bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The allometric scaling of body mass and height in children and adolescents in five countries
Authors: Medeiros da Silva Mazzeti Camila , Cumpian Silva Jéssica , Rinaldi Ana Elisa Madalena , Conde Wolney Lisbôa
Published: January 2018

Objective

The purpose a methodology that excludes values outside of the expected spectrum for age (VOESA) of height and body mass in the definition of power (p) to construct an international allometric body mass index (AI) for children and adolescents.

Methods

Datasets of national surveys including individuals (aged 0–19 years) from five countries (Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, England, and the USA) were selected. The p was defined for each country, age range, and sex after exclusion of VOESA for height and weight by log–log linear regression, where β represented p. The p was also defined for a pool of five countries, international p (ip) after exclusion of VOESA using a spline modeling technique (5 knots). The AI was calculated and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was calculated to investigate the correlation between AI and height.

Results

Exclusion of VOESA decreased the difference of p among countries. Exponent p showed values close to 2 in the first years of life, increased to 3–3.5 between 7 and 11 years for girls and 8 to 12 years for boys, and decreased to close to 2 near the end of growth (16 years for girls and 19 years for boys). The use of ip for all countries decreased r values to near zero while BMI had values near 0.4.

Conclusions

Exclusion of VOESA contributes to a decreased effect of epidemiological context among countries when calculating the AI. AI calculated using ip is independent of height in all countries and reflects physiological growth changes for children and adolescents.
Stimuli‐Responsive Dual‐Color Photon Upconversion: A Singlet‐to‐Triplet Absorption Sensitizer in a Soft Luminescent Cyclophane
Authors: Mase Kazuma , Sasaki Yoichi , Sagara Yoshimitsu , Tamaoki Nobuyuki , Weder Christoph , Yanai Nobuhiro , Kimizuka Nobuo
Published: January 2018

Reversible emission color switching of triplet–triplet annihilation‐based photon upconversion (TTA‐UC) is achieved by employing an Os complex sensitizer with singlet‐to‐triplet (S‐T) absorption and an asymmetric luminescent cyclophane with switchable emission characteristics. The cyclophane contains the 9,10‐bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene unit as an emitter and can assemble into two different structures, a stable crystalline phase and a metastable supercooled nematic phase. The two structures exhibit green and yellow fluorescence, respectively, and can be accessed by distinct heating/cooling sequences. The hybridization of the cyclophane with the Os complex allows near‐infrared‐to‐visible TTA‐UC. The large anti‐Stokes shift is possible by the direct S‐T excitation, which dispenses with the use of a conventional sequence of singlet–singlet absorption and intersystem crossing. The TTA‐UC emission color is successfully switched between green and yellow by thermal stimulation.
Controllable preparation and near infrared optical limiting properties of fluorene‐containing polyacetylenes
Authors: Zhao Gang , Wei Gang , Zhu Weiju , Ke Fuyou , Guang Shanyi , Zhang Fayin , Xu Hongyao
Published: January 2018

Two novel fluorene functionalized polyacetylenes with different conjugation bridge architectures (stilbene and azobenzene), poly[2‐[4‐vinyl‐4′‐(N‐methyl, N‐ethyl‐yl propargyloxy) phenyl azo]‐9,9‐dioctylfluorene] (PC1), poly[2‐[4‐vinyl‐4′‐(N‐methyl, N‐ethyl‐yl propargyl group) stilbene ethenyl]‐9,9‐dioctylfluorene] (PC2), were designed and prepared through using [Rh(nbd)Cl]2‐Et3N as the catalysts, respectively. These polymers are soluble in common organic solvents, such as toluene, chloroform, 1,2‐dichloromethane, and tetrahydrofuran, which their structures and properties were systematically characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, elemental analyses, UV–vis, photoluminescence, thermogravimetric analysis, gel permeation chromatography, and Z‐scan technique. The optical limiting properties were investigated at 780 nm with 450 fs laser pulses. Remarkably, it is expected that, by incorporation of fluorene into functional polyacetylene has endowed the resultant polymers with well optical limiting properties and thermal stability. Additionally, the nonlinear optical properties of functionalized polyacetylenes were significantly affected by different molecular structure of conjugated bridge of substituted group. The polyacetylenes with azobenzene (PC2) conjugated bridge displaying well two‐photon absorption cross‐sections of 3950 cm/GM (2010 cm/GM for PC1 containing stilbene), owning to stronger π‐conjugated chromophores of objective polymer and intramolecular charge transfer effect. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46100.
The Framework of Crisis‐Induced Agenda Setting in China
Authors: Liu Yihong , Chan Rami Hin‐yeung
Published: January 2018

The extent by which public agenda influences policy agenda indicates the degree of democracy in a regime. However, few researchers have drawn their attention on authoritarian regimes like China. This article investigates how the government addresses the demands of the public during a crisis at the policy agenda level. This paper dissects five patterns of agenda setting, namely, agenda‐as‐usual, symbolic agenda, conflicting agenda, mass campaign (or competing agenda) and authority domination (or hidden agenda) with real case examples in contemporary China. Ultimately, the evolution of various types of agenda setting provides us with a horizon to understand subtly yet significantly changes in the Chinese policymaking and political system with special focus on competing agenda and hidden agenda because such level of political sensitivity can rarely be found in democratic systems. Meanwhile, the comparison among these agendas would inspire authoritative governments such as China to exploit a crisis.
Employee wellbeing and human sustainability: Perspectives of managers in large Japanese corporations
Authors: Kobayashi Kazunori , Eweje Gabriel , Tappin David
Published: January 2018

