bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate will increasingly determine post‐fire tree regeneration success in low‐elevation forests, Northern Rockies,USA
Authors: Kemp Kerry B. , Higuera Philip E. , Morgan Penelope , Abatzoglou John T.
Published: January 2019

Climate change is expected to cause widespread shifts in the distribution and abundance of plant species through direct impacts on mortality, regeneration, and survival. At landscape scales, climate impacts will be strongly mediated by disturbances, such as wildfire, which catalyze shifts in species distributions through widespread mortality and by shaping the post‐disturbance environment. We examined the potential for regional shifts in low‐elevation tree species in response to wildfire and climate warming in low‐elevation, dry mixed‐conifer forests of the northern Rocky Mountains,USA. We analyzed interactions among climate and wildfire on post‐fire tree seedling regeneration 5–13 yr post‐fire at 177 sites burned in 21 large wildfires during two years with widespread regional burning. We used generalized additive mixed models to quantify how the density of Douglas‐fir and ponderosa pine seedlings varied as a function of climate normals (30‐yr mean temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, and evapotranspiration) and fire (tree survivorship, burn severity, and seed source availability). Mean summer temperature was the most important predictor of post‐fire seedling densities for both ponderosa pine and Douglas‐fir. Seed availability was also important in determining Douglas‐fir regeneration. As mean summer temperature continues to increase, however, seed availability will become less important for determining post‐fire regeneration. Above a mean summer temperature of 17°C, Douglas‐fir regeneration is predicted to be minimal regardless of how close a seed source is to a site. The majority (82%) of our sampled sites are predicted to exceed a mean summer temperature of 17°C by mid‐century, suggesting significant declines in seedling densities and potential forest loss. Our results highlight mechanisms linking climate change to shifts in the distribution of two widely dominant tree species in western North America. Under a warming climate, we expect post‐fire tree regeneration in these low‐elevation forests to become increasingly unsuccessful. Such widespread regeneration failures would have important implications for ecosystem processes and forest resilience, particularly as wildfires increase in response to climate warming.
Joint species movement modeling: how do traits influence movements?
Authors: Ovaskainen Otso , Ramos Danielle Leal , Slade Eleanor M. , Merckx Thomas , Tikhonov Gleb , Pennanen Juho , Pizo Marco Aurélio , Ribeiro Milton Cezar , Morales Juan Manuel
Published: January 2019

Joint species distribution modeling has enabled researchers to move from species‐level to community‐level analyses, leading to statistically more efficient and ecologically more informative use of data. Here, we propose joint species movement modeling (JSMM) as an analogous approach that enables inferring both species‐ and community‐level movement parameters from multispecies movement data. The species‐level movement parameters are modeled as a function of species traits and phylogenetic relationships, allowing one to ask how species traits influence movements, and whether phylogenetically related species are similar in their movement behavior. We illustrate the modeling framework with two contrasting case studies: a stochastic redistribution model for direct observations of bird movements and a spatially structured diffusion model for capture–recapture data on moth movements. In both cases, the JSMM identified several traits that explain differences in movement behavior among species, such as movement rate increasing with body size in both birds and moths. We show with simulations that the JSMM approach increases precision of species‐specific parameter estimates by borrowing information from other species that are closely related or have similar traits. The JSMM framework is applicable for many kinds of data, and it facilitates a mechanistic understanding of the causes and consequences of interspecific variation in movement behavior.
A 2D NiFe Bimetallic Metal–Organic Frameworks for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysis
Authors: Hao Yongchao , Liu Qinglin , Zhou Ying , Yuan Zeqian , Fan Yanan , Ke Zhuofeng , Su Cheng‐Yong , Li Guangqin
Published: January 2019

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the cornerstone for many important energy conversion devices, including metal–air battery and water splitting. Herein, an optimized NiFe‐based metal–organic framework is developed as highly efficient active material for OER. It just needs a low overpotential of 0.31 V to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a favorable Tafel slope of 43.7 mV dec−1 in 0.1 m KOH electrolyte for the as‐prepared Ni0.75Fe0.25 BDC, which is superior to RuO2. This efficient catalytic performance is due to the introduction of Fe in Ni‐based MOFs could benefit the kinetics and charge transfer efficiency, resulting in the optimal activity toward OER. Besides, the obtained active material demonstrates good stability, suggesting the great potential value in sustainable electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices.
Reaction‐Based Europium Complex for Specific Detection of Cysteine Over Homocysteine and Glutathione with Variable‐Temperature Kinetic Studies
Authors: Yip Yuk‐Wang , Yan Zhiyuan , Law Ga‐Lai , Wong Wing‐Tak
Published: January 2019

A water‐soluble europium(III)‐based probe, EuL, has been designed and synthesized for selective recognition of cysteine (Cys) over other structurally similar thiols and amino derivatives due to formation of a more stable and preferable seven‐membered ring. Addition of Cys shows a significant response with quenching of over 90 % of the initial signal (Hcys: 10.5 %, GSH: 3.6 % respectively). A good linear correlation between the emission intensities and concentrations of Cys has been established.
Facile Synthesis of Tuneable Azophosphonium Salts
Authors: Habraken Evi R. M. , van der Zee Lars J. C. , van de Vrande Koen N. A. , Jupp Andrew R. , Nieger Martin , Ehlers Andreas W. , Slootweg J. Chris
Published: January 2019

