bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CITY-BRAND BUILDING – FROM CITY MARKETING TO CITY BRANDING
Authors: Melović Boban , Mitrović Slavica , Djokaj Arton
Published: November 2017

Thanks to the mobility of the population and the development of economy, nowadays much more attention is payed to the competitiveness between nations, regions and cities. In the early 90s, a special marketing trend appeared, known as "Place branding" which allows cities, regions and nations to differentiate themselves from others (competitors). Nowadays, the "city marketing" approach is a well-established practice which is widely applied by many cities all around the world. During the past 30 years, when the competition between cities became bigger and more important, city marketing approach comes to the fore more and more. Although cities can be too complex for branding or to be treated as products, however, city branding has become a widely applied practice in the past years, ever since cities began to "fight" for: tourists, residents, prestige, wealth, power, commerce, entertainment,etc. By "too complex for branding" we mean that by implementing the city branding strategy we need to keep in mind the past, the cultural identity and the historical background of the city. When we say the past, we refer to all events and happenings in one specific city. For example, Madrid, London, New York, Paris, Brussels are just a few of the largest, but also the best branded cities in the world. Indeed, all of these cities experienced terrorist attacks in their past. Experienced, but survived. However, it is obvious that these events have had a huge impact on their positioning and branding. In order to become sustainable, successful destination (city) brand development must be, first of all, original and different, but convincing (based on physical and emotional charachteristics of the destinations) and  relevant (directed towards the consumer in an appropriate way) as well. The authors' starting point is the hypothesis that the branding of cities is based on a combination of various factors and components and that with their combination we can build a recognizable image, which further contributes to higher tourism turnover and stronger competitiveness. Having in mind the previously mentioned, and when it comes to cities, marketing moves from a „city marketing“ to a „city branding“ concept. The aim of this paper is to carry out a symbiosis of key components, so we could offer guidance regarding the creation of a branding strategy to decision-makers in this field of marketing in our area.
ACCEPTANCE OF MARKETING CONCEPT AT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS- STUDENT FOCUSED APPROACH
Authors: Elez Nedeljka
Published: November 2017

Due to the decrease in the number of students, increase in the number of higher education institutions and universities and the reduction of income of budget funds, educational institutions have no choice but to accept marketing concept as a guide in their activities. Acceptance of the student-focused concept is a starting point for a fundamental reform of teaching and curricula at higher education institutions. Since the satisfaction of students in the field of teaching quality, which is directly related to attracting new students, is a source of income for universities, marketing concept can mean a condition of survival. Work on creating a positive image of higher education institutions at all levels of action, and work on increasing the satisfaction of students and being responsible to them are the tasks of the management, teaching and administrative staff and all employees at the University.
Maternal Gdf3 is an obligatory cofactor in Nodal signaling for embryonic axis formation in zebrafish
Authors: Bisgrove Brent W , Su Yi-Chu , Yost H Joseph
Published: November 2017

Zebrafish Gdf3 (Dvr1) is a member of the TGFβ superfamily of cell signaling ligands that includes Xenopus Vg1 and mammalian Gdf1/3. Surprisingly, engineered homozygous mutants in zebrafish have no apparent phenotype. Elimination of Gdf3 in oocytes of maternal-zygotic mutants results in embryonic lethality that can be fully rescued with gdf3 RNA, demonstrating that Gdf3 is required only early in development, beyond which mutants are viable and fertile. Gdf3 mutants are refractory to Nodal ligands and Nodal repressor Lefty1. Signaling driven by TGFβ ligand Activin and constitutively active receptors Alk4 and Alk2 remain intact in gdf3 mutants, indicating that Gdf3 functions at the same pathway step as Nodal. Targeting gdf3 and ndr2 RNA to specific lineages indicates that exogenous gdf3 is able to fully rescue mutants only when co-expressed with endogenous Nodal. Together, these findings demonstrate that Gdf3 is an essential cofactor of Nodal signaling during establishment of the embryonic axis.
Towards best practices for authorship and research evaluation: Effects of performance metrics and the Leiden Manifesto
Authors: De Rijcke Sarah
Published: November 2017

Watch the VIDEO here.New forms of evaluation are reconfiguring science in ways we are only beginning to understand. In this talk, I will address a key challenge in social-scientific research regarding how evaluations are implicated in scientific understandings of the world. I will address how public sector transformations (including a stronger emphasis on national economic goals such as innovation and growth) are introducing highly particular notions of ‘good’ performance and uses of evaluative metrics. Using empirical material and results from recent projects, the talk will reflect on how these trends are affecting knowledge production processes in different fields. I will also suggest ways to think more creatively and responsibly about the affordances of evaluation and indicators in academic settings.
Virus like particles as a platform for cancer vaccine development
Authors: Ong Hui Kian , Tan Wen Siang , Ho Kok Lian
Published: November 2017

