bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chiral analysis of ammuxetine enantiomers in dog plasma using online SPE/liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection after precolumn chiral derivatization
Authors: Yu Jimei , Li Xin , Zhou Jiezhao , Xie Xiangyang , Chen Meiling , He Xinhua , Yang Yang , Zhang Youzhi , Zheng Aiping , Mei Xingguo , Li Ying
Published: April 2017

Ammuxetine (AMT), a novel chiral antidepressant candidate compound, exhibits better antidepression effects than duloxetine in different animal models. In this article, a chiral derivatization method, combined with online solid phase extraction (online SPE) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), was developed for the chiral separation of AMT enantiomers after administration of racemic AMT to dogs. The derivatization reaction employed 2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐acetyl‐b‐glucopyr‐anosyl isothiocyanate (GITC) as a precolumn chiral derivatization reagent. A SPE column Retain PEP Javelin (10 × 2.1 mm) was used to remove proteins and other impurities in plasma samples. The enantiomeric derivatives were separated on a ZORBAX SB‐C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm × 3.5 μm) with an isocratic elution procedure. The selected multiple reaction monitoring mode of the positive ion was performed and the parent to the product transitions m/z 681.0/543.1 and m/z 687.4/543.1 were used to measure the derivatives of AMT and duloxetine (internal standard) with electrospray ionization. The method was validated in terms of specificity, linearity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, matrix effect, and stability. The method was applied to a pharmacokinetics study of AMT racemate in dogs. The results suggested that the pharmacokinetic of AMT enantiomers might be stereoselective in dogs.
An effective fault diagnosis approach based on optimal weighted least squares support vector machine
Authors: He Shiming , Liu Xinggao , Wang Yalin , Xu Shenghu , Lu Jiangang , Yang Chunhua , Zhou Shengwu , Sun Youxian , Gui Weihua , Qin Weizhong
Published: April 2017

Fault diagnosis is always a vital technology in the chemical industry and is influenced by a large number of process variables in the practical manufacturing process. Thus, an effective diagnosis method is crucial in practical chemical processes. A novel fault diagnosis method is proposed based on the weighted least squares support vector machine (WLSVM) to deal with the small sample and non‐linear partition data. It provides the strong potential in predicting faults, especially by further employing a suitable particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to determine the most important parameters of the punishment factor and the Gaussian RBF kernel, which has the advantages of high accuracy and low false alarm rate. PSO‐WLSSVM is further accomplished with the data from the classic benchmark test set Tennessee Eastman (TE) process. Also, the models SVM, PSO‐SVM, and PSO‐LSSVM are employed on the TE process to compare the performance of PSO‐WLSSVM. The results show the validity of the proposed approach on the TE process.
Gestaltung digitaler Lernumgebungen mit PowerPoint und PREZI
Authors: Banerji Amitabh
Published: April 2017

Zur Stärkung der Medienkompetenz angehender Chemielehrkräfte wurde am Institut für Chemie und ihre Didaktik der Universität zu Köln ein Seminarkonzept erprobt, das die Gestaltung digitaler Lernumgebung mittels PowerPoint und PREZI durch die Studierenden selbst fokussierte. In diesem Praxisbericht werden die zentralen Erfahrungen und Ergebnisse aus diesem Seminar zusammengetragen.
Structure–Activity Relationship Studies, SPR Affinity Characterization, and Conformational Analysis of Peptides That Mimic the HNK‐1 Carbohydrate Epitope
Authors: Ieronymaki Matthaia , Nuti Francesca , Brancaccio Diego , Rossi Giada , Real‐Fernández Feliciana , Cao Yihong , Monasson Olivier , Larregola Maud , Peroni Elisa , Uziel Jacques , Sabatino Giuseppina , Novellino Ettore , Carotenuto Alfonso , Papini Anna Maria , Rovero Paolo
Published: April 2017

The design of molecules that mimic biologically relevant glycans is a significant goal for understanding important biological processes and may lead to new therapeutic and diagnostic agents. In this study we focused our attention on the trisaccharide human natural killer cell‐1 (HNK‐1), considered the antigenic determinant of myelin‐associated glycoprotein and the target of clinically relevant auto‐antibodies in autoimmune neurological disorders such as IgM monoclonal gammopathy and demyelinating polyneuropathy. We describe a structure–activity relationship study based on surface plasmon resonance binding affinities aimed at the optimization of a peptide that mimics the HNK‐1 minimal epitope. We developed a cyclic heptapeptide that shows an affinity of 1.09×10−7 m for a commercial anti‐HNK1 mouse monoclonal antibody. Detailed conformational analysis gave possible explanations for the good affinity displayed by this novel analogue, which was subsequently used as an immunological probe. However, preliminary screening indicates that patients′ sera do not specifically recognize this peptide, showing that murine monoclonal antibodies cannot be used as a guide to select immunological probes for the detection of clinically relevant human auto‐antibodies.
Depression, anxiety, and compulsive sexual behaviour among men in residential treatment for substance use disorders: The role of experiential avoidance
Authors: Brem Meagan J. , Shorey Ryan C. , Anderson Scott , Stuart Gregory L.
Published: April 2017

