bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal and chemical stabilities of group-III sesquioxides in a flow of either N2 or H2
Authors: Togashi Rie , Kisanuki Yumi , Goto Ken , Murakami Hisashi , Kuramata Akito , Yamakoshi Shigenobu , Monemar Bo , Koukitu Akinori , Kumagai Yoshinao
Published: November 2016

The thermal and chemical stabilities of group-III sesquioxides (Al2O3, Ga2O3, and In2O3) were comparatively investigated at an atmospheric pressure at heat treatment temperatures ranging from 250 to 1450 °C in a flow of either N2 or H2. In a flow of N2, the thermal decomposition of α-Al2O3 was not observed at the temperatures investigated, while the decompositions of β-Ga2O3 and c-In2O3 occurred above 1150 and 1000 °C, respectively, with no generation of group-III metal droplets on the surfaces. In contrast, the chemical reactions of α-Al2O3, β-Ga2O3, and c-In2O3 began at low temperatures of 1150, 550, and 300 °C in a flow of H2. Thus, the presence of H2 in the gas flow significantly promotes the decomposition of group-III sesquioxides. The order of thermal and chemical stabilities (α-Al2O3 ≫ β-Ga2O3 > c-In2O3) obtained experimentally was verified by thermodynamic analysis, which also clarified dominant decomposition reactions of group-III sesquioxides.
 Yazılı Basında Yayımlanan Küresel Terör Haberleri Üzerine Sosyolojik Bir Çözümleme /  A Sociological Analysis on Global Terror News Published in Print Press
Authors: Yenen İbrahim
Published: November 2016

Öz

Bu makale, gazetelerde yayımlanan küresel terör haberlerini beş araştırma sorusuna göre değerlendirmektedir. Araştırmanın temel bulguları 05 Mayıs 2015- 05 Ağustos tarihleri arasında Hürriyet, Posta, Sözcü, Sabah, Habertürk ve Milliyet gazetelerinde yayımlanan din ile ilgili haberlerden elde edilmiştir. Çalışmanın veriler açısından sonuçlarına bakıldığında özellikle küresel anlamda meydana gelen terör faaliyetlerinin dinsel referanslara sahip olduğu anlaşılmaktadır. Bu dinsel referansların daha çok şiddet, saldırganlık ve terör bağlamında ortaya çıktığı anlaşılmaktadır. Şiddet ve terör bağlamında yayımlanan haberlerin daha çok dünyanın farklı bölgelerinde gerçekleştirilen terör saldırıları, bu saldırıların genişleyerek savaş alanlarına dönüşmesi, terör örgütlerine bireysel katılımlar ve terör örgütlerine karşı düzenlenen bölgesel veya genel operasyonları içerdiği tespit edilmiştir.

Abstract    

This article assesses the global terrorist news published in newspapers based on five research questions. The main findings of the survey were obtained from news related with religion published in Hürriyet, Posta, Sözcü, Sabah, Habertürk and Milliyet newspapers between May 5th, 2015 and August 5th. When we look at the results of the work in terms of the data, it is understood that the terrorist activities, especially in the global sense, have religious references. It is understood that these religious references have emerged mostly in the context of violence, aggression and terror. It was determined that the news published in violence and terrorism corresponded mostly to terrorist attacks carried out in different regions of the world, individual participation in terrorist organizations and regional or general operations against terrorist organizations.
Give the people what they want: studying end-user needs for enhancing the web
Authors: Lee Tak Yeon , Bederson Benjamin B.
Published: November 2016

End-user programming (EUP) is a common approach for helping ordinary people create small programs for their professional or daily tasks. Since end-users may not have programming skills or strong motivation for learning them, tools should provide what end-users want with minimal costs of learning –i.e., they must decrease the barriers to entry. However, it is often hard to address these needs, especially for fast-evolving domains such as the Web. To better understand these existing and ongoing challenges, we conducted two formative studies with Web users –a semi-structured interview study, and a Wizard-of-Oz study. The interview study identifies challenges that participants have with their daily experiences on the Web. The Wizard-of-Oz study investigates how participants would naturally explain three computational tasks to an interviewer acting as a hypothetical computer agent. These studies demonstrate a disconnect between what end-users want and what existing EUP systems support, and thus open the door for a path towards better support for end user needs. In particular, our findings include: (1) analysis of challenges that end-users experience on the Web with solutions; (2) seven core functionalities of EUP for addressing these challenges; (3) characteristics of non-programmers describing three common computation tasks; (4) design implications for future EUP systems.
AS‐IL6 promotes glioma cell invasion by inducing H3K27Ac enrichment at the IL6 promoter and activating IL6 transcription
Authors: Wang Yu , Chen Xiaoyu , Tang Guodong , Liu Dingyang , Peng Gang , Ma Wenbin , Liu Qing , Yuan Jian
Published: November 2016

Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is widely expressed in a variety of malignant tumors; thus, targeting the IL‐6/STAT3 pathway represents a promising therapeutic strategy for malignant cancers. In this study, we identified a noncoding RNA, AS‐IL6, which is transcribed antisense to IL6 and induces IL6 expression in glioma cells. Knockdown of AS‐IL6 attenuates LPS‐induced IL6 transcription. Interestingly, AS‐IL6 does not change IL6 mRNA stability, but induces the enrichment of histone H3 acetylated at lysine 27 (H3K27Ac) at the IL6 promoter. In addition, we found that depletion of AS‐IL6 inhibits the invasive ability of glioblastoma cells, while treatment of cells with recombinant IL6 reverses this effect. Our results reveal a novel mechanism of IL6 regulation and demonstrate an oncogenic role for AS‐IL6 in glioma cells.
Mantle plumes beneath the South Pacific superswell revealed by finite frequency P tomography using regional seafloor and island data
Authors: Obayashi M. , Yoshimitsu J. , Sugioka H. , Ito A. , Isse T. , Shiobara H. , Reymond D. , Suetsugu D.
Published: November 2016

We present a new tomographic image beneath the South Pacific superswell, using finite frequency P wave travel time tomography with global and regional data. The regional stations include broadband ocean‐bottom seismograph stations. The tomographic image shows slow anomalies of 200‐300 km in diameter beneath most hot spots in the studied region, extending continuously from the shallow upper mantle to 400 km depth. Narrow and weak slow anomalies are detected at depths of 500–1000 km, connecting the upper mantle slow anomalies with large‐scale slow anomalies with lateral dimension of 1000–2000 km prevailing below 1000 km depth down to the core‐mantle boundary. There are two slow anomalies around the Society hot spot at depths shallower than 400 km, which both emerge from the same slow anomaly at 500 km depth. One of them is located beneath the Society hot spot and the other underlies 500 km east of the Society hot spot, where no volcanism is observed.
Remote determinations on fumarole outlet temperatures in an eruptive volcano
Authors: Tsunogai Urumu , Cheng Lin , Ito Masanori , Komatsu Daisuke D. , Nakagawa Fumiko , Shinohara Hiroshi
Published: November 2016

Direct measurement of the fumarole outlet temperature in active volcanoes is impractical. Therefore, we used an aircraft to sample H2 in the volcanic plume ejected from Sakurajima volcano to remotely estimate the highest fumarolic temperatures of the volcano based on hydrogen isotopic fractionation between H2 and magmatic H2O. We successfully estimated that the δD of the fumarolic H2 in September and December 2014 was −135 ± 13‰ and −113 ± 11‰, respectively, and that the corresponding highest outlet temperatures were 1050 ± 120°C and 1199 ± 139°C. Although the temperatures were higher than those determined by using infrared remote sensing, we concluded that they are more reliable estimates of the highest fumarole outlet temperatures. Combined with plume sampling by using aircraft, remote temperature sensing based on the δD of H2 in volcanic plumes can be widely applied to active volcanoes to determine the highest fumarole outlet temperatures.
Relaxation of the bulk modulus in partially molten dunite?
Authors: Cline C. J. , Jackson I.
Published: November 2016

To address the possibility of melt‐related bulk modulus relaxation, a forced oscillation experiment was conducted at seismic frequencies on a partially molten synthetic dunite specimen (melt fraction = 0.026) utilizing the enhanced capacity of the Australian National University attenuation apparatus to operate in both torsional and flexural oscillation modes. Shear modulus and dissipation data are consistent with those for melt‐bearing olivine specimens previously tested in torsion, with a pronounced dissipation peak superimposed on high‐temperature background. Flexural data exhibit a monotonic decrease in complex Young's modulus with increasing temperature under transsolidus temperatures. The observed variation of Young's modulus is well described by the relationship 1/E ~ 1/3G, without requiring relaxation of the bulk modulus. At high homologous temperatures, when shear modulus is low, extensional and flexural oscillation measurements have little resolution of bulk modulus, and thus, only pressure oscillation measurements can definitively constrain bulk properties at these conditions.
Supershear transition mechanism induced by step over geometry
Authors: Hu Feng , Xu Jiankuan , Zhang Zhenguo , Chen Xiaofei
Published: November 2016

Few studies have focused on the supershear transition mechanism induced by fault step overs, although seismic observations suggest that rupture speed transitions occur at geometrical complexities on faults. Based on dynamic rupture simulations on fault systems with step overs in a 3‐D full space where the initial stresses preclude a supershear transition on a single buried fault according to the Burridge‐Andrews mechanism, we show that rupture speeds can transit from subshear on the primary fault to supershear on the secondary fault. The low normal stress zone and the high shear stress zone beyond the fault step, which radiate from the end of the primary fault if its rupture arrest is sudden, determine the supershear rupture occurrence on the secondary fault. However, a low shear stress zone traveling at the shear wave speed is also radiated, making the rupture speed return to subshear in most cases. Sustained supershear ruptures are also possible on compressional step overs under certain conditions. Self‐arresting ruptures are observed in the overlap area on the secondary fault. In a half‐space model where supershear rupture is induced by the free surface on the primary fault, the rupture speed on the secondary fault rapidly transits to subshear near the fault step if its width exceeds a critical value.
Study of TEC fluctuation via stochastic models and Bayesian inversion
Authors: Bires A. , Roininen L. , Damtie B. , Nigussie M. , Vanhamäki H.
Published: November 2016