Cancers have killed millions of people in human history and are still posing a serious health problem worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need for developing preventive and therapeutic cancer vaccines. Among various cancer vaccine development platforms, virus-like particles (VLPs) offer several advantages. VLPs are multimeric nanostructures with morphology resembling that of native viruses and are mainly composed of surface structural proteins of viruses but are devoid of viral genetic materials rendering them neither infective nor replicative. In addition, they can be engineered to display multiple, highly ordered heterologous epitopes or peptides in order to optimize the antigenicity and immunogenicity of the displayed entities. Like native viruses, specific epitopes displayed on VLPs can be taken up, processed, and presented by antigen-presenting cells to elicit potent specific humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Several studies also indicated that VLPs could overcome the immunosuppressive state of the tumor microenvironment and break self-tolerance to elicit strong cytotoxic lymphocyte activity, which is crucial for both virus clearance and destruction of cancerous cells. Collectively, these unique characteristics of VLPs make them optimal cancer vaccine candidates. This review discusses current progress in the development of VLP-based cancer vaccines and some potential drawbacks of VLPs in cancer vaccine development. Extracellular vesicles with close resembling to viral particles are also discussed and compared with VLPs as a platform in cancer vaccine developments.
Activation of Rho-kinase and focal adhesion kinase regulates the organization of stress fibers and focal adhesions in the central part of fibroblasts
Authors: Katoh Kazuo
Published: November 2017

Specific regulation and activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) are thought to be important for focal adhesion formation, and activation of Rho-kinase has been suggested to play a role in determining the effects of FAK on the formation of stress fibers and focal adhesions. To clarify the role of FAK in stress fiber formation and focal adhesion organization, the author examined the formation of new stress fibers and focal adhesions by activation of Rho-kinase in FAK knockout (FAK–/–) fibroblasts. FAK–/–cells were elliptical in shape, and showed reduced numbers of stress fibers and focal adhesions in the central part of the cells along with large focal adhesions in the peripheral regions. Activation of Rho-kinase in FAK–/–cells transiently increased the actin filaments in the cell center, but these did not form typical thick stress fibers. Moreover, only plaque-like structures as the origins of newly formed focal adhesions were observed in the center of the cell. Furthermore, introduction of an exogenous GFP-labeled FAK gene into FAK–/–cells resulted in increased numbers of stress fibers and focal adhesions in the center of the cells, which showed typical fibroblast morphology. These results indicated that FAK plays an important role in the formation of stress fibers and focal adhesions as well as in regulation of cell shape and morphology with the activation of Rho-kinase.
Evaluación de la alimentación de Salmo salar en piscicultura, utilizando dispensadores automáticos
Authors: Mardones Alfonso , Gajardo Diego
Published: November 2017

El cultivo de salmones, específicamente Salmo salar es una industria que genera aspectos básicos y aplicados destinado a su producción intensiva. En este contexto, el presente estudio evaluó el crecimiento de salmones en cultivo bajo tres condiciones, alimentador manual con alimentación diurna, con alimentación nocturna, y día y noche, y un grupo control con alimentación manual a saciedad. Se encontró menor crecimiento en el grupo control respecto a los tres grupos alimentados con alimentador artificial. Estos resultados concuerdan con las descripciones de la literatura para el hemisferio norte.Palabras clave: Salmo salar, crecimiento, acuicultura.
Estimación del índice de sitio en rodales de Nothofagus dombeyi a través de herramientas de teledetección espacial
Authors: Esse Carlos
Published: November 2017

La estimación del índice de sitio y la calidad del sitio constituyen herramientas básicas en la gestión de los ecosistemas forestales y la práctica de la silvicultura. El estudio de la distribución espacial y la dinámica temporal de índice de sitio y la calidad del sitio de los ecosistemas forestales aún carece de los avances tecnológicos. Este estudio propone la integración de las herramientas de teledetección para la estimación de la productividad forestal para áreas remotas. Se evaluó el potencial de aplicación de la metodología en amplias regiones y los bosques con la evaluación de la exactitud. Los resultados muestran que el índice del sitio de los bosques secundarios de Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirb.) Oerst., están en correlación lineal con los índices de vegetación normalizada (NDVI), índice de diferencia de vegetación ajustado (TNDVI), banda Infrarroja pura de la imagen y transformación de componentes principales. Este estudio demostró que este enfoque puede ser utilizado en la estimación de la productividad de bosques secundarios en diferentes ecosistemas forestales. Palabras clave: sensores remotos, índice de sitio, coihue.
Crustáceos dulceacuícolas (Decapoda y Amphipoda) en un humedal boscoso costero (38º S, Región de la Araucanía, Chile)
Authors: Parra-Coloma Luciano A.
Published: November 2017

La región de la Araucanía (38-39° S) se caracteriza por la presencia de humedales a lo largo de su territorio, los cuales son ecosistemas de gran importancia y con poco conocimiento respecto a su estructura y funcionamiento y sobre la fauna asociada a estos ambientes. El presente trabajo describe la fauna de crustáceos presentes en un humedal costero de la región. Los antecedentes nos señalan una baja riqueza de especies, lo cual puede estar asociado a la depredación generada por especies introducidas y a la alteración del hábitat, el cual deja en manifiesto la falta de estudios que nos pueda permitir un mayor conocimiento de especies asociadas a este tipo de ecosistema. Palabras clave: Crustáceos, Gambusia affinis, Humedal Boscoso, Mahuidanche.
Métodos de análisis foliar aplicados bosques naturales y exóticos de interés comercial: características, ventajas y desventajas.
Authors: Esse Carlos , Gerding Víctor Gerding , Sanhueza María José
Published: November 2017

