bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration of GPR and magnetics to study the interior features and history of earth mounds, Mapoon, Queensland, Australia
Authors: Conyers Lawrence B. , St Pierre Emma J. , Sutton Mary‐Jean , Walker Chet
Published: July 2018

The nature of earth mounds and their function over time in northern Australia is of ongoing academic debate. Here we present how the integration of ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetic data, after being adjusted for surface elevation changes, was used to analyse the interior features and objects within six earth mounds in Mapoon, western Cape York, Australia. These geophysical techniques were merged and interpreted jointly to produce images of the stratigraphic units and objects within the mounds to determine their extent and composition. It was found that some mounds were built over burned areas that contain large objects on the original ground surface. Those modified areas were then converted into substantial earth mounds, which reach a maximum height of about 4 m. Other mounds nearby show no evidence of pre‐construction burning. In one mound cluster the western three mounds contain human burials that were visualized using GPR profile interpretation. The nearby eastern three mounds were devoid of human burials, but contained many of the pre‐mound burned features seen in those just a few hundred metres to the west. The close proximity of these six mounds, with very different associated features and internal objects suggests that they are related in some way, but differed in their function. It is also possible that they were constructed at different times by different people. The data analysis techniques presented in this article assists with further opportunities to undertake non‐destructive investigations of these earth mounds that are culturally appropriate to living Aboriginal people. They will also help to resolve the function and possible importance of these constructed features over time.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of three alkaloids in normal and acute hepatitis rats after oral administration of Yanhuanglian total alkaloids extract
Authors: Dai Guoliang , Sun Bingting , Wu Lei , Gao Xiaojun , Song Shanshan , Sun Hong , Ju Wenzheng
Published: July 2018

Acute hepatitis is a severe inflammatory disease with high mortality rates. Dehydrocavidine (DC), berberine (BB) and palmatine (PT), the bioactive components of Yanhuanglian total alkaloids extract (YTAE), may play important roles in its protective effect against acute hepatitis. The present study was designed to compare the pharmacokinetic properties of DC, BB and PT after oral administration of YTAE in normal and acute hepatitis rats. The plasma pharmacokinetic profiles of three major bioactive alkaloids from YTAE were analyzed using an LC‐MS/MS method. It was found that the pharmacokinetic parameters of DC, BB and PT represented a statistically significant difference (p ˂ 0.05) between the normal rats and the acute hepatitis rats after administration of YTAE. The results indicated that the Cmax, T1/2β and AUC of DC, BB and PT in acute hepatitis rats were significantly increased, whereas the CL and Vd values were remarkably decreased (p ˂ 0.05) over those of the normal rats. The results suggested that the pharmacokinetic behavior of the active constituents from YTAE could be changed when it was used in acute hepatitis animals, which provide a meaningful basis for developing a clinical dosage regimen in the treatment of acute hepatitis by YTAE.
Molybdenum‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Synthesis of Imines from Alcohols and Amines
Authors: Azizi Kobra , Madsen Robert
Published: July 2018

A molybdenum N‐heterocyclic carbene catalyst has been developed for the synthesis of imines from primary alcohols and amines with the liberation of dihydrogen. The catalyst is generated in situ from molybdenum hexacarbonyl, 1,3‐dicyclohexylimidazolium chloride and potassium tert‐butoxide and is further stabilized by the phosphine ligand dppe. Imines are formed in moderate to good isolated yields and a variety of alcohols and amines can be employed in the reaction including anilines. The transformation constitutes the first example of a homogeneous molybdenum‐catalyzed acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling with alcohols and is believed to proceed by formation of a cis‐coordinated molybdenum bis‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complex, which performs an oxidative addition to the alcohol, β‐hydride elimination and reductive elimination of dihydrogen.
Metal‐Free Flexible Protonated g‐C3N4/Carbon Dots Photoanode for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Wei Yankuan , Wang Zhiqiang , Su Jinzhan , Guo Liejin
Published: July 2018

A metal‐free flexible protonated g‐C3N4/carbon dots (pCN/C dots) photoanode has been fabricated on polyethylene terephtalate (PET) /indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate by a facile room temperature electrophoretic approach. The pCN/C dots photoanode gives an increased anodic photocurrent of 38 μA/cm2 at 1 V vs. RHE under illumination with simulated one sun conditions, which is about 3 times higher than that of the pristine pCN. The improved photoresponse of the pCN/C dots film was found as a result from enhanced light absorption and decreased charge transfer resistance with the incorporation of C dots. The successful deposition of pCN/C dots on flexible conductive PET substrate holds promising application in multiple electronic and photoelectronic devices.
Mo‐Doped Ni3S2 Nanowires as High‐Performance Electrocatalysts for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Du Cheng , Men Yana , Hei Xiuze , Yu Jiahao , Cheng Gongzhen , Luo Wei
Published: July 2018