We propose stochastic processes to be used to model the total electron content (TEC) observation. Based on this, we model the rate of change of TEC (ROT) variation during ionospheric quiet conditions with stationary processes. During ionospheric disturbed conditions, for example, when irregularity in ionospheric electron density distribution occurs, stationarity assumption over long time periods is no longer valid. In these cases, we make the parameter estimation for short time scales, during which we can assume stationarity. We show the relationship between the new method and commonly used TEC characterization parameters ROT and the ROT Index (ROTI). We construct our parametric model within the framework of Bayesian statistical inverse problems and hence give the solution as an a posteriori probability distribution. Bayesian framework allows us to model measurement errors systematically. Similarly, we mitigate variation of TEC due to factors which are not of ionospheric origin, like due to the motion of satellites relative to the receiver, by incorporating a priori knowledge in the Bayesian model. In practical computations, we draw the so‐called maximum a posteriori estimates, which are our ROT and ROTI estimates, from the posterior distribution. Because the algorithm allows to estimate ROTI at each observation time, the estimator does not depend on the period of time for ROTI computation. We verify the method by analyzing TEC data recorded by GPS receiver located in Ethiopia (11.6°N, 37.4°E). The results indicate that the TEC fluctuations caused by the ionospheric irregularity can be effectively detected and quantified from the estimated ROT and ROTI values.
Reply to comment by Spyros Beltaos on “Estimation of composite hydraulic resistance in ice‐covered alluvial streams”
Authors: Ghareh Aghaji Zare Soheil , Moore Stephanie A. , Rennie Colin D. , Seidou Ousmane , Ahmari Habib , Malenchak Jarrod
Published: November 2016

Previously utilized techniques for analysis of flow velocity in ice‐controlled zone are confirmed to be valid. Potential sources of error regarding the estimation of energy grade line slope are corrected considering the comments by the discussant. A modified version of the equation for composite roughness calculation originally introduced in the paper is presented. The revised new method then is tested against the other available methods and its accuracy is evaluated. Other assumptions and analyses presented in the paper are also tested and validated.
Application of the compartmental model to the gas–liquid precipitation of CO2‐Ca(OH)2aqueous system in a stirred tank
Authors: Zhao Wenli , Buffo Antonio , Alopaeus Ville , Han Bing , Louhi‐Kultanen Marjatta
Published: November 2016

A compartmental model is formulated to assess the influence of fluid dynamics on the gas–liquid precipitation of CO2(g)‐Ca(OH)2(aq) system in a stirred tank reactor. The model combines the description of the flow field with several sub‐models, namely gas to liquid mass transfer, chemical reaction, precipitation, and population balance for both gas bubbles and solid crystals. The modeling predictions, including the average volumetric mass transfer coefficient, the concentration of calcium ions, the pH of the solution and the Sauter mean diameter of the final crystal products are eventually compared with measurements carried out on a pilot‐scale stirred tank. The results show that the local volumetric mass transfer rate and the final particle sizes distribution of the crystals are significantly affected by high local turbulence near the impeller. The local information simulated by the compartmental model, such as mass transfer rate, gas hold up and particle size of crystals and bubbles are important for the design and scaling of gas–liquid precipitators, with a computational time which is of several orders of magnitude faster than a full CFD computation. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical EngineersAIChE J, 63: 378–386, 2017
Simultaneous recovery and crystallization control of saline organic wastewater by membrane distillation crystallization
Authors: Lu Dapeng , Li Pan , Xiao Wu , He Gaohong , Jiang Xiaobin
Published: November 2016

Membrane distillation crystallization (MDC) was introduced and investigated for the simultaneous treatment of saline organic wastewater generated from oil extraction, in this article. The developed process model of MDC for the investigated ternary system was validated by the experiments with good agreement. Under the tested feed ethylene glycol (EG) composition and operation conditions, the highly concentrated EG (residual side, recovery ratio > 98.7%), pure water (permeate side, purity > 99%), pure crystals with narrow crystal‐size distribution, and desired morphology were simultaneously manufactured. By this simultaneous recovery of EG and H2O in the feed flow, the overall separation efficiency was enhanced. The impact factors of the crystal properties during MDC were also revealed by comprehensive analysis. Moreover, the diverse metastable zone width and crystal morphology obtained in different feed EG composition indicated the change of the nucleation barrier and the kinetic crystallization control mechanism. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical EngineersAIChE J, 63: 2187–2197, 2017
Anakinra for Colchicine‐Resistant Familial Mediterranean Fever: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial
Authors: Ben‐Zvi Ilan , Kukuy Olga , Giat Eitan , Pras Elon , Feld Olga , Kivity Shaye , Perski Oleg , Bornstein Gil , Grossman Chagai , Harari Gil , Lidar Merav , Livneh Avi
Published: November 2016

Objective

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is refractory to colchicine prophylaxis in 10–20% of patients. In a number of patient series, treatment with anakinra, an interleukin‐1–blocking agent, prevented FMF attacks in those with colchicine‐resistant FMF. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anakinra in the treatment of colchicine‐resistant FMF, using a randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Patients with colchicine‐resistant FMF receiving colchicine (dosage ≥1.5 to ≤3 mg/day) were recruited and randomly assigned to receive anakinra or placebo (vehicle). The treatment duration was 4 months. Primary efficacy outcomes were the number of attacks per month, and the number of patients with a mean of <1 attack per month. Quality of life was assessed using a 0–10‐grade visual analog scale (VAS), and safety was assessed according to the number and severity of adverse events.

