bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustained functional composition of pollinators in restored pastures despite slow functional restoration of plants
Authors: Winsa Marie , Öckinger Erik , Bommarco Riccardo , Lindborg Regina , Roberts Stuart P. M. , Wärnsberg Johanna , Bartomeus Ignasi
Published: April 2017

Habitat restoration is a key measure to counteract negative impacts on biodiversity from habitat loss and fragmentation. To assess success in restoring not only biodiversity, but also functionality of communities, we should take into account the re‐assembly of species trait composition across taxa. Attaining such functional restoration would depend on the landscape context, vegetation structure, and time since restoration. We assessed how trait composition of plant and pollinator (bee and hoverfly) communities differ between abandoned, restored (formerly abandoned) or continuously grazed (intact) semi‐natural pastures. In restored pastures, we also explored trait composition in relation to landscape context, vegetation structure, and pasture management history. Abandoned pastures differed from intact and restored pastures in trait composition of plant communities, and as expected, had lower abundances of species with traits associated with grazing adaptations. Further, plant trait composition in restored pastures became increasingly similar to that in intact pastures with increasing time since restoration. On the contrary, the trait composition of pollinator communities in both abandoned and restored pastures remained similar to intact pastures. The trait composition for both bees and hoverflies was influenced by flower abundance and, for bees, by connectivity to other intact grasslands in the landscape. The divergent responses across organism groups appeared to be mainly related to the limited dispersal ability and long individual life span in plants, the high mobility of pollinators, and the dependency of semi‐natural habitat for bees. Our results, encompassing restoration effects on trait composition for multiple taxa along a gradient in both time (time since restoration) and space (connectivity), reveal how interacting communities of plants and pollinators are shaped by different trait–environmental relationships. Complete functional restoration of pastures needs for more detailed assessments of both plants dispersal in time and of resources available within pollinator dispersal range.
Beta blocker dose and markers of sympathetic activation in heart failure patients: interrelationships and prognostic significance
Authors: Cohen‐Solal Alain , Jacobson Arnold F. , Piña Ileana L.
Published: April 2017

Aims

Extent of cardiac sympathetic activation can be estimated from physiological parameters, blood biomarkers, and imaging findings. This study examined the prognostic value of three markers of sympathetic activity and their relationship to beta blocker dose in heart failure patients.

Methods and results

A post hoc analysis of 858 heart failure subjects in the ADMIRE‐HF trial was performed. Variables related to sympathetic activity were plasma norepinephrine, baseline heart rate, the heart to mediastinum (H/M) ratio of 123I‐mIBG uptake, and beta blocker dose. Univariate and multivariate analyses for occurrence of mortality (all‐cause and cardiac) and arrhythmic events were performed. Beta blocker dose was significantly related to age, heart rate, b‐type natriuretic peptide (negatively), body mass index, body weight and plasma norepinephrine. Univariate predictors of all‐cause and cardiac mortality were baseline heart rate (χ2 = 4.5, P = 0.029 and χ2 = 5 .2, P = 0.022, respectively), plasma norepinephrine level (χ2 = 8.9, P = 0.0006 and χ2 = 8.6, P = 0.003, respectively), and H/M (χ = 22.4, P < 0.0001 and χ2 = 17.8, P < 0.0001, respectively). In multivariate analyses, carvedilol‐equivalent dose (P = 0.017), plasma norepinephrine (P = 0.002), and H/M (P = 0.0001) were significant predictors of all‐cause mortality. In separate analyses using multiple measurements of heart rate, mean heart rate >67 b.p.m. was associated with significantly higher cardiac mortality.

Conclusions

Higher beta blocker dose was associated with lower mortality, but of the variables associated with sympathetic activity examined, cardiac 123I‐mIBG uptake was the most powerful prognostic marker in heart failure patients. Elevated heart rate was associated with greater risk for cardiac death.
Metal‐Free Activation of C(sp3)–H Bond, and a Practical and Rapid Synthesis of Privileged 1‐Substituted 1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydroisoquinolines
Authors: Choudhury Santosh Kumar , Rout Pragati , Parida Bibhuti Bhusan , Florent Jean‐Claude , Johannes Ludger , Phaomei Ganngam , Bertounesque Emmanuel , Rout Laxmidhar
Published: April 2017

The reaction of cotarnine and acyl/aryl ketones in “green” solvents provides an efficient approach to an array of privileged 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolines in excellent yields by metal‐free activation of C(sp3)–H bonds. This one‐pot procedure takes place under base‐free conditions at room temperature, and tolerates a wide range of functionalities. The reaction is highly chemoselective, can be performed on a multi‐gram scale, and pure products are isolated by simple filtration without workup. Interestingly, the complementary two‐step procedure from cotarnine halide salts gives the Mannich products in good yields. The scope was elaborated to 9‐bromocotarnine salts to access a range of 9‐bromonoscapine‐derived analogues. The methodology has been developed considering the structural similarity of cotarnine derivatives to noscapinoids, which represent an emerging class of microtubule‐modulating anticancer agents.
Accidental eccentricity in symmetric buildings due to wave passage effects arising from near‐fault pulse‐like ground motions
Authors: Cao Yenan , Mavroeidis George P. , Meza‐Fajardo Kristel C. , Papageorgiou Apostolos S.
Published: April 2017

