bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Heteroatoms in S,N‐Codoped Nanoporous Carbon Materials in CO2 (Photo)electrochemical Reduction
Authors: Li Wanlu , Bandosz Teresa J.
Published: June 2018

Thiourea‐modified wood‐based activated carbon materials were evaluated as catalysts for the CO2 electrochemical reduction reaction (CO2ERR). The materials obtained at 950 °C showed long‐term stability. The results indicated that thiophenic sulfur provides the catalytic activity for CO formation. However, it was not as active for CH4 formation as was pyridinic N. Tafel plots suggested that the nanoporous structure enhanced the kinetics for CO2 reduction. The electric conductivity limited the activity for CO2ERR in the materials modified at 600, 800, and 900 °C. The effect of visible light on CO2ERR was also investigated in this study. Upon irradiation, photocurrent was generated, and the current density increased during the CO2 reduction process. Combined with a band‐gap alignment, the results indicate that thiophenic S in the carbon matrix contributed to the sample's photoactivity in visible light. These species enhance the overall reduction process, promoting both the hydrogen evolution reaction and CO2 reduction to CO.
Intercalated cushion cells within the cardiac outflow tract are derived from the myocardial troponin T type 2 (Tnnt2) Cre lineage
Authors: Mifflin Joshua J. , Dupuis Loren E. , Alcala Nicolas E. , Russell Lea G. , Kern Christine B.
Published: June 2018

Background: The origin of the intercalated cushions that develop into the anterior cusp of the pulmonary valve (PV) and the noncoronary cusp of the aortic valve (AV) is not well understood. Results: Cre transgenes in combination with the Rosa TdTomato‐EGFP reporter were used to generate three‐dimensional lineage mapping of AV and PV cusps during intercalated cushion development. Tie2‐Cre;EGFP was used to mark endothelial‐derived mesenchymal cells, Wnt1‐Cre;EGFP for cardiac neural crest and cardiac Troponin T (Tnnt2)Cre;EGFP, for myocardial lineage. The highest percentage of intercalated cushion cells at embryonic day (E) 12.5 was Tnnt2‐Cre; EGFP positive; 68.0% for the PV and 50.0% AV. Neither Tnnt2 mRNA nor Tnnt2‐Cre protein was expressed in the intercalated cushions; and the Tnnt2‐Cre lineage intercalated cushion cells were also positive for the mesenchymal markers Sox9 and versican. Tnnt2‐Cre lineage was present within the forming intercalated cushions from E11.5 and was present in the intercalated cushion derived PV and AV cusps and localized to the fibrosa layer at postnatal day 0. Conclusions: Intercalated cushions of the developing outflow tract are populated with Tnnt2‐Cre derived cells, a Cre reporter previously used for tracing and excision of myocardial cells and not previously associated with mesenchymal cells. Developmental Dynamics 247:1005‐1017, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Habitat specialist birds disperse farther and are more migratory than habitat generalist birds
Authors: Martin Amanda E. , Fahrig Lenore
Published: June 2018

Some theories predict habitat specialists should be less dispersive and migratory than generalists, while other theories predict the opposite. We evaluated the cross‐species relationship between the degree of habitat specialization and dispersal and migration status in 101 bird species breeding in North America and the United Kingdom, using empirical estimates of the degree of habitat specialization from breeding bird surveys and mean dispersal distance estimates from large‐scale mark–recapture studies. We found that habitat specialists dispersed farther than habitat generalists, and full migrants had more specialized habitat than partial migrants or resident species. To our knowledge this is the first large‐scale, multi‐species study to demonstrate a positive relationship between the degree of habitat specialization and dispersal, and it is opposite to the pattern found for invertebrates. This finding is particularly interesting because it suggests that trade‐offs between the degree of habitat specialization and dispersal ability are not conserved across taxonomic groups. This cautions against extrapolation of trait co‐occurrence from one species group to another. In particular, it suggests that efforts aimed at conserving the most habitat‐specialist temperate‐breeding birds will not lead to conservation of the most dispersal‐limited species.
Latest trends in technologies for sound operation of wind turbines against lightning
Authors: Yamamoto Kazuo , Honjo Nobuyuki
Published: June 2018

To decrease lightning damages to wind turbines and maintain public safety around the wind turbines, it is very important to improve wind‐turbine performance related to lightning protection and minimize damage to the wind turbine. In this paper, we summarize the latest trends in technologies for sound operation of wind turbines against lightning.
Design of force control system using tendon‐driven mechanism including linear springs and ultrasonic motor
Authors: Yonemoto Daiki , Yashiro Daisuke , Yubai Kazuhiro , Komada Satoshi
Published: June 2018

Actuators that have characteristics such as light weight, high thrust to weight ratio, and force controllability are desirable for applications such as finger robots and power assist suits. Recently, an indirect force control method using an ultrasonic motor (USM) and a spring has been attracting considerable attention because this method has the potential to satisfy all of the desirable characteristics, namely light weight, high thrust to weight ratio, and force controllability. The USM controls the length of the spring, and the tensional force of the spring is indirectly controlled by the length. As the resonance frequencies of indirect force control systems are low due to the springs, it is difficult to select a high feedback gain. This research therefore proposes a novel resonance ratio controller for indirect force control systems. The validity of the controller is verified by simulation and experiment. The overshoot ratio of the conventional controller is more than 10%, while that of the proposed controller is around 1%, when the rise time is 0.30 s.
Sex, drugs, and heart failure: a sex‐sensitive review of the evidence base behind current heart failure clinical guidelines
Authors: Levinsson Anna , Dubé Marie‐Pierre , Tardif Jean‐Claude , de Denus Simon
Published: June 2018

