bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geological record of marine tsunami backwash: The role of the hydraulic jump
Authors: Slootman Arnoud , Simpson Guy , Castelltort Sébastien , de Boer Poppe L.
Published: December 2017

Tsunamis are marked by distinct phases of uprush during coastal inundation and backwash when tsunami water recedes. Especially in the case of a steep coastal profile, the return flow may operate in a Froude‐supercritical regime, eroding the flooded area and transporting large volumes of sediment seawards. Important sediment accumulation occurs when the supercritical flow goes through a hydraulic jump where it becomes subcritical upon deceleration. An inferred example in coarse‐grained, mixed carbonates from the Lower Pleistocene on Rhodes (Greece) is described, with offshore bars up to 10 m long with scour‐and‐fill structures and steep antidune stratification. In finer‐grained sandy depositional systems such structures may be much longer, up to hundreds of metres. It is suggested here that, analogous to some turbidite beds, the apparent lack of structures or the presence of faint stratification that is common for graded sand layers within marine tsunamiites may in fact consist of extremely low‐angle, landward‐dipping backset‐strata that formed under a landward‐migrating hydraulic jump during the basinward retreat of tsunami water. Numerical simulations that focus on the internal stratification of backwash‐generated offshore bars support this hypothesis. The recognition of such deposits in the sedimentary record enlarges the toolbox for assessing the past frequency of tsunamis in coastal areas.
Protecting and Restoring Biodiversity across the Freshwater, Coastal and Marine Realms: Is the existing EU policy framework fit for purpose?
Authors: Rouillard Josselin , Lago Manuel , Abhold Katrina , Roeschel Lina , Kafyeke Terri , Klimmek Helen , Mattheiß Verena
Published: December 2017

While some progress has been made, Europe is far from achieving its policy objective of healthy aquatic ecosystems. This paper presents an integrated assessment of how EU policies influence aquatic biodiversity, in order to determine how EU policies and laws contribute to achieving and/or hindering EU and international biodiversity targets. The paper also discusses whether European policy has a synergistic or conflicting mix of instruments to address the main problems facing aquatic biodiversity, and whether gaps in the existing policy framework exist. The integrated policy review assessment presented in this paper is based on the application of the drivers–pressures–state–impact–responses (DPSIR) framework to six known pressures on aquatic biodiversity, selected to provide a representative range: nitrogen pollution, species extraction, invasive alien species, water abstraction, alterations to morphology, and plastic waste. The DPSIR framework is used to characterize these pressures and how they are influenced by underpinning socio‐economic drivers and major European policies. The conclusions highlight that the policy framework is most developed when it comes to defining environmental targets and sets a number of instruments to reduce pressures by encouraging the adoption of more resource‐efficient practices, but it becomes less specific when tackling sectors (drivers) and supporting more environmental sound economic development. © 2017 The Authors. Environmental Policy and Governance published by ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Altered toll‐like receptor responsiveness underlies a dominant heritable defect in B cell tolerance in autoimmune New Zealand Black mice
Authors: Clark Amy G. , Buckley Elizabeth S. , Foster Mary H.
Published: December 2017

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a debilitating autoimmune disease in which autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells destroy kidneys and other organs. Disease is clinically and genetically heterogeneous, suggesting that underlying mechanisms vary between patients. We previously used an autoantibody transgenic mouse reporter system to examine the effect of different autoimmune backgrounds on B‐cell tolerance, failure of which is a fundamental defect in lupus. We identified a defect consistent with reversible anergy induced by endotoxin stimulation of B cells from Ig transgenic New Zealand Black (NZB) mice. Herein we report that the tolerance defect is revealed by TLR7 and TLR9 as well as TLR4 ligands, with additive effect, and is partially reversed by Mek inhibition. Gene expression analysis reveals significant differences in transcription of multiple TLR pathway genes and ptpn22 in stimulated NZB compared to B6 B cells. Additionally, the defect is detected in Ig transgenic NZB F1 hybrid strains (NZBxNZW)F1 and (B6xNZB)F1. These results implicate an inherited defect wherein NZB anergic B cells maintain coordinated TLR/BCR signaling that permits autoantibody production. Agents targeting these pathways may have therapeutic benefit in the subset of lupus patients that manifest similar defects in B‐cell regulation.
Levoglucosenone and Its New Applications: Valorization of Cellulose Residues
Authors: Comba María B. , Tsai Yi‐hsuan , Sarotti Ariel M. , Mangione María I. , Suárez Alejandra G. , Spanevello Rolando A.
Published: December 2017

The need to find sustainable alternatives to reduce the dependence on fossil sources has led to significant research efforts on the conversion of biomass into platform chemicals. Modern organic chemistry requires easily obtainable chiral building blocks that show high chemical versatility for their application in the synthesis of enantiopure compounds. The selective pyrolytic conversion of cellulose or cellulose‐containing materials produces levoglucosenone, a highly functionalized chiral structure. This compound has been innovatively used as a template for the synthesis of key intermediates of biologically active products and for the preparation of chiral auxiliaries, catalysts, and organocatalysts for their application in asymmetric synthesis.
Enzyme Catalysis Induced Polymer Growth in Nanochannels: A New Approach to Regulate Ion Transport and to Study Enzyme Kinetics in Nanospace
Authors: Dai Huang , Li Yuqing , Fu Yingchun , Li Yanbin
Published: December 2017