Azophosphonium salts have a facile synthesis and can be readily tuned at the para position of the aryl group and at the phosphorus position with the use of bulky phosphines, leading to a range of coloured compounds. A relation between the Hammett σ+para constant and the colour and 31P NMR chemical shift was explored. The compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray structure crystallography.
Rapid Assessment of Monovarietal Portuguese Extra Virgin Olive Oil's (EVOO's) Fatty Acids by Fourier‐Transform Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐NIRS)
Authors: Milinovic Jelena , Garcia Raquel , Rato Ana Elisa , Cabrita Maria João
Published: January 2019

A rapid method for the evaluation of fatty acids (FA) of monovarietal Portuguese extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) (n = 82) from Alentejo, south‐central region of Portugal, is developed based on Fourier‐transform near‐infrared spectroscopy (FT‐NIRS). The contents of FA‐components (previously determined per conventional gas chromatography) are correlated with FT‐NIRS data (independent variable), by means of full cross‐validation partial least squares regression (CVPLSR). CVPLSR is run using standard normal variate (SNV) data pre‐processing and the nonlinear iterative partial least squares (NIPALS) algorithm. Obtained correlation models are characterized with good statistics: high correlation coefficients (R > 0.85) and low root mean square errors (RMSE < 2.04). Obtained values of the residual predictive deviation (RPD) of CVPLSR‐model, higher than 5.0 (C18:1, C18:2, MUFA, PUFA) confirm the FT‐NIRS as a potential method for rapid quality control of EVOO's FA.

Practical Applications: In this work for the first time, fatty acid (FA) profile of monovarietal extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) samples of the greatest olive region in Portugal—Alentejo—is analyzed by Fourier‐transform near‐infrared spectroscopy (FT‐NIRS) and chemometrics. Obtained high‐quality results allow one to recommend this technique from monitoring to quality control analysis of FA (in particular, of representative unsaturated FA), in a great number of olive oil samples, in near‐real time.

Quality of olive oil can be assessed by target or non‐target analysis and it is of mandatory importance. Fourier‐transform near‐infrared spectroscopy (FT‐NIRS), combined with chemometrics, for the analysis of the fatty acid profile of varietal olive oils from Alentejo (Portugal) can be a useful technique for quality control. Furthermore, FT‐NIRS is rapid, non‐destructive, and a more environmental friendly technique.
Moisture in Rehydrated Olive Paste Affects Oil Extraction Yield and Phenolic Compound Content and Profile of Extracted Olive Oil
Authors: Cecchi Lorenzo , Breschi Carlotta , Migliorini Marzia , Canuti Valentina , Fia Giovanna , Mulinacci Nadia , Zanoni Bruno
Published: January 2019

The effect of olive paste moisture on both oil extraction yield and phenolic content and profile from extractable olive oil is studied at the lab‐scale by stressing physical and biochemical phenomena through gradual dilution of freeze‐dried olive paste at a wide range of moisture levels. Olive fruits of Frantoio and Leccio del Corno cultivars are freeze‐dried immediately after harvesting and then milled. Gradual dilution of the obtained freeze‐dried olive pastes allows obtaining olive pastes at moisture 0–60%, from which olive oil samples are immediately extracted. The experiments show that oil extraction yield and phenolic transfer yield increase in extractable oil and reach a maximum (i.e., phenols up to ≈1200 mg kg−1 for Frantoio cultivar) at olive paste moisture values lower than typical values of the olive paste during milling of whole olive fruits. Then, these yields decrease when the olive paste moisture gradually continues to ride above that value. The data also indicate that olive paste moisture plays a crucial role on enzymatic phenomena affecting phenolic profile of the extracted oils and confirms the hypothesis that lignans, absent or linked to other molecules into the fruits, are released or biosynthesized during oil extraction thanks to the co‐presence of enzymes and water.

Practical Applications: The results point out that olive paste moisture appears to be as essential in controlling extra virgin olive oil processing as time, temperature and air exposure. Processing procedures along the olive oil chain able to reduce the olive fruit's moisture, may complement the technological innovations for improving oil extraction and phenolic transfer yields. For example, suitable blends of olive batches with different moisture content could be used to control the olive paste moisture and, consequently, the extra virgin olive oil quality. Small mills able to produce express olive oil from olive paste waffles of ≈1 kg, were recently proposed in the market: results of this study also suggest the possibility to dry olives for obtaining dried olive paste waffles suitable to produce small amounts of express olive oils with the selected qualitative characteristics after rehydrating them at the suitable moisture content.