Heart failure (HF) is a complex disease, almost as common in women as in men. Nonetheless, HF clinical presentation, prognosis, and aetiology vary by sex. This review summarizes the current state of sex‐sensitive issues related to HF drugs included in treatment guidelines and suggests future directions for improved care. Heart failure presentation differs between female and male patients: females more often show with hypertensive aetiology and the preserved ejection fraction phenotype, while men more often show ischaemic aetiology and the reduced ejection fraction phenotype. Yet the HF clinical guidelines in Europe, the United States, and Canada do not reflect the sexual dimorphism. Further, in randomized clinical trials of HF medication, women are largely underrepresented, typically consisting of ≥70% men. Given the knowledge that some adverse drug reactions, such as torsade de pointes and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor‐induced cough, occur more frequently in women, we emphasize the need to test medications thoroughly in both sexes and explore sexual dimorphisms. To better represent all of the targeted patient population and provide better care for all, two kinds of change must come about: recruitment methods to randomized clinical trial samples need to evolve and the participation needs to seem more attractive to women.
Features of atrial fibrillation in wild‐type transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis: a systematic review and clinical experience
Authors: Mints Yuliya Y. , Doros Gheorghe , Berk John L. , Connors Lawreen H. , Ruberg Frederick L.
Published: June 2018

Aims

Wild‐type transthyretin (ATTRwt) cardiac amyloidosis has emerged as an important cause of heart failure in the elderly. Atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly affects older adults with heart failure and is associated with reduced survival, but its role in ATTRwt is unclear. We sought to explore the clinical impact of AF in ATTRwt.

Methods and results

Patients with biopsy‐proven ATTRwt cardiac amyloidosis (n = 146) were retrospectively identified, and clinical, echocardiographic, and biochemical data were collected. Patients were classified as AF or non‐AF and followed for survival for a median of 41.4 ± 27.1 months. Means testing, univariable, and multivariable regression models were employed. A systematic review was performed. AF was observed in 70% (n = 102). Mean age was similar (AF, 75 ± 6 vs. non‐AF, 74 ± 5 years, P = 0.22). Anticoagulant treatment of patients with AF was as follows: 78% warfarin, 17% novel anticoagulant, and 6% no anticoagulation. Amiodarone was prescribed to 24%. There were no differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (P = 0.09) or left atrial volume (P = 0.87); however, mean diastolic dysfunction grade was higher in AF (mean 2.7 ± 0.5 vs. 2.4 ± 0.5, P = 0.01). While creatinine (P = 0.52) and B‐type natriuretic peptide (P = 0.48) were similar, patients with AF had lower serum transthyretin concentrations (221 ± 51 vs. 250 ± 52 μg/mL, P < 0.01). Survival between groups was similar (P = 0.46).

Conclusions

These data provide an evidence basis for clinical management and demonstrate that AF in ATTRwt does not negatively impact survival. Further analysis of the relationship between transthyretin concentration and AF development is warranted.
Optimal pricing strategy for resource allocation in 5G heterogeneous cellular networks
Authors: Chen Xinyi , Chen Yapeng , Liao Wenlin , Zhou Zhenyu , Gu Bo , Wang Xiaoyan
Published: June 2018

Heterogeneous networks provide an effective solution to bridge the gap between enormous global traffic demands and limited spectrum resources. In this paper, we investigate the resource allocation problem in fifth‐generation heterogeneous cellular networks from an economic perspective. We consider the open access scenario where any cellular user equipment is allowed to access either the high‐power node or the low‐power node based on its individual payoff. The resource allocation problem is formulated as a pricing problem, which aims at maximizing the total revenue of the service providers under the user admission constraint. Then, the optimal pricing strategies for both the high‐power node and the low‐power node are developed based on the decisions of cellular user equipments. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed pricing algorithm can achieve the maximum revenue for service providers under various scenarios.
Predictive spectrum occupancy probability‐based spatio‐temporal dynamic channel allocation map for future cognitive wireless networks
Authors: Agarwal Anirudh , Gangopadhyay Ranjan
Published: June 2018

For a cognitive radio (CR) user to dynamically access the available primary user channels, the spectrum sensing data is required at various locations; however, the data is not generally available at the points present in between the two spectrum sensors. To obtain this data, it is also not feasible to conduct the spectrum measurement surveys at every location. This calls for an interpolation‐based spectrum occupancy data collection in the space. Moreover, the information about the future primary user activity is necessary for highly enhanced dynamic channel allocation with better quality of experience (QoE) of CR users in terms of improved channel utilization and reduced spectrum sensing energy requirement. Most of the existing works are inclined toward either spatial spectrum interpolation or temporal spectrum prediction. In this work, a novel hybridized approach combining the Kriging‐based statistical spatial interpolation and the recurrent neural networks–based temporal prediction of the spectrum has been proposed to obtain the spectrum occupancy probability information using empirical spectrum measurements data in cellular CR networks. Furthermore, the aforementioned framework has been utilized for dynamic channel allocation with the help of a newly investigated CR channel allocation scheme. The corresponding results have been validated through various CR QoE measures and compared with the existing channel allocation strategies, where it is found that the proposed channel allocation scheme significantly outperforms the other schemes with the enhanced QoE of CR. Finally, a spatio‐temporal channel allocation map has been presented for secondary user to perform its best possible CR operation with efficient dynamic spectrum access.
Scheduling and power adaptation for wireless local area networks with full‐duplex capability
Authors: Abdelaal Rana A. , Eltawil Ahmed M.
Published: June 2018

