bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetic, metabolic profiling and elimination of brusatol in rats
Authors: Guo Nan , Xu Xin , Yuan Guiyan , Chen Xuwang , Wen Qing , Guo Ruichen
Published: August 2018

Brusatol, a quassinoid isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Brucea javanica, has been reported to be an inhibitor of Nrf2 pathway and has great potential to be developed into a novel chemotherapeutic adjuvant. However, the in vivo process of brusatol has not been comprehensively explained yet. Therefore, this paper focused on the pharmacokinetic metabolism and excretion of brusatol in rats using a simple and reproducible LC–MS/MS method. The results indicated that the plasma concentration of brusatol decreased rapidly; the average cumulative excretion rate in urine was 5.82% during 24 h, and 0.71% in bile during 12 h. High‐resolution mass spectrometry was applied for the identification of metabolites; as a result, four metabolites were detected and the structure was tentatively deduced on the base of the MS2 data, Compound Discoverer 2.0 and Mass Frontier 7.0 software. Hydroxylation, hydrolysis and glucuronidation were suggested as major metabolic pathways in vivo. The in vivo process and detection of metabolites of brusatol might improve the understanding of the mechanism of its anticancer effect and provide valuable information for its safety estimation, which will be essential to the new drug development.
Checkpoint blockade‐based immunotherapy in the context of tumor microenvironment: Opportunities and challenges
Authors: Duan Jingjing , Wang Yu , Jiao Shunchang
Published: August 2018

A dynamic and mutualistic interaction between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment (TME) promotes the progression and metastasis of solid tumors. Cancer immunotherapy is becoming a major treatment paradigm for a variety of cancers. Although immunotherapy, especially the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, has achieved clinical success, only a minority of patients exhibits durable responses. Clinical studies directed at identifying appropriate biomarkers and immune profiles that can be used to predict immunotherapy responses are presently being conducted. Combining treatment strategies tailored to cancer‐immune interactions are designed to increase the rate of durable clinical response in patients. It is essential to establish a reasonable tumor classification strategy according to TME to improve cancer immunotherapy. In the current review, a modified classification of TME is proposed, and optimization of TME classification is needed through detailed and integrated molecular characterization of large patient cohorts in the future.
Ethylene (co)Oligomerization by Phosphine‐Pyridine Based Palladium and Nickel Catalysts
Authors: Si Guifu , Na Yinna , Chen Changle
Published: August 2018

Phosphine and pyridine groups have been widely employed in various olefin polymerization catalysts. In this contribution, these two moieties are connected using different bridges, and the properties of their corresponding palladium and nickel complexes are investigated. A series of CH2, NH and O bridged phosphine‐pyridine ligands (2‐(diarylphosphino)methyl‐pyridine, 2‐(diarylphosphino)amino‐pyridine, 2‐diarylphosphinito‐pyridine) are synthesized and characterized. For the CH2 bridged ligand, the introduction of a C6F5 substituent leads to the generation of a mixture of diastereomers, which can be separated by column chromatography. Starting with these five phosphine‐pyridine ligands, the corresponding palladium and nickel complexes are prepared and characterized. The bridging moiety (CH2, NH and O), the substituents on the bridge, and the ligand orientations significantly influence the properties of the metal complexes in ethylene oligomerization and cooligomerization reactions. For the palladium complexes, ethylene oligomerization and cooligomerization with some polar comonomers (methyl acrylate, butyl vinyl ether, vinyltrimethoxysilane, allyl acetate and allyl choride) can be realized. For the nickel complexes, ethylene oligomerization followed by Friedel‐Crafts addition of the resulting oligomers to toluene solvent leads to the formation of branched alkylated aromatic materials.
Polymeric Metal Salen‐Type Complexes as Catalysts for Photoelectrocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Production
Authors: Konev Alexander S. , Kayumov Mikhail Yu. , Karushev Mikhail P. , Novoselova Yuliia V. , Lukyanov Daniil A. , Alekseeva Elena V. , Levin Oleg V.
Published: August 2018

Electroactive and conductive polymers based on transition metal complexes with salen‐type ligands are of interest as potential materials for energy storage and solar energy conversion. The easily tunable structure of monomers allows to modify polymer properties by changing either the central metal atom or the ligand substituents. Herein we report the photoelectrocatalytic activity of [MII(L)]n complexes, where M is Ni, Cu or Pd, and L is a tetradentate N,N,O,O salen‐type ligand, in the reduction of molecular oxygen to hydrogen peroxide in water solutions on polymer‐coated ITO electrodes. The photocathodic current at 0 V vs. Ag/AgCl is pH‐dependent, reaching maximum at pH 1 and dropping almost to zero at pH 12. Hydrogen peroxide production is almost quantitative (97 % efficiency measured in 1‐compartment cell). Maximal photocurrent and H2O2 concentrations achieved comprise 23 μA/cm2 and 1.3×10−3 M respectively.
Preparation, Lithium Storage Performance and Thermal Stability of Nickel‐Rich Layered LiNi0.815Co0.15Al0.035O2/RGO Composites
Authors: Chen Rong , Zhang Haiyan , Xie Jian , Lin Yingxi , Yu Jiale , Chen Liangguang
Published: August 2018

