illumina). The differential expression analysis was conducted considering a leave‐one‐out approach and FDR ≤ 0.05. Machine learning algorithms were applied to search for the disease subset biomarkers. Target prediction, functional enrichment, and classification of biological categories were also performed. Sixteen miRNAs were differentially expressed between T‐ and B‐ALL, of which 10 (miR‐708‐5p, miR‐497‐5p, miR‐151a‐5p, miR‐151b, miR‐371b‐5p, miR‐455‐5p, miR‐195‐5p, miR‐1266‐5p, miR‐574‐5p, and miR‐425‐5p) were downregulated and six (miR‐450b‐5p, miR‐450a‐5p, miR‐542‐5p, miR‐424‐5p, miR‐629‐5p, and miR‐29c‐5p) were upregulated in childhood T‐ALL. These miRNAs may be used for distinguishing childhood lymphoblastic leukemia subtypes, since it provided the clear separation of patients in these two distinct groups. Six relevant biological pathways were identified according to their role in leukemia, namely, viral carcinogenesis, cell cycle, and B‐cell receptor signaling pathways for induced miRNAs and TGF‐beta signaling, apoptosis, and NF‐kappa B signaling for the repressed miRNAs, of which several miRNA gene targets participate in cell differentiation and hematopoiesis processes. Machine learning analysis pointed out miR‐29c‐5p expression as the best discriminator between childhood T‐ and B‐ALL, which is involved in calcium signaling, critical for B‐cell lymphocyte fate. Further studies are needed to assure the role of the 16 miRNAs and miR‐29c‐5p on acute lymphoblastic leukemia subtypes and on disease prognosis.
Sensitivity of streamflow simulation in the Delaware River Basin to forecasted land‐cover change for 2030 and 2060
Authors: Williamson Tanja N. , Claggett Peter
Published: November 2018

In order to simulate the potential effect of forecasted land‐cover change on streamflow and water availability, there has to be confidence that the hydrologic model used is sensitive to small changes in land cover (<10%) and that this land‐cover change exceeds the inherent uncertainty in forecasted conditions. To investigate this, a 26‐year streamflow record was simulated for 33 basins (54–928 km2) in the Delaware River Basin using three dates of land cover: the 2011 National Land‐Cover Dataset (Homer, Fry, & Barnes, ), 2030 land‐cover conditions representing median values from 101 equally‐likely forecasts, and 2060 land‐cover conditions corresponding to the same iterations used to represent 2030. Streamflow was simulated using a process‐based hydrologic model that includes both pervious and impervious methods as parameterized by three land‐cover‐based hydrologic response units (HRUs)—forested, agricultural, and developed land. Small, but significant differences in streamflow magnitude, variability, and seasonality were seen among the three time periods—2011, 2030, and 2060. Temporal differences were discernible from the range of conditions simulated with 101 equally likely forecasts for 2030. Development was co‐located with the most frequent landscape components, as characterized by topographic wetness index, resulting in a change in hydrology for each HRU, highlighting that knowing the location of disturbance is key to understanding potential streamflow changes. These results show that streamflow simulation using regional calibration that incorporates land‐cover‐based HRUs can be sensitive to relatively small changes in land‐cover and that temporal trends resulting from land‐cover change can be isolated in order to evaluate other changes that might affect water resources.
Tidally‐averaged flows in the interior Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta: Trends and change attribution
Authors: Hutton Paul H. , Chen Limin , Rath John S. , Roy Sujoy B.
Published: November 2018

