bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Starch from Two Andean Potatoes: Ccompis (Solanum tuberosum spp. andigena) and Huayro (Solanum x chaucha)
Authors: Cisneros Fausto H. , Zevillanos Roberto , Figueroa Mariella , Gonzalez Gabriela , Cisneros‐Zevallos Luis
Published: September 2017

Starches from two Andean potatoes, Ccompis (Solanum tuberosum spp. andigena) and Huayro (Solanum x chaucha), are characterized and compared to commercial starches by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), measurement of amylose content, rotational viscometry (2% starch solution), Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) (5% starch paste), and texture analysis (8% starch gel). Ccompis and Huayro starch granules are similar in appearance to commercial potato, while the apparent amylose content is higher in Ccompis (32%), followed by commercial potato (27%), Huayro, and corn (24%). The rheological properties of Huayro starch and that of commercial potato are similar, as measured by three rheological techniques. However, Huayro does not show any significant peak viscosity in RVA analysis but has a higher final (setback) viscosity. On the other hand, Ccompis starch solutions consistently exhibit lower viscosities and form weaker gels compared to commercial potato starch. All potato starch (2%) solutions show dramatic viscosity breakdown when subjected to the various treatments including acidification, high temperature, and shear.
Hunting and the local food movement: Insights from central New York State
Authors: Stedman Richard C. , Larson Lincoln R. , Tidball Keith G. , Tidball Moira , Curtis Paul D.
Published: September 2017

Concerns within the conservation community about declining hunting participation and associated conservation consequences have catalyzed hunter recruitment and retention strategies targeting nontraditional hunting populations. One emerging group of interest includes individuals motived to eat food that is grown, raised, produced, or harvested locally. Sometimes referred to as “locavores,” this group has motivated many wildlife agencies and organizations to develop hunting programs focusing on their assumed desire for local wild game. However, little empirical information speaks to locavore interest in harvesting and consuming wild game. We surveyed 1 subgroup: 471 subscribers to a local food‐oriented magazine in the Finger Lakes Region of central New York, USA. Most respondents (82%) had eaten wild game at least once, though <20% of respondents did so on a regular basis. Few respondents (8%) personally harvested wild game (most [77%] received it from friends and family), and <10% were active hunters. However, 23% said they would consider hunting, and many (59%) expressed interest in learning about preparing wild game and conservation benefits associated with wild game consumption. Our findings, although limited to one particular population, suggest that, at minimum, the local foods movement could generate indirect conservation impacts through expanding social networks supporting wildlife‐based recreation. Future research should explore these possibilities and identify strategies that might foster links between different types of food‐motivated stakeholders and hunting. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Impact of Visceral Adiposity as Well as Sarcopenic Factors on Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Liver Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases
Authors: Kobayashi Atsushi , Kaido Toshimi , Hamaguchi Yuhei , Okumura Shinya , Shirai Hisaya , Kamo Naoko , Yagi Shintaro , Taura Kojiro , Okajima Hideaki , Uemoto Shinji
Published: September 2017

Objectives

We have reported preoperative low skeletal muscularity as an independent risk factor for poor outcomes after liver transplantation, resection of hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer and extrahepatic biliary malignancies. However, the impacts of visceral adiposity and muscularity on outcomes after liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CLM) have not been fully investigated.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 124 patients undergoing primary liver resection for CLM between 2005 and 2014. Using preoperative computed tomography at the third lumbar vertebra level, skeletal muscle and abdominal adipose tissue were evaluated by skeletal muscle index (SMI), intramuscular adipose tissue content (IMAC) and visceral‐to‐subcutaneous adipose tissue area ratio (VSR), respectively. Impacts of preoperative SMI, IMAC and VSR on outcomes after liver resection for CLM were investigated.

Results

Low SMI and high VSR were not significantly associated with poor overall or recurrence‐free survivals (P = 0.324 and P = 0.106, P = 0.964 and P = 0.738, respectively). Overall survival rate tended to be lower in patients with high IMAC than in patients with normal IMAC (P = 0.054). Recurrence‐free survival rate did not differ significantly between high and normal IMAC (P = 0.721). Multivariate analysis showed that low SMI, high IMAC and high VSR were not significant risk factors for death or recurrence after liver resection for CLM.

Conclusion

Neither preoperative visceral adiposity nor low muscularity were poor prognostic factors in patients undergoing liver resection for CLM.
El efecto de los mecanismos internos de control en las operaciones con información privilegiada
Authors: Tobar José E. , Del Brío Esther B. , De Miguel Alberto
Published: September 2017

Este trabajo analiza el uso de la información privilegiada en las operaciones de compra de los insiders españoles y de cómo la estructura de propiedad afecta su comportamiento transaccional. Para ello se realizó un estudio empírico con una muestra de 2.233 operaciones de compra. Respecto al cálculo de los retornos anormales se aplicó la metodología de estudio de eventos, mientras que para el análisis del efecto de la estructura de propiedad se utilizaron regresiones lineales múltiples. Los resultados aportan evidencia sobre la coexistencia de los efectos de control y expropiación de la concentración de propiedad, de la coexistencia de los efectos de convergencia y atrincheramiento de la propiedad de los insiders y del efecto del tipo de accionista sobre los retornos anormales.
Engineering Novel Molecular Beacon Constructs to Study Intracellular RNA Dynamics and Localization
Authors: Ma Zhao , Wu Xiaotian , Krueger Christopher J. , Chen Antony K.
Published: September 2017