Ni‐rich materials are promising Li‐ion battery cathodes due to their high capacity but still suffer from electrolyte corrosions and inferior thermal stability, limiting the lithium storage capability. To improve both, lithium storage performances and thermal stability, LiNi0.815Co0.15Al0.035O2 (LNCAO)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composites are synthesized by chemical lithiation of commercial Ni0.815Co0.15Al0.035(OH)2 precursors with LiOH ⋅ H2O, followed by simply wet coating with RGO. The effects of such RGO modifications on lithium storage performances and thermal stability of the achieved LNCAO/RGO are investigated. Compared to LNCAO, the unique LNCAO/RGO (with ∼2.5 wt.% RGO) electrodes exhibit considerably improved cycling stability and high‐rate capability (a reversible capacity of 135 mAh g−1 at 10 C), with a capacity decay rate of 0.07 % per cycle at 1 C, half of that of pristine LNCAO (0.14 %/cycle). As evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry, thermal stability is also significantly enhanced since the heat generation decreases from 912 to 586 J g−1 for pristine LNCAO and LNCAO/RGO, respectively. This could be ascribed to the unique structures and the encapsulated RGO coating layers, effectively protecting LNCAO against electrolyte corrosions and decreasing the level of Li+/Ni2+ disordering. This study helps us further understand the critical roles of RGO layers in electrochemical performances and thermal stability of Ni‐rich‐based cathodes for lithium/sodium storage.
Molecular Encapsulation Inside Microtubules Based on Tau‐Derived Peptides
Authors: Inaba Hiroshi , Yamamoto Takahisa , Kabir Arif Md. Rashedul , Kakugo Akira , Sada Kazuki , Matsuura Kazunori
Published: August 2018

Microtubules are cytoskeletal filaments that serve as attractive scaffolds for developing nanomaterials and nanodevices because of their unique structural properties. The functionalization of the outer surface of microtubules has been established for this purpose. However, no attempts have been made to encapsulate molecules inside microtubules with 15 nm inner diameter. The encapsulation of various molecular cargos inside microtubules constitutes a new concept for nanodevice and nanocarrier applications of microtubules. Here, we developed peptide motifs for binding to the inner surface of microtubules, based on a repeat domain of the microtubule‐associated protein Tau. One of the four Tau‐derived peptides, 2N, binds to a taxol binding pocket of β‐tubulin located inside microtubules by preincubation with tubulin dimer and subsequent polymerization of the peptide‐tubulin complex. By conjugation of 2N to gold nanoparticles, encapsulation of gold nanoparticles inside microtubules was achieved. The methodology for molecular encapsulation inside microtubules by the Tau‐derived peptide is expected to advance the development of microtubule‐based nanomaterials and nanodevices.
Investigations of Cu/Zn Oxalates from Aqueous Solution: Single‐Phase Precursors and Beyond
Authors: Zwiener Leon , Girgsdies Frank , Schlögl Robert , Frei Elias
Published: August 2018

The existence of a limited solid‐solution series in the Cu/Zn binary metal oxalate system is reported. Coprecipitation was applied for the preparation of a comprehensive set of mixed Cu/Zn oxalates. Rietveld refinement of the XRD data revealed the formation of mixed‐metal oxalate single phases at the compositional peripheries. Accordingly, the isomorphous substitution of ZnII into CuII oxalate takes place at Zn contents of ≤6.6 and ≥79.1 atom %. Zn incorporation leads to a pronounced unit‐cell contraction accompanied by Vegard‐type trends for the lattice parameters. Morphologically, both solid solutions show close resemblance to the corresponding pure single‐metal oxalates, and thus distinct differences are identified (SEM). The successful formation of solid solutions was further evidenced by thermal analysis. The decomposition temperature of the oxalate was taken as an approximation for ZnII incorporation into the CuII oxalate structure. Single decomposition events are observed within the stated compositional boundaries and shift to higher temperature with increasing Zn content, whereas multiple events are present near Cu/Zn parity. Moreover, these findings are supported by IR and Raman spectroscopic investigations. This study on the Cu/Zn mixed‐metal oxalate system sheds light on the important prerequisites for solid‐solution formation and identifies the structural limitations that predefine its application as catalyst precursor.
Preparation and Characterization of Graphene Oxide Aerogels: Exploring the Limits of Supercritical CO2 Fabrication Methods
Authors: Borrás Alejandro , Gonçalves Gil , Marbán Gregorio , Sandoval Stefania , Pinto Susana , Marques Paula A. A. P. , Fraile Julio , Tobias Gerard , López‐Periago Ana M. , Domingo Concepción
Published: August 2018

The supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) synthesis of non‐reduced graphene oxide (GO) aerogels from dispersions of GO in ethanol is here reported as a low‐cost, efficient, and environmentally friendly process. The preparation is carried out under the mild conditions of 333 K and 20 MPa. The high aspect ratio of the used GO sheets (ca. 30 μm lateral dimensions) allowed the preparation of aerogel monoliths by simultaneous scCO2 gelation and drying. Solid‐state characterization results indicate that a thermally‐stable mesoporous non‐reduced GO aerogel was obtained by using the supercritical procedure, keeping most of the surface oxygenated groups on the GO sheets, thus, facilitating further functionalization. Moreover, the monoliths have a very low density, high specific surface area, and excellent mechanical integrity; characteristics which rival those of most light‐weight reduced graphene aerogels reported in the literature.
Iron‐Incorporated α‐Ni(OH)2 Hierarchical Nanosheet Arrays for Electrocatalytic Urea Oxidation
Authors: Xie Junfeng , Liu Weiwei , Lei Fengcai , Zhang Xiaodong , Qu Haichao , Gao Li , Hao Pin , Tang Bo , Xie Yi
Published: August 2018