This article investigates the characteristics of the accidental eccentricity in symmetric buildings due to torsional response arising from wave passage effects in the near‐fault region. The soil–foundation–structure system is modeled as a symmetric cylinder placed on a rigid circular foundation supported on an elastic halfspace and subjected to obliquely incident plane SH waves simulating the action of near‐fault pulse‐like ground motions. The translational response is computed assuming that the superstructure behaves as a shear beam under the action of translational and rocking base excitations, whereas the torsional response is calculated using the mathematical formulation proposed in a previous study. A broad range of properties of the soil–foundation–structure system and ground motion input are considered in the analysis, thus facilitating a detailed parametric investigation of the structural response. It is demonstrated that the normalized accidental eccentricity is most sensitive to the pulse period (TP) of the near‐fault ground motions and to the uncoupled torsional‐to‐translational fundamental frequency ratio (Ω) of the structure. Furthermore, the normalized accidental eccentricities due to simplified pulse‐like and broadband ground motions in the near‐fault region are computed and compared against each other. The results show that the normalized accidental eccentricity due to the broadband ground motion is well approximated by the simplified pulse for longer period buildings, while it is underestimated for shorter period buildings. For symmetric buildings with values of Ω commonly used in design practice, the normalized accidental eccentricity due to wave passage effects is less than the typical code‐prescribed value of 5%, except for buildings with very large foundation radius. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acute toxicity of polyacrylamide flocculants to early life stages of freshwater mussels
Authors: Buczek Sean B. , Cope W. Gregory , McLaughlin Richard A. , Kwak Thomas J.
Published: April 2017

Polyacrylamide has become an effective tool for reducing construction-related suspended sediment and turbidity, which are considered to have significant adverse impacts on aquatic ecosystems and are a leading cause of the degradation of North American streams and rivers. However, little is known about the effects of polyacrylamide on many freshwater organisms, and prior to the present study, no information existed on the toxicity of polyacrylamide compounds to native freshwater mussels (family Unionidae), one of the most imperiled faunal groups globally. Following standard test guidelines, we exposed juvenile mussels (test duration 96 h) and glochidia larvae (test duration 24 h) to 5 different anionic polyacrylamide compounds and 1 non-ionic compound. Species tested included the yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa), an Atlantic Slope species that is listed as endangered in North Carolina; the Appalachian elktoe (Alasmidonta raveneliana), a federally endangered Interior Basin species; and the washboard (Megalonaias nervosa), a common Interior Basin species. We found that median lethal concentrations (LC50s) of polyacrylamide ranged from 411.7 to >1000 mg/L for glochidia and from 126.8 to >1000 mg/L for juveniles. All LC50s were orders of magnitude greater (2–3) than concentrations typically recommended for turbidity control (1–5 mg/L), regardless of their molecular weight or charge density. The results demonstrate that the polyacrylamide compounds tested were not acutely toxic to the mussel species and life stages tested, indicating minimal risk of short-term exposure from polyacrylamide applications in the environment. However, other potential uses of polyacrylamide in the environment (e.g., wastewater treatment, paper processing, mining, algae removal) and their chronic or sublethal effects remain uncertain and warrant additional investigation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2715–2721. Published 2017 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Differential requirements for DNA repair proteins in immortalized cell lines using alternative lengthening of telomere mechanisms
Authors: Martinez Alaina R. , Kaul Zeenia , Parvin Jeffrey D. , Groden Joanna
Published: April 2017

Cancer cells require telomere maintenance to enable uncontrolled growth. Most often telomerase is activated, although a subset of human cancers are telomerase‐negative and depend on recombination‐based mechanisms known as ALT (Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres). ALT depends on proteins that are essential for homologous recombination, including BLM and the MRN complex, to extend telomeres. This study surveyed the requirement for requisite homologous recombination proteins, yet to be studied in human ALT cell lines, by protein depletion using RNA interference. Effects on ALT were evaluated by measuring C‐circle abundance, a marker of ALT. Surprisingly, several proteins essential for homologous recombination, BARD1, BRCA2, and WRN, were dispensable for C‐circle production, while PALB2 had varying effects on C‐circles among ALT cell lines. Depletion of homologous recombination proteins BRCA1 and BLM, which have been previously studied in ALT, decreased C‐circles in all ALT cell lines. Depletion of the non‐homologous end joining proteins 53BP1 and LIG4 had no effect on C‐circles in any ALT cell line. Proteins such as chromatin modifiers that recruit double‐strand break proteins, RNF8 and RNF168, and other proteins loosely grouped into excision DNA repair processes, XPA, MSH2, and MPG, reduced C‐circles in some ALT cell lines. MSH2 depletion also reduced recombination at telomeres as measured by intertelomeric exchanges. Collectively, the requirement for DNA repair proteins varied between the ALT cell lines compared. In sum, our study suggests that ALT proceeds by multiple mechanisms that differ between cell lines and that some of these depend on DNA repair proteins not associated with homologous recombination pathways.
Shared book reading and preschool children's academic achievement: Evidence from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Birth cohort
Authors: Barnes Erica , Puccioni Jaime
Published: April 2017

