bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling of rainfall partitioning by a deciduous shrub using a variable parameters Gash model
Authors: Zhang Si‐Yi , Li Xiao‐Yan , Jiang Zhi‐Yun , Li Ding‐Qiang , Lin Henry
Published: July 2018

Alpine deciduous shrubs play an important role in local water cycle for ecosystems of Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, but rainfall partitioning of the deciduous shrubs has not been fully understood due to significant variation in spatial coverage and leaf storage capacity, especially the lack of appropriate model to describe relevant processes. To assess these processes, field experiments were performed to determine vegetation and atmospheric parameters for the deciduous Potentilla fruticosa shrub in the growing season of 2012. Based on the experimental data, a variable parameters Gash model specifically for deciduous shrub rainfall partitioning was adapted from the revised Gash model to simulate rainfall partitioning. Results showed that the interception, throughfall, and stemflow accounted for 21.44%, 29.26%, and 49.30% of total rainfall in the shrub patches, respectively. Nearly half of interception (46.1%) was lost through evaporation from saturated leaf canopy during rainfall events. The performance of the original model on deciduous shrub canopy was improved by utilizing a variable parameters Gash model that adopted event‐based changeable meteorological and canopy parameters. The rainfall partitioning pattern in the shrub patch was very sensitive to changes in canopy coverage, evaporation, and rainfall intensity, in which great varieties can add large potential errors to the revised Gash model simulations. To accurately model rainfall partitioning, it is reasonable to adopt variable parameters.
Soil water dynamics at 15 locations distributed across a desert landscape: insights from a 27‐yr dataset
Authors: Duniway Michael C. , Petrie Matthew D. , Peters Debra P. C. , Anderson John P. , Crossland Keith , Herrick Jeffrey E.
Published: July 2018

Desert ecosystems are primarily limited by water availability. Within a climatic regime, topography, soil characteristics, and vegetation are expected to determine how the combined effects of precipitation, temperature, and evaporative demand of the atmosphere shape the spatial and temporal patterns of water within the soil profile and across a landscape. To forecast how desert landscapes may respond to future climatic conditions, it is imperative to improve our understanding of these ecohydrologic processes. Here, we report on 27 yr of monthly soil volumetric water content (VWC) measurements and associated soils data from a site in the northern Chihuahuan Desert of North America. The dataset includes VWC and soil properties measured to 3 m in depth across 15 locations that encompass a range of Chihuahuan Desert vegetation types. We use this unique dataset (1) to generate insights into general temporal and depth patterns in VWC, (2) to analyze how VWC corresponds to measures of climatic conditions, and (3) to qualitatively evaluate the relative importance of soils, topographic setting, and vegetation type in mediating temporal patterns in VWC. Analyses of this unique dataset emphasize the importance of soil and topographic setting in determining depth and temporal patterns in VWC across time. Results emphasize the episodic nature of deep wetting events in our study system—essentially limited to three large events over the 27‐yr record driven primarily by wetter than normal winters. Comparison of soil water dynamics between mesquite shrub coppice dunes and interspace soils suggests the “island of fertility” concept does not extend to soil water. Median VWC was strongly coupled to climatic conditions over surprisingly long windows at most locations (6–18 months), suggesting that soil water at depth is decoupled from short climatic pulses. However, VWC dynamics and VWC–climate relationships varied among locations, depths, and seasons, with unexpected similarities in ecohydrologic dynamics observed among very different vegetation types (e.g., an eroded creosote shrubland and a playa grassland). These results further underscore the importance of ecohydrological investigations in these ecosystems, given forecasts for a warmer and more variable climate in deserts globally.
Structure and Single‐Molecule Magnetic Property of a Dinuclear Dy2 Complex Bridged by the 4‐Methylpyridine N‐Oxide Ligand
Authors: Zhang Ling , Chen Peng , Li Hong‐Feng , Tian Yong‐Mei , Yan Peng‐Fei , Sun Wen‐Bin
Published: July 2018

A dinuclear dysprosium complex, [Dy2(tta)6(4‐mepyNO)2]·CHCl3 (tta = thenoyltrifluoroacetone, 4‐mepyNO = 4‐methylpyridine N‐oxide), has been structurally and magnetically characterized. Analysis of the single‐crystal structure revealed that the NO group serves as an effective bridge to link the two DyIII centres and combine with the peripheral β‐diketonate ligands to form an eight‐coordinate geometry of DyIII. Magnetic measurements showed significant zero‐field single‐molecule magnetic behaviour with a 3 K hysteresis temperature and 121 K energy barrier. Diamagnetic dilution studies revealed that the DyIII–DyIII coupling suppresses the quantum tunelling of magnetization, although the coupling is generally weak. The diluted system mainly displays decoupling single‐ion magnetic anisotropic behaviour with a higher hysteresis temperature of 3.5 K.
Pd‐Catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling of Arylboronic Acids and α‐Iminonitriles through C–CN Bond Activation
Authors: Liu Kui , Tao Shou‐Wei , Qian Chun , Zhu Yong‐Ming
Published: July 2018

