bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid Production of trans‐Cyclooctenes in Continuous Flow
Authors: Blanco‐Ania Daniel , Maartense Luuk , Rutjes Floris P. J. T.
Published: June 2018

A new method for rapid larger‐scale production of trans‐cyclooctenes (TCOs) in continuous flow was developed: Up to 2.2 g/h of specific TCOs can be produced by using this procedure. This method utilizes the classical photoisomerization of cis‐cyclooctenes (CCOs) for the synthesis of TCOs but substitutes the conventionally used silver nitrate impregnated silica gel column for a liquid−liquid extraction module. In addition, this method provides the possibility of external addition of a substrate to scale up and speed up the production of TCOs because the concentration of the CCO is kept constant. This method was applied for the synthesis of several commonly used TCOs.
Facile Formation of Nanostructured Manganese Oxide Films as High‐Performance Catalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Walter Carsten , Menezes Prashanth W. , Loos Stefan , Dau Holger , Driess Matthias
Published: June 2018

The development of inexpensive, earth abundant, and bioinspired oxygen evolution electrocatalysts that are easily accessible and scalable is a principal requirement with regard to the feasibility of water splitting for large‐scale chemical energy storage. A unique, versatile, and scalable approach has been developed to fabricate manganese oxide films from single layers to multilayers with a controlled thickness and high reproducibility. The produced MnOx films are composed of small nanostructures that are assembled closely in the form of porous sponge‐like layers. The films were investigated for the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media and demonstrate a remarkable activity as well as a superior stability of over 60 h. To elucidate the catalytically active species, as well as the striking structural characteristics, the films were further examined in depth by using SEM, TEM, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, as well as quasi in situ extended X‐ray absorption fine structure and X‐ray absorption near edge structure analysis. The MnOx catalyst films excel because of a favorably high fraction of Mn3+ ions that are retained even after operation at oxidizing potentials. Upon exposure to oxidizing potentials in strongly alkaline aqueous electrolyte, the catalyst material maintains its structural integrity at the nanostructural, morphological, and atomic level.
Genetic and epigenetic changes during the invasion of a cosmopolitan species (Phragmites australis)
Authors: Liu Lele , Pei Cuiping , Liu Shuna , Guo Xiao , Du Ning , Guo Weihua
Published: June 2018

While many introduced invasive species can increase genetic diversity through multiple introductions and/or hybridization to colonize successfully in new environments, others with low genetic diversity have to persist by alternative mechanisms such as epigenetic variation. Given that Phragmites australis is a cosmopolitan reed growing in a wide range of habitats and its invasion history, especially in North America, has been relatively well studied, it provides an ideal system for studying the role and relationship of genetic and epigenetic variation in biological invasions. We used amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and methylation‐sensitive (MS) AFLP methods to evaluate genetic and epigenetic diversity and structure in groups of the common reed across its range in the world. Evidence from analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) based on AFLP and MS‐AFLP data supported the previous conclusion that the invasive introduced populations of P. australis in North America were from European and Mediterranean regions. In the Gulf Coast region, the introduced group harbored a high level of genetic variation relative to originating group from its native location, and it showed epigenetic diversity equal to that of the native group, if not higher, while the introduced group held lower genetic diversity than the native. In the Great Lakes region, the native group displayed very low genetic and epigenetic variation, and the introduced one showed slightly lower genetic and epigenetic diversity than the original one. Unexpectedly, AMOVA and principal component analysis did not demonstrate any epigenetic convergence between native and introduced groups before genetic convergence. Our results suggested that intertwined changes in genetic and epigenetic variation were involved in the invasion success in North America. Although our study did not provide strong evidence proving the importance of epigenetic variation prior to genetic, it implied the similar role of stable epigenetic diversity to genetic diversity in the adaptation of P. australis to local environment.
A high‐resolution approach for the spatiotemporal analysis of forest canopy space using terrestrial laser scanning data
Authors: Hess Carsten , Härdtle Werner , Kunz Matthias , Fichtner Andreas , von Oheimb Goddert
Published: June 2018

Forest canopies and tree crown structures are of high ecological importance. Measuring canopies and crowns by direct inventory methods is time‐consuming and of limited accuracy. High‐resolution inventory tools, in particular terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), is able to overcome these limitations and obtain three‐dimensional (3D) structural information about the canopy with a very high level of detail. The main objective of this study was to introduce a novel method to analyze spatiotemporal dynamics in canopy occupancy at the individual tree and local neighborhood level using high‐resolution 3D TLS data. For the analyses, a voxel grid approach was applied. The tree crowns were modeled through the combination of two approaches: the encasement of all crown points with a 3D α‐shape, which was then converted into a voxel grid, and the direct voxelization of the crown points. We show that canopy occupancy at individual tree level can be quantified as the crown volume occupied only by the respective tree or shared with neighboring trees. At the local neighborhood level, our method enables the precise determination of the extent of canopy space filling, the identification of tree–tree interactions, and the analysis of complementary space use. Using multitemporal TLS data recordings, this method allows the precise detection and quantification of changes in canopy occupancy through time. The method is applicable to a wide range of investigations in forest ecology research, including the study of tree diversity effects on forest productivity or growing space analyses for optimal tree growth. Due to the high accuracy of this novel method, it facilitates the precise analyses even of highly plastic individual tree crowns and, thus, the realistic representation of forest canopies. Moreover, our voxel grid framework is flexible enough to allow for the inclusion of further biotic and abiotic variables relevant to complex analyses of forest canopy dynamics.
Behavioral evolution accompanying host shifts in cactophilic Drosophila larvae
Authors: Coleman Joshua M. , Benowitz Kyle M. , Jost Alexandra G. , Matzkin Luciano M.
Published: June 2018