Employee wellbeing and human sustainability have become increasingly acute issues within Japanese businesses. However, large corporations find it difficult to improve employee wellbeing and human sustainability in areas such as work‐life balance, flexibility and gender diversity. To investigate the nature of conflicts, we conducted in‐depth interviews with 12 managers with corporate social responsibility in eight large Japanese corporations and industries. From the thematic analysis, we identify the nature of conflicts that arise when promoting employee wellbeing: resources, family, stakeholder and partners; meritocracy as opposed to gender equality; indirect discrimination due to uneven care responsibilities; and external pressures on work hours. Additionally, personal and corporate growth was identified as a potential area of synergy. Our findings suggest that while Japanese corporations are unwilling to address these internal and external conflicts, employee wellbeing and human sustainability remain an aspiration.
A Comparative Analysis of the CO‐Reducing Activities of MoFe Proteins Containing Mo‐ and V‐Nitrogenase Cofactors
Authors: Lee Chi Chung , Tanifuji Kazuki , Newcomb Megan , Liedtke Jasper , Hu Yilin , Ribbe Markus W.
Published: January 2018

The Mo and V nitrogenases are structurally homologous yet catalytically distinct in their abilities to reduce CO to hydrocarbons. Here we report a comparative analysis of the CO‐reducing activities of the Mo‐ and V‐nitrogenase cofactors (i.e., the M and V clusters) upon insertion of the respective cofactor into the same, cofactor‐deficient MoFe protein scaffold. Our data reveal a combined contribution from the protein environment and cofactor properties to the reactivity of nitrogenase toward CO, thus laying a foundation for further mechanistic investigation of the enzymatic CO reduction, while suggesting the potential of targeting both the protein scaffold and the cofactor species for nitrogenase‐based applications in the future.
Impact of drying deep beds of rice with microwave set at 915 MHz frequency on rice microbial community responses
Authors: Smith Deandrae L. , Atungulu Griffiths G.
Published: January 2018

Background and objectives

The impacts of microwaves set at the 915 MHz frequency and power levels 5, 10, and 15 kW on inactivation of harmful microbes across rice beds of different thicknesses 5, 10, and 15 cm, during microwave (MW) heating for 4, 6, and 8 min, were examined.

Findings

Increasing MW‐specific energy from zero (control) to 900 kJ/kg‐grain resulted in statistically significant decreases in rice microbial loads. At the highest specific energy, the reduction in the aerobic bacterial and aflatoxigenic fungal loads of Aspergillus flavus was 4.56 and 2.93 log colony‐forming units, respectively; virtually no statistically significant disparity of the A. flavus mold count was observed across the entire rice bed of up to 15 cm thickness.

Conclusions

Depending on selected MW‐specific energy, treatment of rice with MW set at the 915 MHz frequency has potential to achieve significant reductions in the harmful, A. flavus mold that inhabit rice; this has potential to reduce risks of rice contamination with aflatoxin.

Significance and novelty

Simultaneous drying and decontamination of harmful microbes, such as A. flavus, as accorded by the treatments using MW set at 915 MHz frequency, could improve overall rice drying efficiency with the merits of securing rice quality and safety, thereby improving returns to producers and processors.
System Behavior and Predictive Controller Performance Near the Azeotropic Region
Authors: Uddin Fahim , Tufa Lemma Dendena , Shah Maulud Abdulhalim , Taqvi Syed A.
Published: January 2018

High‐purity distillation columns present challenges of nonlinearity, interactions, directionality, and ill‐conditioning for the control systems and thus exhibit poor controller performance. Effects of these issues on the performance of model predictive control in operations in near‐azeotropic regions are investigated. A dynamic model of a pilot‐scale distillation column is simulated and controlled by a linear model predictive controller. As the system moves towards the azeotropic region, the nonlinearity, directionality, and interactions of the system increase. A significant decline is observed in the system control performance since the controller incurs overshoots and offsets for negative and positive setpoint changes. The integral time absolute errors are substantially higher near the azeotropic region. Only a small operating range is able to ensure sufficient controllability near the azeotropic region.
Effect of Electrolyte Pretreatment on the Formation of TiO2 Nanotubes: An Ignored yet Non‐negligible Factor
Authors: Li Huifei , Ding Mei , Jin Jian , Sun Deen , Zhang Sam , Jia Chuankun , Sun Lidong
Published: January 2018

Tailoring the geometric configuration of anodic TiO2 nanotubes enables their use in various applications. This paper demonstrates that the methods for pretreating electrolyte solutions significantly influence the growth of anodic nanotubes. Pretreatment is usually ignored by studies, but is a crucial and non‐negligible factor in the control of nanotube growth. The results indicate that magnetic stirring and ultrasonic agitation facilitate the dissolution and mass transport of ionic species in the solution, resulting in a homogeneous solution and a high TiO2 nanotube growth rate. Isolation of the solution from wide contact with the atmosphere through simple sealing further increases the growth rate. This is attributed to the hindrance of humidity absorption, which biases the original water content of the solution and thus causes the formation of an initial thick compact oxide layer that prevents ion diffusion. The findings can serve as a guide to electrolyte pretreatment routes for studying nanotube growth mechanisms and for tailoring nanotube features toward different applications.
Effects of Anion Identity and Concentration on Electrochemical Reduction of CO2
Authors: Resasco Joaquin , Lum Yanwei , Clark Ezra , Zeledon Jose Zamora , Bell Alexis T.
Published: January 2018