A Pd‐catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction between arylboronic acids and α‐iminonitriles has been developed. The reaction proceeds through selective activation of the C–CN bond, tolerates a wide range of substituents, and delivers the versatile ketone products in moderate to excellent yields.
Testing the addictive appetite model of binge eating: The importance of craving, coping, and reward enhancement
Authors: Leslie Monica , Turton Robert , Burgess Emilee , Nazar Bruno Palazzo , Treasure Janet
Published: July 2018

In the current study, we examine components of the “addictive appetite” model of recurrent binge eating. Specifically, we tested the influence of addictive processes and the influence of emotional regulation processes on recurrent binge eating behaviour. We recruited 79 women in total for the current study: 22 with bulimia nervosa, 26 weight‐matched lean comparison women, 15 women with binge eating disorder, and 16 weight‐matched overweight/obese comparison women. Participants completed questionnaire assessments of food craving and motivations for eating. Compared with weight‐matched comparison women, women with binge‐type eating disorders endorse significantly greater levels of food craving, eating for purposes of coping, and eating for purposes of reward enhancement. A cluster analysis revealed that these three traits distinguish women with binge‐type eating disorders from weight‐matched comparison women. These findings provide support for the addictive appetite model of binge eating behaviour and highlight addictive and emotional regulation processes as potential targets for treatment.
Wind influence on the orientation of estuarine landforms: An example from Lake Illawarra in southeastern Australia
Authors: Deng Junjie , Jones Brian G. , Rogers Kerrylee , Woodroffe Colin D.
Published: July 2018

We propose a type of a quasi‐equilibrium, which describes a convergence of the estuarine system towards a form whose planimetric orientation is along the prevailing winds. By using the microtidal Lake Illawarra in southeastern Australia as an example, we describe sediment convergent and divergent processes that induce such an equilibrium controlled by the complex configuration of the shoreline relative to the prevailing winds. For a complex estuarine sedimentary system with a mixture of non‐cohesive and cohesive sediments, alongshore distribution of fluvial or marine sand deposition and associated subaqueous morphology reflects alongshore redistribution of sediments from rivers and the tidal inlet. The orientation of the second‐order polynomial trend surface of estuarine morphology is consistent with prevailing wind directions. Along the lake shore, there are extensive narrow flats mainly covered by fluvial or marine sands shaped by the prevailing winds. The implementation of the Delft3D flow model coupled with the SWAN wave model driven by idealized prevailing winds indicates the potential of sediment convergent and divergent transport at the embayment and promontory shoreline, which appears to be similar to the alongshore distribution of sandy sediments and the nearshore flats. Alongshore transport of sandy sediments is primarily induced by the wave refraction on the shore, while the currents are more effective in transporting fine‐grained sediments such as mud or clay. Finally, we suggest a conceptual model that describes potential sediment transport of convergence and divergence on the embayment or promontory shoreline that is normal to the prevailing winds. Orientation of the estuary follows the convergence centre of sediment transport driven by the prevailing winds with the largest fetch. A quantitative threshold for such sediment redistribution may be determined in the future. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decomposing parasite fitness reveals the basis of specialization in a two-host, two-parasite system
Authors: Lievens Eva J. P. , Perreau Julie , Agnew Philip , Michalakis Yannis , Lenormand Thomas
Published: July 2018

The ecological specialization of parasites–whether they can obtain high fitness on very few or very many different host species–is a determining feature of their ecology. In order to properly assess specialization, it is imperative to measure parasite fitness across host species; to understand its origins, fitness must be decomposed into the underlying traits. Despite the omnipresence of parasites with multiple hosts, very few studies assess and decompose their specialization in this way. To bridge this gap, we quantified the infectivity, virulence, and transmission rate of two parasites, the horizontally transmitted microsporidians Anostracospora rigaudi and Enterocytospora artemiae, in their natural hosts, the brine shrimp Artemia parthenogenetica and Artemia franciscana. Our results demonstrate that each parasite performs well on one of the two host species (A. rigaudi on A. parthenogenetica, and E. artemiae on A. franciscana), and poorly on the other. This partial specialization is driven by high infectivity and transmission rates in the preferred host, and is associated with maladaptive virulence and large costs of resistance in the other. Our study represents a rare empirical contribution to the study of parasite evolution in multihost systems, highlighting the negative effects of under- and overexploitation when adapting to multiple hosts.
A new direction in design of bio‐based flame retardants for poly(lactic acid)
Authors: Laoutid F. , Vahabi H. , Shabanian M. , Aryanasab F. , Zarrintaj P. , Saeb M. R.
Published: July 2018

