bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Purification of Lactobacillus acidophilus surface‐layer protein and its immunomodulatory effects on RAW264.7 cells
Authors: Zhang Dandan , Wu Mengting , Guo Yuxing , Xun Mingyue , Wang Wenwen , Wu Zhen , Pan Daodong
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

Surface‐layer proteins (SLP) have been found in the outermost layer of the cell wall in many types of lactobacillus are considered to be an important factor with respect to intestinal immunity.

RESULTS

The present study compared the effects of SLP extracted by different concentrations of LiCl and carbamide, and subsequently identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism and differential scanning calorimetry. Furthermore, RAW 264.7 cells were used to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of SLP. SLP were derived from Lactobacillus acidophilus CICC6074 with a molecular weight of 46 kDa, and consisted of 16.9% α‐helix, 42.3% β‐sheet, 20.8% β‐turns and 22.5% random coils. SLP promoted NO secretion and higher quantities of NO were produced as the SLP concentrations increased. SLP concentrations over 50 µg mL−1 significantly decreased the amount of tumor necrosis factor‐α secreted by RAW264.7 cells.

CONCLUSION

SLP can trigger immunomodulatory effects in RAW 264.7 cells. This provides crucial information that will enable the further use of L. acidophilus in food, medicine and other products. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Correlating enzymatic browning inhibition and antioxidant ability of Maillard reaction products derived from different amino acids
Authors: Xu Haining , Zhang Xiaoming , Karangwa Eric , Xia Shuqin
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

Up to now, only limited research on enzymatic browning inhibition capacity (BIC) of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) has been reported and there are still no overall and systematic researches on MRPs derived from different amino acids. In the present study, BIC and antioxidant capacity, including 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and Fe2+ reducing power activity, of the MRPs derived from 12 different amino acids and three reducing sugars were investigated.

RESULTS

The MRPs of cysteine (Cys), cystine, arginine (Arg) and histidine (His) showed higher BIC compared to other amino acids. Lysine (Lys)‐MRPs showed the highest absorbance value at 420 nm (A420) but very limited BIC, whereas Cys‐MRPs, showed the highest BIC and the lowest A420. The A420 can roughly reflect the trend of BIC of MRPs from different amino acids, except Cys and Lys. MRPs from tyrosine (Tyr) showed the most potent antioxidant capacity but very limited BIC, whereas Cys‐MRPs showed both higher antioxidant capacity and BIC compared to other amino acids. Partial least squares regression analysis showed positive and significant correlation between BIC and Fe2+ reducing power of MRPs from 12 amino acids with glucose or fructose, except Lys, Cys and Tyr. The suitable pH for generating efficient browning inhibition compounds varies depending on different amino acids: acidic pH was favorable for Cys, whereas neutral and alkaline pH were suitable for His and Arg, respectively. Increasing both heating temperature and time over a certain range could improve the BIC of MRPs of Cys, His and Arg, whereas any further increase deteriorates their browning inhibition efficiencies.

CONCLUSION

The types of amino acid, initial pH, temperature and time of the Maillard reaction were found to greatly influence the BIC and antioxidant capacity of the resulting MRPs. There is no clear relationship between BIC and the antioxidant capacity of MRPs when reactant type and processing parameters of the Maillard reaction are considered as variables. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessing Local Uncertainty of Soil Protection in an Olive Grove Area with Pruning Residues Cover: A Geostatistical Cosimulation Approach
Authors: Rodríguez‐Lizana Antonio , Pereira Maria João , Ribeiro Manuel C. , Soares Amilcar , Márquez‐García Francisco , Ramos Alzira , Gil‐Ribes Jesús
Published: February 2017

The spatial characterization of soil protection is important for preventing land degradation. Mulch covers of pruning residues are increasingly used by farmers, but little is known regarding their spatial variability. Thus, field research was conducted in a 14·7‐ha traditional olive grove located in Córdoba (Spain), to evaluate the variability of the initial density of pruning (Dpo), tree crown volume (V) and N content in residues (Np). Dry pruning weight and Np were characterized in 49 and 47 samples, respectively, covering approximately half of the area.Vwas measured in 178 locations covering all of the study area. The spatial continuity of these variables was described by spherical variograms. Geostatistical simulation algorithms were employed. One hundred realizations were made for Np through direct sequential simulation. Because the association withVwas large (rxy = 0·72,p‐value < 0·001), we ran a geostatistical cosimulation algorithm to obtain 100 maps of Dpo. The final density of pruning (FDp) was determined by applying a residue decomposition model for a 2‐year period to pairs of previously simulated maps of Np and Dpo. After setting soil protection cut‐off values for FDp, the soil protection probability was calculated for pruning strips of 2 and 4 m width. Finally, we converted the probability maps into binary maps and classified the farm into protected, unprotected and uncertain zones.Vprovided valuable input to evaluate soil protection. The application of stochastic simulations coupled with a decomposition model was useful to identify critical areas. This methodology can be easily applied to other crops. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Covering numbers of isotropic reproducing kernels on compact two‐point homogeneous spaces
Authors: Azevedo Douglas , Barbosa Victor S.
Published: February 2017