For plant utilizing insects, the shift to a novel host is generally accompanied by a complex set of phenotypic adaptations. Many such adaptations arise in response to differences in plant chemistry, competitive environment, or abiotic conditions. One less well‐understood factor in the evolution of phytophagous insects is the selective environment provided by plant shape and volume. Does the physical structure of a new plant host favor certain phenotypes? Here, we use cactophilic Drosophila, which have colonized the necrotic tissues of cacti with dramatically different shapes and volumes, to examine this question. Specifically, we analyzed two behavioral traits in larvae, pupation height, and activity that we predicted might be related to the ability to utilize variably shaped hosts. We found that populations of D. mojavensis living on lengthy columnar or barrel cactus hosts have greater activity and pupate higher in a laboratory environment than populations living on small and flat prickly pear cactus cladodes. Crosses between the most phenotypically extreme populations suggest that the genetic architectures of these behaviors are distinct. A comparison of activity in additional cactophilic species that are specialized on small and large cactus hosts shows a consistent trend. Thus, we suggest that greater motility and an associated tendency to pupate higher in the laboratory are potential larval adaptations for life on a large plant where space is more abundant and resources may be more sparsely distributed.
Incomplete lineage sorting impacts the inference of macroevolutionary regimes from molecular phylogenies when concatenation is employed: An analysis based on Cetacea
Authors: Pereira Anieli G. , Schrago Carlos G.
Published: June 2018

Interest in methods that estimate speciation and extinction rates from molecular phylogenies has increased over the last decade. The application of such methods requires reliable estimates of tree topology and node ages, which are frequently obtained using standard phylogenetic inference combining concatenated loci and molecular dating. However, this practice disregards population‐level processes that generate gene tree/species tree discordance. We evaluated the impact of employing concatenation and coalescent‐based phylogeny inference in recovering the correct macroevolutionary regime using simulated data based on the well‐established diversification rate shift of delphinids in Cetacea. We found that under scenarios of strong incomplete lineage sorting, macroevolutionary analysis of phylogenies inferred by concatenating loci failed to recover the delphinid diversification shift, while the coalescent‐based tree consistently retrieved the correct rate regime. We suggest that ignoring microevolutionary processes reduces the power of methods that estimate macroevolutionary regimes from molecular data.
Extreme plasticity in reproductive biology of an oviparous lizard
Authors: Olsson Mats , Loeb Lisa , Lindsay Willow , Wapstra Erik , Fitzpatrick Luisa , Shine Richard
Published: June 2018

Most oviparous squamate reptiles lay their eggs when embryos have completed less than one‐third of development, with the remaining two‐thirds spent in an external nest. Even when females facultatively retain eggs in dry or cold conditions, such retention generally causes only a minor (<10%) decrease in subsequent incubation periods. In contrast, we found that female sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) from an experimentally founded field population (established ca. 20 years ago on the southwest coast of Sweden) exhibited wide variation in incubation periods even when the eggs were kept at standard (25°C) conditions. Females that retained eggs in utero for longer based on the delay between capture and oviposition produced eggs that hatched sooner. In the extreme case, eggs hatched after only 55% of the “normal” incubation period. Although the proximate mechanisms underlying this flexibility remain unclear, our results from this first full field season at the new study site show that females within a single cold‐climate population of lizards can span a substantial proportion of the continuum from “normal” oviparity to viviparity.
Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils Extracted from Aloysia triphylla and Minthostachys mollis that Improve the Oxidative Stability of Sunflower Oil under Accelerated Storage Conditions
Authors: Olmedo Rubén , Ribotta Pablo , Grosso Nelson R.
Published: June 2018

This research determines the antioxidant properties of the essential oils from Aloysia triphylla (AT) and Minthostachys mollis (MM), their antioxidant activity in sunflower oil during accelerated storage (60 °C), and how this storage condition affects the volatiles profile of these essential oils. The main constituents of AT essential oil are neral (27.3%), spathulenol (25.6%), and geranial (24.4%), whereas pulegone (53%) and menthone (29.5%) predominate in MM. Both essential oils present minor modifications in the chemical compositions after storage at 60 °C for 14 days. The antioxidant activity is determined by the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and monitoring the chemical and volatile oxidation indicators during accelerated storage of sunflower oil. The DPPH results show 48.2% and 24.6% free radical inhibition for AT and MM, respectively. In the accelerated oxidation test, the samples with 0.02% essential oil show the best antioxidant properties and are comparable to butylated hydroxytoluene. Based on these results, AT and MM essential oils show potential use as antioxidants in foods with high lipid content.