The search for highly active and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts toward overall water splitting is essential for renewable energy technologies. Here, 3D Mo‐doped Ni3S2 nanowire networks directly grown on Ni foam through a successive hydrothermal and sulfidization process have been synthesized. Thanks to the unique 3D hierarchical nanowire networks and efficient Mo doping, the as‐synthesized Mo‐doped Ni3S2/NF exhibits superior catalytic activities and stability toward HER/OER, with overpotentials of 61 and 213 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2 for HER and OER, respectively. Furthermore, when used as both anode and cathode for overall water splitting, a cell voltage of 1.485 V is required to achieve a current density of 10 at mA cm−2 in alkaline solution.
New Experimental Evidences Regarding Conformational Equilibrium in Ammonium−Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide Ionic Liquids
Authors: Gontrani Lorenzo , Trequattrini Francesco , Palumbo Oriele , Bencivenni Luigi , Paolone Annalisa
Published: July 2018

The X‐ray scattering patterns of the two ionic liquids, N‐trimethyl‐N‐propylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TMPA‐TFSI) and N‐trimethyl‐N‐hexylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TMHA‐TFSI), sharing a common anion and differing in the length of the alkyl chain of the cation, were measured at room temperature. Molecular dynamics calculations supported the interpretation of the data. The two force‐field models, GAFF and DLPOLY 4, were adopted to simulate the scattering patterns. Both of them are able to reproduce the main peaks of the experimental data; however, the DLPOLY model seems to better reproduce the finer details. Moreover, from the simulations, the concentration of the two conformers of TFSI are derived. The comparison with previously reported infrared spectroscopy measurements suggests that also under this aspect the DPOLY model has a better agreement with the experiments.
Practical Guidelines for Shell‐Isolated Nanoparticle‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Heterogeneous Catalysts
Authors: Hartman Thomas , Wondergem Caterina S. , Weckhuysen Bert M.
Published: July 2018

Shell‐isolated nanoparticle‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) has proven to be a useful characterization tool for heterogeneous catalysis research. The advantage of SHINERS lies in studying surface reactions on solid catalysts, including the detection of reactants, intermediates and products, in real time. However, due to the extremely strong local electric fields, minor amounts of contaminants can already have a big impact on the quality and interpretation of the spectroscopic data obtained. Often, a large part of the organic fingerprint region (1100–1700 cm−1) is omitted from SHINER spectra as this is not the main region of interest. However, we show that bands in this region are an important indication of the cleanliness of the substrate. In this work, we propose robust synthesis and measurement protocols to obtain clean SHINERS substrates amenable for catalysis research. By cleaning the substrates with various heat and oxidation treatments, featureless Raman spectra can be obtained. Furthermore, very pure gas feeds are required and must be obtained by flushing the gas lines and the reaction chamber beforehand and installing a filter for further cleaning the gas feed. Controlling the laser power to limit substrate and sample degradation is also a crucial aspect of proper measurement protocols.
Tripodal N‐Functionalized Arylazo‐3,5‐dimethylpyrazole Derivatives of Trimesic Acid: Photochromic Materials for Rewritable Imaging Applications
Authors: Devi Sudha , Gaur Ankit Kumar , Gupta Debapriya , Saraswat Mayank , Venkataramani Sugumar
Published: July 2018

The development of solid‐state photochromic materials is both challenging and important considering their potential applications. Herein, we report the development of tripodal N‐functionalized arylazo‐3,5‐dimethylpyrazole derivatives of trimesic acid as a new class of photochromic materials for rewritable imaging applications. The highlights of this class of compounds are a high percentage ZZZ‐photoisomerization, a long half‐life for the ZZZ‐isomer and good solubility, facilitating solution processing. Furthermore, all derivatives exhibit photochromism in the solid state. Remarkably, most of the synthesized compounds also show contrasting colour changes rendering them useful in rewritable imaging applications.
Corporate reputation and firms' performance: Evidence from Spain
Authors: González Sánchez Mariano , Morales de Vega María Encina
Published: July 2018

Reputational risk is negatively perceived by stakeholders and economic agents, and can cause negative future effects on sustainability, corporate image and stakeholder engagement. This study analyzes and selects bad news regarding a sample of Spanish listed companies and uses it to explain abnormal returns and liquidity risk, to better understand how decisions should be taken in the future in a more innovative and sustainable way. The results indicate that there are negative reputational effects on excess returns and trading volume variations, and positive effects on volatility. Additionally, an increase in illiquidity is implied. The inclusion of bad reputational news in the model improves its goodness of fit by between 1.25% and 3%.
Performance evaluation and implementation of convolution coded OFDM modem in wireless underwater acoustic communication
Authors: Challa Padmasree , Mosa Satya Anuradha
Published: July 2018

High‐data transmission rate and reliable communication in underwater acoustic channel is challenging because of limited bandwidth, multipath propagation, and Doppler shift, which results in poor bit error performance. Under this constraint, this paper explains the simulation results of underwater wireless acoustic data transmission system by using quadrature phase shift keying modulation with convolution encoder at the transmitter and proposed Viterbi decoder at the receiver. The decoder algorithm in comparison with MATLAB inbuilt function shows asserting improved results. This paper evaluates the performance of convolution coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing modem, which is studied over typical underwater channel through an extensive computer simulation and a semirealistic experimentation. The performance of convolution coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system is measured in time domain plots, bit error rate curves, and number of bit errors per frame over additive white Gaussian noise and Rayleigh channel conditions.
Pilot contamination mitigation based on antenna subset transmission for mmWave massive MIMO
Authors: Smaili Nessrine , Djeddou Mustapha , Azrar Arab
Published: July 2018

