bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Іntensity of oxygen consumption by bull sperm due to the action of L-carnitine
Authors: Koberska Viktoriia , Yermishev Oleh
Published: January 2018

The research is devoted to the study of peculiarities of oxygen consumption intensity and the activity of enzymes of antioxidant protection of bull sperm due to the action of L-carnitine. We used bull sperm that was mixed with sperm dilution for the “Bioexel” to the ratio 1:1. Diluted semen was divided into two parts – one control and three experimental. L-carnitine was added to the diluent in the amount of 10 mg/100 ml in part 2, 30 mg/100 ml in part 3, and 60 mg/100 ml in part 4; the sperm was dissolved in this liquid to the ratio of 3:1. The intensity of oxygen consumption, the activity of enzymes superoxidedismutase, catalase, glutathioneperoxidase and survival of spermatozoa were thoroughly investigated in the diluted semen. L-carnitine, which was added to the diluent of semen 10 and 30 mg/100 ml, stimulates aerobic glycolysis by 5.9 and 11.9%, and decreases oxidative processes by 5.6% and 11.4%, respectively. It is not related to the synthesis of ATP. It increases the survival of bull spermatozoa. The results of current research show that carnitine promotes a rise in the activity of CAT and GPO, and the activity of SOD decreases. We established that L-carnitine impacts the reduction of the overall consumption of oxygen by increasing the share of mitochondrial oxygen consumption and aerobic glycolysis, along with the decrease in free radical oxidation. It is probably related to the metabolic activation between the semen and the environment. We found that the optimal concentration of L-carnitine in the bull diluted sperm is 30 mg/100 ml.
Questões ambientais e políticas de saúde pública no Brasil
Authors: Rodrigues Manoel Gonçalves , Costa Fernando José Pereira da
Published: January 2018

Os processos industriais que marcaram a evolução do capitalismo desde meados do século XVIII, definiram modelos de índole energético-ambiental e configuraram padrões energotécnicos que tiveram seus impactos sobre as populações a nível das migrações, êxodo rural e nível de vida. Desse modo, a Primeira Revolução Industrial (PRI), ocorrida na Inglaterra nos séculos XVIII e XIX, suas implicações e desdobramentos de ordem institucional e econômica, promoveram um grande deslocamento das populações dos campos para as cidades. Desmontaram-se relações, formas de organização produtiva, econômica e social, despejando-se enorme quantidade de camponeses despossuídos nas cidades. Nestas, o aparelho produtivo-industrial mostrava-se incipiente para promover a absorção desses imensos contingentes migratórios. Os grandes conglomerados industriais afetos à Segunda Revolução Industrial (SRI) também utilizaram mão-de-obra migrada dos campos, mas a realidade que desponta com a Terceira Revolução Industrial (TRI) abre espaço para a agroenergia, alcoolquímica e uma nova agro-indústria enquanto motores de modernização, absorção de mão-de-obra e atenuantes do êxodo rural.
The early diagnosis and treatments in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Huh So Young
Published: January 2018

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system that leads to neurological disability. The diagnosis of MS relies on the MRI criteria, which can demonstrate dissemination in space and time. Exclusion of other demyelinating mimics is essential because there are no specific biomarker for MS and MRI criteria are still have imperfect. There is incremental improvements in MS treatment option that have contributed to the delay of disease progression. The early initiation of DMT may ameliorate the neurological disability. In this review, we discusses the new diagnostic MS criteria and summarize the evidences supporting the early treatment in the course of MS.
A Case of needle-tract implantation of hepatocellular carcinoma in the ovary after radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Yoon Seong Woon , Jeong Jin-Sook , Kim Su Young , Lee Sung Wook , Park Seun Ja
Published: January 2018

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a local ablative modality, is gaining acceptance for the treatment of liver malignancies. Despite a relatively low complication rate, tumor seeding resulting from RFA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment can occur. A 44-year-old woman was diagnosed with HCC. Spiral computed tomography (CT) revealed a 2.3 × 2.0-cm mass in the S5 segment, which was treated with RFA on May, 2005. Follow-up imaging, performed at 6-month intervals after RFA, showed complete tumor necrosis. In October 2009, CT revealed a heterogeneous mass, 5.7 cm in diameter, in the right ovary. Since the lesion was limited to the right ovary without evidence of spread, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. Histopathology indicated that the metastatic spread from the HCC to the ovary was positive for hepatocyte-specific antigen on immunohistochemistry. The ovary is a rare site for HCC metastasis. Moreover, needle tract implantation of HCC in the ovary is very rare.
Total factor productivity and its components for sheep and goat farms in 37 Southern European regions (2004-2012)
Authors: Hidalgo González Cristina , Rodríguez Fernández Mª Pilar
Published: January 2018

The decline of Southern Europe’s traditional sheep- and goat-farming systems creates a need for studies on the economic determinants that underlie their production processes. Using data from the FADN, we built a panel of 37 regions from 5 countries over an 8-year period (2004–2012). A Cobb-Douglas was specified and a stochastic frontier production was estimated. Total Factor Productivity (TFP) and its components were calculated. The farms have had sustained, positive development of TFP since 2008, with a significant correlation with the labour factor of production. We detected moderate technical progress change, which was accompanied by decreasing efficiency.
Factors influencing peach farmer income in the province of Tungurahua, Ecuador
Authors: Viera William , Viera Alex , Martínez Aníbal , Jácome Rosendo , Ayala Germán , Sotomayor Andrea , Galarza David , Ron Lenín
Published: January 2018