Practical Applications: Lipids are susceptible to oxidation associated with off‐flavor generation, which decreases their quality and nutritional properties. Natural antioxidants can be used as an alternative to replace synthetic antioxidants, like BHT, TBHQ, or BHA. The results of this research demonstrate that the essential oils obtained from two aromatic‐culinary plants (AT and MM) have antioxidant activity and constitute potential additives for preserving the quality of lipid‐rich foods. Deciphering the antioxidant mechanism of these essential oils will promote interest in their use by the food industry. The current investigation shows the dynamics of lipid oxidation indicators in a lipid food matrix supplemented with these natural antioxidants.

Biplot of Principal components analysis among samples and volatiles and chemical oxidation indicators. Samples are sunflower oil control (S), sunflower with aloyzia triphylla (SA), and minthostachys mollis (SM) at different concentration (0.02%, 0.10%, and 0.20% essential oil in sunflower oil) and sunflower with BHT as control (0.02%). Biplot shows the antioxidant effect from both essential oil against lipid oxidation.
Magnetic field and viscous dissipation effect on bioconvection in a permeable sphere embedded in a porous medium with a nanofluid containing gyrotactic micro‐organisms
Authors: Shaw Sachin , Motsa Sandile S. , Sibanda Precious
Published: June 2018

Micro‐organisms play a vital role to understand the ecological system and therefore it is very important to understand the behavior of micro‐organism due to different parameters. In the present paper, we investigated the bioconvection about a permeable sphere with constant surface temperature embedded in a porous medium filled with a water‐based nanofluid containing gyrotactic micro‐organisms. The convection and movement of the micro‐organisms are constrained or assisted by thermophoresis, viscous dissipation effects, and an applied magnetic field. First, we have used the similarity transformation to simplify the governing equations. Then, we have solved the governing nonlinear partial differential equations numerically using a recent spectral relaxation method. The effects of the significant parameters on the local density of the gyrotactic micro‐organisms have been determined and discussed. It is observed that by introducing the magnetic field in the system, the skin friction, local nanoparticle Sherwood number, and the local density of the micro‐organism decrease, while the last two governing parameters show a positive response with increase in the viscous dissipation.
A pilot study of change in cerebral activity during personality rating by questionnaire and personal computer
Authors: Sato Emi , Matsuda Kouhei
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine cerebral blood flow in the frontal cortex area during personality self‐rating tasks. Our two hypotheses were (1) cerebral blood flow varies based on personality rating condition and (2) cerebral blood flow varies based on the personality traits. This experiment measured cerebral blood flow under 3 personal computer rating conditions and 2 questionnaire conditions. Comparing the rating conditions, the results of the t‐test indicated that cerebral blood flow was higher in the questionnaire condition than it was in the personal computer condition. With respect to the Big Five, the result of the correlation coefficient, that is, cerebral blood flow during a personality rating task, changed according to the trait for agreeableness. The results of the analysis of the 5‐cluster on individual differences indicated that certain personality traits were related to the factors that increased or decreased cerebral blood flow. An analysis of variance indicated that openness to experience and Behavioural Activation System‐drive was significant given that participants with high intellectual curiosity were motivated in this experiment, thus, their cerebral blood flow may have increased. The significance of this experiment was that by employing certain performance measures we could examine differences in physical changes based on personality traits.
A tanglegram Kuratowski theorem
Authors: Czabarka Éva , Székely László A. , Wagner Stephan
Published: June 2018

A tanglegram consists of two rooted binary plane trees with the same number of leaves and a perfect matching between the two leaf sets. Tanglegrams are drawn with the leaves on two parallel lines, the trees on either side of the strip created by these lines, and the perfect matching inside the strip. If this can be done without any edges crossing, a tanglegram is called planar. We show that every nonplanar tanglegram contains one of two nonplanar 4‐leaf tanglegrams as an induced subtanglegram, which parallels Kuratowski's Theorem.
Universal test and treat is not associated with sub‐optimal antiretroviral therapy adherence in rural South Africa: the ANRS 12249 TasP trial
Authors: Iwuji Collins , McGrath Nuala , Calmy Alexandra , Dabis Francois , Pillay Deenan , Newell Marie‐Louise , Baisley Kathy , Porter Kholoud
Published: June 2018

Introduction

HIV treatment guidelines now recommend antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation regardless of CD4 count to maximize benefit both for the individual and society. It is unknown whether the initiation of ART at higher CD4 counts would affect adherence levels. We investigated whether initiating ART at higher CD4 counts was associated with sub‐optimal adherence (<95%) during the first 12 months of ART.

Methods

A prospective cohort study nested within a two‐arm cluster‐randomized trial of universal test and treat was implemented from March 2012 to June 2016 to measure the impact of ART on HIV incidence in rural KwaZulu‐Natal. ART was initiated regardless of CD4 count in the intervention arm and according to national guidelines in the control arm. ART adherence was measured monthly using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and pill counts (PC). HIV viral load was measured at ART initiation, three and six months, and six‐monthly thereafter. We pooled data from participants in both arms and used random‐effects logistic regression models to examine the association between CD4 count at ART initiation and sub‐optimal adherence, and assessed if adherence levels were associated with virological suppression.