Results

Twenty‐five patients with colchicine‐resistant FMF (14 women) were enrolled, of whom 12 were randomized to receive anakinra and 13 to receive placebo. The mean ± SD number of attacks per patient per month was 1.7 ± 1.7 in those receiving anakinra and 3.5 ± 1.9 in those receiving placebo (P = 0.037). Six patients in the anakinra group, compared to none in the placebo group, had <1 attack per month (P = 0.005). A beneficial effect of anakinra was noted in the number of attacks in the joints per month in patients receiving anakinra (mean ± SD 0.8 ± 1.6 versus 2.1 ± 1.1 in the placebo group; P = 0.019) and in quality of life (mean ± SD VAS score 7.7 ± 2.3 in the anakinra group versus 4.2 ± 2.9 in the placebo group; P = 0.045). The number of adverse events per patient per month was comparable between the anakinra group and the placebo group (mean ± SD 2.03 ± 1.75 versus 3.34 ± 2.5; P = 0.22). There were no severe adverse events.

Conclusion

In this randomized controlled trial, anakinra appears to be an effective and safe treatment for colchicine‐resistant FMF.
The lack of association between angiotensin‐converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and nicotine dependence in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Nadalin Sergej , Buretić‐Tomljanović Alena , Lavtar Polona , Starčević Čizmarević Nada , Hodžić Alenka , Sepčić Juraj , Kapović Miljenko , Peterlin Borut , Ristić Smiljana
Published: November 2016

Objective

Blood‐borne angiotensin II is generated from angiotensinogen via cleavage by renin and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), an enzymatic cascade known as the renin–angiotensin system (RAS). Several lines of evidence indicate that ACE, beyond its classical role of mediating blood pressure regulation, might contribute to the etiology of substance addictions by influencing dopaminergic signaling. A functional insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the ACE gene was associated with risk for being a smoker among individuals with depression and with smoking severity in studies comprising patients with depression and healthy controls. Several reports have described significantly increased ACE activity in cerebrospinal fluid and serum among MS patients. Furthermore, in our previous work with MS patients from Croatian and Slovenian populations, we demonstrated that the ACE‐I/D polymorphism contributes to an elevated MS risk among male patients. Here we investigated whether the ACE‐I/D polymorphism might influence smoking behavior among patients with MS.

Patients and Methods

Genotyping was performed in 521 patients (males/females: 139/382) using polymerase chain reaction.

Results

We revealed no significant differences in ACE genotype and allele frequencies between smokers and nonsmokers and no significant association between the ACE‐I/D polymorphism and either pack‐year smoking history or number of cigarettes smoked daily (p > .05, respectively).

Conclusion

The ACE‐I/D polymorphism does not contribute either to risk for nicotine dependence or to smoking severity among MS patients. In the context of reports on the ACE‐I/D polymorphism and nicotine dependence among healthy controls and patients with depression, we may speculate that the mechanism by which this polymorphism influences nicotine dependence risk differs in MS compared to depression, although not compared to a healthy population. In addition to angiotensin II, other potential ACE substrates, such as substance P and neurotensin, which also influence dopaminergic neurotransmission (and are proposed to be associated with MS), may deserve study in future.
Characteristics of End‐of‐Life Printed Wiring Boards Processed by Electrodynamic Fragmentation
Authors: Martino Rémi , Iseli Cédric , Gaydardzhiev Stoyan , Streicher‐Porte Martin , Weh Alexander
Published: November 2016

Electrodynamic fragmentation (EDF) is an innovative technique which enables selective fragmentation of material. Its inherent selective breakage principles enable liberation while avoiding fine grinding. In this study, the specific effects of the EDF on end‐of‐life printed wiring boards have been assessed. A novel methodology for their EDF processing has been developed and compared with hammer mill shredding. Various energy inputs and treatment stages have resulted in fragmentation degrees ranging from removal of components to structure delamination and subsequent size reduction.
Catalytic Performance of Modified HMCM‐22 Catalysts in Xylene Isomerization
Authors: Wu Xiang , Hu Chao , Zhao Guoqing , Yuan Ying , Zhu Zhirong
Published: November 2016

HMCM‐22 catalysts modified with La2O3 (5% La) and MgO (≈0.87% Mg) were prepared respectively by impregnation method, and were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, N2 physical adsorption‐desorption and temperature‐programmed desorption of NH3. The effect of supported metallic oxides (La2O3, MgO) on catalytic performance in xylene isomerization of C8 aromatics (ethylbenzene, m‐xylene and o‐xylene) was investigated in detail. The experimental results showed that 5% La/HMCM‐22 catalyst had higher isomerization activity and stronger shape‐selectivity than 0.87% Mg/HMCM‐22 catalyst, owing to its more acid sites and smaller pore size. And the loading amount of La was optimized to be about 7%. Moreover, supporting metal over 7% La/HMCM‐22, respectively with 0.3% Pt, 3% Ni and 3% Mo, was carried out to prepare bifunctional isomerization catalysts. In comparison, 3% Mo/7% La/HMCM‐22 showed the best catalytic performance with both high activity and high selectivity, with the low hydrocracking of m‐xylene and o‐xylene. Besides, the optimal reaction conditions were found: 340°C, 1.5 MPa H2, WHSV 4 h−1 and H2/C8 4 mol/mol. Under the above conditions, ethylbenzene conversion was up to 20%, para‐selectivity was over 23% with low xylene loss of 2.9%.
Discovery of a Novel Scaffold as an Indoleamine 2,3‐Dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) Inhibitor Based on the Pyrrolopiperazinone Alkaloid, Longamide B
Authors: Shiokawa Zenyu , Kashiwabara Emi , Yoshidome Daisuke , Fukase Koichi , Inuki Shinsuke , Fujimoto Yukari
Published: November 2016

Indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) has emerged as a key target for cancer therapy, as IDO1 plays a critical role in the capacity of tumor cells to evade the immune system. The pyrrolopiperazinone alkaloid longamide B and its derivatives were identified as novel IDO1 inhibitors based on docking studies and small library synthesis. The thioamide derivative showed higher IDO1 inhibitory activity than longamide B, and displayed an activity similar to that of a representative IDO1 inhibitor, 1‐methyl‐tryptophan. These results suggest that the pyrrolopiperazinone scaffold of longamide B could be used in the development of IDO1 inhibitors.
Local Regularity for the Modified SQG Patch Equation
Authors: Kiselev Alexander , Yao Yao , Zlatoš Andrej
Published: November 2016

We study the patch dynamics on the whole plane and on the half‐plane for a family of active scalars called modified surface quasi‐geostrophic (SQG) equations. These involve a parameter α that appears in the power of the kernel in their Biot‐Savart laws and describes the degree of regularity of the equation. The values α=0 and α=½ correspond to the two‐dimensional Euler and SQG equations, respectively. We establish here local‐in‐time regularity for these models, for all α ∊ (0,½) on the whole plane and for all small α > 0 on the half‐plane. We use the latter result in [16], where we show existence of regular initial data on the half‐plane that lead to a finite‐time singularity.© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantum computing simulation through reduction and decomposition optimizations with a case study of Shor's algorithm
Authors: de Avila Anderson B. , Reiser Renata H. S. , Pilla Mauricio L.
Published: November 2016

Because of the expansion of transformations and read/write memory states by tensor products in multidimensional quantum applications, the exponential increase in temporal and spatial complexities constitutes one of the main challenges for quantum computing simulations. Simulation of these systems is very relevant to develop and test new quantum algorithms. In order to overcome the increase in simulation complexity, this work presents reduction and decomposition optimizations for the Distributed Geometric Machine environment. By exploring properties as the sparsity of the Identity operator and partiality of dense unitary transformations, better storage and distribution of quantum information are achieved. The main improvements are reached by decreasing replication and void elements inherited from quantum operators. In the evaluation of this proposal, Hadamard transformations from 21 to 28 qubits and Quantum Fourier Transforms from 26 to 28 qubits were simulated over CPU, sequentially and in parallel, and in graphics processing unit, showing reduced temporal complexity and, consequently, shorter simulation time. Moreover, evaluations of the Shor's algorithm considering 2n + 3 qubits in the order‐finding quantum algorithm were simulated up to 25 qubits. When comparing our implementations running on the same hardware with language‐integrated quantum operation, academic release version, our new simulator was faster and allowed for the simulation of more qubits. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Medical cannabis: Another piece in the mosaic of autoimmunity?
Authors: Katz D , Katz I , Porat‐Katz BS , Shoenfeld Y
Published: November 2016

Legalization of cannabis' medicinal use is rapidly increasing worldwide, raising the need to evaluate medical implications of cannabis. Currently, evidence supports cannabis and its active ingredients as immune‐modulating agents, affecting T‐cells, B‐cells, monocytes, and microglia cells, causing an overall reduction in pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression and an increase in anti‐inflammatory cytokines. Due to the supporting evidence of cannabinoids as an immune‐modulating agent, research focusing on cannabinoids and autoimmunity has emerged. Several clinical trials in multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and fibromyalgia suggest cannabis' effectiveness as an immune‐modulator. However, contradicting results and lack of large‐scale clinical trials obscure these results. Although lacking clinical research, in vitro and in vivo experiments in rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes type 1, and systemic sclerosis demonstrate a correlation between disease activity and cannabinoids.
Aromatic Chlorosulfonylation by Photoredox Catalysis
Authors: Májek Michal , Neumeier Michael , Jacobi von Wangelin Axel
Published: November 2016

Visible‐light photoredox catalysis enables the efficient synthesis of arenesulfonyl chlorides from anilines. The new protocol involves the convenient in situ preparation of arenediazonium salts (from anilines) and the reactive gases SO2 and HCl (from aqueous SOCl2). The photocatalytic chlorosulfonylation operates at mild conditions (room temperature, acetonitrile/water) with low catalyst loading. Various functional groups are tolerated (e.g., halides, azides, nitro groups, CF3, SF5, esters, heteroarenes). Theoretical and experimental studies support a photoredox‐catalysis mechanism.
From pest data to abundance‐based risk maps combining eco‐physiological knowledge, weather, and habitat variability
Authors: Lacasella Federica , Marta Silvio , Singh Aditya , Stack Whitney Kaitlin , Hamilton Krista , Townsend Phil , Kucharik Christopher J. , Meehan Timothy D. , Gratton Claudio
Published: November 2016