In this paper we present upper and lower estimates for the covering numbers of the unit ball of a reproducing kernel Hilbert space associated to a continuous isotropic kernel on a compact two‐point homogeneous space (CTPHS). These estimates are obtained from estimates on the decay of the Fourier–Jacobi coefficients of the kernel via applications of the Funk–Hecke formula and the Schoenberg series representation of an isotropic kernel on CTPHS and also by the use of cubature formulas on these spaces.
Suppression of Fgf2 by ETS2 repressor factor (ERF) is required for chorionic trophoblast differentiation
Authors: Vorgia Elena , Zaragkoulias Andreas , Peraki Ioanna , Mavrothalassitis George
Published: February 2017

ETS2 repressor factor (ERF) is a ubiquitous transcriptional repressor regulated by Extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation. Homozygous deletion of Erf in mice blocks chorionic trophoblast differentiation, resulting in the failure of chorioallantoic fusion and subsequent embryo death. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is important for proper trophoblast stem cell (TSC) differentiation and development of the hemochorial placenta. Lack of Fgf2 promotes TSC differentiation, while FGF4 or FGF2 is required for murine TSC maintenance. Here, we show that low in vivo Fgf2 mRNA abundance occurs in patches of placental chorion cells and ex vivo in TSCs. This expression is repressed via direct interaction of ERF with the Fgf2 transcription unit is increased in the absence of ERF, and is decreased in the presence of an ERF mutant resistant to ERK phosphorylation. Thus, FGF2 inhibition by ERF appears to be necessary for proper chorionic TSC differentiation, and may account for the block of chorionic trophoblast differentiation in Erf‐knockout animals. The differentiation of ERF‐overexpressing TSC lines also suggests that ERF may have an FGF2‐independent effect during the commitment towards syncytiotrophoblasts.
inhomogeneity mitigation in CEST using parallel transmission
Authors: Tse Desmond H.Y. , da Silva Nuno Andre , Poser Benedikt A. , Shah N. Jon
Published: February 2017

Purpose

In order to benefit from the increased spectral bandwidth at ultrahigh field (UHF), the use of parallel transmission (pTx) to mitigate flip‐angle inhomogeneity in chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging is investigated.

Theory and Methods

A pTx basis pulse is homogenised by magnitude least‐squares (MLS) optimization and expanded to form a frequency‐selective saturation pulse for CEST. The pTx saturation pulse was simulated with a three‐pool Bloch‐McConnell equation to evaluate the impact of pTx on CEST contrast. In vivo CEST imaging performance (7 T) of the pTx saturation pulse and the standard Gaussian saturation in circularly polarized mode were compared. Two‐spokes pTx homogeneous excitation was used in all in vivo experiments to ensure fair comparison of the two saturation pulses. Magnetization transfer ratio and inverse Z‐spectrum analyses were used as metrics in evaluating the data from 3 healthy volunteers.

Results

Bloch‐McConnell simulations showed that side bands of the pTx saturation pulse at ±20 ppm did not affect any CEST contrast. Improved homogeneity in contrasts and relaxation‐compensated CEST metrics were observed in our in vivo data when the pTx saturation pulse was used.

Conclusion

A pTx‐based pulsed CEST presaturation scheme is proposed and validated by simulations and 7T in vivo imaging. Magn Reson Med 78:2216–2225, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Engineering Functions into Platinum and Platinum–Rhodium Nanoparticles in a One‐Step Microwave Irradiation Synthesis
Authors: Kalyva Maria , Wragg David S. , Fjellvåg Helmer , Sjåstad Anja O.
Published: February 2017

Platinum (Pt) and platinum–rhodium (PtRh) nanoparticles (NPs) are active catalysts for a range of important industrial reactions, and their response has been shown to be affected by size, morphology, composition, and architectural configuration. We report herein the engineering of these functionalities into NPs by suitably modifying our single‐step fabrication process by using microwave irradiation dielectric heating. NPs with different morphologies are acquired by manipulating the reaction kinetics with the concentration of the capping agent while keeping the reaction time constant. Pt@Rh core@shell octopod‐cube, Pt‐truncated‐cube, and cube and small‐sphere NPs having “near‐monodisperse” distributions and average sizes in the range of 4 to 18 nm are obtained. By increasing the microwave time the composition of Pt@Rh can be tuned, and NPs with a Rh‐rich shell and a tunable Pt100−xRhx (x≤41 at %) core are fabricated. Finally, alloy bimetallic PtRh NPs with controlled composition are designed by simultaneous tuning of the relative molar ratio of the metal precursors and the microwave irradiation time.
Traditional and complementary medicine used with curative intent in childhood cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Diorio Caroline , Salena Kristen , Ladas Elena J. , Lam Catherine G. , Afungcwhi Glenn M. , Njuguna Festus , Marjerrison Stacey
Published: February 2017

Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) strategies are widely utilized in pediatric oncology, with many families reporting T&CM use with the intention to cure cancer. Study of T&CM agents presents many challenges, as a heterogeneous group of agents and techniques are used for a variety of different purpose in many different oncologic conditions. We present a systematic review of the literature examining published reports in which T&CM agents are used with an intention of cure. Twenty‐two reports were identified, with most reports being of poor quality. Novel paradigms are likely needed to further investigate T&CM agents.
Pelvis Ewing sarcoma: Local control and survival in the modern era
Authors: Ahmed Safia K. , Robinson Steven I. , Arndt Carola A. S. , Petersen Ivy A. , Haddock Michael G. , Rose Peter S. , Issa Laack Nadia N.
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Local control for Ewing sarcoma (ES) has improved in modern studies. However, it is unclear if these gains have also been achieved for pelvis tumors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate local control and survival in pelvis ES patients treated in the modern era.