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 is known to be influenced by the concentration and identity of the anionic species in the electrolyte; however, a full understanding of this phenomenon has not been developed. Here, we present the results of experimental and computational studies aimed at understanding the role of electrolyte anions on the reduction of CO2 over Cu surfaces. Experimental studies were performed to show the effects of bicarbonate buffer concentration and the composition of other buffering anions on the partial currents of the major products formed by reduction of CO2 over Cu. It was demonstrated that the composition and concentration of electrolyte anions has relatively little effect on the formation of CO, HCOO−, C2H4, and CH3CH2OH, but has a significant effect on the formation of H2 and CH4. Continuum modeling was used to assess the effects of buffering anions on the pH at the electrode surface. The influence of pH on the activity of Cu for producing H2 and CH4 was also considered. Changes in the pH near the electrode surface were insufficient to explain the differences in activity and selectivity observed with changes in anion buffering capacity observed for the formation of H2 and CH4. Therefore, it is proposed that these differences are the result of the ability of buffering anions to donate hydrogen directly to the electrode surface and in competition with water. The effectiveness of buffering anions to serve as hydrogen donors is found to increase with decreasing pKa of the buffering anion.
The Viability of C5‐Protonated‐ and C4,C5‐Ditopic Carbanionic Abnormal NHCs: A New Dimension in NHC Chemistry
Authors: Rottschäfer Dennis , Ebeler Falk , Strothmann Till , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Mix Andreas , Ghadwal Rajendra S.
Published: January 2018

The first C5‐protonated abnormal N‐heterocyclic carbene (aNHC), PhC{N(2,6‐iPr2C6H3)}2CHC: (4) is readily accessible by C4‐deprotonation of [ArC{N(2,6‐iPr2C6H3)}2CHCH]X (3 a‐X) (Ar=Ph, X=Br or I) with a base. The aNHC 4 is stable at 298 K in [D8]THF solution and has been spectroscopically characterized. The facile availability of 4 enables the synthesis of a series of main‐group compounds as well as transition‐metal complexes featuring a new phosphorus‐aNHC hybrid ligand. Double deprotonation of [ArC{N(2,6‐iPr2C6H3)}2CHCH]X (Ar=Ph, 3 a‐X (X=Br or I); 4‐Tol, 3 b‐Br; 4‐DMP, 3 c‐Br; Tol=MeC6H4, DMP=Me2NC6H4) with nBuLi yields the C4,C5‐ditopic carbanionic aNHCs, [ArC{N(2,6‐iPr2C6H3)}2(C:)2]Li(THF)n (Ar=Ph, 13 a; 4‐Tol, 13 b; 4‐DMP, 13 c), which on treatment with Ph2PCl affords cationic vicinal bisphosphine derivatives [ArC{N(2,6‐iPr2C6H3)}2{C(PPh2}2]X (Ar=Ph, 14 a‐X, X=Br or I; 4‐Tol, 14 b‐Br; 4‐DMP, 14 c‐Br).
A gene signature associated with PTEN activation defines good prognosis intermediate risk prostate cancer cases
Authors: Ong Chee W , Maxwell Pamela , Alvi Muhammad A , McQuaid Stephen , Waugh David , Mills Ian , Salto‐Tellez Manuel
Published: January 2018

Accurate identification of intermediate risk (Gleason 3 + 4 = 7) prostate cancer patients with low risk of disease progression is an unmet challenge in treatment decision making. Here we describe a gene signature that could guide clinicians in the selection of patients with intermediate stage clinically localized prostate cancer for active surveillance. We examined six major drivers of aggressive disease – PTEN, MYC, RB1, TP53, AURKA, AR – by immunohistochemistry in a focused (N = 69) cohort predominantly consisting of intermediate risk prostate cancer. Fuzzy clustering and unsupervised hierarchical clustering were utilized to determine the correlation of gene expression and methylation values with immunohistochemical expression. From the immunohistochemistry observation, we found that intermediate risk prostate cancer cases could be classified as ‘complex’ (differential expression of more than one driver) or ‘simple’ (differential expression of only one). Focussing on the ‘simple’ cases, expression and methylation profiling generated signatures which correlated tightly only with differential PTEN expression and not with any of the other drivers assessed by immunohistochemistry. From this, we derived a geneset of 35 genes linked to high PTEN expression. Subsequently we determined its prognostic significance in intermediate‐risk cases extracted from three publicly available clinical datasets (Total N = 215). Hence, this study shows that, by using immunohistochemistry as an upfront stratifier of intermediate risk prostate cancers, it is possible to identify through differential gene expression profiling a geneset with prognostic power across multiple cohorts. This strategy has not been used previously and the signature has the potential to impact on treatment decisions in patients for whom decision making is currently empirical at best.
Introducing a novel highly prognostic grading scheme based on tumour budding and cell nest size for squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix
Authors: Jesinghaus Moritz , Strehl Johanna , Boxberg Melanie , Brühl Frido , Wenzel Adrian , Konukiewitz Björn , Schlitter Anna M , Steiger Katja , Warth Arne , Schnelzer Andreas , Kiechle Marion , Beckmann Matthias W , Noske Aurelia , Hartmann Arndt , Mehlhorn Grit , Koch Martin C , Weichert Wilko
Published: January 2018