Noxious species, i.e., crop pest or invasive alien species, are major threats to both natural and managed ecosystems. Invasive pests are of special importance, and knowledge about their distribution and abundance is fundamental to minimize economic losses and prioritize management activities. Occurrence models are a common tool used to identify suitable zones and map priority areas (i.e., risk maps) for noxious species management, although they provide a simplified description of species dynamics (i.e., no indication on species density). An alternative is to use abundance models, but translating abundance data into risk maps is often challenging. Here, we describe a general framework for generating abundance‐based risk maps using multi‐year pest data. We used an extensive data set of 3968 records collected between 2003 and 2013 in Wisconsin during annual surveys of soybean aphid (SBA), an exotic invasive pest in this region. By using an integrative approach, we modelled SBA responses to weather, seasonal, and habitat variability using generalized additive models (GAMs). Our models showed good to excellent performance in predicting SBA occurrence and abundance (TSS = 0.70, AUC = 0.92; R2 = 0.63). We found that temperature, precipitation, and growing degree days were the main drivers of SBA trends. In addition, a significant positive relationship between SBA abundance and the availability of overwintering habitats was observed. Our models showed aphid populations were also sensitive to thresholds associated with high and low temperatures, likely related to physiological tolerances of the insects. Finally, the resulting aphid predictions were integrated using a spatial prioritization algorithm (“Zonation”) to produce an abundance‐based risk map for the state of Wisconsin that emphasized the spatiotemporal consistency and magnitude of past infestation patterns. This abundance‐based risk map can provide information on potential foci of pest outbreaks where scouting efforts and prophylactic measures should be concentrated. The approach we took is general, relatively simple, and can be applied to other species, habitats and geographical areas for which species abundance data and biotic and abiotic data are available.
Dominance in a ground‐dwelling ant community of banana agroecosystem
Authors: Carval Dominique , Cotté Violaine , Resmond Rémi , Perrin Benjamin , Tixier Philippe
Published: November 2016

In tropical ecosystems, ants represent a substantial portion of the animal biomass and contribute to various ecosystem services, including pest regulation and pollination. Dominant ant species are known to determine the structure of ant communities by interfering in the foraging of other ant species. Using bait and pitfall trapping experiments, we performed a pattern analysis at a fine spatial scale of an ant community in a very simplified and homogeneous agroecosystem, that is, a single‐crop banana field in Martinique (French West Indies). We found that the community structure was driven by three dominant species (Solenopsis geminata, Nylanderia guatemalensis, and Monomorium ebeninum) and two subdominant species (Pheidole fallax and Brachymyrmex patagonicus). Our results showed that dominant and subdominant species generally maintained numerical dominance at baits across time, although S. geminata, M. ebeninum, and B. patagonicus displayed better abilities to maintain dominance than P. fallax and N. guatemalensis. Almost all interspecific correlations between species abundances, except those between B. patagonicus and N. guatemalensis, were symmetrically negative, suggesting that interference competition prevails in this ground‐dwelling ant community. However, we observed variations in the diurnal and nocturnal foraging activity and in the daily occurrence at baits, which may mitigate the effect of interference competition through the induction of spatial and temporal niche partitioning. This may explain the coexistence of dominant, subdominant, and subordinate species in this very simplified agroecosystem, limited in habitat structure and diversity.
Three‐dimensional habitat structure and landscape genetics: a step forward in estimating functional connectivity
Authors: Milanesi P. , Holderegger R. , Bollmann K. , Gugerli F. , Zellweger F.
Published: November 2016

Estimating connectivity among fragmented habitat patches is crucial for evaluating the functionality of ecological networks. However, current estimates of landscape resistance to animal movement and dispersal lack landscape‐level data on local habitat structure. Here, we used a landscape genetics approach to show that high‐fidelity habitat structure maps derived from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data critically improve functional connectivity estimates compared to conventional land cover data. We related pairwise genetic distances of 128 Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) genotypes to least‐cost path distances at multiple scales derived from land cover data. Resulting β values of linear mixed effects models ranged from 0.372 to 0.495, while those derived from LiDAR ranged from 0.558 to 0.758. The identification and conservation of functional ecological networks suffering from habitat fragmentation and homogenization will thus benefit from the growing availability of detailed and contiguous data on three‐dimensional habitat structure and associated habitat quality.
Effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with diabetes randomized in EchoCRT
Authors: Nägele Matthias P. , Steffel Jan , Robertson Michele , Singh Jagmeet P. , Flammer Andreas J. , Bax Jeroen J. , Borer Jeffrey S. , Dickstein Kenneth , Ford Ian , Gorcsan John , Gras Daniel , Krum Henry , Sogaard Peter , Holzmeister Johannes , Abraham William T. , Brugada Josep , Ruschitzka Frank
Published: November 2016

Aims

As patients with heart failure (HF) and concomitant diabetes carry a poor prognosis, this post‐hoc subgroup analysis aimed to compare the outcomes of patients with and without diabetes randomized in the Echocardiography Guided Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (EchoCRT) study.

