bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photopolymer resins for luminescent three‐dimensional printing
Authors: Wang Fei , Chong Yiting , Wang FuKe , He Chaobin
Published: May 2017

Liquid resins‐based three‐dimensional (3D) printing techniques such as stereolithography and digital light processing (DLP) show higher resolution and accuracy than other printing techniques, but their applications have been impeded by the limited materials selection and lack of functions. We here reported the preparation of luminescent resins for DLP‐based 3D printing. Homogeneous dispersion of the fluorescent dyes was achieved by small acrylate molecules screening, and the cure depth studies was used to optimize both resin composition and printing parameters setting. In addition, we showed that the optical analysis of absorption and emission spectra is an important tool to reduce the complex mutual‐interference of the light absorption of dye, photoinitiator and photo‐absorber in the printable resin. We also developed the mater batch technique to tune the emitting colors in the whole visible range, together with white emitting. By using the developed resins, different 3D structures with different emitting colors were successfully printed by DLP technique. These results will further widen the applications of the liquid resins‐based 3D printing techniques, and these luminescent resins show highly potential applications in education, lighting, UV converters, and so on. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44988.
A simple intervention for stereotypical engagement with an augmentative alternative communicative device
Authors: Cook Jennifer L. , Rapp John T. , Burji Carla , McHugh Catherine , Nuta Raluca
Published: May 2017

Although electronic devices may enhance the effectiveness of some behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders, such devices may also give rise to problem behavior such as repetitious button pressing (i.e., object stereotypy). Results of this study showed that a child with autism spectrum disorder only displayed high levels of object stereotypy on an iPad™ when presses generated auditory output. Subsequently, results showed that when the participant used the iPad™ without auditory output, his stereotypical behavior decreased and his manding for various items simultaneously increased.
Motion of the anterior cruciate ligament during internal and external rotation at the knee: A cadaveric study
Authors: Peeler J. , Anderson J. , Piotrowski S. , Stranges G.
Published: May 2017

Despite advances in our understanding of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) anatomy and function, the change in position of the ACL during tibial rotation is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare the movements of the anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles of the ACL during 15° of medial and lateral rotation (with & without a shear force). Cadaveric knees (12 male/12 female) were dissected and mounted at 90° of knee flexion. Anthropometric features of the ACL and distal femur were recorded, and each bundle was marked at: femoral attachment (FA), midpoint of ligament (MP), and tibial attachment (TA). Digital images of ACL motion in the frontal plane were taken as the tibia was rotated about a fixed femur. Using digitizing software, the change in position of the markers was quantified. Measurements suggested the ACL pattern of motion was consistent between sexes, regardless of shear force. The greatest amount of movement of both the AM and PM bundles occurred at the TA marker. The FA marker moved more during medial rotation, and the MP and TA markers moved more with lateral rotation. The 20 lb‐shear force affected medial rotation most. This study is the first to quantify movement of the ACL during medial and lateral tibial rotation. Data should assist surgeons to select a graft position that is capable of replicating the rotational movement of the native ACL, and help improve three‐dimensional stability of the ACL reconstructed knee. Clin. Anat. 30:861–867, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sky detection‐ and texture smoothing‐based high‐visibility haze removal from images and videos
Authors: Liu Chunxiao , Shen Yiyun , Shao Yaqi , Zhao Jinwei , Wang Xun
Published: May 2017

To address the gloomy sky and the low contrast caused by the left fog in the existing image dehazing methods, we propose a robust haze removal algorithm for images and videos. First, a sky detection‐based adaptive atmospheric light estimation method is designed for brighter and cleaner restoration results for the sky regions. Second, in order to reconstruct a transmission map in line with the depth variation, we preprocess the input image with texture smoothing to keep the color consistency inside the same planar object and devise a texture smoothing‐based robust transmission estimation method, with which the contrast and color saturation of fog‐free image are greatly promoted. Finally, the restored results are post‐processed with the joint bilateral filter for the purpose of noise removal. What's more, a guided filter‐based temporally coherent atmospheric light smoothing strategy and a Gaussian filter‐based spatial‐temporally coherent transmission smoothing strategy are put forward for video dehazing, which can ensure the spatial as well as temporal continuity of the haze‐free videos. Experimental results show that the recovered haze‐free images and videos have high contrast and color saturation with cleaner sky regions, and the haze‐free videos are free of jittering and flickering phenomena.
Designing quality into direct‐assessment competency‐based education
Authors: Brower Aaron M. , Humphreys Debra , Karoff Rebecca , Kallio Sandra
Published: May 2017

Background

Meeting the nation's need for 60% of its working age population to hold postsecondary education by 2025 is not possible through traditional educational institutions and formats. They simply do not have the “seats” available. Students, employers, and regulatory agencies are actively exploring educational alternatives, such as competency‐based education, rightfully expecting assurances of quality.

Methods

In this study, we apply design principles using the Association of American Colleges & Universities quality framework to direct‐assessment CBE. This quality framework arises from AAC&U's Liberal Education and America's Promise. The University of Wisconsin Flexible Option (UW Flex) is used to illustrate the application of the AAC&U quality framework.

