bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Habitat associations of bats in a working rangeland landscape
Authors: Trubitt Rebecca T. , Hovick Torre J. , Gillam Erin H. , McGranahan Devan A.
Published: December 2018

Land‐use change has resulted in rangeland loss and degradation globally. These changes include conversion of native grasslands for row‐crop agriculture as well as degradation of remaining rangeland due to fragmentation and changing disturbance regimes. Understanding how these and other factors influence wildlife use of rangelands is important for conservation and management of wildlife populations. We investigated bat habitat associations in a working rangeland in southeastern North Dakota. We used Petterson d500x acoustic detectors to systematically sample bat activity across the study area on a 1‐km point grid. We identified calls using Sonobat autoclassification software. We detected five species using this working rangeland, which included Lasionycteris noctivagans (2,722 detections), Lasiurus cinereus (2,055 detections), Eptesicus fuscus (749 detections), Lasiurus borealis (62 detections), and Myotis lucifugus (1 detection). We developed generalized linear mixed‐effects models for the four most frequently detected species based on their ecology. The activity of three bat species increased with higher tree cover. While the scale of selection varied between the four species, all three investigated scales were explanatory for at least one bat species. The broad importance of trees to bats in rangelands may put their conservation needs at odds with those of obligate grassland species. Focusing rangeland bat conservation on areas that were treed prior to European settlement, such as riparian forests, can provide important areas for bat conservation while minimizing negative impacts on grassland species.
Agrilus maliMatsumara (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), a new invasive pest of wild apple in western China: DNA barcoding and life cycle
Authors: Bozorov Tohir A. , Luo Zhaohui , Li Xiaoshuang , Zhang Daoyuan
Published: December 2018

Agrilus maliMatsumara (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is a wood‐boring beetle distributed to eastern China that occasionally injures apple species. However, this wood‐boring beetle is new to the wild apple forests (Malus sieversii) of the Tianshan Mountains (western China) and has caused extensive tree mortality. The development of a biological control program for these wild apple forests is a high priority that requires exploration of the life cycle, DNA barcoding and taxonomic status ofA. mali. In this study, to determine the diversity of invasive beetles, a fragment of the mitochondrialcytochrome oxidasegene was analyzed. Based on the results, beetles from Gongliu and Xinyuan counties of Xinjiang were identical but differed from those in the apple nursery of Gongliu by a single‐nucleotide substitution. We summarize the taxonomic status, relationships, and genetic distances ofA. maliamong otherAgrilusspecies using the Tajima‐Nei model in maximum likelihood phylogeny. Analysis revealed thatA. maliwas closely related toAgrilus mendaxand both belong to theSinuatiagrulussubgenus. The life cycle ofA. maliwas investigated based on a monthly regular inspection in the wild apple forests of Tianshan. Similar to congeneric species, hosts are injured by larvae ofA. malifeeding on phloem tissue, resulting in serpentine galleries constructed between bark and xylem that prevent nutrient transport and leading to tree mortality. Future studies will focus on plant physiological responses to the invasive beetles and include surveys of natural enemies for a potential classical biological control program.
Leaf temperatures mediate alpine plant communities’ response to a simulated extended summer
Authors: Wentz Katherine F. , Neff Jason C. , Suding Katharine N.
Published: December 2018

We use a quantitative model of photosynthesis to explore leaf‐level limitations to plant growth in an alpine tundra ecosystem that is expected to have longer, warmer, and drier growing seasons. The model is parameterized with abiotic and leaf trait data that is characteristic of two dominant plant communities in the alpine tundra and specifically at the Niwot Ridge Long Term Ecological Research Site: the dry and wet meadows. Model results produce realistic estimates of photosynthesis, nitrogen‐use efficiency, water‐use efficiency, and other gas exchange processes in the alpine tundra. Model simulations suggest that dry and wet meadow plant species do not significantly respond to changes in the volumetric soil moisture content but are sensitive to variation in foliar nitrogen content. In addition, model simulations indicate that dry and wet meadow species have different maximum rates of assimilation (normalized for leaf nitrogen content) because of differences in leaf temperature. These differences arise from the interaction of plant height and the abiotic environment characteristic of each plant community. The leaf temperature of dry meadow species is higher than wet meadow species and close to the optimal temperature for photosynthesis under current conditions. As a result, 2°C higher air temperatures in the future will likely lead to declines in dry meadow species’ carbon assimilation. On the other hand, a longer and warmer growing season could increase nitrogen availability and assimilation rates in both plant communities. Nonetheless, a temperature increase of 4°C may lower rates of assimilation in both dry and wet meadow plant communities because of higher, and suboptimal, leaf temperatures.
The adequacy of aging techniques in vertebrates for rapid estimation of population mortality rates from age distributions
Authors: Zhao Meijuan , Klaassen Chris A. J. , Lisovski Simeon , Klaassen Marcel
Published: December 2018