With numerous advancements in novel biochemical techniques, our knowledge of the role of RNAs in the regulation of cellular physiology and pathology has grown significantly over the past several decades. Nevertheless, detailed information regarding RNA processing, trafficking, and localization in living cells has been lacking due to technical limitations in imaging single RNA transcripts in living cells with high spatial and temporal resolution. In this review, we discuss techniques that have shown great promise for single RNA imaging, followed by highlights in our recent work in the development of molecular beacons (MBs), a class of nanoscale oligonucleotide-probes, for detecting individual RNA transcripts in living cells. With further refinement of MB design and development of more sophisticated fluorescence microscopy techniques, we envision that MB-based approaches could promote new discoveries of RNA functions and activities.
The 2016 revised ACR criteria for diagnosis of giant cell arteritis – Our case series: Can this avoid unnecessary temporal artery biopsies?
Authors: Sait Mohamed R. , Lepore Mario , Kwasnicki Richard , Allington Jonathan , Balasubramanian Rajesh , Somasundaram Santosh K. , Vashisht Rajiv , Barkeji Musa
Published: September 2017

Abstract

Background

Temporal artery biopsy (TAB) is considered the gold standard for diagnosing Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). The aim of this study was to compare the functional utility of the 2016 revised ACR (rACR) criteria against the original ACR criteria with a view to avoiding TABs in select groups. We also aimed to investigate the temporal relationship of positive biopsies.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted of patients undergoing TAB from August 2014 to August 2016, at a DGH. Data collected included patient demographics, history, biochemistry, time to TAB from commencement of steroids and histology. The ACR and the rACR scores and the relative TAB results were analysed using ROC to determine statistical measures of performance. Different score thresholds were applied to propose a clinical tool to be used as an adjunct in the management of suspected GCA.

Results and Discussion

Forty two TABs were performed during this period of which 10 were males and 32 females. ROC analysis showed significant relationships between both ACR and rACR to TAB result. The AUC for rACR was 0.880 (p < 0.001) and for ACR was 0.737 (p = 0.023). The median time to TAB from referral was 10 days (IQR 6–13). The diagnostic yield was highest within 8 days (41%) of all positive biopsies.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the potential value of the rACR criteria and a simple clinical tool is proposed to stratify relevant patients with a view to avoiding unnecessary TAB. Prolonged wait between referral to TAB is also likely to reduce its validity.

Highlights
Formaldehyde Inhibits Sexual Behavior and Expression of Steroidogenic Enzymes in the Testes of Mice
Authors: Zang Zhi-Jun , Fang You-Qiang , Ji Su-Yun , Gao Yong , Zhu Yuan-Qiang , Xia Ting-Ting , Jiang Mei-Hua , Zhang Ya-Nan
Published: September 2017

Background

Formaldehyde, a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, is used extensively and has been proved to impair male reproduction in mammals. However, no trials have explored whether formaldehyde affects sexual function.

Aim

To evaluate the effect of long-term formaldehyde exposure on sexual behavior and to investigate the potential mechanism.

Methods

Forty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly allocated to four equally sized groups. Mice were exposed to formaldehyde at a dose of 0 (control), 0.5, 5.0, or 10.0 mg/m3 by inhalation for 60 days.

Outcomes

Sexual behavior, body and reproductive organ weights, testosterone concentration in serum and testicular tissue, expression of steroidogenic enzymes, quality of sperm, and testicular structure were measured.

Results

Formaldehyde inhibited sexual behavior and decreased reproductive organ weights in mice. Serum testosterone levels and intratesticular testosterone concentrations were decreased in the formaldehyde-treated groups. Expression levels of steroidogenic enzymes, including steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), also were decreased in the testes of mice exposed to formaldehyde. Moreover, the structure of seminiferous tubules was destroyed and sperm quality decreased after formaldehyde exposure. In addition, the results indicated that the effects of formaldehyde were dose dependent.

Clinical Implications

Efforts should be undertaken to decrease impairment of sexual function caused by formaldehyde exposure.

Strengths and Limitations

The relatively small sample might have affected the outcomes. Further experiments are needed to study the mechanism of action of formaldehyde.