Methods

All pelvis ES patients diagnosed from 1990 to 2012 and seen at Mayo Clinic were identified. Factors relevant to survival and local control were analyzed.

Results

The cohort consisted of 48 patients. Fifty‐two percent had metastatic disease at diagnosis. The 5‐year overall survival and event‐free survival was 73% and 65%, respectively, for localized disease. The 5‐year cumulative incidence of local recurrence was 19%, with a 26% incidence for radiation, 13% for surgery, and 0% for surgery + radiation (P = 0.54). All local failures occurred in‐field. Sacral involvement by tumor trended toward a higher incidence of local recurrence (hazard ratio 3.06, P = 0.09). Patients treated with definitive radiation doses ≥5,600 cGy had a lower incidence of local recurrence (17% vs. 28%, P = 0.61).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates excellent survival for localized tumors in the modern era. Anatomical localization within the pelvis likely correlates with outcomes. Local control remains problematic, especially for patients treated with definitive radiation. Though statistically not significant, surgery + radiation and definitive radiation dose ≥5,600 cGy were associated with the lowest incidence of local failure, suggesting treatment intensification may improve local control for pelvis ES.
Systematic analysis of residual density suggests that a major limitation in well‐refined X‐ray structures of proteins is the omission of ordered solvent
Authors: Wang Jimin
Published: February 2017

In the residual electron density map of a fully refined X‐ray protein model, there should be no peaks arising from modeling errors or missing atoms. Any residual peaks that do occur should be contributed by random residual intensity differences between the model and the data. If the model is incomplete (i.e., some atoms are missing), there will be more positive peaks than negative ones. On the other hand, if the model includes inappropriately located atoms, there will be an excess of negative peaks. In this study, random residual peaks are quantified using the probability density function P(x), which is defined as the probability for a peak having peak height between x and x + dx. It is found that P(x) is single‐exponential and symmetric for both positive and negative peaks. Thus, P(x) can be used to discriminate residual peaks contributed by random noise in complete models from residual peaks being attributable to modeling errors in incomplete models. For a number of representative structures in the PDB it is found that P(x) has far more large (greater than 5 sigma) positive peaks than large negative peaks. This excess of large positive peaks suggests that the main defect in these refined structures is the omission of ordered water molecules.
Managing common eye problems in general practice
Authors: Robinson Ann
Published: February 2017

Eye conditions are commonly encountered in primary care, but GPs often lack confidence with their diagnosis. This article gives an overview of some of the most common eye problems a GP might encounter and how they should be managed, including red flag symptoms to look out for when urgent referral is required.
Process overview: development of NICE guidelines
Authors: Ogden Joy
Published: February 2017

Developing NICE guidelines is a complex and involved procedure. This article provides an overview of the whole process from start to finish, including an inside view from a former NICE guideline committee chair.
Proposals on faster NHS access to new medicines
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: February 2017

NICE and NHS England are consulting on changes to the way new treatments are appraised so that patients get access to the most cost‐effective treatments much faster. This article summarises the main changes being planned.
Time‐resolved spectroscopy of luminescence in a wide gap Si‐doped β‐Ga2O3
Authors: Oda Hisaya , Kimura Nana , Yasukawa Dai , Wakai Hirofumi , Yamanaka Akio
Published: February 2017

Optical properties of Si‐doped β‐Ga2O3 have been investigated by the time‐resolved spectroscopy, as well as by the conventional cw‐spectroscopy. The green photoluminescence is observed for photo‐excitations below the optical band gap Eg. The excitation spectrum of the green photoluminescence indicates a weak absorption band, presumably induced by Si‐doping, located at 0.2–0.3 eV below the conduction band minimum. The time‐resolved spectroscopy has revealed that the green photoluminescence manifests itself as the slower decay component. On the other hand, the fastest decay component, which is distributed from the UV to green regions, can be characterized by a time constant of ∼100 ns, comparable to that for un‐doped β‐Ga2O3.
Distributed tracking control of uncertain mechanical systems with velocity constraints
Authors: Chen Chunyu , Dong Wenjie
Published: February 2017

This paper considers the leader‐following control problem of multiple mechanical systems with uncertainty and velocity constraints. So as to deal with the velocity constraints, a reduction procedure is applied to transform the model of each system to a cascaded system. With the aid of the cascade structure of each system and the properties of linear time‐varying systems, distributed robust feedback controllers are proposed such that the state of each follower system asymptotically converges to the state of a leader system with the aid of neighbors' information. So as to reduce the cost of the communication between systems, an event‐triggered leader‐following control problem is also considered, and event‐triggered distributed controllers are proposed. As an application of the proposed results, formation control of wheeled mobile robots is considered, and distributed controllers are obtained with the aid of the results in Theorems 1 and 2. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed results. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
“Phil's Calling Grandma… ”: The Role of External Support in Human–Companion Animal Identity Pairings
Authors: Laurent‐Simpson Andrea
Published: February 2017