Findings

The LEAP design principles are used to create an aspirational vision to guide the development of direct‐assessment CBE. We describe the work and design decisions made when creating UW Flex to illustrate how the LEAP quality framework can ensure high‐quality direct‐assessment CBE programming.

Conclusion

This study builds the case for how quality CBE can expand opportunities for more Americans. We promote a particular vision of quality that is an aspirational model for CBE, based on the AAC&U LEAP design principles of Proficiency, Agency and Self‐Direction, Integrative Learning and Problem‐Based Inquiry, Transparency and Assessment, and Equity. The intense excitement over CBE presents an unprecedented opportunity to design high‐quality educational models that focus emphatically on student learning versus faculty teaching, allowing higher education leaders to remove impediments to optimal learning. Only then will all students have the chance to reach the levels of talent and ability needed to navigate and flourish in today's world.
FeII/FeIII Doped Bi/BiOBr Hierarchical Microspheres as a Highly Efficient Catalyst for Degradation of Organic Contaminants at Neutral pH: The Role of Visible Light and H2O2
Authors: Li Wentao , Geng Xin , Xiao Feng , An Guangyu , Wang Dongsheng
Published: May 2017

A novel FeII/FeIII doped Bi/BiOBr (FBB) visible‐light, Fenton‐like catalyst was successfully synthesized by using the solvothermal method. The morphological and structural features of FBB were analyzed by XRD, field emission (FE)‐SEM, TEM, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The results revealed that the presence of Fe could promote the growth of Bi metal nanoparticles, and increase the specific surface areas of FBB. Rhodamine B (RhB) photodegradation experiments indicated that FBB with the Fe/Bi molar ratio (0.2–0.3) exhibited higher photocatalytic activities. In the photo‐Fenton‐like reaction, the degradation efficiency of bisphenol A (BPA) over FBB‐25 was increased to 100 % within 30 min whereas it was 3 % and 12 % in the Fenton‐like and photocatalytic reactions. Moreover, 2‐chlorophenol (2‐CP), 4‐chlorophenol (4‐CP), 2,4‐dichlorophenol (2,4‐DCP), and 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol (2,4,6‐TCP) were completely degraded within 30 min over FBB‐25. The presence of visible light can promote the rapid reaction rate between FeII and FeIII over FBB with H2O2, producing more hydroxyl radicals (.OH) and more holes. The radical scavenger experiments demonstrated that holes and hydroxyl radicals (.OH) were the main active species. FBB‐25 is still stable after five cycles. Therefore, FBB‐25 has great potential in wastewater treatment.
Polymorph Control of L‐ArgHCl on Antisolvent Crystallization by Ultrasonic Irradiation
Authors: Ike Yuki , Hirasawa Izumi
Published: May 2017

Amino acids are utilized as medical raw materials and food additives. It is well‐known that most of the amino acids show polymorphism. Differences in the crystal structures affect the physical and chemical properties. Therefore, an effective method for polymorph control is required in the crystallization process. Polymorph control of L‐arginine hydrochloride (L‐ArgHCl) on antisolvent crystallization was achieved by ultrasonic irradiation. L‐ArgHCl exhibits polymorphism and crystallizes into three distinct crystal forms. Without irradiation, the metastable form was selectively crystallized. In contrast, the unstable form was selectively crystallized by irradiation. Irradiation after the addition of an antisolvent led to a shorter induction time.
N‐BODIPYs Come into Play: Smart Dyes for Photonic Materials
Authors: Ray César , Díaz‐Casado Laura , Avellanal‐Zaballa Edurne , Bañuelos Jorge , Cerdán Luis , García‐Moreno Inmaculada , Moreno Florencio , Maroto Beatriz L. , López‐Arbeloa Íñigo , de la Moya Santiago
Published: May 2017

N‐BODIPYs (diaminoboron dipyrromethenes) are unveiled as a new family of BODIPY dyes with huge technological potential. Synthetic access to these systems has been gained through a judicious design focused on stabilizing the involved diaminoboron chelate. Once stabilized, the obtained N‐BODIPYs retain the effective photophysical behavior exhibited by other boron‐substituted BODIPYs, such as O‐BODIPYs. However, key bonding features of nitrogen compared to those of oxygen (enhanced bond valence and different bond directionality) open up new possibilities for functionalizing BODIPYs, allowing an increase in the number of pendant moieties (from two in O‐BODIPYs, up to four in N‐BODIPYs) near the chromophore and, therefore, greater control of the photophysics. As a proof of concept, the following findings are discussed: (1) the low‐cost and straightforward synthesis of a selected series of N‐BODIPYs; (2) their outstanding photophysical properties compared to those of related effective dyes (excellent emission signatures, including fluorescence in the solid state; notable lasing capacities in the liquid phase and when doped into polymers; improved laser performance compared to the parent F‐BODIPYs); (3) the versatility of the diaminoboron moiety in allowing the generation of multifunctionalized BODIPYs, permitting access to both symmetric and asymmetric dyes; (4) the capability of such versatility to finely modulate the dye photophysics towards different photonic applications, from lasing to chemosensing.
Glucose‐Modified Silicon Nanoparticles for Cellular Imaging
Authors: Hsu Chien‐Wei , Septiadi Dedy , Lai Chian‐Hui , Chen Pengkun , Seeberger Peter H. , De Cola Luisa
Published: May 2017