El presente trabajo, corresponde a una síntesis bibliográfica cuyo objetivo radica en la descripción de las principales características de tres de los métodos más utilizados en los análisis de tejido foliar de origen vegetal. Para ello, se analizaron los estudios relacionados  la temática expuesta, desde los cuales se extrajeron los principales resultados y discusiones sobre las ventajas del uso de cada uno de ellos. Los métodos aquí presentados corresponden al método de los valores críticos (VC), método DRIS (diagnosis and recommendation integrated system), y método a través del análisis de vectores. Las principales conclusiones indican que los tres métodos permiten abordar en general las distintas condiciones en las cuales crecen los bosques naturales y exóticos de interés comercial, no destacándose ningún método sobre otro, sin embargo, cada uno posee sus ventajas dependiendo de la especie tratada y el sitio. Lo anterior permite su recomendación con base a características de la especie analizada y las condiciones de sitio en las cuales crece y se desarrollan las especies forestales. Palabras clave: foliar, macro-elementos, micro-elementos
Caracterización fisicoquímica del agua del estero Nonguén y su confluencia con el río Andalién, región del Biobío. Variación en relación a los distintos usos de suelo en su cuenca.
Authors: Correa-Araneda Francisco , Salazar N Claudio Salazar N
Published: November 2017

La cuenca del estero Nonguén es un ejemplo de la realidad que se observa en la mayoría de las cuencas localizadas en zonas urbanas, debido al alto grado de intervención que presenta en su parte baja, influenciada por el constante aumento de la alta densidad poblacional. Sin embargo, en su parte alta aún es posible observar sitios con muy poca intervención que permiten la conservación de ecosistemas acuáticos en condiciones relativamente prístinas. Se realizó una caracterización fisicoquímica del agua del estero Nonguén y de la zona de confluencia con el río Andalién. Los resultados mostraron que la parte alta de la cuenca presenta aguas de muy buena calidad, pero en la parte baja, a medida que la actividad urbana comienza a ser más intensa, esta calidad comienza a disminuir mostrando condiciones fisicoquímicas completamente distintas a las demás zonas evaluadas (ANOSIM, parwise test R = 1; p = 0.333). Palabras clave: calidad de agua, contaminación, cuenca.
Three New distributional records of Pen Shells (Bivalvia: Pinnidae) from Seagrass beds of Palk Bay Area in Tamil Nadu
Authors: Stella Chelladurai , Paul Packiam , Ragunathan Chelladurai
Published: November 2017

The new occurrence of Three species of bivalves from Pinnidae family  is recorded for the first time from Palk Bay area based on a live and dead shells collected from the Intertidal area . All the three species are under the family of  Pinnidae, Pinna bicolor, Pinna deltodes and Pinna incurva . In seagrass bed of Thondi Coast, all the species of Pen shells Pinna bicolor, Pinna deltodes and Pinna incurva  were embedded in muddy sand and found associated with seagrasses at inter-tidal area. It was also found buried in hard substratum associated with living zoanthids and soft coral. The collected specimens were identified as, (1) Pinna bicolor, (2) Pinna deltodes and (3) Pinna Incurva by using both morphometric and meristic characters. The paper described the taxonomic status and the description of the three species of bivalves collected from Palk Bay areas.
Crustáceos acuáticos en arroyo Rucamanque.
Authors: Riquelme Joaquin , Barra Verónica
Published: November 2017

Not aplicable
A Comparative Study of Intraoperative Fluid Management Using Stroke Volume Variation in Liver Resection
Authors: Kitaguchi K. , Gotohda N. , Yamamoto H. , Takahashi S. , Konishi M. , Hayashi R.
Published: November 2017

Objective:

The aim of this study is to examine whether intraoperative fluid management with stroke volume variation (SVV) can achieve safe intravenous fluid restriction and contribute to decreasing intraoperative blood loss in liver surgery.

Background:

In liver surgery, maintaining the central venous pressure (CVP) at a low level is effective in decreasing intraoperative blood loss. Recently, several studies have suggested that SVV obtained using the FloTrac system demonstrated a better fluid responsiveness than CVP.

Methods:

We enrolled 30 patients undergoing liver resection since May 2015 in this prospective observational study, and we set the SVV target during liver transection at 13%–20% (SVV group). Forty-three cases of liver resection that we performed between January 2014 and March 2015 without using CVP or SVV were used as the Control group. We compared the 2 groups by using intraoperative blood loss as the primary endpoint.

Results:

There was no significant difference in patient characteristics between the 2 groups. The mean SVV during liver transection in the SVV group was 15.6 ± 4.4%. The infusion volume until completion of liver transection in the Control group was 9.4 mL/kg/h, whereas that of the SVV group was 3.3 mL/kg/h, a significantly lower volume (P < 0.001). The median intraoperative blood loss was significantly decreased in the SVV group compared with the Control group (391 versus 1068 mL; P < 0.001). The intraoperative transfusion rate was also significantly decreased in the SVV group.

