bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward Accelerated Authorization and Access to New Medicines for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Schanberg Laura E. , Ramanan Athimalaipet V. , De Benedetti Fabrizio , Beukelman Timothy , Eakin Guy S. , Del Gaizo Vincent , Ringold Sarah , Vesely Richard , Schrandt Suzanne , Jaki Thomas , Bili Androniki , Chung James B. , De Bono Stephanie , Douglass Wendy , Enejosa Jeffrey V. , Kanik Keith S. , Knobe Karin , Kunder Rebecca , Leite‐Schnell Juliana C. , Suehiro Ricardo Maisse , Wong Robert L. , Mieszkalski Kelly L. , Marrow Laura C. , Siebenaler Kristin , Fraulo Elizabeth , Kimura Yukiko
Published: July 2019

A meeting was organized to bring together multiple stakeholders involved in the testing and authorization of new medications for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to discuss current issues surrounding clinical trials and access to new medications for children and adolescents with JIA. The Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance invited representatives of regulatory agencies (Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency), and major pharmaceutical companies with JIA‐approved products or products in development, patient and parent representatives, representatives of an advocacy organization (Arthritis Foundation), and pediatric rheumatology clinicians/investigators to a 1‐day meeting in April 2018. The participants engaged in discussion regarding issues in clinical trials. As the pharmacologic options to treat inflammatory arthritis rapidly expand, registration trial designs to test medications in JIA patients must adapt. Many methodologies successfully used in the recent past are no longer feasible. The pool of patients meeting entry criteria who are willing to participate is shrinking while the number of medications to be tested is growing. Suggested solutions included proposing innovative clinical trial methods to regulatory agencies, as well as open discussions among stakeholders. Ensuring that new medications are authorized in a timely manner to meet the needs of JIA patients worldwide is critical. Approaches should include open dialog between regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and other stakeholders to develop and implement novel study designs, including patient and clinician perspectives to define meaningful trial outcomes, and changing existing study plans.
Trend analysis of seasonal rainfall and temperature pattern in Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput districts of Odisha, India
Authors: Panda Arpita , Sahu Netrananda
Published: July 2019

Climate variability, particularly that of the annual air temperature and rainfall, has received a great deal of attention worldwide. The magnitude of the variability or fluctuations of the factors varies according to locations. Hence, examining the spatiotemporal dynamics of meteorological variables in the context of changing climate, particularly in countries where rainfed agriculture is predominant, is vital to assess climate‐induced changes and suggest feasible adaptation strategies. To that end, the present study examines long‐term changes and short‐term fluctuations in monsoonal rainfall and temperature over Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput (hereafter KBK) districts in the state of Odisha. Both rainfall and temperature data for period of 1980–2017 were analyzed in this study. Statistical trend analysis techniques namely Mann–Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator were used to examine and analyze the problems. The detailed analysis of the data for 37 years indicate that the annual maximum temperature and annual minimum temperature have shown an increasing trend, whereas the monsoon's maximum and minimum temperatures have shown a decreasing trend. Statistically significant trends are detected for rainfall and also the result is statistically significant at 99% confidence limit during the period of 1980–2017. Rainfall is showing a quite good increasing trend (Sen's slope = 4.034) for JJAS season. In the case of maximum temperature for the observed period, it showed a slight warming or increasing trend (Sen's slope = 0.29) while the minimum temperature trend showed a cooling trend (Sen's slope = −0.006) but result of maximum temperature trend analysis is statistically significant at 95% confidence limit, on the contrary, the trend analysis result of minimum temperature is not statistically significant.
Are firms with state ownership greener? An institutional complexity view
Authors: Pan Xin , Chen Xuanjin , Sinha Paresha , Dong Niannian
Published: July 2019

This study investigates the role of state ownership in green innovation from the institutional complexity viewpoint. We posit that state ownership can be characterised by two seemingly competing logics: institutional logic, which emphasises that firms with state ownership can acquire resources to promote innovation; and efficiency logic, which states that firms with state ownership have low resource utilisation effectiveness. On the basis of the integration of both views, we suggest a U‐shaped curvilinear relationship between state ownership and green innovation. Data from Chinese listed firms from 2003 to 2015 confirm our hypothesis. Moreover, we also find two macro‐level contingencies that moderate this relationship: regional innovation readiness and industrial competition. The U‐shaped relationship between state ownership and green innovation is more pronounced when regional innovation readiness and industrial competition are higher. This study advances previous research on environmental innovation by arguing that state ownership is characterised by institutional complexity rather than being a monolithic construct.
Clinical conditions and treatment requirements for long‐term survival among hepatitis B‐related hepatocellular carcinoma initially treated with chemoembolization
Authors: Chen Zhen‐Xin , Jian Zhi‐Wei , Wu Xi‐Wen , Wang Jun‐Cheng , Peng Jing‐Yuan , Lao Xiang‐Ming
Published: July 2019

Objective

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is recommended to treat intermediate/advanced stage of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the overall survival among initially TACE‐treated patients varies significantly. The clinical characterization of long‐term survival following TACE remains uncertain. We sought to identify clinical parameters and treatment requirements for long‐term survival among patients with hepatitis B‐related HCC who were initially treated with TACE.