Method that could regulate the ion transport in nanochannel in an efficient and rapid manner is still a challenge. Here, we introduced enzyme‐catalysis‐induced polymer growth in nanochannels to develop a new method to regulate the ion transport and evaluate the enzyme catalysis kinetics in nano‐space. As a model enzyme, Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was immobilized in the nanochannels through a volume‐controlled‐drying method. In the presence of H2O2, HRP catalyzed o‐phenylenediamine (o‐PD) to trigger its polymer growth, in turn blocked the ion transport and led to the decrease of the ion current. Taking advantages of the high efficiency of enzyme catalysis and the nano‐confinement of nanochannels, the system readily achieved blocking ratios of ion current even reaching 99.6 % of the initial. Based on above concept, we developed a new method to evaluate the enzyme catalysis kinetics in nano‐confined space. By comparing with those in free state in solution and absorbed on planar surface, HRP confined in nanochannels presented similar apparent Michaelis constant (Km) values for the substrate H2O2 but much higher Km values for the substrate o‐PD, due to the steric hindrance and diffusion suppression. The enzyme‐catalysis‐induced polymerization in nanochannels might lead to new concept for the nano‐blocking/switching and provide a new platform for single molecule analysis and detection.
Evaluation of ASCE 7 equations for designing acceleration‐sensitive nonstructural components using data from instrumented buildings
Authors: Anajafi Hamidreza , Medina Ricardo A.
Published: December 2017

This study uses instrumented buildings and models of code‐based designed buildings to validate the results of previous studies that highlighted the need to revise the ASCE 7 Fp equation for designing nonstructural components (NSCs) through utilizing oversimplified linear and nonlinear models. The evaluation of floor response spectra of a large number of instrumented buildings illustrates that, unlike the ASCE 7 approach, the in‐structure and the component amplification factors are a function of the ratio of NSC period to the supporting building modal periods, the ground motion intensity, and the NSC location. It is also shown that the recorded ground motions at the base of instrumented buildings in most cases are significantly lower than design earthquake (DE) ground motions. Because ASCE 7 is meant to provide demands at a DE level, for a more reliable evaluation of the Fp equation, 2 representative archetype buildings are designed based on the ASCE 7‐16 seismic provisions and exposed to various ground motion intensity levels (including those consistent with the ones experienced by instrumented buildings and the DE). Simulation results of the archetype buildings, consistent with previous numerical studies, illustrate the tendency of the ASCE 7 in‐structure amplification factor, [1 + 2(z/h)], to significantly overestimate demands at all floor levels and the ASCE 7 limit of
to in many cases underestimate the calculated NSC amplification factors. Furthermore, the product of these 2 amplification factors (that represents the normalized peak NSC acceleration) in some cases exceeds the ASCE 7 equation by a factor up to 1.50.
Interbuilding interpolation of peak seismic response using spatially correlated demand parameters
Authors: Sun Han , Burton Henry , Zhang Yu , Wallace John
Published: December 2017

Seismic structural responses recorded in instrumented buildings during an earthquake are used to provide insights into the demands placed on neighboring, noninstrumented buildings, using a framework to interpolate structural response demands across buildings. The interbuilding interpolation model relies on the spatial and structural correlations of responses in coregionally located buildings subjected to a seismic event. A dataset of response demands for a portfolio of reinforced concrete moment frame buildings is generated by performing nonlinear response history analyses on structural models using ground motions recorded from historical scenario earthquakes. The dataset is used to characterize the correlation between seismic demands across different buildings. Semivariograms are used to model spatial and structural correlations and then incorporated into a kriging algorithm, which forms the basis of the interpolation models. The effect of several model and dataset attributes and assumptions, for example, using intensity‐measure‐based versus engineering demand parameter‐based semivariograms, and size of training dataset relative to portfolio, on the overall performance are evaluated along with the limitations of the proposed model.
Influence of DEM resolution on modelling hydrological connectivity in a complex agricultural catchment with woody crops
Authors: López‐Vicente M. , Álvarez S.
Published: December 2017

Digital elevation model (DEM) resolution influences hydrological simulation. However, its influence when modelling hydrological connectivity (HC) in woody crops remains to be seen. We assessed surface topography, microtopography and HC in an agricultural sub‐catchment (27.4 ha) using six photogrammetry‐derived DEMs with 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1 m cell sizes. Land uses included vineyards, olive groves, cereal fields, and forestry patches. We ran an updated version of Borselli's HC index (IC) using the D‐Infinity approach. We assessed HC in woody crops at high spatial resolution for the first time. After analysing the differences in the contributing area, the flow width, the soil roughness, the convergence index and the IC (normalised and non‐normalised) at different scales (hillslope, land uses and compartments, ephemeral gullies, depositional areas and the sub‐catchment outlet) and accounting for the field vertical components, we propose an optimum DEM resolution (0.2 m) to improve modelling of structural HC in woody crops. The modelled hydrological features at this threshold resolution matched well with the geomorphic features associated with the short‐ and medium‐term patterns of soil redistribution. Higher DEM resolutions, especially at 0.03 and 0.05 m, introduced bias in the input data and the IC computations. Finally, we observed good agreement between the outputs at the lowest resolution, 1 × 1 m, and the long‐term soil redistribution patterns (functional connectivity). Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Catch per unit effort and some water quality parameters of Lake Kalgwai Jigawa state, Nigeria
Authors: Solomon Shola G. , Ayuba Victoria O. , Tahir Musa A. , Okomoda Victor T.
Published: December 2017

