bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the B Cell Receptor Repertoire in the Intestinal Mucosa and of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Colorectal Adenoma and Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Wei , Feng Qiang , Wang Changxi , Zeng Xiaojing , Du Yuanping , Lin Liya , Wu Jinghua , Fu Longfei , Yang Kai , Xu Xiaoying , Xu Hanshi , Zhao Yi , Li Xuemei , Schoenauer Ursula Huber , Stadlmayr Andreas , Saksena Nitin K. , Tilg Herbert , Datz Christian , Liu Xiao
Published: March 2017

The B cells inhabited in mucosa play a vital role in mediating homeostasis with autoantigens and external Ags. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are potential prognostic markers and therapeutic agents for cancer. However, the spatial heterogeneity of the B cell repertoire in intestinal mucosa and the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain poorly understood. In this study, we developed an unbiased method to amplify the IgH repertoire, as well as a bioinformatic pipeline to process these high-throughput sequencing data. With biopsies from seven intestinal mucosal segments, we uncovered their strong spatial homogeneity among the large intestine, where the clone overlap rate was up to 62.21%. The heterogeneity between terminal ileum and large intestine was also observed, including discrepant isotype distribution and low clone overlap rate. With tumor and adjacent normal mucosal tissues from CRC and colorectal advanced adenoma (AD) patients, we observed a similar IgH profile between tumor and adjacent normal mucosal tissues in AD, as well as a slight difference in CRC. Interestingly, we found distinct repertoire properties in the CRC tumor from AD and normal mucosa. Finally, we identified 1445 public clones for the normal mucosa, and 22 public clones for the CRC tumor with characteristic features. These data may be of potential use in clinical prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of CRC.
Has evolution ‘prepared’ us to deal with death? Paleoanthropological aspects of the enigma of Homo naledi’s disposal of their dead
Authors: Du Toit Cornel W.
Published: March 2017

The Homo naledi discovery introduced questions that had not been previously posed regarding fossil finds. This is because, apart from their fascinating physiology, they seemingly deliberately disposed of their dead in a ritualised way. Although this theory may still be disproved in future, the present article provisionally accepts it. This evokes religious questions because it suggests the possibility of causal thinking, wilful and cooperative behaviour, and the possibility that this behaviour entails traces of proto-religious ideas. This poses the challenge to develop a hominin hermeneutics that endeavours to reconstruct the possible motivation behind this action. The relatively larger brain with its enlarged Broca’s area suggests the possibility of a sophisticated communication system and an enhanced way of dealing with emotion. We know that almost all life forms have some form of awareness and that more sophisticated degrees of consciousness may be present in the higher primates. Various ‘clues’ are investigated to try and understand the H. naledi phenomenon: lessons from chimpanzee studies, the implications of tool making for hominin development, the possibility of a proto-language and the role symbol formation may have played. The H. naledi case also indicates on a theological level that religion is natural. Some attention is given to this thesis. Biological and environmental factors come into play to illuminate biological factors like emotion and higher cognition without which religion would not be possible. Sophisticated cognition is coloured by affect (basic emotions are typical of all mammals) and this makes some form of reflection on the fate of loved ones who have died a strong possibility.
Conversando con... Antonio Fernández Alba. Trazas y trazos de Antonio Fernández Alba
Authors: Bernal López-San Vicente Amparo
Published: March 2017

Antonio Fernández Alba (Salamanca 1927) ha escrito e inspirado numerosos textos sobre el dibujo y la arquitectura. Su bibliografía es abrumadora como toda su trayectoria profesional. Académico numerario de la Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando desde 1987 y de la Real Academia Española desde 2005, los numerosos reconocimientos al magisterio de su obra culminan con la concesión de la Medalla de Oro de la Arquitectura del Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España en 2002 y el Premio Nacional de Arquitectura en 2003. Es uno de los arquitectos que más celosamente ha cultivado el dibujo en sus proyectos, consciente de su valor instrumental en la transmisión de los valores intrínsecos de la arquitectura. Algunos de sus croquis, plantas y perspectivas han sido profusamente reproducidos y forman parte del imaginario colectivo de la representación de la arquitectura moderna en España. En esta entrevista nos muestra además otra faceta de su pasión por el dibujo; la colección de cuadernos viajes y recuerdos que completan las estanterías de su estudio.
La representación gráfica urbana en los manuscritos de Leonardo da Vinci
Authors: Hidalgo García David , García Doménech Sergio
Published: March 2017