The hydrology of the San Francisco Bay‐Delta estuary (the Delta) has been significantly modified over the past 150 years to serve a variety of human needs for water supply and food production, albeit with adverse ecological impacts. These adverse impacts, in concert with evolving societal values, have motivated change in the estuary's water management to promote ecosystem restoration goals while continuing to support human uses. Understanding historical flow patterns, as well as the environmental functions provided by these flow patterns, is critical to restoration planning. Building upon previous work on outflow trends from the Delta to San Francisco Bay, this paper evaluates historical trends in key interior Delta flows spanning nine decades (1922–2016) and presents an attribution of these trends to various anthropogenic drivers. We reconstructed historical time series records at four key locations in the interior of the Delta; these time series represent tidally‐averaged flows that are intensively managed and are of great importance to the beneficial uses of water in the region. We derived several scenario‐based flow time series at these same four locations to assist in attributing change to a variety of drivers, including reservoir and export pumping operations, in‐Delta barrier and gate operations, and upstream water diversions. Flow changes were measured relative to 1920‐level land use and water management conditions. We find the four interior Delta locations to have distinct seasonal flow trends and, in general, unique responses to various drivers of change. Our work highlights the complex nature of historical flow changes in a highly‐managed estuarine ecosystem, and the types of modifications that would be necessary to reverse these changes.
Effects of instream processes, discharge, and land cover on nitrogen export from southern Appalachian Mountain catchments
Authors: Webster Jackson R. , Stewart Rebecca M. , Knoepp Jennifer D. , Jackson C. Rhett
Published: November 2018

Catchments with minimal disturbance usually have low dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) export, but disturbances and anthropogenic inputs result in elevated DIN concentration and export and eutrophication of downstream ecosystems. We studied streams in the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA, an area dominated by hardwood deciduous forest but with areas of valley agriculture and increasing residential development. We collected weekly grab samples and storm samples from nine small catchments and three river sites. Most discharge occurred at baseflow, with baseflow indices ranging from 69% to 95%. We identified three seasonal patterns of baseflow DIN concentration. Streams in mostly forested catchments had low DIN with bimodal peaks, and summer peaks were greater than winter peaks. Streams with more agriculture and development also had bimodal peaks; however, winter peaks were the highest. In streams draining catchments with more residential development, DIN concentration had a single peak, greatest in winter and lowest in summer. Three methods for estimating DIN export produced consistent results. Annual DIN export ranged from less than 200 g ha−1 year−1 for the less disturbed catchments to over 2,000 g ha−1 year−1 in the catchments with the least forest area. Land cover was a strong predictor of DIN concentration but less significant for predicting DIN export. The two forested reference catchments appeared supply limited, the most residential catchment appeared transport limited, and export for the other catchments was significantly related to discharge. In all streams, baseflow DIN export exceeded stormflow export. Morphological and climatological variation among watersheds created complexities unexplainable by land cover. Nevertheless, regression models developed using land cover data from the small catchments reasonably predicted concentration and export for receiving rivers. Our results illustrate the complexity of mechanisms involved in DIN export in a region with a mosaic of climate, geology, topography, soils, vegetation, and past and present land use.
Do foreign portfolio capital flows affect domestic investment? Evidence from Brazil
Authors: Colombo Jefferson A. , Loncan Tiago R. , Caldeira João F.
Published: November 2018

Although there are several direct and indirect theoretical channels through which foreign capital flows may affect domestic investment, empirical evidence remains inconclusive. In this paper, we employ a VARX framework to assess the impact of equity foreign portfolio investment (EFPI) on domestic investment growth, employing monthly series for the Brazilian economy. Our results suggest that EFPI played a nonnegligible role in explaining aggregate investment fluctuations, but only before the 2008 global financial crisis. After the crisis, a period marked first by a shift in economic policy in 2008–2009, with substantial increases in government intervention, followed by deterioration in the institutional outlook and political stability in 2014–2015, mostly against the backdrop of the Petrobras corruption scandal, unexpected shocks to EFPI no longer led any real effects on investment growth. Although, in general, our results vouch for beneficial effects of equity capital flows on investment, this virtuous relationship is likely disturbed by interventionist policies and political unrest.
Expectation hypothesis and term structure anomaly
Authors: Kuo I‐Doun , Chen Cathy Yi‐Hsuan , Huang Kai‐Min
Published: November 2018

