bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasmonic Hotspots in Air: An Omnidirectional Three‐Dimensional Platform for Stand‐Off In‐Air SERS Sensing of Airborne Species
Authors: Phan‐Quang Gia Chuong , Lee Hiang Kwee , Teng Hao Wen , Koh Charlynn Sher Lin , Yim Barnabas Qinwei , Tan Eddie Khay Ming , Tok Wee Lee , Phang In Yee , Ling Xing Yi
Published: March 2018

Molecular‐level airborne sensing is critical for early prevention of disasters, diseases, and terrorism. Currently, most 2D surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates used for air sensing have only one functional surface and exhibit poor SERS‐active depth. “Aerosolized plasmonic colloidosomes” (APCs) are introduced as airborne plasmonic hotspots for direct in‐air SERS measurements. APCs function as a macroscale 3D and omnidirectional plasmonic cloud that receives laser irradiation and emits signals in all directions. Importantly, it brings about an effective plasmonic hotspot in a length scale of approximately 2.3 cm, which affords 100‐fold higher tolerance to laser misalignment along the z‐axis compared with 2D SERS substrates. APCs exhibit an extraordinary omnidirectional property and demonstrate consistent SERS performance that is independent of the laser and analyte introductory pathway. Furthermore, the first in‐air SERS detection is demonstrated in stand‐off conditions at a distance of 200 cm, highlighting the applicability of 3D omnidirectional plasmonic clouds for remote airborne sensing in threatening or inaccessible areas.
Exacerbation of Murine Experimental Autoimmune Myositis by Toll‐Like Receptor 7/8
Authors: Sciorati Clara , Monno Antonella , Doglio Maria Giulia , Rigamonti Elena , Ascherman Dana P. , Manfredi Angelo A. , Rovere‐Querini Patrizia
Published: March 2018

Objective

Toll‐like receptor 7 (TLR‐7), TLR‐8, and interferon (IFN)–induced genes are expressed in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myositis. This study was undertaken to investigate whether their activation influences the natural history of the disease.

Methods

Experimental autoimmune myositis was induced in mice by injection of the amino‐terminal portion of the murine histidyl–transfer RNA synthetase (HisRS). Disease was compared in the presence or the absence of the TLR‐7/8 agonist R‐848 in wild‐type mice and in mice that fail to express the IFNα/β receptor (IFNα/βR‐null mice).

Results

Experimental autoimmune myositis induced by a single intramuscular immunization with HisRS spontaneously abated after 7–8 weeks. In contrast, levels of anti‐HisRS autoantibodies, endomysial/perimysial leukocyte infiltration, and myofiber regeneration persisted at the end of the follow‐up period (22 weeks after immunization) in mice immunized with HisRS in the presence of R‐848. Myofiber major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules were detectable only in mice immunized with both HisRS and R‐848. MHC up‐regulation occurred early and in muscles that were not directly injected with HisRS. Muscle MHC expression paralleled with leukocyte infiltration. MHC class I molecules were selectively up‐regulated in myotubes challenged with R‐848 in vitro. Type I IFN was necessary for the prolonged autoantibody response and for the spreading of the autoimmune response, as demonstrated using IFNα/βR‐null mice. Muscle infiltration was maintained in the injected muscle up to the end of the follow‐up period.

Conclusion

TLR‐7/8 activation is necessary to induce and maintain a systemic autoimmune response targeting the skeletal muscle. This experimental autoimmune myositis model reproduces many characteristics of human idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and may represent a tool for preclinical studies.
Strong nonlocality variations in a spherical mean‐field dynamo
Authors: Brandenburg Axel , Chatterjee Piyali
Published: March 2018

To explain the large‐scale magnetic field of the sun and other bodies, the mean‐field dynamo theory is commonly applied, where one solves the averaged equations for the mean magnetic field. However, the standard approach breaks down when the scale of the turbulent eddies becomes comparable to the scale of the variations of the mean magnetic field. Models showing sharp magnetic field structures have therefore been regarded as unreliable. Our aim is to look for new effects that occur when we relax the restrictions of the standard approach, which becomes particularly important at the bottom of the convection zone where the size of the turbulent eddies is comparable to the depth of the convection zone itself. We approximate the underlying integro‐differential equation using a partial differential equation corresponding to a reaction–diffusion‐type equation for the mean electromotive force, making an approach that is nonlocal in space and time feasible under conditions where spherical geometry and nonlinearity are included. In agreement with earlier findings, spatiotemporal nonlocality lowers the excitation conditions of the dynamo. Sharp structures are now found to be absent. However, in the surface layers, the field remains similar to before.
Germline but not somatic de novo mutations are common in human congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Matsunami Nori , Shanmugam Hari , Baird Lisa , Stevens Jeff , Byrne Janice L. , Barnhart Douglas C. , Rau Carrie , Feldkamp Marcia L. , Yoder Bradley A. , Leppert Mark F. , Yost H. Joseph , Brunelli Luca
Published: March 2018

Objectives

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a developmental defect of the diaphragm that causes high newborn morbidity and mortality. CDH is considered to be a multifactorial disease, with strong evidence implicating genetic factors. Although recent studies suggest the biological role of deleterious germline de novo variants, the effect of gene variants specific to the diaphragm remains unclear, and few single genes have been definitively implicated in human disease.