Methods and results

EchoCRT randomized patients with a QRS duration <130 ms and echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular dyssynchrony to CRT turned on (CRT=ON) vs. off (CRT=OFF) following device implantation. At study entry, 328 patients (40.5%) had diabetes. The primary outcome (all‐cause death or first hospitalization for worsening HF) occurred more frequently in patients with than without diabetes (32.6% vs. 23%, P = 0.003). A significant treatment interaction was observed for the primary outcome indicating a higher risk for CRT=ON vs. CRT‐OFF in patients without [26.5% vs. 19.8%, hazard ratio (HR) 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–2.31] vs. with diabetes (31.4% vs. 34%; HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.58–1.27; P for interaction 0.041). This effect was mainly driven by a lower rate in HF hospitalizations, but was only of borderline significance after multivariate adjustment (P = 0.063). The most pronounced effect was observed in patients with non‐ischaemic cardiomyopathy, where a significantly reduced risk of reaching the primary endpoint for CRT=ON vs. CRT‐OFF was observed in patients with (HR 0.27, P = 0.003) vs. patients without diabetes (HR 1.79, P = 0.038; P for interaction 0.005). No treatment interaction by diabetes diagnosis was found for mortality endpoints.

Conclusion

In EchoCRT, HF patients with a narrow QRS complex and coexisting diabetes demonstrated a signal for less harm caused by CRT compared with patients without diabetes, which was driven by differences in hospitalizations owing to HF.
Bilateral experimental neck pain reorganize axioscapular muscle coordination and pain sensitivity
Authors: Christensen S.W. , Hirata R.P. , Graven‐Nielsen T.
Published: November 2016

Background

Neck pain is a large clinical problem where reorganized trunk and axioscapular muscle activities have been hypothesised contributing to pain persistence and pain hypersensitivity. This study investigated the effects of bilateral experimental neck pain on trunk and axioscapular muscle function and pain sensitivity.

Methods

In 25 healthy volunteers, bilateral experimental neck pain was induced in the splenius capitis muscles by hypertonic saline injections. Isotonic saline was used as control. In sitting, subjects performed slow, fast and slow‐resisted unilateral arm movements before, during and after injections. Electromyography (EMG) was recorded from eight shoulder and trunk muscles bilaterally. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed bilaterally at the neck, head and arm. Data were normalized to the before‐measures.

Results

Compared with control and post measurements, experimental neck pain caused (1) decreased EMG activity of the ipsilateral upper trapezius muscles during all but slow‐resisted down movements (p < 0.001), and (2) increased EMG activity in the ipsilateral erector spinae muscle during slow and fast movements (p < 0.02), and in the contralateral erector spinae muscle during all but fast up and slow‐resisted down movements (p < 0.007). The PPTs in the painful condition increased at the head and arm compared with post measurements and the control condition (p < 0.001). In the post‐pain condition, the neck PPT was decreased compared with the control condition (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Acute bilateral neck pain reorganized axioscapular and trunk muscle activity together with local hyperalgesia and widespread hypoalgesia indicating that acute neck pain immediately affects trunk and axioscapular function which may affect both assessment and treatment.

Significance

Bilateral clinical neck pain alters axioscapular muscle coordination but only effects of unilateral experimental neck pain has been investigated. Bilateral experimental neck pain causes task‐dependent reorganized axioscapular and trunk muscle activity in addition to widespread decrease in pressure pain sensitivity.
Analysis of a genotype G3P[9] rotavirus a strain that shows evidence of multiple reassortment events between animal and human rotaviruses
Authors: Bezerra Delana A.M. , Guerra Sylvia F.S. , Serra Ana C.S. , Fecury Priscylla C.M.S. , Bandeira Renato S. , Penha Edvaldo T. , Lobo Patrícia S. , Sousa Edivaldo C. , Linhares Alexandre C. , Soares Luana S. , Mascarenhas Joana D.P.
Published: November 2016

The species A rotaviruses (RVA) are important gastroenteric pathogens that infect humans and animals. RVA genotype G3P[9] has been described in human‐animal reassortment events, and the complexity of its hosts motivates the genetic investigation of this strain. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyse a G3P[9] sample that was detected in a child with acute gastroenteritis. The 1A3739 sample featured the constellation G3P[9]‐I18‐R3‐C3‐Mx‐A19‐N3‐T3‐E3‐H6. The sequence for VP3 gene was not obtained. The phylogeny showed a closer relationship among genes VP7, VP1, NSP3, NSP4, and NSP5 with genes of animal origin, such as chiropter, alpaca, equine, and simian. In addition, the genes VP6 and NSP1 belong to the new genotypes I18 and A19, respectively. The emergence of strains such as these can interfere with the effectiveness of the RVA vaccine, and continuous monitoring is therefore important. Additional studies are needed to determine the evolutionary source and to identify a possible reservoir of RVA in nature.
Effect of sulfur‐containing spices on the bioaccessibility of trace minerals from selected cereals and pulses
Authors: Kumari Meena , Platel Kalpana
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

Garlic and onion, which are rich in organo‐sulfur compounds, are reported to enhance the bioaccessibility of Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn; however, there is a lack of similar information on the bioaccessibility of copper, manganese and chromium. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of exogenous garlic and onion on the bioaccessibility of these trace minerals from selected food grains. The effect of two levels of garlic (0.25 and 0.5 g/10 g grain−1) and onion (1.5 and 3 g/10 g grain−1) on the bioaccessibility of these trace minerals from two representative cereals and pulses was determined by employing an in vitro dialysability procedure.

RESULTS

Both garlic and onion significantly improved the bioaccessibility of Cu, especially when added at the higher level, in most of the foods examined. The enhancing effect of garlic on Mn bioaccessibility was found in cooked sorghum and chickpea, whereas onion significantly improved Mn bioaccessibility in cooked rice and chickpea. The addition of both spices did not exert any enhancing effect on Cr bioaccessibility from the cereals and pulses.