This study investigated the catch per unit effort and water quality of Lake Kalgwai Jigawa state, Nigeria for the period of 10 month (July 2012‐June 2013). The man hours, gears used, and fish catches of the Lake was determined by assessing the fishermen operating on three major landing sites of the Lake, namely Marke (Site I), Dingare (Site II), and Kalgwai (Site III). Water samples from the landing sites were collected and analyzed. Concentration of fishers ranged from 41 (April) to 51 (September). The highest number of fishing hour was observed in August (64 hr), whereas the lowest was in March (49 hr). The average catch per fisher per day ranged from 107 kg/day (December) to 144 kg/day (August) during the study period. An average of 25 days was spent fishing in each month. The result also indicated similarities in the water qualities of all the three sampling sites per months. Based on the result gotten it was concluded that lake Kalgwa is not over fished and water quality are within recommended ranges for fish production.
Integrating genome‐wide association study summaries and element‐gene interaction datasets identified multiple associations between elements and complex diseases
Authors: He Awen , Wang Wenyu , Prakash N. Tejo , Tinkov Alexey A. , Skalny Anatoly V. , Wen Yan , Hao Jingcan , Guo Xiong , Zhang Feng
Published: December 2017

Chemical elements are closely related to human health. Extensive genomic profile data of complex diseases offer us a good opportunity to systemically investigate the relationships between elements and complex diseases/traits. In this study, we applied gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) approach to detect the associations between elements and complex diseases/traits though integrating element‐gene interaction datasets and genome‐wide association study (GWAS) data of complex diseases/traits. To illustrate the performance of GSEA, the element‐gene interaction datasets of 24 elements were extracted from the comparative toxicogenomics database (CTD). GWAS summary datasets of 24 complex diseases or traits were downloaded from the dbGaP or GEFOS websites. We observed significant associations between 7 elements and 13 complex diseases or traits (all false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05), including reported relationships such as aluminum vs. Alzheimer's disease (FDR = 0.042), calcium vs. bone mineral density (FDR = 0.031), magnesium vs. systemic lupus erythematosus (FDR = 0.012) as well as novel associations, such as nickel vs. hypertriglyceridemia (FDR = 0.002) and bipolar disorder (FDR = 0.027). Our study results are consistent with previous biological studies, supporting the good performance of GSEA. Our analyzing results based on GSEA framework provide novel clues for discovering causal relationships between elements and complex diseases.
A deeper look at two concepts of measuring gene–gene interactions: logistic regression and interaction information revisited
Authors: Mielniczuk Jan , Teisseyre Paweł
Published: December 2017

Detection of gene–gene interactions is one of the most important challenges in genome‐wide case–control studies. Besides traditional logistic regression analysis, recently the entropy‐based methods attracted a significant attention. Among entropy‐based methods, interaction information is one of the most promising measures having many desirable properties. Although both logistic regression and interaction information have been used in several genome‐wide association studies, the relationship between them has not been thoroughly investigated theoretically. The present paper attempts to fill this gap. We show that although certain connections between the two methods exist, in general they refer two different concepts of dependence and looking for interactions in those two senses leads to different approaches to interaction detection. We introduce ordering between interaction measures and specify conditions for independent and dependent genes under which interaction information is more discriminative measure than logistic regression. Moreover, we show that for so‐called perfect distributions those measures are equivalent. The numerical experiments illustrate the theoretical findings indicating that interaction information and its modified version are more universal tools for detecting various types of interaction than logistic regression and linkage disequilibrium measures.
Discussion on the effectiveness of cement replacement for carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction in concrete
Authors: Şanal İrem
Published: December 2017

The environmental impact of concrete has become a significant matter of interest because many ready‐mix concrete producers are now requiring sustainability. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are often used as an evaluation parameter to identify the environmental impacts of concrete production. However, there are very few reliable estimates available for the practical determination of CO2 emissions in terms of all concrete constituents at concrete production stage. The aim of this study is therefore to provide data collected from raw‐material manufacturers and ready‐mix concrete plants so that practical estimates can be made for CO2 emissions and resulting environmental impacts. Results will be evaluated in terms of raw materials, production, and transportation, in order to identify the potentially significant sources of CO2 emissions. Emission results from the concrete production with ordinary Portland cement, blended cement and cement replacement with fly ash and slag were also examined, in order to gain further understanding of their efficiency in reducing CO2 emissions. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Affective and cooperative social interactions modulate effective connectivity within and between the mirror and mentalizing systems
Authors: Arioli Maria , Perani Daniela , Cappa Stefano , Proverbio Alice Mado , Zani Alberto , Falini Andrea , Canessa Nicola
Published: December 2017