Phenolic content in olive oils extracted from lyophilized and rehydrated olive paste is affected by the percentage of water and reach maximum values at moisture content lower that 40%.
Study on Combined Optical and Electrochemical Analysis Using Indium‐tin‐oxide‐coated Optical Fiber Sensor
Authors: Śmietana Mateusz , Niedziałkowski Paweł , Białobrzeska Wioleta , Burnat Dariusz , Sezemsky Petr , Koba Marcin , Stranak Vitezslav , Siuzdak Katarzyna , Ossowski Tadeusz , Bogdanowicz Robert
Published: January 2019

In this work an optical fiber sensor, where a lossy‐mode resonance (LMR) effect was obtained due to indium tin oxide (ITO) thin overlay, has been simultaneously applied as a working electrode in a 3‐electrode cyclic voltammetry electrochemical setup. Since LMR conditions highly depend on refractive index of a surrounding medium, an LMR‐based sensor was applied for optical investigations of electrolyte's properties at the ITO surface. We have found that the optical response of the sensor highly depends on the applied potential and its changes, as well as the properties of the investigated electrolyte, i. e., its composition and presence of a redox probe. Both optical and electrochemical response of the ITO‐LMR sensor to various concentrations of phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), NaCl and Na2SO4, as well as scan rate were investigated and discussed. We have found that the responses in optical and electrical domains differ significantly and may deliver supplementary information about the investigated analyte.
Fostering and Understanding Iron Detection at the Ultratrace Level by Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry with Catalytic Enhancement
Authors: Sanvito Francesca , Pacileo Lucia , Monticelli Damiano
Published: January 2019

Iron detection at the ultratrace level in seawater is at the forefront in chemical oceanography research and analytical methodologies for its determination are actively sought. Voltammetric methods and specifically cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV) with catalytic enhancement, are particularly fit for this purpose as they avoid any separation and pretreatment step, showing high sensitivity and robustness towards the saline matrix. Here we introduce a simplification in the instrumentation for iron detection by CSV using 2,3‐dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) as the ligand, atmospheric oxygen as the catalytic enhancer and a small 0.5 mL cell. The simplification involves the use of a standard, non‐specialized voltammetric cup as a holder for the small cell and the introduction of a simple silver wire as a pseudoreference electrode. The latter reduces the risk of sample contamination and is perfectly suited for employment with the small, 0.5 mL volume cell. Extensive optimization was performed in both ultrapure and seawater: a square wave frequency of 10 Hz was adopted, whereas the ligand concentration did not significantly influence the limit of detection (around 10 and 40 pM for ultrapure and seawater, respectively). The latter difference in signal to noise ratio was explained by the kinetics of iron complex reduction. The method was successfully validated by the analysis of a seawater sample with consensus value.
Multistep lattice Boltzmann methods: Theory and applications
Authors: Wilde Dominik , Krämer Andreas , Küllmer Knut , Foysi Holger , Reith Dirk
Published: January 2019

This paper presents a framework for incorporating arbitrary implicit multistep schemes into the lattice Boltzmann method. While the temporal discretization of the lattice Boltzmann equation is usually derived using a second‐order trapezoidal rule, it appears natural to augment the time discretization by using multistep methods. The effect of incorporating multistep methods into the lattice Boltzmann method is studied in terms of accuracy and stability. Numerical tests for the third‐order accurate Adams‐Moulton method and the second‐order backward differentiation formula show that the temporal order of the method can be increased when the stability properties of multistep methods are considered in accordance with the second Dahlquist barrier.
Volatility of volatility is (also) rough
Authors: Da Fonseca José , Zhang Wenjun
Published: January 2019

Using high‐frequency data for major volatility indexes, we compute the volatility of volatility and show that its logarithm follows a fractional Brownian motion with Hurst parameter smaller than 1/2 thereby extending to the volatility asset class the recent findings obtained for the equity index markets. The results confirm that the volatility of volatility is a rough process and it possesses the long memory property. We also show that the correlation between the volatility and the volatility of volatility is positive, consistent with observations in the volatility option market. Lastly, a robustness check using volatility futures confirms the findings.
The Early Cretaceous sedimentary‐tectonic attributes of Lingshan Island Basin, East Shandong Province, China: Constraints from the chemical compositions of detrital heavy minerals
Authors: Gao Biao , Li Zhong
Published: January 2019

North China Craton experienced significant lithospheric destruction or delamination during the Late Mesozoic, accompanied with the emergence of numerous basins and intensive volcanism. Extensional basins also formed in East Shandong Province. Even though they have been studied for decades, the relationship between basin development and tectonic processes still remains obscure. Recently, a set of Early Cretaceous strata has been found in Lingshan Island. It is characterized by translating from turbidite deposits to terrestrial strata units and ending up with a unique volcaniclastic layer within a relatively short time span. Previous studies have reached an agreement that Lingshan Island strata are formed in a distinct sedimentary background compared with the coeval sedimentary units in Jiaolai Basin. Essential information about basin development and its tectonic setting in this region during Early Cretaceous are preserved in Lingshan Island strata. In this study, it shows the characteristics of heavy mineral assemblage and the characteristics of detrital minerals' chemical component in the two representative samples. Based on these studies, it indicates that Lingshan Island Basin was developed in a transpressional tectonic setting with complex source materials, mainly from Qianliyan Uplift during the period ca. 123–120 Ma. Then, the basin evolved within an extensional setting and was filled with locally derived clastics during 120 to 105 Ma. In addition, the basin evolved during the process of progressive lithospheric thinning and asthenosphere upwelling.
Geochronological framework of the Damoqujia gold deposit, Jiaodong Peninsula, China: Implications for the timing and geologic setting of gold mineralization
Authors: Chai Peng , Zhang Hong‐rui , Hou Zeng‐qian , Zhang Zhi‐yu
Published: January 2019