As a key parameter in population dynamics, mortality rates are frequently estimated using mark–recapture data, which requires extensive, long‐term data sets. As a potential rapid alternative, we can measure variables correlated to age, allowing the compilation of population age distributions, from which mortality rates can be derived. However, most studies employing such techniques have ignored their inherent inaccuracy and have thereby failed to provide reliable mortality estimates. In this study, we present a general statistical model linking birth rate, mortality rate, and population age distributions. We next assessed the reliability and data needs (i.e., sample size) for estimating mortality rate of eight different aging techniques. The results revealed that for half of the aging techniques, correlations with age varied considerably, translating into highly variable accuracies when used to estimate mortality rate from age distributions. Telomere length is generally not sufficiently correlated to age to provide reliable mortality rate estimates. DNA methylation, signal‐joint T‐cell recombination excision circle (sjTREC), and racemization are generally more promising techniques to ultimately estimate mortality rate, if a sufficiently high sample size is available. Otolith ring counts, otolithometry, and age‐length keys in fish, and skeletochronology in reptiles, mammals, and amphibians, outperformed all other aging techniques and generated relatively accurate mortality rate estimation with a sample size that can be feasibly obtained. Provided the method chosen is minimizing and estimating the error in age estimation, it is possible to accurately estimate mortality rates from age distributions. The method therewith has the potential to estimate a critical, population dynamic parameter to inform conservation efforts within a limited time frame as opposed to mark–recapture analyses.
Is climate change mitigation compatible with environmental protection? Exploring voter attitudes as expressed through “old” and “new” politics in Norway
Authors: Gullberg Anne Therese , Aardal Bernt
Published: December 2018

The international literature on public attitudes finds that attitudes to climate change are closely related to attitudes to environmental protection. We ask whether this conclusion also holds for Norway.

Our starting point is the political science literature on “old” versus “new” politics, old politics being defined in socio‐economic left or right terms and new politics being defined in accordance with an authoritarian or libertarian dimension in which environmental protection plays an important role. Based on these two axes, Herbert Kitschelt finds a new axis—a diagonal—combining old and new divides. According to Kitschelt, voters with traditional environmental attitudes have leftist and libertarian values, while voters favouring economic growth have rightist and authoritarian values.

Using Norwegian data, we compare voters who favour traditional environmental protection and take climate change seriously with voters who only take climate change seriously. We expect that if climate change is perceived as one of many environmental threats, then the two voter groups are similar.

We find that half of the voters see climate change as a big problem. Two thirds of these voters are in favour of environmental protection. However, the last third of these voters who take climate change seriously do not want greater environmental protection. Moreover, we find interesting differences between these groups. Those in the latter group have leftist and libertarian values, whereas climate‐only voters have rightist and authoritarian values. Thus the two groups of voters are dissimilar. Interestingly, this pattern corresponds to alignments along Kitschelt's new diagonal axis for party competition.
Long‐term outcomes of cardiac resynchronization therapy by left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Kutyifa Valentina , Vermilye Katherine , Solomon Scott D. , McNitt Scott , Moss Arthur J. , Daimee Usama A.
Published: December 2018

Aims

Despite our prior report suggesting heart failure (HF) risk reduction from cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT‐D) in mild HF patients with higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF > 30%), data on mortality benefit in this cohort are lacking. We aimed to assess long‐term mortality benefit from CRT‐D in mild HF patients by LVEF > 30%.

Methods and results

Among 1274 patients with mild HF and left bundle branch block enrolled in MADIT‐CRT, we analysed long‐term effects of CRT‐D vs. implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy only, and reverse remodelling to CRT‐D (left ventricular end‐systolic volume percent change ≥ median at 1 year), on all‐cause mortality and HF for the LVEF ≤ 30% and LVEF > 30 subgroups using Kaplan–Meier and Cox analyses. During long‐term follow‐up, CRT‐D vs. ICD was associated with reduction in all‐cause mortality in both patients with LVEF > 30% and LVEF ≤ 30% [hazard ratio (HR) 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25–0.85, P = 0.036 vs. HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49–0.98, P = 0.013, interaction P = 0.261]. The efficacy of CRT‐D vs. ICD only to reduce HF was similar in those with LVEF above and below 30% (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.35–0.61, P < 0.001 vs. HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.35–0.61, P < 0.001; interaction P = 0.342). Patients with CRT‐D‐induced reverse remodelling had significant mortality reduction when compared to ICD, with either LVEF > 30% or LVEF ≤ 30% (HR 0.17 and 0.39), but no mortality benefit was seen in patients with less reverse remodelling. HF events, however, were reduced in both CRT‐D‐induced high and low reverse remodelling vs. ICD only, in both LVEF subgroups.

Conclusions

In MADIT‐CRT, left bundle branch block patients with higher LVEF (> 30%) derive long‐term mortality benefit from CRT‐D when exhibiting significant reverse remodelling.