A novel histopathological grading system based on tumour budding and cell nest size has recently been shown to outperform conventional (WHO‐based) grading algorithms in several tumour entities such as lung, oral, and oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in terms of prognostic patient stratification. Here, we tested the prognostic value of this innovative grading approach in two completely independent cohorts of SCC of the uterine cervix. To improve morphology‐based grading, we investigated tumour budding activity and cell nest size as well as several other histomorphological factors (e.g., keratinization, nuclear size, mitotic activity) in a test cohort (n = 125) and an independent validation cohort (n = 122) of cervical SCC. All parameters were correlated with clinicopathological factors and patient outcome. Small cell nest size and high tumour budding activity were strongly associated with a dismal patient prognosis (p < 0.001 for overall survival [OS], disease‐specific survival, and disease‐free survival; test cohort) in both cohorts of cervical SCC. A novel grading algorithm combining these two parameters proved to be a highly effective, stage‐independent prognosticator in both cohorts (OS: p < 0.001, test cohort; p = 0.001, validation cohort). In the test cohort, multivariate statistical analysis of the novel grade revealed that the hazard ratio (HR) for OS was 2.3 for G2 and 5.1 for G3 tumours compared to G1 neoplasms (p = 0.010). In the validation cohort, HR for OS was 3.0 for G2 and 7.2 for G3 tumours (p = 0.012).

In conclusion, our novel grading algorithm incorporating cell nest size and tumour budding allows strongly prognostic histopathological grading of cervical SCC superior to WHO‐based grading. Therefore, our data can be regarded as a cross‐organ validation of previous results demonstrated for oesophageal, lung, and oral SCC. We suggest this grading algorithm as an additional morphology‐based parameter for the routine diagnostic assessment of this tumour entity.
Reduced lymphotoxin‐beta production by tumour cells is associated with loss of follicular dendritic cell phenotype and diffuse growth in follicular lymphoma
Authors: Pepe Giuseppina , Di Napoli Arianna , Cippitelli Claudia , Scarpino Stefania , Pilozzi Emanuela , Ruco Luigi
Published: January 2018

Cytokine production is essential for follicular dendritic cell (FDC) maintenance and organization of germinal centres. In follicular lymphoma, FDCs are often disarrayed and may lack antigens indicative of terminal differentiation. We investigated the in situ distribution of cells producing lymphotoxin‐beta (LTB), lymphotoxin‐alpha (LTA), and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNFA) transcripts in human reactive lymph nodes and in follicular lymphomas with follicular or diffuse growth pattern. LTB was the cytokine most abundantly produced in germinal centres. LTB was present in nearly 90% of germinal centre cells whereas LTA and TNFA were detected in 30 and 50%, respectively. Moreover, the amount of LTB expressed in reactive germinal centre cells was 80‐fold higher than that of LTA and 20‐fold higher than that of TNFA. LTB‐positive cells were more numerous in the germinal centre dark zone, whereas expression of the FDC proteins CD21, CD23, VCAM, and CXCL13 was more intense in the light zone. Tumour cells of follicular lymphomas produced less LTB than reactive germinal centre cells. The results of the in situ study were confirmed by RT‐PCR; LTB was significantly more abundant in reactive lymph nodes than in follicular lymphoma, with the lowest values detected in predominantly diffuse follicular lymphoma. In neoplastic follicles, low production of LTB by tumour B cells was associated with weaker expression of CD21+/CD23+ by FDCs. Our findings detail for the first time the distribution of LTA‐, LTB‐, and TNFA‐producing cells in human reactive germinal centres and in follicular lymphoma. They suggest the possibility that impaired tumour‐cell LTB production may represent a determinant of FDC phenotype loss and for defective follicular organization in follicular lymphoma.
Effects of Milk or Apple Juice Ingestion on the Pharmacokinetics of Elvitegravir and Cobicistat in Healthy Japanese Male Volunteers: A Randomized, Single‐Dose, Three‐Way Crossover Study
Authors: Yonemura Takuma , Okada Nozomi , Sagane Koichi , Okamiya Kazuhiro , Ozaki Hideki , Iida Toshiaki , Yamada Hiroyuki , Yagura Hiroki
Published: January 2018

Elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (EVG/COBI/FTC/TAF) is specified in its package insert to be taken with food to obtain sufficient exposure of EVG. It has been reported that a nutritional protein‐rich drink shows comparable pharmacokinetics (PK) of EVG to those with a standard breakfast. In this study, the PK profiles of EVG and COBI were evaluated by administration of a single dose of EVG/COBI/FTC/TAF, after ingestion of either a nutritional protein‐rich drink, milk, or apple juice. The geometric means for Cmax and AUCinf of EVG following milk ingestion slightly decreased by 21% and 14%, respectively, and those following apple juice ingestion decreased by 67% and 61%, respectively, compared with a nutritional protein‐rich drink. There were no differences in any PK parameters of COBI. Therefore, taking EVG/COBI/FTC/TAF after milk or apple juice ingestion appeared to be not appropriate. However, for plasma trough concentrations (Ctau), it is known that Ctau is best correlated with the efficacy of EVG. The mean C24 of EVG after milk ingestion was 620.6 ng/mL, which was more than 10‐fold the protein binding–adjusted 95% inhibitory concentration. With all the above considerations, it was concluded that taking EVG/COBI/FTC/TAF with milk could be an option to maintain sufficient plasma concentrations of EVG.
Lignocellulose Liquefaction to Biocrude: A Tutorial Review
Authors: Lange Jean‐Paul
Published: January 2018