Nearly one‐third of individuals in treatment for substance use disorders endorse at‐risk levels of compulsive sexual behaviours (CSBs). Untreated sexual compulsivity may facilitate relapse for treatment‐seeking men. Previous research and theory suggest that CSBs are maintained by efforts to escape or alter negative affect (e.g., depression and anxiety). However, this hypothesis has not been examined within a sample of men in treatment for substance use disorders. In an effort to better understand CSBs within a population of men with substance use disorders, the present study is the first to examine experiential avoidance as one potential mechanism underlying the relation between men's symptoms of depression and anxiety and their use of CSBs. The present study reviewed medical records of 150 men in residential treatment for substance use disorders. Structural equation modelling was used to examine pathways from men's depression and anxiety symptoms to CSBs directly and indirectly through experiential avoidance while controlling for alcohol/drug problems and use. Results revealed significant indirect effects of both depression and anxiety symptoms on CSB through experiential avoidance. These results support and extend existing research on CSB in a treatment population. Findings suggest that intervention efforts for CSB may benefit by targeting men's avoidance of painful internal events.

Key Practitioner Message

Compulsive sexual behaviour is related to symptoms of depression and anxiety amongst men in residential treatment for substance use disorders.

Experiential avoidance is positively related to compulsive sexual behaviour amongst men with substance use disorders.

For men in treatment for substance use disorders, the relation between symptoms of depression and anxiety and compulsive sexual behaviour is explained, in part, by experiential avoidance.

Helping men with substance use disorders develop more adaptive methods of processing aversive experiences, as opposed to escaping them, may reduce their use of compulsive sexual behaviours when faced with aversive affect.
Output‐voltage feedback control topology for inverters dedicated to renewable energy systems
Authors: Arab Mustapha , Zegaoui Abdallah , Petit Pierre , Djahbar Abdelkader , Aillerie Michel
Published: April 2017

We present a new control topology for inverters, mainly dedicated to renewable energy applications. The originality is due to the integration in the inverter of an adaptive regulation of its output voltage controlled by a closed feedback loop allowing compensating the voltage drops induced by load variations. The feedback control is based on an adaptive pulse wave modulation (APWM) technique, that controls the power switches of the inverter to obtain the purest possible sine‐wave voltage. The APWM technique straightforwardly compares the inverter output voltage with a reference signal at the grid frequency. In this contribution, this technique is applied to a single‐phase push‐pull inverter but could have been integrated for the control of all kinds of inverter topologies in renewable energy systems. We have shown that the APWM technique allows generating pure sine‐wave voltage, with low total harmonic distortion compared with the generally obtained by classical systems and that load variations do not affect the quality of the output. An experimental prototype of a single‐phase inverter with an adaptive regulation based on APWM technique was developed. The experimental characterizations of the prototype confirm the simulations. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Search me if you can: Multiple mix zones with location privacy protection for mapping services
Authors: Memon Imran , Arain Qasim Ali , Memon Muhammad Hammad , Mangi Farman Ali , Akhtar Rizwan
Published: April 2017

The mobile vehicle is gaining popularity nowadays using map services like Google Maps and other mapping services. However, map services users have to expose sensitive information like geographic locations (GPS coordinates) or address to personal privacy concerns as users share their locations and queries to obtain desired services. Existing mix zones location privacy protection methods are most general purposed and theoretical value while not applicable when applied to provide location privacy for map service users. In this paper, we present new (multiple mix zones location privacy protection) MMLPP method specially designed for map services on mobile vehicles over the road network. This method enables mobile vehicle users to query a route between 2 endpoints on the map, without revealing any confidential location and queries information. The basic idea is to strategically endpoints to nearby ones, such that (1) the semantic meanings encoded in these endpoints (eg, their GPS coordinates) change much, ie, location privacy is protected; (2) the routes returned by map services little change, ie, services usability are maintained. Specifically, a mobile client first privately retrieves point of interest close to the original endpoints, and then selects 2 points of interest as the shifted endpoints satisfying the property of geoindistinguishability. We evaluate our MMLPP approach road network application for GTMobiSim on different scales of map services and conduct experiments with real traces. Results show that MMLPP strikes a good balance between location privacy and service usability.
Know the facts and fixes for student stimulant‐drug misuse and abuse
Authors: Bedrossian Louise
Published: April 2017

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common disabilities accommodated on campuses and the instances are on the rise for several reasons, including new DSM‐5 guidelines allowing better diagnosis for adults.
See Spot in the clinic: Service animals in clinical rotations
Authors: Laird‐Metke Elisa
Published: April 2017

Although it is now well accepted that students with disabilities have a right to bring service animals to campus, what about service animals accompanying health science students in clinical rotations?
Characterization of new bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp)‐2 regulatory alleles
Authors: Shah Tapan A. , Zhu Youhua , Shaikh Nadia N. , Harris Marie A. , Harris Stephen E. , Rogers Melissa B.
Published: April 2017

Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2, HGNC:1069, GeneID: 650) is a classical morphogen; a molecule that acts at a distance and whose concentration influences cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Key events requiring precise Bmp2 regulation include heart specification and morphogenesis and neural development. In mesenchymal cells, the concentration of BMP2 influences myogenesis, adipogenesis, chondrogenesis, and osteogenesis. Because the amount, timing, and location of BMP2 synthesis influence pattern formation and organogenesis, the mechanisms that regulate Bmp2 are crucial. A sequence within the 3'UTR of the Bmp2 mRNA termed the “ultra‐conserved sequence” (UCS) has been largely unchanged since fishes and mammals diverged. Cre‐lox mediated deletion of the UCS in a reporter transgene revealed that the UCS may repress Bmp2 in proepicardium, epicardium, and epicardium‐derived cells (EPDC) and in tissues with known epicardial contributions (coronary vessels and valves). The UCS also repressed the transgene in the aorta, outlet septum, posterior cardiac plexus, cardiac and extra‐cardiac nerves, and neural ganglia. We used homologous recombination and conditional deletion to generate three new alleles in which the Bmp2 3'UTR was altered as follows: a UCS flanked by loxP sites with or without a neomycin resistance targeting vector, or a deleted UCS. Deletion of the UCS was associated with elevated Bmp2 mRNA and BMP signaling levels, reduced fitness, and embryonic malformations.
Responses of plant phenology, growth, defense, and reproduction to interactive effects of warming and insect herbivory
Authors: Lemoine Nathan P. , Doublet Dejeanne , Salminen Juha‐Pekka , Burkepile Deron E. , Parker John D.
Published: April 2017

Climate warming can modify plant reproductive fitness through direct and indirect pathways. Direct effects include temperature‐driven impacts on growth, reproduction, and secondary metabolites. Indirect effects may manifest through altered species interactions, including herbivory, although studies comparing the interactive effects of warming and herbivory are few. We used experimental warming combined with herbivore exclusion cages to assess the interactive effects of climate warming and herbivory by Popillia japonica, the Japanese beetle, on flowering phenology, growth, defense, and lifetime reproduction of a biennial herb, Oenothera biennis. Regardless of temperature, herbivory delayed flowering phenology and, surprisingly, led to decreased levels of foliar defenses. At ambient temperatures, plants were able to compensate for herbivory by producing smaller seeds and increasing total seed production, leading to similar investment in seed biomass for plants exposed to and protected from herbivores. At elevated temperatures, plants had elevated total seed production, but herbivory had negligible impacts on flower and fruit production, and total lifetime seed biomass was highest in plants exposed to herbivores in warmed conditions. We speculate that warming induced a stress response in O. biennis resulting from low soil moisture, which in turn led to an increase in seed number at the expense of maternal investment in each seed. Plant‐insect interactions might therefore shift appreciably under future climates, and ecologists must consider both temperature and herbivory when attempting to assess the ramifications of climate warming on plant populations.
Parasite responses to large mammal loss in an African savanna
Authors: Weinstein Sara , Titcomb Georgia , Agwanda Bernard , Riginos Corinna , Young Hillary
Published: April 2017

Biodiversity loss can alter disease transmission; however, the magnitude and direction of these effects vary widely across ecosystems, scales, and pathogens. Here we experimentally examine the effects of one of the most globally pervasive patterns of biodiversity decline, the selective loss of large wildlife, on infection probability, intensity and population size of a group of common rodent‐borne parasites – macroparasitic helminths. Consistent with previous work on vector‐borne pathogens, we found that large wildlife removal causes strong and systematic increases of rodent‐borne parasites, largely due to increases in rodent density, as rodents are released from competition with larger herbivores. Although we predicted that increased host density would also increase per capita infection among all directly transmitted parasites, this additional amplification occurred for only two of three examined parasites. Furthermore, the actual effects of large mammal loss on per capita infection were mediated by the complex suite of abiotic and biotic factors that regulate parasite transmission. Thus, while these results strongly suggest that large wildlife loss will cause systematic increases in rodent parasite populations, they also underscore the difficulty of making more specific predictions for a given parasite based on simple attributes such as transmission mode or life history strategy. Instead, detailed information on the ecology of each parasite species would be necessary to make more accurate predictions of how biodiversity loss will affect infection.
The potential indirect effects among plants via shared hummingbird pollinators are structured by phenotypic similarity
Authors: Bergamo Pedro Joaquim , Wolowski Marina , Maruyama Pietro Kiyoshi , Vizentin‐Bugoni Jeferson , Carvalheiro Luísa G. , Sazima Marlies
Published: April 2017