Clinical Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT00180271, NCT01294449, and NCT02060110
Adrenomedullin in heart failure: pathophysiology and therapeutic application
Authors: Voors Adriaan A. , Kremer Daan , Geven Christopher , ter Maaten Jozine M. , Struck Joachim , Bergmann Andreas , Pickkers Peter , Metra Marco , Mebazaa Alexandre , Düngen Hans‐Dirk , Butler Javed
Published: December 2018

Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a peptide hormone first discovered in 1993 in pheochromocytoma. It is synthesized by endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells and diffuses freely between blood and interstitium. Excretion of ADM is stimulated by volume overload to maintain endothelial barrier function. Disruption of the ADM system therefore results in vascular leakage and systemic and pulmonary oedema. In addition, ADM inhibits the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. ADM is strongly elevated in patients with sepsis and in patients with acute heart failure. Since hallmarks of both conditions are vascular leakage and tissue oedema, we hypothesize that ADM plays a compensatory role and may exert protective properties against fluid overload and tissue congestion. Recently, a new immunoassay that specifically measures the biologically active ADM (bio‐ADM) has been developed, and might become a biomarker for tissue congestion. As a consequence, measurement of bio‐ADM might potentially be used to guide diuretic therapy in patients with heart failure. In addition, ADM might be used to guide treatment of (pulmonary) oedema or even become a target for therapy. Adrecizumab is a humanized, monoclonal, non‐neutralizing ADM‐binding antibody with a half‐life of 15 days. Adrecizumab binds at the N‐terminal epitope of ADM, leaving the C‐terminal side intact to bind to its receptor. Due to its high molecular weight, the antibody adrecizumab cannot cross the endothelial barrier and consequently remains in the circulation. The observation that adrecizumab increases plasma concentrations of ADM indicates that ADM‐binding by adrecizumab is able to drain ADM from the interstitium into the circulation. We therefore hypothesize that administration of adrecizumab improves vascular integrity, leading to improvement of tissue congestion and thereby may improve clinical outcomes in patients with acute decompensated heart failure. A phase II study with adrecizumab in patients with sepsis is ongoing and a phase II study on the effects of adrecizumab in patients with acute decompensated heart failure with elevated ADM is currently in preparation.
Predicting transition from acute to chronic low back pain with quantitative sensory tests—A prospective cohort study in the primary care setting
Authors: Müller Monika , Curatolo Michele , Limacher Andreas , Neziri Alban Y , Treichel Fabienne , Battaglia Markus , Arendt‐Nielsen Lars , Jüni Peter
Published: December 2018

Background

It would be desirable to identify patients with acute low back pain (ALBP) who are at high risk for transition to chronic pain early in the course of their disease. This would enable early preventive or therapeutic interventions. Patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) display signs of central hypersensitivity. This may contribute to the transition to CLBP. We tested the hypothesis that central hypersensitivity as assessed by quantitative sensory tests predicts transition to CLBP.

Methods

We performed a prospective cohort study in 130 patients with ALBP recruited in a primary care setting to determine the ability of 14 tests using electrical, pressure and temperature stimulation to predict transition to CLBP after 6 months. We assessed the association of tests with transition to CLBP in multivariable analyses adjusted for socio‐demographic, psychological and clinical characteristics, quantified the performance of tests using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and calculated likelihood ratios for different cut‐off values for most promising tests.

Results

None of the evaluated tests showed a statistically significant or clinically relevant ability to predict the transition to CLBP, with 95% CI of crude and adjusted associations of all tests including one as measure of no association. Corresponding estimates of areas under the ROC curves were below 0.5, and none of the 95% CI crossed the pre‐specified boundary of clinical relevance set at 0.70.

Conclusions

We found no evidence to support a clinically relevant ability of current quantitative sensory tests to predict the transition from acute to CLBP.
Iso‐conversional kinetic and thermodynamic studies of Indian sagwan sawdust pyrolysis for its bioenergy potential
Authors: Gupta Goutam Kishore , Mondal Monoj Kumar
Published: December 2018

Thermochemical conversion of biomass for bio‐energy production is a potential option where condensable fractions can be utilized as fuel or for valuable chemicals and residual fractions for syngas (CO + H2) production. Present study aims at investigating the physicochemical properties and pyrolysis kinetics of Indian sagwan sawdust degradation using thermogravimetric analyzer at three heating rates (5, 10, and 20 K/min). Physical and chemical properties of ISS were determined by proximate, ultimate, compositional analysis, FTIR, XRD, and higher heating value. TGA results showed maximum devolatilization took place in the temperature range of 480–750 K. Three different iso‐conversional models Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, and Friedman methods were applied on TGA results to calculate the activation energy and pre‐exponential factors. Average activation energies from FWO, KAS, and Friedman methods were 145.78, 143.35, and 142.87 kJ/mol and pre‐exponential factors ranged from 105 to 1011 indicating empirical first order reaction. Gibbs free energy change and entropy change varied from 184.43 to 187.21 kJ/mol and from −147.21 to −35.59 J/mol, representing disorderness of products were lower than that of the initial compound. The above kinetics, thermodynamics and HHV results, confirmed that ISS has enough potential to be a source bio‐energy. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13131, 2019
Thermodynamic and economic analysis of performance evaluation of all the thermal power plants: A review
Authors: Ahmadi Mohammad H. , Alhuyi Nazari Mohammad , Sadeghzadeh Milad , Pourfayaz Fathollah , Ghazvini Mahyar , Ming Tingzhen , Meyer Josua P. , Sharifpur Mohsen
Published: December 2018