Materials and Methods

The included patients with HCC were admitted to our cancer center between December 2009 and May 2015. Patients who survived for >3 years were compared with those who died within 3 years. The clinical and laboratory findings that were associated with the survival were also analyzed.

Results

One in six (17.9%) patients with HCC in this cohort survived for > 3 years after TACE. Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 23kg/m2, aspartate aminotransferase levels ≤ 40 U/L, an activated partial thromboplastin time ≤ 34 seconds, α‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels ≤ 25 ng/mL, antiviral therapy, tumor size ≤ 8 cm, solitary nodule, and the absence of vascular invasion were independently favorably associated with a 3‐year survival. An absence of vascular invasion was the only independent factor associated with 3‐year survival in patients who received resection and/or ablation after TACE.

Conclusion

In this cohort, a 3‐year survival was associated with BMI, antivirus treatment, tumor status, hepatic function, and AFP level. Distant metastasis did not negatively impact the long‐term survival among patients with hepatitis B‐related HCC initially treated with TACE. Vascular invasion was the single impediment to long‐term survival in patients who received add‐on resection and/or ablation after TACE.
Controlling Selectivity in Alkene Oxidation: Anion Driven Epoxidation or Dihydroxylation Catalysed by [Iron(III)(Pyridine‐Containing Ligand)] Complexes
Authors: Tseberlidis Giorgio , Demonti Luca , Pirovano Valentina , Scavini Marco , Cappelli Serena , Rizzato Silvia , Vicente Rubén , Caselli Alessandro
Published: July 2019

A highly reactive and selective catalytic system comprising Fe(III) and macrocyclic pyridine‐containing ligands (Pc‐L) for alkene oxidation by using hydrogen peroxide is reported herein. Four new stable iron(III) complexes have been isolated and characterized. Importantly, depending on the anion of the iron(III) metal complex employed as catalyst, a completely reversed selectivity was observed. When X=OTf, a selective dihydroxylation reaction took place. On the other hand, employing X=Cl resulted in the epoxide as the major product. The reaction proved to be quite general, tolerating aromatic and aliphatic alkenes as well as internal or terminal double bonds and both epoxides and diol products were obtained in good yields with good to excellent selectivities (up to 93 % isolated yield and d.r.=99 : 1). The catalytic system proved its robustness by performing several catalytic cycles, without observing catalyst deactivation. The use of acetone as a solvent and hydrogen peroxide as terminal oxidant renders this catalytic system appealing.
Dual Doping Induced Interfacial Engineering of Fe2N/Fe3N Hybrids with Favorable d‐Band towards Efficient Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Hu Yuwen , Huang Duan , Zhang Jingnan , Huang Yongchao , Balogun M.‐Sadeeq Jie Tang , Tong Yexiang
Published: July 2019

Interfacial engineering and electronic modulation are some of the main components for enhancing the catalytic activity of electrocatalysts towards achieving efficient water splitting. Iron nitrides exhibit mediocre oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to their unsuitable d‐band energy level. In this work, we strongly boost the HER and OER catalytic performance of Fe2N for the first time by doping Co and Al, which could not only induce the formation of Fe2N/Fe3N hybrid interface but also tune the d‐band center position. The CoAl−Fe2N/Fe3N nanoparticles display HER and OER overpotential of 145 and 307 mV at 10 mA/cm2. XPS and DFT calculations confirm that tailoring the d‐band center position and interfacial engineering facilitates strong electronic interactions between Fe2N and Fe3N, synergistically optimize the electronic structure, which enriches H and H2O adsorption energy and oxygen‐containing intermediates. An alkaline electrolyzer based on CoAl−Fe2N/Fe3N requires an overall potential of 1.67 V at 10 mA/cm2, demonstrating the use of iron nitrides as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for water splitting activity.
Phosphorus Post‐Functionalization of Diphosphahexaarenes
Authors: Hindenberg Philip , Rominger Frank , Romero‐Nieto Carlos
Published: July 2019

Diphosphahexaarenes are highly stable π‐extended frameworks containing two six‐membered phosphorus heterocycles that have emerged recently. Herein, we present a detailed investigation on the post‐functionalization reactions of their phosphorus centers with special emphasis on the selectivity of the processes and the impact of the phosphorus functionalizations into the physicochemical properties. These studies reveal that indeed the phosphorus atoms of the diphosphahexaarenes are readily available to be functionalized with quaternizing and oxidizing agents as well as borane groups without compromising the stability of the system. In addition, the optoelectronic properties of the diphosphahexaarenes are impacted by the phosphorus post‐modifications.
Targeted treatment of papillary craniopharyngiomas harboring BRAF V600E mutations
Authors: Juratli Tareq A. , Jones Pamela S. , Wang Nancy , Subramanian Megha , Aylwin Simon J. B. , Odia Yazmin , Rostami Elham , Gudjonsson Olafur , Shaw Brian L. , Cahill Daniel P. , Galanis Evanthia , Barker Fred G. , Santagata Sandro , Brastianos Priscilla K.
Published: July 2019