Luminescent silicon nanoparticles have recently attracted attention due to their remarkable stability, covalent functionalisation and tunable photoemission properties. Owing to their biocompatibility, low toxicity, and the small particle size that can be achieved by different synthetic approaches, these nanomaterials are candidates as cellular probes in the field of bioimaging, and potentially for in vivo applications. Tailoring the surface of the particles with active biomolecules such as sugar moieties can be an interesting strategy to increase the kinetics of internalisation or to vary the localisation of nanosystems in living cells. In this study, we synthesised and modified ultrasmall silicon nanoparticles with glucose covalently linked on their surface. Moreover, by varying the ratio between the amount of silicon nanoparticles and the saccharide groups, the amount of glucose, as a capping moiety, can be well controlled. FTIR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements and anisotropy decay analysis confirmed the covalent binding of glucose to the nanoparticles. The photophysical behaviour of the surface‐functionalised silicon quantum dots was not significantly different to that of the unmodified nanoparticles. In vitro studies demonstrated faster internalisation of the glucose‐functionalised nanoparticles into HeLa cells. Different localisation and uptake kinetics of the glucose‐modified particles compared to the unmodified particles are discussed in order to reveal the role played by the sugar molecules.
Polybenzoxazine‐Derived N‐doped Carbon as Matrix for Powder‐Based Electrocatalysts
Authors: Barwe Stefan , Andronescu Corina , Masa Justus , Ventosa Edgar , Klink Stefan , Genç Aziz , Arbiol Jordi , Schuhmann Wolfgang
Published: May 2017

In addition to catalytic activity, intrinsic stability, tight immobilization on a suitable electrode surface, and sufficient electronic conductivity are fundamental prerequisites for the long‐term operation of particle‐ and especially powder‐based electrocatalysts. We present a novel approach to concurrently address these challenges by using the unique properties of polybenzoxazine (pBO) polymers, namely near‐zero shrinkage and high residual‐char yield even after pyrolysis at high temperatures. Pyrolysis of a nanocubic prussian blue analogue precursor (KmMnx[Co(CN)6]y⋅n H2O) embedded in a bisphenol A and aniline‐based pBO led to the formation of a N‐doped carbon matrix modified with MnxCoyOz nanocubes. The obtained electrocatalyst exhibits high efficiency toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and more importantly a stable performance for at least 65 h.
Areal homogeneity verification of plasma generated by diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge in ambient air at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Stepanova Vlasta , Kelar Jakub , Galmiz Oleksandr , Zemanek Miroslav , Slavicek Pavel , Bucek Andrej , Cernak Mirko
Published: May 2017

This paper deals with an optical emission spectroscopy study of a diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD) in air at atmospheric pressure. The main aim of this study was to verify the areal homogeneity of the generated plasma, which is important for many applications like treatment of nonwoven fabrics, glass, metals, polymers, foils, and so on. Optical emission spectra of DCSBD plasma in air were measured for three different frequencies (15, 30, and 50 kHz) of the applied voltage. Comparison of the calculated rotational and vibrational temperatures was carried out, and areal homogeneity of plasma was proved. Electrical parameters of discharge such as the plasma power using the area of the Lissajous figures and energy transfer efficiency to the discharge were also investigated. The effective thickness of plasma layer as a function of the input power was measured.
Seed dispersal of Diospyros virginiana in the past and the present: Evidence for a generalist evolutionary strategy
Authors: Rebein Mimi , Davis Charli N. , Abad Helena , Stone Taylor , del Sol Jillian , Skinner Natalie , Moran Matthew D.
Published: May 2017

Several North American trees are hypothesized to have lost their co‐evolved seed disperser during the late‐Pleistocene extinction and are therefore considered anachronistic. We tested this hypothesis for the American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) by studying the effects of gut passage of proposed seed dispersers on seedling survival and growth, natural fruiting characteristics, and modern animal consumption patterns. We tested gut passage effects on persimmon seeds using three native living species, the raccoon (Procyon lotor), Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), and coyote (Canis latrans), and two Pleistocene analogs; the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) and alpaca (Vicugna pacos). Persimmon seeds excreted by raccoons, coyotes, and elephants survived gut transit. Gut passage did not affect sprouting success, but did tend to decrease time to sprout and increase seedling quality. Under field conditions, persimmon fruits were palatable on the parent tree and on the ground for an equal duration, but most fruits were consumed on the ground. Seven vertebrate species fed upon persimmon fruits, with the white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)—a species not capable of dispersing persimmon seeds—comprising over 90% of detections. Conversely, potential living seed dispersers were rarely detected. Our results suggest the American persimmon evolved to attract a variety of seed dispersers and thus is not anachronistic. However, human‐induced changes in mammal communities could be affecting successful seed dispersal. We argue that changes in the relative abundance of mammals during the Anthropocene may be modifying seed dispersal patterns, leading to potential changes in forest community composition.
A global study of GPP focusing on light‐use efficiency in a random forest regression model
Authors: Wei Suhua , Yi Chuixiang , Fang Wei , Hendrey George
Published: May 2017