An iron‐incorporated α‐Ni(OH)2 nanosheet array catalyst characterized by hierarchical surface nanobelts and robust urea oxidation performance are reported. The unique single‐crystalline belt‐on‐sheet hierarchical nanostructure was identified and it endows more reactive edges for the Ni2+‐to‐Ni3+ pre‐oxidation process to boost the generation of active high‐valence species for the urea oxidation reaction (UOR). Benefitting from the optimal Fe concentration, the UOR activity was further optimized owing to the favorable reaction kinetics. With the synergistic benefits of the increased surface areas, improved charge transfer behavior, favorable reaction kinetics and excellent structural stability, the iron‐incorporated α‐Ni(OH)2 hierarchical nanosheet array catalyst displays significantly improved UOR performance with both high activity and outstanding operational stability. This work could guide the design of advanced UOR catalysts for wastewater treatment and clean energy production in the future.
Experimental Determination of Photon Fluxes in Multilayer Capillary Photoreactors
Authors: Wriedt Benjamin , Kowalczyk Daniel , Ziegenbalg Dirk
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study was to accurately quantify the benefit of adding extra layers to a capillary flow‐photoreactor using actinometry. A self‐built 3D‐printed FEP cap‐ illary mount was designed and each of the layers was evaluated separately. Experimental results showed that additional capillaries can be regarded as an augmented optical path length and that reflection and scattering are of minor importance for stacking of capillaries. To cope with the problem of precipitation of the ferrioxalate actinometer in intensified reactors, a new experimental method of conducting actinometric measurements with pulses was investigated and showed reasonable agreement. To make the results comparable to other literature‐known, mostly also improvised reactor setups, appropriate figures of merit (productivity, space time yield, energy efficiency and external photon efficiency) were evaluated.
Toward implementation of associative model in real time for character recognition: A hardware architecture proposal for embedded systems
Authors: Vázquez‐Cervantes Alberto , Hernández‐Díaz Teresa , Córdova‐Esparza Diana‐Margarita , Nava‐Balanzar Luciano , Soto‐Cajiga J. A. , Barriga‐Rodríguez Leonardo , Jiménez‐Hernández Hugo
Published: August 2018

This paper presents an algorithm with low computational complexity for classifying and recognizing characters based on a random sampling and high‐dimensional binary spaces for the development of real‐time applications. Character classification is performed using uniform random sampling as the feature selection process, subsequently performing encoding as binary strings. Associative memories are commonly used as general classifiers with linear criteria to discriminate between data points. In most classifiers, the ability to efficiently detect class membership depends entirely on the expressiveness of the attributes used to encode the data. Each binary pattern encodes the distinct characteristics of several glyphs. Character features are represented as elements of a high‐dimensional binary space, where a criterion of the cluster is defined under the L1 metric. The reduction in computational complexity is analyzed. The reduction in the number of character features through random sampling techniques makes it feasible to manage all the character information in physical architectures; therefore, this approach might use resources on a hardware platform with integer operators typically implemented at the hardware‐register level. Finally, this approach is implemented in a parallel architecture Field‐Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and tested using a Database (DB) of different fonts, including distortions, therein showing that the efficiency is comparable to the other well‐known approaches.
Scattering of ultrashort laser pulses on “ion‐sphere” in dense plasmas
Authors: Rosmej F.B. , Astapenko V.A. , Lisitsa V.S. , Li Xiangdong , Khramov E.S.
Published: August 2018

Scattering of ultrashort electromagnetic pulses on the dense strongly coupled plasma is under consideration in the frame of hard ion sphere model. The electron distribution inside the ion sphere is obtained from self‐consistent solution of the Shrodinger equation for bound electrons and the Poisson equation for free electrons. The electron density distribution is determined by plasma electron temperatures. The ion density of Al plasmas under consideration is of the order of 1020–1022 cm−3, the electron temperature changes between 54 and 816 eV. Dynamical polarizability of the hard sphere determining the scattering cross sections is calculated using the modified local plasma frequency approximation. The spectrum of scattering cross section has maxima in the vicinity of the mean plasma frequency. Dependencies of scattering probability on carrier frequency and pulse duration are analysed in detail. The transition of the total scattering probabilities from nonlinear time dependence at small times to standard linear ones with the increase of pulse duration is demonstrated.
Ectopic expression of Hoxb1 induces cardiac and craniofacial malformations
Authors: Zaffran Stéphane , Odelin Gaëlle , Stefanovic Sonia , Lescroart Fabienne , Etchevers Heather C.
Published: August 2018