Tungurahua province has conditions suitable for growing deciduous fruit trees such as peach (Prunus persica L). This research aimed to identify the main factors influencing the production of this fruit crop and their effect on farmers income. Surveys were carried out directly to peach farmers in seven counties of Tungurahua such as Ambato, Cevallos, Mocha, Patate, Pelileo, Píllaro and Tisaleo. The results indicated that the most relevant factors were: farmer age, sown area, fruit selection, reason for fruit growing, type of production and production issues.
LIPG signaling promotes tumor initiation and metastasis of human basal-like triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Lo Pang-Kuo , Yao Yuan , Lee Ji Shin , Zhang Yongshu , Huang Weiliang , Kane Maureen A , Zhou Qun
Published: January 2018

Current understanding of aggressive human basal-like triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains incomplete. In this study, we show endothelial lipase (LIPG) is aberrantly overexpressed in basal-like TNBCs. We demonstrate that LIPG is required for in vivo tumorigenicity and metastasis of TNBC cells. LIPG possesses a lipase-dependent function that supports cancer cell proliferation and a lipase-independent function that promotes invasiveness, stemness and basal/epithelial-mesenchymal transition features of TNBC. Mechanistically, LIPG executes its oncogenic function through its involvement in interferon-related DTX3L-ISG15 signaling, which regulates protein function and stability by ISGylation. We show that DTX3L, an E3-ubiquitin ligase, is required for maintaining LIPG protein levels in TNBC cells by inhibiting proteasome-mediated LIPG degradation. Inactivation of LIPG impairs DTX3L-ISG15 signaling, indicating the existence of DTX3L-LIPG-ISG15 signaling. We further reveal LIPG-ISG15 signaling is lipase-independent. We demonstrate that DTX3L-LIPG-ISG15 signaling is essential for malignancies of TNBC cells. Targeting this pathway provides a novel strategy for basal-like TNBC therapy.
A disassembly-driven mechanism explains F-actin-mediated chromosome transport in starfish oocytes
Authors: Bun Philippe , Dmitrieff Serge , Belmonte Julio M , Nédélec François J , Lénárt Péter
Published: January 2018

While contraction of sarcomeric actomyosin assemblies is well understood, this is not the case for disordered networks of actin filaments (F-actin) driving diverse essential processes in animal cells. For example, at the onset of meiosis in starfish oocytes a contractile F-actin network forms in the nuclear region transporting embedded chromosomes to the assembling microtubule spindle. Here, we addressed the mechanism driving contraction of this 3D disordered F-actin network by comparing quantitative observations to computational models. We analyzed 3D chromosome trajectories and imaged filament dynamics to monitor network behavior under various physical and chemical perturbations. We found no evidence of myosin activity driving network contractility. Instead, our observations are well explained by models based on a disassembly-driven contractile mechanism. We reconstitute this disassembly-based contractile system in silico revealing a simple architecture that robustly drives chromosome transport to prevent aneuploidy in the large oocyte, a prerequisite for normal embryonic development.
Ultralow Velocity Zone Locations: A Global Assessment
Authors: Yu Shule , Garnero Edward J.
Published: January 2018

We have compiled all previous ultralow velocity zone (ULVZ) studies, and digitized their core‐mantle boundary (CMB) sampling locations. For studies that presented sampling locations based on infinite frequency ray theory, we approximated Fresnel zones onto a 0.5° × 0.5° grid. Results for these studies were separated according to wave type: (1) core‐reflected phases, which have a single location of ULVZ sampling (ScS, ScP, PcP), (2) core waves that can sample ULVZs at the core entrance and exit locations of the wave (e.g., SPdKS, PKKP, and PKP), and (3) waves which have uncertainties of ULVZ location due to long CMB sampling paths, e.g., diffracted energy sampling over a broad region (Pdiff, Sdiff). For studies that presented specific modeled ULVZ geographical shapes or PKP scatter probability maps, we digitized the regions. We present summary maps of the ULVZ coverage, as well as published locations arguing against ULVZ presence. A key finding is that there is not a simple mapping between lowermost mantle reduced tomographic velocities and observed ULVZ locations, especially given the presence of ULVZs outside of lowermost mantle large low velocity provinces (LLVPs). Significant location uncertainty exists for some of the ULVZ imaging wave types. Nonetheless, this compilation supports a compositionally distinct origin for at least some ULVZs. ULVZs are more likely to be found near LLVP boundaries, however, their relationship to overlying surface locations of hot spots are less obvious. The new digital ULVZ database is freely available for download.
Computational Chemistry‐Guided Design of Selective Chemoresponsive Liquid Crystals Using Pyridine and Pyrimidine Functional Groups
Authors: Yu Huaizhe , Szilvási Tibor , Rai Prabin , Twieg Robert J. , Mavrikakis Manos , Abbott Nicholas L.
Published: January 2018