Campbell and Shiller (1991) find the presence of term structure anomaly, in which the slope of the term structure predicts inconsistently to the change in yield of longer term bonds over the life of shorter term bonds during 1952–1987. Focusing on the post Campbell and Shiller period, our findings suggest that the anomaly is not only attributed to term premia but also relates to expectation errors. We found that macroeconomic surprises and irrationality from investors' behaviour are important determinants of time‐varying expectation errors. These factors are capable of explaining the rejection of the expectation hypothesis and the U.S. term structure anomaly in long‐term securities.
Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 Delivered Within Autologous Blood Coagulum Restores Critical Size Segmental Defects of Ulna in Rabbits
Authors: Grgurevic Lovorka , Oppermann Hermann , Pecin Marko , Erjavec Igor , Capak Hrvoje , Pauk Martina , Karlovic Sven , Kufner Vera , Lipar Marija , Bubic Spoljar Jadranka , Bordukalo‐Niksic Tatjana , Maticic Drazen , Peric Mihaela , Windhager Reinhard , Sampath T Kuber , Vukicevic Slobodan
Published: November 2018

BMP2 and BMP7, which use bovine Achilles tendon–derived absorbable collagen sponge and bovine bone collagen as scaffold, respectively, have been approved as bone graft substitutes for orthopedic and dental indications. Here, we describe an osteoinductive autologous bone graft substitute (ABGS) that contains recombinant human BMP6 (rhBMP6) dispersed within autologous blood coagulum (ABC) scaffold. The ABGS is created as an injectable or implantable coagulum gel with rhBMP6 binding tightly to plasma proteins within fibrin meshwork, as examined by dot‐blot assays, and is released slowly as an intact protein over 6 to 8 days, as assessed by ELISA. The biological activity of ABGS was examined in vivo in rats (Rattus norvegicus) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). In a rat subcutaneous implant assay, ABGS induced endochondral bone formation, as observed by histology and micro‐CT analyses. In the rabbit ulna segmental defect model, a reproducible and robust bone formation with complete bridging and restoration of the defect was observed, which is dose dependent, as determined by radiographs, micro‐CT, and histological analyses. In ABGS, ABC scaffold provides a permissive environment for bone induction and contributes to the use of lower doses of rhBMP6 compared with BMP7 in bovine bone collagen as scaffold. The newly formed bone undergoes remodeling and establishes cortices uniformly that is restricted to implant site by bridging with host bone. In summary, ABC carrier containing rhBMP6 may serve as an osteoinductive autologous bone graft substitute for several orthopedic applications that include delayed and nonunion fractures, anterior and posterior lumbar interbody fusion, trauma, and nonunions associated with neurofibromatosis type I. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Adding Lateral Spine Imaging for Vertebral Fractures to Densitometric Screening: Improving Ascertainment of Patients at High Risk of Incident Osteoporotic Fractures
Authors: Prince Richard L , Lewis Joshua R , Lim Wai H , Wong Germaine , Wilson Kevin E , Khoo Ben C , Zhu Kun , Kiel Douglas P , Schousboe John T
Published: November 2018

The current diagnosis of osteoporosis is limited to a T-score ≤–2.5. However, asymptomatic vertebral fractures (VF) are known to predict a high risk of subsequent fractures and pharmaceutical intervention is known to reduce future fracture risk in these individuals. In a prospective, population-based cohort of ambulant older women, we sought to evaluate the role of VF detection by screening densitometric lateral spine imaging (LSI) for VF at time of bone density testing to the effect on the magnitude of fracture risk. A total of 1084 women (mean age 75 years ± SD 3 years) had baseline LSI that identified 100 (9%) women with VFs and 89 (8%) with femoral neck (FN) T-score osteoporosis ≤–2.5. Follow-up identified incident clinical spine fracture in 73 (7%), 305 (28%) with any fracture-related hospitalization, and 121 (11%) with a hip fracture–related hospitalization. Compared with those without baseline VF, in those with baseline VF, relative risk (RR) for incident clinical spine, hip, and any fracture were 3.46 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.14–5.60, p < 0.001); 1.72 (95% CI 1.09–2.71, p = 0.02), and 1.4 (95% CI 1.07–1.84, p = 0.02), respectively. In 675 (62%) of women with femoral neck osteopenia (T-score <–1 to >–2.5), 61 (9%) also had a VF. Compared with those without baseline VF, RR for any incident fragility fractures and fractures at spine and hip in those with baseline VF were 1.6 (95% CI 1.2–2.1, p < 0.01), 3.9 (95% CI 2.2–6.9, p < 0.01), and 1.6 (95% CI 0.9–2.8, p = 0.10), respectively. On basis of the prognosis, older women with LSI VF with osteopenia should be diagnosed with osteoporosis and should be considered for pharmaceutical intervention. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Retracted: Release of CXCL12 From Apoptotic Skeletal Cells Contributes to Bone Growth Defects Following Dexamethasone Therapy in Rats
Authors: Tang Qian , Su Yu-Wen , Fan Chia-Ming , Chung Rosa , Hassanshahi Mohammadhossein , Peymanfar Yaser , Xian Cory J
Published: November 2018