This paper tackles the problem of pilot contamination (PC) in mmWave Massive MIMO cellular systems. We propose an analog precoder based on antenna subset transmission technique to mitigate the PC. This technique ensures the interfering signal to become noise‐like signal thus helping a more efficient estimation of channel coefficients. Also, this strategy is low cost and introduces no complexity load. The result shows the effectiveness of the proposed precoder to mitigate PC issue.
Biomass carbon storages and carbon sequestration potentials of the Grain for Green Program‐Covered Forests in China
Authors: Wang Kaibo , Hu Dongfeng , Deng Juan , Shangguan Zhouping , Deng Lei
Published: July 2018

The Grain for Green Program (GGP) was the most all‐embracing program of ecological reconstruction implemented in China. To estimate carbon storages and carbon sequestration potentials of the GGP forests, the study presented in the paper collected data spanning from 1999 to 2010, such as tree species, tree planting area relevant to the GGP, empirical growth curves suitable for different planted tree species in China, as well as wood density (WD), biomass expansion factor (BEF), carbon fraction (CF) of different trees species, and estimated the carbon storages of the biomasses of GGP forests from 1999 to 2050. It showed that the total carbon storage of the biomass of GGP forests was 320.29 Tg upon the GGP completion in 2010; the total carbon sequestration is higher during the early GGP‐implementation stage than at the late GGP‐implementation stage, and the annual mean carbon sequestration of GGP forests was 26.69 Tg/year. The potential of GGP forests as carbon sink presented an increasing increment. In China, the potential increments of GGP forests as carbon sinks were estimated to be 397.34, 604.00, 725.53, and 808.90 Tg in 2020, 2030, 2040, and 2050, respectively, and the carbon sequestration rates were 1.72, 0.89, 0.52, and 0.36 Mg ha−1 year−1, respectively, corresponding to 2010s, 2020s, 2030s, and 2040s. Therefore, the GGP forests had bigger carbon sequestration capacities and potentials in China.
Phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation favor range expansion of a Neotropical palm
Authors: Brancalion Pedro H. S. , Oliveira Giancarlo C. X. , Zucchi Maria I. , Novello Mariana , van Melis Juliano , Zocchi Silvio S. , Chazdon Robin L. , Rodrigues Ricardo R.
Published: July 2018

One of the most intriguing questions in plant ecology is which evolutionary strategy allows widely distributed species to increase their ecological range and grow in changing environmental conditions. Phenotypic plasticity and local adaptations are major processes governing species range margins, but little is known about their relative contribution for tree species distribution in tropical forest regions. We investigated the relative role of phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation in the ecological distribution of the widespread palm Euterpe edulis in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Genetic sampling and experiments were performed in old‐growth remnants of two forest types with higher (Seasonal Semideciduous Forests vs. Submontane Rainforest) and lower biogeographic association and environmental similarities (Submontane Rainforest vs. Restinga Forest). We first assessed the molecular genetic differentiation among populations, focusing on the group of loci potentially under selection in each forest, using single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) outliers. Further, we looked for potential adaptive divergence among populations in a common garden experiment and in reciprocal transplants for two plant development phases: seedling establishment and sapling growth. Analysis with outlier loci indicated that all individuals from the Semideciduous Forest formed a single group, while another group was formed by overlapping individuals from Submontane Rainforest and Restinga Forest. Molecular differentiation was corroborated by reciprocal transplants, which yielded strong evidence of local adaptations for seedling establishment in the biogeographically divergent Rainforest and Semideciduous Forest, but not for Restinga Forest and Submontane Rainforest. Phenotypic plasticity for palm seedling establishment favors range expansion to biogeographically related or recently colonized forest types, while persistence in the newly colonized ecosystem may be favored by local adaptations if climatic conditions diverge over time, reducing gene flow between populations. SNPs obtained by next‐generation sequencing can help exploring adaptive genetic variation in tropical trees, which impose several challenges to the use of reciprocal transplants.
Genetic distance predicts trait differentiation at the subpopulation but not the individual level in eelgrass,Zostera marina
Authors: Abbott Jessica M. , DuBois Katherine , Grosberg Richard K. , Williams Susan L. , Stachowicz John J.
Published: July 2018

Ecological studies often assume that genetically similar individuals will be more similar in phenotypic traits, such that genetic diversity can serve as a proxy for trait diversity. Here, we explicitly test the relationship between genetic relatedness and trait distance using 40 eelgrass (Zostera marina) genotypes from five sites within Bodega Harbor,CA. We measured traits related to nutrient uptake, morphology, biomass and growth, photosynthesis, and chemical deterrents for all genotypes. We used these trait measurements to calculate a multivariate pairwise trait distance for all possible genotype combinations. We then estimated pairwise relatedness from 11 microsatellite markers. We found significant trait variation among genotypes for nearly every measured trait; however, there was no evidence of a significant correlation between pairwise genetic relatedness and multivariate trait distance among individuals. However, at the subpopulation level (sites within a harbor), genetic (FST) and trait differentiation were positively correlated. Our work suggests that pairwise relatedness estimated from neutral marker loci is a poor proxy for trait differentiation between individual genotypes. It remains to be seen whether genomewide measures of genetic differentiation or easily measured “master” traits (like body size) might provide good predictions of overall trait differentiation.
Diversity of warning signal and social interaction influences the evolution of imperfect mimicry
Authors: Bosque Renan Janke , Lawrence J. P. , Buchholz Richard , Colli Guarino R. , Heppard Jessica , Noonan Brice
Published: July 2018