Decoding the meaning of others’ actions, a crucial step for social cognition, involves different neural mechanisms. While the “mirror” and “mentalizing” systems have been associated with, respectively, the processing of biological actions versus more abstract information, their respective contribution to intention understanding is debated. Processing social interactions seems to recruit both neural systems, with a different weight depending on cues emphasizing either shared action goals or shared mental states. We have previously shown that observing cooperative and affective social interactions elicits stronger activity in key nodes of, respectively, the mirror (left posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), superior parietal cortex (SPL), and ventral/dorsal premotor cortex (vPMC/dPMC)) and mentalizing (ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC)) systems. To unveil their causal organization, we investigated the effective connectivity underlying the observation of human social interactions expressing increasing cooperativity (involving left pSTS, SPL, and vPMC) versus affectivity (vmPFC) via dynamic causal modeling in 36 healthy human subjects. We found strong evidence for a model including the pSTS and vPMC as input nodes for the observed interactions. The extrinsic connectivity of this model undergoes oppositely valenced modulations, with cooperativity promoting positive modulations of connectivity between pSTS and both SPL (forward) and vPMC (mainly backward), and affectivity promoting reciprocal positive modulations of connectivity between pSTS and vmPFC (mainly backward). Alongside fMRI data, such divergent effective connectivity suggests that different dimensions underlying the processing of social interactions recruit distinct, although strongly interconnected, neural pathways associated with, respectively, the bottom–up visuomotor processing of motor intentions, and the top–down attribution of affective/mental states.
Complex patterns of catchment solute–discharge relationships for coastal plain rivers
Authors: Diamond Jacob S. , Cohen Matthew J.
Published: December 2017

Riverine solute versus discharge (C–Q) relationships provide information about the magnitude and dynamics of material fluxes from landscapes. We analysed long‐term patterns of C–Q relationships for 44 rivers in Florida across a suite of geogenic, nutrient, and organic solutes and investigated land cover, watershed size, and surficial geology as controls on these patterns. Solute concentrations generally exhibited far less variability than did discharge, with coherent solute‐specific behaviours repeated across watersheds. Geogenic solutes generally diluted with increasing discharge, whereas organic solutes generally enriched; patterns for nutrients were highly variable across watersheds, but on average exhibited chemostasis. Despite strong evidence of both geologic and land cover controls on solute flow‐weighted concentrations, these variables were poor predictors of C–Q slopes (β) or relative coefficients of variation (CVC:CVQ). CVC:CVQ generally increased with watershed size, and wetland area appeared to influence C–Q patterns for base cations and organic solutes. Perhaps most importantly, we observed significant slope breaks in C–Q association in approximately half of our observations, challenging the generality of using single power functions to describe catchment solute export patterns. For all solutes except phosphorus (P), C–Q slopes decreased above statistically identified breaks (slopes for P increased), with breaks consistently at or near median flow (i.e., 50% flow exceedance probability). This common pattern significantly impacts solute load estimates; failing to account for slope breaks overestimates nitrate and total organic carbon loads as much as 125% and underestimates P loads as much as 35%. In addition to challenging generic power‐law characterization of C–Q relationships for these coastal plain rivers, and exploring the load estimate consequences thereof, our study supports emerging insights about watershed hydrochemical behaviours across a wide array of solutes.
Seeing through porous media: An experimental study for unveiling interstitial flows
Authors: Rubol Simonetta , Tonina Daniele , Vincent Lionel , Sohm Jill A. , Basham William , Budwig Ralph , Savalia Pratixa , Kanso Eva , Capone Douglas G. , Nealson Kenneth H.
Published: December 2017

We describe a novel inexpensive method, utilizing particle image velocimetry (PIV) and refractive index‐matching (RIM) for visualizing and quantifying the flow field within bio‐amended porous media. To date, this technique has been limited to idealized particles, whose refractive index does not match that of fresh water and thus requires specialized and often toxic or hazardous fluids. Here, we use irregularly shaped grains made of hydrogel as the solid matrix and water as the fluid. The advantage of using water is that it provides, for the first time, the opportunity to study both hydraulic and biological processes, which typically occur in soils and streambeds. By using RIM coupled with PIV (RIM‐PIV), we measured the interstitial flow field within a cell packed with granular material consisting of hydrogel grains in a size range of 1–8 mm, both in the presence and in the absence of Sinorhizobium meliloti bacteria (strain Rm8530). We also performed experiments with fluorescent tracer (fluorescein) and fluorescent microbes (Shewanella GPF MR‐1) to test the capability of visualizing solute transport and microbial movements. Results showed that the RIM‐PIV can measure the flow field for both biofilm‐free and biofilm‐covered hydrogel grains. The fluorescent tracer injection showed the ability to visualize both physical (concave surfaces and eddies) and biological (biofilms) transient storage zones, whereas the fluorescent microbe treatment showed the ability to track microbial movements within fluids. We conclude that the proposed methodology is a promising tool to visualize and quantify biofilm attachment, growth, and detachment in a system closer to natural conditions than a 2D flow cell experiment.
Neuroblastoma among children in Southern and Eastern European cancer registries: Variations in incidence and temporal trends compared to US
Authors: Georgakis Marios K. , Dessypris Nick , Baka Margarita , Moschovi Maria , Papadakis Vassilios , Polychronopoulou Sophia , Kourti Maria , Hatzipantelis Emmanuel , Stiakaki Eftichia , Dana Helen , Bouka Evdoxia , Antunes Luis , Bastos Joana , Coza Daniela , Demetriou Anna , Agius Domenic , Eser Sultan , Gheorghiu Raluca , Sekerija Mario , Trojanowski Maciej , Zagar Tina , Zborovskaya Anna , Ryzhov Anton , Tragiannidis Athanassios , Panagopoulou Paraskevi , Steliarova‐Foucher Eva , Petridou Eleni Th.
Published: December 2017