Computational chemistry‐guided designs of chemoresponsive liquid crystals (LCs) with pyridine or pyrimidine groups that bind to metal‐cation‐functionalized surfaces to provide improved selective responses to targeted vapor species (dimethylmethylphosphonate (DMMP)) over nontargeted species (water) are reported. The LC designs against experiments are tested by synthesizing 4‐(4‐pentyl‐phenyl)‐pyridine and 5‐(4‐pentyl‐phenyl)‐pyrimidine and quantifying LC responses to DMMP and water. Consistent with the computations, pyridine‐containing LCs bind to metal‐cation‐functionalized surfaces too strongly to permit a response to either DMMP or water whereas pyrimidine‐containing LCs undergo a surface‐driven orientational transition in response to DMMP without interference from water. The computation predictions are not strongly dependent on assumptions regarding the degree of coordination of the metal ions but are limited in their ability to predict LC responses when using cations with mostly empty d orbitals. Overall, this work identifies a promising new class of chemoresponsive LCs based on pyrimidine that exhibits enhanced tolerance to water, a result that is important because water is a ubiquitous and particularly challenging chemical interferent in chemical sensing strategies based on LCs. The work also provides further evidence of the transformative utility of computational chemistry methods to design LC materials that exhibit selective orientational responses in specific chemical environments.
Biodegradable Electronic Systems in 3D, Heterogeneously Integrated Formats
Authors: Chang Jan‐Kai , Chang Hui‐Ping , Guo Qinglei , Koo Jahyun , Wu Chih‐I , Rogers John A.
Published: January 2018

Biodegradable electronic systems represent an emerging class of technology with unique application possibilities, from temporary biomedical implants to “green” consumer gadgets. This paper introduces materials and processing methods for 3D, heterogeneously integrated devices of this type, with various functional examples in sophisticated forms of silicon‐based electronics. Specifically, techniques for performing multilayer assembly by transfer printing and for fabricating layer‐to‐layer vias and interconnects by lithographic procedures serve as routes to biodegradable, 3D integrated circuits composed of functional building blocks formed using specialized approaches or sourced from commercial semiconductor foundries. Demonstration examples range from logic gates and analog circuits that undergo functional transformation by transience to systems that integrate multilayer resistive sensors for in situ, continuous electrical monitoring of the processes of transience. The results significantly expand the scope of engineering options for biodegradable electronics and other types of transient microsystem technologies.
VO2/TiN Plasmonic Thermochromic Smart Coatings for Room‐Temperature Applications
Authors: Hao Qi , Li Wan , Xu Huiyan , Wang Jiawei , Yin Yin , Wang Huaiyu , Ma Libo , Ma Fei , Jiang Xuchuan , Schmidt Oliver G. , Chu Paul K.
Published: January 2018

Vanadium dioxide/titanium nitride (VO2/TiN) smart coatings are prepared by hybridizing thermochromic VO2 with plasmonic TiN nanoparticles. The VO2/TiN coatings can control infrared (IR) radiation dynamically in accordance with the ambient temperature and illumination intensity. It blocks IR light under strong illumination at 28 °C but is IR transparent under weak irradiation conditions or at a low temperature of 20 °C. The VO2/TiN coatings exhibit a good integral visible transmittance of up to 51% and excellent IR switching efficiency of 48% at 2000 nm. These unique advantages make VO2/TiN promising as smart energy‐saving windows.
Efficient, Hysteresis‐Free, and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells with ZnO as Electron‐Transport Layer: Effect of Surface Passivation
Authors: Cao Jing , Wu Binghui , Chen Ruihao , Wu Youyunqi , Hui Yong , Mao Bing‐Wei , Zheng Nanfeng
Published: January 2018

The power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has ascended from 3.8% to 22.1% in recent years. ZnO has been well‐documented as an excellent electron‐transport material. However, the poor chemical compatibility between ZnO and organo‐metal halide perovskite makes it highly challenging to obtain highly efficient and stable PSCs using ZnO as the electron‐transport layer. It is demonstrated in this work that the surface passivation of ZnO by a thin layer of MgO and protonated ethanolamine (EA) readily makes ZnO as a very promising electron‐transporting material for creating hysteresis‐free, efficient, and stable PSCs. Systematic studies in this work reveal several important roles of the modification: (i) MgO inhibits the interfacial charge recombination, and thus enhances cell performance and stability; (ii) the protonated EA promotes the effective electron transport from perovskite to ZnO, further fully eliminating PSCs hysteresis; (iii) the modification makes ZnO compatible with perovskite, nicely resolving the instability of ZnO/perovskite interface. With all these findings, PSCs with the best efficiency up to 21.1% and no hysteresis are successfully fabricated. PSCs stable in air for more than 300 h are achieved when graphene is used to further encapsulate the cells.
Realizing zT of 2.3 in Ge1−x−ySbxInyTe via Reducing the Phase‐Transition Temperature and Introducing Resonant Energy Doping
Authors: Hong Min , Chen Zhi‐Gang , Yang Lei , Zou Yi‐Chao , Dargusch Matthew S. , Wang Hao , Zou Jin
Published: January 2018