Conclusion:

We demonstrated that intraoperative management with SVV can achieve safe intravenous fluid restriction and is useful for decrease intraoperative blood loss in liver surgery.
Fundamentals ofRFLocalization
Authors: Bargshady Nader , Pahlavan Kaveh , Krishnamurthy Prashant
Published: November 2017

This article provides fundamentals of radio frequency (RF) localization techniques. We begin by introducing the basic elements of wireless localization and their associated issues, from location sensors to algorithms and the user interface. Then, we provide models for the RF sensor behavior that include models for received signal strength (RSS), time of arrival (TOA), and the direction of arrival. Next, we introduce Cramer–Rao lower bound (CRLB) for performance evaluation of RF sensors based on the models for behavior of the sensors. Finally, we provide an overview of algorithms used for single‐sensor systems and hybrid localization integrating different sensors.
Distinct B subunits of PP2A regulate the NF‐κB signalling pathway through dephosphorylation of IKKβ, IκBα and RelA
Authors: Tsuchiya Yoshihiro , Osaki Keiko , Kanamoto Mayu , Nakao Yuki , Takahashi Ena , Higuchi Toru , Kamata Hideaki
Published: November 2017

PP2A is composed of a scaffolding subunit (A), a catalytic subunit (C) and a regulatory subunit (B) that is classified into four families including B, B′, B′′ and B′′′/striatin. Here, we found that a distinct PP2A complex regulates NF‐κB signalling by dephosphorylation of IKKβ, IκBα and RelA/p65. The PP2A core enzyme AC dimer and the holoenzyme AB′′′C trimer dephosphorylate IKKβ, IκBα and RelA, whereas the ABC trimer dephosphorylates IκBα but not IKKβ and RelA in cells. In contrast, AB′C and AB′′C trimers have little effect on dephosphorylation of these signalling proteins. These results suggest that different forms of PP2A regulate NF‐κB pathway signalling through multiple steps each in a different manner, thereby finely tuning NF‐κB‐ and IKKβ‐mediated cellular responses.
Modeling Seismic Cycles of Great Megathrust Earthquakes Across the Scales With Focus at Postseismic Phase
Authors: Sobolev Stephan V. , Muldashev Iskander A.
Published: November 2017

Subduction is substantially multiscale process where the stresses are built by long‐term tectonic motions, modified by sudden jerky deformations during earthquakes, and then restored by following multiple relaxation processes. Here we develop a cross‐scale thermomechanical model aimed to simulate the subduction process from 1 min to million years' time scale. The model employs elasticity, nonlinear transient viscous rheology, and rate‐and‐state friction. It generates spontaneous earthquake sequences and by using an adaptive time step algorithm, recreates the deformation process as observed naturally during the seismic cycle and multiple seismic cycles. The model predicts that viscosity in the mantle wedge drops by more than three orders of magnitude during the great earthquake with a magnitude above 9. As a result, the surface velocities just an hour or day after the earthquake are controlled by viscoelastic relaxation in the several hundred km of mantle landward of the trench and not by the afterslip localized at the fault as is currently believed. Our model replicates centuries‐long seismic cycles exhibited by the greatest earthquakes and is consistent with the postseismic surface displacements recorded after the Great Tohoku Earthquake. We demonstrate that there is no contradiction between extremely low mechanical coupling at the subduction megathrust in South Chile inferred from long‐term geodynamic models and appearance of the largest earthquakes, like the Great Chile 1960 Earthquake.
Mesoporous Silica Spheres Incorporated Aluminum/Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride) for Enhanced Burning Propellants
Authors: Wang Haiyang , DeLisio Jeffery B. , Holdren Scott , Wu Tao , Yang Yong , Hu Junkai , Zachariah Michael R.
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we demonstrate that preparation by electrospray deposition of mesoporous SiO2 particles can be employed as additives to Aluminum/Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride) (Al/PVDF) to enhance reaction velocity. We find that the reaction velocity of Al/PVDF with 5 wt% SiO2 is 3× higher. The presence of meso‐SiO2 appears to accelerate the decomposition of PVDF, with a significant increase in HF release, resulting in higher heat release. We believe that hot‐spots around meso‐SiO2 may serve as multiple ignition points, with the multi‐layered structure promoting heat convection to increase the propagation rate.
Impact of Cement Hydration on Durability of Cellulosic Fiber‐Reinforced Cementitious Composites in the Presence of Metakaolin
Authors: Wei Jianqiang
Published: November 2017

Degradation of cellulosic fiber in the alkaline environment of concrete generated in the process of cement hydration is the primary reason for the low durability of such composites. However, the impact of cement hydration on cellulosic fiber's degradation in cementitious systems has not been thoroughly understood. This paper presents the dependence of deterioration behavior of cellulosic fiber‐cement systems on cement hydration in the presence of metakaolin. Experimental investigations, such as isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and thermodynamic simulations are carried out to investigate cement hydration kinetics and hydration products. Durability of cellulosic fiber‐reinforced cement composite is assessed based on the degradation in flexural properties. The results indicate that, in the presence of metakaolin, the hydration of cement is enhanced accompanied by consumption of calcium hydroxide, low release of hydration heat, decreased Ca/Al and Ca/Si ratios of C–S–H phase, and reduced OH‐ and Ca2+ amounts in pore solution. A cement substitution by 30 wt% metakaolin results in an improvement of flexural toughness and durability of cellulosic fiber‐reinforced cement composites by 42 and 269%, respectively. The correlations between composite durability and hydration of Portland cement are established.
3D Printing of Diamond Tools for Dental Ceramics Processing
Authors: Yang Zhibo , Hu Junchen , Li Kaiqiang , Liu Aiju , Liu Shian
Published: November 2017