A novel bio‐based nitrogen‐rich and phosphorus‐rich flame retardant (Phyt/PEI‐TA) was synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared, inductively coupled plasma, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Thermal degradation and flame retardant properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) containing 20 wt% Phyt/PEI‐TA were investigated by TGA, cone calorimetry, and microcalorimeter of combustion (pyrolysis combustion flow calorimeter) measurements. Thermogravimetric analysis results showed that introduction of newly developed Phyt/PEI‐TA to PLA significantly improved its thermal stability, as signaled by much more amount of PLA char formed compared to the reference sample. Surprisingly, the use of Phyt/PEI‐TA did not decrease the onset degradation temperature of PLA. In agreement with TGA results, the cone calorimetry results approved excellent flame retardancy of PLA upon addition of Phyt/PEI‐TA (36% reduction in peak of heat release rate compared to that of neat PLA). Based on the analysis performed on the remainder of char after cone calorimeter test as well as analyses on heat release rate curves, the condensed phase action by promoting the formation of char was identified as principal impact of the Phyt/PEI‐TA on flame retardancy of PLA. Finally, the performance of developed bio‐based flame retardant was compared with more than 60 flame retardant systems previously reported in the literature.
A coupled immersed boundary‐lattice Boltzmann method with smoothed point interpolation method for fluid‐structure interaction problems
Authors: Wang Shuangqiang , Cai Yunan , Zhang Guiyong , Quan Xiaobo , Lu Jianhua , Li Sheng
Published: July 2018

The immersed boundary‐lattice Boltzmann method has been verified to be an effective tool for fluid‐structure interaction simulation associated with thin and flexible bodies. The newly developed smoothed point interpolation method (S‐PIM) can handle the largely deformable solids owing to its softened model stiffness and insensitivity to mesh distortion. In this work, a novel coupled method has been proposed by combining the immersed boundary‐lattice Boltzmann method with the S‐PIM for fluid‐structure interaction problems with large‐displacement solids. The proposed method preserves the simplicity of the lattice Boltzmann method for fluid solvers, utilizes the S‐PIM to establish the realistic constitutive laws for nonlinear solids, and avoids mesh regeneration based on the frame of the immersed boundary method. Both two‐ and three‐dimensional numerical examples have been carried out to validate the accuracy, convergence, and stability of the proposed method in consideration of comparative results with referenced solutions.
Bias in Mendelian randomization due to assortative mating
Authors: Hartwig Fernando Pires , Davies Neil Martin , Davey Smith George
Published: July 2018

Mendelian randomization (MR) has been increasingly used to strengthen causal inference in observational epidemiology. Methodological developments in the field allow detecting and/or adjusting for different potential sources of bias, mainly bias due to horizontal pleiotropy (or “off‐target” genetic effects). Another potential source of bias is nonrandom matching between spouses (i.e., assortative mating). In this study, we performed simulations to investigate the bias caused in MR by assortative mating. We found that bias can arise due to either cross‐trait assortative mating (i.e., assortment on two phenotypes, such as highly educated women selecting taller men) or single‐trait assortative mating (i.e., assortment on a single phenotype), even if the exposure and outcome phenotypes are not the phenotypes under assortment. The simulations also indicate that bias due to assortative mating accumulates over generations and that MR methods robust to horizontal pleiotropy are also affected by this bias. Finally, we show that genetic data from mother–father–offspring trios can be used to detect and correct for this bias.
Associations of childhood socioeconomic status with mid‐life and late‐life cognition in Chinese middle‐aged and older population based on a 5‐year period cohort study
Authors: Sha Tingting , Yan Yan , Cheng Wenwei
Published: July 2018

Objectives

A prospective study was performed to examine the relationship of childhood socioeconomic status (SES) with cognition and the rate of change in a nationally representative sample of community‐dwelling middle‐aged and older Chinese population.

Methods

This study mainly focused on 3 composite measures of cognitive function, including Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status, word recall, and drawing a figure successfully. Childhood SES was evaluated by parental occupation and education, childhood residence, and self‐evaluated financial status. We designed an analysis strategy adding predictors incrementally in different models to examine the changes of effects of childhood SES on cognition by latent growth curve models.

Results

Finally, a total of 10 533 respondents were prospectively studied, including 5980 respondents aged 45–59 and 4553 aged 60–90. Cognition in younger cohort showed a curvilinear change, while cognition in older cohort showed a linear decline. After controlling for covariates, middle‐aged respondents with higher self‐evaluated financial status (β: −0.22, P < .001), better health status (β: −0.13, P < .001), higher parental education (β: 0.17 and 0.10, P < .001), who had lived in city/town before 16 years (β: 0.69, P < .001), and whose fathers engaged in nonfarming work (β: 0.43, P < .001) were associated with the better baseline cognition. Similar results were found in older cohort. Additionally, early‐life SES was not associated with cognitive decline in both cohorts.

Conclusions

This study indicates that childhood SES is associated with mid‐life and late‐life baseline cognition, but it is not contributed to cognition decline. Interventions in early‐life focused on improving childhood SES might have positive impacts on baseline cognition in later‐life.
Corporate political connections in global strategy
Authors: Cui Lin , Hu Helen Wei , Li Sali , Meyer Klaus E.
Published: July 2018

Research Summary: The role of corporate political connections (CPC) in global strategy has been examined in a variety of institutional contexts and analyzed from different theoretical perspectives. This literature, along with the articles in this special issue, demonstrate the importance of contextualization in understanding the motivations, processes, and outcomes of firms developing and utilizing CPC in global strategy. We argue that context‐specific aspects of CPC, such as the political system in which the firm is operating, need to be incorporated more systematically to advance theory development globally. Future studies on CPC can advance this agenda through cross‐country comparative research, deeper engagement with political science literature, linking CPC with other nonmarket strategies, and configurational analysis of the multidimensional context of CPC.