This paper examines the relationships among the quality and quantity of parent–child shared book reading (SBR) engagements and children's reading and mathematics outcomes in preschool. Additionally, we explore how child and family characteristics predict the quality and quantity of SBR. Quantity was measured using parental reports of the frequency of SBR. Quality was measured by observational protocols evaluating for questioning, vocabulary, and discussion depth. A structural equation model was estimated using data from a nationally representative sample of 700 children living in the United States from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Birth cohort. Results indicated that the quality of book reading was associated with children's mathematics outcomes, and the quantity was associated with reading outcomes controlling for contextual variables. Socioeconomic status, race or ethnicity, and children's age predicted the quality and quantity of book reading experiences. These findings indicate that frequent exposure to high‐quality book reading may positively impact children's mathematics and reading development, but that variation in SBR exists. SBR is a common practice among many parents; helping parents understand the multiple benefits of the practice may further increase the frequency and quality of the engagement. Implications for research and practice are addressed.

Highlights

This paper describes the relationship between parental book reading practices, mathematics, and reading outcomes.

Structural equation models reveal relationships between the quantity of book reading and children's reading outcomes, as well as the quality of book reading and children's mathematics outcomes.

High‐quality book reading may positively impact academic achievement in multiple domains, but results may vary based on contextual factors.
Influence of Dosing Interval and Administration on the Bone Metabolism, Skeletal Effects, and Clinical Efficacy of Parathyroid Hormone in Treating Osteoporosis: A Narrative Review
Authors: Kim Kyoung Min , Lee Sae Young , Rhee Yumie
Published: April 2017

Recombinant human parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the key anabolic agent used for preventing fracture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. In bone metabolism, PTH signaling is mediated through a G protein–coupled receptor that affects various post‐receptor signaling pathways. Results of preclinical and clinical studies have shown that PTH improves both the structure and strength of bone tissue. Once daily subcutaneous injection of the PTH fragment, teriparatide (PTH [1‐34]), is the most commonly recommended formulation and dosing strategy in clinical practice. However, other dosing intervals, formulations, and routes have been investigated in preclinical and clinical studies. In particular, once‐weekly and cyclical administration have been investigated mainly as a means of reducing the high direct costs of treatment. In preclinical studies, bone formation/resorption markers, bone mineral density measurements, and histomorphometric parameters improved with both once‐daily and once‐weekly administration. However, the magnitude and duration of such improvements were generally greater with once‐daily PTH administration. In clinical studies, reductions in fracture incidence were also noted with both once‐daily and once‐weekly PTH administration, although improvements in nonvertebral fractures are less evident with once‐weekly administration. This narrative review details the differences between PTH formulation and dosing strategies in relation to preclinical and clinical efficacy/safety parameters, although it should be stressed that no head‐to‐head studies allow direct comparisons. This review also seeks to outline practical considerations involved with PTH prescribing and new directions in research regarding routes of administration. © 2017 The Authors. JBMR Plus is published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Antidepressant Imipramine Protects Bupivacaine‐Induced Neurotoxicity in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons Through Coactivation of TrkA and TrkB
Authors: Guo Jianrong , Wang Huan , Tao Qiang , Sun Shiyu , Liu Li , Zhang Jianping , Yang Dawei
Published: April 2017

In our work, we used an in vitro culture model to investigate whether antidepressant imipramine (Ip) may protect bupivacaine (Bv)‐induced neurotoxicity in mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Adult mouse DRG was treated with 5 mM Bv in vitro to induce neurotoxicity. DRG was then pre‐treated with Ip, prior to Bv, to examine its effects on protecting Bv‐induced DRG apoptosis and neurite degeneration. Ip‐induced dynamic changes in Trk receptors, including TrkA/B/C and phosphor (p‐)TrkA/B/C, were examined by qPCR and Western blot. TrkA and TrkB were inhibited by siRNAs to further investigate their functional role in Ip‐ and Bv‐treated DRG. Ip protected Bv‐induced apoptosis and neurite loss in DRG. Ip did not alter TrkA/B/C expressions, whereas significantly augmented protein productions of p‐TrkA and p‐TrkB, but not p‐TrkC. SiRNA‐mediated TrkA or TrkB downregulation inhibited Trk receptors, and reduced p‐TrkA and p‐TrkB in DRG. TrkA or TrkB downregulation alone had no effect on Ip‐induced protection in Bv‐injured DRG. However, co‐inhibition of TrkA and TrkB significantly ameliorated the protective effect of Ip on Bv‐induced apoptosis and neurite loss in DRG. Imipramine protected bupivacaine‐induced neurotoxicity in DRG, likely via the co‐activation of TrkA and TrkB signaling pathways. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3960–3967, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A machine learning framework to analyze hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering microscopy images of expressed human meibum
Authors: Alfonso‐García Alba , Paugh Jerry , Farid Marjan , Garg Sumit , Jester James , Potma Eric
Published: April 2017

