bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can browsing by deer in winter induce defence responses in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)?
Authors: Hegland Stein Joar , Seldal Tarald , Lilleeng Marte S. , Rydgren Knut
Published: March 2016

Wild ungulates are key determinants in shaping boreal plant communities, and may also affect ecosystem function through inducing the plant defence systems of key plant species. We examined whether winter browsing by deer could increase the resistance of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). We used three indicators of induced bilberry defence: reduced growth (a), reduced reproduction (b) and decreased insect herbivory (c) in focal plants. In a field experiment, using a randomised block design, we exposed half of plants twice in winter to exogenously applied methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and crossed this factor with randomly selecting browsed and unbrowsed plants. We predicted that MeJA‐plants would have significant lower growth, reproduction and insect herbivory than Control plants. We also expected that Browsed plants would experience similar negative effects and that there would be an interaction between MeJa and Browsed indicating a possible additive effect. Growth, flowering and insect herbivory were significantly lower in MeJA than in Control, as expected. We did not find the same reduction for Browsed and no significant interaction between factors. The combined treatment, unexpectedly, flowered more and showed higher levels of insect herbivory than MeJA. Our study showed that defence responses of bilberry may be induced by exogenously‐applied MeJA in winter. Our study could not confirm whether winter browsing by deer can induce the same defence responses.
Biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the drawdown zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir under different fertilization histories
Authors: Luo Xie , Su Xiaolei , Cui Jingmiao , Lou Ya , Li Ru , Luo Xiumei , Zeng Yuanqin , Xu Yaobo , Dong Jinyan
Published: March 2016

Impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) has dramatically influenced the riparian environment and shaped a new drawdown zone, which has experienced long‐term winter conditions and short periods of summer flooding. The community structure and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (AMF) were investigated in three areas with different fertilization histories [Area A (5 years of fertilization), Area B (3 years of fertilization) and Area C (no fertilization)] in the drawdown zone of the TGR. Altogether, 50 AMF species were identified; the genera Acaulospora, Funneliformis and Glomus were predominant. The AM fungal community differed among areas A, B and C. A higher isolation frequency and relative abundance of Acaulospora, Ambispora, Entrophospora and Paraglomus were observed in areas A and B; however, Claroideoglomus, Diversispora, Sclerocystis and Septoglomus were more abundant in Area C. The highest spore density occurred in Area C, and was slightly lower in Area A and lowest in Area B. Conversely, species richness and diversity indices (Shannon–Wiener and evenness indices) were the highest in Area A, followed by areas C and B. Based on nonmetric multidimensional scaling analyses, the distribution of AMF was influenced by plant host, fertilization practice and environmental factors. Among them, the soil physicochemical properties were the main drivers affecting AMF, in which three edaphic attributes (carbon/nitrogen ratio, available phosphorus and potassium content) were significantly correlated (P < 0.001) with the AM fungal community composition in the three areas of the drawdown zone of the TGR.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Series of Amphiphilic Mercapto‐1,2,4‐Triazole Schiff Base Ligands: Investigation of their Behavior in Hydro‐Organic Solutions
Authors: Boceiri Nadia , Benabdallah Tayeb , Hadj Youcef Mohammed , Reffas Hasnia
Published: March 2016