En paralelo a la importante producción artística de Leonardo da Vinci, las novedades aportadas a las técnicas y sistemas de representación gráfica por los numerosos dibujos de sus códices, han sido tradicionalmente tratadas en un segundo plano. Dentro de este amplio universo gráfico, todavía resultan menos estudiados sus levantamientos topográficos, cartográficos y urbanos. Esta investigación analiza previamente los sistemas de representación utilizados por Leonardo en sus estudios arquitectónicos, y posteriormente expone su particular aplicación a la forma de representar los levantamientos urbanos. Si bien tanto las técnicas de perspectiva como las de proyección ortogonal ya eran comúnmente empleadas durante el Renacimiento, Leonardo mejoraría su uso mediante la combinación complementaria entre las mismas, el particular desarrollo de la perspectiva a vista de pájaro, y el empleo de diferentes gamas e intensidades cromáticas para reforzar la representación altimétrica y los diferentes elementos urbanos.
Impact of spatial proxies on the representation of bottom-up emission inventories: A satellite-based analysis
Authors: Geng Guannan , Zhang Qiang , Martin Randall V. , Lin Jintai , Huo Hong , Zheng Bo , Wang Siwen , He Kebin
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Spatial proxies used in bottom-up emission inventories to derive the spatial distributions of emissions are usually empirical and involve additional levels of uncertainty. Although uncertainties in current emission inventories have been discussed extensively, uncertainties resulting from improper spatial proxies have rarely been evaluated. In this work, we investigate the impact of spatial proxies on the representation of gridded emissions by comparing six gridded NOx emission datasets over China developed from the same magnitude of emissions and different spatial proxies. GEOS-Chem-modeled tropospheric NO2 vertical columns simulated from different gridded emission inventories are compared with satellite-based columns. The results show that differences between modeled and satellite-based NO2 vertical columns are sensitive to the spatial proxies used in the gridded emission inventories. The total population density is less suitable for allocating NOx emissions than nighttime light data because population density tends to allocate more emissions to rural areas. Determining the exact locations of large emission sources could significantly strengthen the correlation between modeled and observed NO2 vertical columns. Using vehicle population and an updated road network for the on-road transport sector could substantially enhance urban emissions and improve the model performance. When further applying industrial gross domestic product (IGDP) values for the industrial sector, modeled NO2 vertical columns could better capture pollution hotspots in urban areas and exhibit the best performance of the six cases compared to satellite-based NO2 vertical columns (slope  =  1.01 and R2 = 0. 85). This analysis provides a framework for information from satellite observations to inform bottom-up inventory development. In the future, more effort should be devoted to the representation of spatial proxies to improve spatial patterns in bottom-up emission inventories.
Hydrologic modeling of a Himalayan mountain basin by using the SWAT mode
Authors: Jain Sharad K. , Jain Sanjay K. , Jain Neha , Xu Chong-Yu
Published: March 2017

Abstract. A large population depends on runoff from Himalayan rivers which have high hydropower potential; floods in these rivers are also frequent. Current understanding of hydrologic response mechanism of these rivers and impact of climate change is inadequate due to limited studies. This paper presents results of modeling to understand the hydrologic response and compute the water balance components of a Himalayan river basin in India viz. Ganga up to Devprayag. Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was applied for simulation of the snow/rainfed catchment. SWAT was calibrated with daily streamflow data for 1992–98 and validated with data for 1999–2005. Manual calibration was carried out to determine model parameters and quantify uncertainty. Results indicate good simulation of streamflow; main contribution to water yield is from lateral and ground water flow. Water yield and ET for the catchments varies between 43–46 % and 57–58 % of precipitation, respectively. The contribution of snowmelt to lateral runoff for Ganga River ranged between 13–20 %. More attention is needed to strengthen spatial and temporal hydrometeorological database for the study basins for improved modeling.
Pros & Cons of Using Blackboard Collaborate for Blended Learning on Students Learning Outcomes
Authors: Hamad Mona M.
Published: March 2017

Blackboard Collaborate was introduced to King Khalid University recently in the last decade, instructors and students were trained to use it in an effective way. The objective of this study is to find pros & cons of using Blackboard Collaborate for Blended Learning and its effect on students learning outcomes. The researcher used the experimental and descriptive methods to conduct this study; the population of this study was twenty two female-students studying at College of Science & Arts/Muhayil, English Department in the 5th level who were studying Speech Workshop Course in the 1st semester 2016-2017. Two instruments were used to collect the data of this study: 1) Paper test and electronic test. 2) Students’ questionnaire. The findings of this study are: 1) Students’ results in the electronic test are much better than the paper test. 2) In spite of students’ preference to traditional classroom lectures, the students agreed that using blackboard for blended learning helped them: a) Get lesson-materials or to watch recorded lectures in case they are absent. b) Learn from their classmates’ mistakes in discussion blogs. c) Learn according to their learning styles. D) Feel dependent and secure to have regular contact with their instructor and get quick feedback for their questions and confidential tests grade results. The findings above helped to reinforce students’ motivation towards learning and affect their learning outcomes positively, however, bad access of net affects using Blackboard Collaborate in blended learning negatively.
Firearms and the Decline of Violence in Europe: 1200-2010
Authors: Moody Carlisle E.
Published: March 2017

Personal violence, has declined substantially in Europe from 1200-2010. The conventional wisdom is that the state’s monopoly on violence is the cause of this happy result. I find some evidence that does not support this hypothesis. I suggest an alternative hypothesis that could explain at least some of the reduction in violence, namely that the invention and proliferation of compact, concealable, ready-to-use firearms caused potential assailants to recalculate the probability of a successful assault and seek alternatives to violence. I use structural change models to test this hypothesis and find breakpoints consistent with the invention of certain firearms.
W poszukiwaniu nowoczesności czyli Polska wyobrażona
Authors: Haska Agnieszka , Stachowicz Jerzy
Published: March 2017