Surging in energy demand makes it necessary to improve performance of plant equipment and optimize operation of thermal power plants. Inasmuch as thermal power plants depend on fossil fuels, their optimization can be challenging due to the environmental issues which must be considered. Nowadays, the vast majority of power plants are designed based on energetic performance obtained from first law of thermodynamic. In some cases, energy balance of a system is not appropriate tool to diagnose malfunctions of the system. Exergy analysis is a powerful method for determining the losses existing in a system. Since exergy analysis can evaluate quality of the energy, it enables designers to make intricate thermodynamic systems operates more efficiently. These days, power plant optimization based on economic criteria is a critical problem because of their complex structure. In this study, a comprehensive analysis including energy, exergy, economic (3‐E) analyses, and their applications related to various thermal power plants are reviewed and scrutinized.
Global distribution of coastal cliffs
Authors: Young Adam P. , Carilli Jessica E.
Published: December 2018

Previous studies have estimated that coastal cliffs exist on about 80% of the global shoreline, but have not been validated on a global scale. This study uses two approaches to capture information on the worldwide existence and erosion of coastal cliffs: a detailed literature survey and imagery search, and a GIS‐based global mapping analysis. The literature and imagery review show coastal cliffs exist in 93% of the combined recognized independent coastal states and non‐independent coastal regions worldwide (total of 213 geographic units). Additionally, cliff retreat rates have been quantified in at least one location within 33% of independent coastal states and 15% of non‐independent regions. The GIS‐based mapping used the near‐global Shuttle Radar Topography Mission 3 arc second digital elevation model and Arctic Coastal Dynamics Database to obtain near‐global backshore coastal elevations at 1 km alongshore intervals comprising about 1,340,000 locations (81% of the world vector shoreline). Backshore coastal elevations were compared with the mapped distribution of European coastal cliffs to produce a model training set, and this relationship was extended globally to map the likelihood of coastal cliff locations. About 21% of the transects (17% of the world vector shoreline) were identified as mangroves and eliminated as potential cliff locations. The results were combined with estimates of cliff percentages for Greenland and Antarctica from the literature, extending the global coverage to estimate cliff occurrence across 89% of the world vector shoreline. The results suggest coastal cliffs likely exist on about 52% of the global shoreline. © 2018 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Calculation methods of heat produced by a lithium‐ion battery under charging‐discharging condition
Authors: Wang Zhirong , Tong Xuan , Liu Kai , Shu Chi‐Min , Jiang Fengwei , Luo Qingkai , Wang Hao
Published: December 2018

Lithium‐ion batteries generate considerable amounts of heat under the condition of charging‐discharging cycles. This paper presents quantitative measurements and simulations of heat release. A thermal condition monitoring system was built to obtain the temperature of a lithium‐ion battery under electrical heating conditions. The results have been validated using two independent simulation methods and show that the heat generated by the battery increases with the decrease of the discharge resistance. In addition, although the total amounts of heat release are larger under lower discharge resistance, the rate of heat release is relatively small. Two methods were reported namely analogy method and data‐fitting in order to determine the heat generated by the lithium‐ion battery. The results are crucial findings for risk assessment and management.
Chemo‐mechanical behavior of clay‐rich fault gouges affected by CO2‐brine‐rock interactions
Authors: Bakker Elisenda , Kaszuba John , den Hartog Sabine , Hangx Suzanne
Published: December 2018

The impact of long‐term CO2‐brine‐rock interactions on the frictional properties of faults is one of the main concerns when ensuring safe geological CO2 storage. Mineralogical changes may alter the frictional strength and seismogenic potential of pre‐existing faults bounding a storage complex. However, most of these reactions are too slow to be reproduced on laboratory timescales and can only be assessed using geochemical modeling. We combined modeling of CO2‐charged formation water and fault gouges (1–1000 years residence time, i.e. 10–106 pore volume flushes) with friction experiments on simulated fault gouges (T = 22–150°C; σneff = 50 MPa; Pf = 25 MPa; V = 0.2‐100 μm/s), having mineralogical compositions as predicted by the models. As an analogue for clay‐rich caprocks overlying potential CO2 storage sites in Europe, we used the Opalinus claystone. Our experiments showed that, although significant mineralogical changes occurred, they did not significantly change the frictional behavior of faults. Instead, initial fault‐gouge mineralogy imposed a stronger control on clay‐rich fault behavior than the extent of CO2‐brine‐rock interactions, even under chemical conditions allowing for significant reaction. We demonstrated that the impact of mineralogical changes due to CO2‐brine‐rock interactions on the frictional behavior and seismogenic potential of faults could be assessed using our combination of geochemical modeling and friction experiments. Note that a complete understanding requires evaluation of additional effects, such as that of shear velocity, effective normal stress, and other fault characteristics (maturity, shear strain). © 2018 The Authors. Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Catalytic solvent regeneration of a CO2‐loaded MEA solution using an acidic catalyst from industrial rough metatitanic acid
Authors: Li Lijun , Liu Yingying , Wu Kejing , Liu Changjun , Tang Siyang , Yue Hairong , Lu Houfang , Liang Bin
Published: December 2018