This exploratory paper deals with human–animal role identity pairings such as parent–child or sibling–sibling and the necessity of support from other actors both for the formation of these idiosyncratic identities, as well as for their situational placement in social environments not limited to the nonhuman animal. Taken from a qualitative study examining identity formation counter to the nonhuman animal, I use in‐depth interviews of both people with and without human children to demonstrate how human‐to‐human relationships are formed by categorizing the companion animal as a “child” of sorts within the family structure. These relationships prove integral to the continued development and enactment of identities such as the animal “parent” or the animal “sibling” via three different groups: their own parents, partners, and, in one case, adult siblings. This creates positive affect and commitment to the identity across other social situations. Implications of these findings for identity theory and family research are discussed.
Racial Authenticity and Familial Acceptance Among Transracial Adoptees: A Bothersome Bargain of Belonging
Authors: Goss Devon R. , Byrd W. Carson , Hughey Matthew W.
Published: February 2017

Transracial adoption in the United States has increased significantly in recent years. Crossing the color line within the intimate familial sphere has important implications for how institutions such as the family enable and constrain individuals' identity work. We explore how transracial family members utilize racial stereotypes and racialist understandings in everyday life, employing 30 in‐depth, life‐story interviews with both transracial adoptees and their white siblings. In attempts to accomplish a sense of belonging and authenticity, we argue that both transracial adoptees of color and their white siblings experience divergent and paradoxical expectations of familial and racial authenticity. We find that although they often utilized “color capital” in a quest for racial authenticity, in certain spaces and environments, they were expected to eschew their nonwhite identity and embrace “acting white” as purported by white family members and their “white debt” approach to racial socialization. This study adds nuance to the question of how families navigate the enduring power of the color line in relation to the reproduction of both material inequalities and racial discrimination.
Studies on Solution Behavior of Aqueous Mixtures of Nonionic Polymer in Presence of Cationic Surfactants
Authors: Sardar Najam , Kamil Mohammad , Kabir‐ud‐Din
Published: February 2017

The interactions of two gemini surfactants (16–s–16, s = 5, 6) and their conventional counterpart cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) with polyethylene glycols (PEG 3000 and PEG 35000) have been investigated using conductivity, steady state fluorescence, viscosity and TEM techniques. The results indicate that there is no interaction between the PEG 3000/CTAB complex at lower polymer concentrations. However, a very weak interaction is observed at higher concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 wt% PEG 3000), while PEG 3000 and PEG 35000 interact with the gemini surfactants. Both critical aggregation concentration (CAC) and critical micelle concentration (CMC) increases with polymer concentration but are independent of the polymer molecular weight. From steady state fluorescence it is found that the addition of PEG results in no drastic decrease in the aggregation number (N) for all surfactants. This suggests that the atmosphere surrounding the polyion‐bound micelles, with respect to the influence on the forces acting at the micelle surface, is equivalent to the counterion/water atmosphere surrounding free micelles. The relative viscosity (ηr) results show an enhancement in ηr for all the surfactants. The increase in ηr is quite significant with gemini surfactants. Polymer‐surfactant interaction also depends on the polymer molecular weight. Also, the interaction seems to affect both inter polymer–polymer association as well as chain expansion. Additionally the surfactant induced changes in the polymer conformation depicted by TEM study at the micro structural level confirmed previously observed interactions determined by different analytical techniques.
Let us not neglect the impact of organizational culture on increasing diversity within medical schools
Authors: Alexander Kirsty , Cleland Jennifer , Nicholson Sandra
Published: February 2017

None
Is there a link between economic growth and insurance and banking sector activities in the G‐20 countries?
Authors: Pradhan Rudra P. , Arvin Mak B. , Nair Mahendhiran , Hall John H. , Gupta Atul
Published: February 2017

Rapid technological development over the last three decades has enabled different sectors of the economy to be seamlessly integrated. This has had an important spill‐over impact on the wealth of countries across the globe. In this paper we examine the inter‐linkages between the banking sector and the insurance industry on the economic growth of the G‐20 countries between 1980 and 2014. Using the vector auto‐regression model and the Granger causality test, the study shows that in the long run, developments in the banking sector and insurance industry have had a significant impact on the economic growth of the G‐20 countries. In the short term, the inter‐relationships between the three factors prove to be more complex in that they differ by countries in different stages of development. Based on the empirical findings, this paper discusses the policies and strategies policy makers and banks and insurance companies should have in place in order to create sustained economic growth in an increasingly inter‐connected world.
Introduction
Authors: Katz Michael B.
Published: February 2017

In the last few years Canadians have begun to rediscover their educational past. For the most part the movement to revitalize the history of Canadian education has been the work of younger scholars, and the results of their thought, energy, and research are just now reaching the point of visibility. The purpose of this collection is to make some of that work public.
News and Comments
Authors: McClellan B. Edward
Published: February 2017

Editor's report

Any report of this year's activity must begin with an acknowledgement of Bill Reese's central role. Every issue of 1995 has been put together by Bill, and several issues of next year will also bear his imprint. Over his seven years as editor, Bill Reese has set a high standard of editorial excellence. Under his leadership, the size of the Quarterly has increased markedly, as the number of articles, essay reviews, and book reviews has grown. In these same years, subscriptions and memberships have also increased steadily, which I take to be a measure of widespread approval of Bill's work. I am pleased that Bill will continue his affiliation with the Quarterly by serving as one of four associate editors.
Schooling and Schoolteachers: Selected Bibliography of Autobiographies in the Nineteenth Century
Authors: Finkelstein Barbara J.
Published: February 2017

The systematic use of autobiographies as sources of inquiry and as indexes of historical change is just now beginning. The relative indifference of historians to this kind of source is understandable. The inherently subjective character of each autobiography as well as the limited experience of any one author means, of course, that generalizations should be cautiously advanced.
Results of revision myringoplasty: are they different to those of primary myringoplasty?
Authors: Prinsley P
Published: February 2017

Audit question:

Does revision myringoplasty have worse outcomes than primary surgery?