Dexamethasone (Dex) is known to cause significant bone growth impairment in childhood. Although previous studies have suggested roles of osteocyte apoptosis in the enhanced osteoclastic recruitment and local bone loss, whether it is so in the growing bone following Dex treatment requires to be established. The current study addressed the potential roles of chemokine CXCL12 in chondroclast/osteoclast recruitment and bone defects following Dex treatment. Significant apoptosis was observed in cultured mature ATDC5 chondrocytes and IDG-SW3 osteocytes after 48 hours of 10−6 M Dex treatment, and CXCL12 was identified to exhibit the most prominent induction in Dex-treated cells. Conditioned medium from the treated chondrocytes/osteocytes enhanced migration of RAW264.7 osteoclast precursor cells, which was significantly inhibited by the presence of the anti-CXCL12 neutralizing antibody. To investigate the roles of the induced CXCL12 in bone defects caused by Dex treatment, young rats were orally gavaged daily with saline or Dex at 1 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks, and received an intraperitoneal injection of anti-CXCL12 antibody or control IgG (1 mg/kg, three times per week). Aside from oxidative stress induction systemically, Dex treatment caused reductions in growth plate thickness, primary spongiosa height, and metaphysis trabecular bone volume, which are associated with induced chondrocyte/osteocyte apoptosis and enhanced chondroclast/osteoclast recruitment and osteoclastogenic differentiation potential. CXCL12 was induced in apoptotic growth plate chondrocytes and metaphyseal bone osteocytes. Anti-CXCL12 antibody supplementation considerably attenuated Dex-induced chondroclast/osteoclast recruitment and loss of growth plate cartilage and trabecular bone. CXCL12 neutralization did not affect bone marrow osteogenic potential, adiposity, and microvasculature. Thus, CXCL12 was identified as a potential molecular linker between Dex-induced skeletal cell apoptosis and chondroclastic/osteoclastic recruitment, as well as growth plate cartilage/bone loss, revealing a therapeutic potential of CXCL12 functional blockade in preventing bone growth defects during/after Dex treatment. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
An N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea (ENU)-Induced Tyr265Stop Mutation of the DNA Polymerase Accessory Subunit Gamma 2 (Polg2) Is Associated With Renal Calcification in Mice
Authors: Gorvin Caroline M , Ahmad Bushra N , Stechman Michael J , Loh Nellie Y , Hough Tertius A , Leo Paul , Marshall Mhairi , Sethi Siddharth , Bentley Liz , Piret Sian E , Reed Anita , Jeyabalan Jeshmi , Christie Paul T , Wells Sara , Simon Michelle M , Mallon Ann-Marie , Schulz Herbert , Huebner Norbert , Brown Matthew A , Cox Roger D , Brown Steve D , Thakker Rajesh V
Published: November 2018