This paper is focused on preparing diamond tools with orderly arranged abrasive particles for dental ceramics processing via 3D printing. This allows one to overcome such drawbacks of the existing methods of dental ceramics processing as weak bonding strength, short service life, and irregular diamond distribution in diamond tools. Firstly, the CAD model of the dental diamond tool is constructed using 3D cartographic software, with level‐scan‐path geometry information generated via hierarchcal slicing. Then, using Ni–Cr alloy powder and diamond as raw materials, the dental ceramics processing diamond tool with orderly arranged diamond particles is prepared via a 3D printer. Next, an X‐ray diffractometer, energy dispersive spectrometer, and scanning electron microscope are used to analyze the microstructure of the Ni–Cr alloy and diamond particle interfaces, resulting in the identification of their bonding mechanism. Finally, the diamond grinding wheel produced by 3D printing is subjected to dental zirconia ceramics grinding performance tests. The results obtained confirm that diamond particles experience normal wear, while no abrasive falling off occurs on the 3D printed diamond tool surface.
Water‐Rich Biomimetic Composites with Abiotic Self‐Organizing Nanofiber Network
Authors: Xu Lizhi , Zhao Xueli , Xu Chuanlai , Kotov Nicholas A.
Published: November 2017

Load‐bearing soft tissues, e.g., cartilage, ligaments, and blood vessels, are made predominantly from water (65–90%) which is essential for nutrient transport to cells. Yet, they display amazing stiffness, toughness, strength, and deformability attributed to the reconfigurable 3D network from stiff collagen nanofibers and flexible proteoglycans. Existing hydrogels and composites partially achieve some of the mechanical properties of natural soft tissues, but at the expense of water content. Concurrently, water‐rich biomedical polymers are elastic but weak. Here, biomimetic composites from aramid nanofibers interlaced with poly(vinyl alcohol), with water contents of as high as 70–92%, are reported. With tensile moduli of ≈9.1 MPa, ultimate tensile strains of ≈325%, compressive strengths of ≈26 MPa, and fracture toughness of as high as ≈9200 J m−2, their mechanical properties match or exceed those of prototype tissues, e.g., cartilage. Furthermore, with reconfigurable, noncovalent interactions at nanomaterial interfaces, the composite nanofiber network can adapt itself under stress, enabling abiotic soft tissue with multiscale self‐organization for effective load bearing and energy dissipation.
A Sustainable Synthesis of Asymmetric Phenazines and Phenoxazinones Mediated by CotA‐Laccase
Authors: Sousa Ana Catarina , Conceição Oliveira M. , Martins Lígia O. , Robalo M. Paula
Published: November 2017

An efficient and sustainable one‐step procedure for the synthesis of new asymmetric phenazines and phenoxazinones from commercially available ortho‐substituted diamines and ortho‐substituted hydroxyamines is reported. In this study we have expanded the substrate scope of CotA‐laccase‐catalyzed aerobic oxidations through the use of aromatic amines presenting variable functional groups, including N‐substitution, contributing to the rational synthesis of different heterocyclic scaffolds. The transformations proceed smoothly through a cascade of oxidative reactions to the benzoquinonediimine intermediates followed by nucleophilic addition, intramolecular cyclization and aromatization, all performed in mild conditions.

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Association study of NDST3 gene for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder in the Han Chinese population
Authors: Wang Lin , Chen Jianhua , Li Zhiqiang , Sun Weiming , Chen Boyu , Li Sining , Li Weidong , Lu Dajiang , Wang Yonggang , Shi Yongyong
Published: November 2017

The NDST3 gene at 4q26 was a functional candidate gene for mental disorders. Recently, a novel genome‐wide significant risk locus at chromosome 4q26 was identified and the top single nucleotide polymorphism rs11098403 in the vicinity of NDST3 gene was reported to confer risk of schizophrenia in Caucasian. Nevertheless, association between NDST3 gene polymorphisms and schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorders has not been well studied in the Han Chinese population. To further investigate whether NDST3 is a risk gene for these mental disorders, we genotyped and analyzed eight tag SNPs (rs11098403, rs10857057, rs2389521, rs4833564, rs6837896, rs7689157, rs3817274, rs609512) covering NDST3 gene in 1,248 schizophrenia cases, 1,056 major depression cases, 1,344 bipolar disorder cases, and 1,248 controls of Chinese origin. However, there was no significant difference in allelic or genotypic frequency observed between each case group and healthy controls. Accordingly, our study does not support that the NDST3 gene plays a major role in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder in the Han Chinese population.
“Stink flirting” in ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta): Male olfactory displays to females as honest, costly signals
Authors: Walker‐Bolton Amber D. , Parga Joyce A.
Published: November 2017

Sexual selection for honest behavioral displays of quality has driven the development of remarkably complex courtship behavior in many animal species. Olfactory displays are often overlooked as an area of inquiry compared to auditory and visual displays. Ring‐tailed lemur (Lemur catta) scent marking of substrates has been studied extensively, although the male olfactory displays of anointing and wafting tails to females has received relatively little attention. We studied the role of male olfactory displays to females, evaluating whether such signals function as honest, costly signals of male dominance status in two groups of wild L. catta at Berenty Reserve, Madagascar. Our results suggest that male tail anointing and tail wafting displays to pre‐estrous and estrous females are correlated with male dominance rank, and moreover appear to operate as costly signals, as such displays increase aggression received from males and females while other types of scent marking do not. Furthermore, females showed greater mating preference (as measured by sexual presents) for resident males who performed the “anoint tail” and “waft tail” displays towards them. When males perform the “anoint tail” and “waft tail” displays to females, they receive higher levels of aggression than if they were to perform other types of scent marking. Interestingly, immigrating (peripheral) males performed the “anoint tail” and “waft tail” displays at higher rates than resident males, which could honestly indicate their quality or may simply be associated with the alternative mating strategy of transferring between groups to gain mating opportunities. Our finding that tail anointing and tail wafting displays function as honest signals of dominance for resident males—and that these costly displays appear to positively affect female mate choice—is the first evidence of this function for this particular olfactory signal in L. catta.
Infant mortality in white‐faced capuchins: The impact of alpha male replacements
Authors: Brasington Lauren F. , Wikberg Eva C. , Kawamura Shoji , Fedigan Linda M. , Jack Katharine M.
Published: November 2017