Papillary craniopharyngiomas (PCPs) are characterized by the presence of BRAF V600E mutations, which are emerging as a useful guide for diagnosis and treatment decision making. The ongoing multicenter phase 2 Alliance A071601 trial is evaluating the efficacy of BRAF and mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors for patients with PCPs. With continued successful responses, it is proposed that BRAF (and MEK) inhibitors be evaluated for the neoadjuvant treatment of patients with PCPs.
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Effects of a γ‐Secretase Modulator, PF‐06648671, on CSF Amyloid‐β Peptides in Randomized Phase I Studies
Authors: Ahn Jae Eun , Carrieri Charles , Dela Cruz Fernando , Fullerton Terence , Hajos‐Korcsok Eva , He Ping , Kantaridis Constantino , Leurent Claire , Liu Richann , Mancuso Jessica , Mendes da Costa Laure , Qiu Ruolun
Published: July 2019

γ‐Secretase modulators (GSMs) represent a promising therapy for Alzheimer's disease by reducing pathogenic amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptide production. Three phase I studies (NCT02316756, NCT02407353, and NCT02440100) investigated the safety/tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PKs), and pharmacodynamics (PDs) of the oral GSM, PF‐06648671. A PK/PD indirect‐response model was developed (using biomarker data) to simultaneously characterize differential effects of PF‐06648671 on multiple Aβ species in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Healthy subjects (n = 120) received single doses or multiple‐ascending doses of PF‐06648671/placebo for 14 days. No serious adverse events occurred; severe adverse eventswere deemed not drug related. PF‐06648671 decreased Aβ42 and Aβ40 concentrations in CSF, with greater effects on Aβ42, and increased Aβ37 and Aβ38 levels, particularly Aβ37. No significant change in total Aβ was observed. The PK/PD model well described the tendency of observed CSF Aβ data and the steady‐state effects of PF‐06648671, supporting its use for predicting central Aβ effects and optimal dose selection for GSMs in future trials.
Superior Mesoporosity of Lipid‐Free Spent Coffee Ground Residues
Authors: Dugmore Thomas I. J. , Chen Zhiren , Foster Stella , Peagram Charlie , Matharu Avtar S.
Published: July 2019

As part of the biorefinery concept for spent coffee grounds (SCG), production of activated carbon (AC) was investigated from the degreased coffee grounds (DCG) left behind after oil extraction (primarily for biodiesel). The oils were extracted through conventional solvent extraction with GC/GC–MS confirming the oil was comparable to oils produced industrially. More significantly, analysis showed the DCG AC to have a four‐fold increase in mesoporosity compared with the SCG AC with mesopore volumes of 0.6 and 0.15 cm3 g−1, respectively. Adsorption trials showed a ten‐fold increase in capacity for AuIII from 8.7 to 88.6 mg g−1 with subsequent experiments confirming that DCG AC displayed standard behavior for mesoporous materials of increasing adsorption capacity with decreasing pH. This raises the potential for valorization of SCG into a functional material for water remediation without the need for templating agents or expansion pretreatments with the added bonus of an additional material being produced simultaneously.
Biomimetic Nitrogen Fixation Catalyzed by Transition Metal Sulfide Surfaces in an Electrolytic Cell
Authors: Abghoui Younes , Sigtryggsson Sigtryggur Bjarki , Skúlason Egill
Published: July 2019

The nitrogen reduction reaction was investigated on the surfaces of 18 different stable transition metal sulfides using density functional theory calculations. YS, ScS, and ZrS were modeled in the rocksalt structure with the (1 0 0) facet; TiS, VS, CrS, NbS, NiS, and FeS in NiAs‐type structure with the (1 1 1) facet; and MnS2, CoS2, IrS2, CuS2, OsS2, FeS2, RuS2, RhS2, and NiS2 in pyrite structure for both the (1 0 0) and (1 1 1) orientations. As the first step towards determination of sulfides that are less prone to hydrogen evolution, the competition between adsorption of NNH and H (for the associative mechanism), and between adsorption of N and H (for the dissociative mechanism) on these surfaces was considered. The catalytic activity through both the associative and dissociative mechanisms was explored and the overpotential required for electrochemical ammonia formation is reported. The scaling relations and volcano plots were constructed with free energy of adsorption of NNH or N on the surface as the descriptor. RuS2 was observed as the most active sulfide that could catalyze nitrogen reduction to ammonia at potentials around −0.3 V through the associative mechanism. NbS, CrS, TiS, and VS are also promising candidates for both the associative and dissociative mechanisms with overpotentials for nitrogen reduction around 0.7–1.1 V.
Dual symbol optimization‐based partial transmit sequence technique for PAPR reduction in WOLA‐OFDM waveform
Authors: Taşpınar Necmi , Şimşir Şakir
Published: July 2019