The Damoqujia gold deposit in the Jiaodong Peninsula in eastern China contains more than 60 t of gold and is hosted mainly by Mesozoic granitoids. The orebodies comprise pyrite–sericite–silica altered rocks and exhibit Jiaojia‐type mineralization. Although the Damoqujia deposit is an important gold producer in the Zhaoping Fault Zone, the age and tectonic setting of metallogenesis are poorly constrained. Here, we employ precise U–Pb dating of zircon and40Ar/39Ar dating of hydrothermal sericite from the Damoqujia gold deposit to constrain the age of mineralization, which we integrate with previous studies to understand the tectonic setting of the deposit. The major intrusions exposed in the deposit are the Jurassic monzogranite to the west and the Cretaceous granodiorite to the east. Uranium–Pb dating of zircon from the monzogranite, granodiorite, pre‐ore hydrothermally altered lamprophyre dyke, and post‐ore unaltered gabbro–diorite dyke yield concordia ages of 160 ± 1, 130 ± 1, 125 ± 1, and 120 ± 1 Ma, respectively. Based on these geochronological data, we suggest that the age of gold mineralization at Damuqujia occurred at 124–121 Ma. Sericite from the auriferous quartz–pyrite veinlet in the Damoqujia deposit yields a plateau age of 122.8 ± 0.9 Ma, representing the precise age of gold mineralization. Our geochronological data indicate that gold mineralization occurred at 123 Ma and are consistent with the timing of the main gold mineralization event in the Jiaobei Terrane at 125–120 Ma. The geodynamic setting of the study area during this time is generally considered to have been dominated by subduction of the Palaeo‐Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent, with accompanying lithospheric delamination, asthenospheric upwelling, and intense craton destruction. The gold mineralization at Damoqujia was closely associated with continental extension during the Mesozoic.
Early Carboniferous continental margin magmatism in central Qiangtang, Tibet: Implications for the geological evolution of the Paleo‐Tethys Ocean
Authors: Wu Hao , Li Cai , Jiang Qingyuan , Xie Chaoming
Published: January 2019

We report zircon U–Pb age and Hf isotopic data, and whole‐rock major and trace element data for diverse volcanic rocks from the Riwanchaka region of central Qiangtang, Tibet, including andesite and dacite. Zircon U–Pb dating of andesite yielded a magmatic crystallization age of 358.5 Ma, indicating that the volcanic rocks were erupted in the early Carboniferous. The zircons from the andesite samples have εHf(t) values from +8.27 to +11.5 and single‐stage Hf model ages of 533–670 Ma. All of the samples are calc‐alkaline, enriched in Th, U, and light rare earth elements, and depleted in Nb, Ta, Ti, and P, which are geochemical features typical of arc volcanic rocks. Geochemical and isotopic data indicate that the andesites were generated by partial melting of a mantle wedge, whereas the dacites originated by fractional crystallization of coeval andesitic melt. Compared with typical arc rocks, the Riwanchaka volcanic rocks resemble those from active continental margins. Our new and previously published data enable us to correlate the subduction‐related volcanic arc rocks in the Riwanchaka area to the northward subduction of the Paleo‐Tethys oceanic lithosphere.
Semianalytical solution of axisymmetric flows of Cu‐ and Ag‐water nanofluids between two rotating disks
Authors: Rout B. C. , Mishra S. R. , Nayak B.
Published: January 2019

Present study analyses the axisymmetric flows of copper‐ and silver‐water nanofluids between two rotating disks in the presence of Hartmann number, porous medium, and drag coefficient. Effect of thermal radiation enriches the study as well. In addition to that, the coupling parameter and the Eckert number appear because of the inclusion of viscous dissipation in energy equation. The well‐posed transformations are used to transform the governing equation into ordinary and semianalytical procedure, that is, Adomain Decomposition method is used to solved these coupled ODEs. The surface and contour plots for the velocity profiles of both Cu‐ and Ag‐water nanofluids for the effect of physical parameters such as solid volume fraction, drag coefficient, and Reynolds number are obtained and presented in graphs. Also, the behavior of other pertinent parameters characterizes the flow phenomena on the nanofluid velocity and temperature are presented through graphs. The numerical computation of skin friction and Nusselt number are obtained and presented through tables. For the validity, the present results show a good agreement with earlier studies. The major findings of this study are as follows: an increase in solid volume fraction, a resistive force like drag opposes the velocity of the nanofluid, whereas Eckert number enhances the fluid temperature significantly.
MHD flow of eyring‐powell fluids: HPM and a novel topological technique
Authors: Jafarimoghaddam* Amin
Published: January 2019

Stretching sheet flow of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Eyring‐Powell fluids is studied. The nonlinear ordinary differential equation associated with the similarity case is considered. The focus of the present work is to solve the governing equations using homotopy perturbation method (HPM) and a novel topological technique, which is to be shortly introduced in here. The results from the above techniques are compared with Runge‐Kutta 4th order. Eventually, it is rigorously confirmed that the new proposed technique is more feasible, powerful, and iterative compared with HPM. The technique is indeed simple and promising that may find its place in analytic nonlinear analysis in the very close future.
Limitations of the lumped model for in‐tube laminar forced convection interacting with cross forced convection flows
Authors: Campo Antonio , Macia Yunesky Masip , Arıcı Müslüm
Published: January 2019