GeTe with rhombohedral‐to‐cubic phase transition is a promising lead‐free thermoelectric candidate. Herein, theoretical studies reveal that cubic GeTe has superior thermoelectric behavior, which is linked to (1) the two valence bands to enhance the electronic transport coefficients and (2) stronger enharmonic phonon–phonon interactions to ensure a lower intrinsic thermal conductivity. Experimentally, based on Ge1−xSbxTe with optimized carrier concentration, a record‐high figure‐of‐merit of 2.3 is achieved via further doping with In, which induces the distortion of the density of states near the Fermi level. Moreover, Sb and In codoping reduces the phase‐transition temperature to extend the better thermoelectric behavior of cubic GeTe to low temperature. Additionally, electronic microscopy characterization demonstrates grain boundaries, a high‐density of stacking faults, and nanoscale precipitates, which together with the inevitable point defects result in a dramatically decreased thermal conductivity. The fundamental investigation and experimental demonstration provide an important direction for the development of high‐performance Pb‐free thermoelectric materials.
A Hierarchical Z‑Scheme α‐Fe2O3/g‐C3N4 Hybrid for Enhanced Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Authors: Jiang Zhifeng , Wan Weiming , Li Huaming , Yuan Shouqi , Zhao Huijun , Wong Po Keung
Published: January 2018

The challenge in the artificial photosynthesis of fossil resources from CO2 by utilizing solar energy is to achieve stable photocatalysts with effective CO2 adsorption capacity and high charge‐separation efficiency. A hierarchical direct Z‐scheme system consisting of urchin‐like hematite and carbon nitride provides an enhanced photocatalytic activity of reduction of CO2 to CO, yielding a CO evolution rate of 27.2 µmol g−1 h−1 without cocatalyst and sacrifice reagent, which is >2.2 times higher than that produced by g‐C3N4 alone (10.3 µmol g−1 h−1). The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the Z‐scheme hybrid material can be ascribed to its unique characteristics to accelerate the reduction process, including: (i) 3D hierarchical structure of urchin‐like hematite and preferable basic sites which promotes the CO2 adsorption, and (ii) the unique Z‐scheme feature efficiently promotes the separation of the electron–hole pairs and enhances the reducibility of electrons in the conduction band of the g‐C3N4. The origin of such an obvious advantage of the hierarchical Z‐scheme is not only explained based on the experimental data but also investigated by modeling CO2 adsorption and CO adsorption on the three different atomic‐scale surfaces via density functional theory calculation. The study creates new opportunities for hierarchical hematite and other metal‐oxide‐based Z‐scheme system for solar fuel generation.
High‐Performance Volatile Organic Compounds Microsensor Based on Few‐Layer MoS2‐Coated Photonic Crystal Cavity
Authors: Zhao Chenyang , Gan Xuetao , Yuan Qingchen , Hu Siqi , Fang Liang , Zhao Jianlin
Published: January 2018

Detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is extremely important for industrial and human safety. Here, a high‐performance optical microsensor is demonstrated for VOCs detection using a photonic crystal (PC) cavity integrated with a few‐layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) flake. Because of the strong interactions between the cavity's evanescent field and the coated VOCs‐sensitive MoS2 layer, the resonant wavelength of the PC cavity exhibits distinct responses toward VOCs. The MoS2‐PC cavity microsensor presents good capability to identify different vapor concentrations and has a good repeatability. In particular, the compact structure, thin MoS2 flake and possible presence of chemisorption with oxygen‐containing VOCs species promise a fast response time of 300 ms. The sensor's high selectivity for specific VOCs is validated as well. Comparing to the electrically driven VOCs‐sensors based on 2D layered materials, the proposed sensor has advantages of compact size, easy fabrication, mass production, and simply optical access.
Microscale Lithium Metal Stored inside Cellular Graphene Scaffold toward Advanced Metallic Lithium Anodes
Authors: Deng Wei , Zhou Xufeng , Fang Qile , Liu Zhaoping
Published: January 2018

The volume expansion and dendrite growth of metallic Li anode during charge/discharge processes hinder its practical application in energy storage. Seeking an appropriate host for distributing bulk Li in a 3D manner is an effective way to solve these problems. Here, a novel porous graphene scaffold with cellular chambers for incorporating Li metal is presented. Using such a unique host, ultrathin Li layers of 3 µm in thickness are anchored on graphene to form porous microstructures, which provides much more reaction sites for Li ions compared with that of bulk Li, significantly promoting the reversibility of Li stripping and plating. Also the high current density can be effectively dissipated by the graphene scaffold to remarkably improve the rate capability of Li anode. The symmetrical Li cell using such a Li anode can run stably for 200 cycles at 5 mA cm−2 and even 70 cycles at 10 mA cm−2 in an unmodified carbonate‐based electrolyte, which has rarely been achieved in such aggressive working conditions. Lithium‐ion capacitor cells using this anode also show outstanding rate capability and cycling stability, which can work at an ultrahigh current density of 30 A g−1 and keep steady for over 4000 cycles at 3.75 A g−1.
An integrated framework for the role of oxytocin in multistage social decision‐making
Authors: Piva Matthew , Chang Steve W.C.
Published: January 2018