Neuroblastoma comprises the most common neoplasm during infancy (first year of life). Our study describes incidence of neuroblastoma in Southern–Eastern Europe (SEE), including – for the first time – the Nationwide Registry for Childhood Hematological Malignancies and Solid Tumors (NARECHEM‐ST)/Greece, compared to the US population, while controlling for human development index (HDI). Age‐adjusted incidence rates (AIR) were calculated for 1,859 childhood (0–14 years) neuroblastoma cases, retrieved from 13 collaborating SEE registries (1990–2016), and were compared to those of SEER/US (N = 3,166; 1990–2012); temporal trends were assessed using Poisson regression and Joinpoint analyses. The overall AIR was significantly lower in SEE (10.1/million) compared to SEER (11.7 per million); the difference was maximum during infancy (43.7 vs. 53.3 per million, respectively), when approximately one‐third of cases were diagnosed. Incidence rates of neuroblastoma at ages <1 and 1–4 years were positively associated with HDI, whereas lower median age at diagnosis was correlated with higher overall AIR. Distribution of primary site and histology was similar in SEE and SEER. Neuroblastoma was slightly more common among males compared to females (male‐to‐female ratio: 1.1), mainly among SEE infants. Incidence trends decreased in infants in Slovenia, Cyprus and SEER and increased in Ukraine and Belarus. The lower incidence in SEE compared to SEER, especially in infants living in low HDI countries possibly indicates a lower level of overdiagnosis in SEE. Hence, increases in incidence rates in infancy noted in some subpopulations should be carefully monitored to avoid the unnecessary costs health impacts of tumors that could potentially spontaneously regress.
Paraquat and MPTP alter microRNA expression profiles, and downregulated expression of miR‐17‐5p contributes to PQ‐induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration
Authors: Wang Qingqing , Zhan Yanting , Ren Nan , Wang Zhangjing , Zhang Qunwei , Wu Siying , Li Huangyuan
Published: December 2017

Recent evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the toxic effects of paraquat (PQ) and 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) on miRNA expression profiles in dopaminergic neurons have not been investigated. In the present study, we used microarray analysis to show that PQ and MPTP induce alterations of miRNA expression in neuro‐2a cells. The results reveal that treatment with 300 μm PQ caused miRNA deregulation, such that 60 miRNAs were upregulated and 228 miRNAs were downregulated. Following treatment with 300 μm MPTP, a total of 576 miRNAs were dysregulated, of which 506 were upregulated and 70 were downregulated. Alterations in the expression of miR‐17‐5p, miR‐210‐3p, miR‐374‐5p, miR‐378‐3p and miR‐503‐5p were verified by real‐time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, overexpression of miR‐17‐5p in Neuro‐2a cells enhanced cell proliferation, suppressed apoptosis and promoted S phase transition of the cell cycle after PQ treatment. Taken together, our study demonstrates that characteristic changes in miRNA expression profiles occur after PQ and MPTP treatment, which suggests that miRNAs may be involved in the development of PQ‐ and MPTP‐induced neurodegeneration. Downregulated miR‐17‐5p expression contributes to PQ‐induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration.
Response to Comment on “Retinal pulse wave velocity measurement using spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography”
Authors: Li Qian , Li Lin , Chai Xinyu , Zhou Chuanqing
Published: December 2017

Spahr et al. recently commented on our latest paper “Retinal pulse wave velocity measurement using spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography” with a conclusion that the measured retinal pulse wave velocity (rPWV) in our paper was contradictory to theoretical predictions and previously published results. However, the theoretical predictions by Spahr et al. based on Moens‐Korteweg equation are questionable, since the Moens‐Korteweg equation should not be used for small arteries like retinal arteries. Previously, various measurements of rPWV using different technologies have been reported. The results on human and rats are not consistent. As the rPWV is an unknown value, we argue that the time delay derived between 2 arterial sites should be verified to see if the delay truly represents the pulse wave transit time. In the future, special emphasis should be placed on demonstration of the reproducibility of technologies and data analysis of large samples.
Complementary version of fermion coupled coherent states method and gram–schmidt algorithm: Theory and applications for electronic states of and
Authors: Eidi Mohammadreza , Vafaee Mohsen , Rooein Mitra
Published: December 2017