In‐band full‐duplex communication has a great potential to enhance wireless local area networks, where full‐duplex access points can support simultaneous uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) flows over the same frequency channel. This work presents a scheduling and power adaptation technique to manage interference in wireless local area networks with full‐duplex capability. The proposed system focuses primarily on scheduling UL and DL clients that can be efficiently served simultaneously. First, we develop a DL client scheduling algorithm that allows for sum throughput gains with the existence of a UL client. Second, we manage the interference resulting from the UL flow via adjusting the UL transmit power to maximize rate for DL clients that are served in a multiuser multiple‐input–multiple‐output fashion.
Online Total Harmonic Distortion Analysis for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack Monitoring in System Applications
Authors: Malafronte L. , Morel B. , Pohjoranta A.
Published: June 2018

The applicability of online total harmonic distortion analysis (THDA) for the operation and monitoring of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power systems is investigated by experiments as well as analysis of the algorithm, with a focus on the relationship between stack fuel utilization rate and the corresponding THD index. An online THDA algorithm is implemented in a programmable logic controller (PLC) and operated with a 6 kW SOFC power system demonstration unit. Laboratory experiments on the solid oxide fuel cell technology are carried out to determine key parameters for the algorithm. The embedded implementation of the THDA algorithm, including several modifications to reduce its computational load, and its parameterization is analyzed and the program code is given in the Appendix. The experimental results verify that THDA can be a reliable means for quantitatively monitoring the fuel utilization rate experienced by the stack and that the algorithm is simple to implement on an embedded controller.
Effect of Amino Acid Addition in Marine Sediment on Electrochemical Performance in Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Guo M. , Zai X. R. , Li T. , Zhang H. J. , Zhao Y. G. , Zhao M. G. , Liu S. , Ji H. W. , Fu Y. B.
Published: June 2018

As exogenous substances, L‐methionine, L‐threonine and L‐lysine were added into the marine sediment to construct marine sediments microbial fuel cells (MSMFCs) and the effects on the anodic electrochemical activity were following investigated. The results show that the addition of the amino acid increases anodic electrochemical activity, and the anode in L‐methionine modified sediment presents better performance than others. The specific capacitance of anode in L‐methionine modified sediment (192.00 F cm−2) is 4.0 times bigger than that of anode in unmodified sediment, generating a maximum current density of 2.560 × 10−4 A cm−2. In their Tafel curves, the anodic exchange current density in the L‐methionine modified sediment (2.14 × 10−6 A cm−2) is 93.04 times higher than that of unmodified anode, which suggests that the electrochemical activity of redox, anti‐polarization ability and electron transfer kinetic activity are improved significantly. The MSMFC with L‐methionine modified sediment generates the higher power densities than the blank (143.2 mW m−2 versus 59.2 mW m−2), and its current also increases by 2.8 times. This demonstrates that L‐methionine provides a practical advantage on the anodic electrochemical and battery performance. Therefore, amino acids are good tools to evaluate its power generation of the MSMFCs.
Situating Expertise: Lessons from the HIV/AIDS Epidemic
Authors: Paremoer Lauren
Published: June 2018

How do Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs) frame the relationship between political agency and expertise in their work? What are the political implications of the ways in which SACs legitimate or obscure specific forms of political agency? Using a South African case study, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) activists' participation in clinical trials designed to demonstrate the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) in resource‐poor settings, and the process of translating scientific knowledge about HIV/AIDS into public policy under the leadership of a SAC, the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), is analyzed. The case study suggests that 1) political agency plays a significant role in generating and disseminating scientific data that allow activists to fulfill their political goals; 2) SACs primarily value political agency as a resource for implementing their prescriptions and legitimating their work; 3) processes of political conscientization, movement building, democratic collective action, and deliberation can contribute to the reliability and validity of the technical knowledge SACs rely on, and under some circumstances, contribute to the political resonance their recommendations have with impacted constituencies; and 4) social theory can serve as a resource for negotiating conflicts between technical experts and activists that cannot be settled by appealing to clinical facts.
A Novel International Partnership for Actionable Evidence on Urban Health in Latin America: LAC‐Urban Health and SALURBAL
Authors: Diez Roux Ana V. , Slesinski S. Claire , Alazraqui Marcio , Caiaffa Waleska Teixeira , Frenz Patricia , Jordán Fuchs Ricardo , Miranda J. Jaime , Rodriguez Daniel A. , Dueñas Olga L. Sarmiento , Siri José , Vergara Alejandra Vives
Published: June 2018