A novel series of four Schiff base amphiphiles derived from 3‐mercapto‐1,2,4‐triazole and different alkyl chains were successfully prepared by a new synthetic three‐step method. The chemical structures of the different ligands were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR spectroscopy, 1H‐NMR and 13C‐NMR spectra. The effect of the chain length on the solution behavior of the amphiphilic ligands were studied, in both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems, using pH‐metric and spectrophotometric methods. Based on the electronic spectroscopy data, some parameters governing their surfactant properties, such as the critical micelle concentration (CMC), the micellization free energy (ΔGmic) and the hydrophilic‐lipophilic balance (HLB) were evaluated in chloroform and discussed. The behavior of the four Schiff bases in the heterogeneous chloroform‐water mixture was then explored through the establishment of their acidity (pKA) and distribution (Log Kd) constants in 1 M chloride medium and the acidity constants in aqueous medium (pKa) were deduced. Results showed that an increase of the alkyl chain decreases the distribution of the ligands and increases their acidity. The extractive performance of the Schiff base amphiphiles were investigated towards Ni(II) from a chloride medium at 30 °C. The analysis of extraction data revealed that the synthesized Schiff bases exhibit a better and faster extractability than many ligands reported in the literature.
Synthesis, Characterization and Exploratory Application of Anionic Surfactant Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Sulfonate from Waste Cooking Oil
Authors: Jin Yueming , Tian Senlin , Guo Jiali , Ren Xiao , Li Xinyan , Gao Shumei
Published: March 2016

The environmentally friendly anionic surfactant fatty acid methyl ester sulfonate (MES) was prepared by esterification of waste cooking oil (WCO), a low‐cost raw material, followed by sulfonation with chlorosulfonic acid. MES production from WCO (W‐MES) gave yields up to 78 %. Such a value is only slightly lower than the one obtained from soybean oil (S‐MES), 82 %, and almost the same as that from reused cooking oil (R‐MES), 76 %. According to the two‐phase titration results, the content of the active component, α‐MES, in S‐MES, R‐MES and W‐MES was equal to 76.82, 69.19 and 66.60 %, respectively. The disalt, RCH(CO2Na)SO3Na, contents were instead 3.2, 3.8 and 4.7 %, respectively. As proved by the results of the FTIR and NMR characterizations, the chemical structure of W‐MES is almost the same as that of S‐MES and R‐MES. The critical micelle concentration of W‐MES is 5.38 mmol/L and the corresponding surface tension is 32.3 mN/m. The hydrophile‐lipophile balance value of W‐MES is 12.33, which indicates that it can form oil/water emulsions. The three MES demonstrated the same adsorption efficiency, yielding a pC20 value of 3.22, and similar foam stability. Their detergency can be up to 75 % at a concentration of 400 mg/kg and the tolerance to Ca2+ is higher than the one exhibited by linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acid and alpha olefin sulfonate. Additionally, W‐MES shows a considerable solubilization capacity towards polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon as the molar solubilization ratios to pyrene, phenanthrene and acenaphthene in a 30 mmol/L solution are 1.22 × 10−3, 2.67 × 10−3 and 3.81 × 10−3, respectively.
Prevalence of Transgender Depends on the “Case” Definition: A Systematic Review
Authors: Collin Lindsay , Reisner Sari L. , Tangpricha Vin , Goodman Michael
Published: March 2016

Introduction

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate how various definitions of transgender affect prevalence estimates.

Aims

To evaluate the epidemiology of transgender and examine how various definitions of transgender affect prevalence estimates and to compare findings across studies that used different methodologies, in different countries, and over different periods.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, and Medline were searched to identify studies reporting prevalence estimates of transgender in a population. All studies were grouped based on the case definition applied to the numerator. Summary estimates were derived using a random-effects model for total prevalence of transgender and for male-to-female and female-to-male subgroups. Overall and stratum-specific meta-prevalence estimates (mPs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were accompanied by tests for heterogeneity and meta-regressions to assess sources of heterogeneity.

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome measure was population prevalence of transgender. Secondary outcomes included gender-specific prevalence estimates for male-to-female and female to male subgroups.

Results

Thirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria for systematic review. Of those, 27 studies provided necessary data for a meta-analysis. Overall mP estimates per 100,000 population were 9.2 (95% CI = 4.9–13.6) for surgical or hormonal gender affirmation therapy and 6.8 (95% CI = 4.6–9.1) for transgender-related diagnoses. Of studies assessing self-reported transgender identity, the mP was 871 (95% CI = 519–1,224); however, this result was influenced by a single outlier study. After removal of that study, the mP changed to 355 (95% CI = 144–566). Significant heterogeneity was observed in most analyses.