Mimicry, the resemblance of one species by another, is a complex phenomenon where the mimic (Batesian mimicry) or the model and the mimic (Mullerian mimicry) gain an advantage from this phenotypic convergence. Despite the expectation that mimics should closely resemble their models, many mimetic species appear to be poor mimics. This is particularly apparent in some systems in which there are multiple available models. However, the influence of model pattern diversity on the evolution of mimetic systems remains poorly understood. We tested whether the number of model patterns a predator learns to associate with a negative consequence affects their willingness to try imperfect, novel patterns. We exposed week‐old chickens to coral snake (Micrurus) color patterns representative of three South American areas that differ in model pattern richness, and then tested their response to the putative imperfect mimetic pattern of a widespread species of harmless colubrid snake (Oxyrhopus rhombifer) in different social contexts. Our results indicate that chicks have a great hesitation to attack when individually exposed to high model pattern diversity and a greater hesitation to attack when exposed as a group to low model pattern diversity. Individuals with a fast growth trajectory (measured by morphological traits) were also less reluctant to attack. We suggest that the evolution of new patterns could be favored by social learning in areas of low pattern diversity, while individual learning can reduce predation pressure on recently evolved mimics in areas of high model diversity. Our results could aid the development of ecological predictions about the evolution of imperfect mimicry and mimicry in general.
An Oxalate‐Functionalized Tetra‐ZrIV‐Substituted Sandwich‐Type Silicotungstate: Hydrothermal Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Catalytic Oxidation of Thioethers
Authors: Wang Yue‐Lin , Zhang Zhong , Li Hai‐Lou , Li Xu‐Yan , Yang Guo‐Yu
Published: July 2018

A previously unknown inorganic–organic hybrid polyoxidometalate constructed from oxalate‐functionalized tetra‐ZrIV‐substituted dimeric silicotungstate, (NH4)3Na5K6[Zr4(µ3‐O)2(µ‐OH)2(ox)2(SiW10O37)2]·23H2O (1, ox = oxalate) has been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions and characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 contains a centrosymmetric polyoxidoanion structure with two [SiW10O37]10– units sandwiching a [Zr4(µ3‐O)2(µ‐OH)2(ox)2]6+ cluster. The catalytic performances of 1 involving oxygenation reactions of thioethers by H2O2 were evaluated, showing that 1 is an excellent catalyst for the catalytic oxidation of thioethers to sulfoxides/sulfones.
Nanoliposomes Containing Pistachio Green Hull's Phenolic Compounds as Natural Bio‐Preservatives for Mayonnaise
Authors: Rafiee Zahra , Barzegar Mohsen , Sahari Mohammad Ali , Maherani Behnoush
Published: July 2018

In this study, encapsulation of pistachio green hull extract (PGHE) into nanoliposomes (NLs) is carried out. Then, different concentrations of free and incorporated phenolic compounds of (500 and 1000 mg kg−1) are added to freshly prepared mayonnaise and samples are evaluated in terms of physicochemical, sensory, and microbial properties during 4 months of storage at 25 °C. The results indicate that the samples containing NLs produced by 2% lecithin and 1000 mg kg−1 of phenolic compounds have the lowest peroxide value (23.23 ± 2.61 meq O2 kg−1 oil) and thiobarbituric acid value (0.92 ± 0.07 mg malondialdehyde kg−1 oil). Free and incorporated phenolic compounds (1000 mg kg−1) exhibit higher antioxidant activity than 200 mg kg−1 of butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT). Free phenolic compounds (EXs) cause significant changes in color parameters (L*, a*, and b*). Regarding sensory evaluation, the samples containing NLs are the most preferred ones. Additionally, NLs having 1000 mg kg−1 of phenolic compounds have the highest inhibitory efficiency on total viable and fungal counts. NLs and EXs have equal effect on Enterobacteriaceae and lactic acid bacteria. Similar to samples containing 1000 mg kg−1 of sodium benzoate, microbial population in samples treated with phenolic compounds is within permissible level after 4 months of storage.

Practical applications: The promising results prove that PGHE can be recommended as a natural source of antioxidants and bio‐preservatives instead of synthetic agents to increase the shelf life and safety of mayonnaise. Additionally, NLs enhance stability and solubility of entrapped phenolic compounds of PGHE and decease adverse effects of free ones on sensory properties of mayonnaise. Therefore, incorporation of phenolic compounds of PGHE in the liposomal carrier is a promising method to defeat the limitations of their direct addition to food systems and NLs containing phenolic compounds and plant extracts can also be applied to present novel functional foods. As nanoliposomes are produced by soybean lecithin as an inexpensive, safe and natural source of phospholipids in nanometric particle size, they can be considered for large‐scale use and promotion of biofunctional activities of phenolic compounds in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics applications.