Infanticide is common in the context of alpha male replacements (AMR), particularly in groups where alpha males experience high reproductive skew and the infants are unlikely to be related to a new alpha male. We examined the relationship between the rate of infant mortality, infant age, and the occurrence and type of AMR in white‐faced capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus imitator) of the Santa Rosa population in Sector Santa Rosa, Área de Conservación Guanacaste. Specifically, we investigated how the source of the new alpha male (coresident or extragroup) and relative aggression level during AMRs influenced infant mortality in this species. Between 1986 and 2015, we recorded 221 births in five study groups. Infants present at the time of an AMR, or born within 5.5 months following an AMR (i.e., conceived prior to AMR), experienced significantly higher mortality than those born during periods of group stability. Infant age was a significant predictor of infant survival, with the probability of surviving increasing by 0.4% for each additional day older an infant was at the time of the AMR. Infant mortality rates did not differ between AMRs by coresident males and extragroup males, possibly because the degree of relatedness between infants and new alphas did not significantly differ between coresident and extragroup AMRs. Infant mortality rates did not differ significantly between aggressive AMRs and more peaceful AMRs. Our results are consistent with predictions derived from the sexual selection hypothesis (SSH) of infanticide and suggest that future studies examine the role of testosterone as an underlying proximate mechanism for the aggression leading to this behavior. We argue that the sexual selection and generalized aggression hypotheses (GAH) of infanticide are best considered as different levels of analysis rather than competing hypotheses.
Cobalt‐Catalyzed Suzuki Biaryl Coupling of Aryl Halides
Authors: Asghar Soneela , Tailor Sanita B. , Elorriaga David , Bedford Robin B.
Published: November 2017

Readily accessed cobalt pre‐catalysts with N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands catalyze the Suzuki cross‐coupling of aryl chlorides and bromides with alkyllithium‐activated arylboronic pinacolate esters. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the cobalt species is reduced to Co0 during the reaction.
In Situ Scatheless Cell Detachment Reveals Correlation between Adhesion Strength and Viability at Single‐Cell Resolution
Authors: Mao Sifeng , Zhang Wanling , Huang Qiushi , Khan Mashooq , Li Haifang , Uchiyama Katsumi , Lin Jin‐Ming
Published: November 2017

Single‐cell biology provides insights into some of the most fundamental processes in biology and promotes the understanding of life's mysteries. As the technologies to study single‐cells expand, they will require sophisticated analytical tools to make sense of various behaviors and components of single‐cells as well as their relations in the adherent tissue culture. In this paper, we revealed cell heterogeneity and uncovered the connections between cell adhesion strength and cell viability at single‐cell resolution by extracting single adherent cells of interest from a standard tissue culture by using a microfluidic chip‐based live single‐cell extractor (LSCE). We believe that this method will provide a valuable new tool for single‐cell biology.
Fluorine in a C−F Bond as the Key to Cage Formation
Authors: Holl Maxwell Gargiulo , Pitts Cody Ross , Lectka Thomas
Published: November 2017

Cage molecules have long been employed to trap reactive or transient species, as their rigid nature allows them to enforce situations that otherwise would not persist. In this Minireview, we discuss our use of rigid cage structures to investigate the close noncovalent interactions of fluorine with other functional groups and determine how mutual proximity affects both physical properties and reactivity. Unusual covalent interactions of fluorine are also explored: the cage can close to form the first solution‐phase C‐F‐C fluoronium ion.
A Simple Prelithiation Strategy To Build a High‐Rate and Long‐Life Lithium‐Ion Battery with Improved Low‐Temperature Performance
Authors: Liu Yao , Yang Bingchang , Dong Xiaoli , Wang Yonggang , Xia Yongyao
Published: November 2017

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are being used to power the commercial electric vehicles (EVs). However, the charge/discharge rate and life of current LIBs still cannot satisfy the further development of EVs. Furthermore, the poor low‐temperature performance of LIBs limits their application in cold climates and high altitude areas. Herein, a simple prelithiation method is developed to fabricate a new LIB. In this strategy, a Li3V2(PO4)3 cathode and a pristine hard carbon anode are used to form a primary cell, and the initial Li+ extraction from Li3V2(PO4)3 is used to prelithiate the hard carbon. Then, the self‐formed Li2V2(PO4)3 cathode and prelithiated hard carbon anode are used to form a 4 V LIB. The LIB exhibits a maximum energy density of 208.3 Wh kg−1, a maximum power density of 8291 W kg−1 and a long life of 2000 cycles. When operated at −40 °C, the LIB can keep 67 % capacity of room temperature, which is much better than conventional LIBs.
A General Strategy for Development of Near‐Infrared Fluorescent Probes for Bioimaging
Authors: Chen Wei , Xu Shi , Day Jacob J. , Wang Difei , Xian Ming
Published: November 2017