Conclusion

The empirical literature on the prevalence of transgender highlights the importance of adhering to specific case definitions because the results can range by orders of magnitude. Standardized and routine collection of data on transgender status and gender identity is recommended.
Results of SMSNA Survey Regarding Complications Following Intralesional Injection Therapy with Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum for Peyronie’s Disease
Authors: Yafi Faysal A. , Anaissie James , Zurawin Jonathan , Sikka Suresh C. , Hellstrom Wayne J.G.
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Intralesional injection of collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) for Peyronie’s disease (PD) can result in serious adverse events such as hematoma formation and corporal rupture.

Aim

To investigate the prevalence of complications from CCH and management trends among CCH prescribers.

Methods

A survey was sent to all 693 members of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) with valid email addresses. Responders were asked to participate if they were prescribers of CCH. Data regarding prescriber experience with CCH, procedural preferences, and rates and management strategies of complications were collected.

Main Outcome Measure

One hundred SMSNA members completed the survey, with 36%, 23%, and 41% of responders having performed ≤10, 10 to 20, and >20 CCH injections, respectively.

Results

Of the responders, 94% reported hematomas in <25% of patients, with 63% preferring to observe and 37% treated with a combination of observation, application of a compressive dressing, and/or drainage of the hematoma. Corporal ruptures were encountered by 34% of physicians at a median of 5 days (0.5 to 30 days) from the last CCH injection. Rupture was located over the treated plaque in 84% of cases, and surgical intervention was the preferred management option by 67% of members. A distal circumcising degloving incision was used in 76% of cases, and 62% of responders reported the quality of tissue to be worse than would be expected with a non-CCH penile fracture. There were no significant differences in erectile function, ability to have intercourse, change in penile curvature, and patient satisfaction among patients who underwent surveillance vs surgery. One observed patient developed a penile abscess.

Conclusion

A wide variation exists among SMSNA members’ strategies to prevent and manage complications of CCH. One in 3 prescribers reported encountering a corporal rupture during CCH therapy, and it is currently undetermined if there is a benefit of surgery vs conservative management.
Doppler Duplex Ultrasonography of the Penis
Authors: Berookhim Boback M.
Published: March 2016

The Surgical Techniques Section is sponsored in part by Coloplast
Robust and simple intelligent observer-based fault estimation and reconstruction for a class of non-linear systems: HIRM aircraft
Authors: Khooban M.H. , Siahi M. , Soltanpour M.-R.
Published: March 2016

This paper introduces an observer strategy, namely a Sliding Mode Observer (SMO), to realise the fault detection and estimation of general uncertain non-linear systems. The use of a non-linear observer is considered for monitoring the states of a high incidence research model (HIRM) aircraft system. For a special class of Lipschitz non-linear system, a fault reconstruction scheme is presented where the reconstructed signal can approximate the fault signal to any accuracy. The proposed method is based only on the available plant input-output information and can be calculated online. Moreover, the globally asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system is mathematically proved. Finally, an HIRM aircraft system example is given to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Further Considerations in SJT Development
Authors: Borneman Matthew J.
Published: March 2016

The situational judgment test (SJT) development procedures outlined by the authors of the focal piece (Lievens & Motowidlo, 2016) provide an excellent framework to design SJTs that help answer fundamental questions about what SJTs measure and why they work. This article expands on this framework to explore further some of the issues faced in the development of SJTs. These issues include the implied assumption of linearity between general domain knowledge and effectiveness, whether the SJT measures a single construct or multiple constructs, and when a more criterion-centered approach to SJT development might be preferred.
We Found Them! The Practitioner Role in Expanding the Generalizability of Findings in I-O Psychology
Authors: Beatty Adam S. , Walmsley Philip T.
Published: March 2016