Firstly, pistachio green hull extract (PGHE) is prepared. Then, different concentrations of phenolic compounds of PGHE are added and blended with the lecithin/water mixture. Lastly, the suspensions are extruded by a mini extruder for producing large unilamellar vesicles. In the next step, liposome‐encapsulated and free phenolic compounds of PGHE are individually added to mayonnaise samples. Based on these findings, incorporation of phenolic compounds of PGHE in liposomal systems can be an appropriate alternative to improve the oxidative and microbial stability of mayonnaise sauce along with minimal effects on sensory attributes.
Evaluation of circulating EBV microRNA BART2‐5p in facilitating early detection and screening of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Jiang Chen , Chen Jinna , Xie Shanghang , Zhang Lifang , Xiang Yanqun , Lung Maria , Kam Ngar‐Woon , Kwong Dora Lai‐wan , Cao Sumei , Guan Xin‐Yuan
Published: July 2018

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is an Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) associated malignancy which is highly prevalent in Southeast Asia. EBV‐related antibodies have been widely used as screening markers for early nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) detection. However, due to its low positive predictive rate, it is essential to develop new biomarkers to facilitate NPC early diagnosis or triage EBV serological high‐risk individuals to improve the chance of NPC early detection. BART microRNAs, which are encoded by BamHI region of EBV, were reported to be abundant in NPC and have potential value in early diagnosis of NPC. Here, we quantified circulating level of 17 BART microRNAs in discovery stage based on previous microarray and sequencing data and, in particular, BART 2‐5p, the sole candidate whose area under curve (AUC) was higher than 0.8, has been chosen for further study. In validation stage, the sensitivity, specificity and AUC of BART 2‐5p was 93.9%, 89.8%, 0.972 (95%CI: 0.954–0.989), respectively, in Cohort 1 constituted by NPC patients and controls from Hong Kong. For validation Cohort 2 consisting of patients and controls from Guangzhou, the sensitivity, specificity and AUC was 94.2%, 83.5%, 0.959 (95%CI: 0.939–0.980), respectively. To evaluate its ability to distinguish preclinical NPC patients, we established a nested case–control study with serum samples prospectively collected from 22 NPC patients prior to their clinical diagnosis and 88 matched healthy high‐risk controls in a screening trial. The sensitivity and specificity were 90.9% and 54.5%. Collectively, EBV microRNA BART2‐5p may be a valuable biomarker for early detection of NPC.
Pre‐diagnostic circulating insulin‐like growth factor‐I and bladder cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition
Authors: Lin Crystal , Travis Ruth C. , Appleby Paul N. , Tipper Sarah , Weiderpass Elisabete , Chang‐Claude Jenny , Gram Inger T. , Kaaks Rudolf , Kiemeney Lambertus A. , Ljungberg Börje , Tumino Rosario , Tjønneland Anne , Roswall Nina , Overvad Kim , Boutron‐Ruault Marie‐Christine , Manciniveri Francesca Romana , Severi Gianluca , Trichopoulou Antonia , Masala Giovanna , Sacerdote Carlotta , Agnoli Claudia , Panico Salvatore , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita Bas , Peeters Petra H. , Salamanca‐Fernández Elena , Chirlaque Maria‐Dolores , Ardanaz Eva , Dorronsoro Miren , Menéndez Virginia , Luján‐Barroso Leila , Liedberg Fredrik , Freisling Heinz , Gunter Marc , Aune Dagfinn , Cross Amanda J. , Riboli Elio , Key Timothy J. , Perez‐Cornago Aurora
Published: July 2018

Previous in vitro and case–control studies have found an association between the insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐axis and bladder cancer risk. Circulating concentrations of IGF‐I have also been found to be associated with an increased risk of several cancer types; however, the relationship between pre‐diagnostic circulating IGF‐I concentrations and bladder cancer has never been studied prospectively. We investigated the association of pre‐diagnostic plasma concentrations of IGF‐I with risk of overall bladder cancer and urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) in a case–control study nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. A total of 843 men and women diagnosed with bladder cancer between 1992 and 2005 were matched with 843 controls by recruitment centre, sex, age at recruitment, date of blood collection, duration of follow‐up, time of day and fasting status at blood collection using an incidence density sampling protocol. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression with adjustment for smoking status. No association was found between pre‐diagnostic circulating IGF‐I concentration and overall bladder cancer risk (adjusted OR for highest versus lowest fourth: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.66–1.24, ptrend = 0.40) or UCC (n of cases = 776; 0.91, 0.65–1.26, ptrend = 0.40). There was no significant evidence of heterogeneity in the association of IGF‐I with bladder cancer risk by tumour aggressiveness, sex, smoking status, or by time between blood collection and diagnosis (pheterogeneity > 0.05 for all). This first prospective study indicates no evidence of an association between plasma IGF‐I concentrations and bladder cancer risk.
Depletion of αβ+ T cells for a haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children
Authors: Choi Eun Seok , Im Ho Joon , Kim Hyery , Koh Kyung Nam , Jang Seongsoo , Park Chan‐Jeoung , Seo Jong Jin , Park Ho Ran
Published: July 2018