Interest in the effects of oxytocin on social behavior has persisted even as an overarching theory describing these effects has remained largely elusive. Some of the earliest studies on the effects of oxytocin on social decision‐making indicated that oxytocin might enhance prosocial actions directed toward others. This led to development of the prosocial hypothesis, which stipulates that oxytocin specifically enhances prosocial choices. However, further work indicated that oxytocin administration could elicit antisocial behaviors as well in certain social situations, highlighting the importance of context‐dependent effects. At least two prominent hypotheses have been used to explain these seemingly contradictory findings. The social salience hypothesis indicates that the effects of oxytocin can be conceptualized as a general increase in the salience of social stimuli in the environment. Distinctly, the approach/withdrawal hypothesis stipulates that oxytocin enhances approach behaviors and decreases withdrawal behaviors. These phenomenologically motivated hypotheses regarding the effects of oxytocin on social behavior have created controversies in the field. In this review, we present a multistage framework of social decision‐making designed to unify these disparate theories in a process common to all social decisions. We conceptualize this process as involving multiple distinct computational steps, including sensory input, sensory perception, valuation, decision formulation, and behavioral output. Iteratively, these steps generate social behaviors, and oxytocin could be acting on any of these steps to exert its effects. In support of this framework, we examine both behavioral and neural evidence across rodents, non‐human primates, and humans, determining at what point in our multistage framework oxytocin could be eliciting its socially relevant effects. Finally, we postulate based on our framework that the prosocial, social salience, and approach/withdrawal hypotheses may not be mutually exclusive and could explain the influence of oxytocin on social behavior to different extents depending on context.
Current Applications of Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling Reaction in The Total Synthesis of Natural Products: An update
Authors: Taheri Kal Koshvandi Afsaneh , Heravi Majid M. , Momeni Tayebeh
Published: January 2018

Suzuki‐Miyaura Coupling Reaction (SMCR) has been extensively used in the total synthesis of natural products. We underscored these achievements in a report published in Tetrahedron up to 2012. Since then, there has been tremendous growth in this field and numerous articles have been published after 2012. In this review, we tried to go insight and highlight the current developments in the applications of SMCR as a key and strategic step (steps) in the total synthesis of biologically active natural products accomplished and reported from 2012 till date.
Palladium nanoparticles immobilized on cyclodextrin‐decorated halloysite nanotubes: Efficient heterogeneous catalyst for promoting copper‐ and ligand‐free Sonogashira reaction in water–ethanol mixture
Authors: Sadjadi Samahe
Published: January 2018

Combining the excellent features of halloysite nanoclay and cyclodextrin, a novel hybrid system was designed and synthesized based on covalent attachment of tosylated cyclodextrin to thiosemicarbazide‐functionalized halloysite nanoclay and used for the immobilization of Pd nanoparticles. The resulting hybrid, Pd@HNTs‐T‐CD, was then characterized using various techniques, and successfully used for promoting copper‐ and ligand‐free Sonogashira coupling reactions of halobenzenes and acetylenes in a mixture of water and ethanol. Notably, under Pd@HNTs‐T‐CD catalysis, the reaction could proceed in relatively short reaction time to furnish the corresponding products in high yields. Additionally, the catalyst was recyclable and could be simply recovered and reused for several reaction runs. Results also established negligible leaching of Pd, indicating the efficiency of HNTs‐T‐CD for embedding Pd nanoparticles.
Synthesis and properties of m‐ferrocenylbenzoylthiadiazole derivatives
Authors: Li Biao , Zhu Xinju , Guo Yuan , Ren Ya‐Ping , Jia Zhao‐Dong , Wei Jing‐Na , Fu Dong‐Xia , Xu Yan , Hao Xin‐Qi
Published: January 2018

A series of m‐ferrocenylbenzoylthiadiazole compounds, namely FcL1–FcL7, were synthesized using 3‐ferrocenylbenzoic acid and 2‐amino‐5‐aryl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole as raw materials. These compounds were characterized using infrared and NMR spectroscopies and elemental analysis. The crystal structure of FcL7 was determined using X‐ray diffraction. The electrochemical behaviors of FcL1–FcL7 revealed that the redox reactions on the surface of electrodes were reversible with a single‐electron mechanism. Also, FcL1–FcL7 demonstrated certain redox responses to Pb2+ and Zn2+. Moreover, FcL5–FcL7 exhibited good inhibition against human esophageal cancer cells in anticancer activity tests.
Virtual simulation of a late antique shipwreck at Marzamemi, Sicily: Integrated processes for 3D documentation, analysis and representation of underwater archaeological data
Authors: Repola Leopoldo , Scotto di Carlo Nicola , Signoretti Daniela , Leidwanger Justin
Published: January 2018

Three‐dimensional (3D) models derived from digital survey techniques have increasingly become a mainstay of archaeological research and cultural heritage management. The high accuracy of such modelling makes it an attractive solution for a wide range of challenges from site recording and interpretation to object analysis and reconstruction. The present paper focuses on a new 3D digitization method using stereoscopic video for the documentation, analysis, and representation of archaeological contexts as part of shipwreck investigations off southeast Sicily at Marzamemi. This sixth‐century ce vessel sank in shallow water (7–8 m) while carrying a massive cargo of largely prefabricated architectural elements intended for the construction and decoration of a church somewhere in the late antique west. This dynamic site presents significant challenges to the interpretation of depositional and post‐depositional events as well the reconstruction of the original cargo and individual architectural elements. Therefore, 3D documentation underwater at Marzamemi has centred on new methods for stereoscopic scanning of the site, topography, and large architectural finds, allowing not only more rapid and precise mapping but insights into site formation processes and the organizational mechanisms behind the cargo assemblage. The adoption of this new system based on a precise workflow and simple, inexpensive hardware combined with readily available software allows more accurate and rapid digital recording underwater to a high standard across scales, from the site level down to the individual artefact. This process, named ISU3D (Integrated System for Underwater 3D Digitization), offers innovative solutions not only for archaeological field research but for heritage management and public outreach.
Small area estimation of proportions with different levels of auxiliary data
Authors: Chandra Hukum , Kumar Sushil , Aditya Kaustav
Published: January 2018