Results

Among 900 individuals who initiated ART ≥12 months before study end, median (IQR) CD4 at ART initiation was 350 cells/mm3 (234, 503); median age was 34.6 years (IQR 27.4 to 46.4) and 71.7% were female. Adherence was sub‐optimal in 14.7% of visits as measured by VAS and 20.7% by PC. In both the crude analyses and after adjusting for potential confounders, adherence was not significantly associated with CD4 count at ART initiation (adjusted OR for linear trend in sub‐optimal adherence with every 100 cells/mm3 increase in CD4 count: 1.00, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.05, for VAS, and 1.03, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.07, for PC). Virological suppression at 12 months was 97%. Optimal adherence by both measures was significantly associated with virological suppression (p < 0.001 for VAS; p = 0.006 for PC).

Conclusions

We found no evidence that higher CD4 counts at ART initiation were associated with sub‐optimal ART adherence in the first 12 months. Our findings should alleviate concerns about adherence in individuals initiating ART at higher CD4 counts, however long‐term outcomes are needed. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01509508.
A thermochemistry and kinetic study on the thermal decomposition of ethoxyquinoline and ethoxyisoquinoline
Authors: El‐Demerdash Safinaz H. , El‐Gogary Tarek M. , El‐Nahas Ahmed M.
Published: June 2018

Quantum chemical calculations were used to study the production of ethylene and keto/enol tautomers from ethoxyquinoline (2‐EQ) and ethoxyisoquinoline (1‐EisoQ and 3‐EisoQ) in the gas phase and ethanol at the MP2/6‐311++G(2d,2p)//BMK/6‐31+G(d,p) level. The obtained data indicate that the elimination of ethylene from 1‐EisoQ and 2‐EQ is slightly more favorable than from 3‐EisoQ. Formation of quinolone and isoquinolone (2‐EQO, 1‐EisoQO, and 3‐EisoQO) is kinetically favored compared to their enols. Decomposition of 2‐EQ and 1‐EisoQ to ethylene and keto forms is thermodynamically and kinetically preferable more stable than the corresponding enols. However, the hydroxy form of 3‐EisoQ is more stable than its keto tautomer in the gas phase and ethanol. The enol tautomers cost less energy when formed from their keto forms rather than from the parent ethoxyquinolone and ethoxyisoquinoline.
Employee Participation Committee or Labor Organization?
Authors: DeMaria Alfred T.
Published: June 2018

This is the second installment of a three‐part series on employee participation organizations.
Conservation and transmission of seed bacterial endophytes across generations following crossbreeding and repeated inbreeding of rice at different geographic locations
Authors: Walitang Denver I. , Kim Chan‐Gi , Jeon Sunyoung , Kang Yeongyeong , Sa Tongmin
Published: June 2018

There are comparatively diverse bacterial communities inside seeds, which are vertically transmitted and conserved, becoming sources of endophytes in the next generation of host plants. We studied how rice seed endophyte composition changed over time following crossbreeding, repeated inbreeding, subsequent human selection and planting of different rice seeds in different ecogeographical locations. Using terminal‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis to study bacterial communities, we observed that diversity between the original parents and their offspring may show significant differences in richness, evenness and diversity indices. Heat maps reveal substantial contributions of both or either parent in the shaping of the bacterial seed endophytes of the offspring. Most of the terminal restriction fragments (T‐RFs) of the subsequent progeny could be traced to any or both of its parents while unique T‐RFs of the offspring suggest external sources of colonization particularly when the seeds were cultivated in different locations. Many similar groups of endophytic bacteria persist in the seeds even after recultivation in different locations, indicating resilience to environmental changes and conservation of bacteria across generations. This study suggests that parent plants contributed to the shaping of seed bacterial endophytes of their offspring, although it is also possible that these soil grown rice plants recruit similar populations of endophytes from the soil generation after generation. This study also highlights some bacterial groups belonging to Herbaspirillum, Microbacterium, Curtobacterium, Stenotrophomonas, Xanthomonas and Enterobacter that may be part of a transmitted and conserved “core microbiota” that are ubiquitous and dominant members of the endophytic communities of the rice seeds.
Lingonberry Extract Provides Neuroprotection by Regulating the Purinergic System and Reducing Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Reichert Karine Paula , Schetinger Maria Rosa Chitolina , Gutierres Jessie Martins , Pelinson Luana Paula , Stefanello Naiara , Dalenogare Diéssica Padilha , Baldissarelli Jucimara , Lopes Thauan Faccin , Morsch Vera Maria
Published: June 2018

Scope

Beneficial effects produced by polyphenolic compounds are used in the treatment of various diseases, including diabetes. Thus it is relevant to investigate the protective effect of lingonberry extract (LB) on the activities of nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (NTPDase), 5’‐nucleotidase (5’‐NT), and adenosine deaminase (ADA); the density of A1, A2A, and P2×7 receptors; production of reactive species (RS); and the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the cerebral cortex of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats.

Methods and results

Animals were divided into five groups (n = 10): control/saline; control/LB 50 mg kg−1; diabetic/saline; diabetic/LB 25 mg kg−1; and diabetic/LB 50 mg kg−1; and treated for 30 days. Our results demonstrate that the treatment with LB increased NTPDase activity in the diabetic/LB 50 group compared to diabetic/saline group. Western blot analysis showed that LB restored the density of purinergic receptors to the approximate values of the control/saline group. An increase in the levels of RS and TBARS was observed in the diabetic/saline group compared with the control/saline group, and treatment with LB can prevent this increase.