The short communication addresses forced convection heat transfer of a viscous fluid flowing in a tube with fully developed laminar velocity and uniform entrance temperature that exchanges heat convection with a surrounding fluid. The idea is to implement the lumped model following the footsteps of the potent lumped model within unsteady heat conduction, instead of the differential model. The computed mean bulk temperatures of the viscous fluid expressed by a simple exponential function agrees well with the baseline numerical mean bulk temperatures when the internal fluid is air, water or crude oil and the external fluid is air for small values of the modified Biot numbers and maximum Reynolds numbers are satisfied.
The role of meteorological and hydrological uncertainties in the performance of optimal water allocation approaches
Authors: Anvari S. , Kim J.H. , Moghaddasi M.
Published: January 2019

Efficient reservoir operation and irrigation scheduling are important for the mitigation of water shortages in Iran. For more accuracy, the hydrological and meteorological uncertainties associated with reservoirs and farm levels should be considered. The major contribution of the current paper is to evaluate the uncertainties of evapotranspiration (ET) and inflow, and the issue of constant/variable agricultural demand (CAD/VAD) for optimal irrigation scheduling and reservoir operation. Some optimization approaches were employed and compared during a drought episode in the Zayandeh‐Rud agricultural system. Approaches include: (i) DP‐CAD: dynamic programming (DP), considering CAD and no inflow uncertainty; (ii) SSDP‐CAD: sampling stochastic DP (SSDP) with CAD and inflow uncertainty; (iii) LP‐NLP‐VAD: implementing linear (LP) and non‐linear programming (NLP) modelling for crop types, growing stages, and irrigation systems under deterministic conditions; (iv) SDP‐NLP‐VAD: similar to the third approach, but considers ET uncertainties using a stochastic DP (SDP) rather than an LP model, and uses stochastic crop yield functions in the NLP formulation. DP‐CAD and SDP‐NLP‐VAD were the simplest and most complicated modelling processes, respectively. SDP‐NLP‐VAD was the most time‐consuming to reach a steady state and a global optimal solution. The LP‐NLP‐VAD and SDP‐NLP‐VAD approaches, which account for variability in crop water requirements, conservatively consider water shortages and reservoir release. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Age-Related Changes and Effects of Bisphosphonates on Bone Turnover and Disease Progression in Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone
Authors: Florenzano Pablo , Pan Kristen S , Brown Sydney M , Paul Scott M , Kushner Harvey , Guthrie Lori C , de Castro Luis Fernandez , Collins Michael T , Boyce Alison M
Published: January 2019

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a mosaic disease in which bone is replaced with fibro-osseous tissue. Lesions expand during childhood, reaching final burden by age 15 years. In vitro data suggest that disease activity decreases in adulthood; however, there is no clinical data to support this concept. Bone turnover markers (BTMs) have been used as markers of disease activity in FD; however, the natural history of BTM changes, the effects of antiresorptive treatment, and their association to clinical outcomes have not been described. The goals of this study are to describe 1) the natural history of FD disease activity and its association with pain; 2) the impact of bisphosphonates on the natural history of BTMs; and 3) the effect of bisphosphonates on progression of FD burden during childhood. Disease burden scores and alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, NTx, FGF23, and RANKL levels from 178 subjects in an FD/MAS natural history study were reviewed, including 73 subjects treated with bisphosphonates. BTMs, RANKL, and FGF23 demonstrated a sustained reduction with age. Bisphosphonate treatment did not significantly impact this age-dependent decrease in BTMs. Pain was more prevalent and severe in adults compared with children and was not associated with BTMs. In children, the progression of disease burden was not affected by bisphosphonates. In conclusion, FD is associated with an age-dependent decline in bone turnover and other markers of disease activity. Pain, in contrast, is more frequent and severe in adults with FD and is not related to bone turnover. Bisphosphonate treatment does not significantly impact the age-dependent decrease in bone turnover, nor does it prevent the progression of FD disease burden in children. These findings, in association with the established adverse effects of antiresorptives, should be considered when evaluating use and response to bisphosphonates in patients being treated for FD and in any study using BTMs as surrogate endpoints. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
ZCCHC9 promotes proliferation and invasion of lung cancer through regulating the JNK pathway
Authors: Shi Xiuying , Jiang Biying , Liu Haifeng , Fan Chuifeng
Published: January 2019

ZCCHC9 is a type of CCHC type zinc‐finger containing protein which was found to be expressed in some tissues including brain and testicles in mice. Expression and function of ZCCHC9 in human tissues including cancer was largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of ZCCHC9 in human non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the related molecular mechanism. Immunochemistrical standing showed that ZCCHC9 was mainly located in the nucleus in bronchial epithelial cells and epithelial cells of submucosal glands (58.3% [14/24]). But in NSCLC cells ZCCHC9 was mainly located in the cytoplasm and the positive rate was 54.5% (60/110). Ectopic cytoplasmic expression of ZCCHC9 in cancer tissues was significantly associated with advanced TNM stages (III+IV), lymph node metastasis, and poor clinical outcome (P < 0.05). Overexpression of cytoplasmic ZCCHC9 using transfection of ZCCHC9 cDNA in A549 and NCI‐H1299 cells significantly upregulated the proliferation and invasion of these cancer cells in vitro (P < 0.05). Western blot study showed that overexpression of cytoplasmic ZCCHC9 significantly upregulated expression of p‐JNK, Cyclin D1, and MMP7 (P < 0.05). Next we used the inhibitor of JNK pathway to inhibit the activity of the JNK pathway and the results showed that co‐addition of SP600125 significantly abolished the function of ZCCHC9 to promote the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells. These results indicate that cytoplasmic ZCCHC9 could promote the proliferation and invasion of NSCLC through the JNK pathway and may be a promising cancer maker.
Long noncoding RNA MEG3 regulates rheumatoid arthritis by targeting NLRC5
Authors: Liu Ya‐ru , Yang Lei , Xu Qing‐qing , Lu Xin‐Yi , Ma Tao‐Tao , Huang Cheng , Li Jun
Published: January 2019