Managerial Summary: Multinational companies not only compete in a market environment, they engage with political actors in both their home and host societies. This special issue brings together research that explores how companies use their corporate political connections (CPC) to achieve firm objectives. Each study takes a different approach to studying the phenomenon, informed by the national context of their empirical data. Together, these studies highlight the importance of CPC around the world. However, the variation in research approaches also highlights that the “how and why” of companies' development and utilization of CPC vary across cultures and political systems. In consequence, the development of managerial recommendations always needs to carefully consider the pertinent political context of the available empirical evidence.
A multivariate lesion symptom mapping toolbox and examination of lesion‐volume biases and correction methods in lesion‐symptom mapping
Authors: DeMarco Andrew T. , Turkeltaub Peter E.
Published: July 2018

Lesion‐symptom mapping has become a cornerstone of neuroscience research seeking to localize cognitive function in the brain by examining the sequelae of brain lesions. Recently, multivariate lesion‐symptom mapping methods have emerged, such as support vector regression, which simultaneously consider many voxels at once when determining whether damaged regions contribute to behavioral deficits (Zhang, Kimberg, Coslett, Schwartz, & Wang, ). Such multivariate approaches are capable of identifying complex dependences that traditional mass‐univariate approach cannot. Here, we provide a new toolbox for support vector regression lesion‐symptom mapping (SVR‐LSM) that provides a graphical interface and enhances the flexibility and rigor of analyses that can be conducted using this method. Specifically, the toolbox provides cluster‐level family‐wise error correction via permutation testing, the capacity to incorporate arbitrary nuisance models for behavioral data and lesion data and makes available a range of lesion volume correction methods including a new approach that regresses lesion volume out of each voxel in the lesion maps. We demonstrate these new tools in a cohort of chronic left‐hemisphere stroke survivors and examine the difference between results achieved with various lesion volume control methods. A strong bias was found toward brain wide lesion‐deficit associations in both SVR‐LSM and traditional mass‐univariate voxel‐based lesion symptom mapping when lesion volume was not adequately controlled. This bias was corrected using three different regression approaches; among these, regressing lesion volume out of both the behavioral score and the lesion maps provided the greatest sensitivity in analyses.
Clinical subcategorization of minimally conscious state according to resting functional connectivity
Authors: Aubinet Charlène , Larroque Stephen Karl , Heine Lizette , Martial Charlotte , Majerus Steve , Laureys Steven , Di Perri Carol
Published: July 2018

Patients in minimally conscious state (MCS) have been subcategorized in MCS plus and MCS minus, based on command‐following, intelligible verbalization or intentional communication. We here aimed to better characterize the functional neuroanatomy of MCS based on this clinical subcategorization by means of resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Resting state fMRI was acquired in 292 MCS patients and a seed‐based analysis was conducted on a convenience sample of 10 MCS plus patients, 9 MCS minus patients and 35 healthy subjects. We investigated the left and right frontoparietal networks (FPN), auditory network, default mode network (DMN), thalamocortical connectivity and DMN between‐network anticorrelations. We also employed an analysis based on regions of interest (ROI) to examine interhemispheric connectivity and investigated intergroup differences in gray/white matter volume by means of voxel‐based morphometry. We found a higher connectivity in MCS plus as compared to MCS minus in the left FPN, specifically between the left dorso‐lateral prefrontal cortex and left temporo‐occipital fusiform cortex. No differences between patient groups were observed in the auditory network, right FPN, DMN, thalamocortical and interhemispheric connectivity, between‐network anticorrelations and gray/white matter volume. Our preliminary group‐level results suggest that the clinical subcategorization of MCS may involve functional connectivity differences in a language‐related executive control network. MCS plus and minus patients are seemingly not differentiated by networks associated to auditory processing, perception of surroundings and internal awareness/self‐mentation, nor by interhemispheric integration and structural brain damage.
Episodic memory and executive functions in cognitively healthy individuals display distinct neuroanatomical correlates which are differentially modulated by aging
Authors: Cacciaglia Raffaele , Molinuevo José Luis , Sánchez‐Benavides Gonzalo , Falcón Carles , Gramunt Nina , Brugulat‐Serrat Anna , Grau Oriol , Gispert Juan Domingo ,   for the ALFA Study
Published: July 2018