Conclusion

This study showed that LB could reverse the modifications found in the diabetic state, suggesting that lingonberry may be a coadjuvant in the treatment of diabetes.
Tracking and Variability in Childhood Levels of BMI: The Bogalusa Heart Study
Authors: Freedman David S. , Lawman Hannah G. , Galuska Deborah A. , Goodman Alyson B. , Berenson Gerald S.
Published: June 2018

Objective

Although the tracking of BMI levels from childhood to adulthood has been examined, there is little information on the within‐person variability of BMI.

Methods

Longitudinal data from 11,591 schoolchildren, 3,096 of whom were reexamined as adults, were used to explore the tracking and variability of BMI levels. This article focuses on changes in age‐adjusted levels of BMI.

Results

There was strong tracking of BMI levels. The correlation of adjusted BMI levels was r = 0.88, and 78% of children with severe obesity at one examination had severe obesity at the next examination (mean interval, 2.7 years). Further, an increase in adjusted BMI from +5 kg/m2 (above the median) to + 10 increased the risk for adult BMI ≥ 40 by 2.7‐fold. However, BMI levels among children and adolescents were variable. Over a 9‐ to 15‐month interval, the SD of adjusted BMI change was 0.9 kg/m2, and 0.7% of children had an absolute change ≥ 3.5. This variability was associated with the interval between examinations and with the initial BMI.

Conclusions

Despite the high degree of tracking of BMI, annual changes of 3.5 kg/m2 or more are plausible. Knowledge of this variability is important when following a child over time.
Expanding Opportunities in the Postacute Long‐Term Care Setting: Bringing Medication Safety to the Next Level
Authors: Brandt Nicole J. , Worz Chad , Clackum Sharon F.
Published: June 2018

Skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes are care settings that offer increasing opportunities for pharmacists to take the lead when addressing the new updated Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements coupled with enhanced quality measures reporting. In addition, the complexity of the medication‐related needs and comorbidities of the patients served in long‐term care facilities promotes pharmacists practicing to the top of their license. Medication stewardship needs to be an interdisciplinary team activity led by the pharmacist. This article highlights areas of opportunity and innovation focusing on the four areas that reflect new regulations and enhanced scrutiny by CMS: psychotropic medications, transitions in care, antibiotic stewardship, and pain management.
Differential Proteomic Analysis between Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (SCLC) and Pulmonary Carcinoid Tumors Reveals Molecular Signatures for Malignancy in Lung Cancer
Authors: Fujii Kiyonaga , Miyata Yuka , Takahashi Ikuya , Koizumi Hirotaka , Saji Hisashi , Hoshikawa Masahiro , Takagi Masayuki , Nishimura Toshihide , Nakamura Haruhiko
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The molecular underpinnings that may prognosticate survival and increase our understanding of tumor development and progression are still poorly understood. This study aimed to define the molecular signatures for malignancy in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), which is known for its highly aggressive clinical features and poor prognosis.

Experimental design

Using clinical specimens, the authors perform a comparative proteomic analysis of high‐grade SCLCs and low‐grade pulmonary carcinoid tumors (PCTs), both of which are types of neuroendocrine tumors. A label‐free LC‐MS‐based quantitative proteomic analysis is applied to tumor cells laser‐microdissected from their formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissues obtained from six patients each.

Results

Overall, 1991 proteins are identified from tumor cells in the FFPE tissues. Through the protein–protein interaction network analysis of 201 proteins significantly, the authors find that SCLC is functionally characterized by activation of molecular pathways for spliceosome, RNA transport, and DNA replication and cell cycle. Particularly, 11 proteins involved in tumor proliferation (MCM2, 4, 6, 7, and MSH2), metastasis (RCC2, CORO1C, CHD4, and IPO9), and cancer metabolism (PHGDH and TYMP) are identified as SCLC‐specific proteins. Furthermore, their prognostic significances are demonstrated by online Kaplan–Meier survival analysis.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

These clinical tissue proteomic approach for SCLC reveals the proteins associated with aggressiveness and poor prognosis. The identified SCLC‐specific proteins represent potential therapeutic targets. Moreover, MCMs and PHGDH can be poor prognostic factors for lung cancer.
Methionine as a safe and effective novel biorational mosquito larvicide
Authors: Weeks Emma NI , Baniszewski Julie , Gezan Salvador A , Allan Sandra A , Cuda James P , Stevens Bruce R
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Mosquito larvicides provide a source‐reduction strategy to diminish adult females that bite and potentially spread pathogens. Demands are mounting for new and innovative effective biorational larvicides, due to the development of resistance to some currently utilized mosquito larvicides, undesirable non‐target effects, and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) restrictions. Methionine is a human nutrient essential amino acid that unexpectedly has been shown to be a valuable safe pest management tool against select insect pests that possess alkaline gut physiology. The present study evaluated larvicidal toxicity of methionine in several pestiferous mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) genera.

RESULTS

Concentration‐dependent DL‐methionine kinetics assays of survival and pupation were conducted in larvae of Aedes albopictus Skuse, Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say, and Culex tarsalis Coquillett in glass jars. High concentrations of DL‐methionine yielded 100% mortality for all test species and prevented pupation at a rate equivalent to Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) treatments. Concentration kinetics indicated that An. quadrimaculatus was 10‐fold more sensitive to DL‐methionine than Ae. albopictus and Cx. tarsalis.