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the chronic systemic autoimmune diseases that cardinally affect the joints. Many people all over the world suffer from the disease. Fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLSs) play a significant role in the occurrence and development of RA. The long noncoding RNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is an imprinted gene, which participates in various cancers as a tumor suppressor. Previous studies have shown that nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)‐like receptors 5 (NLRC5) plays a key role in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Nonetheless, we know very little about the biofunctionality of MEG3 during the development of RA. In this paper, we used complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)‐induced rats as RA animal models. The level of MEG3 significantly reduced in CFA‐induced synovial tissues and FLSs, whereas the NLRC5 levels were increased. Enforced expression of MEG3 may be responsible for the decreased level of NLRC5 and inflammatory cytokine level. The results of methylation‐specific PCR suggested that the MEG3 gene promoter was significantly methylated in CFA‐induced synovial tissues and FLSs. More important, hypermethylation of MEG3 promoter could be inhibited by 5‐aza‐2‐deoxycytidine (5‐azadC; methylation inhibitor). Besides, the expression of NLRC5 significantly decreased followed by 5‐azadc. Furthermore, DNA methyltransferases 1 (DNMT1) increased in CFA‐induced synovial tissues and cells. These results indicated that MEG3 regulates RA by targeting NLRC5 potentially.
microRNA‐505 negatively regulates HMGB1 to suppress cell proliferation in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhong Bing , Qin Zhiqiang , Zhou Hui , Yang Fengming , Wei Ke , Jiang Xi , Jia Ruipeng
Published: January 2019

microRNAs have been recognized to regulate a wide range of biology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Although miR‐505 has been reported to play as a suppressor in several human tumors, the physiological function of miR‐505 in RCC still remain unknown. Therefore, the role of miR‐505 and relevant regulatory mechanisms were investigated in RCC in this study. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to detect the expression of miR‐505 and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in both RCC tissues and cell lines. Immunohistochemical staining was used to assess the correlation between HMGB1 expression and PCNA expression in RCC tissues. Subsequently, the effects of miR‐505 on proliferation were determined in vitro using cell counting kit‐8 proliferation assays and 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine incorporation. The molecular mechanism underlying the relevance between miR‐505 and HMGB1 was confirmed by luciferase assay. Xenograft tumor formation was used to reflect the proliferative capacity of miR‐505 in vivo experiments. Overall, a relatively lower miR‐505 and higher HMGB1 expression in RCC specimens and cell lines were found. HMGB1 was verified as a direct target of miR‐505 by luciferase assay. In vitro, overexpression of miR‐505 negatively regulates HMGB1 to suppress the proliferation in Caki‐1; meanwhile, knock‐down of miR‐505 negatively regulates HMGB1 to promote the proliferation in 769P. In addition, in vivo overexpression of miR‐505 could inhibit tumor cell proliferation in RCC by xenograft tumor formation. Therefore, miR‐505, as a tumor suppressor, negatively regulated HMGB1 to suppress the proliferation in RCC, and might serve as a novel therapeutic target for RCC clinical treatment.
SNHG20: A vital lncRNA in multiple human cancers
Authors: Zhao Wei , Ma Xiaozhou , Liu Lina , Chen Qingyu , Liu Zihao , Zhang Zheng , Ma Shiqing , Wang Zhonghou , Li Hongfa , Wang Zuomin , Wu Jie
Published: January 2019

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) act as an initial factor and promoter in different tumors as a kind of ncRNAs. The length of them is >200 nucleotides opposite small ncRNAs. Increasing researches have proved that dysregulation lncRNA has been implicated in tumorigenesis. Small nucleolar RNA host gene 20 (SNHG20), a member of lncRNAs, expresses frequently in cancer types, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, and bladder cancer, contributing to cancer development and progression by transcriptional or posttranscriptional modifications. Not only does this review show the recent published literature concerning the biological functions but also demonstrates molecular mechanisms of SNHG20 among above multiple malignancies and others.
Cells under stress: The mechanical environment shapes inflammasome responses to danger signals
Authors: Joshi Hemant , Morley Sharon Celeste
Published: January 2019