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Longevity extension of worker honey bees (Apis mellifera) by royal jelly: optimal dose and active ingredient
Authors: Yang Wenchao , Tian Yuanyuan , Han Mingfeng , Miao Xiaoqing
Published: March 2017

In the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, queens and workers have different longevity although they share the same genome. Queens consume royal jelly (RJ) as the main food throughout their life, including as adults, but workers only eat worker jelly when they are larvae less than 3 days old. In order to explore the effect of RJ and the components affecting longevity of worker honey bees, we first determined the optimal dose for prolonging longevity of workers as 4% RJ in 50% sucrose solution, and developed a method of obtaining long lived workers. We then compared the effects of longevity extension by RJ 4% with bee-collected pollen from rapeseed (Brassica napus). Lastly, we determined that a water soluble RJ protein obtained by precipitation with 60% ammonium sulfate (RJP60) contained the main component for longevity extension after comparing the effects of RJ crude protein extract (RJCP), RJP30 (obtained by precipitation with 30% ammonium sulfate), and RJ ethanol extract (RJEE). Understanding what regulates worker longevity has potential to help increase colony productivity and improve crop pollination efficiency.
Disturbed flow in an aquatic environment may create a sensory refuge for aggregated prey
Authors: Johannesen Asa , Dunn Alison M. , Morrell Lesley J.
Published: March 2017

Predators use olfactory cues moved within water and air to locate prey. Because prey aggregations may produce more cue and be easier to detect, predation could limit aggregation size. However, disturbance in the flow may diminish the reliability of odour as a prey cue, impeding predator foraging success and efficiency. We explore how different cue concentrations (as a proxy for prey group size) affect risk to prey by fish predators in disturbed (more turbulent or mixed) and non-disturbed (less mixed) flowing water. We find that increasing odour cue concentration increases predation risk and disturbing the flow reduces predation risk. At high cue concentration fish were able to locate the cue source in both disturbed and non-disturbed flow, but at medium concentrations, predators only located the cue source more often than expected by chance in non-disturbed flow. This suggests that objects disturbing flow provide a sensory refuge allowing prey to form larger groups, but that group sizes may be limited by level of disturbance to the flow.
The post‐2002 global surface warming slowdown caused by the subtropical Southern Ocean heating acceleration
Authors: Oka A. , Watanabe M.
Published: March 2017

The warming rate of global mean surface temperature slowed down during 1998–2012. Previous studies pointed out role of increasing ocean heat uptake during this global warming slowdown, but its mechanism remains under discussion. Our numerical simulations, in which wind stress anomaly in the equatorial Pacific is imposed from reanalysis data, suggest that subsurface warming in the equatorial Pacific took place during initial phase of the global warming slowdown (1998–2002), as previously reported. It is newly clarified that the Ekman transport from tropics to subtropics is enhanced during the later phase of the slowdown (after 2002) and enhanced subtropical Ekman downwelling causes accelerated heat storage below depth of 700 m in the subtropical Southern Ocean, leading to the post‐2002 global warming slowdown. Observational data of ocean temperature also support this scenario. This study provides clear evidence that deeper parts of the Southern Ocean play a critical role in the post‐2002 warming slowdown.
From Moment to Movement: Empowerment and Resilience as a Framework for Collective Action in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Wing Y. , Cattaneo Lauren B. , Mak Winnie Wing Sze , Lin Wan‐Ying
Published: March 2017

The Transconceptual Model of Empowerment and Resilience (American Journal of Community Psychology, 52, 2013, 333) suggests that a set of resilience and empowerment resources fuel both initial and sustained participation in collective action. Using the case study of a prodemocracy movement in Hong Kong, the present study focused on the subset of those resources that are relevant in ongoing collective action: efficacy, skills, and maintenance. As individuals possess varying combinations of these resources, the present study utilized latent profile analysis to test how patterns of empowerment and resilience resources influence initial and long‐term collective action. Five groups were identified: (a) Uncommitted/Uninspired; (b) Committed to Status Quo; (c) Mainstream Populist; (d) Empowered; and (e) Ambivalent. ANOVA and ANCOVA analyses found that there are significant group differences in initial and long‐term participation. Groups with higher level of resources reported greater levels of initial participation than their counterparts; however, high resource groups did not uniformly report greater levels of intention to participate in future collective action. Of the maintenance processes tested, collective identity emerged as a particularly important predictor differentiating initial and sustained participation. Findings from the present study raise questions about how individuals with multiple identities can come together and participate in collective action.
Independent adjudicator assessments of platelet refractoriness and rFVIIa efficacy in bleeding episodes and surgeries from the multinational Glanzmann's thrombasthenia registry
Authors: Recht Michael , Rajpurkar Madhvi , Chitlur Meera , d'Oiron Roseline , Zotz Rainer , Di Minno Giovanni , Cooper David L. , Poon Man‐Chiu
Published: March 2017