The purpose of our commentary is to expand the conversation started by the focal article (Bergman & Jean, 2016) by providing a practitioner perspective, especially focusing on practitioners who work in a government or military context. We believe this perspective is valuable because (a) interventions and research projects involving nonprofessional/nonmanagement workers are already regularly being conducted in this context; (b) there are likely to be other causes of a lack of focus on broader populations of workers in this context than those highlighted by the focal article, some of which may differ between practitioners and academics; and (c) we believe practitioners in this context have much to contribute to solving the potential problems that the focal article highlights.
Modeling the evolution of the Juneau Icefield between 1971 and 2100 using the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM)
Authors: ZIEMEN FLORIAN A. , HOCK REGINE , ASCHWANDEN ANDY , KHROULEV CONSTANTINE , KIENHOLZ CHRISTIAN , MELKONIAN ANDREW , ZHANG JING
Published: March 2016

We study the evolution of the Juneau Icefield, one of the largest icefields in North America (>3700 km2), using the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM). We test two climate datasets: 20 km Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) output, and data from the Scenarios Network for Alaska Planning (SNAP), derived from spatial interpolation of observations. Good agreement between simulated and observed surface mass balance was achieved only after substantially adjusting WRF precipitation to account for unresolved orographic effects, while SNAP's climate pattern is incompatible with observations of surface mass balance. Using the WRF data forced with the RCP6.0 emission scenario, the model projects a decrease in ice volume by 58–68% and a 57–63% area loss by 2099 compared with 2010. If the modeled 2070–99 climate is held constant beyond 2099, the icefield is eliminated by 2200. With constant 1971–2010 climate, the icefield stabilizes at 86% of its present-day volume. Experiments started from an ice-free state indicate that steady-state volumes are largely independent of the initial ice volume when forced by identical scenarios of climate stabilization. Despite large projected volume losses, the complex high-mountain topography makes the Juneau Icefield less susceptible to climate warming than low-lying Alaskan icefields.
Comments on Y. O. Hamidoune's Paper ‘Adding Distinct Congruence Classes’
Authors: BAJNOK BÉLA
Published: March 2016

The main result in Y. O. Hamidoune's paper ‘Adding distinct congruence classes' (Combin. Probab. Comput.7 (1998) 81–87) is as follows. If S is a generating subset of a cyclic group G such that 0 ∉ S and |S| ⩾ 5, then the number of sums of the subsets of S is at least min(|G|, 2|S|). Unfortunately, the argument of the author, who, sadly, passed away in 2011, relies on a lemma whose proof is incorrect; in fact, the lemma is false for all cyclic groups of even order. In this short note we point out this mistake, correct the proof, and discuss why the main result is actually true for all finite abelian groups.
A high-power solid state amplifier for Galileo satellite system exploiting European GaN technology
Authors: Giofré Rocco , Colantonio Paolo , Cipriani Elisa , Giannini Franco , Gonzalez Laura , De Arriba Francisco , Cabria Lorena
Published: March 2016

This paper describes the development of an L-Band (f0= 1.575 GHz) high power and efficient solid state power amplifier (SSPA) designed for the European satellite navigation system (i.e. Galileo). The amplifier, developed in the framework of the European Project named SLOGAN, exploits the GH50-10 GaN technology available at United Monolithic Semiconductor foundry. The aim of the project is to offer, using as much as possible European technologies, a valid alternative to replace traveling wave tube amplifiers with more compact and reliable systems. All the SSPA functionalities, i.e. power supply, power conditioning and radio frequency amplification, are integrated in the developed architecture and accommodated in a single box with limited volume and mass. The required output power level is achieved by parallelizing several GaN die power bars of 12 and/or 25.6 mm. In continuous wave operating mode, the overall SSPA delivers an output power higher than 250 W at less than 2 dB of gain compression in the whole E1-band. Moreover, the registered gain and efficiency are higher than 67 dB and 54%, respectively.
Traumatherapien: Was haben sie gemeinsam?
Authors: Schnyder Ulrich , Ehlers Anke , Elbert Thomas , B. Foa Edna , P.R. Gersons Berthold , A. Resick Patricia , Shapiro Francine , Cloitre Marylène
Published: March 2016