Conclusion

Exposure to formaldehyde gas inhibited sexual behavior, caused reproductive organ atrophy, and impaired spermatogenesis in male mice, which might have been induced by suppressed expression of steroidogenic enzymes in Leydig cells and decreased testosterone synthesis.
Predictors of chronic neuropathic pain after scoliosis surgery in children
Authors: Julien-Marsollier Florence , David Raphaelle , Hilly Julie , Brasher Christopher , Michelet Daphné , Dahmani Souhayl
Published: September 2017

Background

Numerous publications describe chronic pain following surgery in both adults and children. However, data in the paediatric population are still sparse and both prevalence of chronic pain after surgery and risk factors of this complication still undetermined.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated the prevalence of chronic pain and its neuropathic pain component at 1 year following correction of idiopathic scoliosis in children less than 18 years of age. Pain was defined as the presence of pain (numerical rating scale – NRS ≥4), the presence of signs of neurologic damage within the area of surgery and the presence of the neuropathic symptoms as a DN4 (Douleur Neuropathique 4) questionnaire ≥4. Factors investigated as potentially associated with the presence of a persistent neuropathic pain were: age, weight, the presence of continuous preoperative pain over the 3 months before surgery, surgical characteristics, pain scores during the first five postoperative days, and DN4 at day 3. Statistical analysis employed univariate analysis and a multivariate logistic regression model.

Results

Thirty six patients were included in the study. Nineteen (52.8%) had pain at one year after surgery. Among them 17 (48.2%) had neuropathic pain. Logistic regression found continuous pain over the 3 months preceding surgery and day 1 morphine consumption ≥0.5 mg kg-1 as independent predictors of persistent chronic pain with a neuropathic component. The overall model accuracy was 80.6 and the area under the curve of the model was 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.78–0.99).

Conclusions

The present study found a high proportion of paediatric patients developing chronic persistent pain after surgical correction of scoliosis diformity. It allows identifying two factors associated with the occurrence of persistent chronic pain with a neuropathic component: the presence of persistent preoperative pain during the 3 months preceeding surgery and postoperative opioid consumption at day 1 –;0.5 mg kg-1

Implication

Patients scheduled for spine surgery and presenting with preoperative pain should be considered at risk of chronic pain after surgery and managed accordingly by the chronic and/or acute pain team. Postoperative opioid consumption should be lowered as possible by using multimodal analgesia and regional analgesia such as postoperative epidural analgesia.
Endoscopic excision of a tympanic paraganglioma: Training the next generation of ear surgeons
Authors: Pollak Natasha , Soni Resha S.
Published: September 2017

Tympanic paragangliomas are uncommon vascular tumors of neural crest origin. Classically these lesions have been surgically managed via a transcanal or transmastoid approach using binocular microscopy. We describe a case in which a tympanic paraganglioma was removed via a transcanal approach, using the endoscope exclusively. Endoscopic ear surgery enhances visualization, helping to ensure complete tumor removal, while reducing unnecessary dissection and its associated morbidity. For small middle ear neoplasms, a purely endoscopic approach is feasible, with excellent results. Resident education in ear surgery has also been enhanced by the use of endoscopes. The wide field of view provided by the endoscope helps trainees understand the intricate three‐dimensional anatomy of the middle ear cleft.
Rapid gust response simulation of large civil aircraft using computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Bekemeyer P. , Thormann R. , Timme S.
Published: September 2017

Several critical load cases during the aircraft design process result from atmospheric turbulence. Thus, rapidly performable and highly accurate dynamic response simulations are required to analyse a wide range of parameters. A method is proposed to predict dynamic loads on an elastically trimmed, large civil aircraft using computational fluid dynamics in conjunction with model reduction. A small-sized modal basis is computed by sampling the aerodynamic response at discrete frequencies and applying proper orthogonal decomposition. The linear operator of the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations plus turbulence model is then projected onto the subspace spanned by this basis. The resulting reduced system is solved at an arbitrary number of frequencies to analyse responses to 1-cos gusts very efficiently. Lift coefficient and surface pressure distribution are compared with full-order, non-linear, unsteady time-marching simulations to verify the method. Overall, the reduced-order model predicts highly accurate global coefficients and surface loads at a fraction of the computational cost, which is an important step towards the aircraft loads process relying on computational fluid dynamics.
REPRÉSENTATIONS DE RÉDUCTION UNIPOTENTE POUR , II : ENDOSCOPIE
Authors: WALDSPURGER J.-L.
Published: September 2017

For the groups $\operatorname{SO}(2n+1,F)$, where $F$ is a $p$-adic field, we consider the tempered irreducible representations of unipotent reduction. Lusztig has constructed and parametrized these representations. We prove that they satisfy the expected endoscopic identities which determine the parametrization.
Space, Place, and the Race for Power: Rabbis, Demons, and the Construction of Babylonia
Authors: Ronis Sara
Published: September 2017

The late antique world was filled with demons. These demons were constantly present and always at the ready to attack unsuspecting humans. Like almost everyone else in late antiquity, the rabbis of Sasanian Babylonia were aware of demonic threats and took steps to protect themselves and their communities from harm. But while demons were a danger, they were also an opportunity for creativity, identity formation, and community building for the rabbis. In fact, some Babylonian rabbis “thought with” demons in order to organize their environment and imbue their world with larger spatial meanings.
Production of sub-gigabar pressures by a hyper-velocity impact in the collider using laser-induced cavity pressure acceleration
Authors: Badziak J. , Kucharik M. , Liska R.
Published: September 2017