Near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescent dyes with favorable photophysical properties are highly useful for bioimaging, but such dyes are still rare. The development of a unique class of NIR dyes via modifying the rhodol scaffold with fused tetrahydroquinoxaline rings is described. These new dyes showed large Stokes shifts (>110 nm). Among them, WR3, WR4, WR5, and WR6 displayed high fluorescence quantum yields and excellent photostability in aqueous solutions. Moreover, their fluorescence properties were tunable by easy modifications on the phenolic hydroxy group. Based on WR6, two NIR fluorescent turn‐on probes, WSP‐NIR and SeSP‐NIR, were devised for the detection of H2S. The probe SeSP‐NIR was applied in visualizing intracellular H2S. These dyes are expected to be useful fluorophore scaffolds in the development of new NIR probes for bioimaging.
Shape‐Controlled Surface‐Coating to Pd@Mesoporous Silica Core–Shell Nanocatalysts with High Catalytic Activity and Stability
Authors: Ying Jie , Janiak Christoph , Xiao Yu‐Xuan , Wei Hao , Yang Xiao‐Yu , Su Bao‐Lian
Published: November 2017

Cubic Pd nanocrystals with shape‐controlled mesoporous silica shells have been theoretically designed and successfully synthesized for investigating the effect of a porous nanoshell on catalytic performance of the core. Cubic Pd@cubic mesoporous silica keeps activity of all facets and shows highest catalytic activity and enhanced reusability in the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene.
Changes in Sensitivity to the Effects of Atrazine on the Luteinizing Hormone Surge in Female Sprague‐Dawley Rats after Repeated Daily Doses: Correlation with Liver Enzyme Expression
Authors: Breckenridge Charles B. , Foradori Chad D. , Sawhney Coder Pragati , Simpkins James W. , Sielken Robert L. , Handa Robert J.
Published: November 2017

Background

Atrazine suppression of the LH surge slowly develops over time and peaks after 4 days; sensitivity to atrazine decreases after 8 or 14 days of dosing. Adaptation of the LH response was correlated with increased phase I and phase II liver enzyme activity/expression.

Methods

The effect of atrazine on the LH surge was evaluated in female Sprague‐Dawley rats administered 100 mg/kg/day atrazine by gavage for 1, 2, 3, or 4 consecutive days or 6.5, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day atrazine for 4, 8, or 14 days.

Results

No statistically significant effects of atrazine were seen on peak plasma LH or LH area under the curve (AUC) after one, two, or three doses of 100 mg/kg/day. Four daily doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg atrazine significantly reduced peak LH and LH AUCs, whereas 6.5 mg/kg/day had no effect. After 8 or 14 days of treatment, statistically significantly reduced peak LH and LH AUC were observed in the 100 mg/kg/day dose group, but not in the 6.5 or 50 mg/kg/day dose groups, although significantly reduced LH was observed in one sample 9 hr after lights‐on in the 50 mg/kg/day dose group on day 14. The number of days of treatment required to achieve a significant suppression of the LH surge is consistent with the repeat‐dose pharmacokinetics of the chlorotriazines.

Conclusion

The apparent adaptation to the effect of atrazine on the LH surge after 8 or 14 days may be related to the induction of phase I or, more likely, phase II metabolism observed in this study after 8 days, or to a decreased sensitivity of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis or an homeostatic adaption of the effect of atrazine on the LH surge mechanism. Birth Defects Research 110:246–258, 2018. © 2017 The Authors. Birth Defects Research Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis and measurement of serotonin
Authors: Szeitz András , Bandiera Stelvio M.
Published: November 2017

Serotonin, also known as 5‐hydroxytryptamine, is an important signaling molecule in the central and peripheral nervous systems of humans. Acting through several receptor types, it helps regulate the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system and brain. Serotonin signaling has also been implicated in the etiology of several diseases, including depression, anxiety disorders, hypertension and irritable bowel syndrome. The present review focuses on the chemical analysis of serotonin in biological fluids and biomatrices and traces the development and application of early methods based on UV absorbance or fluorescence to more widely used current methods such as high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. A brief summary of the biochemistry, metabolism and physiological roles of serotonin is also presented.
Treatment utilization and outcomes in elderly patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma: a review of the National Cancer Database
Authors: Vlacich Gregory , Samson Pamela P. , Perkins Stephanie M. , Roach Michael C. , Parikh Parag J. , Bradley Jeffrey D. , Lockhart A. Craig , Puri Varun , Meyers Bryan F. , Kozower Benjamin , Robinson Cliff G.
Published: November 2017