We develop and discuss a methodology for batch‐level analysis of hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering (hsSRS) data sets of human meibum in the CH‐stretching vibrational range. The analysis consists of two steps. The first step uses a training set (n=19) to determine chemically meaningful reference spectra that jointly constitute a basis set for the sample. This procedure makes use of batch‐level vertex component analysis, followed by unsupervised k‐means clustering to express the data set in terms of spectra that represent lipid and protein mixtures in changing proportions. The second step uses a random forest classifier to rapidly classify hsSRS stacks in terms of the pre‐determined basis set. The overall procedure allows a rapid quantitative analysis of large hsSRS data sets, enabling a direct comparison among samples using a single set of reference spectra. We apply this procedure to assess 50 specimens of expressed human meibum, rich in both protein and lipid, and show that the batch‐level analysis reveals marked variation among samples that potentially correlate with meibum health quality. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of Raman‐active crystals as a narrowband probe light source for picosecond three‐color vibrational CARS thermometry
Authors: Meißner Christian , Tröger Johannes W. , Kozlov Dimitrii N. , Beyrau Frank , Seeger Thomas
Published: April 2017

The feasibility of N2‐based vibrational three‐color coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) thermometry employing narrowband stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) of a picosecond pump laser pulse in a Raman‐active crystal to provide the wavelength‐shifted probe radiation has been investigated. This shift of the probe beam wavelength is aimed to enable temperature measurements in sooting flames by using the established technique of N2 vibrational CARS spectroscopy in the range free from the interference of the detected radiation with the absorption/emission bands of the flame intermediate radicals C2. The use of solid‐state Raman wavelength shifters may be an inexpensive solution providing reliable temperature measurements. The comparative study of the employment of two high SRS gain Raman‐active crystal materials [namely, Ba(NO3)2 and KGd(WO4)2] pumped by a 100‐ps frequency‐doubled Nd:YAG laser pulse has been performed. To test and compare the operation of each of the crystals in a three‐color CARS experiment, we have performed temperature measurements at ambient conditions and in a fuel‐rich sooting ethylene/air flame. Despite the comparable conversion efficiencies into the first‐order Stokes SRS radiation provided by both crystals, the achievable pulse energies were four to five times larger for the KGd(WO4)2 crystal, and the vibrational CARS spectra at flame temperatures had a significantly better signal‐to‐noise ratio. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman microspectrometric study of pigments in melanized fungi from the hyperarid Atacama desert gypsum crust
Authors: Culka Adam , Jehlička Jan , Ascaso Carmen , Artieda Octavio , Casero Cristina M. , Wierzchos Jacek
Published: April 2017

The Atacama desert is amongst the oldest and driest deserts in the world, and its hyperarid core is described as ‘the most barren region imaginable’. In this study, we describe for the first time the endolithic microbial communities composed by eukaryotic microorganisms, such as melanized fungi and algae, colonizing the interior of gypsum crusts collected in the hyperarid zone of the Atacama desert. Melanin pigments present in fungi cell walls have been studied by Raman microspectroscopy. Analyses have been performed directly in the gypsum crust sustaining the colonisation of fungi and algae, on the thin sections and on the cultivated culture of the fungi from Neocatenulostroma genus. Raman spectroscopic signature of melanin has been clearly observed in all the sample types. Two broad bands located at wavenumbers 1605–1580 cm−1 and around 1350 cm−1 have been detected in all the studied samples, with slight variations in the appearance of other bands or shoulders of smaller intensity documenting either the changes in melanin composition or other biomolecules bound to melanin. Blue and green lasers (445, 514 and 532 nm) have been shown as favourable excitation for the study of melanins as the longer wavelengths induced adverse effects that mask the Raman signal. Effect of laser power level on the resulting spectra has also been discussed. Algal carotenoid pigment has been detected in isolated regions of the sample by the Raman bands of 1520, 1155 and 1002 cm−1. The strong Raman signal of fungal melanin that has been detected in the host rock from the locality characterized by extreme conditions such as Atacama desert could be considered in the discussion about feasible biomarker molecules; however, low specificity of the broad Raman signature and similarity to the spectrum of amorphous carbon must be also taken into account. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability assessment of lycopene microemulsion prepared using tomato industrial waste against various processing conditions
Authors: Amiri‐Rigi Atefeh , Abbasi Soleiman
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Green separation techniques are growing at a greater rate than solvent extraction as a result of the constant consumer drive to ‘go natural’. Considering the increasing evidence of the health benefits of lycopene and massive tomato industrial waste, in the present study, lycopene was extracted from tomato industrial waste using microemulsion technique and its mean droplet size and size distribution was determined. Moreover, the effects of pasteurization, sterilization, freeze–thaw cycles and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the thermodynamic stability, turbidity and lycopene concentration of the lycopene microemulsion were monitored.

RESULTS

Freeze–thaw cycles, pasteurization and short exposure to UV irradiation showed no or negligible influence on lycopene content and turbidity of the microemulsion. However, long exposure to UV (260 min) reduced the lycopene content and turbidity by 34% and 10%, respectively. HHST (higher‐heat shorter‐time) and sterilization also reduced lycopene content (25%) and increased turbidity (32%).

CONCLUSION

The lycopene microemulsion showed satisfactory stability over a process where its monodispersity and nanosize could be of potential advantage to the food and related industries. Regarding the carcinogenicity of synthetic colourants, potential applications of the lycopene microemulsion include in soft drinks and minced meat, which would result in a better colour and well‐documented health‐promoting qualities. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Carboxylated Polysaccharides Decorated with Ultrasmall Magnetic Nanoparticles with Antibacterial and MRI Properties
Authors: Biliuta Gabriela , Sacarescu Liviu , Socoliuc Vlad , Iacob Mihai , Gheorghe Liliana , Negru Dragos , Coseri Sergiu
Published: April 2017

Two natural polymers, namely, cellulose and pullulan, are selectively oxidized employing the well‐established (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐yl)‐oxyl radical protocol in order to introduce in their structural unit negatively charged carboxylic groups. These newly introduced moieties further serve as efficient matrix for the in situ iron oxide nanoparticles fabrication. The morphology, structure, stability, and magnetic properties of the as‐prepared carboxylated polysaccharides embedded ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles are analyzed using various techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The results show that the two used polysaccharides are excellent materials to produce highly uniform shaped nanoparticles with an average size of about 3 nm. Moreover, the nanoparticles have excellent water dispersibility and stability. The prepared magnetic samples show antibacterial effect against Gram‐positive bacteria and also exhibit characteristics as contrasting agent for noninvasive cellular and molecular imaging.

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Consumers’ Social Media Brand Behaviors: Uncovering Underlying Motivators and Deriving Meaningful Consumer Segments
Authors: Dimitriu Radu , Guesalaga Rodrigo
Published: April 2017

The current research identifies the range of social media brand behaviors (i.e., brand touch points) that consumers can exhibit on social media, and subsequently queries a representative sample of consumers with regard to such behaviors. The analysis reveals four underlying motivators for consumers’ social media behaviors, including brand tacit engagement, brand exhibiting, brand patronizing, and brand deal seeking. These motivators are used to derive meaningful consumer segments identified as content seekers, observers, deal hunters, hard‐core fans, posers and, respectively, patronizers, and described through co‐variates including brand loyalty, brand attachment, and social media usage. The findings are critically discussed in the light of literature on the needs that consumers meet through brand consumption and on the types of relationships consumers build with brands. Not least, the managerial implications of the current findings are debated.
Resilience of the prokaryotic microbial community of Acropora digitifera to elevated temperature
Authors: Gajigan Andrian P. , Diaz Leomir A. , Conaco Cecilia
Published: April 2017

The coral is a holobiont formed by the close interaction between the coral animal and a diverse community of microorganisms, including dinoflagellates, bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses. The prokaryotic symbionts of corals are important for host fitness but are also highly sensitive to changes in the environment. In this study, we used 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing to examine the response of the microbial community associated with the coral, Acropora digitifera, to elevated temperature. The A. digitifera microbial community is dominated by operational taxonomic unit (OTUs) affiliated with classes Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria. The prokaryotic community in the coral tissue is distinct from that of the mucus and the surrounding seawater. Remarkably, the overall microbial community structure of A. digitifera remained stable for 10 days of continuous exptosure at 32°C compared to corals maintained at 27°C. However, the elevated temperature regime resulted in a decrease in the abundance of OTUs affiliated with certain groups of bacteria, such as order Rhodobacterales. On the other hand, some OTUs affiliated with the orders Alteromonadales, Vibrionales, and Flavobacteriales, which are often associated with diseased and stressed corals, increased in abundance. Thus, while the A. digitifera bacterial community structure appears resilient to higher temperature, prolonged exposure and intensified stress results in changes in the abundance of specific microbial community members that may affect the overall metabolic state and health of the coral holobiont.
Ski regulates Smads and TAZ signaling to suppress lung cancer progression
Authors: Xie Mian , Wu Xiaojun , Zhang Jinjun , Zhang Jiexia , Li Xiangxiang
Published: April 2017

Ski, the transforming protein of the avian Sloan‐Kettering retrovirus, displays both pro‐ and anti‐oncogenic activities in human cancer. The mechanisms underlying these conflicting observations have not been fully understood. Herein, we investigated the mechanism underlying the tumor suppressor activity of Ski. To investigate the effect of Ski re‐activation on TGF‐β and Hippo/TAZ pathway, we measured its effect on the endogenous Smad target genes (PAI‐1 and P15INK4B) and TAZ target gene CTGF. The results revealed that Ski exerted its inhibitory activity in TGF‐β1/Smad signaling pathway. Ski inhibited TAZ by increasing their phosphorylation by Lats2 and did not alter the localization of TAZ. Ski inhibited lung cancer growth and invasion. Ski methylation correlated with decreased mRNA expression in human lung cancer cell lines. Thus, Ski inhibited the function of TGF‐β and TAZ through multiple mechanisms in human lung cancer.
On the transmit field inhomogeneity correction of relaxation‐compensated amide and NOE CEST effects at 7 T
Authors: Khlebnikov Vitaliy , Windschuh Johannes , Siero Jeroen C.W. , Zaiss Moritz , Luijten Peter R. , Klomp Dennis W.J. , Hoogduin Hans
Published: April 2017

High field MRI is beneficial for chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) in terms of high SNR, CNR, and chemical shift dispersion. These advantages may, however, be counter‐balanced by the increased transmit field inhomogeneity normally associated with high field MRI. The relatively high sensitivity of the CEST contrast to B1 inhomogeneity necessitates the development of correction methods, which is essential for the clinical translation of CEST. In this work, two B1 correction algorithms for the most studied CEST effects, amide‐CEST and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE), were analyzed. Both methods rely on fitting the multi‐pool Bloch‐McConnell equations to the densely sampled CEST spectra. In the first method, the correction is achieved by using a linear B1 correction of the calculated amide and NOE CEST effects. The second method uses the Bloch‐McConnell fit parameters and the desired B1 amplitude to recalculate the CEST spectra, followed by the calculation of B1‐corrected amide and NOE CEST effects. Both algorithms were systematically studied in Bloch‐McConnell equations and in human data, and compared with the earlier proposed ideal interpolation‐based B1 correction method. In the low B1 regime of 0.15–0.50 μT (average power), a simple linear model was sufficient to mitigate B1 inhomogeneity effects on a par with the interpolation B1 correction, as demonstrated by a reduced correlation of the CEST contrast with B1 in both the simulations and the experiments.
Evaluating kurtosis‐based diffusion MRI tissue models for white matter with fiber ball imaging
Authors: Jensen Jens H. , McKinnon Emilie T. , Glenn G. Russell , Helpern Joseph A.
Published: April 2017

In order to quantify well‐defined microstructural properties of brain tissue from diffusion MRI (dMRI) data, tissue models are typically employed that relate biological features, such as cell morphology and cell membrane permeability, to the diffusion dynamics. A variety of such models have been proposed for white matter, and their validation is a topic of active interest. In this paper, three different tissue models are tested by comparing their predictions for a specific microstructural parameter to a value measured independently with a recently proposed dMRI method known as fiber ball imaging (FBI). The three tissue models are all constructed with the diffusion and kurtosis tensors, and they are hence compatible with diffusional kurtosis imaging. Nevertheless, the models differ significantly in their details and predictions. For voxels with fractional anisotropies (FAs) exceeding 0.5, all three are reasonably consistent with FBI. However, for lower FA values, one of these, called the white matter tract integrity (WMTI) model, is found to be in much better accord with FBI than the other two, suggesting that the WMTI model has a broader range of applicability.
Preparation of viscoelastic gel‐like halloysite hybrids and their application in halloysite/polystyrene composites
Authors: Yin Xianze , Weng Puxin , Yang Shiwen , Han Lu , Du Zhengliang , Wang Luoxin , Tan Yeqiang
Published: April 2017

Self‐reinforcement gel‐like halloysite nanotube (g‐HNT) hybrids with various viscoelastic behaviors were fabricated by firstly treating with various concentrations of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution and then grafting tertiary amine and ion‐exchange reacting with sulfonate anions. The morphology, composition, thermal stability and rheological behavior of theg‐HNThybrids were systematically characterized and analyzed using various methods. It is found that the viscoelasticity ofg‐HNThybrids can be easily regulated by using differentNaOHsolution‐treatedHNTsas inorganic core and temperatures. In addition, theg‐HNThybrids treated with medium concentration ofNaOH(0.06 mol L−1) have the lowest viscosity and highest level of dispersion compared with those treated with other concentrations ofNaOHsolution. Due to the amphiphilic nature ofg‐HNThybrids and their lower viscosity thanHNTpowder, as novel hybrid fillers, they were utilized to prepare polystyrene composites by direct melt blending for achieving simultaneous reinforcement and plasticization effects. Besides the above mentioned advantages, the thermal conductivity of polystyrene composites is also surprisingly improved by reducing the interfacial mismatch between the filler and polymer matrix. The solvent‐free and self‐reinforcement hybrids provide a convenient and green path for fabricating high‐performance polymer composites. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Hierarchical self‐assembly of black phosphorus quantum dots with quantum confinement effects to a centimeter‐scale membrane
Authors: Meng Ming , Gan Zhixing , Zhang Jun , Liu KuiLi , Wang Lihua , Li ShaoFeng , Yao Yao , Zhu Yu , Li Jian
Published: April 2017