After 40 years of research and development, liquefaction technologies are now being demonstrated at 200–3000 tons per year scale to convert lignocellulosic biomass to biocrudes for use as heavy fuel or for upgrading to biofuels. This Review attempts to present the various facets of the liquefaction process in a tutorial manner. Emphasis is placed on liquefaction in high‐boiling solvents, with regular reference to liquefaction in subcritical water or other light‐boiling solvents. Reaction chemistry, solvent selection, role of optional catalyst as well as biocrude composition and properties are discussed in depth. Challenges in biomass feeding and options for biocrude–solvent separation are addressed. Process concepts are reviewed and demonstration/commercialization efforts are presented.
Design and analysis of a millimeter‐wave injection locked frequency divider with transconductance boosting technique
Authors: Abomaashzadeh Mahsa , Nabavi Abdolreza , Saeedi Saeed
Published: January 2018

This paper presents a degenerated injector (mixer) with transconductance boosted by biasing the mixer transistor in the knee region of its I‐V curve, without increasing the transistor size and its parasitics. This mixer can enhance the locking range of millimeter‐wave injection‐locked frequency dividers. To compensate the degradation of mixer transconductance (conversion‐gain) due to the degeneration effect, a neutralization technique is employed. Analyses are given for locking‐range and induced phase‐noise of the proposed divider for arbitrary injection strength. It is shown that the locking‐range, as a function of injection strength, is improved by increasing the fundamental component of transconductance. Using 180‐nm CMOS technology, a 1.78‐mW divider‐by‐two is designed with free‐running frequency of 27.92 GHz, locking‐range of 51 to 59.6 GHz, and figure‐of‐merit of 4.83 (GHz/mW). EM simulation results of the proposed and conventional structure are compared, which illustrates 56% improvement in locking‐range.
A power‐performance tunable logic with adjustable threshold pseudo‐dynamic building blocks and CMOS compatibility
Authors: Ghaffarishad Hanieh , Mohammadzadeh Naser , Ghaznavi‐Ghoushchi Mohammad‐Bagher
Published: January 2018

The continued downscaling of CMOS technology has resulted in very high performance devices, but power dissipation is a limiting factor on this way. Power and performance of a device are dependent on process, temperature, and workload variation that makes it impossible to find a single power optimal design. As a result, adaptive power and performance adjustment techniques emerged as attractive methods to improve the effective power efficiency of a device in modern design approaches. Focusing on this issue, in this paper, a novel logic family is proposed that enables tuning the transistor's effective threshold voltage after fabrication for higher speed or lower power. This method along with dynamic voltage scaling allows simultaneous optimization of static and dynamic power based on the workload requirement. The externally static topology of the proposed logic makes it possible to replace static circuits without requiring significant changes in the system. Experimental results obtained using 90‐nm CMOS standard technology show that the proposed logic improves the average power‐delay product by about 40% for the attempted benchmarks.
Cryptic species and parallel genetic structuring in Lethrinid fish: Implications for conservation and management in the southwest Indian Ocean
Authors: Healey Amy J. E. , McKeown Niall J. , Taylor Amy L. , Provan Jim , Sauer Warwick , Gouws Gavin , Shaw Paul W.
Published: January 2018

Analysis of genetic variation can provide insights into ecological and evolutionary diversification which, for commercially harvested species, can also be relevant to the implementation of spatial management strategies and sustainability. In comparison with other marine biodiversity hot spots, there has been less genetic research on the fauna of the southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO). This is epitomized by the lack of information for lethrinid fish, which support socioeconomically important fisheries in the region. This study combines comparative phylogeographic and population genetic analyses with ecological niche modeling to investigate historical and contemporary population dynamics of two species of emperor fish (Lethrinus mahsena and Lethrinus harak) across the SWIO. Both species shared similarly shallow phylogeographic patterns and modeled historical (LGM) habitat occupancies. For both species, allele frequency and kinship analyses of microsatellite variation revealed highly significant structure with no clear geographical pattern and nonrandom genetic relatedness among individuals within samples. The genetic patterns for both species indicate recurrent processes within the region that prevent genetic mixing, at least on timescales of interest to fishery managers, and the potential roles of recruitment variability and population isolation are discussed in light of biological and environmental information. This consistency in both historical and recurrent population processes indicates that the use of model species may be valuable in management initiatives with finite resources to predict population structure, at least in cases wherein biogeographic and ecological differences between taxa are minimized. Paradoxically, mtDNA sequencing and microsatellite analysis of samples from the Seychelles revealed a potential cryptic species occurring in sympatry with, and seemingly morphologically identical to, L. mahsena. BLAST results point to the likely misidentification of species and incongruence between voucher specimens, DNA barcodes, and taxonomy within the group, which highlights the utility and necessity of genetic approaches to characterize baseline biodiversity in the region before such model‐based methods are employed.
Salts of Sterically Hindered Chalcogen‐Varied Herz Cations Including Those with [Te3Cl14]2– and [Te4Cl18]2– Anions
Authors: Makarov Alexander Yu. , Bagryanskaya Irina Yu. , Volkova Yulia M. , Shakirov Makhmut M. , Zibarev Andrey V.
Published: January 2018