Zusammenfassung. Für die psychotherapeutische Behandlung der posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (PTBS) haben sich verschiedene Verfahren als wirksam erwiesen. Diese unterscheiden sich in ihren Interventionsmethoden, haben aber auch wesentliche Gemeinsamkeiten. Angesichts dieser Situation stehen Kliniker häufig vor der Frage, welche Therapieform sie auswählen sollen und vor allem, welche Komponenten der verschiedenen Verfahren für eine erfolgreiche Behandlung wirklich entscheidend sind. Die folgenden Elemente finden sich, in unterschiedlichen Ausprägungen, in fast allen wirksamen Psychotherapien für PTBS: Psychoedukation, Verbesserung von Emotionsregulation und Bewältigungsstrategien, Exposition, kognitive Verarbeitung, Restrukturierung und/oder Bedeutungsgebung, Bearbeitung von Emotionen, sowie Reorganisation der Erinnerungen. Die zugrundeliegenden Wirkmechanismen sind noch zu wenig erforscht. Traumatherapien sollten in Zukunft spezifischer auf bestimmte Patientenmerkmale zugeschnitten sein. Ein additiver Nutzen resilienzfördernder Massnahmen konnte bisher noch nicht gesichert werden.
tES Stimulation as a Tool to Investigate Cognitive Processes in	Healthy Individuals
Authors: Lavidor Michal
Published: March 2016

Abstract. This paper is aimed at providing an introduction to up-to-date noninvasive brain stimulation tools that have been successful in modulating higher-level cognitive functions in healthy individuals. The current review focuses on transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) studies aiming to explore cognitive models from an experimental rather than clinical viewpoint. It focuses primarily on major advances in language, working memory, learning, response inhibition, and other executive functions in healthy individuals, and the use of different methods of electrical brain stimulation such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), and transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS). The final section summarizes the scientific novelty of the reviewed papers and discusses the possible roles of brain stimulation in future experimental research and clinical applications.
White House Summit Focuses on Solutions to Water Challenges
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: March 2016

Announced initiatives included funding for water research, development, and infrastructure projects; the launch of a new National Water Model; and the release of a drought resilience action plan.
Consortia of low-abundance bacteria drive sulfate reduction-dependent degradation of fermentation products in peat soil microcosms
Authors: Hausmann Bela , Knorr Klaus-Holger , Schreck Katharina , Tringe Susannah G , Glavina del Rio Tijana , Loy Alexander , Pester Michael
Published: March 2016

Dissimilatory sulfate reduction in peatlands is sustained by a cryptic sulfur cycle and effectively competes with methanogenic degradation pathways. In a series of peat soil microcosms incubated over 50 days, we identified bacterial consortia that responded to small, periodic additions of individual fermentation products (formate, acetate, propionate, lactate or butyrate) in the presence or absence of sulfate. Under sulfate supplementation, net sulfate turnover (ST) steadily increased to 16–174 nmol cm−3 per day and almost completely blocked methanogenesis. 16S rRNA gene and cDNA amplicon sequencing identified microorganisms whose increases in ribosome numbers strongly correlated to ST. Natively abundant (⩾0.1% estimated genome abundance) species-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs) showed no significant response to sulfate. In contrast, low-abundance OTUs responded significantly to sulfate in incubations with propionate, lactate and butyrate. These OTUs included members of recognized sulfate-reducing taxa (Desulfosporosinus, Desulfopila, Desulfomonile, Desulfovibrio) and also members of taxa that are either yet unknown sulfate reducers or metabolic interaction partners thereof. Most responsive OTUs markedly increased their ribosome content but only weakly increased in abundance. Responsive Desulfosporosinus OTUs even maintained a constantly low population size throughout 50 days, which suggests a novel strategy of rare biosphere members to display activity. Interestingly, two OTUs of the non-sulfate-reducing genus Telmatospirillum (Alphaproteobacteria) showed strongly contrasting preferences towards sulfate in butyrate-amended microcosms, corroborating that closely related microorganisms are not necessarily ecologically coherent. We show that diverse consortia of low-abundance microorganisms can perform peat soil sulfate reduction, a process that exerts control on methane production in these climate-relevant ecosystems.
Facile preparation of multifunctional superparamagnetic PHBV microspheres containing SPIONs for biomedical applications
Authors: Li Wei , Jan Zaloga  , Ding Yaping , Liu Yufang , Janko Christina , Pischetsrieder Monika , Alexiou Christoph , Boccaccini Aldo R.
Published: March 2016

The promising potential of magnetic polymer microspheres in various biomedical applications has been frequently reported. However, the surface hydrophilicity of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) usually leads to poor or even failed encapsulation of SPIONs in hydrophobic polymer microspheres using the emulsion method. In this study, the stability of SPIONs in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) solution was significantly increased after surface modification with lauric acid. As a result, magnetic PHBV microspheres with high encapsulation efficiencies (71.0–87.4%) were prepared using emulsion-solvent extraction/evaporation method. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed significant contrast for the magnetic PHBV microspheres. The toxicity of these magnetic PHBV microspheres towards human T-lymphoma suspension cells and adherent colon carcinoma HT-29 cells was investigated using flow cytometry and they were shown to be non-toxic in a broad concentration range. A model drug, tetracycline hydrochloride, was used to demonstrate the drug delivery capability and to investigate the drug release behavior of the magnetic PHBV microspheres. The drug was successfully loaded into the microspheres using lauric acid-coated SPIONs as drug carrier and was released from the microspheres in a diffusion controlled manner. The developed magnetic PHBV microspheres are promising candidates for biomedical applications such as targeted drug delivery and MRI.
Electrophysiological evidence of inhibited orthographic regularity effect on the recognition of real Chinese characters
Authors: He Weiqi , Fan Cong , Ren Jie , Liu Tiantian , Zhang Mingming , Luo Wenbo
Published: March 2016

Orthographic regularity is important for processing Chinese characters. However, the issues how orthographic regularity influences the visual recognition of real Chinese characters and whether common processes related to the potential effect exist between successive (SUCC) and concurrent (CONC) conditions with asynchronous presentation of S1 and S2 are still unclear. In the current study, event-related potential (ERP) technique was adopted to investigate electrophysiological correlates of the orthographic regularity effect. Behaviorally, we found fewer errors and shorter response times for SUCC and CONC conditions compared to simultaneous (SIM) condition with synchronous presentation and disappearance of S1 and S2, which demonstrates similarities between SUCC and CONC and their differences from SIM. We found bilaterally smaller N170 responses for real Chinese characters preceded by false characters compared to real characters, demonstrating that orthographic regularity may inhibit the recognition of real Chinese characters. Additionally, the inhibition effect was present in SUCC and CONC rather than SIM, which shows that smaller N170 responses may have been due to asynchronous presentations of S1 and S2 and common inhibition processes in the SUCC and CONC conditions.
Human EAG channels are directly modulated by PIP2 as revealed by electrophysiological and optical interference investigations
Authors: Han Bo , He Kunyan , Cai Chunlin , Tang Yin , Yang Linli , Heinemann Stefan H. , Hoshi Toshinori , Hou Shangwei
Published: March 2016

Voltage-gated ether à go-go (EAG) K+ channels are expressed in various types of cancer cells and also in the central nervous system. Aberrant overactivation of human EAG1 (hEAG1) channels is associated with cancer and neuronal disorders such as Zimmermann-Laband and Temple-Baraitser syndromes. Although hEAG1 channels are recognized as potential therapeutic targets, regulation of their functional properties is only poorly understood. Here, we show that the membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is a potent inhibitory gating modifier of hEAG1 channels. PIP2 inhibits the channel activity by directly binding to a short N-terminal segment of the channel important for Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) binding as evidenced by bio-layer interferometry measurements. Conversely, depletion of endogenous PIP2 either by serotonin-induced phospholipase C (PLC) activation or by a rapamycin-induced translocation system enhances the channel activity at physiological membrane potentials, suggesting that PIP2 exerts a tonic inhibitory influence. Our study, combining electrophysiological and direct binding assays, demonstrates that hEAG1 channels are subject to potent inhibitory modulation by multiple phospholipids and suggests that manipulations of the PIP2 signaling pathway may represent a strategy to treat hEAG1 channel-associated diseases.
Association of serum fatty acid and estimated desaturase activity with hypertension in middle-aged and elderly Chinese population
Authors: Yang Bo , Ding Fang , Wang Feng-Lei , Yan Jing , Ye Xiong-Wei , Yu Wei , Li Duo
Published: March 2016

We aimed to investigate the cross-sectional associations of serum fatty acid (FA) and related Δ-desaturase with hypertension among 2,447 community-dwellers aged 35–79 years living in Zhejiang Province, China. Individual FA was determined in serum, Δ5-desaturase (D5D) and Δ6-desaturase (D6D) activities were indirectly estimated by FA product/precursor ratios. Participants in the highest quartile of D5D component scores (20:4n–6, 20:5n–3, 22:6n–3 and D5D) have significantly lower odds of hypertension compared with individuals in the lowest (multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.46–0.98). When further stratified by gender, high D5D component scores were significantly associated with lower odds of hypertension in women (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.35–0.80), but not in men (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.52-1.18). Multivariate-adjusted prevalent OR for an interquartile increment of individual FA and estimated desaturase was 1.27 (95% CI: 1.08–1.50) for 16:0, 1.15 (95% CI: 1.01–1.30) for 16:1n–7, 0.89 (95% CI: 0.80–0.99) for 22:6n–3, 1.32 (95% CI: 1.01–1.72) for D6D (18:3n–6/18:2n–6) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.98) for D5D (20:4n–6/20:3n–6). Present findings suggested that high serum 22:6n–3 and D5D as well as low 16:0, 16:1n–7 and D6D were associated with a low prevalence of hypertension in this Chinese population.
The Effect of rhCygb on CCl4-Induced Hepatic Fibrogenesis in Rat
Authors: Li Zhen , Wei Wei , Chen Bohong , Cai Gaotai , Li Xin , Wang Ping , Tang Jinping , Dong Wenqi
Published: March 2016

This study aims to investigate whether the use of recombinant human cytoglobin (rhCygb) impact on hepatic fibrogenesis caused by CCl4. SD (n = 150) rats were randomly divided into three groups of normal, CCl4model and rhCygb groups. After model establishment, rats in rhCygb groups were administered daily with rhCygb (2 mg/kg, s.c.). Histological lesions were staged according to metavir. Serum parameters including ALT, AST, HA, LN, Col III and Col IV were determined. The liver proteins were separated by 2-DE and identified. As a result, the stage of hepatic damage and liver fibrosis in rhCygb groups were significantly milder than that in CCl4model groups. Meanwhile, rhCygb dramatically reversed serum levels of ALT and AST, and also markedly decreased the liver fibrosis markers levels of LN, HA, Col III and Col IV. In 2-DE, 33 proteins among three groups with the same changing tendency in normal and rhCygb treated groups compared with CCl4model group were identified. GO analysis showed that several identified proteins involved in oxidative stress pathway. The study provides new insights and data for administration of rhCygb reversing CCl4-induced liver fibrosis suggesting that rhCygb might be used in the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Metabolic flux profiling of MDCK cells during growth and canine adenovirus vector production
Authors: Carinhas Nuno , Pais Daniel A. M. , Koshkin Alexey , Fernandes Paulo , Coroadinha Ana S. , Carrondo Manuel J. T. , Alves Paula M. , Teixeira Ana P.
Published: March 2016