Methods

We performed genome sequencing on 16 individuals with CDH and their unaffected parents, including 10 diaphragmatic samples.

Results

We did not detect damaging somatic mutations in diaphragms, but identified germline heterozygous de novo functional mutations of 14 genes in nine patients. Although the majority of these genes are not known to be associated with CDH, one patient with CDH and cardiac anomalies harbored a frameshift mutation in NR2F2 (aka COUP‐TFII), generating a premature truncation of the protein. This patient also carried a missense variant predicted to be damaging in XIRP2 (aka Myomaxin), a transcriptional target of MEF2A. Both NR2F2 and MEF2A map to chromosome 15q26, where recurring de novo deletions and unbalanced translocations have been observed in CDH.

Conclusions

Somatic variants are not common in CDH. To our knowledge, this is the second case of a germline de novo frameshift mutation in NR2F2 in CDH. Since NR2F2 null mice exhibit a diaphragmatic defect, and XIRP2 is implicated in cardiac development, our data suggest the role of these two variants in the etiology of CDH, and possibly cardiac anomalies.
Verformungsberechnungen von Stahlbetonbauteilen im gerissenen Zustand
Authors: Westphal Henrik , Zahn Franz A.
Published: March 2018

Im vorliegenden Aufsatz wird das grundlegende Vorgehen zur Berechnung der Durchbiegung im gerissenen Zustand inklusive Berücksichtigung von Kriechen und Schwinden vorgestellt. Dabei werden aufbauend auf den Vorgaben des EC2 verschiedene Verfahren mit unterschiedlichen Genauigkeitsniveaus für Balken und einachsig gespannte Platten erläutert. Für einfache Systeme können diese Verfahren auch von Hand durchgeführt werden und bieten dabei ein hohes Maß an Kontrolle über den Rechenablauf. Anschließend wird die Ermittlung der Schwindverformungen genauer betrachtet, welche nur mit hohem Rechenaufwand durchgeführt werden kann. Für eine Auswahl von Systemen können Diagramme mit Multiplikationsfaktoren hergeleitet werden, welche die Berechnung stark vereinfachen. Des Weiteren wird auf die Verformungsberechnung im Zustand II für Plattentragwerke eingegangen. Dabei werden sowohl die Berechnung mit FE‐Plattenprogrammen, welche oftmals entsprechende Funktionen anbieten, als auch vereinfachte manuelle Verfahren vorgestellt. Die Grundlagen der Rissbildung lassen sich von Stabtragwerken auf Platten übertragen, allerdings entstehen dabei neue Fragestellungen, wie beispielsweise zum Vorgehen bei der Steifigkeitsabminderung oder zum Einfluss der Schnittgrößenumlagerung infolge Rissbildung. In diesem Bereich besteht daher noch Forschungsbedarf.
Plasma‐induced Water Pore Formation in Model Cell Membranes: Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Kim Seonghan , Lee Junyeol , Chang Rakwoo
Published: March 2018

We have investigated the mechanism of plasma‐induced water pore formation in model 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (DOPC) bilayer membrane systems using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Oxidized by reactive oxygen species generated upon the plasma treatment, unsaturated hydrocarbon tails of DOPC lipids are converted into shortened hydrocarbon tails with terminal groups such as peroxide or aldehyde. Among them, the lipids with both hydrocarbon tails oxidized into aldehyde groups are particularly susceptible to the stable water pore formation. By analyzing the water pore formation dynamics, lipid escape, and lipid clustering for the plasma‐damaged DOPC membrane systems, we have found that a stable water pore is formed in the membrane region where the plasma‐damaged lipids are highly concentrated or locally clustered. In the plasma‐damaged lipid‐rich region, a continuous water channel through the membrane is easily established with the help of the terminal aldehyde groups in the tails of damaged lipids, and it continuously grows with time to form a stable water pore. The rapid local clustering or domain formation of the plasma‐damaged lipids is due to both the hydrophobic mismatch between normal and oxidized DOPC lipids and enhanced lateral diffusion of the oxidized lipids in the membrane. We have also observed that the onset concentration of oxidized lipids for the stable water pore formation is approximately 30% in the model DOPC membrane systems.
Study on the Cause and Mechanism of Repeating Noise According to the Curing Conditions of Electrodeposition Coating
Authors: Choi SungUk , Lee DongUk , Kwon YongSung , Lee NamKyu , Moon MyungJun , Shon MinYoung
Published: March 2018

In this study, methods and specimens were developed and evaluated to determine the cause of noise resulting from electrodeposition coating penetration. The noise was evaluated using various coating curing temperatures and ambient temperatures. The electrodeposition coating penetrating the gaps exhibited repeating contact, and repeating noise was observed. As a result, it was confirmed that electrodeposition coating undergoes insufficient curing at curing temperatures of 150°C or less. Furthermore, the adhesion strength of the electrodeposition coating surface tends to increase with decreasing curing temperature, thereby increasing the noise magnitude. Consequently, noise is generated by electrodeposition coating penetrating gaps when the coating surfaces are separated due to the stickiness caused by insufficient curing.
Central cholinergic system mediates working memory deficit induced by anesthesia/surgery in adult mice
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Jiang Xuliang , Huang Lili , Tian Weitian , Chen Xuemei , Gu Xiyao , Yu Weifeng , Tian Jie , Su Diansan
Published: March 2018

Background

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is consistently associated with increased morbidity and mortality, which has become a major concern of patients and caregivers. Although POCD occurs mainly in aged patients, it happens at any age. Previous studies demonstrated that anesthesia/surgery had no effects on reference memory of adult mice. However, whether it impairs working memory remains unclear. Working memory deficit would result in many deficits of executive function. We hypothesized that anesthesia/surgery impaired the working memory of adult mice and the central cholinergic system was involved.