Salts of sterically hindered chalcogen‐varied Herz cations with various anions were synthesized. 4,6‐Di‐tert‐butyl‐substituted 1,2,3‐benzothiaselenazolium (2), 2,1,3‐benzothiaselenazolium (3), and 1,2,3‐benzodiselenazolium (4) were obtained from corresponding 1,2,3‐benzodithiazolium (1) or 2‐bromo‐4,6‐di‐tert‐butylaniline (9) and were isolated as salts with [Cl]– or/and [SbCl6]– anions. Reaction of in situ prepared N,N,Te‐tris(trimethylsilyl)‐2‐amino‐3,5‐di‐tert‐butyltellurophenole with SeCl4, S2Cl2, and SOCl2 resulted in elimination of Te and the formation of [4]2[TeCl6], [1]2[Te3Cl14], and [1]2[Te4Cl18] together with N‐sulfinyl‐2‐amino‐3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyltellurium trichloride (11); expected 2,1,3‐benzothiatellurazolium (5) and 2,1,3‐benzoselenatellurazolium (6) were not observed. Compounds [1][Cl] (solvate with CHCl3), [2][SbCl6], [3][SbCl6], [4][SbCl6], [4]2[TeCl6], [1]2[Te3Cl14], [1]2[Te4Cl18], and 11 were structurally defined by X‐ray diffraction. All of the [SbCl6]– salts were isomorphous, and the [Te3Cl14]2– and [Te4Cl18]2– anions were previously unknown. Compound 11 has a significantly shortened intramolecular Te···O contact.
A Tunable Bimetallic MOF‐74 for Adsorption Chiller Applications
Authors: Liu Jian , Zheng Jian , Barpaga Dushyant , Sabale Sandip , Arey Bruce , Derewinski Miroslaw A. , McGrail B. Peter , Motkuri Radha Kishan
Published: January 2018

The mixed‐metal strategy, by which a MOF framework with two different metal nodes was prepared, was utilized with MOF‐74 for potential adsorption chiller applications. The Ni salt precursor was partially replaced during synthesis with the relatively inexpensive Zn salt. The bimetallic MOF‐74 containing only a fraction of Ni was shown to provide efficient H2O adsorption performance, while utilizing the more inexpensive Zn salt thus significantly mitigated the material costs of industrial scale synthesis/applications.
Cascade Conversion of Cellobiose to Gluconic Acid: The Large Impact of the Small Modification of Electronic Interaction on the Performance of Au/TiO2 Bifunctional Catalysts
Authors: Morawa Eblagon Katarzyna , Pastrana‐Martínez Luisa M. , Pereira Manuel F. R. , Figueiredo José L.
Published: January 2018

The effect of the type and properties of TiO2 and the addition of graphene oxide (GO) was studied in Au/TiO2 bifunctional catalysts, applied for cascade conversion of cellobiose to gluconic acid. Au was supported on three TiO2 materials with varied phase composition (100 % anatase or 80 % anatase/20 % rutile), particle size and surface chemistry. An exceptional yield of gluconic acid reaching 85 % was attained in a very short time of only 2 hours over Au supported on in‐house made TiO2. It was shown that the best performing catalyst had an “electron rich” Au metal phase and oxygen vacancies situated in close proximity to the metal‐support interface. Further, the electronic state in these catalysts was modified by addition of GO to the TiO2 supports, which was followed by high temperature reduction to form TiO2_rGO (TiO2‐reduced GO) composites. It was found that the presence of only small amount of rGO hindered the charge transfer from TiO2 to Au, leading to a metallic gold as shown by XPS. In addition, the presence of rGO impeded the formation of oxygen defects in TiO2 supports. This in turn had a negative impact on the rate and selectivity of glucose oxidation, the second step of the tandem process. To sum up, the unique interaction between “electron rich” Au nanoparticles and the neighboring oxygen vacancies on anatase TiO2 was found to play essential role in obtaining outstanding catalytic performance in the tandem oxidation of cellobiose to gluconic acid.
Volatility discovery and volatility quoting on markets for options and warrants
Authors: Baule Rainer , Frijns Bart , Tieves Milena E.
Published: January 2018

In several countries, classical options markets coexist with markets for bank‐issued options (warrants) that are sold to retail investors. An interesting question in such cases is whether these bank‐issued options merely reflect the options market information about future volatility or whether they themselves contribute to volatility discovery. We find that the options market is the informational leader in terms of volatility discovery, but the aggregate warrants market also makes significant contributions to volatility discovery. Looking at the intra‐day volatility quoting behavior, warrant issuers tend to increase their quotes relative to the options markets.
The retrosplenial cortex: A memory gateway between the cortical default mode network and the medial temporal lobe
Authors: Kaboodvand Neda , Bäckman Lars , Nyberg Lars , Salami Alireza
Published: January 2018