In our previous report, we introduced a new version of Fermion coupled coherent states method (FCCS) which was especially suited for simulating the first symmetric spatial electronic state of two‐electron systems. In this manuscript, we report a complementary version for FCCS method to simulate both of the first symmetric and antisymmetric spatial electronic states of two‐electron systems. Moreover, the Gram–Schmidt orthogonalization process is employed to reach the excited states of the system. We apply this FCCS method and the original coupled coherent state method to simulate the energy of different electronic states of
and
, respectively. The results for the energy of computed electronic states of
and
show a pretty good consistency with the exact values. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association of polymorphism in the VEGFA gene 3′‐UTR +936T/C with susceptibility to biliary atresia in a Southern Chinese Han population
Authors: Liu Fei , Zeng Jixiao , Zhu Deli , Zhang Ruizhong , Xu Xiaogang , Wang Mengmeng , Zhang Yan , Xia Huimin , Feng Zhichun
Published: December 2017

Background

Biliary atresia (BA) is a neonatal disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the bile ducts and progressive aggravation of jaundice, but with a poor prognosis and high mortality. The etiology of BA is still uncertain which may be related to gene defect, virus infection, immune disorder, gene polymorphism. As a proinflammatory cytokine, VEGFA gene polymorphism (rs3025039) has been shown to be related to the pathogenesis of BA in Taiwanese population.

Methods

We investigated the association between VEGFA gene polymorphism (rs3025039) and BA susceptibility using the largest case‐control cohort, totaling with 506 BA patients and 1473 healthy controls in a Southern Chinese Han population. VEGFA gene polymorphism (rs3025039) was genotyped using the MassARRAY iPLEX Gold system (Sequenom). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to access the association between the VEGFA gene polymorphism (rs3025039) and BA risk.

Results

No significant association was found between the VEGFA gene polymorphism (rs3025039) and BA risk in the overall analysis.

Conclusion

These results suggest that VEGFA gene polymorphism (rs3025039) may not be associated with the risk of BA in the Southern Chinese Han population.
Exploring the link between perfectionism and depressive symptoms: Contribution of rumination and defense styles
Authors: Senra Carmen , Merino Hipólito , Ferreiro Fátima
Published: December 2017

Objective

This study investigated the mediating and moderating roles of emotion‐focused coping strategies (rumination and immature defenses) in the relationship between perfectionism and depressive symptoms in a Spanish community sample.

Method

438 participants (67.4% female; mean age = 36.94 years) completed self‐reports assessing perfectionism, rumination, immature defenses and depression. Multiple mediation, moderation and moderated mediation analyses were conducted.

Results

Brooding‐rumination and immature defenses mediated the relationship between perfectionism and depressive symptoms. Also, brooding‐rumination moderated the impact of perfectionism on depressive symptoms. The mediating effect of brooding in the relationship between perfectionism and depressive symptoms turned out to be moderated by immature defenses, such that the vulnerability link between perfectionism and depressive symptoms through brooding was stronger in individuals scoring high on immature defenses.

Conclusion

Brooding‐rumination and immature defenses may be essential mechanisms to explain the paths and conditions whereby maladaptive perfectionism gives rise to depression.
Sharp Dirac's theorem for DP‐critical graphs
Authors: Bernshteyn Anton , Kostochka Alexandr
Published: December 2017

Correspondence coloring, or DP‐coloring, is a generalization of list coloring introduced recently by Dvořák and Postle [11]. In this article, we establish a version of Dirac's theorem on the minimum number of edges in critical graphs [9] in the framework of DP‐colorings. A corollary of our main result answers a question posed by Kostochka and Stiebitz [15] on classifying list‐critical graphs that satisfy Dirac's bound with equality.
Immunotherapy for cardiovascular disease
Authors: Martini Elisa , Stirparo Giuliano Giuseppe , Kallikourdis Marinos
Published: December 2017

Heart failure (HF), the final stage of pathological cardiac hypertrophy, is a major cause of hospitalization and mortality. The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of HF has been extensively studied, with great emphasis on proinflammatory cytokines. Yet, clinical trials targeting these cytokines failed to become a credible therapeutic strategy for HF. More recent studies are increasingly highlighting an active role for T cells in the progression of HF pathology. As a result, a number of novel immunotherapy strategies are emerging for the treatment of HF and other cardiovascular diseases, via the targeting of adaptive immunity. Here we provide an overview of the background, details, and expected outcomes of these attempts.
Altered erector spinae activity and trunk motion occurs with moderate and severe unilateral hip OA
Authors: Moreside Janice , Wong Ivan , Rutherford Derek
Published: December 2017