The neuroanatomical bases of episodic memory (EM) and executive functions (EFs) have been widely addressed in patients with brain damage and in individuals with neurologic disorders. These studies reported that larger brain structures support better outcomes in both cognitive domains, thereby supporting the “bigger is better” account. However, relatively few studies have explored the cerebral morphological properties underlying EM and EFs in cognitively healthy individuals and current findings indicate no unitary theoretical explanation for the structure–function relationship. Moreover, existing studies have typically restricted the analyses to a priori defined regions of interest. Here we conducted unbiased voxel‐wise analysis of the associations between regional gray as well as white matter volumes (GMv; WMv) and performance in both cognitive domains in a sample of 463 cognitively intact individuals. We found that efficiency in EM was predicted by lower GMv in brain areas belonging to the default‐mode network (DMN). By contrast, EFs performance was predicted by larger GMv in a distributed set of regions, which overlapped with the executive control network (ECN). Volume of white matter bundles supporting both cross‐cortical and interhemispheric connections was positively related to processing speed. Furthermore, aging modulated the relationship between regional volumes and cognitive performance in several areas including the hippocampus and frontal cortex. Our data extend the critical role of the DMN and ECN by showing that variability in their morphological properties, and not only their activation patterns, affects EM and EFs, respectively. Moreover, our finding that aging reverts these associations supports previously advanced theories of cognitive neurodevelopment.
Superior explicit memory despite severe developmental amnesia: In‐depth case study and neural correlates
Authors: Jonin Pierre‐Yves , Besson Gabriel , La Joie Renaud , Pariente Jérémie , Belliard Serge , Barillot Christian , Barbeau Emmanuel J.
Published: July 2018

The acquisition of new semantic memories is sometimes preserved in patients with hippocampal amnesia. Robust evidence for this comes from case reports of developmental amnesia suggesting that low‐to‐normal levels of semantic knowledge can be achieved despite compromised episodic learning. However, it is unclear whether this relative preservation of semantic memory results from normal acquisition and retrieval or from residual episodic memory, combined with effortful repetition. Furthermore, lesion studies have mainly focused on the hippocampus itself, and have seldom reported the state of structures in the extended hippocampal system. Preserved components of this system may therefore mediate residual episodic abilities, contributing to the apparent semantic preservation. We report an in‐depth study of Patient KA, a 27‐year‐old man who had severe hypoxia at birth, in which we carefully explored his residual episodic learning abilities. We used novel speeded recognition paradigms to assess whether KA could explicitly acquire and retrieve new context‐free memories. Despite a pattern of very severe amnesia, with a 44‐point discrepancy between his intelligence and memory quotients, KA exhibited normal‐to‐superior levels of knowledge, even under strict time constraints. He also exhibited normal‐to‐superior recognition memory for new material, again under strict time constraints. Multimodal neuroimaging revealed an unusual pattern of selective atrophy within each component of the extended hippocampal system, contrasting with the preservation of anterior subhippocampal cortices. A cortical thickness analysis yielded a pattern of thinner but also thicker regional cortices, pointing toward specific temporal lobe reorganization following early injury. We thus report the first case of superior explicit learning and memory in a severe case of amnesia, raising important questions about how such knowledge can be acquired.
Who wants to pay more taxes to improve public health care?
Authors: Habibov Nazim , Auchynnikava Alena , Luo Rong , Fan Lida
Published: July 2018

We study the factors that influence willingness to pay to improve public health care in 29 post‐communist countries, Eastern and Southern Europe, and Eurasia using 2 up‐to‐date cross‐sectional surveys conducted in 2010 and 2016 (N = 34 768). Three hypotheses received full degree of support through empirical analysis: increase in satisfaction with health care, university education, and higher level of wealth positively associated with willingness to pay in all regions. In comparison, having a higher level social trust and adhering to left‐leaning ideological position strengthens support for public health care in Southern Europe and Eurasia only, while having a higher level of institutional trust strengthens support for public health care in Eastern Europe and Eurasia only.
Older south Asian women sharing their perceptions of health and social care services and support: A participatory inquiry
Authors: Bailey Cathy , Sattar Zeibeda , Akhtar Parveen
Published: July 2018

Background

The needs of older people in Black Minority and Ethnic (BAME) communities require culturally appropriate services provision, but little is known about how BAME older people support themselves and others, what they perceive to be their “needs”, and, critically, the extent to which they feel such needs are being appropriately met.

Objective

To enable older women from a BAME community to work with health and social care professionals and organisations, to support independent living.

Methods

In 2016, all 15 members of a BAME older women's social group attached to a Women's Centre in the North East of England, approached the research team to support achieving this objective. They did not wish to be co‐researchers. A collaborative participatory inquiry was carried out. The research team and the older social group designed, together, 4 workshops that explored (1) health and well‐being; (2) home and housing; and (3) services and support. There was also an evaluative session with stakeholders, and the research team managed research processes.

Findings

Most of the women described living with mobility and health challenges requiring change and adaptation. Language and literacy might be barriers to building confidential professional relationships with primary care professionals. The women emphasised needing a “little bit of help” in the home, that is affordable, culturally appropriate, and on their terms. They stressed such help would make them less reliant on busy family members and restore status, purpose, and standing.