Method

Tibial fracture internal fixation under the anesthesia of isoflurane was performed in two‐month‐old C57BL/6 mice. Two days later, the spatial reference memory and working memory were measured by a Morris Water Maze (MWM). Donepezil, an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), was administered in another cohort mice for 4 weeks. Then, the working memory was measured by MWM 2 days after anesthesia/surgery. Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of acetylcholine transferase (ChAT), AChE, vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), and choline transporter (ChT) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC).

Results

We found that anesthesia/surgery had no effects on the reference memory, but it impaired the working memory in adult mice. Meanwhile, we also found that the protein level of ChAT in PFC decreased significantly compared with that in control group. Donepezil pretreatment prevented working memory impairment and the decrease of the protein levels of ChAT induced by anesthesia/surgery.

Conclusion

These results suggest that anesthesia/surgery leads to working memory deficits in adult mice and central cholinergic system impairment is involved.
Strain‐specific differential expression of astrocytes and microglia in the mouse hippocampus
Authors: Kim Jong Whi , Nam Sung Min , Yoo Dae Young , Jung Hyo Young , Hwang In Koo , Seong Je Kyung , Yoon Yeo Sung
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Genetic background influences neurotransmitter expression and function of the hippocampus. Genetic background influences the phenotype of the hippocampus, but expression of neuroglia in hippocampus has not been well established dependent on various mouse strains.

Objectives

In this study, we investigated the effects of genetic background on cell population of astrocytes and microglia in eight widely used inbred strains (C57BL/6J, A/J, BALB/c, C3H/HeJ, FVB, 129/SvJ, DBA/1, and DBA/2) and one outbred strain (ICR).

Methods

In all mouse strains, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)‐immunoreactive astrocytes and ionized calcium‐binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba‐1)‐immunoreactive microglia were found in almost all layers of hippocampal CA1‐4 regions and the dentate gyrus.

Results

We observed significant differences in the number of astrocytes and microglia. In the CA1 and CA3 regions, the number of GFAP‐immunoreactive astrocytes was highest in the C3H/HeJ strain, and lowest in the 129/SvJ and FVB strains. In the polymorphic layer of the dentate gyrus, the number was highest in the DBA/1 strain and lowest in the 129/SvJ strain. Among the nine mouse strains, the number of Iba‐1‐immunoreactive microglia was highest in the CA1 and CA3 regions in the ICR and in the dentate gyrus of the C57BL/6 strain. The CA1 region of the FVB strain and the CA3 region and dentate gyrus of DBA/2 had the lowest number of Iba‐1‐immunoreactive microglia.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the numbers of astrocytes and microglia differ depending on the mouse strain and these differences may be related to strain‐dependent function of astrocytes.
A transcriptomics study of differentiated C2C12 myoblasts identified novel functional responses to 17β‐estradiol
Authors: Ding JingJing , Peng ZhaoHong , Wu Di , Miao JiaNing , Liu Bo , Wang LiLi
Published: March 2018

Previous studies of the role of 17β‐estradiol (E2) in myoblast differentiation have produced conflicting data. Therefore, this work aimed to determine the role of E2 on myoblast differentiation and specific myofiber formation. Murine C2C12 myoblasts were cultured in proliferation medium or differentiation medium/10 nM E2. The role of E2 on specific myosin heavy chain (MyHC) or estrogen receptor (ER) expression was examined using real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR (RT‐qPCR). Transcriptome studies of E2 on myoblast differentiation were accomplished by microarray analyses. The expression levels of candidate genes from microarrays and four and a half LIM domains 1 (Fhl1) were detected with RT‐qPCR. E2 in differentiation medium significantly up‐regulated MyHC I expression, but exerted the opposite effects on MyHC II a, MyHC II b, and MyHC II d. Both ER‐α and ER‐β were decreased in differentiated C2C12, and E2 partially restored ER‐β expression. Sixty‐two up‐regulated and 116 down‐regulated genes treated by E2 were identified, and RT‐qPCR validation results showed seven cytoskeletal genes (Myh8, Cenpe, Jak3, Obscn, Ldb3, Mybpc2, Col4a3bp), three genes related to ion channels (Kcnq1, Lrrc26, P2rx3) and Fhl1 transcript 2 were associated with the effects of E2 on myoblast differentiation. These findings suggested E2 helped slow type MyH I fiber formation and impeded fast 2A, 2X/D, and 2B fiber formation.
A case report of hypersomnia in tetrasomy X improved with medical therapy
Authors: Jayaraman Dilip , Carvalho Karen S. , Hasbani Daphne M
Published: March 2018