Methods:

The International Otology Database has been used to record data on surgery for middle-ear disease in Norfolk, UK, over nine years. The data show the results of all myringoplasty cases and the results of revision cases. Outcome measures are perforation and hearing change. Comparison is made with benchmark centres of excellence.

Results:

A total of 611 operations included myringoplasty; 356 (58 per cent) of cases had a recorded follow up at 3 months. Twenty-nine patients (8.1 per cent) had a post-operative perforation. Benchmark centres performed 2319 operations; 1284 (55 per cent) of these had a follow up at 3 months, and 82 patients (6.4 per cent) had a perforation at follow up. Sixty-nine of the Norfolk patients were revision cases. Six of the 69 patients (8.7 per cent) had a perforation at follow up. The average hearing gain in the revision myringoplasty patients in Norfolk was 7 dB.

Conclusion:

The results of the revision myringoplasty cases are the same as those for the primary myringoplasty cases in this series.
A simple diagnostic scale based on the analysis and screening of clinical parameters in paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnea syndrome
Authors: Wu D , Li X , Guo X , Qin J , Li S
Published: February 2017

Objective:

This study aimed to develop a simple and accurate method to diagnose paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnea syndrome.

Methods:

A total of 311 children with suspected paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnea syndrome were included in the study. Multiple clinical parameters, including sex, age, body mass index, history of snoring or gasping, history of nasal obstruction, history of running nose, palatine tonsil size, adenoid to nasopharynx ratio, and tympanogram type, were compared with polysomnography results using relevant correlation and regression analyses. A diagnostic scale was established using the regression equation and the correlation between the polysomnography result and scale result was determined.

Results:

The apnoea–hypopnea index correlated significantly with a history of snoring or gasping, palatine tonsil size, and tympanogram type. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that the polysomnography result correlated significantly with a history of snoring or gasping, palatine tonsil size, and the adenoid to nasopharynx ratio. The percentage correlation between the scale and polysomnography results was 77.8 per cent.

Conclusion:

The diagnostic scale can be used to diagnose paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnea syndrome for clinical application when polysomnography cannot be performed. However, it is not suitable for assessing the severity of paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnea syndrome.
Inter-annual variability in otolith chemistry of catfish Genidens barbus from South-western Atlantic estuaries
Authors: Avigliano Esteban , Carvalho Barbara , Velasco Gonzalo , Tripodi Pamela , Volpedo Alejandra Vanina
Published: February 2017

The catfish Genidens barbus is a commercial species from South America. The aim of the present study was to examine the inter-annual variability in estuary-specific chemical signatures of otolith cores (Ba:Ca, Mg:Ca, Mn:Ca, Sr:Ca and Zn:Ca ratios) for three estuaries from Argentina and Brazil where adults were collected over multiple years. Secondarily, we evaluated whether the percentages of classification of individuals to their natal origin place are affected by the grouping of several cohorts. Most element:Ca ratios were not significantly different among year cohorts. Results from PERMANOVA revealed significant differences in the multi-element signatures of the otolith core between cohorts for the Plata River estuary (PR) (P = 0.006) and the Patos Lagoon (PL) (P = 0.03), while no significant differences (P = 0.9) were found for Paranaguá Bay (PB). The percentages of spatial classification (discriminant function analyses) decreased to between 15.5 and 25% for PR and PL when cohorts were grouped. This work makes it clear that the temporal variation in the chemical signature of the adult catfish otolith core can greatly affect the percentages of spatial classification.
High sedimentary oxygen consumption indicates that sewage input from small islands drives benthic community shifts on overfished reefs
Authors: FORD AMANDA K. , VAN HOYTEMA NANNE , MOORE BRADLEY R. , PANDIHAU LINA , WILD CHRISTIAN , FERSE SEBASTIAN C. A.
Published: February 2017

Small-island coral reef ecosystems are usually closely coupled to the activities of human inhabitants. Ahus Island (Papua New Guinea) is an isolated Pacific island with a rapidly growing population, heavy reliance on marine resources and limited infrastructure. We hypothesized that untreated sewage was driving distinct benthic assemblages around Ahus and neighbouring uninhabited Onetah. At sites with varying proximities to beach toilets, fore-reef herbivorous fish biomass and benthic composition were measured alongside reef-flat sedimentary oxygen consumption (SOC); a high SOC rate reflects high organic input into coastal waters, thus serving as a potential indicator of sewage input. Fish biomass was low (17.1–20.1 g m–2), but consistent between sites. However, cyanobacteria dominated the fore-reef closest to toilets (62 ± 3%) with highest reef-flat SOC, whereas hard corals dominated furthest away (63 ± 1%), where SOC was lowest. To our knowledge, this is the first study that used SOC to detect local differences in sewage pollution. The results indicate that whilst corals can maintain their dominance on overfished reefs, additional sewage stress may drive pronounced benthic shifts, highlighting the urgency to improve small-island waste management.
Investigation of stearic acid additive effects on the mechanochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles
Authors: Khakan Behruz , Shahroozi Abbas , Afsari Ahmad , Hosseini Seyed Reza
Published: February 2017