CONCLUSION

The bioaccessibility of Cu, as well as Mn to a lesser extent, from vegetarian diets can be significantly improved by incorporating garlic and onion in the diet. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Potential use and perspectives of nitric oxide donors in agriculture
Authors: Marvasi Massimiliano
Published: November 2016

Nitric oxide (NO) has emerged in the last 30 years as a key molecule involved in many physiological processes in plants, animals and bacteria. Current research has shown that NO can be delivered via donor molecules. In such cases, the NO release rate is dependent on the chemical structure of the donor itself and on the chemical environment. Despite NO's powerful signaling effect in plants and animals, the application of NO donors in agriculture is currently not implemented and research remains mainly at the experimental level. Technological development in the field of NO donors is rapidly expanding in scope to include controlling seed germination, plant development, ripening and increasing shelf‐life of produce. Potential applications in animal production have also been identified. This concise review focuses on the use of donors that have shown potential biotechnological applications in agriculture. Insights are provided into (i) the role of donors in plant production, (ii) the potential use of donors in animal production and (iii) future approaches to explore the use and applications of donors for the benefit of agriculture. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
The effect of governance mechanisms on food safety in the supply chain: Evidence from the Lebanese dairy sector
Authors: Abebe Gumataw K , Chalak Ali , Abiad Mohamad G
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

Food safety is a key public health issue worldwide. This study aims to characterise existing governance mechanisms – governance structures (GSs) and food safety management systems (FSMSs) – and analyse the alignment thereof in detecting food safety hazards, based on empirical evidence from Lebanon.

RESULTS

Firm‐to‐firm and public baseline are the dominant FSMSs applied in a large‐scale, while chain‐wide FSMSs are observed only in a small‐scale. Most transactions involving farmers are relational and market‐based in contrast to (large‐scale) processors, which opt for hierarchical GSs. Large‐scale processors use a combination of FSMSs and GSs to minimise food safety hazards albeit potential increase in coordination costs; this is an important feature of modern food supply chains. The econometric analysis reveals contract period, on‐farm inspection and experience having significant effects in minimising food safety hazards. However, the potential to implement farm‐level FSMS is influenced by formality of the contract, herd size, trading partner choice, and experience.

CONCLUSION

Public baseline FSMSs appear effective in controlling food safety hazards; however, this may not be viable due to the scarcity of public resources. We suggest public policies to focus on long‐lasting governance mechanisms by introducing incentive schemes and farm‐level FSMSs by providing loans and education to farmers. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Person misfit on the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology: Low quality self‐report or true atypical symptom profile?
Authors: Conijn Judith M. , Spinhoven Philip , Meijer Rob R. , Lamers Femke
Published: November 2016

Person misfit on a self‐report measure refers to a response pattern that is unlikely given a theoretical measurement model. Person misfit may reflect low quality self‐report data, for example due to random responding or misunderstanding of items. However, recent research in the context of psychopathology suggests that person misfit may reflect atypical symptom profiles that have implications for diagnosis or treatment. We followed‐up on Wanders et al. (Journal of Affective Disorders, 180, 36–43, 2015) who investigated person misfit on the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) in the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (n = 2,981). Our goal was to investigate the extent to which misfit on the IDS reflects low‐quality self‐report patterns and the extent to which it reflects true atypical symptom profiles. Regression analysis showed that person misfit related more strongly to self‐report quality indicators than to variables quantifying theoretically‐derived atypical symptom profiles. A data‐driven atypical symptom profile explained most variance in person misfit, suggesting that person misfit on the IDS mainly reflects a sample‐ and questionnaire‐specific atypical symptom profile. We concluded that person‐fit statistics are useful for detecting IDS scores that may not be valid. Further research is necessary to support the interpretation of person misfit as reflecting a meaningful atypical symptom combination.
MRI surveillance of cancer cell fate in a brain metastasis model after early radiotherapy
Authors: Murrell Donna H. , Zarghami Niloufar , Jensen Michael D. , Dickson Fiona , Chambers Ann F. , Wong Eugene , Foster Paula J.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Incidence of brain metastasis attributed to breast cancer is increasing and prognosis is poor. It is thought that disseminated dormant cancer cells persist in metastatic organs and may evade treatments, thereby facilitating a mechanism for recurrence. Radiotherapy is used to treat brain metastases clinically, but assessment has been limited to macroscopic tumor volumes detectable by clinical imaging. Here, we use cellular MRI to understand the concurrent responses of metastases and nonproliferative or slowly cycling cancer cells to radiotherapy.

Methods

MRI cell tracking was used to investigate the impact of early cranial irradiation on the fate of individual iron‐labeled cancer cells and outgrowth of breast cancer brain metastases in the human MDA‐MB‐231‐BR‐HER2 cell model.

Results

Early whole‐brain radiotherapy significantly reduced the outgrowth of metastases from individual disseminated cancer cells in treated animals compared to controls. However, the numbers of nonproliferative iron‐retaining cancer cells in the brain were not significantly different.

Conclusions

Radiotherapy, when given early in cancer progression, is effective in preventing the outgrowth of solitary cancer cells to brain metastases. Future studies of the nonproliferative cancer cells’ clonogenic potentials are warranted, given that their persistent presence suggests that they may have evaded treatment. Magn Reson Med 78:1506–1512, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine