bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feedback process responsible for intermodel diversity of ENSO variability
Authors: An Soon‐Il , Heo Eun Sook , Kim Seon Tae
Published: April 2017

The origin of the intermodel diversity of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability is investigated by applying a singular value decomposition (SVD) analysis between the intermodel tropical Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) variance and the intermodel ENSO stability index (BJ index). The first SVD mode features an ENSO‐like pattern for the intermodel SSTA variance (74% of total variance) and the dominant thermocline feedback (TH) for the BJ index (51%). Intermodel TH is mainly modified by the intermodel sensitivity of the zonal thermocline gradient response to zonal winds over the equatorial Pacific (βh), and the intermodel βh is correlated higher with the intermodel off‐equatorial wind stress curl anomalies than the equatorial zonal wind stress anomalies. Finally, the intermodel off‐equatorial wind stress curl is associated with the meridional shape and intensity of ENSO‐related wind patterns, which may cause a model‐to‐model difference in ENSO variability by influencing the off‐equatorial oceanic Rossby wave response.
Galileo probe interpretation indicating a neutrally stable layer in the Jovian troposphere
Authors: O'Neill Morgan E , Kaspi Yohai , Fletcher Leigh N.
Published: April 2017

The sole in situ measurement of a giant planet atmosphere comes from the Galileo probe, which plunged through Jupiter's weather layer at 6.5°N and measured a remarkably stable atmospheric temperature profile. Horizontal winds were observed to substantially increase from 1 to 3 bars, in a region of relatively low static stability. We show that this high‐shear region indicates the best possibility of zero potential vorticity and resulting slantwise convection and suggest that the fluid here could potentially be adiabatic. We generalize an expression to determine lapse rates along constant angular momentum surfaces for deep atmospheres at any latitude.
Projected changes of the low‐latitude north‐western Pacific wind‐driven circulation under global warming
Authors: Duan Jing , Chen Zhaohui , Wu Lixin
Published: April 2017

Based on the outputs of 25 models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5, the projected changes of the wind‐driven circulation in the low‐latitude north‐western Pacific are evaluated. Results demonstrate that there will be a decrease in the mean transport of the North Equatorial Current (NEC), Mindanao Current, and Kuroshio Current in the east of the Philippines, accompanied by a northward shift of the NEC bifurcation Latitude (NBL) off the Philippine coast with over 30% increase in its seasonal south‐north migration amplitude. Numerical simulations using a 1.5‐layer nonlinear reduced‐gravity ocean model show that the projected changes of the upper ocean circulation are predominantly determined by the robust weakening of the north‐easterly trade winds and the associated wind stress curl under the El Niño‐like warming pattern. The changes in the wind forcing and intensified upper ocean stratification are found equally important in amplifying the seasonal migration of the NBL.
Further refinements to the spatiotemporal forecast model for L‐band scintillation based on comparison with C/NOFS observations
Authors: Yadav Sneha , Sridharan R. , Sunda Surendra , Pant Tarun K.
Published: April 2017

The model‐generated spatiotemporal maps to forecast the occurrence pattern of plasma density irregularities in the nightside equatorial F region that are responsible for the L‐band scintillations have been put to test, in both space and time, by comparing it with actual observations by the Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System satellite. The forecast model is based on (i) the temporal variations of the density perturbations during daytime in the Nmax region and (ii) the a priori knowledge of zonal velocity of the perturbations in the postsunset hours. The present study not only substantiates the hypothesis used for the generation of the scintillation forecast but also suggests that the equatorial plasma bubbles remain tied‐up with the initial perturbations which trigger the primary Rayleigh‐Taylor instability. The outcome highlights the need to take into account the altitudinal profile of the topside F region electron density as it could modify the zonal extent of the plasma bubbles that support the generation of the density irregularities and the consequent L‐band scintillations. The present study takes us one more step closer toward the realization of an operational forecast system for satellite‐based navigation.
Occurrence and average behavior of pulsating aurora
Authors: Partamies N. , Whiter D. , Kadokura A. , Kauristie K. , Nesse Tyssøy H. , Massetti S. , Stauning P. , Raita T.
Published: April 2017

Motivated by recent event studies and modeling efforts on pulsating aurora, which conclude that the precipitation energy during these events is high enough to cause significant chemical changes in the mesosphere, this study looks for the bulk behavior of auroral pulsations. Based on about 400 pulsating aurora events, we outline the typical duration, geomagnetic conditions, and change in the peak emission height for the events. We show that the auroral peak emission height for both green and blue emission decreases by about 8 km at the start of the pulsating aurora interval. This brings the hardest 10% of the electrons down to about 90 km altitude. The median duration of pulsating aurora is about 1.4 h. This value is a conservative estimate since in many cases the end of event is limited by the end of auroral imaging for the night or the aurora drifting out of the camera field of view. The longest durations of auroral pulsations are observed during events which start within the substorm recovery phases. As a result, the geomagnetic indices are not able to describe pulsating aurora. Simultaneous Antarctic auroral images were found for 10 pulsating aurora events. In eight cases auroral pulsations were seen in the southern hemispheric data as well, suggesting an equatorial precipitation source and a frequent interhemispheric occurrence. The long lifetimes of pulsating aurora, their interhemispheric occurrence, and the relatively high‐precipitation energies make this type of aurora an effective energy deposition process which is easy to identify from the ground‐based image data.
Energy‐banded ions in Saturn's magnetosphere
Authors: Thomsen M. F. , Badman S. V. , Jackman C. M. , Jia X. , Kivelson M. G. , Kurth W. S.
Published: April 2017

Using data from the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer ion mass spectrometer, we report the first observation of energy‐banded ions at Saturn. Observed near midnight at relatively high magnetic latitudes, the banded ions are dominantly H+, and they occupy the range of energies typically associated with the thermal pickup distribution in the inner magnetosphere (L < 10), but their energies decline monotonically with increasing radial distance (or time or decreasing latitude). Their pitch angle distribution suggests a source at low (or slightly southern) latitudes. The band energies, including their pitch angle dependence, are consistent with a bounce‐resonant interaction between thermal H+ ions and the standing wave structure of a field line resonance. There is additional evidence in the pitch angle dependence of the band energies that the particles in each band may have a common time of flight from their most recent interaction with the wave, which may have been at slightly southern latitudes. Thus, while the particles are basically bounce resonant, their energization may be dominated by their most recent encounter with the standing wave.
Metropolis Sampling
Authors: Martino Luca , Elvira Victor
Published: April 2017

Monte Carlo (MC) sampling methods are widely applied in Bayesian inference, system simulation, and optimization problems. The Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms are a well‐known class of MC methods that generate a Markov chain with the desired invariant distribution. In this document, we focus on the Metropolis–Hastings (MH) sampler, which can be considered as the atom of the MCMC techniques, introducing the basic notions and different properties. We describe in detail all the elements involved in the MH algorithm and the most relevant variants. Several improvements and recent extensions proposed in the literature are also briefly discussed, providing a quick but exhaustive overview of the current Metropolis‐based sampling's world.
Amphiphilic Nanofiber‐Based Aerogels for Selective Liquid Absorption from Electrospun Biopolymers
Authors: Deuber Fabian , Mousavi Sara , Federer Lukas , Adlhart Christian
Published: April 2017

Hierarchically structured and ultralight pullulan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (pullulan/PVA) aerogels or sponges are prepared from short electrospun nanofibers using solid templating. The architecture of the aerogel consists of cell‐like pores of 50–100 µm interconnected by a network of entangled nanofibers with 2–5 µm pores. Such structures allow rapid liquid uptake with high liquid holding capacities at the same time. The amphiphilic nature of the aerogel from the electrospun biopolymer is switched by chemical vapor deposition of silane. This allows the selective separation of liquids based on their different relative dielectric constants, which is of high interest for oil spilled waters and produced water. Furthermore, silylation improves the aerogel's overall mechanical stability by 18% while increasing its density by only 5%. Scanning electron microscopy in situ compression studies reveal the importance of the fibrous entanglement and the open‐porous architecture for the high bendability and mechanical resilience of the aerogels. Solid templating of short electrospun nanofibers facilitates the design of a fascinating class of ultralight aerogels while prevailing the fibrous character and the versatility of electrospinning.
Dispersion Topological Darkness at Multiple Wavelengths and Polarization States
Authors: Song Haomin , Zhang Nan , Duan Jiyuan , Liu Zhejun , Gao Jun , Singer Matthew H. , Ji Dengxin , Cheney Alec R. , Zeng Xie , Chen Borui , Jiang Suhua , Gan Qiaoqiang
Published: April 2017

Complete suppression of reflection is in principle achievable in ideal optical systems with unique optical features including complete light absorption, abrupt phase change, etc. However, conventional optical systems have an extremely tight tolerance on fabrication errors or inherent roughness of thin films or patterns. Therefore, it is difficult to realize the perfect reflectionless condition in practice. To overcome this challenge, a “topological darkness” concept with mild restrictions to the film quality is proposed using periodic metallic patterns and self‐assembled core–shell particles. Due to the topological effect, the robust nature of reflectionless surfaces is improved dramatically even in the presence of imperfections. Here the “mild” restriction will be further broken to realize reflectionless thin film systems using directly deposited thin films or random metal nanoparticles. Moreover, a broad absorption band is achieved by tuning the effective optical constants of the top absorbing layer. Remarkably, compared with conventional reflectionless phenomena under single polarization states and wavelengths, the system can realize multiwavelength zero‐reflection points for both polarization states on the same chip. These proof‐of‐concept results pave the way toward the development of practical applications using abrupt phase change and complete light absorption for label‐free optical sensing and enhanced light‐matter interaction within ultrathin film systems.
Intermolecular Halogenation/Esterification of Alkenes with N‐Halosuccinimide and Acetic Acid Catalyzed by 1,4‐Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane
Authors: Pimenta Laura S. , Gusevskaya Elena V. , Alberto Eduardo E.
Published: April 2017

1,4‐Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) is a suitable Lewis base that acts as an organocatalyst in the activation of N‐chlorosuccinimide (NCS) towards the chlorination of alkenes. The chloriranium ion formed from NCS and the alkene, can be intermolecularly opened by a nucleophile, such as acetic acid, to produce highly functionalized trans‐chloro esters in high yields. The protocol is also applied to the synthesis of chlorohydrins and chloro ethers using water or methanol as nucleophiles instead of acetic acid. Brominated analogs can also be synthesized from alkenes and N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) in the presence of various basic catalysts. However, the reaction patterns seem to be remarkably different. The catalytic performance of bases in the bromoesterification of alkenes was found to be strongly affected by their Brønsted basicity, suggesting that acetyl hypobromite, formed in situ from NBS and acetic acid, acts as a real brominating agent in these systems.

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The Process of Wrapping Virus Revealed by a Force Tracing Technique and Simulations
Authors: Pan Yangang , Zhang Fuxian , Zhang Liuyang , Liu Shuheng , Cai Mingjun , Shan Yuping , Wang Xianqiao , Wang Hanzhong , Wang Hongda
Published: April 2017

Viral entry into the host cell is the first step of virus infection; however, its dynamic process via endocytosis remains largely elusive. Here, the force tracing technique and single particle simulation are combined to investigate the invagination of single human enterovirus 71 (HEV71, a positive single‐stranded RNA virus that is associated with hand, foot, and mouth disease) via cell membranes during its host cell entry. The experimental results reveal that the HEV71 invaginates in membrane vesicles at a force of 58 ± 16 pN, a duration time of 278 ± 68 ms. The simulation further shows that the virus can reach a partially wrapped state very fast, then the upper surface of the virus is covered by the membrane traveling over a long period of time. Combining the experiment with the simulation, the mechanism of membrane wrapping of virus is uncovered, which provides new insights into how the cell is operated to initiate the endocytosis of virus.
Signature of non‐ergodicity in low‐lying excitations of disordered many‐particle systems
Authors: Berkovits Richard
Published: April 2017

Statistical properties of the low‐lying states of the entanglement spectrum of a one‐dimensional interacting disordered system are studied in order to understand the localized to extended transition as function of interaction strength and excitation number expected from the many‐body localization transition. It is shown that such a transition is observed in the statistics of the level‐spacing of the entanglement spectrum. For an intermediate range of excitation numbers and strong interaction strength where the entanglement spectrum shows a clear extended behavior, a signature of non‐ergodic behavior also emerges. We interpret this as evidence for a non‐ergodic‐extended phase suggested by previous studies.
Comparative transcriptomic analysis of Bombyx mori fat body tissue following dietary restriction
Authors: Pan Ye , Lü Peng , Wang Qinyun , Zhu Feifei , Li Chengjun , He Yuanqing , Chen Keping
Published: April 2017

Dietary restriction (DR) refers to a reduction in food intake to induce undernutrition but not malnutrition, which extends the lifespan of multiple species. Although there are invertebrate aging models, such as the Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster, aging studies in Lepidoptera are few in number and the underlying life‐extending molecular mechanisms are not clear. Research on a broader range of animals is necessary to support generalizations on mechanisms of aging and rates of aging. The aim of this study was to further investigate genes and pathways associated with DR in Bombyx mori. Here, we used mRNA deep sequencing (RNA‐seq) to further investigate genes and pathways associated with DR. The transcriptome profiles showed that most of the differentially expressed genes were upregulated following DR, and genes involved in amino acid and protein metabolism, RNA metabolism and translation, energy metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and juvenile hormone pathway‐related proteins were particularly affected. DR also affects the metabolism of uric acid and urea, which accumulated in silkworm following DR. We speculate that this may not be due to activation of uric acid biosynthesis, but rather by downregulating the degradation of uric acid and urea. These results may help us to understand the mechanisms by which DR prolong lifespan in insects and other animals.
The XMM cluster outskirts project (X‐COP)
Authors: Eckert D. , Ettori S. , Pointecouteau E. , Molendi S. , Paltani S. , Tchernin C. ,   The X‐COP Collaboration
Published: April 2017

Galaxy clusters are thought to grow hierarchically through the continuous merging and accretion of smaller structures across cosmic time. In the local universe, these phenomena are still active in the outer regions of massive clusters (R > R500), where the matter distribution is expected to become clumpy and asymmetric because of the presence of accreting structures. We present the XMM‐Newton cluster outskirts project (X‐COP), which targets the outer regions of a sample of 13 massive clusters (M500 > 3 × 1014M⊙) in the redshift range 0.04–0.1 at uniform depth. The sample was selected based on the signal‐to‐noise ratio in the Planck Sunyaev–Zeldovich (SZ) survey with the aim of combining high‐quality X‐ray and SZ constraints throughout the entire cluster volume. Our observing strategy allows us to reach a sensitivity of 3 × 10− 16 ergs cm− 1 s− 1 arcmin− 2 in the 0.5–2.0 keV range thanks to a good control of systematic uncertainties. The combination of depth and field of view achieved in X‐COP will allow us to pursue the following main goals: (a) measure the distribution of entropy and thermal energy to an unprecedented level of precision; (b) assess the presence of nonthermal pressure support in cluster outskirts; and (c) study the occurrence and mass distribution of infalling gas clumps. We illustrate the capabilities of the program with a pilot study on the cluster Abell 2142.
Validation of a nomogram for selecting patients for chemotherapy after D2 gastrectomy for cancer
Authors: Wang Z-X , Li G-X , Zhou Z-W , Huang Z-P , Wang F , Xu R-H
Published: April 2017

Background

According to some guidelines for the management of gastric cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended for patients with pT3–4 or node-positive disease. The aim of this study was to define low- and high-risk groups in terms of survival, and to predict the benefit of adjuvant fluoropyrimidine plus oxaliplatin (F-OX) chemotherapy.

Methods

Patients with pT3–4 or node-positive gastric cancer after gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy between 2000 and 2013 were included. The performance of a previously published nomogram was assessed by discrimination and calibration. Patients were stratified into risk groups on the basis of the nomogram-predicted overall survival probability. The efficacy of F-OX within each risk subgroup was assessed using the log rank test and Cox regression analysis weighted by inverse propensity score.

Results

Some 1464 patients were included. The nomogram showed better discrimination than the seventh AJCC staging classification (concordance index 0·72 versus 0·68 respectively; P = 0·008) and accurate calibration. F-OX was not associated with improved survival in patients in the low-risk group, whereas it reduced the risk of death by over 20 per cent in the intermediate- and high-risk groups (P = 0·036 and P < 0·001 respectively) (P for interaction = 0·014).

Conclusion

A nomogram can aid in individualized decision-making regarding the administration of F-OX after gastrectomy for cancer.
A case of HIV‐negative plasmablastic lymphoma of the bone marrow with a unique immunophenotype
Authors: Dittus Christopher , Sarosiek Shayna
Published: April 2017

Key Clinical Message

We present an interesting case of plasmablastic lymphoma, which is a rare type of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma that is typically diagnosed in HIV‐positive patients and has an immunophenotype that overlaps with multiple myeloma. Our patient is unique because he is HIV‐negative, has primary bone marrow disease, and has an atypical immunophenotype.
Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Tandem Activation of C≡N and B−H Bonds under Dihydrogen: Synthesis of BN Heterocycles
Authors: Beguerie Marion , Faradji Charly , Vendier Laure , Sabo‐Etienne Sylviane , Alcaraz Gilles
Published: April 2017

The incorporation of a nitrile function ortho to the B(sp2)HNiPr2 group to obtain cyano(aryl)boranes and subsequent ruthenium‐catalyzed transformation of these cyano(aryl)boranes under a dihydrogen atmosphere (0.1 MPa) provided direct access to NH‐containing 1H‐2,1‐benzazaboroles as BN analogues of indene under very mild conditions (i.e., room temperature). The BN heterocycle could be functionalized from the corresponding lithium amide either by N‐elementation with various p‐block (C, Si, P, B) electrophiles or by palladium‐catalyzed N‐arylation with aryl bromides thus to provide a new and powerful protocol for B−N bond decoration.
Organotitania‐Based Nanostructures as a Suitable Platform for the Implementation of Binary, Ternary, and Fuzzy Logic Systems
Authors: Blachecki Andrzej , Mech‐Piskorz Justyna , Gajewska Marta , Mech Krzysztof , Pilarczyk Kacper , Szaciłowski Konrad
Published: April 2017

Titanium dioxide nanocomposites were synthesized in hierarchical architectures through the use of a 1,4‐dihydroxyanthraquinone photosensitizer. In the first step, the dye was either incorporated into the TiO2 core or adsorbed on its surface. In the subsequent phase, both structures were covered with an outer layer of titanium dioxide. The structure, morphology, aggregation, spectroscopic, and electrochemical properties of the synthesized TiO2‐based materials are presented with emphasis on the photosensitization and the photocurrent switching phenomena, which are also discussed within the context of the optical logic gates implementation and fuzzy logic systems operation. We present three different interpretations of the photocurrent action spectra yielding binary, ternary, or fuzzy logic circuits.
Similarity of plant functional traits and aggregation pattern in a subtropical forest
Authors: Zhang Bo , Lu Xiaozhen , Jiang Jiang , DeAngelis Donald L. , Fu Zhiyuan , Zhang Jinchi
Published: April 2017

The distribution of species and communities in relation to environmental heterogeneity is a central focus in ecology. Co‐occurrence of species with similar functional traits is an indication that communities are determined in part by environmental filters. However, few studies have been designed to test how functional traits are selectively filtered by environmental conditions at local scales. Exploring the relationship between soil characteristics and plant traits is a step toward understanding the filtering hypothesis in determining plant distribution at local scale. Toward this end, we mapped all individual trees (diameter >1 cm) in a one‐ha subtropical forest of China in 2007 and 2015. We measured topographic and detailed soil properties within the field site, as well as plant leaf functional traits and demographic rates of the seven most common tree species. A second one‐ha study plot was established in 2015, to test and validate the general patterns that were drawn from first plot. We found that variation in species distribution at local scale can be explained by soil heterogeneity and plant functional traits. (From first plot). (1) Species dominant in habitats with high soil ammonium nitrogen and total phosphorus tended to have high specific leaf area (SLA) and relative growth rate (RGR). (2) Species dominant in low‐fertility habitats tended to have high leaf dry matter content (LDMC), ratio of chlorophyll a and b (ratioab), and leaf thickness (LT). The hypothesis that functional traits are selected in part by environmental filters and determine plant distribution at local scale was confirmed by the data of the first plot and a second regional site showed similar species distribution patterns.
Viral gut metagenomics of sympatric wild and domestic canids, and monitoring of viruses: Insights from an endangered wolf population
Authors: Conceição‐Neto Nádia , Godinho Raquel , Álvares Francisco , Yinda Claude K. , Deboutte Ward , Zeller Mark , Laenen Lies , Heylen Elisabeth , Roque Sara , Petrucci‐Fonseca Francisco , Santos Nuno , Van Ranst Marc , Mesquita João R. , Matthijnssens Jelle
Published: April 2017

Animal host–microbe interactions are a relevant concern for wildlife conservation, particularly regarding generalist pathogens, where domestic host species can play a role in the transmission of infectious agents, such as viruses, to wild animals. Knowledge on viral circulation in wild host species is still scarce and can be improved by the recent advent of modern molecular approaches. We aimed to characterize the fecal virome and identify viruses of potential conservation relevance of diarrheic free‐ranging wolves and sympatric domestic dogs from Central Portugal, where a small and threatened wolf population persists in a highly anthropogenically modified landscape. Using viral metagenomics, we screened diarrheic stools collected from wolves (n = 8), feral dogs (n = 4), and pet dogs (n = 6), all collected within wolf range. We detected novel highly divergent viruses as well as known viral pathogens with established effects on population dynamics, including canine distemper virus, a novel bocavirus, and canine minute virus. Furthermore, we performed a 4‐year survey for the six wolf packs comprising this endangered wolf population, screening 93 fecal samples from 36 genetically identified wolves for canine distemper virus and the novel bocavirus, previously identified using our metagenomics approach. Our novel approach using metagenomics for viral screening in noninvasive samples of wolves and dogs has profound implications on the knowledge of both virology and wildlife diseases, establishing a complementary tool to traditional screening methods for the conservation of threatened species.
Are we ready to detect nematode diversity by next generation sequencing?
Authors: Peham Thomas , Steiner Florian M. , Schlick‐Steiner Birgit C. , Arthofer Wolfgang
Published: April 2017

In a Technical Advance article, Porazinska et al. (2009, Molecular Ecology Resources, 9, 1439–1450) assessed next generation sequencing (NGS) as a method for metagenomic analysis of nematode diversity. We agree that NGS has great potential here. However, it is not an easy path to the successful implementation of NGS for environmental DNA analysis of nematodes. Here, we describe the method's limitations and discuss prospective research questions. For instance, only a few direct extraction kits are suitable for nematode DNA extraction from bulk samples without adaptation. They enable the analysis of extracellular nematode DNA. The most crucial and unresolved issue remains the limited availability of suitable primers.
Brief intervention, physical exercise and cognitive behavioural group therapy for patients with chronic low back pain (The CINS trial)
Authors: Harris A. , Moe T.F. , Eriksen H.R. , Tangen T. , Lie S.A. , Tveito T.H. , Reme S.E.
Published: April 2017

Background and Objective

Cognitive‐behavioural treatments (CBT) and physical group exercise (PE) have both shown promising effects in reducing disability and increasing work participation among chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients. A brief cognitive intervention (BI) has previously been demonstrated to reduce work disability in CLBP. The aim of this study was to test if the effect of BI could be further increased by adding either group CBT or group PE.

Methods

A total of 214 patients, all sick listed 2–10 months due to CLBP, were randomized to BI (n = 99), BI + group CBT (n = 55) or BI + group PE (n = 60). Primary outcome was increased work participation at 12 months, whereas secondary outcomes included pain‐related disability, subjective health complaints, anxiety, depression, coping and fear avoidance.

Results

There were no significant differences between the groups in work participation at 12 months follow‐up (χ2 = 1.15, p = 0.56). No significant differences were found on the secondary outcomes either, except for a statistically significant reduction (time by group) in pseudoneurology one domain of subjective health complaints (sleep problems, tiredness, dizziness, anxiety, depression, palpitation, heat flushes) (F2,136 = 3.109, p = 0.048) and anxiety (F2,143 = 4.899, p = 0.009) for the groups BI + group CBT and BI + group PE, compared to BI alone. However, these differences were not significant in post hoc analyses (Scheffé adjusted).

Conclusion

There was no support for an effect of the added group CBT or group PE treatments to a brief cognitive intervention in this study of patients on sick leave due to low back pain.