Light‐use efficiency (LUE) is at the core of mechanistic modeling of global gross primary production (GPP). However, most LUE estimates in global models are satellite based and coarsely measured with emphasis on environmental variables. Others are from eddy covariance towers with much greater spatial and temporal data quality and emphasis on mechanistic processes, but in a limited number of sites. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive global study of tower‐based LUE from 237 FLUXNET towers, and scaled up LUEs from in situ tower level to global biome level. We integrated the tower‐based LUE estimates with key environmental and biological variables at 0.5° × 0.5° grid‐cell resolutions, using a random forest regression (RFR) approach. Then, we developed a RFR‐LUE‐GPP model using the grid‐cell LUE data. In order to calibrate the LUE model, we developed a data‐driven RFR‐GPP model using RFR method only. Our results showed LUE varies largely with latitude. We estimated a global area‐weighted average of LUE at 1.23 ± 0.03 g C·m−2·MJ−1 APAR, which led to an estimate of global GPP of 107.5 ± 2.5 Gt C/yr from 2001 to 2005. Large uncertainties existed in GPP estimations over sparsely vegetated areas covered by savannas and woody savannas at middle to low latitude (i.e., 20° S–40° S and 5° N–40° N) due to the lack of available data. Model results were improved by incorporating Köppen climate types to represent climate/meteorological information in machine‐learning modeling. This brought a new understanding to the recognized problem of climate dependence of spring onset of photosynthesis and the challenges in accurately modeling the biome GPP of evergreen broadleaf forests (EBF). The divergent responses of GPP to temperature and precipitation at middle to high latitudes and at middle to low latitudes echo the necessity of modeling GPP separately by latitudes.
Pt and Ti Complexes Immobilized onto Mesoporous Silica Microspheres and Their Interaction with Molecules of Biological Interest
Authors: del Hierro Isabel , Pérez Yolanda , Cruz Paula , Juárez Rafael
Published: May 2017

Mesoporous silica microspheres (MSMs) have been functionalized with triazole and pendant hydroxy moieties by a postsynthetic procedure. The functionalities have been prepared by a very efficient azide/alkyne click reaction with propargyl alcohol to yield the corresponding 1,2,3‐triazole. The subsequent reaction with cisplatin and titanocene as metallic precursors produces platinum and titanium complexes tethered onto the silica surface. The synthesized materials have been fully characterized by dynamic recrystallization kinetics (DRX), FTIR, N2 adsorption/desorption techniques, TEM, diffuse reflectance (DR) UV/Vis and 13C cross polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR spectroscopy. In addition, the interaction of these materials with molecules of biological interest such as guanosine and bovine serum albumin has been studied by means of solid‐state voltammetry techniques. Drug‐release experiments in simulated body fluid show sustained release profiles for the platinum complexes.
Synergic effects of sugar and caffeine on insulin‐mediated metabolomic alterations after an acute consumption of soft drinks
Authors: González‐Domínguez Raúl , Mateos Rosa María , Lechuga‐Sancho Alfonso María , González‐Cortés José Joaquín , Corrales‐Cuevas Manuel , Rojas‐Cots Juan Alberto , Segundo Carmen , Schwarz Mónica
Published: May 2017

High sugar consumption elicits numerous deleterious effects on health by inducing insulin resistance, which is closely associated with the development of metabolic disorders such as obesity or type‐2 diabetes. Furthermore, there is also growing evidence that caffeine may play an important role in the regulation of insulin release and the appearance of related metabolic impairments. Thus, the aim of this work was to investigate the impact of acute sugar and caffeine intake on the metabolic health status by using a metabolomic multi‐platform based on the combination of flow injection mass spectrometry and ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. To this end, we performed a randomized, crossover and double‐blind intervention study with different soft drinks from the same brand. Numerous metabolomic changes were detected in serum samples over time after the intake of sugar‐sweetened beverages, including energy‐related metabolites, amino acids and lipids, thus demonstrating the intense effects provoked by acute sugar consumption on the organism during 3 h of follow‐up. However, the most significant findings were observed after the co‐ingestion of caffeine, which could be indicative of a synergic effect of this psychostimulant on insulin‐mediated perturbations.
Generalised additive point process models for natural hazard occurrence
Authors: Youngman Benjamin D. , Economou Theodoros
Published: May 2017

Point processes are a natural class of models for representing occurrences of various types of natural hazard event. Flexibly implementing such models is often hindered by intractable likelihood forms. Consequently, the rates of point processes tend to be reduced to parametric forms, or the processes are discretised to give data of readily modelled “count‐per‐unit” type. This work proposes generalised additive model forms for point process rates. The resulting low‐rank spatiotemporal representations of rates, coupled with the Laplace approximation, makes the restricted likelihood relatively tractable and hence inference for such models possible. The models can also be interpreted from a regression perspective. The proposed models are used to estimate different types of Cox process and then spatiotemporal variation in European windstorms. Through a combination of thin‐plate and cubic regression splines and their tensor product, established relationships between where windstorms occur and the state of the North Atlantic Oscillation are confirmed and then expanded to bring detailed understanding of within‐year variation, which has otherwise not been possible with count‐based models.
ReCAP: A distributed CAPTCHA service at the edge of the network to handle server overload
Authors: Al‐Hammouri Ahmad T. , Al‐Ali Zaid , Al‐Duwairi Basheer
Published: May 2017