Key Clinical Message

Tetrasomy X is a rare chromosomal anomaly in which sleep disorders have not been previously reported. We report on one patient with tetrasomy X and hypersomnia successfully treated with psychostimulant therapy. Sleep disorders are rarely reported in chromosomal anomalies. Clinicians should screen patients for sleep disorders and manage them appropriately.
Merging Visible‐Light Photoredox and Lewis Acid Catalysis for the Intramolecular Aza‐Diels–Alder Reaction: Synthesis of Substituted Chromeno[4,3‐b]quinolines and [1,6]Naphthyridines
Authors: Dong Wuheng , Yuan Yao , Gao Xiaoshuang , Hu Bei , Xie Xiaomin , Zhang Zhaoguo
Published: March 2018

Substituted chromeno[4,3‐b]quinolines and [1,6]naphthyridines were achieved by tandem intramolecular aza‐Diels–Alder reaction using a strategy of combination of visible‐light photoredox and Lewis‐acid‐catalysis. This intramolecular aza‐Diels–Alder cycloaddition took place between the in situ generated benzylidene anilines derived from arylamines and salicylaldehyde or 2‐aminoaryl aldehydes bearing a tethered alkene partner, followed by oxidative aromatization to give the target products. The study on the oxidative aromatization step revealed that it is much faster than the cyclization step; both the combination of imine and Lewis acid, and the combination of photocatalyst and Lewis acid under aerobic condition with the irradiation of visible light are efficient to achieve the transformation. This method provided a new access to the synthesis of important heterocycles under mild reaction conditions.
Encrustation Prevention of Zirconium Molybdate Hydrate
Authors: Arai Takahiro , Ito Daiyu , Hirasawa Izumi , Miyazaki Yasunori , Takeuchi Masayuki
Published: March 2018

In nuclear fuel reprocessing, spent nuclear fuel is dissolved by a nitric acid. It is now known that molybdenum and zirconium in fission products react to form zirconium molybdate hydrate (ZMH). ZMH adheres to the inner surface of reprocessing equipment, which affects the extraction efficiency in the subsequent extraction process. Therefore, a new prevention method of ZMH encrustation is required for stable plant operation. In this study, the encrustation amount of ZMH was investigated. Observing the deposition process, it was clarified that ZMH fine crystals were generated and agglomerated, followed by the rapid deposition. The encrustation amount of ZMH decreased as temperature or initial Mo/Zr mole ratio increased, or as the concentration of a nitric acid was reduced.
Electron‐Deficient Bipyrrole Boomerangs: Bright Fluorophores Obtained via Double C−H Bond Activation
Authors: Żyła‐Karwowska Marika , Moshniaha Liliia , Hong Yongseok , Zhylitskaya Halina , Cybińska Joanna , Chmielewski Piotr J. , Lis Tadeusz , Kim Dongho , Stępień Marcin
Published: March 2018

PdII‐mediated annulative double C−H activation is shown to efficiently convert 1,n‐dipyrrolylalkanes into extensively π‐conjugated bipyrroles not accessible by conventional oxidative coupling protocols. This approach is applicable to both electron‐rich and electron‐deficient systems, and has been further developed into tandem processes involving further cyclization of substituents or oxygenation of pyrrolic α‐positions. The new bipyrrole intermediates show enhanced fluorescence as well as tunable optical properties controlled by the alignment of chromophore subunits. Photophysical data, including femtosecond transient absorptions, reveal solvent‐induced intramolecular charge transfer in their excited states, dependent on the polarity of the medium.
Left atrial volume in patients with HER2‐positive breast cancer: One step further to predict trastuzumab‐related cardiotoxicity
Authors: Bergamini Corinna , Dolci Giulia , Rossi Andrea , Torelli Flavia , Ghiselli Luca , Trevisani Laura , Vinco Giulia , Truong Stella , La Russa Francesca , Golia Giorgio , Molino Annamaria , Benfari Giovanni , Ribichini Flavio Luciano
Published: March 2018

Background

Trastuzumab (TZ) therapy requires careful monitoring of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) because it can be potentially cardiotoxic. However, LVEF is an imperfect parameter and there is a need to find other variables to predict cardiac dysfunction early. Left atrium (LA) enlargement has proven to be a powerful predictor of adverse outcomes in several disease entities.

Hypothesis

Baseline LA volume enlargement might predict TZ‐related LV dysfunction.

Methods

HER2‐positive breast cancer patients receiving TZ and undergoing transthoracic echocardiography at baseline and at follow‐up every 3 months were retrospectively recruited. One‐hundred sixty‐two patients formed the study population.

Results

Baseline LAVI was dilated in 14 patients (8.6%). Mean follow‐up was 14 ± 4 months. Cardiotoxicity occurred in 24 patients (14.8%). LAVI was an independent predictor of TZ‐induced LV dysfunction in a clinical model, after adjustment for age and hypertension (odds ratio per 5‐mL/m2 LAVI increase: 1.34, 95% confidence interval: 1.03‐1.82, P = 0.03); and in a hemodynamic model, including ventricular sizes and systolic blood pressure level (odds ratio per 5‐mL/m2 LAVI increase: 1.34, 95% confidence interval: 1.01‐1.81, P = 0.04). The predicted probability of developing cardiotoxicity increased progressively, in parallel with LAVI values.