Plant species within communities may overlap in pollinators’ use and influence visitation patterns of shared pollinators, potentially engaging in indirect interactions (e.g., facilitation or competition). While several studies have explored the mechanisms regulating insect‐pollination networks, there is a lack of studies on bird‐pollination systems, particularly in species‐rich tropical areas. Here, we evaluated if phenotypic similarity, resource availability (floral abundance), evolutionary relatedness and flowering phenology affect the potential for indirect effects via shared pollinators in hummingbird‐pollinated plant species within four communities in the Brazilian Atlantic forest. Among the evaluated factors, phenotypic similarity (corolla length and anther height) was the most important variable, while resource availability (floral abundance) had a secondary importance. On the other hand, evolutionary relatedness and flowering phenology were less important, which altogether highlights the relevance of convergent evolution and that the contribution of a plant to the diet of the pollinators of another plant is independent of the level of temporal overlap in flowering in this tropical system. Interestingly, our findings contrast with results from multiple insect‐pollinated plant communities, mostly from temperate regions, in which floral abundance was the most important driver, followed by evolutionary relatedness and phenotypic similarity. We propose that these contrasting results are due to high level of specialization inherent to tropical hummingbird‐pollination systems. Moreover, our results demonstrated that factors defining linkage rules of plant‐hummingbird networks also determinate plant‐plant potential indirect effects. Future studies are needed to test if these findings can be generalized to other highly specialized systems. Overall, our results have important implications for the understanding of ecological processes due resource sharing in mutualistic systems.
Deep or air frying? A comparative study with different vegetable oils
Authors: Santos Carla S. P. , Cunha Sara C. , Casal Susana
Published: April 2017

A comparative study of deep‐frying and air‐frying was performed, using two commercial air‐frying equipment's and four common frying oils − sunflower, soybean, canola, and olive oils. Fried potatoes were compared in terms of color, moisture, lipid composition and degradation indicators, tocopherols, total ascorbic acid, β‐carotene, antioxidant activity, acrylamide, and sensory analysis. The results show that fried potatoes obtained by air‐frying processes presented an average of 70% less fat, which leads to a reduction of 45 kcal per 100 g. Most chemical parameters were similar on both frying processes, including acrylamide content, or showed slightly better results with air‐frying process, namely ascorbic acid amounts. However, incorporated fat was more damaged in deep‐fried potatoes, with a significant increase on both p‐anisidine and polar compounds. Despite the less significant differences observed in the two air‐frying equipment's tested, lipid oxidation allowed their distinction, particularly p‐anisidine that was higher in Airfryer than Actifry, independently of the oil type. All tested oils behaved similarly, and were mainly responsible for potatoes enrichment in tocopherols, phenolics, and β‐carotene, but lower lipid oxidation was observed with olive oil. From the assessor's perspective, taste and odor qualities were more determinant for acceptability of fried potatoes than color.

Practical applications: Air‐frying has emerged in recent years as a healthier alternative to deep‐frying. The direct comparison of deep‐frying and air‐frying technologies with different vegetables oils shows that air‐frying process presents health benefits for consumers, with less fat ingestion and less fat oxidation, particularly when using olive oil, but also economic and ecological advantages due to reduced amount of oil used and no effluent after frying.

A direct comparison of potatoes frying in two air‐frying systems using different vegetable oils showed health benefits to the consumers when compared with deep‐frying, both by the reduced amount of incorporated fat and lower fat degradation degree.
Avocado oil characteristics of Mexican creole genotypes
Authors: Espinosa‐Alonso L. Gabriela , Paredes‐López Octavio , Valdez‐Morales Maribel , Oomah B. Dave
Published: April 2017

Mexico is a major avocado producer and exporter, mainly the Hass variety, while the Mexican creole genotypes remain unexplored. We investigated the physicochemical characteristics, phenolics, and bioactivity of oils from six different Mexican avocado genotypes to increase their consumption and utilization. Oil content varied significantly among Mexican genotypes and increased linearly with dry matter content. Oils from Mexican creole genotypes varied significantly in UV absorbance and generally exhibited low secondary oxidation. Avocado oil displayed two intense fluorescence peaks at 675 and 720 nm (chlorophyll concentration) and two broad bands centered at 465 and 510 nm (oxidation products). The antioxidant activity of avocado oils was independent of total phenolic content and influenced the anti‐inflammatory (COX) activity and selectivity. Three thermal structural transitions occurred in avocado oils between −30 and 20°C. Thermal oxidation by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that avocado oils from Mexican genotypes exhibited higher thermal stability than those of Hass. Multivariate data analysis performed on 18 oil characteristics using principal component and cluster analysis demonstrates that fluorescence emission was the major factor segregating Mexican avocado genotypes. Mexican creole avocado is an important beneficial resource for the diversity of its oil quality compared to Hass variety.

Practical applications: Mexican creole avocado oil exhibited superior distinctive physicochemical characteristics than Hass avocado variety. The fluorescence emission can be considered as the predictive attribute to characterize and identify the oil quality and distinguish creole avocado genotypes. Avocado oil from creole genotypes could be an important option to add value to these crop resources, ignored by their delicate post‐harvest management. Cold press avocado oil from creole genotypes provides a distinctive regional origin denomination of gourmet oil, enabling to break its confines by post‐harvest management, simultaneously conserving the huge genetic diversity of this valuable crop.