Significance

Our study demonstrates that treatments that previously were found to be effective and are included in most treatment guidelines, such as group cognitive‐behavior therapy and exercise, were not effective in this given context compared to a brief, cognitive intervention. This implies that an optimized brief intervention is difficult to outperform in patients on sick leave due to low back pain.
Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Trace Level Ricin in Castor Seeds Using a Boron‐doped Diamond Electrode
Authors: Ribeiro Williame F. , da Costa Daniel J. E. , Lourenço Anabel S. , de Medeiros Everaldo P. , Salazar‐Banda Giancarlo R. , do Nascimento Valberes B. , Araujo Mario C. U.
Published: April 2017

Ricin, (Ricinus communis agglutinin, RCA) is one of the most poisonous of naturally occurring substances and has great potential for bioterrorism because no antidote exists. Fast detection at low concentrations is a challenge, and vital to the development of proper countermeasures. In this study, a square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetric (SWAdSV) method for determining RCA using a cathodically polarized boron‐doped diamond (BDD) electrode is presented. An irreversible electrochemical RCA oxidation peak was identified on the BDD electrode by different voltammetric techniques using both direct and adsorptive stripping modes. An adsorption‐controlled (slope log Ip vs log v of 0.80) pH‐dependent process was observed. For values of 1.0≤pH≤9.0, the numbers of protons and electrons associated with the oxidation reaction were estimated (ca. 1.0) by differential pulse voltammetry. The RCA oxidation step may correspond to the oxidation of tryptophan amino acid residues, and occurs in a complex mechanism. The excellent analytical performance of the cathodically polarized BDD electrode in combination with the stripping mode ramp was verified with RCA by using a short deposition time in an open circuit potential (120 s). Under optimized analysis conditions, a linear response in the range of (3.3–94.0)×10−9 mol L−1 (r2=0.9944) and a limit of detection of 6.2×10−10 mol L−1 were estimated. This LOD is lower than several methods found in the literature. For example, it is 168 times lower than that obtained by using square wave voltammetric with a glassy carbon electrode. Moreover, an even lower LOD might be achieved by using the SWAdSV method with a higher pre‐concentration time. In addition, trace levels of RCA were successfully determined in different castor seed cultivars with an overall average recovery from 99.2±1.6 % for the three different RCA‐A concentration levels. The high accuracy of the analytical data highlights the use of the proposed method for determining RCA in other samples.
Influence of drugs on smelling capacity. A review
Authors: Thiermann Finja , Buchbauer Gerhard
Published: April 2017

A well‐functioning sense of smell is essential not only for human wellbeing and the quality of life, it is also important to protect the organism from harmful influences it is exposed to, such as gas, toxic agents or rotten food. Various drugs interfere with human olfaction and are able to elicit olfactory dysfunction, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. To date, a wide range of drugs have not been sufficiently investigated with respect to their impact on olfaction. This review provides an overview of drugs that have been identified as inducing olfactory disorders and discusses underlying causes and mechanisms.
Graphene‐based Oxygen Reduction Electrodes for Low Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Jee Y. , Karimaghaloo A. , Andrade A. Macedo , Moon H. , Li Y. , Han J.‐W. , Ji S. , Ishihara H. , Su P.‐C. , Cha S. W. , Tung V. C. , Lee M. H.
Published: April 2017

In this report, we present a study of using nitrogen‐doped graphene as the air electrode of low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT‐SOFCs) operating at 350 °C or lower. Three graphene derivatives were prepared through hydrothermal reactions and their electrochemical performance and material properties were characterized in the temperature range of 225–350 °C in atmospheric air. Nitrogen‐doped graphene was found to exhibit a decent air electrode performance comparable to a porous Pt electrode aged for 8 h at 350 °C, but only for a limited time. After ∼10 h of operation at 350 °C, the electrode performance degraded significantly due to carbon oxidation. However, alternative routes of synthesizing/doping graphene derivatives are expected to improve the viability of using these materials as a practical high temperature air electrode.
Unobserved health care expenditures: How important is censoring in register data?
Authors: Schmid Christian Philipp Rudolf
Published: April 2017

Accurate information on individuals' health service use is important for evaluating health policies and analyzing health care demand. Although register data are considered to be more reliable than survey data, little is known about the extent and effect of censoring of the expenditure distribution in register data. We exploit a recent change in the health provider remuneration system in several Swiss cantons to empirically investigate whether censoring occurs when individuals do not have to disclose their health service use below their deductible level. Applying a difference‐in‐differences approach, we find that between CHF 6.70 (1.7%) to CHF 9.64 (2.4%) of all health service use paid out‐of‐pocket are not observed (per capita per year). This effect seems to be driven by high‐deductible plans where observed out‐of‐pocket expenditures declined by CHF 30.34 (7.6%) after the change. Although statistically significant, these effects are almost negligible in economic terms. We therefore concluded that, if anything, censoring is a very limited issue in Swiss health insurance claims data.
Analysis of the prognostic value of BMI and the difference in its impact according to age and sex in DLBCL patients
Authors: Kanemasa Yusuke , Shimoyama Tatsu , Sasaki Yuki , Tamura Miho , Sawada Takeshi , Omuro Yasushi , Hishima Tsunekazu , Maeda Yoshiharu
Published: April 2017