Production of high dynamic pressure using a strong shock wave is a topic of high relevance for high-energy-density physics, inertial confinement fusion, and materials science. Although the pressures in the multi-Mbar range can be produced by the shocks generated with a large variety of methods, the higher pressures, in the sub-Gbar or Gbar range, are achievable only with nuclear explosions or laser-driven shocks. However, the laser-to-shock energy conversion efficiency in the laser-based methods currently applied is low and, as a result, multi-kJ multi-beam lasers have to be used to produce such extremely high pressures. In this paper, the generation of high-pressure shocks in the newly proposed collider in which the projectile impacting a solid target is driven by the laser-induced cavity pressure acceleration (LICPA) mechanism is investigated using two-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations. A special attention is paid to the dependence of shock parameters and the laser-to-shock energy conversion efficiency on the impacted target material and the laser driver energy. It has been found that both in case of low-density and high-density solid targets, the shock pressures in the sub-Gbar range can be produced in the LICPA-based collider with the laser energy of only a few hundreds of joules, and the laser-to-shock energy conversion efficiency can reach values of 10–20%, by an order of magnitude higher than the conversion efficiencies achieved with other laser-based methods used so far.
Vertical stratification in bat assemblages of the Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil
Authors: Gregorin Renato , Bernard Enrico , Lobão Karina Weiser , Oliveira Luciany Ferreira , Machado Felipe Santana , Gil Bruno Bret , Tavares Valéria da Cunha
Published: September 2017

Tropical forests are three-dimensional spaces with species and resources heterogeneously distributed. The vertical stratification of tropical forest biotas has been observed for several organisms and regions, but, surprisingly, the vertical structuring of large areas of important tropical forests, such as Brazil's Atlantic Forest, remains poorly studied. Here, we addressed the use of different Atlantic Forest strata by bats, comparing ensemble composition and relative abundance between the understorey and the canopy. A total of 618 bats belonging to 31 species and four families were recorded, including 11 species of frugivores and seven species of gleaning insectivores, the two trophic guilds predominantly represented in our sampling. Fifteen species were captured exclusively in the canopy, and six exclusively in the understorey, and many of those species were represented by a low number of captures (<5). The bat species composition, richness and relative abundance between canopy and understorey strata varied.Chiroderma villosumwas exclusively captured in the canopy,Artibeus lituratuswas netted predominantly in the canopy andCarollia perspicillataandDesmodus rotunduswere mostly captured in the understorey. Although processes such as resource partitioning between species and ecomorphological constraints may explain the differential use of forest strata, this remains little understood because of the scarcity of data for the Atlantic forest canopies.
Pragmatic Development During Study Abroad: An Analysis of Spanish Teenagers’ Request Strategies in English Emails
Authors: Alcón-Soler Eva
Published: September 2017

Previous research has shown that adolescent second language learners benefit from pragmatic instruction during study abroad (Alcón-Soler, 2015). As a follow-up investigation, the present study looked at late adolescent study-abroad learners, and it examined both the immediate effect of pragmatic instruction and the pragmatic trajectories that adolescent learners follow once they move from the instructional context to real email communication. Email requests in English produced by 60 (30 treatment and 30 control) Spanish teenagers studying in England were analyzed with regard to the impact of instruction on the frequency of indirect request strategies and internal modifiers. In addition, the pragmatic trajectories of two learners—one high producer and one low producer of request modifiers—were analyzed qualitatively on four separate occasions during the study-abroad experience. The findings show the positive effects of instruction on learners’ use of indirect request strategies and request modifiers. However, there is no homogeneous pattern of change during participants’ study-abroad experiences. Closer examinations of the pragmatic trajectories of two learners show that learners’ perceptions of request imposition or their desire to be accepted in the community in which they find themselves may explain pragmatic changes.
Exploring the Uniqueness of Child Second Language Acquisition (SLA): Learning, Teaching, Assessment, and Practice
Authors: Philp Jenefer , Borowczyk Margaret , Mackey Alison
Published: September 2017

This issue was designed to include a wide range of research on children's second language learning. Here we provide a short overview of each of the articles contained in this issue, many of which bring up novel ideas and topics, as well as new takes on familiar themes that sometimes challenge prior conceptions and, ideally, inspire new understandings of child language acquisition, and policies, and practices in instructed settings. The 15 articles in this issue are based in instructed and naturalistic settings and include reviews and experimental work, and collectively represent learners between 5 to 18 years old. The language backgrounds include Mandarin (first language [L1]), Arabic (L1), Basque (L1), Cantonese (L1), English (second language [L2]), Hebrew (L1, L2), Spanish (L1, L2), and Thai (L1). Topics include the uniqueness of child second language acquisition (SLA); learning in majority language classrooms; best practices in bilingual schooling, cognition, and SLA in younger learners; testing and assessment relating to age and language choice; and methodological contributions that arise from the particular challenges of researching child second language development in instructed and naturalistic settings.
Balancing the Demands of Two Tasks: An Investigation of Cognitive–Motor Dual-Tasking in Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Butchard-MacDonald Emma , Paul Lorna , Evans Jonathan J.
Published: September 2017