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare congenital bleeding disorder associated with decreased platelet aggregation due to qualitative/quantitative deficiencies of the fibrinogen receptor. Severe bleeding episodes and perioperative bleeding are typically managed with platelet transfusions, although patients can develop anti‐platelet antibodies or experience clinical refractoriness. The GT Registry (GTR) was established to collect efficacy/safety data on hemostatic treatments for GT, including recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa). At the request of the United States Food and Drug Administration, three hematology experts evaluated platelet refractoriness, antibody status, and rFVIIa efficacy data on a case‐by‐case basis to support a potential indication for rFVIIa in GT. Adjudication included 195 patients with 810 events (619 severe bleeding episodes, 192 surgeries), and a consensus algorithm was developed to describe adjudicators' coding of refractoriness and antibody status based on treatment patterns over time. Most rFVIIa‐treated events were in patients without refractoriness or antibodies. Adjudicators rated most rFVIIa‐treated bleeding episodes as successful (251/266, 94.4%; rFVIIa only, 101/109, 92.7%; rFVIIa ± platelets ± other agents, 150/157, 95.5%); efficacy was consistent in patients with platelet refractoriness ± antibodies (75/79, 94.9%), antibodies only (10/10, 100.0%), and neither/unknown (166/177, 93.8%). Adjudicators also rated most rFVIIa‐treated surgeries as successful (159/160, 99.4%; rFVIIa only, 65/66, 98.5%; rFVIIa ± platelets ± other agents, 94/94, 100.0%); efficacy was consistent in patients with platelet refractoriness ± antibodies (69/70, 98.6%), antibodies only (24/24, 100.0%), and neither/unknown (66/66, 100.0%). Unblinding the adjudicators to investigator efficacy ratings changed few assessments. Doses of rFVIIa were narrowly distributed, regardless of other hemostatic agents used.
Buccal dental microwear texture and catarrhine diets
Authors: Aliaga‐Martínez Andrés , Romero Alejandro , Galbany Jordi , Hernández‐Aguilar R. Adriana , Pérez‐Pérez Alejandro
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Two‐dimensional dental microwear analyses on occlusal and nonocclusal enamel surfaces have been widely applied to reconstruct the feeding behaviors of extant primates and to infer ecological adaptations in fossil hominins. To date, analyses of dental microwear texture, using three‐dimensional, Scale‐Sensitive Fractal Analysis approaches has only been applied to occlusal surfaces. Here, for the first time, we apply this 3D proxy to buccal enamel surfaces of catarrhine primates of known feeding ecologies to assess the utility of nonocclusal microwear texture variables as indicators of dietary habits.

Materials and Methods

Buccal microwear texture attributes were collected from high‐resolution second molar casts in a sample of seven extant African catarrhine taxa with differing dietary behaviors. A white‐light confocal microscope with a 100× objective lens was used to record six microwear texture variables that assess complexity, anisotropy, heterogeneity, and textural fill volume.

Results

The physical properties and variation in hardness of ingested foods is reflected by significant differences in the microwear variables on buccal enamel surfaces between species, which is in agreement with early reports using 2D microwear signatures of the same samples. Species that consume hard brittle items showed high buccal enamel complexity and low anisotropy values, while folivorous species that consume tough foods revealed high anisotropy and low complexity enamel patterns.

Discussion

Buccal microwear texture analysis on enamel surfaces clearly reflects diet‐related variation in nonhuman primates. Our findings indicate that microwear texture attributes on nonworking enamel surfaces provide an alternative procedure for reconstructing dietary behavior when wear facets on occlusal surfaces are lacking.
Feeding in fear? How adult male western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) adjust to predation and savanna habitat pressures
Authors: Lindshield Stacy , Danielson Brent J. , Rothman Jessica M. , Pruetz Jill D.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

We evaluated risk‐sensitive foraging in adult male western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) occupying a savanna environment at Fongoli, Senegal. The aim of this study was to determine how the risks of predation and heat stress influenced their behavior while feeding on a key food, fruit of the baobab tree (Adansonia digitata).

Materials and Methods

Proximity of fruiting baobab trees to anthropogenic landmarks were compared to food intake, feeding rate, and behavioral indicators of fear in adult males (N = 11) at Fongoli. Additionally, we compared foraging to vegetative habitats, baobab ripe fruit nutritive quality, surface water availability, and foraging party composition.

Results

Fruit abundance increased with proximity to anthropogenic landmarks, and chimpanzees exhibited higher frequencies of antipredator behaviors as they approached these risky areas. However, predation risk did not deter adult males from visiting these fruiting trees; instead, risky foraging bouts were associated with higher food intakes and longer feeding times. Additionally, higher feeding rates were observed in open‐canopy habitats, and this behavior may have minimized their risk of heat stress.