Many intracellular signals, such as host danger-associated molecules and bacterial toxins during infection, elicit inflammasome activation. However, the mechanical environment in tissues may also influence the sensitivity of various inflammasomes to activation. The cellular mechanical environment is determined by the extracellular tissue stiffness, or its inverse, tissue compliance. Tissue stiffness is sensed by the intracellular cytoskeleton through a process termed mechanotransduction. Thus, extracellular compliance and the intracellular cytoskeleton may regulate the sensitivity of inflammasome activation. Control of proinflammatory signaling by tissue compliance may contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases such as ventilator-induced lung injury during bacterial pneumonia and tissue fibrosis in inflammatory disorders. The responsible signaling cascades in inflammasome activation pathways and mechanotransduction crosstalk are not yet fully understood. This rather different immunomodulatory perspective will be reviewed and open questions discussed here.
Targeting NKG2A to elucidate natural killer cell ontogenesis and to develop novel immune-therapeutic strategies in cancer therapy
Authors: Zaghi Elisa , Calvi Michela , Marcenaro Emanuela , Mavilio Domenico , Di Vito Clara
Published: January 2019

Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells with a primary role in the immune surveillance against non-self-cells. NK cell recognition of “self” relies on the surface expression on autologous cells of MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules. Either the absence or the down-modulation of MHC-I on target cells “license” NK cells to kill threatening tumor-transformed or virally infected cells. This phenomenon is controlled by a limited repertoire of activating and inhibitory NK receptors (aNKRs and iNKRs) that tunes NK cell activation and effector functions. Hence, the calibration of NK cell alloreactivity depends on the ability of iNKRs to bind MHC-I complex and these interactions are key in regulating both NK cell differentiation and effector functions. Indeed, the presence of iNKRs specific for self-MHC haplotypes (i) plays a role in the “licensing/education” process that controls the responsiveness of mature NK cells and prevents their activation against the “self” and (ii) is exploited by tumor cells to escape from NK cell cytotoxicity. Herein, we review our current knowledge on function and clinical application of NKG2A, a C-type lectin iNKR that binds specific haplotypes of human leukocyte antigens early during the NK cell maturation process, thus contributing to modulate the terminal maturation of NK cells as potent effectors against cancers cells. These NKG2A-mediated mechanisms are currently being exploited for developing promising immune-therapeutic strategies to improve the prognosis of solid and blood tumors and to ameliorate the clinical outcome of patients undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to treat high-risk hematologic malignancies.
Altered functional connectivity of the marginal division in Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment: A pilot resting‐state fMRI study
Authors: Li Ming‐ge , Chen Yuan‐yuan , Chen Zhi‐ye , Feng Jie , Liu Meng‐yu , Lou Xin , Shu Si‐yun , Wang Zhen‐fu , Ma Lin
Published: January 2019

Background

The marginal division (MrD) is an important subcortical center involved in learning and memory. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is commonly seen in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), but the neurobiological basis is yet to be elucidated.

Purpose

To use resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) to explore the altered functional connectivity (FC) of the MrD in patients with PD‐MCI.

Study Type

Prospective pilot study.

Population

Twenty‐five patients with PD‐MCI; 25 PD patients and no cognitive impairment (PD‐NCI); and 25 healthy control (HC) participants.

Sequence

3.0 T GE Healthcare MRI scanner; three‐dimensional T1‐weighted fast spoiled gradient recalled echo (3D T1‐FSPGR); rs‐fMRI.

Assessment

The MrD was defined using manual delineation, which was the seed point to compute the FC to examine correlations between low‐frequency fMRI signal fluctuations in MrD and the whole brain.

Statistical Tests

Between‐group comparisons of the rs‐fMRI data were computed using two‐sample t‐tests in a voxelwise manner after controlling for age and sex, to determine the brain regions that showed significant differences in FC with the bilateral MrDs. Correlation analyses were performed for FC values and cognitive abilities in patients with PD.

Results

In the PD‐MCI group, compared with the PD‐NCI group, we observed lesser FC between the MrD bilaterally and right putamen, left insula, left cerebellum, and left thalamus; greater FC between the MrD bilaterally and left middle cingulate cortex, left middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus, left supplementary motor area, and left middle/inferior occipital gyrus. Moreover, the strength of FC between the MrD and regions that showed differences between the PD‐MCI and PD‐NCI groups was significantly correlated with neuropsychological scores in patients with PD.

Data Conclusion

The current study suggests that MrD dysfunction may contribute to MCI in PD. However, the mechanisms underlying this process require further investigation.

Level of Evidence 1.

Technical Efficacy Stage 2.

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:183–192.
Disruption of acdS gene reduces plant growth promotion activity and maize saline stress resistance by Rahnella aquatilis HX2
Authors: Peng Jing , Wu Di , Liang Yue , Li Lei , Guo Yanbin
Published: January 2019

Rahnella aquatilis HX2 was isolated from Beijing vineyard soil and used as a plant growth‐promoting rhizobacterium in the field. Previous studies have shown that it has a broad in vitro antimicrobial spectrum and could inhibit a variety of plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi. In this study, a gene, acdS, encoding 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid‐deaminase was disrupted by in‐frame deletion in the HX2 strain. Compared to the wild‐type, the acdS‐mutant had higher rates of nitrogen fixation, reduced indole‐3‐acetic acid production, lowered efficacy as a biological control agent against the grape crown gall pathogen Agrobacterium vitis. Under saline stress conditions, plant height, above‐ground fresh weight, root fresh weight of corn plants were increased by treatment with HX2 but this increase was compromised by the disruption of acdS gene. Our data confirmed the function of HX2 on plant growth promoting and demonstrated that acdS gene plays a major role in its PGPR activities.
Periodontal ligament‐derived mesenchymal stem cells modulate neutrophil responses via paracrine mechanisms
Authors: Misawa Mônica Yuri Orita , Silvério Ruiz Karina Gonzales , Nociti Francisco Humberto , Albiero Mayra Laino , Saito Miki Taketomi , Nóbrega Stipp Rafael , Condino‐Neto Antônio , Holzhausen Marinella , Palombo Henrique , Villar Cristina Cunha
Published: January 2019

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into distinct mesenchymal cell lineages and regulate the immune response. The aim of this study was to determine whether periodontal ligament‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (PDLSCs) have the ability to modulate neutrophil responses via paracrine mechanisms.