Ethanolamine (MEA) solution is the most commonly used commercial chemical absorbent in conventional CO2 postcombustion processes; however the high heat duty and reaction temperature (e.g. 125°C) for solvent regeneration leads to high energy requirements (approximately 70–80% of the total running cost). This paper reports a catalytic solvent regeneration of a CO2‐loaded MEA solution using industrial calcined rough metatitanic acid (TiO(OH)2) as the catalyst to improve the CO2 desorption rate and reduce the regeneration temperature to 95°C. The catalytic reaction parameters were systematically investigated with an improvement in the CO2 desorption rate of 28.9% in comparison with the non‐catalytic process. The results of characterization, such as the thermogravimetry analysis, X‐ray diffraction, N2 adsorption‐desorption, pyridine‐infrared spectroscopy (Py‐IR), showed that the Lewis acid of the industrial metatitanic acid played a major role in the decomposition of carbamate and in enhancing the regeneration rate of MEA solvent in a CO2‐rich MEA solution. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do international and product diversification strategies affect human rights and employee orientation disclosures? An across‐country empirical study of large multinational enterprises
Authors: Sambharya Rakesh B. , Goll Irene
Published: December 2018

Research Summary

This study examines the relationships between market strategies (international diversification and product diversification) and nonmarket strategies (human rights and employee orientation disclosures) in 335 largest global companies from 31 countries. Hypotheses generated from the Institutional and Stakeholder theoretical perspectives proposed two alternative nonmonotonic relationships (an inverted U‐shape and a U‐shape) between market and nonmarket strategies. Data on company human rights and employee disclosures were collected from the Annual Reports of the MNE's parent company. The results of Generalized Least Square (GLS) regressions generally support both hypothesized nonmonotonic relationships and the results vary by region (Europe, the Anglo‐Saxon cluster, and Asia and emerging markets).

Managerial Summary

Global companies diversify internationally by entering new countries and at the same time also diversify into more and more products. Global firms also need to take into account the concerns of various stakeholders such as stockholders, employees, governments, suppliers, and nongovernmental organizations. We relate the diversification strategies (international and product) with nonmarket strategies in the form of human rights and employee disclosures made by global firms in their annual reports. We propose two alternative relationships (an inverted U‐shaped pattern and a U‐shape) between both types of market and nonmarket strategies. We find the relationships vary by the three regions of the world: Anglo‐Saxon cluster, Europe, and Asia and emerging markets. We speculate that national business systems and culture may account for these differences.
Secretory carcinoma of the major salivary gland: Provincial population‐based analysis of clinical behavior and outcomes
Authors: Ayre Gareth , Hyrcza Martin , Wu Jonn , Berthelet Eric , Skálová Alena , Thomson Tom
Published: December 2018

Background

Our aim was to identify the number of cases of secretory carcinoma (SC) of the major salivary gland in a population‐based cohort and review its clinical behavior with long‐term follow‐up.

Methods

All malignant salivary gland tumors (MSGTs) diagnosed between 1980 and 2014 were assessed for histological features compatible with SC and 140 were selected for further analysis.

Results

Twenty two new cases of SC were identified, 19 of which were originally classified as acinic cell carcinoma, and 3 as adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified (NOS). Lymph node involvement was less common in SC tumors (5%) than in the control group (11%). Disease recurrence was seen less frequently in SC (9%) than the control group (20%). Mean disease‐free survival was 192 months for SC compared with 162 months for controls (P = 0.15).

Conclusion

The clinical course of SC is typically indolent with a low risk of relapse not significantly different from other low‐grade MSGT.
Development of Hepatic Steatosis After Chemotherapy for Non‐Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Ben‐Yakov Gil , Alao Hawwa , Haydek John P. , Fryzek Nancy , Cho Min Ho , Hemmati Mehdi , Samala Vikram , Shovlin Margaret , Dunleavy Kieron , Wilson Wyndham , Jones Elizabeth C. , Rotman Yaron
Published: December 2018