People with hip osteoarthritis (OA) demonstrate altered movement patterns in the hip joint, as well as the pelvis and spine. While kinematic changes have been described in the literature, little is known about the associated erector spinae (ES) activity. Increased or prolonged ES activity may contribute to the low back pain often associated with hip OA. Using a cross‐sectional cohort study, 3D trunk motions and ES surface electromyography were recorded on 19 individuals with severe OA (SOA), 20 with moderate hip OA (MOA), and 19 asymptomatic (ASYM) individuals during treadmill walking, using standardized collection and processing procedures. Principal component analysis was used to derive electromyographic amplitude and temporal waveform features. Three‐dimensional thoracic motion in a global system, and thoraco‐lumbar motion was calculated. Various statistical analyses determined between group differences (α = 0.05). In the sagittal plane, thoracic motion was greater in the SOA group (p < 0.001), whereas the ASYM group used less thoraco‐lumbar motion than either OA group (p ≤ 0.002). Greater frontal plane angular excursion during early stance was found in the thoracic region in the SOA group (p ≤ 0.001) . With increasing OA severity, bilateral ES activity increased during the swing phase of gait (p < 0.001), whereas during stance, the SOA ipsilateral ES activity was higher than other groups (p < 0.001). Statement of clinical significance: with moderate and severe OA, sagittal, and frontal trunk motion increases during gait. ES activity during the entire gait cycle is more sustained with increased disease severity, which may aide our understanding of low back pain associated with hip OA. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1826–1832, 2018.
Dietary synbiotic incorporation as an alternative to antibiotic improves growth performance, intestinal morphology, immunity and antioxidant capacity of broilers
Authors: Chen Yueping , Wen Chao , Zhou Yanmin
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUD

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary synbiotic supplementation as an alternative to antibiotics on growth performance, intestinal morphology, immunity and oxidative status of broilers. One‐day‐old male chicks were allocated to three treatments and given a basal diet free from antibiotic (Control group) and a basal diet supplemented with either chlortetracycline or synbiotic for 42 days, respectively.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, the supplementation of synbiotic increased the average daily gain and gain:feed ratio of broilers from 22 to 42 days and 1 to 42 days of age, as well as the relative weight of the thymus and the secretory immunoglobulin A level in the jejunum and ileum at 42 days of age, with the values of these parameters being similar to the antibiotic group. Dietary synbiotic inclusion promoted the ratio of ileal villus height to crypt depth of broilers at 21 days of age. The supplementation of synbiotic also reduced the ileal malondialdehyde accumulation of broilers at 42 days of age to a level comparable with that of the antibiotic group.

CONCLUSION

Dietary synbiotic supplementation as an alternative to antibiotic could exert beneficial consequences on growth performance, intestinal morphology, immunity and the antioxidant capacity of broilers. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of microwave‐assisted hot water treatments designed against Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens) on grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) quality
Authors: Soto‐Reyes Nohemi , López‐Malo Aurelio , Rojas‐Laguna Roberto , Gómez‐Salazar Julián Andrés , Sosa‐Morales María Elena
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Hot water treatment (HWT) against Anastrepha ludens was developed achieving 48 °C in the core of grapefruits and holding it for 6 min. After heating, the grapefruits were hydro‐cooled and stored at 23 °C and analyzed for 16 days. The effect of microwave‐assisted HWT (MW‐HWT) on grapefruit quality was analyzed and compared with the quality of fruits treated with HWT and control fruits (without treatment). The physicochemical properties and chemical composition of essential oil were analyzed.

RESULTS

MW‐HWT was equivalent to HWT according to accumulated heat calculations, with the advantage of being shorter. Treatments significantly affected the weight, color, maturity index, juice content, firmness, titratable acidity, pH, and ascorbic acid content of the grapefruits (P < 0.05), but had no effect on the total soluble solids (P > 0.05). The major components identified in the essential oil were d‐limonene and β‐myrcene, compounds responsible of the scent of the grapefruits.

CONCLUSION

MW‐HWT was shorter (130 min) and had a lesser effect on the quality of the grapefruit when compared with fruits under HWT (188 min duration). Thus, this treatment could be considered as an alternative method against the Mexican fruit fly in grapefruit. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Thermodynamic enantioseparation behavior of phenylthiohydantoin‐amino acid derivatives in supercritical fluid chromatography on polysaccharide chiral stationary phases
Authors: Khater Syame , Canault Baptiste , Azzimani Taoufik , Bonnet Pascal , West Caroline
Published: December 2017

Thirteen pairs of enantiomers belonging to the same structural family (phenylthiohydantoin‐amino acids) were analyzed on two polysaccharide chiral stationary phases, namely, tris‐(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate) of amylose (Chiralpak AD‐H) or cellulose (Chiralcel OD‐H) in supercritical fluid chromatography with a carbon dioxide/methanol mobile phase (90:10 v/v). Five different temperatures (5, 10, 20, 30, 40°C) were applied to evaluate the thermodynamic behavior of these enantioseparations. On the cellulose stationary phase, the retention, and separation trends were most similar among the set of probe analytes, suggesting that the chiral cavities in this stationary phase have little diversity, or that all analytes accessed the same cavities. Conversely, the retention and separation trends on the amylose phase were much more diverse, and could be related to structural differences among the set of probe analytes (carbon chain length in the amino acid residue, secondary amine in proline, existence of covalent rings, or formation of pseudo‐rings via intramolecular hydrogen bonds). The large variability of behaviors on the amylose phase suggests that the chiral‐binding sites in this chiral stationary phase have more variety than on the cellulose phase, and that the analytes did access different cavities.
Polish globalization of Polish group partial actions
Authors: Pinedo Hector , Uzcátegui Carlos
Published: December 2017