A consistent and reproducible depletion technique is crucial for the successful transplantation of an ex vivo depleted graft. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of an ex vivo technique for depletion of αβ+ T cells using a biotinylated anti‐TCRαβ monoclonal antibody, which was performed by one clinical nurse specialist. Between 2012 and 2017, 119 depletion procedures from 216 apheresis using the anti‐TCRαβ monoclonal antibody were performed on 105 pediatric patients. The median log depletion of αβ+ T cells was 4.0 (range, 2.5‐5.0). The median recovery rates of CD34+, NK, and γδ+ T cells were 90.4%, 74.9%, and 75.9%, respectively. The efficacy of depletion of αβ+ T cells significantly improved over time and the duration of the depletion procedure significantly decreased over time. Our study demonstrated that this procedure for depletion of αβ+ T cells by skilled staff is highly effective at depleting target cells and obtaining CD34+ progenitor cells.
Development of a fast gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for volatile aromatic compound analysis in oenological products
Authors: Paolini Mauro , Tonidandel Loris , Moser Sergio , Larcher Roberto
Published: July 2018

Aroma plays an important role in food quality, and knowledge of volatile composition is essential to support technological choices during industrial transformation processes. In this study, an innovative GC‐MS/MS method useful for fast analysis of the broad aroma profile of oenological products was developed. Fifty volatile compounds of oenological interest belonging to the main chemical classes (acetates, acids, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ketones, phenols, terpenes, and thiols) were identified and quantified in a single chromatographic run taking only 15 minutes. The high sensitivity of the mass spectrometer, combined with accurate fast chromatography performed with a suitable capillary column, allowed us to avoid further concentration steps after solid phase extraction. Validation of the method was performed in relation to the limit of detection, limit of quantification, linearity range, repeatability, reproducibility, and recovery. Once validated, the method was successfully tested on commercial oenological samples, demonstrating its applicability to fast routine multiaroma analysis.
A new perspective of intensified impact of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation Modoki on tropical cyclogenesis over the western North Pacific around 1990s
Authors: Cao Xi , Wu Renguang , Xiao Xiao
Published: July 2018

Previous study detected an intensified impact of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Modoki sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies on the tropical cyclone (TC) activity over the western North Pacific (WNP) after the early 1990s and attributed it to an expansion in areal coverage of the equatorial central Pacific (ECP) SST anomalies. This study identifies the contribution of SST anomalies in several other regions to this inter‐decadal change in the relationship between ENSO Modoki SST and the WNP TC genesis. Before the early 1990s, the positive ECP SST anomalies induce an anomalous lower‐level cyclone and consequently an increase in the TC genesis frequency over the southern part of the WNP, and the positive ECP and tropical Indian Ocean SST anomalies together induce an anomalous lower‐level anticyclone and accordingly a decrease in the TC genesis frequency over the northern part of the WNP. As such, the relationship between the ECP SST and the WNP TC genesis frequency is weak. After the early 1990s, the positive ECP SST anomalies with a large areal coverage induce a large anomalous lower‐level cyclone covering most of the WNP and thus an increase in the TC genesis frequency over the WNP. Meantime, the tropical northern Atlantic and western South Pacific SST anomalies during spring enhance the succeeding summer–autumn WNP atmospheric circulation response to the ECP SST anomalies through an Atlantic–Pacific teleconnection and a wind‐evaporation positive feedback, respectively. This strengthens the relationship between the ECP SST and the WNP TC genesis frequency.
Recent update on methodologies for extraction and analysis of soybean seed proteins
Authors: Luthria Devanand L , Maria John Kollakondan M , Marupaka Ramesh , Natarajan Savithiry
Published: July 2018

Soybean is one of the best sources of plant protein. Development of improved soybean cultivars through classical breeding and new biotech approaches is important to meet the growing global demand for soybeans. There is a critical need to investigate changes in protein content and profiles to ensure the safety and nutritional quality of new soybean varieties and their food products. A proteomics study begins with an optimal combination of extraction, separation and detection approaches. This review attempts to provide a summary of current updates in the methodologies used for extraction, separation and detection of protein from soybean, the basic foundations for good proteomic research. This information can be effectively used to investigate modifications in protein content and profiles in new varieties of soybeans and other crops. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Gut microbial diversity in two insectivorous bats: Insights into the effect of different sampling sources
Authors: Wu Haonan , Xing Yutong , Sun Haijian , Mao Xiuguang
Published: July 2018

The gut microbiota is now known as a key factor in mammalian physiology and health. Our understanding of the gut microbial communities and their effects on ecology and evolution of their hosts is extremely limited in bats which represent the second largest mammalian order. In the current study, gut microbiota of three sampling sources (small intestine, large intestine, and feces) were characterized in two sympatric and insectivorous bats (Rhinolophus sinicus and Myotis altarium) by high‐throughput sequencing of the V3‐V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Combining with published studies, this work reveals that Gammaproteobacteria may be a dominant class in the whole Chiroptera and Fusobacteria is less observed in bats although it has been proven to be dominant in other mammals. Our results reveal that the sampling source influences alpha diversity of the microbial community in both studied species although no significant variations of beta diversity were observed, which support that fecal samples cannot be used as a proxy of the microbiota in other gut regions in wild animals.
Signs indicating dementia in Down, Williams and Fragile X syndromes
Authors: Sauna‐Aho Oili , Bjelogrlic‐Laakso Nina , Siren Auli , Arvio Maria
Published: July 2018

Background

Intellectual disability (ID) and dementia reflect disturbed cortical function during and after developmental age, respectively. Due to the wide heterogeneity ofIDpopulation the decline in cognitive and adaptive skills may be different in distinct genetic subgroups.