Binary data are often of interest in many small areas of applications. The use of standard small area estimation methods based on linear mixed models becomes problematic for such data. An empirical plug‐in predictor (EPP) under a unit‐level generalized linear mixed model with logit link function is often used for the estimation of a small area proportion. However, this EPP requires the availability of unit‐level population information for auxiliary data that may not be always accessible. As a consequence, in many practical situations, this EPP approach cannot be applied. Based on the level of auxiliary information available, different small area predictors for estimation of proportions are proposed. Analytic and bootstrap approaches to estimating the mean squared error of the proposed small area predictors are also developed. Monte Carlo simulations based on both simulated and real data show that the proposed small area predictors work well for generating the small area estimates of proportions and represent a practical alternative to the above approach. The developed predictor is applied to generate estimates of the proportions of indebted farm households at district‐level using debt investment survey data from India.
Evaluating the effects of rater and subject factors on measures of association
Authors: Nelson Kerrie P. , Mitani Aya A. , Edwards Don
Published: January 2018

Large‐scale agreement studies are becoming increasingly common in medical settings to gain better insight into discrepancies often observed between experts' classifications. Ordered categorical scales are routinely used to classify subjects' disease and health conditions. Summary measures such as Cohen's weighted kappa are popular approaches for reporting levels of association for pairs of raters' ordinal classifications. However, in large‐scale studies with many raters, assessing levels of association can be challenging due to dependencies between many raters each grading the same sample of subjects' results and the ordinal nature of the ratings. Further complexities arise when the focus of a study is to examine the impact of rater and subject characteristics on levels of association. In this paper, we describe a flexible approach based upon the class of generalized linear mixed models to assess the influence of rater and subject factors on association between many raters' ordinal classifications. We propose novel model‐based measures for large‐scale studies to provide simple summaries of association similar to Cohen's weighted kappa while avoiding prevalence and marginal distribution issues that Cohen's weighted kappa is susceptible to. The proposed summary measures can be used to compare association between subgroups of subjects or raters. We demonstrate the use of hypothesis tests to formally determine if rater and subject factors have a significant influence on association, and describe approaches for evaluating the goodness‐of‐fit of the proposed model. The performance of the proposed approach is explored through extensive simulation studies and is applied to a recent large‐scale cancer breast cancer screening study.
Ultrasensitive detection of Shiga toxin 2 and its variants in Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli strains by a time‐resolved fluorescence immunoassay
Authors: Wen Tian , Huang Chao , Zhang Yi , Zeng Xiaoyan , Liu Wendong , Jiao Zhenbang , Guo Xiling , Jiao Yongjun
Published: January 2018

A rapid and sensitive two‐step time‐resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) was developed for the detection of Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) and its variants in Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains. In sandwich mode, a monoclonal antibody against Stx2 was coated on a microtiter plate as a capture antibody. A tracer antibody against Stx2 labeled with europium(III) (Eu3+) chelate was then used as a detector, followed by fluorescence measurements using time‐resolved fluorescence. The sensitivity of Stx2 detection was 0.038 ng/ml (dynamic range, 0.1–1000 ng/ml). The intra‐ and inter‐assay coefficients of variation of the assay were 3.2% and 3.6%, respectively. The performance of the established assay was evaluated using culture supernatants of STEC strains, and the results were compared to those of a common HRP (horseradish peroxidase) labeling immunosorbent assay. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of genes encoding Stx1 and Stx2 was used as the reference for comparison. Correlation between the Stx2‐specific TRFIA and PCR was calculated by the use of kappa statics, exhibiting a perfect level of agreement. The availability of the sensitive and reliable Stx2‐specific TRFIA method for quantifying Stx2 and its variants in STEC strains will complement bacteria isolation‐based platform and aid in the accurate and prompt diagnosis of STEC infections.
Estimation of Methane Yields in Continuous Biogas Reactors Using Kinetic and Mass Flow Models
Authors: Ward Alastair James , Feng Lu , Moset Veronica , Moller Henrik Bjarne
Published: January 2018

The measurement of methane potential during anaerobic digestion has generally been accomplished through batch assays. Yet, the majority of industrial plants employ a semi‐continuous feeding regime and the estimation of continuous process yield from batch data is not straightforward due to differences in kinetic rates. A simple method is examined whereby batch assays were set up with very high inoculum‐to‐substrate ratios (I:S) and the results applied to a model of mass flow through a continuous process. The results demonstrate that high I:S batch assays estimated the continuous process yield to within 2.5 % of the measured value.
Effect of metformin on glycaemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Meng Haiyang , Zhang Ailing , Liang Yan , Hao Jie , Zhang Xiaojian , Lu Jingli
Published: January 2018

Background

For type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients, adding metformin to insulin therapies is thought to improve blood glucose levels, but current evidence does not support this clinical benefit. Additional data from large clinical trials are now available; therefore, we conducted a meta‐analysis of studies on assessing the efficacy and adverse effects of metformin.

Methods

We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for data from randomized controlled trials. We performed statistical analyses by using Review Manager 5.2.