Renal calcification (RCALC) resulting in nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis, which affects ∼10% of adults by 70 years of age, involves environmental and genetic etiologies. Thus, nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis occurs as an inherited disorder in ∼65% of patients, and may be associated with endocrine and metabolic disorders including: primary hyperparathyroidism, hypercalciuria, renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria, and hyperoxaluria. Investigations of families with nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis have identified some causative genes, but further progress is limited as large families are unavailable for genetic studies. We therefore embarked on establishing mouse models for hereditary nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis by performing abdominal X-rays to identify renal opacities in N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-mutagenized mice. This identified a mouse with RCALC inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, designated RCALC type 2 (RCALC2). Genomewide mapping located the Rcalc2 locus to a ∼16-Mbp region on chromosome 11D-E2 and whole-exome sequence analysis identified a heterozygous mutation in the DNA polymerase gamma-2, accessory subunit (Polg2) resulting in a nonsense mutation, Tyr265Stop (Y265X), which co-segregated with RCALC2. Kidneys of mutant mice (Polg2+/Y265X) had lower POLG2 mRNA and protein expression, compared to wild-type littermates (Polg2+/+). The Polg2+/Y265X and Polg2+/+ mice had similar plasma concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate, chloride, urea, creatinine, glucose, and alkaline phosphatase activity; and similar urinary fractional excretion of calcium, phosphate, oxalate, and protein. Polg2 encodes the minor subunit of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymerase and the mtDNA content in Polg2+/Y265X kidneys was reduced compared to Polg2+/+ mice, and cDNA expression profiling revealed differential expression of 26 genes involved in several biological processes including mitochondrial DNA function, apoptosis, and ubiquitination, the complement pathway, and inflammatory pathways. In addition, plasma of Polg2+/Y265X mice, compared to Polg2+/+ littermates had higher levels of reactive oxygen species. Thus, our studies have identified a mutant mouse model for inherited renal calcification associated with a Polg2 nonsense mutation. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring the relation between posttraumatic stress disorder and interpersonal outcomes: The role of social acknowledgment and trauma type
Authors: Kern Shira M. , Stacy Stephanie E. , Kozina Ryan M. , Ripley Adam J. , Clapp Joshua D.
Published: November 2018

Objectives

Research demonstrates consistent relations between posttrauma symptoms and interpersonal dysfunction. The current study examined the extent to which perceptions of community rejection account for the relation between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and interpersonal outcomes in students exposed to assaultive and nonassaultive trauma.

Method

Participants (N = 137; 66.4% female; M = 20 years) completed a trauma history interview, questionnaires assessing symptom severity, social disapproval, and interpersonal outcomes.

Results

Assault survivors (n = 83) reported greater symptoms (d = 0.57), disapproval (d = 0.80), and social impairment (d = 0.51) relative to the nonassault group (n = 54). However, regression analyses indicated stronger associations between PTSD and community disapproval in survivors of nonassaultive (β = 0.69; p < 0.001) versus assaultive (β = 0.34; p < 0.001) events. Indirect effects of PTSD on perceived support and interpersonal functioning through social disapproval were also larger for nonassaultive versus assaultive groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Despite greater dysfunction among assault survivors, perceptions of disapproval may be a more salient factor for interpersonal dynamics following nonassaultive trauma.
Mechanism of adsorption of tetracycline–Cu multi‐pollutants by graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO)
Authors: Zhao Chuanqi , Hong Peidong , Li Yajuan , Song Xiaoming , Wang Yinggang , Yang Yuesuo
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

The adsorption of single pollutants onto graphene oxide (GO), such as heavy metals or organics, has been widely investigated, however, the simultaneous removal of the antibiotic–heavy metal multi‐pollutants from the intensive livestock and poultry industry has been investigated little. In this study, the GO/reduced GO(rGO) were prepared as adsorbent and the adsorption performance of tetracycline (TC), Cu2+, and the multi‐pollutants TC–Cu were investigated.

RESULTS

The GO surface was abundant in oxygen‐containing functional groups but was affected by a reduction effect, and thus rGO lost a large amount of –OH. In the presence of Cu2+, GO's adsorption quantity of TC increased by 96.64%, which was considerably higher than the increase (23.31%) observed in the case of rGO. In contrast, the adsorptivity of GO/rGO in Cu2+ increased slightly with the addition of TC. Further, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed that the Cu2+ participated in a bridging interaction between TC and the adsorbent, forming a complexation TC–Cu.