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common liver disorder in the developed world. Although typically reflecting caloric overload, it can also be secondary to drug toxicity. We aimed to describe the incidence and risk factors for de novo steatosis during chemotherapy for non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In this retrospective case‐control study, adult patients with NHL were treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, prednisone, and vincristine (R‐CHOP) or R‐CHOP + etoposide (EPOCH‐R). Patients with liver disease or steatosis were excluded. Abdominal computed tomography was performed pretreatment and at 3‐ to 6‐month intervals and reviewed for steatosis. Patients with de novo steatosis were matched 1:1 to controls by age, sex, and ethnicity. Of 251 treated patients (median follow‐up 53 months), 25 (10%) developed de novo steatosis, with the vast majority (23 of 25; 92%) developing it after chemotherapy. Of those, 14 (61%) developed steatosis within the first 18 months posttreatment and 20 (87%) within 36 months. Cases had higher baseline body mass index (BMI; mean ± SD, 29.0 ± 6.5 versus 26.0 ± 5.2 kg/m2; P = 0.014) and hyperlipidemia (12% versus 2%; P = 0.035). Although their weights did not change during chemotherapy, BMI in cases increased by 2.4 ± 2 kg/m2 (mean ± SD) from end of treatment to steatosis compared to 0.68 ± 1.4 in controls (P = 0.003). Etoposide‐containing regimens were associated with a shorter time to steatosis (median 34 weeks versus 154 weeks; P < 0.001) despite similar baseline risk factors. Conclusion: The recovery period from NHL chemotherapy appears to be a “hot spot” for development of fatty liver, driven by early posttreatment weight gain, especially in subjects with baseline risk factors.
Human detection of drone invasion in a low‐altitude airspace: An application of signal detection theory
Authors: Li Kai Way , Peng Lu , Zhao Caijun
Published: December 2018

A field study was conducted to investigate the sensitivity of human participants in detecting the invasion of a drone in the airspace. A Phantom 4 quadcopter was remotely controlled to hovering at air locations inside or outside of a stadium. Twenty participants were requested to determine whether the drone has invaded in the test field or not on a five‐point scale. The participants also responded whether they have heard the sound of the drone. The nonparametric measures of the sensitivity of drone invasion detection, or P(A), were calculated. The results indicated that the distance between the drone and the boundary of the airspace significantly affected the P(A) while the effects of drone altitude were not significant. The participants were not unbiased detectors. They tended to respond “probably yes,” in general, when they spotted a drone near the airspace. The hearing of the sound of the drone provided partial cues in drone invasion detection.
Inorganic Protection of Polymer Nanocapsules: A Strategy to Improve the Efficiency of Encapsulated Optically Active Molecules
Authors: Katta Kartheek , Busko Dmitry , Landfester Katharina , Baluschev Stanislav , Muñoz‐Espí Rafael
Published: December 2018

We demonstrate that the efficiency under ambient conditions of optically active molecules encapsulated in polymer nanocapsules can be significantly improved by depositing an inorganic layer onto the polymeric shell. A triplet‐triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA‐UC) system consisting of a porphyrin derivative and perylene is used as a representative case. Different inorganic materials are deposited on the surface of functionalized polymer nanocapsules synthesized by free‐radical polymerization in miniemulsion. First, a silicate clay with formula [Si8(Mg5.45Li0.4)O20(OH)4]Na0.7 is deposited on the surface of positively charged polystyrene nanocapsules via layer‐by‐layer deposition. Second, controlled in situ mineralization of hydroxyapatite and cerium(IV) oxide are carried out on the surface of negatively charged polystyrene nanocapsules. In both cases the inorganic materials on the nanocapsule surface act as a scavenger and avoid the entry of oxygen from the external environment. By avoiding the entry of oxygen, the photo‐oxidation process of perylene molecules is avoided within the system, and an increase in the TTA‐UC properties occurs.
Simple and Straightforward Synthesis of Porous Ionosilica for Efficient Chromate Adsorption
Authors: Sauvanier David , Li W. S. Jennifer , Ferlin Nadège , Lacroix‐Desmazes Patrick , Prelot Bénédicte , Hesemann Peter
Published: December 2018

We report a very simple synthesis strategy for the formation of moderately porous ionosilica materials containing ammonium groups. We synthesized an ionosilica xerogel and an ionosilica aerogel, either via conventional or supercritical work‐up. The synthesis scheme of both precursor and ionosilica materials could easily be up‐scaled to a 100 g scale. All syntheses and work‐up procedures are sustainable as no additional agent and very low quantities of solvents were used, and no additional purifications steps were necessary. Although both materials show excellent anion exchange properties for chromate adsorption, noticeable differences were found regarding the thermodynamics of the exchange process. We attribute these differences to different surface chemistries of the materials, induced by the different work‐up procedures. Due to the easy availability of high quantities of material, ionosilicas can be implemented as functional ion exchange materials in larger scale processes, thus opening new fields of applications.
Solvent Directed Synthesis of Molecular Cage and Metal Organic Framework of Copper(II) Paddlewheel Cluster
Authors: Howlader Prodip , Mukherjee Partha Sarathi
Published: December 2018

A solvothermal reaction of a clip‐type dicarboxylic acid H2DCA [3,3′‐((5‐nitroisophthaloyl)bis(azanediyl))‐dibenzoic acid] and Cu(NO3)2 in equimolar ratio in dimethylformamide (DMF) yielded MOF(CuCG1) which was formed by interlinking [4+2] self‐assembled polyhedral cages via coordination between amide moiety present in the linker and the axial position of copper paddlewheel Cu2(CO2)4. Upon a change in the solvent from DMF to DMA [dimethylacetamide] the interlinking among the polyhedra was successfully terminated to get single crystals of a discrete coordination cage with DMA bound to axial position of Cu(II) (CuCG2). Similar termination of the interlinking was also achieved by a fast crystallization process to get discrete architecture CuCG1.
Does instrumental motivation help students with low intrinsic motivation? Comparison between Western and Confucian students
Authors: Liu Yuan , Hau Kit‐Tai , Zheng Xin
Published: December 2018