CONCLUSIONS

EPA regulations currently exempt methionine in pesticide formulations applied to agricultural crops. This study demonstrates that methionine is a highly effective mosquito larvicide that can provide a beneficial new biorational, environmentally sustainable tool to control pestiferous mosquitoes. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Solving two‐player zero sum games with fuzzy payoffs when players have different risk attitudes
Authors: Koca Yesim , Testik Ozlem Muge
Published: June 2018

The aim of this paper is to propose a solution method for 2‐player zero sum games with fuzzy payoffs, which takes different risk attitudes of the players into account. In the proposed model, players' risk attitudes are modeled with α‐cut concept of fuzzy logic, and the game is solved by multi‐objective linear programming approach. The model is implemented on an online marketing problem to show its applicability and use. The game solutions for both players are found by optimizing specific α‐cuts that represent the risk levels of players and given as the game value and corresponding efficient mixed strategies. The results indicated that the proposed model provides a flexible decision‐making environment to the players for their different risk attitudes.
Looking beyond wildlife: using remote cameras to evaluate accuracy of gridded snow data
Authors: Sirén Alexej P. K. , Somos‐Valenzuela Marcelo , Callahan Catherine , Kilborn Jillian R. , Duclos Timothy , Tragert Cassie , Morelli Toni Lyn
Published: June 2018

The use of remote cameras is widespread in wildlife ecology, yet few examples exist of their utility for collecting environmental data. We used a novel camera trap method to evaluate the accuracy of gridded snow data in a mountainous region of the northeastern US. We were specifically interested in assessing (1) how snow depth observations from remote cameras compare with gridded climate data, (2) the sources of error associated with the gridded data and (3) the influence of spatial sampling on bias. We compared daily observations recorded by remote cameras with Snow Data Assimilation System (SNODAS) gridded predictions using data from three winters (2014–2016). Snow depth observations were correlated with SNODAS predictions for sites (R2 = 0.20) and regions (R2 = 0.16), yet we detected factors associated with SNODAS bias at both scales. Specifically, SNODAS underpredicted depths at high elevations, at sites with higher solar radiation, and within conifer‐dominated forest. Depths were most underpredicted at highest elevations, up to 44 and 26 cm on average at the site and region scales, respectively. Bias was greatest when predictions were lowest, occasionally predicting snow absence when depths were >100 cm at camera sites. We also detected breakdowns in accuracy when certain environmental conditions varied within the 1 km2 SNODAS grid cells. For example, underprediction was greatest when the solar radiation values of camera stations increased relative to the mean of the SNODAS grid cells. This relationship was most prominent in mountainous regions, suggesting that factors which influence solar radiation (e.g. topographic complexity) contribute to SNODAS inaccuracy. We caution using gridded snow data for ecological studies when bias is unknown. We suggest increased sampling to adjust for errors associated with gridded data products that arise from factors, such as forest cover and topographic variability. Increasing resolution and accuracy of climate data will improve predictions of species’ responses to climate change.
Cytosine Palladium Hybrid Complex Immobilized on SBA‐15 as Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Aqueous Suzuki‐Miyaura Coupling
Authors: Rajabi Fatemeh , Fayyaza Fatemeh , Bandyopadhyay Rajoshree , Ivars‐Barcelo Francisco , Puente‐Santiago Alain R. , Luque Rafael
Published: June 2018

The synthesis of new heterogeneous catalysts has been achieved by the coupling of palladium on cytosine functionalized SBA‐15 nanoreactors (Pd‐Cyt@SBA‐15). The nanocatalytic systems show a surface area of 367 m2 g−1 with a mean pore diameter of 3.45 nm. Low angle‐XRD measurement reveals that the the anchoring of Pd inside the mesoporous channels of cytosine functionalized SBA‐15 (Cyt@SBA‐15) does not seriously disturb the overall ordered structure of the mesoporous silica. The hybrid nanoreactors act as highly active catalysts for the Suzuki−Miyaura cross‐coupling of a variety aryl chlorides and boronic acid in mixtures of isopropyl alcohol/water under mild conditions. The catalysts showed excellent reusability over seven successive runs under the given reaction conditions. Likewise, no significant leaching of the palladium was detected in the nanoreactors after reusing them several times.
Efficient Production of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Aqueous Dispersion Using Hexahydroxytriphenylene as a Dispersant and Stabilizer
Authors: Liu Gang , Liu Neng , López‐Moreno Alejandro , Zhao Ping , Dai Wubin , Shi Shengwei , Komatsu Naoki
Published: June 2018