The silver (Ag) powder was synthesized in a mechanochemical (MC) process by inducing a solid-state displacement reaction between silver chloride (AgCl) and copper (Cu). This process was carried out in argon atmosphere conditions using a planetary ball mill. The reaction caused the mixture of AgCl and Cu to change the composition of the mixture to Ag and copper chloride (CuCl). CuCl was separated from MC product by leaching with ammonium hydroxide. Thus, Ag powder was obtained as the final product. Stearic acid (C18H36O2) was used as the additive to improve dispersion of Ag powder during the MC process. The ground powders, formed in the presence and absence of additive, were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The XRD determined that the reaction between AgCl and Cu was completed in 18 h milling. SEM and particle size analysis examinations revealed that the size of the particles in the synthesized metallic Ag powder was in the range of 30–300 nm.
Rural Social Combustibility in Eastern Europe (1880–1914): A Cross-Border Perspective
Authors: MARIN IRINA
Published: February 2017

This article proposes a comparative, cross-border analysis of the sources of rural combustibility around the complex frontier between Austria-Hungary, Tsarist Russia and the states that emerged out of the fringes of the Ottoman Empire, Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria, at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth centuries. Starting from the major peasant uprising that took place in 1907 in Romania, the article seeks to account for the fledgling country's explosiveness in contrast to its neighbours, given the structural and functional similarities of the systems around the frontier. It argues that, despite these skin-deep similarities, there were vital differences as regards the initial terms of peasant emancipation and the presence of a system of checks and balances, which could curb the impositions of the great landowners onto the peasants.
Economies and Strategies of the Northern Rural Poor: the Mitigation of Poverty in a West Riding Township in the Nineteenth Century
Authors: RAWSON GRAHAM
Published: February 2017

In the agricultural township of Rigton, ten miles north of Leeds, three-quarters of labouring households had recourse to poor relief at some stage between 1815 and 1861. The chronology of this microhistory straddles the end of the French Wars, the Sturges Bourne reforms, and, due to the existence of the country's largest Gilbert Unions, the region's laggardly application of the Poor Law Amendment Act. It seeks, by source linkage, to establish the contexts of labour, welfare and the life cycle within a northern community, and place the poor and their experiences of, and strategies against, poverty within that community. A demographic overview introduces the contexts of labouring families' lives, whilst a commentary on expositions of biographical reconstitutions of two generations of a labouring family, forms a major part of this exploration. This argues that whilst relationships with, and mitigation against, poverty were fluid and complex, as the century progressed labouring families had a decreasing interface with the Poor Law, and adopted and developed new economic strategies to add to their portfolio of makeshifts.1
Network analysis reveals why Xylella fastidiosa will persist in Europe
Authors: Strona Giovanni , Carstens Corrie Jacobien , Beck Pieter S. A.
Published: February 2017

The insect vector borne bacterium Xylella fastidiosa was first detected in olive trees in Southern Italy in 2013, and identified as the main culprit behind the ‘olive quick decline syndrome’. Since then, the disease has spread rapidly through Italy’s main olive oil producing region. The epidemiology of the outbreak is largely unstudied, with the list of X. fastidiosa hosts and vectors in Europe likely incomplete, and the role humans play in dispersal unknown. These knowledge gaps have led to management strategies based on general assumptions that require, among others, local vector control and, in certain areas, the destruction of infected plants and healthy ones around them in an attempt to eradicate or halt the spreading pest. Here we show that, regardless of epidemiological uncertainties, the mere distribution of olive orchards in Southern Italy makes the chances of eradicating X. fastidiosa from the region extremely slim. Our results imply that Southern Italy is becoming a reservoir for X. fastidiosa. As a consequence, management strategies should keep the prevalence of X. fastidiosa in the region as low as possible, primarily through vector control, lest the pathogen, that has also been detected in southern France and the island of Mallorca (Spain), continues spreading through Italy and Europe.
Amplification on Undirected Population Structures: Comets Beat Stars
Authors: Pavlogiannis Andreas , Tkadlec Josef , Chatterjee Krishnendu , Nowak Martin A.
Published: February 2017

The fixation probability is the probability that a new mutant introduced in a homogeneous population eventually takes over the entire population. The fixation probability is a fundamental quantity of natural selection, and known to depend on the population structure. Amplifiers of natural selection are population structures which increase the fixation probability of advantageous mutants, as compared to the baseline case of well-mixed populations. In this work we focus on symmetric population structures represented as undirected graphs. In the regime of undirected graphs, the strongest amplifier known has been the Star graph, and the existence of undirected graphs with stronger amplification properties has remained open for over a decade. In this work we present the Comet and Comet-swarm families of undirected graphs. We show that for a range of fitness values of the mutants, the Comet and Comet-swarm graphs have fixation probability strictly larger than the fixation probability of the Star graph, for fixed population size and at the limit of large populations, respectively.
On the key role of droughts in the dynamics of summer fires in Mediterranean Europe
Authors: Turco Marco , von Hardenberg Jost , AghaKouchak Amir , Llasat Maria Carmen , Provenzale Antonello , Trigo Ricardo M.
Published: February 2017