The research examines possible differences in the mutual reinforcement (i.e. multiplicative) effect between intrinsic and instrumental motivation on academic performance across different cultures. Eight representative countries and economies from two large‐scale databases—the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2011 and the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2012—were used, respectively. Results showed that among the Confucian economies, instrumental motivation was more helpful in improving the mathematics performance of students with low intrinsic motivation than for those with high intrinsic motivation. This was shown by the multiplicative effect between intrinsic and instrumental motivation. Despite the difference, students in both Confucian and Western cultures with high intrinsic motivation had better mathematics performance than students with low intrinsic motivation.
Hypoxia‐induced ARHGAP26 deficiency inhibits the proliferation and migration of human ductus arteriosus smooth muscle cell through activating RhoA‐ROCK‐PTEN pathway
Authors: Li Minghui , Ye Lincai , Ye Xiuxia , Wang Shoubao , Zhang Haibo , Liu Jinfen , Hong Haifa
Published: December 2018

The Rho family plays crucial roles in O2‐induced vasoconstriction, cell proliferation, and migration. Rho GTPase‐activating protein 26 (ARHGAP26) is a GTPase‐activating protein for the small GTPases of the Rho family. Our previous studies have demonstrated that ARHGAP26 expression was significantly downregulated in patent human ductus arteriosus (DA) tissue. However, its role underlying the maintenance of DA patency is unclear. In this study, patent (fetal) and constricted (newborn) mouse DA tissues were harvested to confirm the differences in the levels of expression of ARHGAP26. Human DA smooth muscle cells (DASMCs) were isolated and cultured in vitro and used to test the function of ARHGAP26. The expression of ARHGAP26 was significantly lower in patent (fetal) than constricted (newborn) mouse DA. ARHGAP26‐knocked‐down human DASMCs showed reduced proliferation and migration, which are both crucial to anatomic closure of DA. Moreover, after culturing under hypoxic conditions, the expression of ARHGAP26 in human DASMCs was significantly lower and hypoxia‐induced ARHGAP26 deficiency activated the phosphorylation level of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in DASMCs by mediating the activity of RhoA and RhoA‐associated kinase 1 (ROCK1). Use of Y27632, an inhibitor of ROCK which further reduces the phospholipid activity of PTEN can reverse the inhibitory effect of PTEN on the proliferation and migration of human DASMCs. This provides insight into the molecular regulation of the RhoA‐ROCK‐PTEN pathway in DA smooth muscle cells, which may be a suitable therapeutic target or diagnostic biomarker for perinatal DA tone management.
Knockdown of SLC34A2 inhibits cell proliferation, metastasis, and elevates chemosensitivity in glioma
Authors: Bao Zhijun , Chen Lihua , Guo Shiwen
Published: December 2018

Solute carrier 34 A2 (SLC34A2) is a member of SLC34 family that is a group of phosphate transporters. SLC34A2 has been reported to play critical roles in tumorigenesis and progression. However, the researches about the biological roles of SLC34A2 in glioma have not yet been reported. In this study, we analyzed the expression patterns of SLC34A2 in clinical glioma tumor tissues and cell lines. The results demonstrated that SLC34A2 was generally overexpressed in both glioma tissues and cell lines. To further investigate the roles of SLC34A2 in glioma, lentivirus containing specific SLC34A2 short hairpin RNA (sh‐SLC34A2) was used to infect glioma cell lines U251 and U87 for the knockdown of SLC34A2. The following studies proved that SLC34A2 knockdown exhibited suppressive effects on cell proliferation and migration/invasion. SLC34A2 knockdown also inhibited epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype, as evidenced by the increased E‐cadherin expression, and the decreased N‐cadherin and fibronectin expressions. Besides, knockdown of SLC34A2 enhanced the temozolomide (TMZ) sensitivity of U251 and U87 cells. In vivo tumorigenicity assay demonstrated that SLC34A2 knockdown inhibited tumor growth. Moreover, SLC34A2 knockdown suppressed the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in U87 cells. GW2974 (EGFR inhibitor) increased SLC34A2 knockdown‐inhibited cell proliferation, migration/invasion, as well as enhanced SLC34A2 knockdown‐increased the TMZ sensitivity of glioma cells. These findings suggested that SLC34A2 might be a new potential therapeutic target for the therapy of glioma patients.
Informal caregiving experiences in posttraumatic stress disorder: A content analysis of an online community
Authors: Ferrell Emily L. , Russin Sarah E. , Hardy Rachel M.
Published: December 2018