The self‐assembly of simple building blocks to complex superstructures is significant for engineering materials with enhanced and synergistic properties. In this work, black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) showing quantum confinement effects were prepared. The BPQDs are hierarchically self‐assembled to paper‐like membranes as large as in the centimeter range in two main stages: aggregation driven by Brownian motions due to minimization of the surface free energy and an interfacial self‐concentrating process by capillary interactions. Moreover, from the absorption band edges, the band gap of BPQDs is estimated to be about 1.3 eV, which is evidently larger than the 0.8 eV of bulk black phosphorus. The remarkable extension of the band gap indicates the quantum confinement effects of the electrons. The Raman spectrum of BPQDs shows that all the phonon modes shift to lower frequencies and broaden dramatically compared with that of the bulk BP, which suggests phonon confinement effects.
EURECA: End‐user requirements engineering with collaborative animation
Authors: Kim Neunghoe , Park Soojin , Jeong Dongwon , Hwang Mansoo , Park Sooyong , In Hoh Peter
Published: April 2017

In recent years, software development environments have changed from being driven by professional developers to being driven by technical end users. One of the key issues in end‐user‐driven software development environments is how to guarantee the quality of the software artifacts. Measuring the quality of developed software requires the correct specification of a quality range the software is expected to meet. However, technical end users are non‐professionals in engineering techniques for software requirements, and training a developer to be an expert in requirements engineering in a short period of time is difficult. This paper proposes a new software development life cycle based on reutilizing previously evaluated software requirements assets from completed projects. End‐User Requirements Engineering with Collaborative Animation, a tool that was developed to support the proposed software development life cycle, is described and demonstrated by application to three projects. The results from real cases are used as the basis for a discussion on the efficiency enhancement of requirements work, an increased rate of reusing legacy software requirements assets, and an improvement in the technical end user's individual competency level using the End‐User Requirements Engineering with Collaborative Animation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reverse logistics for postal services within a circular economy
Authors: Esposito Mark , Tse Terence , Soufani Khaled
Published: April 2017

A circular economy will need a society‐level recovery system that takes all parts into account. One of the most serious challenges of operating a circular economy is reverse logistics, a major component of how the circular economy functions. The question of how to manage the recovery of waste—which might include such disparate items as working mobile phones, package waste, and inkjet cartridges—from billions of homes and consumers and get them back into the global materials pool so that the residual value of waste is captured and returned to being a resource is to be addressed if the circular economy is to move from theory to practice. Just some of the many needs of reverse logistics include asset tracking, materials recovery, dismantling, and toxic waste handling. Complexity of details necessitate that the design of reverse logistics and management of the circular economy will be some of the most highly refined systems thinking that modern society will ever create.
Comparative efficacy of goreisan and probiotics in Japanese adults with acute infectious gastroenteritis: Randomized controlled trial
Authors: Morita Fujiko , Yokokawa Hirohide , Matsuda Naoto , Fujibayashi Kazutoshi , Uehara Yuki , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Naito Toshio
Published: April 2017

Aim

This study compared the efficacy of goreisan with that of probiotics in Japanese adults with acute infectious gastroenteritis.

Methods

Outpatients aged ≥20 years with acute infectious gastroenteritis were enrolled in this open‐label, prospective randomized controlled trial from December 2014 to December 2015. Seventy‐five patients were randomly assigned to receive goreisan or probiotics (
Bifidobacterium). The primary outcomes were duration and frequency of diarrhea and vomiting. The secondary outcomes were duration of concomitant symptoms including nausea, abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, and anorexia.

Results

The duration and frequency of diarrhea and vomiting were not significantly different between the goreisan (n = 24) and probiotic groups (n = 25). The secondary outcomes duration of anorexia (median, 2 days; range, 1–5 days vs 2.5 days, range, 1–5 days, P = 0.01) and of abdominal pain (median, 2 days; range, 1–5 days vs 3 days, range, 1–5 days, P = 0.02) were significantly shorter in the goreisan group than in the probiotic group.

Conclusions

The duration of concomitant symptoms of anorexia and abdominal pain were significantly shorter in the goreisan group than in the probiotic group. Goreisan may have the potential to improve the general symptoms of gastroenteritis.
Pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A is positively correlated with first‐trimester skin microvascular reactivity
Authors: Iacobaeus C. , Kahan T. , Jörneskog G. , Bremme K. , Andolf E. , Thorsell M.
Published: April 2017

Objective

To investigate the relationship between levels of circulating maternal pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) and first‐trimester maternal vascular function.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study of 53 healthy, non‐smoking, nulliparous pregnant women in Stockholm, Sweden. PAPP‐A levels and vascular function were assessed during gestational weeks 11–14. Forearm skin microcirculation was investigated by laser Doppler perfusion imaging during iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to assess endothelium‐dependent and ‐independent microvascular vasodilatation, respectively. Microvascular endothelial function index was calculated as peak ACh/peak SNP. Endothelium‐dependent and ‐independent vasodilatation in the brachial artery was evaluated, respectively, by postischemic hyperemia‐induced flow‐mediated vasodilatation (FMD) and by response to sublingual intake of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN).