Weighted overlap and add‐orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (WOLA‐OFDM) is a new waveform proposed recently for meeting the requirements of fifth generation (5G) telecommunication standards. In spite of being a serious 5G waveform candidate, WOLA‐OFDM is exposed to the problem of high peak to average power ratio (PAPR) similar to the other waveforms in which multicarrier transmission strategy is employed. Due to the overlapping nature of WOLA‐OFDM waveform, where the extension of the current symbol is overlapped with the extension of the previous symbol, it will not be efficient to apply conventional PTS (C‐PTS) directly to the WOLA‐OFDM waveform. Therefore, in this paper, we propose dual symbol optimization‐based partial transmit sequence (DSO‐PTS) technique for PAPR reduction in WOLA‐OFDM waveform. In our proposed technique, two adjacent symbols are jointly considered when searching for the optimal data block with minimum PAPR unlike the C‐PTS where the adjacent symbols are optimized individually. In the simulations, our proposed DSO‐PTS technique, C‐PTS, and GreenOFDM that is developed recently by modifying the conventional selective mapping (SLM) method are compared with each other with regard to PAPR reduction performance for different search numbers (SNs). In addition, the effects of DSO‐PTS, C‐PTS, and GreenOFDM on the amount of out of band (OOB) radiation in the power spectral density (PSD) graph of WOLA‐OFDM employing solid state power amplifier (SSPA) is measured for different SNs and input back off (IBO) values. According to the simulation results, our proposed DSO‐PTS technique clearly demonstrates a superior PAPR reduction and PSD performance.
Novel tag estimation method by use of Manchester coding in RFID systems
Authors: HajMirzaei Milad
Published: July 2019

Radio frequency identification suffers from tag collision issue. ALOHA‐based algorithms are useful and practical groups of tag anti‐collision algorithm among others. Some standards such as EPCglobal Class‐1 Generation‐2 use some kind of dynamic framed slotted ALOHA (DFSA) to cope with tag collision. DFSA efficiency depends on estimating the number of unidentified tags in each identification cycle accurately. So tag estimation is one of the challenging issues in DFSA. In this paper, we use Manchester coding to compute the lower bound of collided tags in a frame and then add α as an additional value to computed value according to the difference between optimal number of collision slots and calculated number of collision slots. Then, we evaluate and compare our method with other proposed methods.
Application of the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology: A retrospective study in a tertiary institute
Authors: Chen Yun‐An , Wu Chih‐Ying , Yang Chi‐Shun
Published: July 2019

Background

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology has been widely used in the preoperative evaluation of salivary gland lesions. The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) is a tiered risk‐stratification scheme designed to standardize reporting and facilitate decision making. We aimed to clarify the validity and diagnostic utility of the MSRSGC‐based classification of salivary gland lesions.

Methods

A total of 1020 salivary gland FNA specimens were retrieved between 2008 and 2017, with histologic follow‐up data available for 349 specimens. Within the present retrospective study, each specimen with follow‐up data was reclassified according to the MSRSGC diagnostic categories: nondiagnostic, nonneoplastic, atypia of undetermined significance (AUS), benign neoplasm, salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (SUMP), suspicious for malignancy (SM), and malignant. The risk of malignancy (ROM) was calculated based on the histologic follow‐up data.

Results

The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the MSRSGC‐based classification of the malignant potential of salivary gland lesions were 80.1%, 70.4%, 99.2%, 90.5%, and 96.7%, respectively. The ROM calculated for specimens assigned to the nondiagnostic, nonneoplastic, AUS, benign neoplasm, SUMP, SM, and malignant categories were 8.6%, 15.4%, 36.8%, 2.6%, 32.3%, 71.4%, and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion

The present results confirm the validity and diagnostic utility of MSRSGC, supporting its use in clinical practice to help devise adequate management strategies for salivary gland lesions.
The protective effect of syringic acid on dextran sulfate sodium‐induced experimental colitis in BALB/c mice
Authors: Fang Wenhui , Zhu Shihong , Niu Zhongbao , Yin Yuti
Published: July 2019

Inflammatory bowel diseases involve chronic intestinal inflammation which is mostly caused by Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) conditions. Patients having UC are prone to colorectal cancer and dysplastic polyps, and also have sporadic adenomas. Syringic acid (SA) possesses many health benefits including antioxidant, anti‐bacterial, and anti‐cancer. This study was aimed to identify the effects of SA on UC, using a murine experimental model. Clinical symptoms and weight loss were significantly reduced in mice induced with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and treated with SA, compared to untreated mice. The effects of SA exhibited in DSS‐induced mice were associated with significant decrease in the expressions levels of inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), pro‐inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNF‐α], interleukin [IL‐1β and IL‐6]), remarkable amelioration of colonic architectural disruption, and a significant reduction in the activity of colonic myeloperoxidase. To further confirm the anti‐inflammatory property of SA, RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharides. SA dose‐dependently inhibited the cytokines TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6. It also decreased the expressions of p65‐NF‐κB and IκB, thus reducing the activation and nuclear accumulation of p‐STAT‐3Y705. This prohibited the degradation of inhibitory protein, IκB, as well as inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65‐NF‐κB in colonic tissue. It was concluded that SA has a potential to limit inflammation via inhibiting the p65‐NF‐κB and STAT3 signaling; hence it can be used for therapeutic purposes.
Generation and characterization of Lhx4tdT reporter knock‐in and Lhx4loxP conditional knockout mice
Authors: Dong Xuhui , Xie Xiaoling , Guo Luming , Xu Jiadong , Xu Mei , Liang Guoqing , Gan Lin
Published: July 2019