This article describes the origins and characteristics of an interdisciplinary multinational collaboration aimed at promoting and disseminating actionable evidence on the drivers of health in cities in Latin America and the Caribbean: The Network for Urban Health in Latin America and the Caribbean and the Wellcome Trust funded SALURBAL (Salud Urbana en América Latina, or Urban Health in Latin America) Project. Both initiatives have the goals of supporting urban policies that promote health and health equity in cities of the region while at the same time generating generalizable knowledge for urban areas across the globe. The processes, challenges, as well as the lessons learned to date in launching and implementing these collaborations, are described. By leveraging the unique features of the Latin American region (one of the most urbanized areas of the world with some of the most innovative urban policies), the aim is to produce generalizable knowledge about the links between urbanization, health, and environments and to identify effective ways to organize, design, and govern cities to improve health, reduce health inequalities, and maximize environmental sustainability in cities all over the world.
Effects of Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ cations on CO2–brine interfacial tension under offshore storage conditions
Authors: Mutailipu Meiheriayi , Jiang Lanlan , Fu Jin , Wang Zhe , Yu Tianbo , Lu Zilong , Liu Yu
Published: June 2018

The laboratory determination of CO2‐brine interfacial tension is very important for estimating the storage capacity of saline aquifers during the CO2 sequestration process. In this paper, we measured CO2 and the brine interfacial tension using the pendant‐drop method at a temperature of 285–300 K and pressure of 3–9 MPa. The brine was composed of Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ cations with different molalities. The experimental results indicate that interfacial tension increased with temperature and salinity but decreased with pressure until it reached a plateau. At the same temperature and pressure, the plateau value increased with increasing brine salinity for all types of brines used in this work. Moreover, the plateau exists whenever the CO2 is liquid. The interfacial tension between CO2 and brine with bivalent cations is larger than that between CO2 and monovalent brines. Finally, we established an empirical equation based on the relationship between interfacial tension and temperature, pressure, and salt molality grounded on experimental data, which allows the evaluation of CO2–brine interfacial tension values with a mean deviation of ±4 mN·m−1. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effectiveness of tax credits for health insurance premium: Evidence from the health insurance tax credit
Authors: Jun Dajung
Published: June 2018

With the push to repeal the Affordable Care Act, there is renewed interest in using tax credits to increase health insurance coverage. Another tax credit‐driven policy, the Health Insurance Tax Credit (HITC), was implemented during 1991–1993. To date, only one paper has analyzed the effectiveness of the HITC on coverage rates. In this paper, I reexamine the effectiveness of the HITC by using the Survey of Income Program Participation and provide the first estimates of its effects on utilization and self‐reported health status. Despite using the different data set, I find a similar result regarding coverage as the previous paper—the effect of the HITC was about 5.8 percentage points. I also find that self‐reported health was significantly improved because of the HITC. I conclude by discussing the implications of these findings on the larger debate regarding current health care reform.
Deep-sea mining: Interdisciplinary research on potential environmental, legal, economic, and societal implications
Authors: Koschinsky Andrea , Heinrich Luise , Boehnke Klaus , Cohrs J Christopher , Markus Till , Shani Maor , Singh Pradeep , Smith Stegen Karen , Werner Welf
Published: June 2018

Deep-sea mining refers to the retrieval of marine mineral resources such as Mn nodules, FeMn crusts, and seafloor massive sulfide deposits, which contain a variety of metals that serve as crucial raw materials for a range of applications, from electronic devices to renewable energy technologies to construction materials. With the intent of decreasing dependence on imports, supporting the economy, and potentially even overcoming the environmental problems related to conventional terrestrial mining, a number of public and private institutions have rediscovered their interest in exploring the prospects of deep-sea mining, which had been deemed economically and technically unfeasible in the early 1980s. To date, many national and international research projects are grappling to understand the economic environmental, social, and legal implications of potential commercial deep-sea mining operations: a challenging endeavor due to the complexity of direct impacts and spillover effects. In this paper, we present a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in the aforementioned fields as well as a comparison of the impacts associated with conventional terrestrial mining. Furthermore, we identify knowledge gaps that should be urgently addressed to ensure that the world at large benefits from safe, efficient, and environmentally sound mining procedures. We conclude by highlighting the need for interdisciplinary research and international cooperation. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;14:672–691. © 2018 SETAC

Key Points

The article presents a review of economic, environmental, societal and legal implications of deep-sea mining (and identifies knowledge gaps). A comparison to terrestrial mining impacts is shown. Deep-sea mining is a complex issue touching upon natural and social science, economics, and law. Transdisciplinary research and cooperation is required to make deep-sea mining sustainable.
Diffuse light‐sheet microscopy for stripe‐free calcium imaging of neural populations
Authors: Taylor Michael A. , Vanwalleghem Gilles C. , Favre‐Bulle Itia A. , Scott Ethan K.
Published: June 2018