Background:People with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (PwRRMS) suffer disproportionate decrements in gait under dual-task conditions, when walking and a cognitive task are combined. There has been much less investigation of the impact of cognitive demands on balance.Objectives:This study investigated whether: (1) PwRRMS show disproportionate decrements in postural stability under dual-task conditions compared to healthy controls, and (2) dual-task decrements are associated with everyday dual-tasking difficulties. The impact of mood, fatigue, and disease severity on dual-tasking was also examined.Methods:A total of 34 PwRRMS and 34 matched controls completed cognitive (digit span) and balance (movement of center of pressure on Biosway on stable and unstable surfaces) tasks under single- and dual-task conditions. Everyday dual-tasking was measured using the Dual-Tasking Questionnaire. Mood was measured by the Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale. Fatigue was measuredviathe Modified Fatigue Index Scale.Results:No differences in age, gender, years of education, estimated pre-morbid IQ, or baseline digit span between groups. Compared with controls, PwRRMS showed significantly greater decrement in postural stability under dual-task conditions on an unstable surface (p=.007), but not a stable surface (p=.679). Balance decrement scores were not correlated with everyday dual-tasking difficulties or fatigue. Stable surface balance decrement scores were significantly associated with levels of anxiety (rho=0.527;p=.001) and depression (rho=0.451;p=.007).Conclusions:RRMS causes dual-tasking difficulties, impacting balance under challenging conditions, which may contribute to increased risk of gait difficulties and falls. The relationship between anxiety/depression and dual-task decrement suggests that emotional factors may be contributing to dual-task difficulties. (JINS, 2018,24, 247–258)
Reframing the Mongols in 1260: The Armenians, the Mongols and the Magi
Authors: STEWART ANGUS
Published: September 2017

The irruption of the Mongols led to profound changes in the political, cultural and confessional climate of the thirteenth-century Near East. While many did not survive the initial onslaught and the years of turmoil that followed, and rulers that opposed the Mongols were largely swept away, the communities and dynasties that remained were forced to seek some sort of accommodation with the new overlords. While subjection to the Mongol yoke was far from desirable, rulers could seek to make the best of the situation, in the hope that the ambitions of the Mongols might come to match their own, or that the Mongols might be persuaded to support their cause. This paper will consider how certain Christian groups in the Near East sought to reconcile themselves to the Mongol presence, and how they sought to place these alien invaders within a more familiar framework. In particular it will examine the visual evidence for this process by looking at a couple of appearances of recognisably Mongol figures within Christian artwork, dating from the time of the second major Mongol invasion of the region, led by the Ilkhan Hülegü, which by 1260 had extended Mongol power into Syria and to the borders of Egypt.1
Lightning Strikes May Leave Traces Like Those of Meteorites
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: September 2017

Scientists have long interpreted shocked quartz as definitive evidence of a past meteorite impact, but the shock wave caused by lightning striking granite also produces this distinctive feature.
Ultrasensitive flexible broadband photodetectors achieving pA scale dark current
Authors: Luo Xiao , Zhao Feiyu , Du Lili , Lv Wenli , Xu Kun , Peng Yingquan , Wang Ying , Lu Feiping
Published: September 2017

Organolead halide perovskite is a newly emerging low-cost, solution-processable material with a broadband absorption from the ultraviolet (UV) to visible (Vis) region, which has attracted a great deal of interest in high-performance optoelectronic devices. However, some practicable applications need a cover of UV–Vis–NIR region for photoelectric conversion, a task that remains a significant challenge for further extending the absorption toward the near-infrared radiation (NIR) region. Here, to the best of our knowledge, we prove for the first time an ultrasensitive flexible broadband photodetector based on porous organolead perovskite-phthalocyanine heterostructure, which combines the synergetic properties of high UV–Vis absorbance of perovskite with enhanced NIR absorption for triclinic lead phthalocyanine. The photosensitivity of the as-prepared devices reaches up to 104 at a low intensity of 10 mW cm−2, which is among the largest values reported for broadband photodetectors. Significantly, performed at room temperature, the device achieves a pA scale dark current along with an ultrafast response speed of less than 0.6 ms for as-adopted full spectra. Our results provide an easy and promising route to develop low-cost, flexible and highly sensitive UV–Vis–NIR photodetectors.
The association between education and cardiovascular disease incidence is mediated by hypertension, diabetes, and body mass index
Authors: Dégano Irene R. , Marrugat Jaume , Grau Maria , Salvador-González Betlem , Ramos Rafel , Zamora Alberto , Martí Ruth , Elosua Roberto
Published: September 2017

Education and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are inversely associated but the mediating factors have not been totally elucidated. Our aim was to analyze the mediating role of modifiable risk factors. Cohort study using the REGICOR population cohorts. Participants without previous CVD were included (n = 9226). Marginal structural models were used to analyze the association between education and CVD incidence at 6 years of follow-up. Mediation by modifiable risk factors (diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, smoking, body mass index, and physical activity) was assessed using the counterfactual framework. Participants with a university degree had a CVD incidence hazard ratio (HR) of 0.51 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.30, 0.85), compared to those with primary or lower education. Only hypertension, BMI, and diabetes mediated the association between education and CVD incidence, accounting for 26% of the association (13.9, 6.9, and 5.2%, respectively). Sensitivity analyses showed that hypertension was the strongest mediator (average causal mediation effect [95% CI] = increase of 2170 days free of CVD events [711, 4520]). The association between education and CVD incidence is partially mediated by hypertension, BMI, and diabetes. Interventions to decrease the prevalence of these risk factors could contribute to diminish the CVD inequalities associated with educational level.
Long non-coding RNA00544 serves as a potential novel predictive and prognostic marker for HR+ HER2− subtype breast cancer
Authors: Liu Lei , Chi Yayun , Chen Jiajian , Xue Jingyan , Deng Linlin , Huang Naisi , Shao Jianghua , Wu Jiong
Published: September 2017