Dispersing single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is one of the key technologies for promoting the practical application of SWNTs in many fields. Herein, we report on an efficient dispersant, 2,3,6,7,10,11‐hexahydroxytriphenylene, for dispersing SWNTs through noncovalent functionalization. Typically, 68 wt% of the initial SWNTs (25 mg/L) were well dispersed in water at the low concentration of hexahydroxytriphenylene (25 mg/L). In order to compare the efficiency of various dispersants, we propose mole‐ and weight‐based dispersing efficiency index (m‐ and w‐DEI, respectively) based on the concentration of the dispersant employed (Cm‐DPS mmol/L or Cw‐DPS mg/L) and the concentration of the SWNTs dispersed (Cd‐CNT mg/L); m‐ and w‐DEI are defined as Cd‐CNT / Cm‐DPS and Cd‐CNT / Cw‐DPS, respectively. Although a biopolymer shows slightly better m‐DEI than hexahydroxytriphenylene, the w‐DEI of hexahydroxytriphenylene is better than that of all the dispersants we compared. For example, the m‐ and w‐DEI of hexahydroxytriphenylene are much better than those of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS), one of the most widely used dispersant for SWNTs, by two and three orders of magnitude, respectively. The large difference of the DEI between 2,3,6,7,10,11‐hexahydroxytriphenylene and SDBS is found to be supported by the difference in their association constants (Ka) for the complexation with SWNTs, which were determined by the recently reported titration method.
Study of the Capacitive Behavior of MOF‐Derived Nanocarbon Polyhedra
Authors: Azad Uday Pratap , Ghosh Sourav , Verma Chandra Jeet , Singh Ashish Kumar , Singh Akhilesh Kumar , Prakash Rajiv
Published: June 2018

Co containing zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF‐67) with polyhedral morphology was synthesized in aqueous media and utilized as precurser for synthesis of nanoporous carbon polyhedra without using any other carbon source. The phase, composition and morphology of the annealed products could be tailored by changing the annealing temperature as well as acid treatment. Our study herein provides a new insight into the formation of porous carbon polyhedra from ZIF‐67.
Electrochemical Impedance and its Applications in Energy‐Storage Systems
Authors: Qu Deyang , Wang Gongwei , Kafle Janak , Harris Joshua , Crain Logan , Jin Zhihong , Zheng Dong
Published: June 2018

Electrochemical impedance is a powerful tool in the investigation of electrochemical systems. It obtains kinetic information of an interfacial process in the vicinity of a stable state by applying a low‐amplitude sinusoidal potential‐modulation signal on the stable (may not be completely at equilibrium) potential, and from the responding current signal, the kinetic information can be obtained. Here, the fundamental impedance responses of the common electrochemical processes, e.g., double‐layer, charge transfer, and diffusion are introduced with respect to energy‐storage systems. The impedance response of porous electrodes and the transmission‐line model are emphasized. Numerical fitting and simulation through an equivalent circuit are reviewed with the examples of the electrodes used in batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells.
3D Current Collectors for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: A Topical Review
Authors: Yue Yuan , Liang Hong
Published: June 2018

Current collectors play important roles in enhancing the electrochemical performance of lithium‐ion batteries. Currently used collectors are mostly made of aluminum or copper foils through slurry casting with binders that have not reached optimal capacity. Furthermore, extended cycles of charge and discharge induce detachment of the cast layer, resulting in damage to the structural integrity. In order to better understand the principles of the performance of and thus optimize current collectors, a critical review is conducted focusing on their structures. Through analysis of data collected from more than 50 publications, the capacity and retention as a function of current density and charge cycle, respectively, are identified. Two new terms, which are characteristic of 3D current collectors, are defined as Regime I and Regime II in the corresponding plots. Regime I refers to the maximum reversible capacity and Regime II to the maximum capacitor retention. The greater the values of those values, the greater the enhancement of capacity and retention. Using these concepts, it is predicted that carbonaceous and fibrous 3D hierarchical current collectors would be beneficial as battery collectors. The results and approach provide perspective for future design and advancement of electrochemical energy‐storage devices.
Über die Zeitfestigkeit von Augenstäben im Kranbau – ein praktischer Anwendungsfall
Authors: Göllnitz Thomas , Lang Robert , Osterhuber Dominik
Published: June 2018

Der Tragfähigkeitsnachweis von Augenstäben an Bolzenverbindungen ist seit Jahrzehnten in vielen Normen und Regelwerken zu finden. Dies trifft jedoch nur auf statische Lasten zu, während Betriebsfestigkeitsnachweise kaum zu finden sind. Im Kranbau spielen jedoch Bolzenverbindungen eine herausragende Rolle, so dass Betriebsfestigkeitsnachweise bemessungsrelevant erscheinen. In diesem Beitrag soll eine Verfahrensweise beziehungsweise Nachweisform dargestellt werden, die im Besonderen auf die Erfordernisse des Kranbaus abgestimmt ist.
Optimaler Einsatz von Hohlprofilen im Brückenbau
Authors: Bach Kirstin
Published: June 2018

Mit Stahlbau‐Hohlprofilen lassen sich sehr attraktive, effiziente und filigrane Brücken als Stabwerkstrukturen gestalten. Ihr konstruktiv hervorragendes Tragverhalten mit geringer Knickgefährdung und hohem Torsionswiderstand macht Hohlprofile zu der perfekten Wahl für Druckstäbe und in Fachwerkkonstruktionen. Brücken mit Hohlprofilen weisen im Vergleich zu anderen Bauweisen ein besseres Verhältnis von Tragfähigkeit zu Gewicht auf, so dass der Materialverbrauch reduziert wird. Mit Hohlprofilen sind außerdem große Spannweiten möglich. Dies ermöglicht leichte, luftige Strukturen, die sich ästhetisch ansprechend in unsere Umwelt einfügen. Die Oberfläche, und damit die Beschichtungsfläche, ist vergleichsweise klein und es gibt keine scharfen Kanten, die Korrosionsprobleme verursachen können oder an denen sich Schmutz ablagern kann. Als Werkstoffe dürfen nach ZTV‐ING [14] als Hohlprofile für tragende Bauteile nur warmgefertigte Hohlprofile gemäß DIN EN 10210 [5] verwendet werden.