Results

PAPP‐A was correlated with skin microvascular endothelial function index (β = 1.008 (95% CI, 0.34–1.68), r2 = 0.17, P = 0.004). PAPP‐A also correlated inversely with FMD (β = –0.052 (95% CI, –0.094 to –0.011), r2 = 0.13, P = 0.014) but did not relate to forearm endothelial function index (i.e. FMD/GTN). The results were retained in multivariate analyses including known confounding factors.

Conclusions

First‐trimester endothelium‐dependent skin microvascular reactivity was positively related to PAPP‐A levels. If confirmed, these novel findings suggest that first‐trimester skin microvascular reactivity could be a useful early pregnancy marker of placental function. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Restricted physical activity in pregnancy reduces maternal vascular resistance and improves fetal growth
Authors: Vasapollo B. , Lo Presti D. , Gagliardi G. , Farsetti D. , Tiralongo G. M. , Pisani I. , Novelli G. P. , Valensise H.
Published: April 2017

Objectives

To test the efficacy of maternal activity restriction for reducing peripheral vascular resistance in normotensive pregnant women with raised total vascular resistance (TVR) and to evaluate its effect on fetal growth.

Methods

This was a prospective case–control study of 30 women enrolled between 27 and 29 weeks' gestation. All patients met the following criteria: normal blood pressure before and during pregnancy, TVR between 1300 and 1400 dynes × s/cm5 at enrolment, normal fetal Doppler parameters at enrolment and abdominal circumference between the 10th and 25th centiles. Patients were assigned to activity restriction (activity‐restriction group; n = 15) or no treatment (control group; n = 15) and were assessed after 4 weeks for TVR and fetal growth.

Results

TVR at enrolment and estimated fetal weight centile were similar in the activity‐restriction group vs controls (1358 ± 26 vs 1353 ± 30 dynes × s/cm5; 18th ± 4 vs 19th ± 4 centile; P = NS). After 4 weeks, the activity‐restriction group compared with controls showed significantly lower TVR (1165 ± 159 vs 1314 ± 190 dynes × s/cm5; P < 0.05), which was associated with higher estimated fetal weight centile (25th ± 5 vs 20th ± 5 centile; P < 0.05). TVR was lower and estimated fetal weight centile higher for the activity‐restriction group after 4 weeks compared with at enrolment.

Conclusions

In normotensive pregnant women with raised TVR, maternal activity restriction appears to be effective in reducing TVR and therefore enhancing fetal growth. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Improving the ‘tool box’ for robust industrial enzymes
Authors: Littlechild J A
Published: April 2017

The speed of sequencing of microbial genomes and metagenomes is providing an ever increasing resource for the identification of new robust biocatalysts with industrial applications for many different aspects of industrial biotechnology. Using ‘natures catalysts’ provides a sustainable approach to chemical synthesis of fine chemicals, general chemicals such as surfactants and new consumer-based materials such as biodegradable plastics. This provides a sustainable and ‘green chemistry’ route to chemical synthesis which generates no toxic waste and is environmentally friendly. In addition, enzymes can play important roles in other applications such as carbon dioxide capture, breakdown of food and other waste streams to provide a route to the concept of a ‘circular economy’ where nothing is wasted. The use of improved bioinformatic approaches and the development of new rapid enzyme activity screening methodology can provide an endless resource for new robust industrial biocatalysts.This mini-review will discuss several recent case studies where industrial enzymes of ‘high priority’ have been identified and characterised. It will highlight specific hydrolase enzymes and recent case studies which have been carried out within our group in Exeter.
Counterion Effect on Krafft Temperature and Related Properties of Octadecyltrimethylammonium Bromide
Authors: Sharker Komol Kanta , Islam Md. Nazrul , Das Shuvo
Published: April 2017

In the present work, we have investigated the effect of some counterions on the Krafft temperature (TK) and the micelle formation of octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (OTAB) in aqueous solution. The results showed that the ions with more chaotropic nature increase the TK while those with a kosmotropic, hydrotropic and less chaotropic nature lower the TK of the surfactant. More chaotropic SCN− and I−, being weakly hydrated, form contact ion pairs with the octadecyltrimethylammonium ion and reduce the electrostatic repulsion between the surfactant molecules. As a result, these ions exhibit salting out behavior and raise the TK of the surfactant. On the other hand, less chaotropic Cl− and NO3−, kosmotropic SO42− and F− and hydrotropic benzoate and salicylate ions increase the solubility of the surfactant, with a consequent decrease in the TK. SO42−, F−, benzoate and salicylate cannot form contact ion pairs with the weakly hydrated cationic part of OTAB. Rather, being extensively hydrated and kosmotropic in nature, these ions do not show any tendency to shed their hydrated water molecules to form contact ion pairs with the weakly hydrated octadecyltrimethylammonium ion and therefore, stay apart. As a result, the TK of the surfactant decreases significantly in the presence of these ions. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the surfactant decreases significantly in the presence of these ions due to screening of the micelle surface charge by the added counterions. Consequently, the surfactant molecules attain better packing because of substantial reduction in the electrostatic repulsion between the charged head‐groups, showing a significant decrease in the CMC.