Light‐sheet microscopy is used extensively in developmental biology and neuroscience. One limitation of this approach is that absorption and scattering produces shadows in the illuminating light sheet, resulting in stripe artifacts. Here, we introduce diffuse light‐sheet microscopes that use a line diffuser to randomize the light propagation within the image plane, allowing the light sheets to reform after obstacles. We incorporate diffuse light sheets in two existing configurations: selective plane illumination microscopy in which the sample is illuminated with a static sheet of light, and digitally scanned light sheet (DSLS) in which a thin Gaussian beam is scanned across the image plane during each acquisition. We compare diffuse light‐sheet microscopes to their conventional counterparts for calcium imaging of neural activity in larval zebrafish. We show that stripe artifacts can cast deep shadows that conceal some neurons, and that the stripes can flicker, producing spurious signals that could be interpreted as biological activity. Diffuse light‐sheets mitigate these problems, illuminating the blind spots produced by stripes and removing artifacts produced by the stripes' movements. The upgrade to diffuse light sheets is simple and inexpensive, especially in the case of DSLS, where it requires the addition of one optical element.
Nanoporous Pt/TiO2 nanocomposites with greatly enhanced photocatalytic performance
Authors: Shi Wenyu , Song Yanyan , Zhang Xiaolong , Duan Dong , Wang Haiyang , Sun Zhanbo
Published: June 2018

In this work, nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) and Pt/TiO2 composites were obtained by dealloying melt‐spun Al–Si–Ti and Al–Si–Ti–Pt alloys, respectively. The structures had large specific surface areas, small pore diameters, and large pore volumes. Measurements revealed that nanoporous TiO2 had a favorable photocatalytic performance in the degradation of methyl orange (MO). For Pt/TiO2 nanocomposites, approximately 98% of the MO solution degraded in 50 min. It is shown that the significant enhancement of the photocatalytic performance of Pt/TiO2 is a result of the large specific surface area and the synergistic effect between TiO2 and metallic Pt, which reduced the bandgap of TiO2 and expanded the absorption range. Moreover, the Schottky barrier formation at the interfaces of Pt/TiO2 composites reduced the rate of electron–hole (e–h+) pair recombination, which contributed to the improvement of the photocatalytic performance.
Enhancing the effects of exfoliated carbon nanofibers using bone morphogenetic protein in a rat spinal fusion model
Authors: Notani Naoki , Miyazaki Masashi , Toyoda Masahiro , Kanezaki Shozo , Ishihara Toshinobu , Tsumura Hiroshi
Published: June 2018

Exfoliated carbon nanofibers (ExCNFs) are expected to serve as excellent scaffolds for promoting and guiding bone‐tissue regeneration. We aimed to enhance the effects of ExCNFs using bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and examined their feasibility and safety in clinical applications using a rat spinal fusion model. Group I (n = 15) animals were implanted with the control carrier; Group II (n = 16) animals were implanted with carrier containing 1 μg ExCNFs; Group III (n = 16) animals were implanted with carrier containing 1 μg recombinant human (rh) BMP‐2; and Group IV (n = 17) animals were implanted with carrier containing 1 μg rhBMP‐2 and 1 μg ExCNFs. The rats were euthanized after 4 or 8 weeks and their spines were explanted and assessed by manual palpation, radiographs, and high‐resolution microcomputerized tomography (micro‐CT); the spines were also subjected to histological analysis. The fusion rates in Group IV (25.0%: 4‐week, 45.5%: 8‐week) were considerably higher than in Groups I (0%: 4‐week, 0%: 8‐week), II (0%: 4‐week, 15.0%: 8‐week), and III (16.7%: 4‐week, 30.0%: 8‐week). These results demonstrated the enhancement of ExCNF bone fusion effects by BMP in a rat spinal fusion model. Our results suggest that the enhancement of ExCNFs effects by BMP makes this combination a possible attractive therapy for spinal fusion surgeries. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2892–2900, 2018.
Unequal density dependence between survival and recruitment affects harvesting effectivness
Authors: Kapota Dror , Saltz David
Published: June 2018

Recruitment and adult‐mortality may respond differently to increased population density. Such unequal density dependence (UDD) is evident for large mammals showing density dependence mainly in recruitment (reproduction rate or juvenile survival), whereas adult survival is high and varies little with density. Mechanistically, UDD is likely influenced by an unequal allocation of resources toward reproduction versus survival. Unequal density dependence is expected to affect compensation abilities, and hence may have serious implications with regard to population harvesting. We modeled UDD by linking population size to reproduction and survival through per capita resource availability and consumption. We integrated UDD into 2 population models (continuous vs. periodic recruitment) and investigated how it affected the compensatory dynamics of populations. For a population with continuous recruitment, our model predicted that although UDD stabilizes the population dynamics, it makes populations more vulnerable to harvesting as a consequence of lower compensatory ability, regardless of whether more resources are allocated to reproduction or to survival. For populations with periodic recruitment, on the other hand, an asymmetric effect of UDD is predicted. Strong density dependence in recruitment relative to adult survival yields a strong compensatory response, whereas equal or stronger density dependence in adult survival relative to recruitment yields weaker compensatory responses. Stronger density dependence in recruitment also causes the periodic fluctuations in population size to be amplified rather than dampened under harvesting. These results are robust to alternative model formulations (e.g., Ricker and Beverton‐Holt equations). Using an empirical example for coyotes (Canis latrans), wild boars (Sus scrofa), and white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), we demonstrated the implications of our results for harvest management of medium‐size mammalian species that are periodic breeders and exhibit density‐dependent recruitment. Accounting for UDD in the population model of coyotes and wild boars, which are characterized by large litters, predicts compensation that is stronger than the response obtained without UDD. For white‐tailed deer, which are characterized by substantially smaller litters, accounting for UDD does not change the outcome. Harvest‐based control attempts of medium‐size mammals may hence be much less effective than predicted when the population models used to estimate them ignore UDD, suggesting the necessity of integrating UDD into these models. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Water waves trapped by thin submerged cylinders in a two‐layer fluid: Discrete eigenvalue
Authors: Romero Rodríguez M. I. , Zhevandrov P.
Published: June 2018