The default mode network (DMN) involves interacting cortical areas, including the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the retrosplenial cortex (RSC), and subcortical areas, including the medial temporal lobe (MTL). The degree of functional connectivity (FC) within the DMN, particularly between MTL and medial‐parietal subsystems, relates to episodic memory (EM) processes. However, past resting‐state studies investigating the link between posterior DMN‐MTL FC and EM performance yielded inconsistent results, possibly reflecting heterogeneity in the degree of connectivity between MTL and specific cortical DMN regions. Animal work suggests that RSC has structural connections to both cortical DMN regions and MTL, and may thus serve as an intermediate layer that facilitates information transfer between cortical and subcortical DMNs. We studied 180 healthy old adults (aged 64–68 years), who underwent comprehensive assessment of EM, along with resting‐state fMRI. We found greater FC between MTL and RSC than between MTL and the other cortical DMN regions (e.g., PCC), with the only significant association with EM observed for MTL‐RSC FC. Mediational analysis showed that MTL‐cortical DMN connectivity increased with RSC as a mediator. Further analysis using a graph‐theoretical approach on DMN nodes revealed the highest betweenness centrality for RSC, confirming that a high proportion of short paths among DMN regions pass through RSC. Importantly, the degree of RSC mediation was associated with EM performance, suggesting that individuals with greater mediation have an EM advantage. These findings suggest that RSC forms a critical gateway between MTL and cortical DMN to support EM in older adults.
Exome sequencing and case–control analyses identify RCC1 as a candidate breast cancer susceptibility gene
Authors: Riahi Aouatef , Radmanesh Hoda , Schürmann Peter , Bogdanova Natalia , Geffers Robert , Meddeb Rym , Kharrat Maher , Dörk Thilo
Published: January 2018

Breast cancer is a genetic disease but the known genes explain a minority of cases. To elucidate the molecular basis of breast cancer in the Tunisian population, we performed exome sequencing on six BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation‐negative patients with familial breast cancer and identified a novel frameshift mutation in RCC1, encoding the Regulator of Chromosome Condensation 1. Subsequent genotyping detected the 19‐bp deletion in additional 5 out of 153 (3%) breast cancer patients but in none of 400 female controls (p = 0.0015). The deletion was enriched in patients with a positive family history (5%, p = 0.0009) and co‐segregated with breast cancer in the initial pedigree. The mutant allele was lost in 4/6 breast tumors from mutation carriers which may be consistent with the hypothesis that RCC1 dysfunction provides a selective disadvantage at the stage of tumor progression. In summary, we propose RCC1 as a likely breast cancer susceptibility gene in the Tunisian population.
Inhibition of SLC1A5 sensitizes colorectal cancer to cetuximab
Authors: Ma Huanrong , Wu Zhenzhen , Peng Jianjun , Li Yang , Huang Hongxiang , Liao Yi , Zhou Minyu , Sun Li , Huang Na , Shi Min , Bin Jianping , Liao Yulin , Rao Jinjun , Wang Lin , Liao Wangjun
Published: January 2018

Cetuximab resistance is a key barrier in treating metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Targeting of metabolic resources import could resensitize drug‐resistant cancer cells to anticancer treatments. Here we showed that the expression of the glutamine transporter solute carrier 1 family member 5 (SLC1A5) in clinical CRC samples of patients resisted to cetuximab was significantly higher than in those of patients responded to cetuximab. Inhibition of SLC1A5 by shRNA‐mediated gene silencing or pharmacological inhibitor significantly suppressed the growth of CRC. Moreover, inhibition of SLC1A5 significantly enhanced the inhibitory efficacy of cetuximab on CRC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SLC1A5 inhibition facilitated EGFR degradation through the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway, and decreased the expression of nuclear EGFR, both of which might have contribution to the improved response to cetuximab. This study provides the metabolic molecule SLC1A5 as a potential therapeutic target to increase the efficacy of cetuximab on CRC.
The net acid extruders NHE1, NBCn1 and MCT4 promote mammary tumor growth through distinct but overlapping mechanisms
Authors: Andersen Anne Poder , Samsøe‐Petersen Jacob , Oernbo Eva Kjer , Boedtkjer Ebbe , Moreira José M.A. , Kveiborg Marie , Pedersen Stine Falsig
Published: January 2018

High metabolic and proliferative rates in cancer cells lead to production of large amounts of H+ and CO2, and as a result, net acid extruding transporters are essential for the function and survival of cancer cells. We assessed protein expression of the Na+/H+ exchanger NHE1, the Na+‐
cotransporter NBCn1, and the lactate‐H+ cotransporters MCT1 and −4 by immunohistochemical analysis of a large cohort of breast cancer samples. We found robust expression of these transporters in 20, 10, 4 and 11% of samples, respectively. NHE1 and NBCn1 expression both correlated positively with progesterone receptor status, NHE1 correlated negatively and NBCn1 positively with HER2 status, whereas MCT4 expression correlated with lymph node status. Stable shRNA‐mediated knockdown (KD) of either NHE1 or NBCn1 in the MDA‐MB‐231 triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line significantly reduced steady‐state intracellular pH (pHi) and capacity for pHi recovery after an acid load. Importantly, KD of any of the three transporters reduced in vivo primary tumor growth of MDA‐MB‐231 xenografts. However, whereas KD of NBCn1 or MCT4 increased tumor‐free survival and decreased in vitro proliferation rate and colony growth in soft agar, KD of NHE1 did not have these effects. Moreover, only MCT4 KD reduced Akt kinase activity, PARP and CD147 expression and cell motility. This work reveals that different types of net acid extruding transporters, NHE1, NBCn1 and MCT4, are frequently expressed in patient mammary tumor tissue and demonstrates for the first time that they promote growth of TNBC human mammary tumors in vivo via distinct but overlapping mechanisms.
Linoleic acid induces an increased response to insulin in MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells
Authors: Rodriguez‐Monterrosas Cecilia , Diaz‐Aragon Ricardo , Cortes‐Reynosa Pedro , Salazar Eduardo P.
Published: January 2018