Members of the large family of Hox transcription factors are encoded by genes whose tightly regulated expression in development and in space within different embryonic tissues confer positional identity from the neck to the tips of the limbs. Many structures of the face, head, and heart develop from cell populations expressing few or no Hox genes. Hoxb1 is the member of its chromosomal cluster expressed in the most rostral domain during vertebrate development, but never by the multipotent neural crest cell population anterior to the cerebellum. We have developed a novel floxed transgenic mouse line, CAG‐Hoxb1,‐EGFP (CAG‐Hoxb1), which upon recombination by Cre recombinase conditionally induces robust Hoxb1 and eGFP overexpression. When induced within the neural crest lineage, pups die at birth. A variable phenotype develops from E11.5 on, associating frontonasal hypoplasia/aplasia, micrognathia/agnathia, major ocular and forebrain anomalies, and cardiovascular malformations. Neural crest derivatives in the body appear unaffected. Transcription of effectors of developmental signaling pathways (Bmp, Shh, Vegfa) and transcription factors (Pax3, Sox9) is altered in mutants. These outcomes emphasize that repression of Hoxb1, along with other paralog group 1 and 2 Hox genes, is strictly necessary in anterior cephalic NC for craniofacial, visual, auditory, and cardiovascular development.
Links between blood parasites, blood chemistry, and the survival of nestling American crows
Authors: Townsend Andrea K. , Wheeler Sarah S. , Freund David , Sehgal Ravinder N. M. , Boyce Walter M.
Published: August 2018

Many studies have used the avian hemosporidians (Leucocytozoon,Plasmodium, andHemoproteus) to test hypotheses of host–parasite co‐evolution, yet documented health and survival consequences of these blood parasites vary among studies and generalizations about their pathogenicity are debatable. In general, the negative effects of the hemosporidians are likely to be greatest during acute infections of young birds, yet most previous studies in wild passerines have examined chronic effects in adults. Here, we evaluated responses of nestling American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) to acute infection (prevalence and burden), as well as its short‐ and long‐term survival consequences. We used panel of nine hematological and biochemical parameters that are regularly used to evaluate the health of domestic animals, including leukocyte profiles, hematocrit, and plasma proteins. We assessed the effects of infection on survival in a mark‐recapture framework. Overall, 56% of crows (n = 321 samples) were infected by at least one of the three genera. Infections by all genera were associated with elevated plasma proteins and globulins, which could indicate an adaptive immune response. However, onlyPlasmodiuminfections were associated with low hematocrit (anemia) and lower fledging success, possibly mediated by the negative effect of low hematocrit values on body condition. Moreover, earlyPlasmodiuminfection (<40 days of age) had long‐term survival implications: it was associated with lower apparent survival probability within 3 years after fledging. These results suggest that young crows mounted an adaptive immune response to all three genera. Short‐ and long‐term pathological effects, however, were only apparent withPlasmodiuminfections.
Multitasking and the evolution of optimal clutch size in fluctuating environments
Authors: Liu Ming , Rubenstein Dustin R. , Cheong Siew‐Ann , Shen Sheng‐Feng
Published: August 2018

Adaptive studies of avian clutch size variation across environmental gradients have resulted in what has become known as the fecundity gradient paradox, the observation that clutch size typically decreases with increasing breeding season length along latitudinal gradients, but increases with increasing breeding season length along elevational gradients. These puzzling findings challenge the common belief that organisms should reduce their clutch size in favor of additional nesting attempts as the length of the breeding season increases, an approach typically described as a bet‐hedging strategy. Here, we propose an alternative hypothesis—the multitasking hypothesis—and show that laying smaller clutches represents a multitasking strategy of switching between breeding and recovery from breeding. Both our individual‐based and analytical models demonstrate that a small clutch size strategy is favored during shorter breeding seasons because less time and energy are wasted under the severe time constraints associated with breeding multiply within a season. Our model also shows that a within‐generation bet‐hedging strategy is not favored by natural selection, even under a high risk of predation and in long breeding seasons. Thus, saving time—wasting less time as a result of an inability to complete a breeding cycle at the end of breeding season—is likely to be the primary benefit favoring the evolution of small avian clutch sizes during short breeding seasons. We also synthesize the seasonality hypothesis (pronounced seasonality leads to larger clutch size) and clutch size‐dependent predation hypothesis (larger clutch size causes higher predation risks) within our multitasking hypothesis to develop an integrative model to help resolve the paradox of contrasting patterns of clutch size along elevational and latitudinal gradients. Ultimately, our models provide a new perspective for understanding life‐history evolution under fluctuating environments.
Plastomes of nine hornbeams and phylogenetic implications
Authors: Li Ying , Yang Yongzhi , Yu Le , Du Xin , Ren Guangpeng
Published: August 2018

Poor phylogenetic resolution and inconsistency of gene trees are major complications when attempting to construct trees of life for various groups of organisms. In this study, we addressed these issues in analyses of the genus Carpinus (hornbeams) of the Betulaceae. We assembled and annotated the chloroplast (cp) genomes (plastomes) of nine hornbeams representing main clades previously distinguished in this genus. All nine plastomes are highly conserved, with four regions, and about 158–160 kb long, including 121–123 genes. Phylogenetic analyses of whole plastome sequences, noncoding sequences, and the well‐aligned coding genes resulted in high resolution of the sampled species in contrast to the failure based on a few cpDNA markers. Phylogenetic relationships in a few clades based only on the coding genes are slightly inconsistent with those based on the noncoding and total plastome datasets. Moreover, these plastome trees are highly incongruent with those based on bi‐parentally inherited internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence variations. Such high inconsistencies suggest widespread occurrence of incomplete lineage sorting and hybrid introgression during diversification of these hornbeams.
Design of the GutHeart—targeting gut microbiota to treat heart failure—trial: a Phase II, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mayerhofer Cristiane C.K. , Awoyemi Ayodeji O. , Moscavitch Samuel D. , Lappegård Knut Tore , Hov Johannes R. , Aukrust Pål , Hovland Anders , Lorenzo Andrea , Halvorsen Sigrun , Seljeflot Ingebjørg , Gullestad Lars , Trøseid Marius , Broch Kaspar
Published: August 2018