Mexican creole avocado oils exhibit superior physicochemical characteristics than Hass. Fluorescence emission effectively segregates avocado oil quality by genotypes.
Sequential Nucleophilic Substitution of the α‐Pyrrole and p‐Aryl Positions of meso‐Pentafluorophenyl‐Substituted BODIPYs
Authors: Gutsche Claudia S. , Hohlfeld Benjamin F. , Flanagan Keith J. , Senge Mathias O. , Kulak Nora , Wiehe Arno
Published: April 2017

Boron–dipyrrins (BODIPYs) have found widespread application in bioimaging and materials science. These applications require the tuning of the chemical and photophysical properties of the fluorophore through the introduction of functional groups at the BODIPY core. In this context, an approach to difunctionalized BODIPYs was explored. Oxidative nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen (ONSH) in the 3‐(α‐)position of the BODIPYs was combined with nucleophilic substitution (SNAr) at the aryl unit of pentafluorophenyl‐substituted BODIPYs and their dipyrrane precursors. In an alternative approach, α‐alkoxy‐substituted BODIPYs were prepared starting from the corresponding dipyrrin. In this case, the α‐methoxy group of the BODIPY was susceptible to a hitherto unreported methoxy/amino exchange. The compounds were investigated with respect to their optical spectroscopic properties, revealing the influence of the different substitution patterns on their absorption and emission spectra.
Dialkylated Dihydroazulene and Vinylheptafulvene Derivatives – Synthesis and Switching Properties
Authors: Lubrin Nickie C. M. , Vlasceanu Alexandru , Frandsen Benjamin N. , Skov Anders B. , Kilde Martin Drøhse , Mikkelsen Kurt V. , Nielsen Mogens Brøndsted
Published: April 2017

Functionalization of molecular photoswitches at specific positions offers a way of tuning their switching properties. The work presented here describes the development of a new protocol towards the synthesis and functionalization of the dihydroazulene/vinylheptafulvene (DHA/VHF) photo‐/thermoswitch. The key step is a facile condensation reaction using a functionalized tropone derivative, and the new synthetic method was employed in the regioselective preparation of a novel dimethyl‐substituted DHA photoswitch. This compound presents the first accessible derivative with alkyl groups on the seven‐membered ring of the system ― at positions C5 and C7. From experimental and theoretical kinetics studies on the thermal VHF‐to‐DHA electrocyclic reaction, the influence of the electron‐donating methyl groups was elucidated. In addition, we subjected a small selection of 4,8a‐dialkylated compounds to a computational study to elucidate how steric interactions can alter the relative DHA–VHF stabilities. The synthetic methodology offers access to novel DHA scaffolds and substitution patterns, which in turn can lead to systems that can help to address broader questions concerning the potential applicability of the DHA/VHF system in the context of solar‐thermal energy‐storage systems or other photochromic applications.
Shake table testing on restoring capability of double concave friction pendulum seismic isolation systems
Authors: Ponzo Felice Carlo , Di Cesare Antonio , Leccese Gianmarco , Nigro Domenico
Published: April 2017

After an earthquake, non‐negligible residual displacements may affect the serviceability of a base isolated structure, if the isolation system does not possess a good restoring capability. The permanent offset does not affect the performance unless the design is problematic for utilities, also considering possible concerns related to the maintenance of the devices.

Starting from experimental and analytical results of previous studies, the restoring capability of Double Concave Friction Pendulum bearings is investigated in this paper. A simplified design suggestion for the estimation of maximum expected residual displacements for currently used friction pendulum systems is then validated. The study is based on controlled‐displacement and seismic input experiments, both performed under unidirectional motion. Several shaking table tests have been carried out on a three‐dimensional isolated specimen structure. The same sequence of seismic inputs was applied considering three different conditions of sliding surfaces corresponding to low, medium and high friction. The accumulation of residual displacements is also investigated by means of nonlinear dynamic analysis. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the DSM‐5 Severity Indicator for Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Machado Paulo P.P. , Grilo Carlos M. , Crosby Ross D.
Published: April 2017

Objective

This study tested the new DSM‐5 severity criterion for anorexia nervosa (AN) based on proposed body mass index (BMI) cut‐points.

Method

Participants were a clinical sample of 201 treatment‐seeking patients diagnosed with DSM‐5 AN in Portugal. Participants were categorised based on DSM‐5 severity levels and were compared on demographic and clinical variables assessed with the Eating Disorder Examination‐Questionnaire.

Results

Based on DSM‐5 severity definitions for AN, 73 (36.3%) participants were categorised as mild (≥17.0 BMI), 40 (19.9%) as moderate (16–16.99 BMI), 30 (14.9%) as severe (15–15.99 BMI) and 58 (28.9%) as extreme (<15 BMI). The severity groups did not differ significantly in age or gender. Analyses comparing the severity groups on measures of eating‐disorder psychopathology revealed no significant differences on the Eating Disorder Examination‐Questionnaire global or subscale scores. The groups also did not differ significantly on the frequency of binge eating or purging episodes within the past 28 days.