Conclusions

Adaptations that minimize predation risk are widespread in mammalian prey species, but these traits are poorly understood in chimpanzees. Great apes encounter few nonhuman predators capable of successfully capturing and killing them; thus, such events are rarely observed. Although people rarely hunt chimpanzees in Senegal, we found that adult males perceived humans as predators and adjusted their behavior while foraging in risky habitats. From an applied perspective, risk‐taking behavior is important for understanding and mitigating the problem of crop‐feeding in locations where chimpanzees and humans live in sympatry.
Utilization of sequence variants as biomarkers to analyze population dynamics in cloned cell lines
Authors: Lin Tzihsuan Jennifer , Beal Kathryn M. , DeGruttola Heather S. , Brennan Steven , Marzilli Lisa A. , Anderson Karin
Published: March 2017

The inherent nature of cloned CHO cell lines includes the presence of genetic and phenotypic drift that leads to heterogeneous populations. The genetic heterogeneity exhibited by these cells can be exploited to understand the population dynamics of cloned cell lines. Understanding the interplay between heterogeneity, cell culture conditions, and population dynamics will allow for critical assessment of overarching cell line development methods and strategies in terms of population and monoclonality. Sequence variants (SVs) are protein isoforms of the gene‐of‐interest that contain unintended amino acid substitutions, extensions, or truncations that may contribute to heterogeneity. In this case, SVs are unique sequences in the genome of the integrated transgene that can be used as biomarkers to understand the heterogeneity of a monoclonal cell line and how production process conditions can impact population dynamics. In this study, orthogonal genetic and analytical methods were used to examine the variability of SV levels in four different SV‐containing cell lines under varied culture conditions and generational ages. Culture conditions tested had little to no impact on SV levels. However, generational age studies showed two distinct trends: stability of SV levels out to approximately 100 generations in cell lines with higher level SVs (>10%) and a progressive decrease of SV levels as the cells age to approximately 100 generations in cell lines with lower level SVs (<10%). The results suggest that the four SV‐containing cell lines fall into two distinct population models; SVs present in the whole population of cells and SVs present in only a sub‐population of cells. The data presented here are one of the first studies to not only analyze and compare SV levels in both genetic and protein material but also to utilize SVs as biomarkers to probe distinct populations of cloned cell lines. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1744–1752. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Protonation and Electrochemical Properties of Pyridyl‐ and Sulfonatophenyl‐Substituted Porphyrins in Nonaqueous Media
Authors: Fang Yuanyuan , Zhu Jialiang , Cui Yan , Zeng Lihan , Naitana Mario L. , Chang Yi , Desbois Nicolas , Gros Claude P. , Kadish Karl M.
Published: March 2017

The protonation and electrochemical properties of positively charged and negatively charged porphyrins are reported in up to five different nonaqueous solvents. The positively charged porphyrins are represented by mono‐ and di‐pyridyl derivatives having the formula Pyx(PhMe)4‐xPM, where P=the dianion of the porphyrin macrocycle, PhMe is a meso‐tolyl group, Py a meso‐pyridyl group, x=1 or 2, and M=H2, NiII, CuII, ZnII, or CoII. The negatively charged porphyrins are comprised of meso‐tetrasulfonato derivatives having the formula [(R)4(TPPS)H2]4−(X+)4, where [(TPPS)H2]4− represents the porphyrin with four SO3− groups on the meso‐phenyl substituents of the macrocycle, R=H or PEG (PEG=C7H15O4) and X+=H+ or Na+. Each pyridylporphyrin was shown to undergo an initial protonation of the meso‐pyridyl group(s) upon addition of acid to the porphyrin solutions and, in the case of the free‐base derivatives, this was followed in a second step by a simultaneous protonation of the two core nitrogen atoms on the macrocycle. Two central nitrogen atoms of the sulfonatophenyl porphyrins are also protonated in a single‐step process, and the constants for each protonation reaction of Pyx(PhMe)4‐xPM and [(R)4(TPPS)H2]4−(X+)4 were determined through spectral titration with trifluoroacetic acid in DMF, DMSO, CH2Cl2, or PhCN, after which the data were related to solvent properties, the measured redox potentials, and the mechanisms for electroreduction under the same solution conditions.
A Fluorescent‐Labeled Phosphono Bisbenzguanidine As an Activity‐Based Probe for Matriptase
Authors: Häußler Daniela , Schulz‐Fincke Anna‐Christina , Beckmann Anna‐Madeleine , Keils Aline , Gilberg Erik , Mangold Martin , Bajorath Jürgen , Stirnberg Marit , Steinmetzer Torsten , Gütschow Michael
Published: March 2017

Activity‐based probes are compounds that exclusively form covalent bonds with active enzymes. They can be utilized to profile enzyme activities in vivo, to identify target enzymes and to characterize their function. The design of a new activity‐based probe for matriptase, a member of the type II transmembrane serine proteases, is based on linker‐connected bis‐benzguanidines. An amino acid, introduced as linker, bears the coumarin fluorophore. Moreover, an incorporated phosphonate allows for a covalent interaction with the active‐site serine. The resulting irreversible mode of action was demonstrated, leading to enzyme inactivation and, simultaneously, to a fluorescence labeling of matriptase. The ten‐step synthetic approach to a coumarin‐labeled bis‐benzguanidine and its evaluation as activity‐based probe for matriptase based on in‐gel fluorescence and fluorescence HPLC is reported. HPLC fluorescence detection as a new application for activity‐based probes for proteases is demonstrated herein for the first time.
Evaluation of the chiral recognition properties and the column performances of three chiral stationary phases based on cellulose for the enantioseparation of six dihydropyridines by high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Yu Jia , Tang Jing , Yuan Xiaowei , Guo Xingjie , Zhao Longshan
Published: March 2017

Separations of six dihydropyridine enantiomers on three commercially available cellulose‐based chiral stationary phases (Chiralcel OD‐RH, Chiralpak IB, and Chiralpak IC) were evaluated with high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The best enantioseparation of the six chiral drugs was obtained with a Chiralpak IC (250 × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm) column. Then the influence of the mobile phase including an alcohol‐modifying agent and alkaline additive on the enantioseparation were investigated and optimized. The optimal mobile phase conditions and maximum resolution for every analyte were as follows respectively: n‐hexane/isopropanol (85:15, v/v) for nimodipine (R = 5.80) and cinildilpine (R = 5.65); n‐hexane/isopropanol (92:8, v/v) for nicardipine (R = 1.76) and nisoldipine (R = 1.92); and n‐hexane/isopropanol/ethanol (97:2:1, v/v/v) for felodipine (R = 1.84) and lercanidipine (R = 1.47). Relative separation mechanisms are discussed based on the separation results, and indicate that the achiral parts in the analytes' structure showed an important influence on the separation of the chiral column.
Low‐density lipoprotein oxidation inhibition by anthocyanins of wild blueberries
Authors: Nicoue Eugene Emile , Chorfa Nasima , Savard Sylvain , Belkacemi Khaled
Published: March 2017

The use of natural compounds to prevent oxidative damage in biological systems is becoming increasingly popular. Blueberries have been of specific interest because of their high antioxidant capacity. Anthocyanins were extracted from berries of Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton and Vaccinium myrtilloides Michaux at 79 °C in acidified ethanol with phosphoric acid as a solvent using a liquid/solid ratio of 10. Extracted anthocyanins were purified on a C‐18 silica‐packed column and analyzed by HPLC coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Of the six common anthocyanidins, five were identified in the extracts, namely delphinidin, cyanidin, peonidin, petunidin, and malvidin, while pelargonidin was not found. The free radical scavenging effects of anthocyanins were evaluated using N,N‐dimethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine method as well as their potential to mitigate in vitro low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidative damage. After 6 h of incubation, the oxidation products formation such as that of conjugated dienes, trienes, and hexanal was inhibited up to 60 %. Based on these data, we concluded that anthocyanins from V. angustifolium and V. myrtilloides of Quebec possess the ability to inhibit in vitro LDL oxidation.
Treatment of wastewater from syngas wet scrubbing: Model‐based comparison of phenol biodegradation basin configurations
Authors: Akhlas Junaid , Bertucco Alberto , Ruggeri Fabio , Collodi Guido
Published: March 2017

A treatment process for the biological removal of phenol from wastewater generated from the wet scrubbing of syngas is discussed with the objective of reducing Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) for the process. In phenol biodegradation, a major challenge is posed by the inhibitory effect of high inlet phenol concentrations on the functioning of degrading microorganisms, leading to excessively high HRT values. This study provides a theoretical insight on the effect of reactor configuration and operation mode on the residence time for high strength phenolic wastewaters. Two pre‐treated wastewater streams mainly contaminated with phenol, with different flow rates and phenol concentrations, have been considered for evaluation in this work. Various configurations to remove phenol have been studied and compared. The kinetics in the reactors have been estimated using the Haldane‐Andrews equation for a variety of microorganisms. The configurations which require minimum residence time for a given extent of phenol biodegradation are those employing two reactors in series with a certain reflux stream. Gulosibacter sp. YZ4 is found to be the most effective microorganism in removing phenol within the minimum retention period.
Multiscale mapping of species diversity under changed land use using imaging spectroscopy
Authors: Paz‐Kagan Tarin , Caras Tamir , Herrmann Ittai , Shachak Moshe , Karnieli Arnon
Published: March 2017

Land use changes are one of the most important factors causing environmental transformations and species diversity alterations. The aim of the current study was to develop a geoinformatics‐based framework to quantify alpha and beta diversity indices in two sites in Israel with different land uses, i.e., an agricultural system of fruit orchards, an afforestation system of planted groves, and an unmanaged system of groves. The framework comprises four scaling steps: (1) classification of a tree species distribution (SD) map using imaging spectroscopy (IS) at a pixel size of 1 m; (2) estimation of local species richness by calculating the alpha diversity index for 30‐m grid cells; (3) calculation of beta diversity for different land use categories and sub‐categories at different sizes; and (4) calculation of the beta diversity difference between the two sites. The SD was classified based on a hyperspectral image with 448 bands within the 380–2500 nm spectral range and a spatial resolution of 1 m. Twenty‐three tree species were classified with high overall accuracy values of 82.57% and 86.93% for the two sites. Significantly high values of the alpha index characterize the unmanaged land use, and the lowest values were calculated for the agricultural land use. In addition, high values of alpha indices were found at the borders between the polygons related to the “edge‐effect” phenomenon, whereas low alpha indices were found in areas with high invasion species rates. The beta index value, calculated for 58 polygons, was significantly lower in the agricultural land use. The suggested framework of this study succeeded in quantifying land use effects on tree species distribution, evenness, and richness. IS and spatial statistics techniques offer an opportunity to study woody plant species variation with a multiscale approach that is useful for managing land use, especially under increasing environmental changes.
Toxicological effects of fungicide mixtures on the amphipod Austrochiltonia subtenuis
Authors: Vu Hung T. , Keough Michael J. , Long Sara M. , Pettigrove Vincent J.
Published: March 2017