Luminal breast cancers (BC) account for majority of breast cancer. Due to its heterogeneity and the development of treatment resistance, luminal BC patients can vary substantially. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), as we known, is involved in breast cancer progression. Here, we aim to identify the lncRNAs which are involved in the particular type luminal BC progression. By Gene Chips analysis, we found a novel lncRNA00544, which was highly expressed in the metastatic axillary nodes compared with corresponding luminal BC tissues (fold change = 2.26, P = 0.043). This result was confirmed in luminal BC cell lines (p = 0.0113) and 49 paired breast cancer samples compared with in corresponding controls (p = 0.011). Furthermore, Kaplan–Meier survival curves of 373 breast cancer patients indicated that disease-free survival was significantly poor in breast cancer patients with high lncRNA00544 expression (p < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that lncRNA00544 was a significant independent prognostic biomarker in luminal BC patients. Further analysis showed that the prognosis of high lncRNA00544 expression in breast cancer patients was actually related to HR + HER2− subtype. Together, our studies indicate that lncRNA00544 may represent a novel predictive and prognostic indicator in luminal BC patients.
Effect of Transforming Growth Factor-β upon Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps Cysticerci
Authors: Adalid-Peralta Laura , Rosas Gabriela , Arce-Sillas Asiel , Bobes Raúl J. , Cárdenas Graciela , Hernández Marisela , Trejo Celeste , Meneses Gabriela , Hernández Beatriz , Estrada Karel , Fleury Agnes , Laclette Juan P. , Larralde Carlos , Sciutto Edda , Fragoso Gladis
Published: September 2017

Taeniids exhibit a great adaptive plasticity, which facilitates their establishment, growth, and reproduction in a hostile inflammatory microenvironment. Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGFβ), a highly pleiotropic cytokine, plays a critical role in vertebrate morphogenesis, cell differentiation, reproduction, and immune suppression. TGFβ is secreted by host cells in sites lodging parasites. The role of TGFβ in the outcome of T. solium and T. crassiceps cysticercosis is herein explored. Homologues of the TGFβ family receptors (TsRI and TsRII) and several members of the TGFβ downstream signal transduction pathway were found in T. solium genome, and the expression of Type-I and -II TGFβ receptors was confirmed by RT-PCR. Antibodies against TGFβ family receptors recognized cysticercal proteins of the expected molecular weight as determined by Western blot, and different structures in the parasite external tegument. In vitro, TGFβ promoted the growth and reproduction of T. crassiceps cysticerci and the survival of T. solium cysticerci. High TGFβ levels were found in cerebrospinal fluid from untreated neurocysticercotic patients who eventually failed to respond to the treatment (P = 0.03) pointing to the involvement of TGFβ in parasite survival. These results indicate the relevance of TGFβ in the infection outcome by promoting cysticercus growth and treatment resistance.
Sheathless Microflow Cytometry Using Viscoelastic Fluids
Authors: Asghari Mohammad , Serhatlioglu Murat , Ortaç Bülend , Solmaz Mehmet E , Elbuken Caglar
Published: September 2017

Microflow cytometry is a powerful technique for characterization of particles suspended in a solution. In this work, we present a microflow cytometer based on viscoelastic focusing. 3D single-line focusing of microparticles was achieved in a straight capillary using viscoelastic focusing which alleviated the need for sheath flow or any other actuation mechanism. Optical detection was performed by fiber coupled light source and photodetectors. Using this system, we present the detection of microparticles suspended in three different viscoelastic solutions. The rheological properties of the solutions were measured and used to assess the focusing performance both analytically and numerically. The results were verified experimentally, and it has been shown that polyethlyene oxide (PEO) and hyaluronic acid (HA) based sheathless microflow cytometer demonstrates similar performance to state-of-the art flow cytometers. The sheathless microflow cytometer was shown to present 780 particles/s throughput and 5.8% CV for the forward scatter signal for HA-based focusing. The presented system is composed of a single capillary to accommodate the fluid and optical fibers to couple the light to the fluid of interest. Thanks to its simplicity, the system has the potential to widen the applicability of microflow cytometers.
Additive negative effects of anthropogenic sedimentation and warming on the survival of coral recruits
Authors: Fourney Francesca , Figueiredo Joana
Published: September 2017