Summer fires frequently rage across Mediterranean Europe, often intensified by high temperatures and droughts. According to the state-of-the-art regional fire risk projections, in forthcoming decades climate effects are expected to become stronger and possibly overcome fire prevention efforts. However, significant uncertainties exist and the direct effect of climate change in regulating fuel moisture (e.g. warmer conditions increasing fuel dryness) could be counterbalanced by the indirect effects on fuel structure (e.g. warmer conditions limiting fuel amount), affecting the transition between climate-driven and fuel-limited fire regimes as temperatures increase. Here we analyse and model the impact of coincident drought and antecedent wet conditions (proxy for the climatic factor influencing total fuel and fine fuel structure) on the summer Burned Area (BA) across all eco-regions in Mediterranean Europe. This approach allows BA to be linked to the key drivers of fire in the region. We show a statistically significant relationship between fire and same-summer droughts in most regions, while antecedent climate conditions play a relatively minor role, except in few specific eco-regions. The presented models for individual eco-regions provide insights on the impacts of climate variability on BA, and appear to be promising for developing a seasonal forecast system supporting fire management strategies.
Patterns of acute inflammatory symptoms prior to cancer diagnosis
Authors: Setiawan Andrea , Yin Li , Auer Gert , Czene Kamila , Smedby Karin E. , Pawitan Yudi
Published: February 2017

Although many studies have examined the role of chronic inflammation in cancer development, few studies discuss the patterns of acute inflammation prior to cancer diagnosis. Patients with lung, colorectal, prostate, or breast cancer between 1 July 2006 and 31 December 2009 and their metastatic status at diagnosis were determined through the Swedish Cancer Register. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use in the year prior to cancer diagnosis was assessed through the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. There were 13,945 patients identified with breast cancer, 6501 with prostate cancer, 5508 with lung cancer, and 12,723 with colon cancer. For metastatic patients, there is strong evidence of higher NSAIDs use 1–3 months compared to 10–12 months prior to diagnosis (breast odds ratio (OR) = 3.54, 95% CI 2.26–5.54; prostate OR = 3.90, 95% CI 3.10–4.90; lung OR = 2.90 95% CI 2.44–3.44; colorectal OR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.36–2.05). For non-metastatic patients, increased NSAIDs use 1–3 months prior to diagnosis was also observed, but only to a smaller extent for lung and prostate cancer (prostate OR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.27–1.72; lung 1.41, 95% CI 1.19–1.67). In conclusion, if NSAIDs use reflects underlying inflammatory symptoms, there is support for the hypothesis that advanced cancer was associated with an acute inflammatory process.
A nickel-borate nanoarray: a highly active 3D oxygen-evolving catalyst electrode operating in near-neutral water
Authors: Ji Xuqiang , Cui Liang , Liu Danni , Hao Shuai , Liu Jingquan , Qu Fengli , Ma Yongjun , Du Gu , Asiri Abdullah M. , Sun Xuping
Published: February 2017

A nickel-borate nanoarray on carbon cloth (Ni-Bi/CC) derived from NiO/CC shows high activity and durability for water oxidation electrocatalysis in a borate electrolyte (pH 9.2), offering a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 470 mV.
In situ probing of the crystallization kinetics of rr-P3HT on single layer graphene as a function of temperature
Authors: Boulanger Nicolas , Yu Victor , Hilke Michael , Toney Michael F. , Barbero David R.
Published: February 2017

In situ X-ray diffraction analysis of P3HT films during cooling down on both Si and G.
Modulation of the electronic and mechanical properties of phagraphene via hydrogenation and fluorination
Authors: Wu Donghai , Wang Shuaiwei , Yuan Jinyun , Yang Baocheng , Chen Houyang
Published: February 2017

Adsorption-induced semimetal–semiconductor and semimetal–insulator transitions were determined and strain-induced insulator–semiconductor transition was identified in phagraphene.
Absorption behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate)–multiwalled carbon nanotube composites: effects of UV irradiation
Authors: Hsu Je-Chuan , Cao Wenxin , Yang Fuqian , Yang Tsong-Jen , Lee Sanboh
Published: February 2017

Understanding the effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on solvent transport in polymers is of practical importance for the applications of polymer–CNT composites in electronics and photonics.
Deep insight into Zr/Fe combination for successful Pt/CeO2/Al2O3WGS catalyst doping
Authors: González-Castaño M. , Ivanova S. , Ioannides T. , Centeno M. A. , Odriozola J. A.
Published: February 2017

Efficient promotion of the Pt/CeO2/Al2O3catalytic system was achieved by the addition of two different ceria promoters, Zr and Fe.
Organic sponge photocatalysis
Authors: Li Xingrong , Li Yaoyao , Huang Yuxing , Zhang Teng , Liu Yizhen , Yang Bo , He Chuanxin , Zhou Xuechang , Zhang Junmin
Published: February 2017

A polydimethylsiloxane organic sponge photocatalyst: high efficiency and reusability for visible light mediated cross-dehydrogenative coupling reactions. Through an easy-to-build continuous flow reactor, the sponge photocatalytic reaction can be facilely scaled up.
Pyridine-functionalized organic porous polymers: applications in efficient CO2 adsorption and conversion
Authors: Yang Zhenzhen , Wang Huan , Ji Guipeng , Yu Xiaoxiao , Chen Yu , Liu Xinwei , Wu Cailing , Liu Zhimin
Published: February 2017