Conclusions

Baseline LA dilatation emerges as a condition associated with the development of cardiotoxicity in HER2‐positive breast cancer patients treated with TZ.
Detection and management of atrial fibrillation after cryptogenic stroke or embolic stroke of undetermined source
Authors: Sanna Tommaso , Ziegler Paul D. , Crea Filippo
Published: March 2018

Cryptogenic stroke (CS) and embolic stroke of unknown source (ESUS) represent a major challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly found after CS or ESUS. Independent of the mechanism of the index CS or ESUS, detection of AF in these patients offers the opportunity to reduce the risk of stroke recurrence by prescribing an anticoagulant instead of aspirin. The detection of AF may be pursued with different monitoring strategies. Comparison of monitoring strategies should take into account that AF detection rates reported in published studies, and then pooled in meta‐analyses, are not only a function of the monitoring strategy itself, but also depend on patient‐related, device‐related, and study design–related factors. Once AF is found, the decision to anticoagulate a patient should be made on the basis of AF burden and the baseline risk of the patient. Empirical anticoagulation in patients with ESUS and no evidence of AF is an intriguing but still‐unproven strategy and therefore should not be adopted outside of randomized clinical trials.
Analyzing the requirements to implement a data analysis model for software process improvement
Authors: Mejía Jezreel , Íñiguez Freddy , Muñoz Mirna
Published: March 2018

Software is everywhere. From simple applications to complicated pieces of software, these software products and services facilitate our day‐to‐day activities, but they also need to be high‐quality products in order to guarantee their reliability, security, good performance, and usability. In this context, software development organizations have highlighted that a product's quality largely depends on the quality of the processes followed to build the software. The Software Process Improvement (SPI) initiative is a set of best practices designed to improve software processes through the evaluation of the current organizational practices, competencies, and experiences. However, these SPI initiatives have presented some issues and challenges that complicate their success and preclude software organizations to get improvements. Most of these issues are related to how organizations manage, analyze, and use their own data to improve software processes. The purpose of this paper is to analyze if the three most used software repositories cover the key requirements to implement a data analysis model for implementing SPI initiatives. The results show that the three repositories analyzed as they are do not cover the complete requirements to implement a model highlighting the aspects to be improved.
Research on parallel solution of GRAPES Helmholtz equation
Authors: Li Jingmei , Tian Qiao , Zheng Fangyuan , Wu Weifei , Wang Jiaxiang
Published: March 2018

GRAPES is a new generation of numerical weather prediction system developed and used by Chinese researchers. As the accuracy requirement of weather prediction system is increasing, the grid resolution of the global model is greatly increasing; therefore, the computing power becomes one of the important factors restricting the performance of the numerical weather prediction system. In order to solve the problem, the paper introduces the geometric multi‐grid solution to solve the GRAPES Helmholtz equation. The core idea of multi‐grid solution is to eliminate the swing component of the residual by iterative algorithm and eliminate the smooth components of the residuals by using the coarse grid interpolation to correct the fine grid solution. This paper designs a parallel solution for GRAPES multi‐grid, including grid coarsening operation, smooth operation, and the coarsest grid accurate solution operation. Finally, the actual data with the resolution of 1 is tested, achieving the better acceleration effect. At the same time, the analysis and explanations of the test results have some useful conclusions.
SAVM: A practical secure external approach for automated in‐VM management
Authors: Zhan Dongyang , Ye Lin , Fang Binxing , Zhang Hongli
Published: March 2018

In‐VM management is usually needed by cloud service providers for cloud management, which includes monitoring the in‐VM application running state, reconfiguring VM system settings, etc. In‐VM management is also very useful in green cloud computing, because it provides the abilities of in‐VM monitoring, VM reconfiguration, performance measurement, etc. Leveraging a shell or an in‐VM agent to manage VMs is faced with generality and security challenges. In this paper, we propose a secure automated in‐VM management approach, ie, SAVM, which likes a hypervisor‐based shell managing the VMs in an out‐of‐box way. To bridge the semantic gap, we reuse the target VM's system calls to process the semantic information automatically. More importantly, we introduce a secure instruction fetch approach to enhance the system security. As a result, SAVM does not rely on the target VM's kernel integrity. In addition, we also present a dummy process selection and a system call injection method to further enhance the system security and transparency. After the implementation, we evaluate the prototype. The experimental results show that SAVM can achieve most of the in‐VM management operations. Furthermore, SAVM can work correctly under the target VM attacked by several popular rootkits.
Revealing Factors Influencing the Fluorine‐Centered Non‐Covalent Interactions in Some Fluorine‐Substituted Molecular Complexes: Insights from First‐Principles Studies
Authors: Varadwaj Arpita , Varadwaj Pradeep R. , Marques Helder M. , Yamashita Koichi
Published: March 2018