Aims

Heart failure (HF) is a multifactorial disease. Current treatments target only a fraction of the putative pathophysiological pathways. In patients with HF, reduced cardiac output and congestion cause increased gut wall permeability. It has been suggested that leakage of microbial products is detrimental to the heart, at least partly through activation of systemic inflammatory pathways, which again could promote gut leakage. Whether manipulating the gut microbiota can improve cardiac function in patients with HF remains unknown. We aim to evaluate the effect of drugs targeting the gut microbiota on left ventricular function, quality of life, and functional capacity, as well as on markers of gut leakage and inflammation, in stable patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction.

Methods and results

GutHeart is a randomized, open‐label, controlled trial. Four centres will randomize 150 patients with stable HF and a left ventricular ejection fraction <40% to receive the antibiotic rifaximin, the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii (ATCC 74012), or no treatment (control) in a 1:1:1 fashion. Treatment will last for 3 months. The primary endpoint is baseline‐adjusted left ventricular ejection fraction as measured by echocardiography after 3 months. A further follow‐up 6 months after randomization will be undertaken.

Conclusions

This trial is likely to give new insights into important disease processes involving the gut microbiota in HF patients, hereby leading to new potential therapeutic strategies to prevent and down‐regulate the inflammation seen in these patients.
Early Silurian adakitic high‐Mg diorite from the Longshan area: Implication for melting of mantle lithosphere in the south‐eastern Qilian Orogenic Belt
Authors: Zhang Zezhong , Qin Jiangfeng , Lai Shaocong , Long Xiaoping , Li Zhenghua , Ju Yinjuan , Zhu Yu , Wang Xingying , Wang Jiangbo
Published: August 2018

The Longshan area is located in the junction zone between the Qinling and eastern Qilian orogenic belts. Early Palaeozoic igneous rocks in this area can provide important insights into the evolution of Shangdan Ocean. This paper reports new petrology, chronology, major and trace element geochemistry, Sr–Nd isotope, and zircon Lu–Hf isotopic compositions for the Early Silurian pyroxene diorite in the Longshan area. The pyroxene diorite has a zircon U–Pb age of 432 ± 1 Ma (MSWD = 0.25, n = 27). The pyroxene diorite intrusion displays low SiO2 (53.34 to 56.32 wt.%), high Na2O (3.11% to 3.79 wt.%) and Sr (1112 to 1234 ppm) contents, and moderate Mg# (52.70 to 55.00) values, high Sr/Y (67 to 84) ratios, depleted in Y and HREE; these features are identical with the low‐Si adakite or sanukitoids that derived from melting of metasomatized mantle wedge. The pyroxene diorite intrusion has evolved Sr–Nd isotopic compositions, (87Sr/86Sr) i = 0.705286 to 0.705310, εNd(t) = −3.4 to −3.9. Zircons from the pyroxene diorite display variable εHf(t) values of −3.6 to +0.1. These features suggest that the pyroxene diorite intrusion was derived from a hydrous melting metasomatized mantle wedge which has been modified by slab melts. The occurrence of pyroxene diorite indicates an Early Silurian active continental margin setting in the south‐eastern Qilian Orogenic Belt.
Morphometric analysis of Middle Permian Eopolydiexodina and Monodiexodina species from the Dalan Formation, Zard‐Kuh Mountains, Zagros, Iran: An integration of traditional approach and quantitative analyses to identify fusulinid species
Authors: Arefifard Sakineh
Published: August 2018

Eopolydiexodina and Monodiexodina individuals from the Middle Permian lower Dalan Member of the Dalan Formation in the Zard‐Kuh Mountains, southwest Iran, are quantitatively studied using histograms, normal probability plots, test of normality, and parametric (PCA and PCoA) and non‐parametric (NMDS) ordination techniques, in order to determine the accuracy of previously identified Eopolydiexodina and Monodiexodina species based on traditionally defined fusulinid parameters. Specimens of the genus Eopolydiexodina recorded in the lower Dalan Member have been previously assigned to one species and those of Monodiexodina are subdivided into one species and one subspecies. In the present study, 35 specimens from an Eopolydiexodina‐bearing bed in unit 11 and 40 individuals from a Monodiexodina‐bearing bed in unit 17 of the lower Dalan Member are selected. Observations of the histograms, normal probability plots, and test of normality for all the measured variables reveal that Eopolydiexodina and Monodiexodina individuals follow generally a normal distribution. The results of the principal component analysis (PCA), principle coordinate analysis (PCoA), and non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) suggest that the distribution of the studied individuals cannot be divided into different groups and only one species for Eopolydiexodina (E. aff. persica) and one species for Monodiexodina (M. aff. kattaensis) are identifiable. This study provides an example to show how the identification and definition of fusulinid species can be well constrained using both the traditional description approach and modern morphometric techniques together.
High‐resolution paleoclimatic records spanning the past 30 cal ka BP inferred from Qionghai Lake sediments in south‐west China: Insights from geochemical investigations and grain‐size characteristics
Authors: Wang Gen , Wei Zhifu , Wang Yongli , Zhang Ting , He Wei , Sun Zepeng , Xu Liang , Gong Juncheng
Published: August 2018