Results

Thirteen randomized controlled trials that compared metformin versus placebo met our inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The final meta‐analysis included a total of 1183 participants with T1D. Metformin was associated with reductions in BMI (−1.14, 95% CI −2.05 to −0.24, P = .01), insulin requirements (−0.47, 95% CI −0.70 to −0.23, P = .0001), total cholesterol (−0.23, 95% CI −0.34 to −0.12, P < .0001), and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (−0.20, 95% CI −0.29 to −0.11, P < .0001) in T1D patients. No clear evidence indicated that metformin improved HbA1c, triglyceride, or high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. A safety analysis showed that metformin slightly increased the risk of severe hypoglycaemia (1.23, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.52, P = .05) and mainly gastrointestinal adverse events (2.67, 95% CI 2.06 to 3.45, P < .00001). No evidence showed that metformin increased diabetic ketoacidosis events.

Conclusions

Compared with placebo, metformin was not associated with glycaemic control in T1D patients. Although it exhibited other benefits, such as lower BMI and reduced insulin requirements, total cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, negative outcomes, such as gastrointestinal adverse effects and severe hypoglycaemia, should also be considered in the use of metformin for T1D patients.
Age‐dependent, negative heterozygosity–fitness correlations and local effects in an endangered Caribbean reptile, Iguana delicatissima
Authors: Judson Jessica L. Martin , Knapp Charles R. , Welch Mark E.
Published: January 2018

Inbreeding depression can have alarming impacts on threatened species with small population sizes. Assessing inbreeding has therefore become an important focus of conservation research. In this study, heterozygosity–fitness correlations (HFCs) were measured by genotyping 7 loci in 83 adult and 184 hatchling Lesser Antillean Iguanas, Iguana delicatissima, at a communal nesting site in Dominica to assess the role of inbreeding depression on hatchling fitness and recruitment to the adult population in this endangered species. We found insignificant correlations between multilocus heterozygosity and multiple fitness proxies in hatchlings and adults. Further, multilocus heterozygosity did not differ significantly between hatchlings and adults, which suggests that the survivorship of homozygous hatchlings does not differ markedly from that of their heterozygous counterparts. However, genotypes at two individual loci were correlated with hatching date, a finding consistent with the linkage between specific marker loci and segregating deleterious recessive alleles. These results provide only modest evidence that inbreeding depression influences the population dynamics of I. delicatissima on Dominica.
The vaccine adjuvant alum promotes IL‐10 production that suppresses Th1 responses
Authors: Oleszycka Ewa , McCluskey Sean , Sharp Fiona A. , Muñoz‐Wolf Natalia , Hams Emily , Gorman Aoife L. , Fallon Padraic G. , Lavelle Ed C.
Published: January 2018

The effectiveness of many vaccines licensed for clinical use relates to the induction of neutralising antibodies, facilitated by the inclusion of vaccine adjuvants, particularly alum. However, the ability of alum to preferentially promote humoral rather than cellular, particularly Th1‐type responses, is not well understood. We demonstrate that alum activates immunosuppressive mechanisms following vaccination, which limit its capacity to induce Th1 responses. One of the key cytokines limiting excessive immune responses is IL‐10. Injection of alum primed draining lymph node cells for enhanced IL‐10 secretion ex vivo. Moreover, at the site of injection, macrophages and dendritic cells were key sources of IL‐10 expression. Alum strongly enhanced the transcription and secretion of IL‐10 by macrophages and dendritic cells. The absence of IL‐10 signalling did not compromise alum‐induced cell infiltration into the site of injection, but resulted in enhanced antigen‐specific Th1 responses after vaccination. In contrast to its decisive regulatory role in regulating Th1 responses, there was no significant change in antigen‐specific IgG1 antibody production following vaccination with alum in IL‐10‐deficient mice. Overall, these findings indicate that injection of alum promotes IL‐10, which can block Th1 responses and may explain the poor efficacy of alum as an adjuvant for inducing protective Th1 immunity.
Single‐Molecule Magnet and Magnetothermal Properties of Two‐Dimensional Polymers Containing Heterometallic [Cu5Ln2] (Ln = GdIII and DyIII) Motifs
Authors: Dey Atanu , Das Sourav , Palacios María A. , Colacio Enrique , Chandrasekhar Vadapalli
Published: January 2018

The reaction of a compartmental ligand N,N′‐bis(3‐methoxysalicylidene)‐1,3‐diamino‐2‐propanol (LH3) with CuII and LnIII salts under solvothermal conditions afforded two‐dimensional coordination polymers, [{Cu5Gd2(L)2(µ3‐OH)4(NO3)4(µ‐OH2)2}(NO3)2]∞ (1) and [{Cu5Dy2(L)2(µ3‐OH)4(NO3)4(MeOH)2}(NO3)2]∞ (2). A detailed study of the magnetic properties of the two coordination polymers reveals that the [Cu5Dy2] analogue shows single‐molecule magnet (SMM) behavior with an energy barrier of about 12 K with τ0 = 10–6 s under zero‐dc field, while the [Cu5Gd2] analogue shows magnetocaloric effect with a –ΔSm value of 17.55 J kg–1 K–1 at T = 2 K (ΔB = 5 T). Interestingly, the magnetic and SMM properties of the previously reported molecular and one‐dimensional analogues containing the [Cu5Ln2] motif are preserved even in the two‐dimensional coordination networks.
Enantiospecific Brook Rearrangement of Tertiary Benzylic α‐Hydroxysilanes
Authors: Collados Juan F. , Ortiz Pablo , Pérez Juana M. , Xia Yiyin , Koenis Mark A. J. , Buma Wybren J. , Nicu Valentin P. , Harutyunyan Syuzanna R.
Published: January 2018