Epidemiological studies and animal models suggest a link between high levels of dietary fat intake and an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Hyperinsulinemia is a feature of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome that is associated with an increased breast cancer risk. Insulin is a hormone involved in metabolic regulation of carbohydrate. However, it is also a growth factor that mediates proliferation and migration. Linoleic acid (LA) is a fatty acid that induces migration and invasion in breast cancer cells. In the present study, we demonstrate, for the first time, that treatment with LA increases IR and IGF1R expression through a Free Fatty Acid Receptor 4 (FFAR4)‐, lipooxygenases (LOXs)‐, and SRC‐dependent pathway in MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells, and similarly induces an increase of IR expression in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells. In addition, insulin induces tyrosine phosphorylation of IR/IGF1R and migration in MDA‐MB‐231 cells pretreated with LA, whereas it augments the increase in migration in MCF‐7 cells pretreated with LA. Pretreatment of MDA‐MB‐231 cells with LA induces invasion, proliferation, and increase the MMP‐9 secretion induced by insulin. In summary, our findings demonstrate that treatment with LA induces a higher response to insulin in breast cancer cells.
Suppressive effects of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, an antiretroviral prodrug, on mineralization and type II and type III sodium‐dependent phosphate transporters expression in primary human osteoblasts
Authors: Barbieri Anna Maria , Chiodini Iacopo , Ragni Enrico , Colaianni Graziana , Gadda Franco , Locatelli Marco , Lampertico Pietro , Spada Anna , Eller‐Vainicher Cristina
Published: January 2018

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is an antiretroviral drug commonly used for the management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and of chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections. Long‐term TDF‐treated subjects present decrease of bone mineral density and rarely severe osteomalacia. Although these adverse effects have been attributed to the impaired proximal tubule function, a possible direct involvement of TDF on osteoblasts should be taken into account. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether sodium phosphate transporters NPT2A (sodium‐dependent phosphate transport protein 2A), NPT2C (sodium‐dependent phosphate transport protein 2C), PIT1 (sodium‐dependent phosphate transporter 1), and PIT2 (sodium‐dependent phosphate transporter 2) were expressed in primary human osteoblasts (HOBs), whether their expression was related to HOBs differentiation and whether TDF could affect mineralization and gene expression. PIT1 and PIT2 were expressed under proliferating conditions and increased after induction of mineralization, while NPT2A and NPT2C were almost undetectable. In HOBs TDF exposure induced a significant dose‐dependent decrease in mineralization. Moreover, TDF caused a reduction of COL1A1 and of ATF4 expression in differentiated HOBs. In summary, HOBs do not express NPT2A and NPT2C and do express PIT1 and PIT2, suggesting a role of these two latter in human osteoblast mineralization. TDF impairs osteoblast mineralization, confirming a direct negative effect on bone. Therefore, in clinical practice, bone damage must be suspected and evaluated also in patients receiving TDF without kidney function alterations.
Signature microRNAs of nuclear Sm complex associated with breast cancer tumorigenesis
Authors: Zhang Xinyi , Shen Bo , Cui Yalei
Published: January 2018

It is well known that Sm proteins, small nuclear ribonucleoproteins, act as core spliceosomal factors in alternative splicing of mRNA precursors. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can function in alternative splicing by targeting mRNAs of splicing factors. However, the direct interaction between miRNAs and proteins of splicing complex in nucleus has not been explored. In this study, the mature miRNAs in nuclear Sm complex of breast cancer cells and normal breast epithelial cells were characterized. Small RNA sequencing of immunoprecipitated nuclear Sm complex with the SmD1‐specific antibody identified 123 and 170 mature miRNAs in nuclear Sm complex of normal breast cells and breast cancer cells, respectively. The results of Northern blot analysis confirmed the existence of mature miRNAs in Sm complex and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) validated the binding of miRNAs with proteins of Sm complex. Among the identified miRNAs bound to the Sm complex in nucleus, 94 miRNAs were significantly upregulated, and 39 miRNAs significantly downregulated in breast cancer cells compared with normal breast cells, suggesting that miRNAs in nuclear Sm complex might be associated to tumorigenesis of breast cancer by regulating Sm complex during alternative splicing of mRNA precursors. Our study provided novel clues to reveal the regulatory mechanism of Sm complex in the assembly of spliceosome and contributed novel aspects of miRNAs to tumorigenesis of breast cancer.
Microscopic abnormality classification of cardiac murmurs using ANFIS and HMM
Authors: Fahad H. M. , Ghani Khan M. Usman , Saba Tanzila , Rehman Amjad , Iqbal Sajid
Published: January 2018

Auscultation of heart dispenses identification of the cardiac valves. An electronic stethoscope is used for the acquisition of heart murmurs that is further classified into normal or abnormal murmurs. The process of heart sound segmentation involves discrete wavelet transform to obtain individual components of the heart signal and its separation into systole and diastole intervals. This research presents a novel scheme to develop a semi‐automatic cardiac valve disorder diagnosis system. Accordingly, features are extracted using wavelet transform and spectral analysis of input signals. The proposed classification scheme is the fusion of adaptive‐neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and HMM. Both classifiers are trained using the extracted features to correctly identify normal and abnormal heart murmurs. Experimental results thus achieved exhibit that proposed system furnishes promising classification accuracy with excellent specificity and sensitivity. However, the proposed system has fewer classification errors, fewer computations, and lower dimensional feature set to build an intelligent system for detection and classification of heart murmurs.