Exact solutions of the linear water‐wave problem describing oblique water waves trapped by a submerged horizontal cylinder of small (but otherwise fairly arbitrary) cross‐section in a two‐layer fluid are constructed in the form of convergent series in powers of the small parameter characterising the “thinness” of the cylinder. The terms of this series are expressed through the solutions of the exterior Neumann problem for the Laplace equation describing the flow of unbounded fluid past the cylinder.
Curcumin ameliorates cisplatin‐induced cystopathy via activating NRF2 pathway
Authors: Shao Yun Peng , Zhou Qiao , Li Yun Peng , Zhang Si Cong , Xu He Wei , Wu Shuo , Shen Bai Xin , Ding Liu Cheng , Xue Jun , Chen Zheng Sen , Wei Zhong Qing
Published: June 2018

Objectives

The present work evaluated preventive effect of curcumin on cisplatin‐induced bladder cystopathy.

Methods

Fifteen female rats were divided into (i) Control group administered with physiological saline solution for 5 days; (ii) Cis‐P group injected with cisplatin (6 mg/kg); and (iii) Cis‐Cur group given cisplatin (6 mg/kg) with curcumin for 5 consecutive days. The function of bladder was measured by means of urodynamic analysis. Furthermore, hematoxylin‐eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining were performed for morphological analysis. The cell apoptosis was evaluated through terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and flow cytometry. The expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), NF‐E2‐related factor 2, and hemeoxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) levels were measured through Western blotting.

Results

Urodynamic assay and histopathological manifestations revealed that curcumin ameliorated the bladder dysfunction induced by cisplatin. The level of cisplatin‐induced apoptosis in the bladder decreased following curcumin treatment. Also, the increased protein expression of NGF indicated that the curcumin could offer neuroprotection for bladder against cisplatin. Curcumin also activated NRF2, and elevated the expression of HO‐1, but curcumin could not rescue cisplatin‐induced apoptosis in the cell lines with knockdown of NRF2.

Conclusions

Taken together, the results of this paper showed that curcumin could ameliorate cisplatin‐induced cystopathy and inhibit the apoptosis of bladder cell in cisplatin‐treated rats. This may be attributed to curcumin's broad biological functions, particularly antioxidant effect, and to its ability to activate the NRF2 protein.
A fast‐high order compact difference method for the fractional cable equation
Authors: Liu Zhengguang , Cheng Aijie , Li Xiaoli
Published: June 2018

The Cable equation is one of the most fundamental equations for modeling neuronal dynamics. In this article, we consider a high order compact finite difference numerical solution for the fractional Cable equation, which is a generalization of the classical Cable equation by taking into account the anomalous diffusion in the movement of the ions in neuronal system. The resulting finite difference scheme is unconditionally stable and converges with the convergence order of in maximum norm, 1‐norm and 2‐norm. Furthermore, we present a fast solution technique to accelerate Toeplitz matrix‐vector multiplications arising from finite difference discretization. This fast solution technique is based on a fast Fourier transform and depends on the special structure of coefficient matrices, and it helps to reduce the computational work from required by traditional methods to without using any lossy compression, where and τ is the size of time step, and h is the size of space step. Moreover, we give a compact finite difference scheme and consider its stability analysis for two‐dimensional fractional Cable equation. The applicability and accuracy of the scheme are demonstrated by numerical experiments to support our theoretical analysis.
Hydrolytic degradation of poly(l‐lactic acid)/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends
Authors: Boudaoud Naila , Benali Samira , Mincheva Rosica , Satha Hamid , Raquez Jean‐Marie , Dubois Philippe
Published: June 2018

The hydrolytic degradation of poly(l‐lactic acid)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PLLA/PMMA) blends was carried out by the immersion of thin films in buffer solutions (pH = 7.24) in a shaking water bath at 60 °C for 38 days. The PLA/PMMA blends (0/100; 30/70; 50/50; 70/30; 100/0) were obtained by melt blending using a Brabender internal mixer and shaped into thin films of about 150 µm in thickness. Considering that PMMA does not undergo hydrolytic degradation, that of PLLA was followed via evolution of PLA molecular weight (recorded by size exclusion chromatography), thermal parameters (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)) and morphology of the films (scanning transmission electron microscopy). The results reveal a completely different degradation pathway of the blends depending on the polymethacrylate/polyester weight ratio. DSC data suggest that, during hydrolysis at higher PMMA content, the polyester amorphous chains, more sensitive to water, are degraded before being able to crystallize, while at higher PLLA content, the crystallization is favoured leading to a sample more resistant to hydrolysis. In other words, and quite unexpectedly, increasing the content of water‐sensitive PLLA in the PLLA/PMMA blends does not mean de facto faster hydrolytic degradation of the resulting materials. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
An Insight into Powdery Mildew–Infected, Susceptible, Resistant, and Immune Sunflower Genotypes
Authors: Kallamadi Prathap Reddy , Dandu Kamakshi , Kirti Pulugurtha Bharadwaja , Rao Chintalagiri Mohan , Thakur Suman S , Mulpuri Sujatha
Published: June 2018