Conclusions

Our findings, in this clinical sample of patients with AN in Portugal, provide no evidence for the new DSM‐5 severity ratings based on BMI level. Further research on the validity of the DSM‐5 specifiers is needed and should test additional clinical or functional variables and especially prognostic utility for course and outcome across eating disorders. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Anorexia Nervosa, Theory and Treatment: Where Are We 35 Years on from Hilde Bruch's Foundation Lecture?
Authors: Treasure Janet , Cardi Valentina
Published: April 2017

Hilde Bruch's foundation lecture in 1982 is a milestone from which to survey current theory and treatment for anorexia nervosa. Bruch described problems in body perception, emotion processing and interpersonal relationships as core theoretical aspects of the illness and built her theory of psychopathology on these aspects, as well as on animal studies on attachment. She also noted that many psychological problems result as consequence of starvation. In the first part of this paper, we parse Bruch's clinical descriptions into elements of psychopathology (disturbances in body perception, attachment, emotion expression, perception and regulation, social comparison, interpersonal, and family and therapeutic relationships), in order to assemble and update the theoretical evidence for a model of the illness. In the second part, we describe and extend her description of three core targets of treatment: family relationships, patient's inner confusion and nutritional restoration. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
An SDN orchestrator for cloud data center: System design and experimental evaluation
Authors: Adami D. , Martini B. , Sgambelluri A. , Donatini L. , Gharbaoui M. , Castoldi P. , Giordano S.
Published: April 2017

The high volatility of Virtual Machine (VM) deployments, the unpredictable traffic patterns, and the oversubscription of Data Center (DC) network links give rise to new challenges in data delivery operations in cloud DCs. These challenges can be addressed through a flexible and agile control of DC networks, which is also coordinated, i.e., orchestrated, with the management of computing resources to improve the usage of DC resources while effectively meeting user demands. In this regard, the Software‐Defined Network (SDN) paradigm can play a key role thanks to automated and multi‐granular network control operations and to a more effective interworking with applications (e.g., cloud management platforms). This paper presents an SDN‐based orchestrator able to coordinate the provision of both cloud and network services while jointly arranging VMs and delivery path allocations based on the current load. This approach assures a proper network resource utilization as well as the convey of VM data across the DC network with better than best‐effort quality. A prototype is presented with focus on the software design and on the orchestration strategies exploiting measurement‐based load estimation mechanisms. The orchestrator has been thoroughly evaluated through a comprehensive set of experiments carried out using a cloud DC testbed. Results show the effectiveness of the proposed SDN‐based orchestration approach and the impact of the orchestration strategies on the DC resource utilization.
Assessing a cognitive music training for older participants: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Biasutti Michele , Mangiacotti Anthony
Published: April 2017

Objectives

In a randomised controlled trial, we investigated whether a cognitive training based on rhythm–music and music improvisation exercises had positive effects on executive functions in older participants.

Methods

Thirty‐five residents in a guest home with mild–moderate cognitive impairment and healthy ageing were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 18) featuring cognitive music training composed of 12 bi‐weekly 70‐min sessions, and a control group (n = 17) attended 12 bi‐weekly 45‐min sessions of gymnastic activities offered by the institute. A neuropsychological test battery was administered at baseline and at the end of treatment, including the Mini‐Mental State Examination, verbal fluency test, Trail Making Test A, attentional matrices test and clock‐drawing test.

Results

Pre‐test and post‐test comparison showed a significant improvement for the experimental group reflected in the Mini‐Mental State Examination (F(1,33) = 13.906;p < 0.001; pη2 = 0.296), verbal fluency test (VFL) (F(1,33) = 6.816;p < 0.013; pη2 = 0.171), and clock‐drawing test (F(1,29) = 16.744;p < 0.001; pη2 = 0.366), while the control group did not show any significant improvements. In addition, there was a tendency towards significance for the Trail Making Test A (F(1,20) = 3.268;p < 0.086; pη2 = 0.140). Regarding the attentional matrices test, no significant differences were found for the experimental group (F(1,29) = 2.833;p < 0.103; pη2 = 0.089), while the control group had a significant performance reduction (F(1,29) = 3.947;p < 0.050; pη2 = 0.120).

Conclusion

The use of a cognitive protocol based on music‐rhythmic exercises and music improvisation exercises is associated with improved cognitive functions in older people with mild–moderate cognitive impairment regardless of the individual's degree of cognitive reserve. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The VEGF gene polymorphism impacts brain volume and arterial blood volume
Authors: Takeuchi Hikaru , Tomita Hiroaki , Taki Yasuyuki , Kikuchi Yoshie , Ono Chiaki , Yu Zhiqian , Sekiguchi Atsushi , Nouchi Rui , Kotozaki Yuka , Nakagawa Seishu , Miyauchi Carlos Makoto , Iizuka Kunio , Yokoyama Ryoichi , Shinada Takamitsu , Yamamoto Yuki , Hanawa Sugiko , Araki Tsuyoshi , Kunitoki Keiko , Sassa Yuko , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: April 2017