We examine the equilibrium structure and properties of six fully or partially fluorinated hydrocarbons and several of their binary complexes using computational methods. In the monomers, the electrostatic surface of the fluorine is predicted to be either entirely negative or weakly positive. However, its lateral sites are always negative. This enables the fluorine to display an anisotropic distribution of charge density on its electrostatic surface. While this is the electrostatic surface scenario of the fluorine atom, its negative sites in some of these monomers are shown to have the potential to engage in attractive engagements with the negative site(s) on the same atom in another molecule of the same type, or a molecule of a different type, to form bimolecular complexes. This is revealed by analyzing the results of current state‐of‐the‐art computational approaches such as DFT, together with those obtained from the quantum theory of atoms in molecules, molecular electrostatic surface potential and symmetry adapted perturbation theories. We demonstrate that the intermolecular interaction energy arising in part from the universal London dispersion, which has been underappreciated for decades, is an essential factor in explaining the attraction between the negative sites, although energy arising from polarization strengthens the extent of the intermolecular interactions in these complexes.
Isomerism, Diradical Signature, and Raman Spectroscopy: Underlying Connections in Diamino Oligophenyl Dications
Authors: Medina Rivero Samara , Mayorga Burrezo Paula , Sandoval‐Salinas María Eugenia , Li Tao , Ramírez Francisco J. , Casanova David , Wang Xinping , Casado Juan
Published: March 2018

A diradical dication of a 4,4′‐di(bis(1,4‐methylphenyl)amino)‐p‐terphenyl oligomer has been characterized in solid‐state by Raman spectroscopy and thermo‐spectroscopy together with quantum chemical calculations. The diradical character has been evaluated on the basis of the Raman spectra and as a function of temperature. A complete understanding of the nature of the changes in solid state has been provided based on a pseudo‐Jahn‐Teller effect, which is feasible owing to the fine balance between quinoidal/aromatic extension among consecutive rings and steric crowding. This study contributes to the further comprehension of the molecular and electronic structures of these particular diradical molecules with strong implications on the understanding of the nature of chemical bonds in the limits of high electronic correlation or π‐conjugation.
CF3 Substitution of [Cu(P^P)(bpy)][PF6] Complexes: Effects on Photophysical Properties and Light‐Emitting Electrochemical Cell Performance
Authors: Keller Sarah , Brunner Fabian , Junquera‐Hernández José M. , Pertegás Antonio , La‐Placa Maria‐Grazia , Prescimone Alessandro , Constable Edwin C. , Bolink Henk J. , Ortí Enrique , Housecroft Catherine E.
Published: March 2018

Invited for this month's cover are the research groups of Professors Catherine Housecroft and Edwin Constable from the University of Basel, Switzerland and Professor Enrique Ortí and Dr. Henk Bolink from the University of Valencia, Spain. These groups have a longstanding collaboration to investigate molecular electronic devices, in particular light‐emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) and organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). The featured article highlights the development of LECs with copper(I)‐based emitters for devices consisting of Earth‐abundant materials. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/cplu.201700501.
Cytochrome P450 3A Induction Predicts P‐glycoprotein Induction; Part 2: Prediction of Decreased Substrate Exposure After Rifabutin or Carbamazepine
Authors: Lutz Justin D. , Kirby Brian J. , Wang Lu , Song Qinghua , Ling John , Massetto Benedetta , Worth Angela , Kearney Brian P. , Mathias Anita
Published: March 2018

Rifampin demonstrated dose‐dependent relative induction between cytochrome P (CYP)3A and P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs), or CYP2C9; P‐gp, OATP, and CYP2C9 induction was one drug–drug interaction (DDI) category lower than that observed for CYP3A across a wide range of pregnane X receptor (PXR) agonism. The objective of this study was to determine if these relationships could be utilized to predict transporter induction by other CYP3A inducers (rifabutin and carbamazepine) and of another P‐gp substrate, sofosbuvir. Healthy subjects received sofosbuvir and a six‐probe drug cassette before and after 300 mg q.d. rifabutin or 300 mg b.i.d. carbamazepine. Induction of P‐gp, CYP2C9, and decreased sofosbuvir exposure were successfully predicted by observed CYP3A induction. Carbamazepine induction of OATP was underpredicted, likely due to reported additional non‐PXR agonism. The results demonstrate that the effect of a PXR agonist on CYP3A can be leveraged to inform on induction liability for other primarily PXR‐regulated P450s/transporters, allowing for prioritization of targeted DDI assessments during new drug development.
Numerical simulation study towards plasma detachment in the end cell of GAMMA 10/PDX by a coupled fluid‐neutral code
Authors: Islam M.S. , Nakashima Y. , Tatsumi R. , Hatayama A. , Islam M.M. , Iijima T.
Published: March 2018

This paper studies the transport of hydrogen neutral particles towards the upstream region in the end cell of GAMMA 10/PDX by developing a neutral transport code. As a first step, a series of initial test calculations have been performed by injecting hydrogen molecules from the target plate with fixed plasma background. It has been shown that neutral particles concentrate near the target plate and reduce towards the upstream region. After these initial test calculations, the dependence of hydrogen gas puffing on the plasma parameters has also been investigated. Hydrogen gas puffing leads to a strong reduction in the ion temperature near the target plate. For the strong gas puffing case, Ti on the target plate is significantly reduced. Hydrogen gas puffing strongly enhances the momentum losses near the target plate via the charge–exchange reaction.
Long‐term ecological data for conservation: Range change in the black‐billed capercaillie (Tetrao urogalloides) in northeast China (1970s–2070s)
Authors: Yang Li , Zhang Chao , Chen Minhao , Li Jingxin , Yang Lei , Huo Zhaomin , Ahmad Shahid , Luan Xiaofeng
Published: March 2018