This study explored the experiences of individuals who self‐identify as providing support to a friend, family member, or significant other with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We analyzed and coded a total of 345 posts from an online support forum, with reference to 13 categories (finances, life interference, venting/emotional expression, maltreatment, sexual behavior, distress, prevented expression, physical health, communication, no personal space, isolation, and compassion fatigue). Categories for coding were established a priori and based on previous literature about caregiving and supporting. Results suggested that informal PTSD caregivers experience concerns involving interpersonal relations, emotional turmoil, and barriers to care for themselves and the individual they are caring for. This study provides a preliminary examination of the experiences and concerns of PTSD caregivers. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Development of a liver‐specific Tet‐off AAV8 vector for improved safety of insulin gene therapy for diabetes
Authors: Gan Shu Uin , Fu Zhenying , Sia Kian Chuan , Kon Oi Lian , Calne Roy , Lee Kok Onn
Published: December 2018

Background

Diabetes mellitus is caused by a partial or complete lack of insulin production in the body. We have previously shown that a single injection of an adeno‐associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8) vector carrying a modified and codon optimized human insulin gene induced hepatic production of insulin and corrected streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetes in mice for more than 1 year. Insulin production was constitutive, analogous to long‐acting insulin therapy.

Methods

We have developed a single AAV8 vector with a Tet‐Off regulatable system as a safety mechanism to turn off insulin secretion should hypoglycaemia develop in vector‐treated diabetic mice. We first transfected HepG2 cells or freshly isolated rat hepatocytes in vitro with the Tet‐Off system (pAAV‐Tetoffbidir‐Alb‐luc) regulating a luciferase reporter gene. We subsequently incorporated a furin‐cleavable codon‐optimised human proinsulin cDNA into pAAV‐Tetoffbidir backbone to form the doxycycline inducible pAAV‐Tetoffbidir‐Alb‐hINSco.

Results

Using STZ‐induced diabetic mice, we were able to switch off insulin secretion repeatedly with doxycycline administration, and showed full restoration of insulin secretion on withdrawing doxycycline.

Conclusions

The present study provides proof of concept that, under circumstances when inappropriate basal insulin secretion is a safety concern, insulin secretion from AAV8 gene therapy can be turned off reversibly with doxycycline.
Genital morphology associated with mating strategy in the polymorphic lizard, Uta stansburiana
Authors: Gilman Casey A. , Corl Ammon , Sinervo Barry , Irschick Duncan J.
Published: December 2018

Sexual selection can lead to rapid evolution of sexual traits and striking morphological diversity across taxa. In populations where competition for mates is intense, males sometimes evolve distinct behavioral strategies along with morphological differences that help them secure mating opportunities. Strong postcopulatory selection and differential resource allocation across male strategy type can result in strategy‐specific differences in sexual traits, such as sperm morphology, ejaculate components, and testis size. Some polymorphic species also have strategy‐specific genital morphology. Thus far, among vertebrates, this has only been observed in fish. Here, we present the first morphological description of the intromittant copulatory organ, the hemipenis, of the three mating types of the side‐blotched lizard, Uta stansburiana, from a population that exhibits alternative mating strategies. We found that the isometrically scaling hemipenis was shortest in the nonterritorial (yellow) morph that sneaks copulations with other males' mates. Although the hemipenes were generally the same shape across morphs, the usurping territorial (orange) morph had a significantly wider apical horn than the nonterritorial sneaker morph. Sneaker males also had smaller relative body masses than both the mate‐guarding (blue) morph and the usurper morph, and shorter tibia than the usurper morph. This study using a small sample of males suggests that strong sexual selection may drive genital trait differentiation across morphs within populations of terrestrial vertebrates.
Activation of hedgehog signaling by systemic agonist improves fracture healing in aged mice
Authors: McKenzie Jennifer A. , Maschhoff Clayton , Liu Xiaochen , Migotsky Nicole , Silva Matthew J. , Gardner Michael J.
Published: December 2018

Fracture healing is a complex process of many coordinated biological pathways. This system can go awry resulting in nonunion, which leads to significant patient morbidity. The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is upregulated in fracture healing. We hypothesized that the Hh signaling pathway can be pharmacologically modulated to positively affect fracture healing. Diaphyseal femur fractures were created in elderly mice (18 months, C57BL/6 females), which have a blunted and delayed healing response compared to younger mice, and were stabilized with intramedullary pins. To activate the Hh pathway we targeted the receptor Smoothened using an agonist (Hh‐Ag1.5 [Hh‐Ag]) and compared this to a vehicle control. Expression of Hh target genes were significantly increased in the fracture callus of the agonist group compared to controls, indicating pathway activation. Expression of osteogenic and chondrogenic‐related genes was greatly upregulated in fracture callus versus intact femora, although Hh agonist treatment did not consistently enhance this response. Blindly graded, radiographic callus healing scores were significantly higher in the Hh‐Ag groups at post operative day (POD) 14, indicating earlier callus bridging. On microCT, Hh‐Ag treatment led to greater callus volume (+40%) and bone volume (+25%) at POD21. By day 14, callus vascularity, as assessed by 3D microCT angiography vessel volume, was 85% greater in the Hh‐Ag group. Finally, mechanical strength of the calluses in the Hh‐Ag groups was significantly greater than in the control groups at POD21. In conclusion, systemic administration of a Hh agonist appears to improve the osseous and vascular healing responses in a mouse fracture healing‐impaired model. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res