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in the angiogenesis and proliferation of various types of cells such as neurons, astroglia, and endothelial cells in the brain. A common polymorphism in the VEGF gene (−2578 C/A) is associated with circulating VEGF levels, cancers and Alzheimer's disease. Nonetheless, the effects of this polymorphism on normal human brain volume, arterial blood volume, and blood supply remain unclear. In this study, the effects of this polymorphism on the total gray matter volume (TGMV) and total white matter volume (TWMV) using T1‐weighted structural images and the total arterial blood volume (TABV) and mean cerebral blood flow (mCBF) during rest using arterial spin labeling (ASL) in 765 young adult humans were investigated. Voxel‐by‐voxel whole‐brain analyses of these measures were also performed. Multiple regression analyses with age and sex as covariates revealed that the VEGF genotype (number of C alleles) was significantly and positively correlated with TGMV, TWMV, and TABV as well as with regional gray and white matter volumes in widespread areas and regional arterial blood volume in some areas with high arterial blood volume. However, these regional associations were not seen when the corresponding global signal was included as a covariate in the multiple regression analyses, indicating that we failed to obtain evidence of region‐specific associations between these brain measures and the genotype. The results suggest that the VEGF‐2578C allele, is associated with changes in the vascular system that lead to increased blood volume and larger brain volume. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3516–3526, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Is tocilizumab a potential therapeutic option for refractory unicentric Castleman disease?
Authors: Abid Muhammad Bilal , Peck Rachel , Abid Muhammad Abbas , Al‐Sakkaf Wesam , Zhang Yuening , Dunnill Giles S. , Staines Konrad , Sequeiros Iara‐Maria , Lowry Lisa
Published: April 2017

Castleman disease is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder with 2 distinctly defined clinical forms. While multicentric Castleman disease (UCD) poses a potential therapeutic challenge, unicentric variant has historically been considered curable with surgical resection. Hence, little is known to guide management of patients with UCD, refractory to surgical resection and combination chemotherapy. We present a case of a patient, negative for HIV and HHV‐8, who had an unsuccessful surgical intervention and no response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. He had severe paraneoplastic pemphigus and was treated with tocilizumab, an anti‐interleukin‐6 receptor monoclonal antibody that has demonstrated good response rates in multicentric Castleman disease but demonstrated no clinical response despite 2 months of treatment. Our report is the first to describe a lack of response to tocilizumab in the rare setting of refractory UCD and discuss potential for distinct disease biology.
Estimation of vertical water fluxes from temperature time series by the inverse numerical computer program FLUX‐BOT
Authors: Munz Matthias , Schmidt Christian
Published: April 2017

The application of heat as a hydrological tracer has become a standard method for quantifying water fluxes between groundwater and surface water. The typical application is to estimate vertical water fluxes in the shallow subsurface beneath streams or lakes. For this purpose, time series of temperatures in the surface water and in the sediment are measured and evaluated by a vertical 1D representation of heat transport by advection and conduction. Several analytical solutions exist to calculate the vertical water flux from the measured temperatures. Although analytical solutions can be easily implemented, they are restricted to specific boundary conditions such as a sinusoidal upper temperature boundary. Numerical solutions offer higher flexibility in the selection of the boundary conditions. This, in turn, reduces the effort of data preprocessing, such as the extraction of the diurnal temperature variation from the raw data. Here, we present software to estimate water fluxes based on temperatures—FLUX‐BOT. FLUX‐BOT is a numerical code written in MATLAB that calculates vertical water fluxes in saturated sediments based on the inversion of measured temperature time series observed at multiple depths. FLUX‐BOT applies a centred Crank–Nicolson implicit finite difference scheme to solve the one‐dimensional heat advection–conduction equation. FLUX‐BOT includes functions for the inverse numerical routines, functions for visualizing the results, and a function for performing uncertainty analysis. We present applications of FLUX‐BOT to synthetic and to real temperature data to demonstrate its performance.
Assessment of spatial transferability of process‐based hydrological model parameters in two neighbouring catchments in the Himalayan Region
Authors: Nepal Santosh , Flügel Wolfgang‐Albert , Krause Peter , Fink Manfred , Fischer Christian
Published: April 2017

Estimating the hydrological regime of ungauged catchments in the Himalayan region is challenging due to a lack of sufficient monitoring stations. In this paper, the spatial transferability of the model parameters of the process‐oriented J2000 hydrological model was investigated in 2 glaciated subcatchments of the Koshi river basin in eastern Nepal. The catchments have a high degree of similarity with respect to their static landscape features. The model was first calibrated (1986–1991) and validated (1992–1997) in the Dudh Koshi subcatchment. The calibrated and validated model parameters were then transferred to the nearby Tamor catchment (2001–2009). Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were carried out for both subcatchments to discover the sensitivity range of the parameters in the two catchments. The model represented the overall hydrograph well in both subcatchments, including baseflow, rising and falling limbs; however, the peak flows were underestimated. The efficiency results according to both Nash–Sutcliffe (ENS) and the coefficient of determination (r2) were above 0.84 in both catchments (1986–1997 in Dudh Koshi and 2001–2009 in Tamor). The ranking of the parameters in respect to their sensitivity matched well for both catchments while taking ENS and log Nash–Sutcliffe (LNS) efficiencies into account. However, there were some differences in sensitivity to ENS and LNS for moderately and less‐sensitive parameters, although the majority (13 out of 16 for ENS and 16 out of 16 for LNS) had a sensitivity response in a similar range. The generalized uncertainty likelihood estimation results suggest that the parameter uncertainty are most of the time within the range and the ensemble mean matches very good (ENS: 0.84) with observed discharge. The results indicate that transfer of the J2000 parameters to a neighbouring catchment in the Himalayan region with similar physiographic landscape characteristics is viable. This indicates the possibility of applying a calibrated process‐based J2000 model to other ungauged catchments in the Himalayan region, which could provide important insights into the hydrological system dynamics and provide much needed information to support water resources planning and management.
Temporal stability of soil moisture in an oasis of northwestern China
Authors: Zhang Shuaipu , Shao Mingan
Published: April 2017