Approaches to assess the toxicity of mixtures often use predictive models with acute mortality as an endpoint at relatively high concentrations. However, these approaches do not reflect realistic situations where organisms could be exposed to chemical mixtures over long periods at low concentrations at which no significant mortalities occur. The present study investigated chronic effects of 2 common fungicides, Filan® (active ingredient [a.i]) boscalid) and Systhane™ (a.i. myclobutanil), on the amphipod Austrochiltonia subtenuis at environmentally relevant concentrations under laboratory conditions. Sexually mature amphipods were exposed singly and in combination to Filan (1, 10, and 40 μg a.i./L) and Systhane (3 μg a.i./L) over 28 d. Survival, growth, a wide range of reproduction endpoints, and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity were measured at the end of the experiment. Both fungicides had significant independent effects on male growth, sex ratio, and juvenile size. Filan mainly affected female growth and the number of embryos per gravid female, whereas Systhane mainly affected the time for females to become gravid. The combined effects of these fungicides on numbers of gravid females and juveniles were antagonistic, causing a 61% reduction in the number of gravid females and a 77% reduction in the number of juveniles produced at the highest concentrations (40 μg a.i./L of boscalid and 3 μg a.i./L of myclobutanil) compared with the controls. There were no significant effects on survival or GST activity. The present study demonstrated that the effects of mixtures were endpoint dependent and that using a variety of endpoints should be considered for a comprehensive understanding of mixture effects. Also, chronic studies are more informative than acute studies for environmentally relevant fungicide concentrations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2651–2659. © 2017 SETAC
Market environment and Medicaid acceptance: What influences the access gap?
Authors: Bond Amelia , Pajerowski William , Polsky Daniel , Richards Michael R.
Published: March 2017

The U.S. health care system is undergoing significant changes. Two prominent shifts include millions added to Medicaid and greater integration and consolidation among firms. We empirically assess if these two industry trends may have implications for each other. Using experimentally derived (“secret shopper”) data on primary care physicians' real‐world behavior, we observe their willingness to accept new privately insured and Medicaid patients across 10 states. We combine this measure of patient acceptance with detailed information on physician and commercial insurer market structure and show that insurer and provider concentration are each positively associated with relative improvements in appointment availability for Medicaid patients. The former is consistent with a smaller price discrepancy between commercial and Medicaid patients and suggests a beneficial spillover from greater insurer market power. The findings for physician concentration do not align with a simple price bargaining explanation but do appear driven by physician firms that are not vertically integrated with a health system. These same firms also tend to rely more on nonphysician clinical staff.
Polyester fibers can be rendered calcium phosphate‐binding by surface functionalization with bisphosphonate groups
Authors: Polini Alessandro , Petre Daniela Geta , Iafisco Michele , de Lacerda Schickert Sonia , Tampieri Anna , van den Beucken Jeroen , Leeuwenburgh Sander C.G.
Published: March 2017

Fibers are often used as structural elements to improve the mechanical properties of materials such as brittle ceramic matrices by facilitating the dissipation of energy. However, this energy dissipation is mainly controlled by the interface between the two components, and a poorly designed fiber–matrix interface strongly reduces the efficacy of fiber reinforcement. Here, we present a versatile approach to control the affinity of biocompatible fibers to calcium‐containing matrices to maximize the efficacy of reinforcement of calcium phosphates‐based bioceramics by means of polymeric fibers. To this end, polyester fibers of tunable length were produced by electrospinning and aminolysis, followed by covalent attachment of alendronate, a bisphosphonate molecule with strong calcium‐binding affinity, to the surface of the fibers. The proposed method allowed for selective control over the amount of alendronate conjugation, thereby improving the affinity of polyester fibers toward calcium phosphate bioceramics. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2335–2342, 2017.
The Generation and Validation of a 20‐Genes Model Influencing the Prognosis of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Xie Xiao‐Jun , Liu Ping , Cai Chu‐Dong , Zhuang Ying‐Ru , Zhang Li , Zhuang Hai‐Wen
Published: March 2017