Conclusion

Findings do not address all BAME older people's needs. They do, however, have implications for how health and social care services can work with older people from BAME communities, to promote and maintain meaningful independence, on their terms.
Hepatitis B virus infection and the risk of cancer in the elderly US population
Authors: Mahale Parag , Engels Eric A. , Koshiol Jill
Published: July 2018

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Associations with other cancers are not established. We systematically assessed associations between HBV infection and cancers in the US elderly population. We conducted a case–control study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare database in US adults aged ≥66 years. Cases (N = 1,825,316) were people with first cancers diagnosed in SEER registries (1993–2013). Controls (N = 200,000) were randomly selected, cancer‐free individuals who were frequency‐matched to cases on age, sex, race and calendar year. Associations with HBV infection (ascertained by Medicare claims) were assessed by logistic regression. HBV prevalence was higher in cases than controls (0.6% vs. 0.5%). HBV was positively associated with cancers of the stomach (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.19; 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.03–1.37), anus (1.66; 1.17–2.33), liver (10.6; 9.66–11.6), intrahepatic bile ducts (1.67; 1.18–2.37), nasopharynx (2.08; 1.33–3.25), as well as myelodysplastic syndrome (1.26; 1.07–1.49) and diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (1.24; 1.06–1.46). Inverse associations were observed with female breast (aOR = 0.86; 95%CI = 0.76–0.98) and prostate (0.81; 0.73–0.91) cancers and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (0.77; 0.62–0.96). Associations were maintained in sensitivity analyses conducted in people without claims for cirrhosis or hepatitis C or human immunodeficiency virus infections. HBV infection is associated with increased risk of cancers other than HCC, such as bile duct cancers and DLBCL. The biological mechanisms by which HBV may lead to these cancers need to be explored.
Weight change since age 20 and incident risk of obesity‐related cancer in Japan: a pooled analysis of the Miyagi Cohort Study and the Ohsaki Cohort Study
Authors: Wakamatsu Mano , Sugawara Yumi , Zhang Shu , Tanji Fumiya , Tomata Yasutake , Tsuji Ichiro
Published: July 2018

It is unclear whether weight change during adulthood affects the risk of obesity‐related cancers such as those of the esophagus, colorectum, pancreas, breast, endometrium, and kidney among Japanese, where obesity is less frequent and less severe. We examined the association between weight change during adulthood and the risk of obesity‐related cancer among Japanese by conducting a pooled analysis of two prospective studies of residents in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. A total of 78,743 persons (40,422 women and 38,321 men) aged 40–79 years participated in the Miyagi Cohort Study in 1990 and in the Ohsaki Cohort Study in 1994. Weight change since age 20 was divided into four categories (weight loss; stable weight; moderate weight gain; high weight gain). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate the multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for obesity‐related cancer incidence. During 1,057,899 person‐years of follow up, 4,467 cases of obesity‐related cancer (women; 1,916 cases, men; 2,551cases) were identified. In women, compared to the stable weight, weight gain was associated with an increased risk of obesity‐related cancer (moderate weight gain; HRs = 1.10, 95%CIs: 0.97–1.26, high weight gain; HRs = 1.29, 95%CIs: 1.14–1.47). The results indicate that weight gain since age 20 was associated with a significantly increased risk of obesity‐related cancer among Japanese women. By contrast, in men, our study found that weight change is not associated with the incidence of obesity‐related cancer.
Organic Mitoprobes based on Fluorogens with Aggregation‐Induced Emission
Authors: Cai Xiaolei , Hu Fang , Feng Guangxue , Kwok Ryan Tsz Kin , Liu Bin , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: July 2018

Fluorescence imaging of mitochondria is of great interest to understand its functions and roles in various critical bioprocesses. Conventional fluorescence reagents for mitochondrial imaging and tracking suffer from various problems such as poor photostability and high cytotoxicity. The emerging of fluorogens with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) property provides great opportunities to develop mitoprobes with high specificity, good photostability and multiple functions for mitochondrial imaging and tracking. This review summarizes the recent advance of AIE mitoprobes, including the design principle for AIE mitoprobes, the applications of AIE mitoprobes for super‐resolution mitochondrial imaging and tracking, as well as the therapeutic functions of AIE mitoprobes for cancer cell ablation.
Review and Case Studies on Biodrainage: An Alternative Drainage System to Manage Waterlogging and Salinity
Authors: Singh Gurbachan , Lal Khajanchi
Published: July 2018

Waterlogging and its associated soil salinity are a major impediment to the sustainability of irrigated agriculture. Although conventional engineering drainage technologies such as subsurface or vertical drainage combat the problem, they are costly and generate huge quantities of effluent which is difficult to dispose of. Biodrainage, which removes excess soil water by deep‐rooted fast‐growing trees through evapotranspiration using bioenergy, is an appropriate alternative. Plant consumptive water use varies between 6500 and 28 000 m3 ha‐1 yr‐1 and an ideal tree plantation lowers groundwater tables by 1–2 m over a time period of 3–5 years. Trees such as Eucalyptus, Populus, Casuarina, Dalbergia, Syzigium, Acacia, Prosopis, Leucaena, etc. are found to be effective in lowering shallow groundwater tables and reversing salinity trends. Integration of trees such as Eucalyptus and Populus along with crops in a unified agroforestry system, on approach roads, field bunds or on dykes of ponds in an integrated farming system, is another viable proposition. Irrigation of highly transpiring trees has also been proposed for reuse of wastewater and conservation of nutrient energy into biomass, leading to carbon sequestration, environmental sanitation and eco‐restoration. For effective understanding and implementation, several case studies on the role of biodrainage for managing waterlogging and salinity are discussed in this paper. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding the relationship between alcohol outlet density and life expectancy in Baltimore City: The role of community violence and community disadvantage
Authors: Furr‐Holden C. Debra M. , Nesoff Elizabeth D. , Nelson Victoria , Milam Adam J. , Smart Mieka , Lacey Krim , Thorpe Roland J. , Leaf Philip J.
Published: July 2018