There have been few high‐resolution investigations covering the last glacial and Holocene from Sichuan, Yunnan, or south Asia area in the south‐west monsoon domain region. High‐resolution analyses of lake sediments retrieved from Qionghai Lake, Sichuan Province, were conducted using a combination of variables including total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) concentration, low frequency magnetic susceptibility (χLF), particle size, carbonate content, and δ13C value of organic matter (δ13Corg), to provide a new perspective on the detailed paleoclimate history of south‐west China spanning the past 30 cal ka BP. Our findings suggest that organic matter in the Qionghai Lake was mainly derived from microorganisms, aquatic macrophytes, and terrestrial C3 plants. From 29.1 to 23.2 cal ka BP, low carbonate contents, high median grain size (Md values), and χLF values indicated a warm and wet climate. During the period 23.2 to 15.4 cal ka BP, low χLF, Md values, and high carbonate contents suggested a decrease in temperature and humidity. The cold and dry Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and Heinrich 1 event (H1) were captured between 21.6 and 19.4 cal ka BP and 17.6 and 15.8 cal ka BP, respectively. During the interval 15.4 to 9.7 cal ka BP, low level of χLF values and Md values, together with relatively high carbonates, demonstrated that a dry climate prevailed in this period. Since 9.7 cal ka BP, the climate was warm and humid in the early to mid‐Holocene and shifted towards cold and dry condition in the late Holocene. A cold and dry period at 8.5 to 8.1 cal ka BP and warm and wet interval at 6.6 to 4.6 cal ka BP were identified, corresponding to the 8.2‐ka cold event and Holocene climatic optimum (HCO), respectively. These climate changes may reflect variations of the intensity of the south‐west summer monsoon, primarily in response to the Northern Hemisphere solar insolation on a millennial scale induced by orbital forcing. The position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) may add a complementary effect on the evolution of the monsoon strength in the Holocene.
U.S. monetary policy and China's exchange rate policy during the great recession
Authors: Tervala Juha
Published: August 2018

I examine the transmission of expansionary U.S. monetary policy in cases where emerging economies—including China—peg their currencies to the dollar. I evaluate the value of the dollar peg as a fraction of consumption that households would be willing to pay for the dollar peg to remain as well off under the dollar peg as they would be under a flexible exchange rate. The value of the dollar peg is typically positive for the dollar bloc because the United States can no longer improve its terms of trade at the dollar bloc's expense. This provides a rationale for fixing the exchange rate. The dollar peg is typically harmful to the United States, providing a rationale for criticism of China's exchange rate policy during the Great Recession.
Diagnosis and Improvement of the Collective Irrigation and Drainage Services in Water Users’ Associations of Calabria (Southern Italy)
Authors: Zema Demetrio Antonio , Nicotra Angelo , Zimbone Santo Marcello
Published: August 2018

There is a need of diagnostic processes of collective irrigation and drainage services in southern Italy, helping to identify the weak points of management and to suggest improving actions. To these aims, a comprehensive analysis of the collective services in the water users’ associations (WUAs) operating in Calabria has been carried out, covering the infrastructural, organization and management aspects.

The investigation has shown important shortcomings: (i) the old and small irrigation systems need renovation; (ii) the drainage service would benefit from a continuous and planned maintenance activity of the hydraulic network; (iii) a rational reorganization of WUA human resources together with education activities is suggested. Management of WUAs (affected by low service levels and economic imbalance) needs improvement in procedures of water distribution (from rotational scheduling to on‐demand delivery) and water charging (with taxation on actual water consumption instead of on irrigable area), together with reduction of fee evasion and integration of profits (e.g. through sale of hydroelectric energy by small turbines installed in the irrigation networks).

This survey proposes a methodological framework which could be a technical and scientific support broadened to all aspects influencing irrigation and drainage activities of collective agencies and transferable to other rural contexts. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inside Cover: Effect of tissue staining in quantitative phase imaging (J. Biophotonics 8/2018)
Authors: Ban Sungbea , Min Eunjung , Ahn Yujin , Popescu Gabriel , Jung Woonggyu
Published: August 2018

The effect of tissue staining in wide‐field quantitative phase imaging is negligible when using a light source out of the absorption spectrum.

Further details can be found in the article by Sungbea Ban, Eunjung Min, Yujin Ahn, Gabriel Popescu, and Woonggyu Jung (e201700402)

image
Effects of aryl methanesulfonate derivatives on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase
Authors: Zilbeyaz Kani , Stellenboom Nashia , Guney Murat , Oztekin Aykut , Senturk Murat
Published: August 2018

There is a dire need for new treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Principal drugs have reached maturity, and the number of people affected by AD is growing at a rapid rate. After years of research and many clinical trials, only symptomatic treatments are available. An effective disease‐modifying drug for AD needs to be discovered. The research presented in this paper aims to facilitate in the discovery of new potential targets that could help in the ongoing AD research. Aryl methanesulfonate derivatives were screened for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory activities. IC50 values between 0.660 and 3.397 µM against AChE and 0.885 and 2.596 µM against BuChE were obtained.
Targeting junctional adhesion molecule-C ameliorates sepsis-induced acute lung injury by decreasing CXCR4+ aged neutrophils
Authors: Hirano Yohei , Ode Yasumasa , Ochani Mahendar , Wang Ping , Aziz Monowar
Published: August 2018