Methods

Using the British Present Psychiatric State–learning Disabilities assessment (PPS‐LD) questionnaire the dementia signs were screened in 62, 22 and 44 individuals (> 35 year of age) with Down (DS,OMIMnumber 190685), Williams (WS,OMIMnumber, 194050), and Fragile X syndrome (FXS,OMIMnumber 309550), respectively. The median age of those withFXS(59 years) was higher than of those withDS(50 years) andWS(53 years).

Results

Most study participants withDS(80%) andFXS(89%) were or had been moderately or severely intellectually disabled while most participants withWS(73%) were or had been mildly or moderately disabled at adolescent age. The adolescent (premorbid) level ofIDdid not correlate with the dementia score. The median scores were 11/27, 1/27, and 0/27 inDS,WS, andFXSsubgroups, respectively. Dementia that was confirmed by brain imaging, manifested as Alzheimer disease and as moya‐moya disease associated vascular dementia inDSand as vascular dementia inWS.

Conclusions

This survey suggests that the risk of dementia varies depending on the cause ofIDand that the severity ofIDin adolescence does not predict the development of dementia at a later age. Consequently, theIDand dementia should be understood as separate clinical entities that need to be taken into account in the health management of intellectually disabled people. This is important for the arrangement of appropriate and timely interventions, which can be expected to delay the need for institutionalization.
Identification of source term for the Rayleigh‐Stokes problem with Gaussian random noise
Authors: Nguyen Anh Triet , Luu Vu Cam Hoan , Nguyen Hoang Luc , Nguyen Huy Tuan , Nguyen Van Thinh
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we study an inverse source problem for the Rayleigh‐Stokes problem for a generalized second‐grade fluid with a fractional derivative model. The problem is severely ill‐posed in the sense of Hadamard. To regularize the unstable solution, we apply a general filter method for constructing regularized solution, and the convergence rate of this method also has been investigated.
Global solutions to a higher‐dimensional system related to crime modeling
Authors: Freitag Marcel
Published: July 2018

We consider the system

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma5141:mma5141-math-0001
of partial differential equations for some positive χ and some
, n ≥ 2. While there are results regarding the existence of global solutions in one dimension for any χ > 0, there are not yet any for the higher‐dimensional case. This work in which we establish global solutions for any
is a first step toward filling this gap.
Low‐rank magnetic resonance fingerprinting
Authors: Mazor Gal , Weizman Lior , Tal Assaf , Eldar Yonina C.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) is a relatively new approach that provides quantitative MRI measures using randomized acquisition. Extraction of physical quantitative tissue parameters is performed offline, without the need of patient presence, based on acquisition with varying parameters and a dictionary generated according to the Bloch equation simulations. MRF uses hundreds of radio frequency (RF) excitation pulses for acquisition, and therefore, a high undersampling ratio in the sampling domain (k‐space) is required for reasonable scanning time. This undersampling causes spatial artifacts that hamper the ability to accurately estimate the tissue's quantitative values. In this work, we introduce a new approach for quantitative MRI using MRF, called magnetic resonance fingerprinting with low rank (FLOR).

Methods

We exploit the low‐rank property of the concatenated temporal imaging contrasts, on top of the fact that the MRF signal is sparsely represented in the generated dictionary domain. We present an iterative recovery scheme that consists of a gradient step followed by a low‐rank projection using the singular value decomposition.

Results

Experimental results consist of retrospective sampling that allows comparison to a well defined reference, and prospective sampling that shows the performance of FLOR for a real‐data sampling scenario. Both experiments demonstrate improved parameter accuracy compared to other compressed‐sensing and low‐rank based methods for MRF at 5% and 9% sampling ratios for the retrospective and prospective experiments, respectively.

Conclusions

We have shown through retrospective and prospective experiments that by exploiting the low‐rank nature of the MRF signal, FLOR recovers the MRF temporal undersampled images and provides more accurate parameter maps compared to previous iterative approaches.
Preparation and properties of a biodegradable inferior vena cava filter
Authors: Cui Haipo , Chen Tingting , Song Chengli
Published: July 2018

In this study, a new type of biodegradable inferior vena cava filter was designed and prepared based on polylactic acid. In addition to having the main functions of a common filter, it is also completely biodegradable in the human body without secondary surgical removal. The changes of surface morphology, molecular weight, viscosity, and radial support strength with degradation time were systematically investigated via degradation experiments in vitro. The results of crimping and expansion tests of the filter showed that reducing the crimping time and increasing the release time make it easier for the filter to recover to its original diameter. Further, the results of a thrombus capture experiment in vitro showed that the thrombus filtration ratio for the filter with double‐layer connection structure is 90%.
Implications of Off‐Target Serotoninergic Drug Activity: An Analysis of Serotonin Syndrome Reports Using a Systematic Bioinformatics Approach
Authors: Culbertson Vaughn L. , Rahman Shaikh E. , Bosen Grayson C. , Caylor Matthew L. , Echevarria Megan M. , Xu Dong
Published: July 2018

Study Objective

Serotonergic adverse drug events (ADEs) are caused by enhanced intrasynaptic concentrations of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT). No systematic process currently exists for evaluating cumulative 5‐HT and off‐target toxicity of serotonergic drugs. The primary study aim was to create a Serotonergic Expanded Bioactivity Matrix (SEBM) by using a molecular bioinformatics, polypharmacologic approach for assessment of the participation of individual 5‐HT drugs in serotonin syndrome (SS) reports.