Powdery mildew (PM, caused by Golovinomyces orontii) is one of the major diseases on sunflower that causes severe yield losses in the tropics. Sources of resistance to PM are reported in an exotic accession and some wild Helianthus species. The present study aims at quantitative proteomic analysis of susceptible, resistant, and immune genotypes of sunflower in response to PM infection at 3, 7, 10 days post infection. The majority of differentially expressed proteins in the resistant genotype belonged to oxidative stress (catalase, ATP‐sulfurylase, and formate dehydrogenase), defense (HSP‐70, heat shock transcription factors), and photosynthesis (LHCB3). In case of immune genotype, 50% of proteins are related to photosynthesis, which play a key role in plant immunity, whereas a few similar proteins are also expressed in the susceptible genotype, but in their reduced abundance besides being inadequate in timing of expression probably leading to its susceptibility to PM. KEGG enrichment analysis shows that carbon metabolism (6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, glutamine synthetase), photosynthesis, and plant–pathogen protein pathways are key pathways governing the resistance. The transcriptional expression of eight of nine differentially expressed proteins are in agreement with the expression of proteins at the corresponding time. The present study provides information on the key proteins that are upregulated in resistant and immune genotypes which restrict the disease progression and constitutes the first quantitative proteomic data of sunflower‐PM infection process.
Anisotropic charge transport properties of chrysene derivatives as organic semiconductor: A computational study
Authors: Khatua Rudranarayan , Sahoo Smruti Ranjan , Sharma Sagar , Thangavel R. , Sahu Sridhar
Published: June 2018

We used density functional theory to calculate the angular resolution anisotropic charge mobility of the substituted chrysene molecules, viz, 4,10‐diphenoxychrysene (DPC), 4,10‐bis(phenylsulfanyl)chrysene (BPSC), and ethyl 8,9,12‐trimethoxychrysene‐6‐carboxylate (ETCC). The highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gap for DPC, BPSC, and ETCC was calculated to be 3.92, 3.83, and 3.81 eV, respectively, which inferred the compounds to be wide‐band‐gap semiconductors indicating that the compounds should have high stability in atmospheric conditions. The fact is also supported by electronic band‐structure calculation. In addition, higher electron affinity of studied compounds as compared with the bare chrysene molecule imparts enhancement of n‐type character in the compounds. The maximum hole (
) and electron mobilities (
) for DPC compound were found to be 0.739 cm2V−1s−1 and 0.319 cm2V−1s−1, respectively, at Φ = 0°. On the other hand, in the case of BPSC crystal, comparatively larger anisotropic electron mobility (0.709 cm2V−1s−1 at Φ = 0° and Φ = 179.90°) than the hole mobility (0.208 cm2V−1s−1 at Φ = 127.19° and Φ = 307.10°) was noted. Similarly, in ETCC, the parallel dimers were found to contribute maximum
and
of 0.052 and 0.102 cm2V−1s−1, respectively, at Φ = 0°. The substitution of ‐SPh in BPSC and ‐OCH3 and ‐CO2CH2CH3 in ETCC have relatively more impact on band reduction than ‐OPh in DPC, thus facilitating electron transport in BPSC and ETCC.
Work‐specific cognitive symptoms and the role of work characteristics, fatigue, and depressive symptoms in cancer patients during 18 months post return to work
Authors: Dorland H.F. , Abma F.I. , Roelen C.A.M. , Stewart R.E. , Amick B.C. , Bültmann U. , Ranchor A.V.
Published: June 2018

Objective

Cancer patients can experience work‐specific cognitive symptoms post return to work. The study aims to (1) describe the course of work‐specific cognitive symptoms in the first 18 months post return to work and (2) examine the associations of work characteristics, fatigue and depressive symptoms with work‐specific cognitive symptoms over time.

Methods

This study used data from the 18‐month longitudinal “Work Life after Cancer” cohort. The Cognitive Symptom Checklist‐Work Dutch Version (CSC‐W DV) was used to measure work‐specific cognitive symptoms. Linear mixed models were performed to examine the course of work‐specific cognitive symptoms during 18‐month follow‐up; linear regression analyses with generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations over time.

Results

Working cancer patients examined with different cancer types were included (n = 378). Work‐specific cognitive symptoms were stable over 18 months. At baseline, cancer patients reported more working memory symptoms (M = 32.0; CI, 30.0‐34.0) compared with executive function symptoms (M = 19.3; CI, 17.6‐20.9). Cancer patients holding a job with both manual and nonmanual tasks reported less work‐specific cognitive symptoms (unstandardized regression coefficient b = −4.80; CI, −7.76 to −1.83) over time, compared with cancer patients with a nonmanual job. Over time, higher depressive symptoms were related to experiencing more overall work‐specific cognitive symptoms (b = 1.27; CI, 1.00‐1.55) and a higher fatigue score was related to more working memory symptoms (b = 0.13; CI, 0.04‐0.23).