Web server overload resulting from an application layer–based distributed denial‐of‐service (DDoS) attack or a flash crowd event continues to be a major problem in today's internet because it renders the Web server unavailable in both cases. In this paper, we propose a novel system, called ReCAP, that handles server overload resulting from application layer–based DDoS attacks or flash crowd events. The system is envisioned as a service that can be provided to websites that have limited resources with no infrastructure in place to handle these events. The main goal of ReCAP is to filter attack traffic in case of a DDoS attack event and to provide users with basic information during a flash crowd event. The proposed system is composed of 2 main modules: (1) the HTTPredirect module, which is a stateless Hypertext Transfer Protocol server that redirects Web requests destined to the targeted Web server to the second module, and (2) the distributed Completely Automated Public Turing Test To Tell Computers and Humans Apart (CAPTCHA) service, which comprises a large number of powerful nodes geographically and suitably distributed in the internet acting as a large distributed firewall. All requests to the origin Web server are redirected to the CAPTCHA nodes, which can segregate legitimate clients from automated attacks by requiring them to solve a challenge. Upon successful response, legitimate clients (humans) are forwarded through a given CAPTCHA node to the Web server. These CAPTCHA proxies are envisioned to be placed intrinsically at the edge of the network in the proximity of the clients to curb communication delays, and thus perceived response times, and to relieve the core network from further traffic congestion. In particular, such organization fits squarely in the fifth use case scenario presented in the European Telecommunications Standards Institute Mobile Edge Computing Industry Specification Group's introductory technical paper on Mobile‐Edge Computing. In conclusion, the performance evaluation shows that the proposed system is able to mitigate application‐layer DDoS attacks while incurring acceptable delays for legitimate clients as a result of redirecting them to and via CAPTCHA nodes.
Anomaly behavior analysis for IoT sensors
Authors: Pacheco Jesus , Hariri Salim
Published: May 2017

The Internet of Things (IoT) will not only connect computers and mobile devices but also interconnect smart buildings, homes, and cities, as well as electrical grids, gas, and water networks, automobiles, airplanes, etc. IoT will lead to the development of a wide range of advanced information services that need to be processed in real time and require large storage and computational power. The integration of IoT with fog and cloud computing not only brings the computational requirements but also enables IoT services to be pervasive, cost‐effective, and accessible from anywhere and at anytime. In any IoT application, sensors are indispensable to bring the physical world into the digital world that can be implemented by leveraging fog computing. However, IoT sensors will introduce major security challenges as they contribute to a significant increase in the IoT attack surface. In this paper, we present a methodology to develop an intrusion detection system on the basis of anomaly behavior analysis to detect when a sensor has been compromised and used to provide misinformation. Our preliminary experimental results show that our approach can accurately authenticate sensors on the basis of their behavior and can detect known and unknown sensor attacks with high detection rate and low false alarms.
Intraoperative nerve monitoring during parathyroid surgery: The Fort Worth experience
Authors: Mourad Moustafa , Kadakia Sameep , Jategaonkar Ameya , Gordin Eli , Ducic Yadranko
Published: May 2017

Background

Avoidance of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury during parathyroid surgery is of paramount important. The purpose of this study was to determine if intraoperative nerve monitoring allowed for decreased rates of RLN injury during parathyroid surgery.

Method

Between 1997 and 2016, 213 patients undergoing parathyroidectomy were retrospectively analyzed to determine postoperative recurrent nerve injury. Eighty‐seven patients did not have intraoperative nerve monitoring, whereas 126 patients did.

Results

Based on the number of patients presenting with nerve injury during the postoperative period operated on with and without nerve monitoring, it was found that the difference in the 2 modalities was not statistically significant (P > .05).

Conclusion

Routine use of intraoperative nerve monitoring during parathyroid surgery may not yield any additional benefit in preventing injury to the RLN.
Alcohol abstinence ameliorates the dysregulated immune profiles in patients with alcoholic hepatitis: A prospective observational study
Authors: Li Wei , Amet Tohti , Xing Yanyan , Yang Dennis , Liangpunsakul Suthat , Puri Puneet , Kamath Patrick S. , Sanyal Arun J. , Shah Vijay H. , Katz Barry P. , Radaeva Svetlana , Crabb David W. , Chalasani Naga , Yu Qigui
Published: May 2017

Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) develops in only a small proportion of heavy drinkers. To better understand the mechanisms underlying this disparity, we conducted a study to define the relationship between AH development and dysregulated immune responses that might be ameliorated by alcohol abstinence. Sixty‐eight AH patients, 65 heavy drinking controls without liver disease (HDC), and 20 healthy controls were enrolled and followed up to 12 months. At baseline, HDC and healthy controls had no significant differences in their plasma levels of 38 inflammatory cytokines/chemokines measured using multiplex immunoassays. However, compared to HDC, AH patients had higher baseline levels of 11 cytokines/chemokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 [IL‐6], IL‐8, interferon gamma–induced protein 10, IL‐4, IL‐9, IL‐10, fibroblast growth factor 2, IL‐7, IL‐15, and transforming growth factor alpha) but lower levels of the anti‐inflammatory macrophage‐derived chemokine. AH patients also had more activated yet dysfunctional immune cells as monocytes, T cells, and B cells expressed higher levels of cluster of differentiation 38 (CD38) and CD69 but low levels of human leukocyte antigen DR, CD80, and CD86 at baseline. In addition, CD4 T cells produced less interferon‐gamma in response to T‐cell stimulation. Up‐regulated IL‐6, IL‐8, CD38, and CD69 and down‐regulated macrophage‐derived chemokine, human leukocyte antigen DR, CD86, and CD80 correlated positively and negatively, respectively, with disease severity. Longitudinal analysis indicated that levels of IL‐6, IL‐8, CD38, and CD69 were reduced, whereas levels of macrophage‐derived chemokine, human leukocyte antigen DR, CD80, and CD86 were increased in abstinent AH patients. All of the cellular immune abnormalities were reversed by day 360 in abstinent AH patients; however, plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL‐8, IL‐10, fibroblast growth factor 2, and IL‐7 remained higher. Conclusion: AH patients were in a highly immune‐dysregulated state, whereas HDC showed little evidence of immune activation; alcohol abstinence reversed most, but not all, of the immunological abnormalities. (Hepatology 2017;66:575–590).
Autoreactive monoclonal antibodies from patients with primary biliary cholangitis recognize environmental xenobiotics
Authors: Tanaka Toshihiro , Zhang Weici , Sun Ying , Shuai Zongwen , Chida Asiya Seema , Kenny Thomas P. , Yang Guo‐Xiang , Sanz Ignacio , Ansari Aftab , Bowlus Christopher L. , Ippolito Gregory C. , Coppel Ross L. , Okazaki Kazuichi , He Xiao‐Song , Leung Patrick S.C. , Gershwin M. Eric
Published: May 2017

A major problem in autoimmunity has been identification of the earliest events that lead to breach of tolerance. Although there have been major advances in dissecting effector pathways and the multilineage immune responses to mitochondrial self‐antigens in primary biliary cholangitis, the critical links between environmental factors and tolerance remain elusive. We hypothesized that environmental xenobiotic modification of the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDC‐E2) inner lipoyl domain can lead to loss of tolerance to genetically susceptible hosts. Previously we demonstrated that serum anti‐PDC‐E2 autoantibodies cross‐react with the chemical xenobiotics 2‐octynoic acid and 6,8‐bis (acetylthio) octanoic acid and further that there is a high frequency of PDC‐E2‐specific peripheral plasmablasts. Herein we generated 104 recombinant monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) based on paired heavy‐chain and light‐chain variable regions of individual plasmablasts derived from primary biliary cholangitis patients. We identified 32 mAbs reactive with native PDC‐E2, including 20 specific for PDC‐E2 and 12 cross‐reactive with both PDC‐E2 and 2‐octynoic acid and 6,8‐bis (acetylthio) octanoic acid. A lower frequency of replacement somatic hypermutations, indicating a lower level of affinity maturation, was observed in the complementarity‐determining regions of the cross‐reactive mAbs in comparison to mAbs exclusively recognizing PDC‐E2 or those for irrelevant antigens. In particular, when the highly mutated heavy‐chain gene of a cross‐reactive mAb was reverted to the germline sequence, the PDC‐E2 reactivity was reduced dramatically, whereas the xenobiotic reactivity was retained. Importantly, cross‐reactive mAbs also recognized lipoic acid, a mitochondrial fatty acid that is covalently bound to PDC‐E2. Conclusion: Our data reflect that chemically modified lipoic acid or lipoic acid itself, through molecular mimicry, is the initial target that leads to the development of primary biliary cholangitis. (Hepatology 2017;66:885–895)
Genetic polymorphisms associated with pancreatic cancer survival: a genome‐wide association study
Authors: Tang Hongwei , Wei Peng , Chang Ping , Li Yanan , Yan Dong , Liu Chang , Hassan Manal , Li Donghui
Published: May 2017

Previous findings on the association of genetic factors and pancreatic cancer survival are limited and inconsistent. In a two‐stage study, we analyzed the existing genome‐wide association study dataset of 868 pancreatic cancer patients from MD Anderson Cancer Center in relation to overall survival using Cox regression. Top hits were selected for replication in another 820 patients from the same institution using the Taqman genotyping method. Functional annotation, pathway analysis and gene expression analysis were conducted using existing software and databases. We discovered genome‐wide significant associations of patient survival with three imputed SNPs which, in complete LD (r2 = 1), were intronic SNPs of the PAIP2B (rs113988120) and DYSF genes (rs112493246 and rs138529893) located on Chromosome 2. The variant alleles were associated with a 3.06‐fold higher risk of death [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.10–4.47,
] after adjusting for clinical factors. Eleven SNPs were tested in the replication study and the association of rs113988120 with survival was confirmed (hazard ratio: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.13–2.20,
). In silico analysis found rs1139988120 might lead to altered motif. This locus is in LD (D′ = 0.77) with three eQTL SNPs near or belong to the NAGK and MCEE genes. According to The Cancer Genome Atlas data and our previous RNA‐sequencing data, the mRNA expression level of PAIP2B but not NAGK, MCEE or DYSF was significantly lower in pancreatic tumors than in normal adjacent tissues. Additional validation efforts and functional studies are warranted to demonstrate whether PAIP2B is a novel tumor suppressor gene and a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
Roles of platelet‐derived growth factor in vascular calcification
Authors: Ouyang Liu , Zhang Kun , Chen Jie , Wang Jingfeng , Huang Hui
Published: May 2017