Methods

CD105‐enriched PDLSCs were seeded for 24 h and challenged with Porphyromonas gingivalis total protein extract (PgPE) (0 or 2 ug/mL) for 3 h. Cells were then washed and further cultured for 18 h and the supernatants were collected and stored. Next, neutrophil‐differentiated human promyelocytic leukemia HL‐60 cells (HL60D) were treated with PDLSCs supernatants and HL‐60D activation and functional responses were determined.

Results

PgPE treatment induced higher secretion of inflammatory markers and chemokines by PDLSCs, including RANTES, eotaxin, interferon (IFN)‐γ‐ inducible protein 10 (IP‐10), monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), IFN‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8 and IL‐1ra (P < 0.05). HL‐60D recruitment rate was increased by 4.7 ± 1.09‐fold when exposed to PgPE‐treated PDLSCs supernatants. PgPE‐treated PDLSCs supernatants promoted a 1.78 ± 1.04‐fold increase in the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by PMA‐stimulated HL‐60D, whereas PgPE‐untreated PDLSCs supernatants led to a 16% reduction in intracellular ROS. In sharp contrast, neither PgPE‐untreated nor PgPE‐treated PDLSCs supernatants altered tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and IL‐1β secretion by HL‐60D cells.

Conclusion

Together, these findings suggest an important role of PDLSCs in the recognition of P. gingivalis, paracrine recruitment and activation of antimicrobial mechanisms in innate immune cells, without interfering in cytokine responses.
Ex vivo liver resection coupled with associated liver partition and portal vein ligation: Combining existing techniques to achieve surgical resectability
Authors: Baimas‐George Maria R. , Levi David M. , Eskind Lon B. , Kirks Russell C. , Passeri Michael , Lessne Mark , Kardassis Dimitrios , Salmon Stuart , Iannitti David A. , Vrochides Dionisios
Published: January 2019

Incorporation of liver transplant techniques in hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery has created an opportunity for the resection of locally advanced hepatic tumors formerly considered unresectable. A 73‐year‐old woman presented with cholangiocarcinoma involving inferior vena cava, all three hepatic veins, and right anterior portal pedicle, initially deemed nonoperative. This case demonstrates the first combined application of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy and ex vivo resection to perform an R0. For diseases dependent upon resection, surgical advances and innovations expand the spectrum of interventions through interdisciplinary techniques.
SNAr reactions of substituted pyridines with secondary amines in aqueous solution: Kinetic and reactivity indices in density functional theory
Authors: Mahdhaoui Faouzi , Zaier Rania , Dhahri Nejeh , Ayachi Sahbi , Boubaker Taoufik
Published: January 2019

A kinetic study is reported for the reactions of 2‐methoxy‐3‐nitropyridine 1a and 2‐methoxy‐5‐nitropyridine 1b with three secondary amines 2a–c (morpholine, piperidine, and pyrrolidine) in aqueous solution at 20°C. The Brønsted‐type plots are linear with βnuc = 0.52 and 0.55 for pyridines 1a and 1b, respectively, indicating that the reaction proceeds through a SNAr mechanism in which the first step is the rate‐determining step. Additional theoretical calculations using the DFT/B3LYP method confirm that the C‐2 carbon being the most electrophilic center for the both pyridines 1a and 1b. The second‐order rate constants have been used to evaluate the electrophilicity parameters E of 1a and 1b according to the linear free energy relationship log k (20°C) = sN (N + E). The E parameters thus derived are compared with the electrophilic reactivities of a large variety of anisoles. The validity of these E values has been satisfactorily verified by comparison of calculated and experimental second‐order rate constants for the reactions of pyridines 1a and 1b with anion of ethyl benzylacetate.
Turbulent convection and high‐frequency internal wave details in 1‐m shallow waters
Authors: van Haren Hans
Published: January 2019

Vertically 0.042‐m‐spaced moored high‐resolution temperature sensors are used for detailed internal wave‐turbulence monitoring near Texel North Sea and Wadden Sea beaches on calm summer days. In the maximum 2‐m deep waters, irregular internal waves are observed supported by the density stratification during day‐times’ warming in early summer, outside the breaking zone of < 0.2 m surface wind waves. Internal‐wave–induced convective overturning near the surface and shear‐driven turbulence near the bottom are observed in addition to near‐bottom convective overturning due to heating from below. Small turbulent overturns have durations of 5–20 s, close to the surface wave period and about one third to one tenth of the shortest internal wave period. The largest turbulence dissipation rates are estimated to be of the same order of magnitude as found above deep‐ocean seamounts, whereas overturning scales are observed 100 times smaller. The turbulence inertial subrange is observed to link between the internal and surface wave spectral bands.