The Brook rearrangement of simple, chiral tertiary benzylic α‐hydroxysilanes is presented. The rearrangement followed by proton trapping is enantiospecific and proceeds with inversion of the configuration at the carbon center. Importantly, the [1,2]‐Brook rearrangement can be followed by trapping of methyl or allyl electrophiles even in the protic environment, although with minimal retention of chirality.
Diastereoselective and Enantioselective Palladium‐Catalyzed Allylic Substitution of Substituted Fluorinated Methylene Derivatives
Authors: Song Tao , Zhao Xiaoming , Hu Jiao , Dan Wenyan
Published: January 2018

The diastereoselective and enantioselective allylation of substituted monofluorinated methylene derivatives with diaryl‐substituted allylic acetates was accomplished under Pd catalysis. This method gave fluorinated allyl products with two stereogenic centers in one pot. The dr values of these reactions were strongly governed by steric demand of the diaryl‐substituted allylic acetates and the substituted fluorinated methylene derivatives. The application of the branched allyl products in the synthesis of fluorinated 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrrole 1‐oxide was also explored.
Differential gene expression in trigeminal ganglia of male and female rats following chronic constriction of the infraorbital nerve
Authors: Korczeniewska O.A. , Husain S. , Khan J. , Eliav E. , Soteropoulos P. , Benoliel R.
Published: January 2018

Background

The mechanisms underlying sex‐based differences in pain and analgesia are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated gene expression changes in trigeminal ganglia (TG) of male and female rats exposed to infraorbital nerve chronic constriction injury (IoN‐CCI).

Methods

Somatosensory assessments were performed prior to IoN‐CCI and at selected time points postsurgery. Selected gene expression changes were examined with real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in ipsilateral TG at 21 days postsurgery.

Results

Rats exposed to IoN‐CCI developed significant mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia on days 19 and 21 postsurgery. During this period, females developed significantly more allodynia but not hyperalgesia compared to males. At 21 days postsurgery, expression levels of 44 of the 84 investigated pain‐related genes in ipsilateral TG were significantly regulated relative to naïve rats in either sex. Csf1 and Cx3cr1 were up‐regulated in both sexes, but the magnitude of regulation was significantly higher in females (p = 0.02 and p = 0.001, respectively). Htr1a and Scn9a were down‐regulated in both sexes, but the down‐regulation was significantly more pronounced in males (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). Additionally, Cck, Il1a, Pla2g1b and Tnf genes were significantly regulated in females but not in males, and Chrna4 gene was significantly down‐regulated in males but not in females.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest sex‐dependent gene regulation in response to nerve injury, which may contribute to sex dimorphism of trigeminal neuropathic pain. Further studies are needed to establish gene expression changes over time and correlate these with hormonal and other physiological parameters in male and female.

Significance

We present novel sex‐specific transcriptional regulation in trigeminal ganglia that may contribute to male‐/female‐based differences in trigeminal neuropathic pain. These findings are expected to open new research horizons, particularly in male versus female targeted therapeutic regimens.
Meta-analysis of fish early life stage tests—Association of toxic ratios and acute-to-chronic ratios with modes of action
Authors: Scholz Stefan , Schreiber Rene , Armitage James , Mayer Philipp , Escher Beate I. , Lidzba Annegret , Léonard Marc , Altenburger Rolf
Published: January 2018

Fish early life stage (ELS) tests (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development test guideline 210) are widely conducted to estimate chronic fish toxicity. In these tests, fish are exposed from the embryonic to the juvenile life stages. To analyze whether certain modes of action are related to high toxic ratios (i.e., ratios between baseline toxicity and experimental effect) and/or acute-to-chronic ratios (ACRs) in the fish ELS test, effect concentrations (ECs) for 183 compounds were extracted from the US Environmental Protection Agency's ecotoxicity database. Analysis of ECs of narcotic compounds indicated that baseline toxicity could be observed in the fish ELS test at similar concentrations as in the acute fish toxicity test. All nonnarcotic modes of action were associated with higher toxic ratios, with median values ranging from 4 to 9.3 × 104 (uncoupling < reactivity < neuromuscular toxicity < methemoglobin formation < endocrine disruption < extracellular matrix formation inhibition). Four modes of action were also found to be associated with high ACRs: 1) lysyl oxidase inhibition leading to notochord distortion, 2) putative methemoglobin formation or hemolytic anemia, 3) endocrine disruption, and 4) compounds with neuromuscular toxicity. For the prediction of ECs in the fish ELS test with alternative test systems, endpoints targeted to the modes of action of compounds with enhanced toxic ratios or ACRs could be used to trigger fish ELS tests or even replace these tests. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:955–969. © 2018 SETAC

Abstract

Modes of action in the fish early life stage test that lead to median toxic ratios and acute-to-chronic ratios (ACRs) ≥10. The ACR was calculated using acute toxicity in juvenile/adult fish (AFT) or zebrafish embryos (ZFET) as reference values.