Let be a separable metrizable space. We establish a criteria for the existence of a metrizable globalization for a given continuous partial action of a separable metrizable group G on . If G and are Polish spaces, we show that the globalization is also a Polish space. We also show the existence of an universal globalization for partial actions of Polish groups.
Supramolecular Polymers Based on Non‐Coplanar AAA‐DDD Hydrogen‐Bonded Complexes
Authors: Mendez Iamnica J. Linares , Wang Hong‐Bo , Yuan Ying‐Xue , Wisner James A.
Published: December 2017

Non‐coplanar triple‐hydrogen‐bond arrays are connected as telechelic groups to alkyl chains and their properties as AA/BB type supramolecular polymers are examined. Viscosity studies at three temperatures are used to study the ring‐chain equilibrium and determine the critical concentrations where polymer chains are formed. It is observed that neither the temperature range studied nor the alkyl chain length of one component significantly affect the polymerization properties in this system.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of a Degradable Trehalose Glycopolymer Prepared by RAFT Polymerization
Authors: Lau Uland Y. , Pelegri‐O'Day Emma M. , Maynard Heather D.
Published: December 2017

There is a significant need for new biodegradable protein stabilizing polymers. Herein, the synthesis of a polymer with trehalose side chains and hydrolytically degradable backbone esters and its evaluation for protein stabilization and cytotoxicity are described. Specifically, an alkene‐containing parent polymer is synthesized by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, and thiolated trehalose is installed using a radical‐initiated thiol–ene reaction. The stabilizing properties of the polymer are investigated by thermally stressing granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF), which is expressed and purified using a custom‐designed G‐CSF fusion protein with a polyhistidine‐tagged maltose binding protein. The degradable polymer is shown to stabilize G‐CSF to 66% after heating at 40 °C. Poly(5,6‐benzo‐2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxepane (BMDO)‐co‐butyl methacrylate‐trehalose) is degraded and its cellular compatibility is investigated. While the polymer is noncytotoxic, cytotoxic effects are observed from the degraded products in fibroblasts and murine myeloblasts. These data provide important information for future use of BMDO‐containing trehalose glycopolymers for biomedical applications.
Hyperbranched Aliphatic Polyester via Cross‐Metathesis Polymerization: Synthesis and Postpolymerization Modification
Authors: Zeng Fu‐Rong , Ma Ji‐Mei , Sun Lin‐Hao , Zeng Zhen , Jiang Hong , Li Zi‐Long
Published: December 2017

A novel postpolymerization modification methodology is demonstrated to achieve selective functionalization of hyperbranched polymer (HBP). Terminal and internal acrylates of HBP derived from cross‐metathesis polymerization (CMP) are functionalized in a chemoselective fashion using the thiol‐Michael chemistries. Model reactions between different thiols (benzyl mercaptan and methyl thioglycolate) and acrylates (n‐hexyl acrylate and ethyl trans‐2‐decenoate) by using dimethylphenylphosphine or amylamine as the catalyst are investigated to optimize the modification protocol for HBP. High‐molecular‐weight HBP P0 is generated through CMP of AB2 monomer 2, a compound containing one α‐olefin and two acrylate metathetically polymerizable groups. CMP kinetics is monitored by NMR and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Accordingly, microstructural analysis is conducted in detail, and CMP procedure is optimized. Postpolymerization modification of HBP P0 is performed via two distinguished strategies, namely one‐step complete modification and sequential modification, to generate terminally and/or internally functionalized HBPs P1–P3 in a chemoselective fashion by using phosphine‐initiated and/or base‐catalyzed thiol‐Michael chemistries. Finally, thermal stability and glass transition behaviors of HBPs P0–P3 are studied by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively.
Multitemperature Responsive Self‐Folding Soft Biomimetic Structures
Authors: Kobayashi Kunihiko , Oh Seung Hyun , Yoon ChangKyu , Gracias David H.
Published: December 2017

Untethered, millimeter‐scale, stimuli‐responsive shape change structures are critical to the function of autonomous devices, smart materials, and soft robotics. Temperature in a range compatible with physiological or ambient environmental conditions is an excellent cue to trigger actuation of soft structures for practical biomimetic applications. Previously, a range of thermally responsive self‐folding soft structures has been described and utilized in a variety of applications from tissue engineering to minimally invasive surgery. In order to extend these concepts to more complex devices, thermally responsive bilayer structures composed of poly[oligo (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] (POEGMA) gels that swell at three different temperatures are described. The lower critical solution temperature and volume transition temperature of POEGMA are tuned by varying the side chain length and the extent of copolymerization. The swelling properties of the POEGMA gels are characterized and a multilayer photopatterning process is described that is used to create soft biomimetic structures that change shape in a sequential manner while displaying multistate behaviors.