Long‐term ecological data can be an effective tool to help ecologists integrate future projections with historical contexts and provide unique insights into the long‐term dynamics of endangered species. However, hampered by data limitations, including incomplete and spatially biased data, relatively few studies have used multidecadal datasets or have examined changes in biogeography from a historical perspective. The black‐billed capercaillie (Tetrao urogalloides) is a large capercaillie (classified as Least Concern [LC] on the IUCN red list) that has undergone a dramatic decline in population during the late 20th century and is considered endangered. Its conservation status is pessimistic, and the species requires immediate protection. Therefore, we supplemented a historical dataset to identify changes in this bird's range and population in northeast China over the long term. The study area spanned Heilongjiang Province, Jilin Province, and the northeast corner of Inner Mongolia in northeast China. We integrated an ecological niche model (BIOMOD2) with long‐term ecological data on this species to estimate the magnitude of change in distribution over time. Our results revealed a 35.25% reduction in the current distribution of this species compared to their potential distribution in the 1970s. This decline is expected to continue under climate change. For example, the future range loss was estimated to be 38.79 ± 0.22% (8.64–90.19%), and the actual state could be worse, because the baseline range of the model was greater than the real range in the 2000s, showing a 12.39% overestimation. To overcome this poor outlook, a conservation strategy should be established in sensitive areas, including the southwestern Greater Khingan Mountains and northern Lesser Khingan Mountains. Actions that should be considered include field investigations, establishing a monitor network, designing ecological corridors, and cooperating with local inhabitants, governments, and conservation biologists to improve the conservation of the black‐billed capercaillie.
Characterizing the contribution of plasticity and genetic differentiation to community‐level trait responses to environmental change
Authors: Lajoie Geneviève , Vellend Mark
Published: March 2018

The match between functional trait variation in communities and environmental gradients is maintained by three processes: phenotypic plasticity and genetic differentiation (intraspecific processes), and species turnover (interspecific). Recently, evidence has emerged suggesting that intraspecific variation might have a potentially large role in driving functional community composition and response to environmental change. However, empirical evidence quantifying the respective importance of phenotypic plasticity and genetic differentiation relative to species turnover is still lacking. We performed a reciprocal transplant experiment using a common herbaceous plant species (Oxalis montana) among low‐, mid‐, and high‐elevation sites to first quantify the contributions of plasticity and genetic differentiation in driving intraspecific variation in three traits: height, specific leaf area, and leaf area. We next compared the contributions of these intraspecific drivers of community trait–environment matching to that of species turnover, which had been previously assessed along the same elevational gradient. Plasticity was the dominant driver of intraspecific trait variation across elevation in all traits, with only a small contribution of genetic differentiation among populations. Local adaptation was not detected to a major extent along the gradient. Fitness components were greatest in O. montana plants with trait values closest to the local community‐weighted means, thus supporting the common assumption that community‐weighted mean trait values represent selective optima. Our results suggest that community‐level trait responses to ongoing climate change should be mostly mediated by species turnover, even at the small spatial scale of our study, with an especially small contribution of evolutionary adaptation within species.
Effects of nitrogen addition and mowing on rodent damage in an Inner Mongolian steppe
Authors: Liu Yinzhan , Ma Gaigai , Zan Zhiman , Chen Anqun , Miao Yuan , Wang Dong , Miao Renhui
Published: March 2018

Rodent damage is a serious threat to sustainable management of grassland. The effects of nitrogen (N) deposition and grassland management on rodent damage have been scarcely studied. Here, we reported the effects of 2 years of N addition and mowing on burrow density and damage area of Citellus dauricus in a semiarid steppe in Inner Mongolia. N addition significantly aggravated, while mowing alleviated rodent damage in the grassland under study. Burrow density and damage area increased 2.8‐fold and 4.7‐fold, in N addition plots compared to the ambient N addition treatment, respectively. Conversely, mowing decreased burrow density and damage area by 75.9% and 14.5%, respectively, compared to no mowing plots. Observed changes in rodent damage were mainly due to variations in plant community cover, height, and aboveground net primary productivity. Our findings demonstrate that N addition and mowing can affect the rodent density and activity in grassland, suggesting that the effects of a changing atmospheric composition and land use on rodent damage must be considered in order to achieve better grassland management.
Size‐assortative choice and mate availability influences hybridization between red wolves (Canis rufus) and coyotes (Canis latrans)
Authors: Hinton Joseph W. , Gittleman John L. , van Manen Frank T. , Chamberlain Michael J.
Published: March 2018