Studies that have evaluated the prognostic value of body mass index (BMI) in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma have recently been reported. However, the impact of BMI on survival outcomes remains controversial. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 406 diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma patients treated with R‐CHOP or R‐CHOP–like regimens. The number (%) of patients that were categorized into 1 of 4 groups according to BMI were underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), 58 (14.3%); normal weight (≥18.5 to <25 kg/m2), 262 (64.5%); overweight (≥25 to <30 kg/m2), 75 (18.5%); and obese (≥30.0 kg/m2), 11 (2.7%). While the prognosis of overweight patients was good, being similar to that of normal weight, underweight, and obese patients had a worse prognosis (5‐y overall survival [OS] was 57.9%, 74.3%, 73.4%, and 40.9% for underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese patients, respectively; P = .004). In multivariate analysis, underweight and obesity were independent prognostic factors for OS compared with normal weight (hazard ratios 2.90 and 5.17, respectively). In elderly female patients (≥70 y), patients with a low BMI (<25 kg/m2) had significantly inferior OS than those with a high BMI (≥25 kg/m2) (5‐y OS, 61.5% vs 85.7%; P = .039). In contrast, in young female patients (<70 years), patients with a low BMI had significantly better OS than those with a high BMI (5‐y OS, 88.6% vs 46.4%; P < .001). In male patients, there were no differences in the effect of BMI on OS between young and elderly patients. In this study, we demonstrated that being underweight and obese were independent prognostic factors compared with being normal weight. In female patients, BMI had a different impact on the prognosis of young and elderly patients, whereas in male patients, there was no difference in the effect of BMI on prognosis according to age.
A charge equilibration formalism for treating charge transfer effects in MD simulations: Application to water clusters
Authors: Kumar Sinha Sudipta , Mehta Mohit , Patel Sandeep
Published: April 2017

Conventional classical force fields by construction do not explicitly partition intermolecular interactions to include polarization and charge transfer effects, whereas fully quantum mechanical treatments allow a means to effect this dissection (although not uniquely due to the lack of a charge transfer operator). Considering the importance of polarization in a variety of systems, a particular class of classical models, charge equilibration models, have been extensively developed to study those systems; since these types of interaction models are inherently based on movement of charge throughout a system, they are natural platform for including polarization and charge transfer effects within the context of molecular simulations. Here, we present two bond‐space charge equilibration models we term as QE2 and mixed QE2 treat charge transfer in classical molecular mechanical calculations those provide practical solutions to two major drawbacks of charge equilibration models: (a) a nonvanishing amount of charge transfer between two heteroatoms at large separations, and (b) superlinear polarizability scaling during bond dissociation due to charge transfer over unphysical, large distances. To control charge transfer during dissociation of a bond in a molecular system, we introduce a distance‐dependent scaling function (QE2 model) which, controls and recovers physical behavior of the homonuclear and heteronuclear charge transfer between two atoms at small and large values of internuclear separation; and the mixed QE2 model in which we combine the QE2 model under allow and disallow charge transfer situations that describe both charge transfer and polarizability in a distance‐dependent manner. We demonstrate the utility of both models in the case of a water dimer, and compare the results with other existing models, and further, we perform short molecular dynamics simulations for few water clusters with the QE2 model to show the charge transfer and internuclear separation are correlated in dynamics. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Novel O‐Alkylated Chromones as Antimicrobial Agents: Ultrasound Mediated Synthesis, Molecular Docking and ADME Prediction
Authors: Dofe Vidya S. , Sarkate Aniket P. , Lokwani Deepak K. , Shinde Devanand B. , Kathwate Santosh H. , Gill Charansing H.
Published: April 2017

In the development of novel antimicrobial agents, we synthesized novel O‐alkylated chromones 4a–f by ultrasound‐assisted method. The synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. All compounds were assessed in vitro for their efficacy as antimicrobial agents against four bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and three fungi (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis). In particular, compounds 4a, 4b, 4d, 4e, and 4f exhibited potent antimicrobial activity. Molecular docking study was used to rationalize binding interaction at the active site, and the result showed good binding interaction. The compounds were also processed for in silico ADME prediction, and the result showed that compounds could be exploited as an oral drug candidate.
Middle meatal packing in endoscopic sinus surgery—to pack or not to pack?—a decision‐analysis model
Authors: Stern‐Shavit Sagit , Nachalon Yuval , Leshno Moshe , Soudry Ethan
Published: April 2017

Background

Packing of the middle meatus and ethmoid cavities is a common practice in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), but its necessity recently has been challenged. The aim of this study was to formulate a decision‐analysis model to determine the need for packing in ESS and identify variables affecting the decision.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was conducted for all randomized control trials comparing packing to no packing in ESS, and a decision‐analysis model was generated. Probabilities and utilities were derived from the literature. Sensitivity analysis was used to determine which variables most affected the model.

Results

No packing was associated with better expected utilities than packing. On sensitivity analysis, packing was preferred when the disutility of no packing outweighed the disutility of packing, and when the probability for synechiae was greater than 35% without packing or lower than 2% with packing. When the component of packing removal was subtracted from the overall disutility simulating absorbable packing, the results favored packing.

Conclusion

Our decision‐analysis model indicates that middle meatal packing is not advantageous for patients undergoing ESS. Absorbable packing materials have a less adverse effect on quality of life than nonabsorbable materials.