Corals worldwide are facing population declines due to global climate change and local anthropogenic impacts. Global climate change effects are hard to tackle but recent studies show that some coral species can better handle climate change stress when provided with additional energy resources. The local stressor that most undermines energy acquisition is sedimentation because it impedes coral heterotrophic feeding and their ability to photosynthesize. To investigate if reducing local sedimentation will enable corals to better endure ocean warming, we quantitatively assessed the combined effects of increased temperature and sedimentation (concentration and turbidity) on the survival of coral recruits of the species, Porites astreoides. We used sediment from a reef and a boat basin to mimic natural sediment (coarse) and anthropogenic (fine) sediment (common in dredging), respectively. Natural sediment did not negatively impact coral survival, but anthropogenic sediment did. We found that the capacity of coral recruits to survive under warmer temperatures is less compromised when anthropogenic sedimentation is maintained at the lowest level (30 mg.cm−2). Our study suggests that a reduction of US-EPA allowable turbidity from 29 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) above background to less than 7 NTU near coral reefs would facilitate coral recruit survival under current and higher temperatures.
Erratum: Mechanics of thermally fluctuating membranes
Authors: Los J. H. , Fasolino A. , Katsnelson M. I.
Published: September 2017

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this article.
A computational method using differential gene expression to predict altered metabolism of multicellular organisms
Authors: Zhu Lvxing , Zheng Haoran , Hu Xinying , Xu Yang
Published: September 2017

The differential method provides a computational approach to predict altered metabolism between pairs of conditions by integrating gene expression data.
The electron injection rate in CdSe quantum dot sensitized solar cells: from a bifunctional linker and zinc oxide morphology
Authors: Ding Wei-Lu , Peng Xing-Liang , Sun Zhu-Zhu , Li Ze-Sheng
Published: September 2017

L1 mediated ZnO-NWs and CdSe QDs achieving an ultrafast electron injection on the order of hundreds of femtoseconds.
Hierarchical porous carbon spheres constructed from coal as electrode materials for high performance supercapacitors
Authors: Guo Mingxi , Guo Jixi , Tong Fenglian , Jia Dianzeng , Jia Wei , Wu Jingbin , Wang Luxiang , Sun Zhipeng
Published: September 2017

Hierarchical porous carbon spheres (PCS) were prepared by a simple one-pot spray pyrolysis of coal oxide solution for use as supercapacitor electrode materials.
Superior photocatalytic performance of LaFeO3/g-C3N4 heterojunction nanocomposites under visible light irradiation
Authors: Xu Ke , Feng Jian
Published: September 2017

New type of Z-scheme LaFeO3/g-C3N4 heterostructures were successfully prepared and the enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and degradation activities are presented.
Droplet evaporation characteristics on transparent heaters with different wettabilities
Authors: Lee Suhan , Kim Dong-Ik , Kim Young-You , Park Sung-Eun , Choi Gyuseok , Kim Yoonkap , Kim Han-Jung
Published: September 2017

Evaporation characteristics of a droplet on the surface of a transparent heater depend on the surface wettability.
Synthesis and unimolecular micellar behavior of amphiphilic star-shaped block copolymers obtained via the Passerini three component reaction
Authors: Oelmann S. , Meier M. A. R.
Published: September 2017

A series of new amphiphilic star-shaped block copolymers with hydrophobic cores and hydrophilic shells was synthesized, using the Passerini three component step-growth polymerization (Passerini-3CP).
Stress relaxation in viscous soft spheres
Authors: Boschan Julia , Vasudevan Siddarth A. , Boukany Pouyan E. , Somfai Ellák , Tighe Brian P.
Published: September 2017

We characterize the linear and nonlinear strain dependence of the relaxation time close to jamming.
A porous, crystalline truxene-based covalent organic framework and its application in humidity sensing
Authors: Singh Harpreet , Tomer Vijay K. , Jena Nityasagar , Bala Indu , Sharma Nidhi , Nepak Devadutta , De Sarkar Abir , Kailasam Kamalakannan , Pal Santanu Kumar
Published: September 2017

Sensing mechanism illustrating proton hopping between the water molecules physisorbed on the COF-TXDBA surface.
Materials chemistry approaches to the control of the optical features of perovskite solar cells
Authors: Calvo Mauricio E.
Published: September 2017

This work presents a comprehensive revision of the different options developed under the materials chemistry umbrella to control the optical properties of ABX3solar cells and to endow them with additional functionalities.
Enhancing doping efficiency by improving host-dopant miscibility for fullerene-based n-type thermoelectrics
Authors: Qiu Li , Liu Jian , Alessandri Riccardo , Qiu Xinkai , Koopmans Marten , Havenith Remco W. A. , Marrink Siewert J. , Chiechi Ryan C. , Anton Koster L. Jan , Hummelen Jan C.
Published: September 2017

Improved miscibility of the blend could be obtained by controlling the structural similarity between the dopant and host materials, which accounts for the high doping efficiency and good thermoelectric performance.
Understanding inks for porous-electrode formation
Authors: Hatzell Kelsey B. , Dixit Marm B. , Berlinger Sarah A. , Weber Adam Z.
Published: September 2017