For elderly patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, therapeutic approaches and outcomes in a modern cohort are not well characterized. Patients ≥70 years old with clinical stage II and III esophageal cancer diagnosed between 1998 and 2012 were identified from the National Cancer Database and stratified based on treatment type. Variables associated with treatment utilization were evaluated using logistic regression and survival evaluated using Cox proportional hazards analysis. Propensity matching (1:1) was performed to help account for selection bias. A total of 21,593 patients were identified. Median and maximum ages were 77 and 90, respectively. Treatment included palliative therapy (24.3%), chemoradiation (37.1%), trimodality therapy (10.0%), esophagectomy alone (5.6%), or no therapy (12.9%). Age ≥80 (OR 0.73), female gender (OR 0.81), Charlson–Deyo comorbidity score ≥2 (OR 0.82), and high‐volume centers (OR 0.83) were associated with a decreased likelihood of palliative therapy versus no treatment. Age ≥80 (OR 0.79) and Clinical Stage III (OR 0.33) were associated with a decreased likelihood, while adenocarcinoma histology (OR 1.33) and nonacademic cancer centers (OR 3.9), an increased likelihood of esophagectomy alone compared to definitive chemoradiation. Age ≥80 (OR 0.15), female gender (OR 0.80), and non‐Caucasian race (OR 0.63) were associated with a decreased likelihood, while adenocarcinoma histology (OR 2.10) and high‐volume centers (OR 2.34), an increased likelihood of trimodality therapy compared to definitive chemoradiation. Each treatment type demonstrated improved survival compared to no therapy: palliative treatment (HR 0.49) to trimodality therapy (HR 0.25) with significance between all groups. Any therapy, including palliative care, was associated with improved survival; however, subsets of elderly patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer are less likely to receive aggressive therapy. Care should be taken to not unnecessarily deprive these individuals of treatment that may improve survival.
A Multiperspective Approach to Solvent Regulation of Enzymatic Activity: HMG‐CoA Reductase
Authors: Dirkmann Michael , Iglesias‐Fernández Javier , Muñoz Victor , Sokkar Pandian , Rumancev Christoph , von Gundlach Andreas , Krenczyk Oktavian , Vöpel Tobias , Nowack Julia , Schroer Martin A. , Ebbinghaus Simon , Herrmann Christian , Rosenhahn Axel , Sanchez‐Garcia Elsa , Schulz Frank
Published: November 2017

3‐Hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl–coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase was investigated in different organic cosolvents by means of kinetic and calorimetric measurements, molecular dynamics simulations, and small‐angle X‐ray scattering. The combined experimental and theoretical techniques were essential to complement each other's limitations in the investigation of the complex interaction pattern between the enzyme, different solvent types, and concentrations. In this way, the underlying mechanisms for the loss of enzyme activity in different water‐miscible solvents could be elucidated. These include direct inhibitory effects onto the active center and structural distortions.
Design and Fabrication of Concentration‐Gradient Generators with Two and Three Inlets in Microfluidic Chips
Authors: Hu Zengliang , Chen Xueye , Wang Lei
Published: November 2017

A simple and low‐cost method for designing and fabricating concentration‐gradient generators with two and three inlets is proposed which can generate different concentration gradients at varying flow velocities. The microchannel structure was designed in S‐shape and left‐right symmetry. The concentration‐gradient generator was simulated based on the finite element method. The microchannels were processed on a computer numerical control (CNC) engraving and milling machine on poly(methylmethacrylate) substrate, and then two concentration‐gradient generators were fabricated by hot bonding technology. The results of experiment and simulation were compared to prove the feasibility of the method. Flow velocity was an important factor for generating different concentration gradients. The concentration‐gradient profiles of the generators with two and three inlets present approximately linear and quadratic curves.
Baseline and interferent correction by the Tikhonov regularization framework for linear least squares modeling
Authors: Skogholt Joakim , Liland Kristian Hovde , Indahl Ulf Geir
Published: November 2017

Spectroscopic data are usually perturbed by noise from various sources that should be removed prior to model calibration. After conducting a preprocessing step to eliminate unwanted multiplicative effects (effects that scale the pure signal in a multiplicative manner), we discuss how to correct a model for unwanted additive effects in the spectra. Our approach is described within the Tikhonov regularization (TR) framework for linear regression model building, and our focus is on ignoring the influence of noninformative polynomial trends. This is obtained by including an additional criterion in the TR problem penalizing the resulting regression coefficients away from a selected set of possibly disturbing directions in the sample space. The presented method builds on the extended multiplicative signal correction, and we compare the two approaches on several real data sets showing that the suggested TR‐based method may improve the predictive power of the resulting model. We discuss the possibilities of imposing smoothness in the calculation of regression coefficients as well as imposing selection of wavelength regions within the TR framework. To implement TR efficiently in the model building, we use an algorithm that is heavily based on the singular value decomposition. Because of some favorable properties of the singular value decomposition, it is possible to explore the models (including their generalized cross‐validation error estimates) associated with a large number of regularization parameter values at low computational cost.
Directed RhI‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydroboration of Prochiral 1‐Arylcycloprop‐2‐Ene‐1‐Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
Authors: Edwards Andrew , Rubina Marina , Rubin Michael
Published: November 2017

A full account on rhodium‐catalyzed asymmetric, directed hydroboration of functionalized prochiral cyclopropenes affording enantiomerically enriched cyclopropylboronates is reported. The scope and limitations of two alternate directing groups, ester and carboxamide, are evaluated. It was found that hydroboration of esters appeared to be more sensitive to substitution in the aromatic ring of the substrates. Specifically, ortho‐halogens were detrimental for diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity, possibly because of additional coordination with rhodium. In contrast, more Lewis‐basic amide directing groups allowed for stronger chelation to the transition metal, leading to consistently high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity in hydroboration across a broader range of substrates.