Temporal stability of soil moisture has been widely used in hydrological monitoring since it emerged. However, the spatial analysis of temporal stability at the landscape scale is often limited because of insufficient sampling numbers. This work made an effort to investigate the spatial variations of temporal stability of soil moisture in an oasis landscape. The specific objectives of the study were to explore the spatial patterns of temporal stability and to determine the controlling factors of temporal stability in the desert oasis. A time series of soil moisture measurements were gathered on 23 occasions at 118 locations over 3 years in a rectangular transect of approximately 100 km2. The nonparametric Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, standard deviation of relative difference (SDRD), and mean absolute bias error (MABE) were used to quantify the temporal stability of soil moisture. Results showed that the temporal stability of soil moisture was depth dependent and season dependent. The spatial pattern of soil moisture in a deep soil layer and between two same seasons generally had a high temporal stability. SDRD and MABE were spatially autocorrelated and exhibited strong spatial structures in the geographic space. The concept of temporal stability can be extended to describe the time‐stable areas of soil moisture with geostatistics. There were great differences between SDRD and MABE in describing the temporal stability of soil moisture and in identifying the controlling factors of temporal stability. In this case, MABE was a better alternative to estimate the areal mean soil moisture using representative locations than SDRD. Land use type, soil moisture condition, and soil particle composition were the dominant controls of temporal stability in the oasis. These insights could help to better understand the essence of temporal stability of soil moisture in arid regions.
Phospholipidomic Studies in Human Cornea From Climatic Droplet Keratopathy
Authors: Suarez Maria Fernanda , Piqueras Maria Carmen , Correa Leandro , Esposito Evangelina , Barros Maria Fernanda , Bhattacharya Sanjoy K. , Urrets‐Zavalia Julio A. , Serra Horacio M.
Published: April 2017

Climatic droplet keratopathy (CDK) is an acquired degenerative disease predominantly affecting males over 40 years old. It results in progressive corneal opacities usually affecting both eyes. CDK is multifactorial and its etiology remains unknown. Our recent findings are consistent with CDK pathology being driven by environmental factors with oxidative stress playing an important role (e.g.,, contributing to lipid peroxidation) rather than climate factors. The changes in corneal lipid composition affected by environmental factors remain understudied. The purpose of this study was to systematically investigate phospholipids profile (phosphatidylcholine [PC] and phosphatidylserine [PS]) in corneas from CDK patients using tandem mass spectrometry. Samples from CDK areas and from non‐affected areas were obtained from patients diagnosed with CDK who underwent cataract surgery, were subjected to lipid extraction using a modified Bligh and Dyer method; protein concentrations were determined using the Bradford's method. Lipids were identified and subjected to ratiometric quantification using TSQ Quantum Access Max triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, using appropriate class specific lipid standards. All phospholipid classes showed lower total amounts in affected areas compared to control areas from CDK's corneas. Comparative profiles of two phospholipid classes (PC, PS) between CDK areas and control areas showed several common species between them. We also found a few unique lipids that were absent in CDK areas compared to controls and vice versa. Lower amount of phospholipids in CDK areas compared to control areas could be attributed to the lipid peroxidation in the affected corneal regions as a consequence of increased oxidative stress. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3920–3931, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR) Overexpression Reduces Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in Obese Mice
Authors: Qiu Yanyan , Sui Xianxian , Cao Shengxuan , Li Xiaobo , Ning Yanxia , Wang Songmei , Yin Lianhua , Zhi Xiuling
Published: April 2017

Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), a mitochondrial cholesterol delivery protein, plays a beneficial role in hyperlipidemia, NAFLD, and endothelial inflammation. Elevated circulating fatty acids and low grade inflammation are known as key risk factors of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In the present study, C57BL/6J mice were fed with HFD and infected with recombinant adenovirus expressing StAR by tail‐vein injection. Intraperitoneal glucose/insulin tolerance test was performed to assess the insulin sensitivity. Morphological analysis and intramuscular lipid determination were used to illustrate the adipose hypertrophy and ectopic fat accumulation in skeletal muscle. The levels of inflammatory factor and nitric oxide were determined by ELISA and classic Griess reagent methods, respectively. The fatty acids composition was analysis using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). The expression of genes associated with inflammation and insulin resistance were determined by Western blotting and qPCR to elucidate the underlying mechanism. We demonstrated that StAR overexpression ameliorated insulin resistance and systemic inflammatory response with the reduction of adipose hypertrophy and intramuscular lipid in HFD‐fed mice. In addition, StAR overexpression increased serum unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) and PPARγ expression in muscle and adipose tissue of obese mice. In conclusion, StAR may activate PPARγ by increasing UFAs, which leads to a protective role in systemic inflammation and insulin resistance in obese mice. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3932–3942, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.