Conclusions

Job type should be considered when looking at work‐specific cognitive symptoms over time in working cancer patients. To reduce work‐specific cognitive symptoms, interventions targeted at fatigue and depressive symptoms might be promising.
Detonation Characteristics of New Aluminized Enhanced Blast Composites
Authors: Maiz Lotfi , Trzciński Waldemar A.
Published: June 2018

Investigations of the detonation characteristics of new aluminum‐enriched RDX‐based composites belonging to the enhanced blast explosive formulations were undertaken. Firstly, the explosion heat was measured in a calorimetric bomb filled with argon and after the cylinder expansion test was performed. From the cylinder test data the wall velocity, the Gurney energy and the detonation energy of the composites were determined. Then, using simulations, the isentrope exponents of the composite detonation products were estimated and hence the detonation pressures were calculated. Finally the equation of state of the detonation products was determined for each composite from the calorimetric heat and from the cylinder test data. The investigation results are presented and discussed. The effect of the aluminum particle size on the detonation characteristics is also checked. Conclusions about how to use these composite in weapon systems to generate optimal effects are drawn.
Topological Complexity in AdS3/CFT2
Authors: Abt Raimond , Erdmenger Johanna , Hinrichsen Haye , Melby–Thompson Charles M. , Meyer René , Northe Christian , Reyes Ignacio A.
Published: June 2018

We consider subregion complexity within the AdS3/CFT2 correspondence. We rewrite the volume proposal, according to which the complexity of a reduced density matrix is given by the spacetime volume contained inside the associated Ryu‐Takayanagi (RT) surface, in terms of an integral over the curvature. Using the Gauss‐Bonnet theorem we evaluate this quantity for general entangling regions and temperature. In particular, we find that the discontinuity that occurs under a change in the RT surface is given by a fixed topological contribution, independent of the temperature or details of the entangling region. We offer a definition and interpretation of subregion complexity in the context of tensor networks, and show numerically that it reproduces the qualitative features of the holographic computation in the case of a random tensor network using its relation to the Ising model. Finally, we give a prescription for computing subregion complexity directly in CFT using the kinematic space formalism, and use it to reproduce some of our explicit gravity results obtained at zero temperature. We thus obtain a concrete matching of results for subregion complexity between the gravity and tensor network approaches, as well as a CFT prescription.
Nitric oxide fumigation for postharvest pest control on lettuce
Authors: Yang Xiangbing , Liu Yong‐Biao
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

The lettuce aphid, Nasonovia ribisnigri, and western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, are quarantine pests of lettuce in Asian markets and, therefore, require treatments on lettuce exported from USA to Japan and Taiwan, respectively. Nitric oxide (NO) is a newly discovered fumigant for postharvest pest control and has been demonstrated as safe to fresh fruit and vegetables. In this study, small‐scale NO fumigations were conducted to determine effective treatments and large‐scale confirmatory tests were conducted to determine the efficacy against N. ribisnigri and F. occidentalis on commercially packed lettuce. The safety of NO fumigation to postharvest quality of lettuce was also evaluated.

RESULTS

In small‐scale experiments, complete control of N. ribisnigri was achieved in 3, 8, and 16 h fumigations with 2.0%, 1.0%, and 0.5% NO, respectively, at 2 °C on both iceberg and romaine lettuce. In a large‐scale experiment, complete control of both N. ribisnigri and F. occidentalis was achieved in a 16 h fumigation with 0.5% NO at 2 °C. The fumigation treatment had no effect on either external or internal postharvest quality of lettuce at 14 days after treatment.

CONCLUSION

Nitric oxide fumigation was demonstrated to be effective against both N. ribisnigri and F. occidentalis and safe to lettuce quality in large‐scale fumigations of commercially packed lettuce. The study suggests that NO fumigation has the potential to be an alternative treatment to methyl bromide for postharvest pest control on harvested lettuce. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Application of PBPK Modeling and Virtual Clinical Study Approaches to Predict the Outcomes of CYP2D6 Genotype‐Guided Dosing of Tamoxifen
Authors: Nakamura Toshimichi , Toshimoto Kota , Lee Wooin , Imamura Chiyo K. , Tanigawara Yusuke , Sugiyama Yuichi
Published: June 2018

The Tamoxifen Response by CYP2D6 Genotype‐based Treatment‐1 (TARGET‐1) study (n = 180) was conducted from 2012–2017 in Japan to determine the efficacy of tamoxifen dosing guided by cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) genotypes. To predict its outcomes prior to completion, we constructed the comprehensive physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models of tamoxifen and its metabolites and performed virtual TARGET‐1 studies. Our analyses indicated that the expected probability to achieve the end point (demonstrating the superior efficacy of the escalated tamoxifen dose over the standard dose in patients carrying CYP2D6 variants) was 0.469 on average. As the population size of this virtual clinical study (VCS) increased, the expected probability was substantially increased (0.674 for n = 260). Our analyses also informed that the probability to achieve the end point in the TARGET‐1 study was negatively impacted by a large variability in endoxifen levels. Our current efforts demonstrate the promising utility of the PBPK modeling and VCS approaches in prospectively designing effective clinical trials.