LHX4 is a LIM‐homeodomain transcription factor essential for the development of spinal cord and pituitary gland. Mice with homozygous Lhx4‐null mutation suffer early postnatal death from lung defect. In this study, to facilitate the research on Lhx4 function, we designed a targeting construct to generate two novel Lhx4 mouse lines: Lhx4
loxP conditional knockout and Lhx4
tdT reporter knock‐in mice. Lhx4
tdT/+, Lhx4
loxP/+, and Lhx4
loxP/loxP were viable, fertile, and did not display any gross abnormalities. By breeding Lhx4
loxP line with Cre‐expressing mice, the Exon 3 of Lhx4 was efficiently removed, resulting in a shift in the reading frame and the inactivation of Lhx4. The expression of tdTomato knock‐in reporter recapitulated the endogenous LHX4 expression and was detected in the retina, spinal cord, pituitary gland, and hindbrain of Lhx4
tdT mice. Thus, Lhx4
tdT and Lhx4
loxP mouse lines provide valuable tools for unraveling the tissue‐specific role of Lhx4 at postnatal stages in mice.
Re‐conceptualization of anorexia nervosa psychopathology: A network analysis study in adolescents with short duration of the illness
Authors: Monteleone Alessio Maria , Mereu Alberta , Cascino Giammarco , Criscuolo Michela , Castiglioni Maria Chiara , Pellegrino Francesca , Patriciello Giuseppina , Ruzzi Valeria , Monteleone Palmiero , Vicari Stefano , Zanna Valeria
Published: July 2019

Objective

Research evidence suggests the need to identify treatments based on a more precise characterization of psychopathology and psychiatric comorbidity in anorexia nervosa. Network analysis provides a new method to conceptualize psychopathology. We use this approach to investigate the relationships between eating disorder and general psychiatric symptoms in adolescents with anorexia nervosa.

Methods

Four‐hundred and five adolescents with anorexia nervosa and illness duration less than 3 years were consecutively recruited from those admitted to inpatient treatment. They completed the following questionnaires: the Eating Disorder Inventory‐3, the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, the Children's Depression Inventory, and the Youth Self Report. A network analysis was conducted, including eating psychopathology measures, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and obsessive–compulsive and post‐traumatic stress problems. We employ a novel approach, the bridge function, to identify symptom clusters.

Results

Depression symptoms and personal alienation were the nodes with the highest centrality in the network, followed by asceticism, post‐traumatic stress problems, drive to thinness, low self‐esteem, and anxiety physical symptoms. Three symptom clusters (relative to eating disorder psychopathology, self‐esteem problems, and internalizing difficulties) were identified. Depression symptoms, personal alienation, low self‐esteem, and interoceptive deficits showed the highest bridge centrality. Besides eating disorder core symptoms, negative affect and internalizing symptoms seem to contribute to anorexia nervosa psychopathology independently from illness duration effects.

Discussion

These findings suggest that anorexia nervosa is characterized by a broad psychopathological spectrum rather than the mere eating disorder core symptoms, confirm the need to re‐conceptualize psychiatric comorbidity in this disorder, and provide intriguing diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
Enemy release from the effects of generalist granivores can facilitate Bromus tectorum invasion in the Great Basin Desert
Authors: Lucero Jacob E. , Schaffner Urs , Asadi Ghorbanali , Bagheri Alireza , Rajabov Toshpulot , Callaway Ragan M.
Published: July 2019

The enemy release hypothesis (ERH) of plant invasion asserts that natural enemies limit populations of invasive plants more strongly in native ranges than in non‐native ranges. Despite considerable empirical attention, few studies have directly tested this idea, especially with respect to generalist herbivores. This knowledge gap is important because escaping the effects of generalists is a critical aspect of the ERH that may help explain successful plant invasions. Here, we used consumer exclosures and seed addition experiments to contrast the effects of granivorous rodents (an important guild of generalists) on the establishment of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) in western Asia, where cheatgrass is native, versus the Great Basin Desert, USA, where cheatgrass is exotic and highly invasive. Consistent with the ERH, rodent foraging reduced cheatgrass establishment by nearly 60% in western Asia but had no effect in the Great Basin. This main result corresponded with a region‐specific foraging pattern: rodents in the Great Basin but not western Asia generally avoided seeds from cheatgrass relative to seeds from native competitors. Our results suggest that enemy release from the effects of an important guild of generalists may contribute to the explosive success of cheatgrass in the Great Basin. These findings corroborate classic theory on enemy release and expand our understanding of how generalists can influence the trajectory of exotic plant invasions.
Effects of polyploidy on the coordination of gene expression between organellar and nuclear genomes in Leucanthemum Mill. (Compositae, Anthemideae)
Authors: Oberprieler Christoph , Talianova Martina , Griesenbeck Joachim
Published: July 2019