Scalable manufacturing of high-aspect-ratio multi-material electrodes are important for advanced energy storage and conversion systems. There is a need to understand how one goes from a colloidal state through processing to a functional porous electrode. Such knowledge enables ink-engineering for electrode performance and durability optimization.
Progress in catalyst exploration for heterogeneous CO2reduction and utilization: a critical review
Authors: Zhao Guixia , Huang Xiubing , Wang Xiangxue , Wang Xiangke
Published: September 2017

This review highlights recent encouraging research accomplishments achieved in the materials field for CO2reductionviaphotocatalysis, electrocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis.
Construction of a 9,9′-bifluorenylidene-based small molecule acceptor materials by screening conformation, steric configuration and repeating unit number: a theoretical design and characterization
Authors: Sui Ming-Yue , Geng Yun , Sun Guang-Yan , Wang Jian-Ping
Published: September 2017

The effects of molecular conformations, steric configurations and repeat units on the 99BF-based on photovoltaic properties were designed and compared at the molecular level. As a result, thep-conformational linear of the 4-unit molecule may be a high-performance 99′BF derivative.
Proposal of self‐excited wound‐field magnetic‐modulated dual‐axis motor for hybrid electric vehicle applications
Authors: Aoyama Masahiro , Noguchi Toshihiko , Motohashi Yuto
Published: September 2017

This study proposes a permanent‐magnet (PM)‐free magnetic‐modulated motor where the magnetic flux variation in a differential frequency between the armature fundamental rotating magnetic field frequency and the rotor rotation speed frequency is effectively utilised for the field magnetisation instead of PMs. The operation principle of the self‐excitation with a diode rectifier circuit on the rotor is discussed. Magnetic circuit design and structural design of downsized prototype machine are performed for the purpose of experimental verifications of self‐excitation. In addition, the preliminary experimental test results are demonstrated with prototype machine. Consequently, it is confirmed that the proposed PM‐free magnetic‐modulated motor can automatically obtain the field magnetisation power by utilising differential frequency which is inevitably generated by magnetic‐modulation technique.
Probabilistic load flow using the particle swarm optimisation clustering method
Authors: Hagh Mehrdad Tarafdar , Amiyan Payman , Galvani Sadjad , Valizadeh Naser
Published: September 2017

In this study, a clustering scheme based on the particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm is used for probabilistic load flow calculation in the presence of wind generations. In this method, input random variables are first clustered in several groups according to their similarity and then a representative is assigned to each group by the PSO algorithm; finally, the deterministic load flow is performed. Using this technique, computational time is meaningfully decreased, while an acceptable level of accuracy is achieved. The IEEE 57‐bus and IEEE 118‐bus test systems were selected for the case study to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method. The results were compared with those of the Monte Carlo as well as K‐means clustering methods from the accuracy and computation time points of view. Simulation results show that the introduced method significantly reduced the computational burden while keeping a high level of accuracy.
Whale optimisation algorithm for automatic generation control of interconnected modern power systems including renewable energy sources
Authors: Hasanien Hany M.
Published: September 2017

Till this moment, the model of interconnected power systems in the automatic generation control (AGC) loops relies only on the synchronous generating units. In today's world, a high level of penetration of renewable energy sources (RES) is integrated to the power grids. This paper presents a novel power system model, which includes both conventional generating units and RES for studying the AGC problem of such systems. The control strategy in the AGC loops is based on the proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller, which is optimally designed by the whale optimization algorithm (WOA). It represents a great challenge to this controller to deal with the RES uncertainties. The effectiveness of the WOA‐based PID controller is compared with other computation evolutionary algorithms‐based PID controller. The system performance is evaluated under different operating conditions. For achieving a realistic study, 1) real wind speed data that extracted from Zafarana location in Egypt are used, 2) solar irradiation and temperature data that extracted from a field test are implemented, and 3) an irregular wave energy condition is applied. The validity of the control strategy is verified using the simulation results, which are carried out using MATLAB environment.
Faulty feeder detection based on mixed atom dictionary and energy spectrum energy for distribution network
Authors: Wang Xiaowei , Song Guobing , Chang Zhongxue , Luo Juan , Gao Jie , Wei Xiangxiang , Wei Yanfang
Published: September 2017

The authors proposed a faulty feeder detection method based on the combination of feature extraction and information entropy in the distribution network. Firstly, analysed the characteristics of a transient zero‐sequence current (TZSC) waveform, and constructed a mixed atom dictionary by a cosine packet and a wavelet, and then, the authors adopted the matching pursuit algorithm to extract characteristic atoms of each feeder. For energy aspects, used energy spectrum entropy (ESE) to measure; for the waveform similarity, calculated correlation coefficient between characteristic atoms and the original TZSC, then, the authors obtained the ESE of modified atoms and integrated atoms, respectively. In a faulty feeder detection criterion, calculated the difference value between the maximum and the minimum of integrated atoms ESE, and compared the value and the threshold. If the value is smaller than the threshold, the bus is judged as a faulty feeder, otherwise, the maximum corresponding to the feeder is judged as the faulty feeder. Simulation and field tests show that the method can accurately judge the faulty feeder, and its accuracy is immune to transition resistance, iteration numbers, data window length, different compensation degrees, capacitor switching, and unbalanced load.