Sepsis is a severe inflammatory condition associated with high mortality. Transmigration of neutrophils into tissues increases their lifespan to promote deleterious function. Junctional adhesion molecule-C (JAM-C) plays a pivotal role in neutrophil transmigration into tissues. We aim to study the role of JAM-C on the aging of neutrophils to cause sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Sepsis was induced in C57BL/6J mice by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and JAM-C expression in serum was assessed. Bone marrow-derived neutrophils (BMDN) were treated with recombinant mouse JAM-C (rmJAM-C) ex vivo and their viability was assessed. CLP-operated animals were administrated with either isotype IgG or anti-JAM-C Ab at a concentration of 3 mg/kg and after 20 h, aged neutrophils (CXCR4+) were assessed in blood and lungs and correlated with systemic injury and inflammatory markers. Soluble JAM-C level in serum was up-regulated during sepsis. Treatment with rmJAM-C inhibited BMDN apoptosis, thereby increasing their lifespan. CLP increased the frequencies of CXCR4+ neutrophils in blood and lungs, while treatment with anti-JAM-C Ab significantly reduced the frequencies of CXCR4+ aged neutrophils. Treatment with anti-JAM-C Ab significantly reduced systemic injury markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase) as well as systemic and lung inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-1β) and chemokine (macrophage inflammatory protein-2). The blockade of JAM-C improved lung histology and reduced neutrophil contents in lungs of septic mice. Thus, reduction of the pro-inflammatory aged neutrophils by blockade of JAM-C has a novel therapeutic potential in sepsis-induced ALI.

Blood JAM-C levels are increased during sepsis, causing neutrophil aging by up-regulating surface CXCR4 expression. Blocking JAM-C ameliorates sepsis-induced acute lung injury in mice.
Cenicriviroc inhibits trans-endothelial passage of monocytes and is associated with impaired E-selectin expression
Authors: D'Antoni Michelle L , Mitchell Brooks I , McCurdy Sara , Byron Mary Margaret , Ogata-Arakaki Debra , Chow Dominic , Mehta Nehal N , Boisvert William A , Lefebvre Eric , Shikuma Cecilia M , Ndhlovu Lishomwa C , Baumer Yvonne
Published: August 2018

Incidences of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are high among virologically suppressed HIV-infected individuals. Monocyte activation and trafficking are key mechanisms in the evolution of CVD. We studied the ability of cenicriviroc (CVC), a dual C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) and CCR5 antagonist, to influence the migration of monocytes from HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Monocytes were derived from 23 ART-suppressed HIV-infected and 16 HIV-uninfected donors. In a trans-endothelial migration model, monocytes, and human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) were exposed to cenicriviroc and migrated monocytes, quantified. Expression of CCR2 and CCR5 on monocytes and adhesion molecules (E-selectin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, PECAM-1, and CD99) on HAoECs were measured. The single antagonists, BMS-22 (CCR2), and maraviroc (CCR5), served as controls. When both HAoECs and monocytes together were exposed to the antagonists, cenicriviroc led to a greater decrease in monocyte migration compared to BMS-22 or vehicle in both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected groups (P < 0.05), with maraviroc having no inhibitory effect. Cenicriviroc treatment of HAoECs alone decreased monocyte migration in the HIV-infected group when compared to vehicle (P < 0.01). Inhibition of migration was not evident when monocytes alone were exposed to cenicriviroc, BMS-22 or maraviroc. Incubation of HAoECs with cenicriviroc decreased E-selectin expression (P = 0.045) but had limited effects on the other adhesion molecules. Cenicriviroc inhibits monocyte trans-endothelial migration more effectively than single chemokine receptor blockade, which may be mediated via disruption of monocyte-endothelial tethering through reduced E-selectin expression. Cenicriviroc should be considered as a therapeutic intervention to reduce detrimental monocyte trafficking.

Cenicriviroc, a dual CCR2 and CCR5 antagonist, inhibits monocyte trafficking in an in vitro trans-endothelial migration assay more effectively than a single chemokine receptor blockade.
Calculation of the optical phonons in ordered Ba2MgWO6 perovskite using short‐range force field model
Authors: Rodrigues J.E. , Bezerra D.M. , Hernandes A.C.
Published: August 2018

Ba2MgWO6 is a double perovskite tungstate presenting a cubic structure with cubic space group
. This B‐site ordered system has potential applications as microwave ceramics in communication systems. Here, we present our results on the lattice dynamics calculations using short‐range force field model to describe both Raman (A1g ⊕ Eg ⊕ 2F2g) and infrared (4F1u) optical phonons at Γ‐point of the Brillouin zone in Ba2MgWO6 perovskite. Short‐range interactions were parameterized through four stretching and three bending force constants in light of the Wilson's GF‐matrix method. Satisfactory agreement between experimental and calculated vibrational data was found. We have used the potential energy distribution (PED) coefficients to determine the contribution of each force constant to the optical modes. The PED analysis elucidates that the W atom has a nonnegligible contribution in describing both A1g breathing and Last‐type (F1u) modes. Such a modeling provided insights into vibrational modes, enabling correlation between optical phonons, disorder effects, and physical properties for applications.
Space‐time fractional Dirichlet problems
Authors: Baeumer Boris , Luks Tomasz , Meerschaert Mark M.
Published: August 2018