Whole‐genome duplications (WGD) through polyploid speciation are associated with disruptions of well‐tuned relationships among the three plant cell genomes. Key metabolic processes comprising multi‐subunit enzyme complexes, for which partner proteins are both nuclear‐ and plastid‐encoded, are dependent on maintenance of stoichiometric ratios among the subunits to avoid cytonuclear imbalances after WGDs. By using qPCR for gene copy and transcript number quantification, we have studied the relationship of subunit expression in the two gene pairs rbcL/rbcS (the two subunits of RuBisCO) and psbA/psbO (two members of photosystem II) in closely related members of Leucanthemum (Compositae, Anthemideae), comprising a diploid, a tetraploid, and a hexaploid species. While gene copy numbers exhibit the expected pattern of an increase in the nuclear‐encoded partner gene relative to the plastid‐encoded one, we find that the two partner gene systems behave differently after WGD: While in the psbA/psbO partner gene system, shifts in the gene copy balance caused by polyploidization are not accommodated for through changes in transcription intensities of the two partner genes, the rbcL/rbcS system even shows an unexpected reversed dosage effect with up‐regulated transcription intensities on both the nuclear and the plastidal side. We interpret the behavior of the psbA/psbO partner gene system as being due to the stoichiometrically relaxed relationship between the two gene products caused by a fast, damage‐provoked combustion of the psbA gene product (the D1 core protein of PSII). Conversely, the finely tuned expression dependencies of the rbcL/rbcS system may be the reason for the observed positive feedback runaway signal as reaction to gene copy imbalances caused by a polyploidization shock.
Spatial trophic cascades in communities connected by dispersal and foraging
Authors: García‐Callejas David , Molowny‐Horas Roberto , Araújo Miguel B. , Gravel Dominique
Published: July 2019

Pairwise interactions between species have both direct and indirect consequences that reverberate throughout the whole ecosystem. In particular, interaction effects may propagate in a spatial dimension, to localities connected by organismal movement. Here we study the propagation of interaction effects with a spatially explicit metacommunity model, where local sites are connected by dispersal, foraging, or by both types of movement. We show that indirect pairwise effects are, in most cases, of the same sign as direct effects if localities are connected by dispersing species. However, if foraging is prevalent, this correspondence is broken, and indirect effects between species often have a different sign than direct effects. This highlights the importance of indirect interactions across space and their inherent unpredictability in complex settings with species foraging across local patches. Further, the effect of a species over another in a local patch does not necessarily correspond to its effect at the metacommunity scale; this correspondence is again mediated by the type of movement across localities. Every species, despite their trophic position or spatial range, displays a non‐zero net effect over every other species in our model metacommunities. Thus we show that local dynamics and local interactions between species can trigger indirect effects all across the set of connected patches, and these effects have a distinct signature depending on whether the prevalent connection between patches is via dispersal or via foraging. However, the magnitude of this effect between any two species strongly decays with the distance between them. These theoretical results strengthen the importance of considering indirect effects across species at both the community and metacommunity levels, highlight the differences between types of movement across locations, and thus open novel avenues for the study of interaction effects in spatially explicit settings.
Detection of Allergenic Lysozyme during Winemaking with an Electrochemical Aptasensor
Authors: Titoiu Ana Maria , Porumb Roxana , Fanjul‐Bolado Pablo , Epure Petru , Zamfir Medana , Vasilescu Alina
Published: July 2019

In this work we investigate the performance of a simple, disposable electrochemical aptasensor for lysozyme and its usefulness for monitoring the allergen risk along wine production. The sensor relies on screen‐printed gold electrodes modified with gold nanoparticles as the electrochemical transducer, with detection by cyclic voltammetry. This simple method is characterized by a detection limit of 0.32 μg.mL−1 lysozyme and a linear range of 1–10 μg.mL−1, being appropriate for the analysis of lysozyme‐treated wines. Several white wines where sulphur dioxide was partially replaced by lysozyme were produced and analyzed with the aptasensor at critical stages during wine production. The results obtained with the aptasensor were moreover compared with those recorded in parallel by a standard method, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The specific advantages brought by the use of nanomaterial and the limitations of the sensor are discussed. The sensor allowed evaluating the effect of various technological steps along wine production on the content of lysozyme.
Prediction and multi‐objective optimization of tidal current turbines considering cavitation based on GA‐ANN methods
Authors: Sun Zhaocheng , Li Zengliang , Fan Menghao , Wang Meng , Zhang Le
Published: July 2019