Data Sources

Publicly available databases including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), ChEMBL, DrugBank, PubChem, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were queried for computational and pharmacologic data.

Design

An in‐house bioinformatics TargetSearch program ( http://dxulab.org/software) was used to characterize 71 serotonergic drugs interacting at 13 serotonin receptor subtypes and serotonin reuptake transporter protein (SERT). In addition, off‐target interactions at norepinephrine transporter (NET), monoamine oxidase (MAO), and muscarinic receptors were included to define seven polypharmacological drug cohorts. Serotonin syndrome reports for each serotonergic drug were extracted from FAERS by using the Sternbach and Hunter criteria.

Measurements and Main Results

A proportional reporting adverse drug reaction (ADR) ratio (PRR) was calculated from each drug's total ADEs and SS case reports and aggregated by drug bioactivity cohorts. Triple‐receptor interactions had a disproportionately higher number of SS cases using both the Hunter criteria (mean PRR 1.72, 95% CI 1.05–2.39) and Sternbach (mean PRR 1.54, 95% CI 1.29–1.79). 5‐Hydroxytryptamine agonists were associated with a significantly lower proportion of SS cases using the Hunter and Sternbach criteria, respectively (mean PRR 0.49, 95% CI 0.17–0.81 and mean PRR 0.49, 95% CI 0.15–0.83). Drugs with disproportionately higher participation in SS vary considerably between the two diagnostic criteria.

Conclusion

The SEBM model suggests a possible polypharmacological role in SS. Although further research is needed, off‐target receptor activity may help explain differences in severity of toxicity and clinical presentation.
Proteomic Profile of Daphnia pulex using Data‐Independent Acquisition Mass Spectrometry and Ion Mobility Separation
Authors: Steevensz Aaron , Gombar Robert , Vergilino Roland , Cristescu Melania E. , Vacratsis Panayiotis O.
Published: July 2018

Daphnia pulex is a keystone species for aquatic habitats and an ecological/evolution model organism. Although significant progress has been made on characterizing its genome, the D. pulex proteome remains largely uncharacterized partially due to abnormally high protein degradation during homogenization and emphasis on genomic analysis. In this study, various sample preparation and mass spectrometry acquisition methods are performed for the purpose of improving D. pulex proteome exploration. Benefits for employing both in‐gel and in‐solution methods of trypsin digestion are observed. Furthermore, acquisition methods employing ion mobility separation greatly increase peptide identification and more than doubled the proteome coverage. Bioinformatic analysis suggests that mitochondrial and hydrolytic activities are enriched in D. pulex compared to closely related invertebrates or Homo sapiens. Also, novel D. pulex proteins possessing putative genome modifying functional domains are identified. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD008455.
Effects of Fluoropolymer Binders on the Mechanical Properties of TATB‐Based PBX
Authors: Liu Jia‐Hui , Yang Zhi‐Jian , Liu Shi‐Jun , Zhang Jian‐Hu , Liu Yong‐Gang
Published: July 2018

The relationship between the molecular structure of polymeric binders and mechanical properties of a TATB‐based polymer bonded explosive (PBX) were studied by using five different fluoropolymers as binders to compare the quati‐stastic and dynamic mechanical property, as well as the three‐point bending creep property of the PBX. F‐ binder A, which was composed of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), endowed the PBX−A with the best mechanical strength and creep resistance ability. The fracture surfaces of the PBXs after the Brazilian tests were investigated by a field emission‐scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM). The rupture mode in PBX−A and PBX−B was transcrystalline fracture together with interfacial debonding, but only interfacial debonding in PBX−C and PBX−D. It was explained that the C−Cl bond in CTFE played the key role to keep the polymeric binder rigid and increase the strength of the PBX.
Imidazole dipeptides can quench toxic 4‐oxo‐2(E)‐nonenal: Molecular mechanism and mass spectrometric characterization of the reaction products
Authors: Tatsuno Fumiya , Lee Seon Hwa , Oe Tomoyuki
Published: July 2018

Imidazole dipeptides, such as carnosine (β‐alanyl‐l‐histidine) and anserine (β‐alanyl‐Nπ‐methyl‐l‐histidine), are highly localized in excitable tissues, including skeletal muscle and nervous tissue, and play important roles such as scavenging reactive oxygen species and quenching reactive aldehydes. We have demonstrated several reactions between imidazole dipeptides (namely, carnosine, and anserine) and a lipid peroxide‐derived reactive aldehyde 4‐oxo‐2(E)‐nonenal. Seven carnosine adducts and two anserine adducts were characterized using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization‐multiple‐stage mass spectrometry. Adduct formation occurred between imidazole dipeptides and 4‐oxo‐2(E)‐nonenal mainly through Michael addition, Schiff base formation, and/or Paal‐Knorr reaction. The reactions were much more complicated than the reaction with a similar lipid peroxide‐derived reactive aldehyde, 4‐hydroxy‐2(E)‐nonenal.