This paper establishes explicit solutions for fractional diffusion problems on bounded domains. It also gives stochastic solutions, in terms of Markov processes time‐changed by an inverse stable subordinator whose index equals the order of the fractional time derivative. Some applications are given, to demonstrate how to specify a well‐posed Dirichlet problem for space‐time fractional diffusions in one or several variables. This solves an open problem in numerical analysis.
Improving effectiveness of public service advertisements to prevent texting and driving of American youth
Authors: Henley Walter H. , Ranganathan Sampath Kumar , Gurtu Amulya
Published: August 2018

This study examines and explores the interplay of theory (regulatory focus fit and implementation intentions) and emerging technology (interactive advertising and social media ad referrals) to segment viewers more effectively and thus increases the response efficacy of public service advertisements (PSAs). Advertising, in general, and PSAs, in particular, are both entering a new era as traditional delivery platforms (print, TV, and radio) are increasingly giving way to new media (the internet and mobile smartphones), which are more dynamic as they can allow adaptability and interactivity. Using a between‐subjects design, this study examined the effects of regulatory focus fit on PSA response from both traditional and interactive delivery methods. Results indicated that regulatory focus ads (promotion focus in a texting and donation context) have a positive effect on attitude toward the ads. Results also indicated that a regulatory focus ad (prevention focus) using an interactive delivery method has a positive effect on behavioral intentions. Implementation intentions analysis also indicated positive results for behavior from PSA outcomes. The findings of this study are expected to be useful for practitioners who are designing PSAs and advertisements to prevent texting and driving.
Stability and Change in Domain–Specific Self–Esteem and Global Self–Esteem
Authors: Rentzsch Katrin , Schröder–Abé Michela
Published: August 2018

A notable uptick of interest in the stability of self–esteem has been observed over the past few years. Most researchers, however, have focused on unidimensional rather than multidimensional conceptualizations of self–esteem. The paucity of empirical research is surprising given conflicting theoretical perspectives on the stability of self–esteem. The goal of the present study was to thoroughly disentangle different conceptualizations of self–esteem and test opposing classical theories on (i) the stability and (ii) the direction of mutual influence of these different forms of self–esteem. We analysed two–year longitudinal data from participants ( N = 644 at T1, N = 241 at T2) with an average age of 47.0 years ( SD = 12.4). Analyses using a latent variable approach revealed that the domains of self–esteem were relatively stable in terms of rank order and mean levels. In fact, the size of the stability coefficients was comparable to that of other trait measures that have been reported in the literature and paralleled the stability observed for global self–esteem. Results did not provide support for either top–down or bottom–up effects between domain–specific and global self–esteem. These findings have important theoretical and practical implications regarding the stability and development of self–esteem in adulthood and advance the understanding of self–esteem in personality theory. © 2018 European Association of Personality Psychology
Photothermally Responsive Inks for Inkjet‐Printing Secure Information
Authors: Chirico Giuseppe , Dacarro Giacomo , O'Regan Colm , Peltonen Jouko , Sarfraz Jawad , Taglietti Angelo , Borzenkov Mykola , Pallavicini Piersandro
Published: August 2018

2D patterns of photothermally responsive near‐infrared (NIR) absorbing gold nanostars (GNS), coated with multiple charged polymer layers, are inkjet‐printed on a glass surface. The shape of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) NIR absorption bands in the printed patterns loses its peaked form due to plasmon coupling, unless GNS are enveloped in multiple coating layers, keeping the inter‐GNS distance sufficiently large. In the latter case, the photothermal temperature increase (ΔT) induced by the NIR laser irradiation follows a ΔT versus irradiation wavelength (λirr) profile with the same sharply peaked shape of the LSPR bands of the liquid ink. With this result, a new paradigm for inkjet‐writing secure information is introduced, as an alternative to the current methods based on direct visual inspection of printed patterns. While the printed ink patterns of GNS with different coatings are visually indistinguishable despite their different NIR absorption spectrum, their photothermal response changes dramatically with λirr. This allows either to write and read simple information using a single λirr (YES answer for ΔT > threshold) or to use multiple λirr to write and read complex information like thermal bar codes and anti‐counterfeit signatures.
Phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical use of Panax notoginseng flowers buds
Authors: Zhang Siqi , Chen Chong , Lu Wenxi , Wei Li
Published: August 2018

Panax notoginseng is a well‐known traditional Chinese medicine, and dried flower buds of P. notoginseng (FBP) have also been used as a medicine or tea for a long time. The pharmacological effects of FBP include antihypertensive, anticancer, hepatoprotective, and cardiovascular protective effects. The compounds in FBP include saponins, flavonoids, volatile oils, and polysaccharides. The total saponins are the principal bioactive components. In modern applications, FBP is used to treat hypertension and tinnitus. There have been many studies on FBP and its effects in recent years, and it has attracted much attention in the medical field. This review summarizes the chemical components, pharmacological action, and clinical uses of FBP comprehensively to provide the references of deeper studies.