Pyridine-functionalized porous organic polymers showed excellent CO2 uptake capacity and served as efficient catalysts for the formylation of amines with CO2/H2 after metallization with Ru(0) nanoparticles.
An environmentally benign approach to achieving vectorial alignment and high microporosity in bacterial cellulose/chitosan scaffolds
Authors: Li Guohui , Nandgaonkar Avinav G. , Habibi Youssef , Krause Wendy E. , Wei Qufu , Lucia Lucian A.
Published: February 2017

Bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers secreted byKomagataeibacter xylinus10245 were applied alone or with chitosan to prepare highly aligned and porous scaffolds through a liquid nitrogen-initiated ice “templating” and freeze-drying process.
The fluorescence quenching phenomenon in newly synthesized blue fluorescence protein molecule caused by anchoring group substitution: a DFT and TD-DFT study
Authors: Ma Chi , Liu Yufang , Li Chaozheng , Yang Yonggang
Published: February 2017

The newly synthesized blue fluorescence protein (BFP) molecule combined with its derivatives were fully investigated using DFT and TD-DFT methods.
Solar synthesized tin oxide nanoparticles dispersed on graphene wrapped carbon nanotubes as a Li ion battery anode material with improved stability
Authors: Sahoo Madhumita , Ramaprabhu S.
Published: February 2017

Average 3 nm SnO2 nanoparticles dispersed protruded surfaced graphene wrapped carbon nanotubes were used as a functional anode to achieve improved capacity and remarkable cyclic stability.
Observation of up-conversion luminescence polarization control in Sm3+-doped glass under an intermediate femtosecond laser field
Authors: Zheng Ye , Cheng Wenjing , Yao Yunhua , Xu Cheng , Feng Donghai , Jia Tianqing , Qiu Jianrong , Sun Zhenrong , Zhang Shian
Published: February 2017

The polarization modulation strategy of the femtosecond laser field was shown to be a well-established method to control up-conversion luminescence in rare-earth ions.
Surface damage mitigation of Ti6Al4V alloy via thermal oxidation for oil and gas exploitation application: characterization of the microstructure and evaluation of the surface performance
Authors: Lin Naiming , Liu Qiang , Zou Jiaojuan , Li Dali , Yuan Shuo , Wang Zhihua , Tang Bin
Published: February 2017

Ti6Al4V alloy is a promising candidate for petroleum tube. However, low surface hardness, high/unstable friction coefficient, severe adhesive wear and susceptibility to galling are harmful for the direct application of Ti6Al4V alloy in oil/gas well.
In situ preparation of a La1.2Sr0.8Mn0.4Fe0.6O4 Ruddlesden–Popper phase with exsolved Fe nanoparticles as an anode for SOFCs
Authors: Chung Yong Sik , Kim Taewook , Shin Tae Ho , Yoon Heechul , Park Seongmin , Sammes Nigel Mark , Kim Won Bae , Chung Jong Shik
Published: February 2017

In situ reduction of LSMF perovskite promoted Ruddlesden–Popper RPLSMF formation with Fe nanoparticles, exhibiting outstanding electrochemical performance as a SOFC electrode.
Co(ii)-porphyrin-decorated carbon nanotubes as catalysts for oxygen reduction reactions: an approach for fuel cell improvement
Authors: Sonkar Piyush Kumar , Prakash Kamal , Yadav Mamta , Ganesan Vellaichamy , Sankar Muniappan , Gupta Rupali , Yadav Dharmendra Kumar
Published: February 2017

Functionalized cobalt porphyrin immobilized multiwalled carbon nanotubes are synthesized and characterized. These new materials efficiently electrocatalyze oxygen reduction and they have potential to replace conventional Pt–C catalyst in fuel cells.
Investigation of nano-sized Cu(ii)O as a high capacity conversion material for Li-metal cells and lithium-ion full cells
Authors: Qian Yunxian , Niehoff Philip , Zhou Dong , Adam Robert , Mikhailova Daria , Pyschik Marcelina , Börner Markus , Klöpsch Richard , Rafaja David , Schumacher Gerhard , Ehrenberg Helmut , Winter Martin , Schappacher Falko
Published: February 2017

In this study, self-prepared nanostructured CuO electrodes show no capacity decay for 40 cycles at 0.1C in Li metal cells.
Rapid microwave-assisted synthesis of hybrid zeolitic–imidazolate frameworks with mixed metals and mixed linkers
Authors: Hillman Febrian , Zimmerman John M. , Paek Seung-Min , Hamid Mohamad R. A. , Lim Woo Taik , Jeong Hae-Kwon
Published: February 2017

Herein we report a new microwave-assisted synthetic strategy to rapidly prepare hybrid zeolitic–imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs): ZIFs with mixed metal centers and/or mixed linkers.
Glutathione-responsive nanoparticles based on a sodium alginate derivative for selective release of doxorubicin in tumor cells
Authors: Gao Cheng , Tang Fan , Zhang Jianxiang , Lee Simon M. Y. , Wang Ruibing
Published: February 2017

GSH-responsive nanoparticles based on disulfide crosslinked amphiphilic alginate demonstrated selected drug release in cancer cells with a much improved safety profile.