Colorectal cancer is a common malignant tumor with high incidence affecting the digestive system. This study aimed to identify the key genes relating to prognosis of colorectal cancer and to construct a prognostic model for its risk evaluation. Gene expression profiling of colorectal cancer patients, GSE17537, was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO). A total of 55 samples from patients ranging from stages 1 to 4 were available. Differentially expressed genes were screened, with which single factor survival analysis was performed to identify the response genes. Interacting network and KEGG enrichment analysis of responsive genes were performed to identify key genes. In return, Fisher enrichment analysis, literature mining, and Kaplan–Meier analysis were used to verify the effectiveness of the prognostic model. The 20‐gene model generated in this study posed significant influences on the prognoses (P = 9.691065e‐09). Significance was verified via independent dataset GSE38832 (P = 9.86581e‐07) and GSE17536 (P = 2.741e‐08). The verified effective 20‐gene model could be utilized to predict prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer and would contribute to post‐operational treatment and follow‐up strategies. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3675–3685, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of frozen section margin analysis during olfactory neuroblastoma surgery
Authors: Ishii Masaru , Bishop Justin A. , Gallia Gary L.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

1) assess the performance of the intraoperative frozen section procedure to correctly classify biopsies obtained during olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) surgery; 2) define the relationship between posttest probabilities and pretest probabilities from frozen section analysis; and 3) review incorrectly classified specimens.

Study Design

Study of diagnostic accuracy.

Methods

We searched our institution's pathology database for patients who had ONB surgery between January 1, 2000 and November 16, 2012. We only included patients who had a definitive diagnosis of ONB prior to surgery and frozen sections obtained during surgery. All frozen sections in this study had corresponding permanent sections available to serve as a gold standard. This database was analyzed to obtain classification statistics. The confidence intervals for classification performance were obtained using the bootstrap sampling method. Confidence intervals for posttest probability curves were derived using the Taylor series expansion. Finally, we obtained and reviewed the slides from ambiguous or incorrect reads.

Results

A total of 459 specimens from 33 patients were analyzed. We found the following performance characteristics: sensitivity: 0.89 (0.81, 0.94); specificity: 0.96 (0.94, 0.98); accuracy: 0.95 (0.92, 0.96); likelihood ratio positive: 24.4 (14.5, 44.1); prevalence: 0.20 (0.17, 0.25); positive predictive value: 0.86 (0.78, 0.92); and negative predictive value: 0.97 (0.95, 0.99). Histopathologic review revealed that crush artifacts and inadequate specimen size were major sources of incorrect reads.

Conclusion

We found frozen section assessment of ONB specimens to be an excellent tool for the assessment of intraoperative margins.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 127:1735–1741, 2017
Defected ground structure based wideband microstrip low‐pass filter for wireless communication
Authors: Vala Alpesh , Patel Amit , Goswami Riddhi , Mahant Keyur
Published: March 2017

This article represents microstrip low‐pass filter using defected ground structure (DGS) for the wireless communication application. DGS is used as the basic building block for the realisation of a low‐pass filter. A low‐Pass filter with a −3 dB cutoff frequency of 3.5 GHz has been designed and simulated using high frequency structure simulator. Tuning of frequency is carried out by changing the dimension of DGS. An equivalent LC circuit of proposed structure is derived and simulated it with advanced design system software. Proposed low‐pass filter has been fabricated and provides better performance with compact size; it can be used in wireless communication application such as PCS‐1900, UMTS, Bluetooth, WLAN, Wi‐max, IMS, and RFID etc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:993–996, 2017
Compact UWB mimo antenna with band‐notched characteristic
Authors: Malekpour Narges , Amin Honarvar M. , Dadgarpur Abdolmehdi , Virdee Bal S. , Denidni Tayeb A.
Published: March 2017

A compact UWB–MIMO antenna with WLAN band notched characteristic is presented. UWB coverage is achieved with two closely spaced planar–monopole elements on the top side of the dielectric substrate with a truncated ground‐plane etched on the bottom side. Isolation between the antennas is achieved by creating a current path to decouple energy between the radiation elements using a T‐shaped ground stub. Notched frequency band between 5.15 and 5.85 GHz is achieved with a parasitic rectangular strip on the bottom side, which is connected to the radiating patch through a via hole. This approach yields a highly compact antenna design having dimensions of 22 × 29 × 0.8 mm3. Simulated and measured results confirm the antenna has an impedance bandwidth of 7.6 GHz from 3.0 to 10.6 GHz making it suitable for UWB MIMO systems. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:1037–1041, 2017
Parameter estimation using weighted total least squares in the two‐compartment exchange model
Authors: Garpebring Anders , Löfstedt Tommy
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The linear least squares (LLS) estimator provides a fast approach to parameter estimation in the linearized two‐compartment exchange model. However, the LLS method may introduce a bias through correlated noise in the system matrix of the model. The purpose of this work is to present a new estimator for the linearized two‐compartment exchange model that takes this noise into account.

Method

To account for the noise in the system matrix, we developed an estimator based on the weighted total least squares (WTLS) method. Using simulations, the proposed WTLS estimator was compared, in terms of accuracy and precision, to an LLS estimator and a nonlinear least squares (NLLS) estimator.

Results

The WTLS method improved the accuracy compared to the LLS method to levels comparable to the NLLS method. This improvement was at the expense of increased computational time; however, the WTLS was still faster than the NLLS method. At high signal‐to‐noise ratio all methods provided similar precisions while inconclusive results were observed at low signal‐to‐noise ratio.

Conclusion

The proposed method provides improvements in accuracy compared to the LLS method, however, at an increased computational cost. Magn Reson Med 79:561–567, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.