Um ein technisch sicheres, wirtschaftliches und architektonisch ansprechendes Tragwerk zu erhalten, muss sich der Planer schon im frühen Entwurfsstadium Gedanken über die Anschlüsse sowie über die Herstellung und die Aufstellung der Konstruktion auf der Baustelle machen. Der im Stahlbau mögliche hohe Vorfertigungsgrad sollte bestmöglich genutzt werden, um die Bauzeit zu verkürzen und die Störung des Verkehrs zu minimieren. Auch an die Unterhaltung und Dauerhaftigkeit sollte hinsichtlich der Zugänglichkeit des Bauwerks bereits gedacht werden.
Experimental investigation of adsorption capacity of anthill in the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution
Authors: Yusuff Adeyinka Sikiru , Olateju Idowu Iyabo
Published: June 2018

In the present work, the adsorption capacity of anthill was investigated as a low‐cost adsorbent to remove the heavy metal ions, lead (II) ion (Pb2+), and zinc (II) ion (Zn2+) from an aqueous solution. The equilibrium adsorption isotherms of the heavy metal ions were investigated under batch process. For the study we examined the effect of the solution's pH and the initial cations concentrations on the adsorption process under a fixed contact time and temperature. The anthill sample was characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray fluorescence (XRF), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. From the SEM analysis, structural change in the adsorbent was a result of heavy metals adsorption. Based on the XRF analysis, the main composition of the anthill sample was silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3), and zirconia (ZrO2). The change in the peaks of the spectra before and after adsorption indicated that there was active participation of surface functional groups during the adsorption process. The experimental data obtained were analyzed using 2‐ and 3‐parameter isotherm models. The isotherm data fitted very well to the 3‐parameter Radke–Prausnitz model. It was noted that Pb2+ and Zn2+ can be effectively removed from aqueous solution using anthill as an adsorbent.
A conceptual framework of sustainable development strategy as “corporate responsibility” in manufacturing industry
Authors: Sulistiarini Emma Budi , Suparman Sudjito , Santoso Purnomo Budi , Tama Ishardita Pambudi
Published: June 2018

Previous studies have mentioned that there are market‐oriented corporate responsibility strategies, stakeholder‐oriented corporate responsibility strategies, and sustainable development‐oriented corporate responsibility strategies. Those strategies are in the form of corporate responsibility to the people, to the planet, and to profit (widely known as the triple bottom line). The very crucial challenge faced by the manufacturing industry today involves environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources, both of which can be overcome by implementing sustainable development‐oriented strategies. In this study, data were obtained from sampling three manufacturing industry companies in East Java, Indonesia. The respondents selected for the survey included top management and employees. From the results of the survey review and descriptive analysis, the researchers created a framework of the concept of sustainable development as corporate responsibility for the manufacturing industry. There are three steps in the methodology: strategic thinking, model arrangement, and variable definition. Arranging the model itself also involves three steps, identifying: “what is the problem,” “boundaries,” and “components.” The strategy model is in the form of a conceptual framework and strategy map, which are easily adapted as a guideline for the manufacturing industry. The model was tested using the Conceptual Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development and General Structural Component Analysis statistics. The conceptual model in this work used the five perspectives of responsibility applied within the manufacturing industry, which address the environment, social welfare, the intrinsic value of direct financial gain (in this context, this refers to competitive advantage), technology development, and performance management. Further research is needed to break down the conceptual framework and strategy map into more detailed, technical guidance.
Understanding the synchronisms and anachronisms of the Columbia River Treaty in relation to the principles of international water law
Authors: Gallo Yahn Armando
Published: June 2018

Based on the theory of the politics of international law and the hermeneutic theory for international relations, this paper aims to demonstrate how the history and contextual changes within the Columbia River Basin have affected the underlying principles of the Columbia River Treaty with those of international water law.
Multi‐strainer model concept for conjunctive pumping of saline and non‐saline groundwater from coastal aquifers
Authors: Islam Muktarun , Hoque M. Mozzammel
Published: June 2018

The current paper discusses the multi‐strainer technique developed to augment usable water by the combined use of saline and non‐saline aquifers in locations where a freshwater aquifer is underlain or overlain by a saline water aquifer. The multi‐strainer technique evaluates design criteria for the formulation of multi‐strainer schemes to supply water at an acceptable salinity limit by combined use of the saline and non‐saline aquifers. The design ratio of discharges can be maintained by adjusting the strainers’ lengths in the saline and non‐saline aquifers. The multi‐strainer scheme has been applied in the coastal aquifers of Bangladesh and found to be effective at lowering the water salinity concentrations to acceptable levels, thus increasing the availability of water for sustainable use. The multi‐strainer scheme should be designed based on the thickness of the aquifer layers to be screened, the salinity concentrations of the screened layers, and the level of salinity concentration to be maintained.