As a new type of energy, tidal current energy is increasingly gaining attention worldwide. However, the tidal current energy development field faces a key technical problem of how to improve the generation efficiency and service life of tidal current generators. In this study, an innovative optimized design method of the horizontal axis tidal turbine was applied to the rotor blade design. To be specific, blade cavitation was considered as a factor for optimization and then was improved using a modern optimization method that combined artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms, solving for a numerical solution. In the optimization program, the annual energy output and the superficial area of the rotor blade served as the optimization goals, and the chord length and the twist angle served as the optimization variables. The cavitation constraint was different from the traditional method in that the judgment criterion of occurrence of cavitation was no longer the minimum pressure coefficient but the maximum stress coefficient. The combination of the artificial neural network and the genetic algorithm not only realized high optimization accuracy but also greatly saved computation time. To verify the validity of the optimization method, a 1 MW turbine was designed, and the optimal solution was chosen from the formed Pareto optimal solution set for modeling, and the new model was compared with the model quoted in the reference. The simulation result shows that the turbine designed using the optimization method not only reduces the surface area of the rotor blade and improves the annual energy output, but also remarkably improves the blades' cavitation resistance. The optimization analysis and comparison using different cavitation judgment criteria shows that the cavitation resistance of blades obtained using the maximum stress coefficient as the judgment criterion is more advantageous.
The research of coal seam gas pressure and initial gas emission characteristics of borehole
Authors: Zeng Jianhua , Tian Shixiang , Wu Guiyi , Zuo Yunjun , Xu Shiqing , Pei Peng , Wang Chen
Published: July 2019

Gas pressure is one of the major factors to characterize the outburst danger of coal seams. Generally, the process of gas pressure determination is complicate and cannot ensure the accuracy of results, which may cause a wrong identification of outburst danger. This paper discussed and revealed a positive correlation between initial gas emission and gas pressure, which provides a new approach to identify the outburst danger by initial gas emission. Through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, the liner equation of gas pressure and initial gas emission was deduced. Laboratory experiments under adsorption and desorption of CO2 and N2 were performed using coal samples from Weishe coal mine. The data of initial gas emission under different gas pressure were recorded, and the fitting curves were obtained. The results show a positive correlation between initial gas emission and gas pressure, and the curve of N2 was below the CO2. Especially, while the adsorption gas pressure was under 0.663 and 0.675 MPa, the difference of corresponding initial gas emission was only 0.01 L/s, which indicates the high degree of correlation. The results validated the theoretical and practical feasibility to identify the coal and the gas outbursts through initial gas emission.
Model instability in predictive exchange rate regressions
Authors: Hauzenberger Niko , Huber Florian
Published: July 2019

In this paper we aim to improve existing empirical exchange rate models by accounting for uncertainty with respect to the underlying structural representation. Within a flexible Bayesian framework, our modeling approach assumes that different regimes are characterized by commonly used structural exchange rate models, with transitions across regimes being driven by a Markov process. We assume a time‐varying transition probability matrix with transition probabilities depending on a measure of the monetary policy stance of the central bank at home and in the USA. We apply this model to a set of eight exchange rates against the US dollar. In a forecasting exercise, we show that model evidence varies over time, and a model approach that takes this empirical evidence seriously yields more accurate density forecasts for most currency pairs considered.
The Lower Yangtze area: A next shale gas block for China? Preliminary potential assessment from some geology and organic geochemistry information
Authors: Du Xue‐Bin , Lu Yong‐Chao , Chen Ping , Li Xiang‐Quan , Song Xiao‐Dong
Published: July 2019

In the last several years, the massive success of the Fuling shale gas field in south‐western China has shown great potential in finding giant shale gas fields in the Upper Yangtze area, and it has also attracted the increasing attention from geologists to find more shale gas reservoirs around the world. However, there is still a great dispute as to whether the neighbouring Lower Yangtze area is a next potential shale gas block in China. In this study, we evaluate preliminarily the shale gas potentials of five important sets of marine shales based on systematic analyses for the sedimentary environment, thickness, total organic carbon (TOC), thermal maturity, and other organic geochemistry parameters of both geological records from outcrops and wells in the Lower Yangtze area. The first two sets of marine shales occur in the Lower Cambrian and the Ordovician, and they all are of over–high organic maturity due to strong effects from regional tectonic movements and thus have poor potential. Although the Lower Silurian shales are widely distributed in the Lower Yangtze region, a terrigenous delta, a low amount of organic matter (TOC < 1.2%), and late tectonic activity together created unfavourable conditions for the generation and accumulation of the Lower Silurian shale gas. The Permian black shales occur in the Middle and Upper Permian. Several proxies, such as the appropriate maturity (vitrinite reflectance Ro of approximately 2.0%), abundant organic matter (TOC of approximately 4 wt%), good total hydrocarbon potential (S1 + S2), and high level of hydrocarbon conversion have resulted in good conditions for shale gas generation. However, the relative thinness (only 30 m), severe tectonic modification, and regional cap rock are not favourable for shale gas preservation. The Lower Yangtze area therefore is not an excellent block for shale gas exploration compared to its neighbouring Upper Yangtze area. However, in some areas with less structural deformation, the possibility of finding shale gas reservoirs cannot be ruled out, especially for the Permian shales, which had a greater opportunity to generate and accumulate shale gas than the other marine shales. In addition, for new shale gas exploration breakthroughs in the future, structural studies are essential in offering better understanding of the preservation conditions in the Lower Yangtze area.
The lexical semantics of adjective–noun phrases in the human brain
Authors: Fyshe Alona , Sudre Gustavo , Wehbe Leila , Rafidi Nicole , Mitchell Tom M.
Published: July 2019