Vascular calcification (VC) is prevalent in aging, and patients with hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), or diabetes. VC is regarded as an active and complex process that involves multiple mechanisms responsible for calcium deposition in vessel wall. In light of the complicated pathogenesis of VC, effective therapy for ameliorating VC is limited. Thus, it is urgent to explore the potential mechanisms and find new targets for the therapy of VC. Platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF), a potent mitogen, and chemoattractant have been found to disturb the vascular homeostasis by inducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and phenotype transition, all of which accelerate the process of VC. The aim of current review is to present a review about the roles of PDGF in affecting VC and to establish a potential target for treating VC.
Role of follistatin in muscle and bone alterations induced by gravity change in mice
Authors: Kawao Naoyuki , Morita Hironobu , Obata Koji , Tatsumi Kohei , Kaji Hiroshi
Published: May 2017

Interactions between muscle and bone have been recently noted. We reported that the vestibular system plays crucial roles in the changes in muscle and bone induced by hypergravity in mice. However, the details of the mechanisms by which gravity change affects muscle and bone through the vestibular system still remain unknown. Here, we investigated the roles of humoral factors linking muscle to bone and myostatin‐related factors in the hypergravity‐induced changes in muscle and bone in mice with vestibular lesions (VL). Hypergravity elevated serum and mRNA levels of follistatin, an endogenous inhibitor of myostatin, in the soleus muscle of mice. VL blunted the hypergravity‐enhanced levels of follistatin in the soleus muscle of mice. Simulated microgravity decreased follistatin mRNA level in mouse myoblastic C2C12 cells. Follistatin elevated the mRNA levels of myogenic genes as well as the phosphorylation of Akt and p70S6 kinase in C2C12 cells. As for bone metabolism, follistatin antagonized the mRNA levels of osteogenic genes suppressed by activin A during the differentiation of mesenchymal cells into osteoblastic cells. Moreover, follistatin attenuated osteoclast formation enhanced by myostatin in the presence of receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand in RAW 264.7 cells. Serum follistatin levels were positively related to bone mass in mouse tibia. In conclusion, the present study provides novel evidence that hypergravity affects follistatin levels in muscle through the vestibular system in mice. Follistatin may play some roles in the interactions between muscle and bone metabolism in response to gravity change.
Novel Synthesis of Imidazo‐based and Benzimidazo‐based privileged Templates on s‐Triazine Nucleus through a Phenoxyl Spacer
Authors: Zeba Hashmi S. , Kishore D.
Published: May 2017

A novel synthetic procedure has been designed for the synthesis of imidazo‐based and benzimidazo‐based privileged templates on s‐triazine nucleus through a phenoxyl spacer by exploiting the versatility of the reactive synthon imidate ester.
Modulation of the PDO to the relationship between moderate ENSO events and the winter climate over North America
Authors: Jia Xiaojing , Ge Jingwen
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

The modulation of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) to the relationship between the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events and the winter climate over North America (NA) was investigated using both observational data and a simple general circulation model. ENSO events are divided into strong and moderate events according to their amplitudes. These ENSO events are further categorized into two groups according to the phases of the PDO. The present study focuses on the impact of moderate ENSO events on the wintertime climate over NA. The results show that a moderate El Niño signal is strong and stable and can significantly influence the wintertime climate variability over NA during a cold PDO phase, whereas climate anomalies are weak and are not significantly associated with moderate El Niño events during a positive PDO phase. Possible mechanisms accounting for the modulation of the impacts of moderate El Niño events on the wintertime climate over NA are analysed. Two factors may contribute to the different impacts of moderate El Niño events during warm and cold PDO phases. First, the different characteristics of the tropical Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) associated with moderate El Niño events. Second, the difference in the climatological mean state between the warm and cold phases of PDO years. Our numerical experiments suggest that the cold PDO mean state is more favourable to a wavetrain‐like atmospheric response to an El Niño‐like tropical Pacific forcing over the North American sector than the warm PDO mean state is.
Duration, rarity, affected area, and weather types associated with extreme precipitation in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) region, Central Europe
Authors: Minářová Jana , Müller Miloslav , Clappier Alain , Hänsel Stephanie , Hoy Andreas , Matschullat Jörg , Kašpar Marek
Published: May 2017