Level of Evidence

1a. Laryngoscope, 127:1506–1512, 2017
The PAS domains of the major sporulation kinase in Bacillus subtilis play a role in tetramer formation that is essential for the autokinase activity
Authors: Kiehler Brittany , Haggett Lindsey , Fujita Masaya
Published: April 2017

Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis is induced upon starvation. In a widely accepted model, an N‐terminal “sensor” domain of the major sporulation kinase KinA recognizes a hypothetical starvation signal(s) and autophosphorylates a histidine residue to activate the master regulator Spo0A via a multicomponent phosphorelay. However, to date no confirmed signal has been found. Here, we demonstrated that PAS‐A, the most N‐terminal of the three PAS domains (PAS‐ABC), is dispensable for the activity, contrary to a previous report. Our data indicated that the autokinase activity is dependent on the formation of a functional tetramer, which is mediated by, at least, PAS‐B and PAS‐C. Additionally, we ruled out the previously proposed notion that NAD+/NADH ratio controls KinA activity through the PAS‐A domain by demonstrating that the cofactors show no effects on the kinase activity in vitro. In support of these data, we found that the cofactors exist in approximately 1000‐fold excess of KinA in the cell and the cofactors’ ratio does not change significantly during growth and sporulation, suggesting that changes in the cofactor ratio might not play a role in controlling KinA activity. These data may refute the widely‐held belief that the activity of KinA is regulated in response to an unknown starvation signal(s).
Stability and bifurcation in epidemic models describing the transmission of toxoplasmosis in human and cat populations
Authors: Ferreira Jocirei D. , Echeverry Luz Myriam , Rincon Carlos A. Peña
Published: April 2017

A five‐dimensional ordinary differential equation model describing the transmission of Toxoplamosis gondii disease between human and cat populations is studied in this paper. Self‐diffusion modeling the spatial dynamics of the T. gondii disease is incorporated in the ordinary differential equation model. The normalized version of both models where the unknown functions are the proportions of the susceptible, infected, and controlled individuals in the total population are analyzed. The main results presented herein are that the ODE model undergoes a trans‐critical bifurcation, the system has no periodic orbits inside the positive octant, and the endemic equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable when we restrict the model to inside of the first octant. Furthermore, a local linear stability analysis for the spatially homogeneous equilibrium points of the reaction diffusion model is carried out, and the global stability of both the disease‐free and endemic equilibria are established for the reaction–diffusion system when restricted to inside of the first octant. Finally, numerical simulations are provided to support our theoretical results and to predict some scenarios about the spread of the disease. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi‐switching combination–combination synchronization of non‐identical fractional‐order chaotic systems
Authors: Khan Ayub , Bhat Muzaffar Ahmad
Published: April 2017

In this paper, multi‐switching combination–combination synchronization scheme has been investigated between a class of four non‐identical fractional‐order chaotic systems. The fractional‐order Lorenz and Chen's systems are taken as drive systems. The combination–combination of multi drive systems is then synchronized with the combination of fractional‐order Lü and Rössler chaotic systems. In multi‐switching combination–combination synchronization, the state variables of two drive systems synchronize with different state variables of two response systems simultaneously. Based on the stability of fractional‐order chaotic systems, the multi‐switching combination–combination synchronization of four fractional‐order non‐identical systems has been investigated. For the synchronization of four non‐identical fractional‐order chaotic systems, suitable controllers have been designed. Theoretical analysis and numerical results are presented to demonstrate the validity and feasibility of the applied method. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A phase 1 study of the c‐Met inhibitor, tivantinib (ARQ197) in children with relapsed or refractory solid tumors: A Children's Oncology Group study phase 1 and pilot consortium trial (ADVL1111)
Authors: Geller James I. , Perentesis John P. , Liu Xiaowei , Minard Charles G. , Kudgus Rachel A. , Reid Joel M. , Fox Elizabeth , Blaney Susan M. , Weigel Brenda J.
Published: April 2017

Background

The c‐Met receptor tyrosine kinase is dysregulated in many pediatric cancers. Tivantinib is an oral small molecule that inhibits the c‐Met receptor tyrosine kinase. A phase 1 and pharmacokinetic (PK) trial evaluating tivantinib was conducted in children with relapsed/refractory solid tumors.

Methods

Oral tivantinib capsules were administered twice daily with food, continuously in 28‐day cycles. Dose levels 170, 200, and 240 mg/m2/dose were evaluated using a rolling‐six design (Part A). In Part B, subjects received tivantinib powder sprinkled on food at the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) from Part A. PK, CYP2C19 genotyping, and baseline tumor tissue c‐Met expression were analyzed.

Results

Thirty‐six patients were enrolled: 20 in Part A, 6 in a PK expansion cohort, and 10 in Part B. Fifteen patients had primary central nervous system tumors and 21 had solid tumors. In Part A, there were no dose‐limiting toxicities. One grade 4 intracranial hemorrhage occurred in a patient with a progressive brain tumor in the expanded PK cohort (240 mg/m2). PK analysis showed marked interpatient variability (20‐fold) in the Cmax and AUC0‐8h across all dose levels. Sprinkling tivantinib powder over food did not alter exposure. Membranous and total c‐Met expression was moderate (2), low (4), or not detected (26). Two patients had stable disease as the best response.

Conclusions

The RP2D of tivantinib given with food in children with refractory solid tumors is 240 mg/m2/dose. PK of tivantinib in children demonstrated high variability. Objective responses were not observed in this phase 1 trial.