As a person reads, the brain performs complex operations to create higher order semantic representations from individual words. While these steps are effortless for competent readers, we are only beginning to understand how the brain performs these actions. Here, we explore lexical semantics using magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings of people reading adjective–noun phrases presented one word at a time. We track the neural representation of single word representations over time, through different brain regions. Our results reveal two novel findings: (a) a neural representation of the adjective is present during noun presentation, but this representation is different from that observed during adjective presentation and (b) the neural representation of adjective semantics observed during adjective reading is reactivated after phrase reading, with remarkable consistency. We also note that while the semantic representation of the adjective during the reading of the adjective is very distributed, the later representations are concentrated largely to temporal and frontal areas previously associated with composition. Taken together, these results paint a picture of information flow in the brain as phrases are read and understood.
Brain‐based ranking of cognitive domains to predict schizophrenia
Authors: Karrer Teresa M. , Bassett Danielle S. , Derntl Birgit , Gruber Oliver , Aleman André , Jardri Renaud , Laird Angela R. , Fox Peter T. , Eickhoff Simon B. , Grisel Olivier , Varoquaux Gaël , Thirion Bertrand , Bzdok Danilo
Published: July 2019

Schizophrenia is a devastating brain disorder that disturbs sensory perception, motor action, and abstract thought. Its clinical phenotype implies dysfunction of various mental domains, which has motivated a series of theories regarding the underlying pathophysiology. Aiming at a predictive benchmark of a catalog of cognitive functions, we developed a data‐driven machine‐learning strategy and provide a proof of principle in a multisite clinical dataset (n= 324). Existing neuroscientific knowledge on diverse cognitive domains was first condensed into neurotopographical maps. We then examined how the ensuing meta‐analytic cognitive priors can distinguish patients and controls using brain morphology and intrinsic functional connectivity. Some affected cognitive domains supported well‐studied directions of research on auditory evaluation and social cognition. However, rarely suspected cognitive domains also emerged as disease relevant, including self‐oriented processing of bodily sensations in gustation and pain. Such algorithmic charting of the cognitive landscape can be used to make targeted recommendations for future mental health research.
Endoglin (CD105) expression in neurofibromatosis type 2 vestibular schwannoma
Authors: Marioni Gino , Nicolè Lorenzo , Cazzador Diego , Pavone Chiara , D'Avella Domenico , Martini Alessandro , Mazzoni Antonio , Zanoletti Elisabetta
Published: July 2019

Background

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant, multiple neoplasia syndrome characterized by bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VSs). Endoglin is a proliferation‐associated protein expressed in angiogenic endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate endoglin expression in a series of NF2‐associated VSs, as compared with a group of sporadic VSs.

Methods

Using image analysis, vessel cross‐sectional area (AA) and density (VD) were calculated from CD105 expression in 7 NF2‐associated VSs and 14 size‐matched sporadic VSs.

Results

There were no significant differences between NF2‐associated VSs and sporadic cases in terms of AA (P = .28), or VD (P = .39). A positive correlation emerged between tumor growth rate (measured on contrast‐enhanced MRI) and VD in the cohort of NF2‐associated VSs (rho = 0.95, P = .05).

Conclusions

Further investigations are needed to ascertain the feasibility of (a) measuring circulating endoglin levels to monitor tumor growth rate and (b) targeting tumor neoangiogenesis with anti‐endoglin approaches in NF2‐associated VS.
Liver Proliferation Is an Essential Driver of Fibrosis in Mouse Models of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Cast Ashley , Kumbaji Meenasri , D'Souza Amber , Rodriguez Katherine , Gupta Anita , Karns Rebekah , Timchenko Lubov , Timchenko Nikolai
Published: July 2019

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) involves development of hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and steatohepatitis. Because hepatic steatosis appears first in NAFLD animal models, the current therapy development focuses on inhibition of hepatic steatosis, suggesting that further steps of NAFLD will be also inhibited. In this report, we show that the first event of NAFLD is liver proliferation, which drives fibrosis in NAFLD. We have deleted a strong driver of liver proliferation, gankyrin (Gank), and examined development of NAFLD in this animal model under conditions of a high‐fat diet (HFD). We found that proliferating livers of wild‐type mice develop fibrosis; however, livers of Gank liver‐specific knockout (GLKO) mice with reduced proliferation show no fibrosis. Interestingly, an HFD causes the development of strong macrovesicular steatosis in GLKO mice and is surprisingly associated with improvements in animal health. We observed that key regulators of liver biology CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα), hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α), p53, and CUG repeat binding protein 1 (CUGBP1) are elevated due to the deletion of Gank and that these proteins support liver functions leading to healthy conditions in GLKO mice under an HFD. To examine the role of one of these proteins in the protection of liver from fibrosis, we used CUGBP1‐S302A knockin mice, which have a reduction of CUGBP1 due to increased degradation of this mutant by Gank. These studies show that reduction of CUGBP1 inhibits steatosis and facilitates liver proliferation, leading to fibrosis and the development of liver tumors. Conclusion: Liver proliferation drives fibrosis, while steatosis might play a protective role. Therapy for NAFLD should include inhibition of proliferation rather than inhibition of steatosis.