This research investigated the relationship between alcohol outlet density (AOD) and life expectancy, as mediated by community violence and community disadvantage. We used linear regression models to assess bivariate and multivariate relationships. There was a negative bivariate association between liquor store density and average life expectancy (β = −7.3370, p < 0.001). This relationship was partially attenuated when controlling for community disadvantage and fully attenuated when controlling for community violence. Bars/taverns (i.e., on‐premise) were not associated with average life expectancy (β = −0.589, p = 0.220). Liquor store density is associated with higher levels of community disadvantage and higher rates of violence, both of which are associated with lower life expectancies. Future research, potential intervention, and current related policies are discussed.
New ionic liquid increase the catalytic efficiency of recombinant Escherichia coli cells‐mediated asymmetric reduction
Authors: Li Jun , Fan Miaoliang , Zhang Rongjin , Tian Zheyu , Zeng Jing , Song Yinan , Du Wenting
Published: July 2018

Background

Ionic liquids (ILs) have advantages in terms of flexible structure and composition for the whole cell mediated biocatalytic reaction. However, the lack of design strategy for ILs has hampered the development of biocatalysis in non‐aqueous medium. In the present study, to establish an efficient reaction system to obtain vital chiral compounds, a novel IL was designed by combining the superior characteristics of quaternary ammonium‐ and dialkyl‐based cationic surfactant IL to enhance the recombinant Escherichia coli cells‐catalyzed bioreduction efficiency.

Results

[HOEtN1,1,1][BF4] was synthesized and showed excellent characteristics of low toxicity to the biocatalyst, reduced toxicity of substrate to the microbial cells and moderate increase of cell membrane permeability. In the [HOEtN1,1,1][BF4]‐ containing reaction system, some valuable factors involved in the biocatalytic reduction of ethyl 4‐chloro‐3‐oxobutanoate to ethyl (S)‐4‐chloro‐3‐hydroxybutanoate were found to be: 2.5% (w/v) [HOEtN1,1,1][BF4], 20% (v/v) isopropanol, 3 M COBE, pH 7.0, 30 °C, reacted for 16 h. A yield of 96.7% was obtained under the optimum conditions with above 99% enantiomeric excess value, and the proposed bioprocess was also successfully scaled up to a 5 L fermentor with a yield of 90.7%.

Conclusion

The developed IL [HOEtN1,1,1][BF4] is a promising solvent for enhancing the efficiency of model bioreduction. It was also evaluated for broadening its application to the biosynthesis of (R)‐[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] ethanol catalyzed by recombinant Escherichia coli, with remarkable success. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Quinolone–Triazole Hybrids and their Biological Activities
Authors: Xu Jun‐Hao , Fan Yi‐Lei , Zhou Jin
Published: July 2018

Hybridization, a strategy based on the covalent fusion of two or more existing pharmacophores to create a single molecule with multiple mechanisms of action, represents an encourage approach in the development of new drugs with potential therapeutic application in several pathologies. Triazoles and quinolones occupy an important position in medicinal chemistry attribute to their various biological activities, so hybridization of these two pharmacophores may provide more effective candidates that might be able to prevent the drug resistance. This review outlines the biological activities of triazole–quinolone hybrids, and discusses their structure–activity relationship.
Multi‐scale evaluation of a linear model of orographic precipitation over Sierra de Guadarrama (Iberian Central System)
Authors: Durán Luis , Barstad Idar
Published: July 2018

A linear model of orographic precipitation is validated at Sierra de Guadarrama (Iberian Central System) using ERA‐Interim as input and a historical set of precipitation data. It is the first time that a linear precipitation model is tested in a semi‐arid region like this. The historical precipitation data come from three high‐quality observatories located at the south, north and top of the mountain range. Different timescales ranging from daily, monthly and annual precipitation are analysed. Phenomena not generally taken into account in linear models like a sub‐saturated air condition and topographic mesoscale flow blocking are included in the modelling. Model results show a good agreement with observations at annual and monthly scales. The model reproduces well the high inter‐annual variability and the annual cycle, including the pronounced summer drought. Bigger differences between observed and modelled precipitations are found for some winter months and for May. Winter overestimation is attributed to measurement undersampling during snowy conditions. The underestimation in May is likely related to thermally driven convective precipitation, which is not modelled. Results also show how orographic precipitation is an important contributor to total precipitation in this area. The high‐resolution precipitation fields obtained can be used in the future for precipitation assessment and other hydrological applications. Modelled time series can also be very helpful for completing and validating the precipitation observations for the winter months.
Skill of the two 20th century reanalyses in representing Antarctic near‐surface air temperature
Authors: Zhang Yulun , Wang Yetang , Huai Baojuan , Ding Minghu , Sun Weijun
Published: July 2018