Anthropogenic hybridization of historically isolated taxa has become a primary conservation challenge for many imperiled species. Indeed, hybridization between red wolves (Canis rufus) and coyotes (Canis latrans) poses a significant challenge to red wolf recovery. We considered seven hypotheses to assess factors influencing hybridization between red wolves and coyotes via pair‐bonding between the two species. Because long‐term monogamy and defense of all‐purpose territories are core characteristics of both species, mate choice has long‐term consequences. Therefore, red wolves may choose similar‐sized mates to acquire partners that behave similarly to themselves in the use of space and diet. We observed multiple factors influencing breeding pair formation by red wolves and found that most wolves paired with similar‐sized conspecifics and wolves that formed congeneric pairs with nonwolves (coyotes and hybrids) were mostly female wolves, the smaller of the two sexes. Additionally, we observed that lower red wolf abundance relative to nonwolves and the absence of helpers increased the probability that wolves consorted with nonwolves. However, successful pairings between red wolves and nonwolves were associated with wolves that maintained small home ranges. Behaviors associated with territoriality are energetically demanding and behaviors (e.g., aggressive interactions, foraging, and space use) involved in maintaining territories are influenced by body size. Consequently, we propose the hypothesis that size disparities between consorting red wolves and coyotes influence positive assortative mating and may represent a reproductive barrier between the two species. We offer that it may be possible to maintain wild populations of red wolves in the presence of coyotes if management strategies increase red wolf abundance on the landscape by mitigating key threats, such as human‐caused mortality and hybridization with coyotes. Increasing red wolf abundance would likely restore selection pressures that increase mean body and home‐range sizes of red wolves and decrease hybridization rates via reduced occurrence of congeneric pairs.
IncreasedDNAtyping success for feces and feathers of capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and black grouse (Tetrao tetrix)
Authors: Vallant Stephanie , Niederstätter Harald , Berger Burkhard , Lentner Reinhard , Parson Walther
Published: March 2018

Noninvasive sampling, for example, of droppings or feathers, is a promising approach for molecular genetic studies on endangered and elusive animal species. Yet, such specimens are known for containing only minute amounts ofDNA, resulting in lower typing success rates relative to analyses on fresh tissues such as muscle or blood. Furthermore, artefactual signals as well as contamination are more likely to occur whenDNAis limited. To increase the reliability ofDNAtyping from noninvasive samples, optimizedDNAextraction and polymerase chain reaction protocols were developed, taking advantage of developments in the forensic field aiming at successful molecular genetic analysis ofDNAtemplates being low in quality and quantity. In the framework of an extensive monitoring project on population dynamics of capercaillie and black grouse in the Tyrolean Alps, feces samples and molted feathers from both species were collected. On a subset comprising about 200 specimens of either species, eight polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) markers were analyzed to test these improved protocols. Besides optimizingDNAyields, both lowered sample consumption and reduced hands‐on time were achieved, and the rates of informative profiles amounted to 90.7% for capercaillie and 92.4% for black grouse. Similarly, high success rates had not been achieved in earlier studies and demonstrate the benefit of the improved methodology, which should be easily adaptable for use on animal species other than those studied here. TheSTRgenotypes were not only powerful enough to discriminate among unrelated birds but also appeared fit for telling apart closely related animals, as indicated by Pi and Pisibvalues. The software package allelematch aided analysis of genotypes featuring possible dropout and drop‐in effects. Finally, a comparison between molecular genetic and morphology‐based species‐of‐origin determination revealed a high degree of concordance.
Reduction and recovery of keystone predation pressure after disease‐related mass mortality
Authors: Moritsch Monica M. , Raimondi Peter T.
Published: March 2018

Disturbances such as disease can reshape communities through interruption of ecological interactions. Changes to population demographics alter how effectively a species performs its ecological role. While a population may recover in density, this may not translate to recovery of ecological function. In 2013, a sea star wasting syndrome outbreak caused mass mortality of the keystone predatorPisaster ochraceuson the North American Pacific coast. We analyzed sea star counts, biomass, size distributions, and recruitment from long‐term intertidal monitoring sites from San Diego to Alaska to assess regional trends in sea star recovery following the outbreak. Recruitment, an indicator of population recovery, has been spatially patchy and varied within and among regions of the coast. Despite sea star counts approaching predisease numbers, sea star biomass, a measure of predation potential on the musselMytilus californianus, has remained low. This indicates that post‐outbreak populations have not regained their full predation pressure. The regional variability in percent of recovering sites suggested differences in factors promoting sea star recovery between regions but did not show consistent patterns in postoutbreak recruitment on a coast‐wide scale. These results shape predictions of where changes in community composition are likely to occur in years following the disease outbreak and provide insight into how populations of keystone species resume their ecological roles following mortality‐inducing disturbances.
The approach–avoidance dilemma at the heart of group‐based support: Evidence that group identification increases willingness to seek support at the same time that identity‐based support threat reduces it
Authors: Butler Tamara L. , McKimmie Blake M. , Haslam S. Alexander
Published: March 2018

Despite the benefits of shared group membership, group members often experience an approach–avoidance dilemma when seeking support. At the same time that group members’ willingness to seek support is increased by the positive implications of group identification (the approach hypothesis), it is reduced by negative implications, including the capacity for support to threaten their standing in the group (the avoidance hypothesis). As this dilemma predicts, we find evidence that as participants’ group identification increases, their willingness to seek support increases, but that this willingness is simultaneously reduced by increased identity‐based support threat (Study 1, N = 125; Study 2, N = 161). Furthermore, manipulated support threat decreases willingness to seek support. In a team‐based game (Study 3, N = 117), support threat is reduced when group norms encourage support‐seeking, leading to increases in support‐seeking behavior through increases in willingness to seek support, as predicted by the avoidance‐reduction hypothesis. Implications for strategies to promote effective social support in intragroup contexts are discussed.