CONCLUSION

GO and rGO showed favorable adsorption of TC, Cu2+, and TC–Cu. The adsorption capacity of multi‐pollutants was increased compared with individual adsorption, indicating a cooperative adsorption between the TC and Cu2+. The adsorption mechanism mainly included π–π conjugation, electrostatic interactions, and the bridge connection by Cu2+, which contributed to the performance of GO/rGO with respect to the adsorption of the antibiotic–heavy metal multi‐pollutants. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultrasound simulation utilization among point of care ultrasound users: Results of a survey
Authors: Damewood Sara C. , Lewiss Resa E. , Huang Jennifer V.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

While ultrasound simulation devices have long been available as adjuncts to ultrasound education, it is unclear how they are used. We conducted a survey to determine the current utilization of emergency point‐of‐care ultrasound simulation and describe the current trends in the use of ultrasound simulation.

Methods

A survey was sent to 1270 members of the American College of Emergency Physicians Ultrasound Section via email. The survey listed 23 questions that queried how survey participants used ultrasound simulation devices.

Results

One hundred and fifty‐one survey responses were collected. The majority of survey respondents (83%) indicated that ultrasound simulation devices are available at their institution, with nearly half (45%) survey participants reporting both high‐ and low‐fidelity ultrasound simulators available, and fewer describing low‐fidelity simulators only (33%) or high‐fidelity simulators only (5%). Most respondents (84%) with ultrasound simulators use them for training residents, students, fellows, and faculty. Only 20% of survey participants use ultrasound simulators for credentialing purposes.

Conclusions

Ultrasound simulation devices are widespread amongst our survey respondents, who represent a small percentage of the ACEP ultrasound section. Ultrasound simulators are used to help ultrasound learners at various levels of training.
Potential causes of insufficient bladder contrast opacification and premature microbubble destruction during contrast‐enhanced voiding urosonography in children
Authors: Ključevšek Damjana , Pečanac Olivera , Tomažič Mojca , Glušič Mojca
Published: November 2018

Contrast‐enhanced voiding urosonography (ceVUS) has been recognized as a child‐friendly examination with high diagnostic accuracy for vesicoureteric reflux detection. A single bolus and the infusion techniques of ceVUS are described. Insufficient bladder contrast opacification during the filling phase and premature destruction of SonoVue microbubbles might occur. Data regarding SonoVue's features, doses, bladder contrast opacification, US bladder parameters, urine catheter, antibiotic prophylaxis, and childrens behaviors were collected to discover the possible causes of the contrast vanishing observed during bladder filling in 10% of examinations and in the later phase of ceVUS in 5% of examinations. An updated ceVUS examination protocol is suggested.
The coexistence of left ventricular non‐compaction cardiomyopathy, significant coronary artery disease and massive thrombus formation in left ventricular cavity: A rare case report
Authors: Taghavi Morteza , Ghaemian Ali , Nabati Maryam , Farsavian Aliasghar , Shokri Mojtaba
Published: November 2018

Non‐compaction of the left‐ventricular myocardium is an extremely rare cardiomyopathy. The most common clinical manifestations are heart failure, ventricular arrhythmia, thromboembolism, and sudden cardiac death. The condition is diagnosed by two‐dimensional echocardiography or magnetic resonance imaging. We report a rare case of a 55‐year‐old man with coexistence of left ventricular non compaction cardiomyopathy, significant coronary artery disease and massive thrombus formation within recesses in left ventricular cavity.
Bounded diameter arboricity
Authors: Merker Martin , Postle Luke
Published: November 2018

We introduce the notion of bounded diameter arboricity. Specifically, the diameter‐ arboricity of a graph is the minimum number such that the edges of the graph can be partitioned into forests each of whose components has diameter at most . A class of graphs has bounded diameter arboricity if there exists a natural number such that every graph in the class has diameter‐ arboricity at most . We conjecture that the class of graphs with arboricity at most has bounded diameter arboricity at most . We prove this conjecture for by proving the stronger assertion that the union of a forest and a star forest can be partitioned into two forests of diameter at most 18. We use these results to characterize the bounded diameter arboricity for planar graphs of girth at least for all . As an application we show that every 6‐edge‐connected planar (multi)graph contains two edge‐disjoint ‐thin spanning trees. Moreover, we answer a question by Mütze and Peter, leading to an improved lower bound on the density of globally sparse Ramsey graphs.