The performance of the 20th century reanalysis (20CR) and of the pilot reanalysis of the 20th century (ERA‐20C) for Antarctic near‐surface air temperature is investigated based on quality‐controlled monthly temperature measurements with a time coverage of at least 15 years from 42 automatic and manual weather stations, and temperature reconstructions. On the inter‐annual timescale, ERA‐20C and 20CR agree well with the temperature observations since 1957/1958, but there are systematic biases relative to absolute values with cold bias at East Antarctic coastal stations, and warm bias over the inland stations. An abrupt upwards shift in Antarctic annual and seasonal (except summer) mean temperature averaged over the East Antarctic ice sheet and the Antarctic ice sheet occurs around 1950 in 20CR and around 1979 in ERA‐20C, which is probably related to the increasing counts of assimilated observations. Moreover, the significantly negative trends of seasonal and annual mean temperature in 20CR since the late 1970s are found to be largely spurious, which most likely results from the poor representation of variability in sea surface temperature (SST) around Antarctica in the 20CR's boundary forcing. These results imply and urge that caution must be taken when applying the two global reanalyses for evaluating long‐term climate changes at high southern latitudes.
T‐Hg2+‐T‐based satellite structured surface enhanced Raman scattering sensor for Hg2+ detection
Authors: Sun Zhenli , Du Jingjing , He Kebin , Jing Chuanyong
Published: July 2018

Mercury ion (Hg2+) exposure is a threat to human health. We report a plasmonic core‐satellite Fe3O4@SiO2‐Au (FA) hetero nanostructure for Hg2+ detection using surface enhanced Raman scattering based on the T‐Hg2+‐T strategy. The FA nanostructure was functionalized by a DNA aptamer, which was designed with Cy5 at the 5′ end, and used as a Raman reporter to specifically bind to Hg2+ ions. In the presence of Hg2+, DNA formed a hairpin structure, bringing Cy5 close to the FA hotspots region, thus generating an enhanced Raman signal. The T‐Hg2+‐T complex formed the basis for the determination of trace Hg2+ with a detection limit lower than 5 × 10−9 M, and the influence of other metal ions was found to be negligible. With high selectivity, sensitivity, and recyclability, this FA‐DNA surface enhanced Raman scattering platform is a promising tool for field monitoring of Hg2+ ions.
Temperature‐dependent absorption lines observation in Raman spectra of SmFe3 (BO3)4 ferroborate
Authors: Moshkina Evgeniya , Gudim Irina , Temerov Vladislav , Krylov Alexander
Published: July 2018

The paper demonstrates possibilities of observation and thermal dependency study of the absorption lines as a co‐product of Raman spectroscopy study in SmFe3 (BO3)4 ferroborate. Raman spectra of the ferroborate were studied in a wide temperature range (T = 10÷300 K). Temperature‐dependent absorption lines sensitive to the magnetic phase transition have been observed in Raman spectra at two spectral ranges.
An optimized 4‐day diet meal plan for ‘Lunar Palace 1’
Authors: Fu Yuming , Guo Rong , Liu Hong
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND

Bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) provide self‐sufficient food ingredients to support long‐term manned missions. It is crucial to transform raw food ingredients that are regenerated in situ in BLSS into nutritional and delectable meals for spacecraft crews. It is in our interest to develop a dietary menu with Chinese characteristics that comprises biomass produced in situ with BLSS regenerated ingredients.

RESULTS

Here we report an optimized Chinese 4‐day diet meal plan for ‘Lunar Palace 1’ that is nutritionally balanced and highly acceptable. The 2900 cal diet menu not only meets the requirements of a balanced diet for crews but also exceeds the recommended levels for most nutrients. Specifically, daily fresh food consumption in our meal plan is 1267 g day−1, of which 78% is provided by crops and insects regenerated in situ in the BLSS. The meal plan is highly favored by Chinese crews, with acceptability as high as 7.8–8.2 on a 9‐point hedonic scale. We further confirmed that our meal plan satisfies crews' basic nutritional needs through a 105‐day closed habitation experiment.

CONCLUSION

In brief, the findings provide new insights for dietary meal plan design in future long‐term manned missions. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Achieving low‐carbon cattle ranching in the Amazon: ‘Pasture sudden death’ as a window of opportunity
Authors: Silva Marraiane A. , Lima Mendelson , Silva Junior Carlos A. , Costa Gerlane M. , Peres Carlos A.
Published: July 2018

Livestock farming is the key sector that can most contribute to low‐carbon agriculture in the Amazon, the region of Brazil that stands most to gain from land‐use intensification and most to lose from further primary habitat loss. Cattle pastures affected by the ‘sudden death’ syndrome, which has decimated exotic grass pastures across seven Amazonian states, have forced cattle ranchers to begin renewing their grazing lands. Vast areas of pasture die‐off create an opportunity to catalyse livestock intensification through public policies. More productive livestock husbandry results in avoided deforestation, mitigation of methane emissions from enteric digestion, and the release of vast previously deforested areas to either more intensive agriculture or forest restoration. This, however, comes with a cautionary note as the much debated promising paradigm of agricultural intensification remains largely untested as a land‐sparing strategy across the humid tropics. Well‐designed government subsidies will, therefore, be required to ensure that thousands of landowners can take advantage of this opportunity with minimal environmental side effects.