Extreme precipitation events (EPEs) in the Ore Mountains (OM) were studied based on daily precipitation observations from 1960 to 2013. The OM are a low mountain range situated in the Czech‐German border area. The Weather Extremity Index (WEI) resulting from an event‐adjusted evaluation technique was used to select 54 EPEs of 1‐10 days duration. The WEI combines rarity, spatial extent, and duration of an event in one index and provides quantitative information about its extremity. Based on their duration, the 54 EPEs were classified into short (1‐2 days) and long events (3‐10 days), showing different characteristics and trend behaviour. The EPEs (including the three strongest events) occurred most frequently in late spring and summer. The three strongest EPEs as well as EPEs, which occurred during the winter half‐year (WHY EPEs), affected comparatively larger areas; with WHY EPEs being generally longer. EPE frequency does not show any significant trend during the study period; it fluctuated mostly similar to summer half‐year EPEs. The most frequent weather type (according to two versions of the German Grosswetterlagen concept) related to EPEs was Trough over Central Europe (TrM). Nevertheless, many differences were noticed between the original (manual) catalogue and its automated version (SynopVis‐Grosswetterlagen); the later able to better reflect the weather types associated with 54 EPEs.
Characteristics of extreme precipitation in the Vosges Mountains region (north‐eastern France)
Authors: Minářová Jana , Müller Miloslav , Clappier Alain , Kašpar Marek
Published: May 2017

In this research, different characteristics (duration, affected area, extremity, and synoptic conditions) related to extreme precipitation events (EPEs), and the trends in frequency of EPEs in the Vosges Mountains (VG) region (north‐eastern France) have been analysed and the events were evaluated on regional scale using the Weather Extremity Index. The index combines three aspects of an EPE – rarity, spatial extent, and duration – and it enables a quantitative comparison of these aspects in a data set of EPEs. In this study, 54 EPEs (which occurred during 1960–2013) were selected using daily precipitation totals from meteorological stations. Although possible maximum duration of an EPE was set to 10 days, all detected EPEs lasted 1–5 days. The prevailing short EPEs (1–2 days) affected smaller areas as compared to long EPEs (3–5 days). Instead of the winter maximum of mean precipitation in the VG, the autumn EPEs prevailed in the data set (40% of all EPEs including the four strongest EPEs). Using the manual and the automated catalogues (Grosswetterlagen and SynopVisGWL, respectively), majority of the 54 EPEs was found associated with the west cyclonic weather type; however, none of the five maximum events was produced by this weather type. The two strongest EPEs were related to the stationary cold front rather than to the expected strong zonal circulation. The EPEs were mostly related to strong southwest airflow and flux of specific humidity. No significant trend was found in frequency of EPEs during the 54 years.

Our results highlight new insights into the extreme precipitation in VG region. We believe that the ranking of EPEs according to their extremity in the VG region provides useful information for local decision making authorities, engineers, and risk managers.
Adverse child health impacts resulting from food adulterations in the Greater China Region
Authors: Li Wai Chin , Chow Chin Fung
Published: May 2017

Food adulteration has a long history in human society, and it still occurs in modern times. Because children are relatively vulnerable to food adulterants, studying the health impacts of food adulteration on children is important. This article provides an overview of the child health impacts of food adulterants in two recent food adulteration incidents in the Greater China Region: (1) a plasticizer incident in Taiwan and (2) a 2,4,6‐triamino‐1,3,5‐triazine (melamine)‐tainted milk incident in China. The involved food adulterants, di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) and melamine, are harmful to the hippocampus, kidneys, reproductive organs and immune system of children, and they also increase the risk of cancer. To detect food adulteration and to avoid further harm caused by food adulteration, simple screening methods have been developed, and they have recently emerged as a new focus area for research. This article also summarizes the simple screening methods used to analyse the aforementioned food adulterants and reports how governments reacted to the recent food incidents. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Razumikhin method to global exponential stability for coupled neutral stochastic delayed systems on networks
Authors: Guo Ying , Ding Xiaohua
Published: May 2017

Global exponential stability for coupled neutral stochastic delayed systems on networks (CNSDSNs) is investigated in this paper. By means of combining the Razumikhin method with graph theory, some sufficient conditions that can be verified easily are derived to ensure the global exponential stability for CNSDSNs. Finally, a specific model of CNSDSNs is discussed, and numerical test manifests the effectiveness of the theoretical results. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A nonhomogeneous boundary value problem for the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation in a quarter plane
Authors: Li Jing , Zhang Bing‐Yu , Zhang Zhixiong
Published: May 2017

We study the initial boundary value problem for the one‐dimensional Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation posed in a half line
with nonhomogeneous boundary conditions. Through the analysis of the boundary integral operator, and applying the known results of the Cauchy problem of the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation posed on the whole line
, the initial boundary value problem of the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation is shown to be globally well‐posed in Sobolev space
for any s>−2. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the explosive instability in a three‐species food chain model with modified Holling type IV functional response
Authors: Parshad Rana D. , Upadhyay Ranjit Kumar , Mishra Swati , Tiwari Satish Kumar , Sharma Swarnali
Published: May 2017

In earlier literature, a version of a classical three‐species food chain model, with modified Holling type IV functional response, is proposed. Results on the global boundedness of solutions to the model system under certain parametric restrictions are derived, and chaotic dynamics is shown. We prove that in fact the model possesses explosive instability, and solutions can explode/blow up in finite time, for certain initial conditions, even under the parametric restrictions of the literature. Furthermore, we derive the Hopf bifurcation criterion, route to chaos, and Turing bifurcation in case of the spatially explicit model. Lastly, we propose, analyze, and simulate a version of the model, incorporating gestation effect, via an appropriate time delay. The delayed model is shown to possess globally bounded solutions, for any initial condition. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.