Canine adenovirus vector type 2 (CAV2) represents an alternative to human adenovirus vectors for certain gene therapy applications, particularly neurodegenerative diseases. However, more efficient production processes, assisted by a greater understanding of the effect of infection on producer cells, are required. Combining [1,2-13C]glucose and [U-13C]glutamine, we apply for the first time 13C-Metabolic flux analysis (13C-MFA) to study E1-transformed Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells metabolism during growth and CAV2 production. MDCK cells displayed a marked glycolytic and ammoniagenic metabolism, and 13C data revealed a large fraction of glutamine-derived labelling in TCA cycle intermediates, emphasizing the role of glutamine anaplerosis. 13C-MFA demonstrated the importance of pyruvate cycling in balancing glycolytic and TCA cycle activities, as well as occurrence of reductive alphaketoglutarate (AKG) carboxylation. By turn, CAV2 infection significantly upregulated fluxes through most central metabolism, including glycolysis, pentose-phosphate pathway, glutamine anaplerosis and, more prominently, reductive AKG carboxylation and cytosolic acetyl-coenzyme A formation, suggestive of increased lipogenesis. Based on these results, we suggest culture supplementation strategies to stimulate nucleic acid and lipid biosynthesis for improved canine adenoviral vector production.
Bone marrow-derived cells in the population of spinal microglia after peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Tashima Ryoichi , Mikuriya Satsuki , Tomiyama Daisuke , Shiratori-Hayashi Miho , Yamashita Tomohiro , Kohro Yuta , Tozaki-Saitoh Hidetoshi , Inoue Kazuhide , Tsuda Makoto
Published: March 2016

Accumulating evidence indicates that peripheral nerve injury (PNI) activates spinal microglia that are necessary for neuropathic pain. Recent studies using bone marrow (BM) chimeric mice have reported that after PNI, circulating BM-derived cells infiltrate into the spinal cord and differentiate into microglia-like cells. This raises the possibility that the population of spinal microglia after PNI may be heterogeneous. However, the infiltration of BM cells in the spinal cord remains controversial because of experimental adverse effects of strong irradiation used for generating BM chimeric mice. In this study, we evaluated the PNI-induced spinal infiltration of BM-derived cells not only by irradiation-induced myeloablation with various conditioning regimens, but also by parabiosis and mice with genetically labelled microglia, models without irradiation and BM transplantation. Results obtained from these independent approaches provide compelling evidence indicating little contribution of circulating BM-derived cells to the population of spinal microglia after PNI.
Conformational changes and chiroptical switching of enantiopure bis-helicenic terpyridine upon Zn2+ binding
Authors: Isla Helena , Srebro-Hooper Monika , Jean Marion , Vanthuyne Nicolas , Roisnel Thierry , Lunkley Jamie L. , Muller Gilles , Williams J. A. Gareth , Autschbach Jochen , Crassous Jeanne
Published: March 2016

A new type of chiroptical switch based on a bis-helicenic terpyridine, changing conformation upon Zn binding, has been designed.
Morphology-dependent reactivity of cobalt oxide nanoparticles in N2O decomposition
Authors: Stelmachowski P. , Ciura K. , Grzybek G.
Published: March 2016

Large, well-defined Co3O4 nanocrystals are characterized by a low work function, low ability to stabilize adsorbates and exhibit high catalytic activity.
Synthesis and extraction studies with a rationally designed diamide ligand selective to actinide(iv) pertinent to the plutonium uranium redox extraction process
Authors: Sharma Shikha , Panja Surajit , Bhattacharyya Arunasis , Dhami Prem S. , Gandhi Preetam M. , Ghosh Sunil K.
Published: March 2016

A new class of rationally designed CHON based conformationally constrained oxa-bridged tricyclo-dicarboxamides rapidly extracted Pu(iv) from PUREX waste solutions with high selectivity and easy stripping as Pu(iii).
Design and synthesis of a novel fluorescent benzo[g]imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline nucleoside for monitoring base-pair-induced protonation with cytosine: distinguishing cytosine via changes in the intensity and wavelength of fluorescence
Authors: Siraiwa Shogo , Suzuki Azusa , Katoh Ryuzi , Saito Yoshio
Published: March 2016

A novel fluorescent benzo[g]imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline nucleoside BIQA was developed and used to monitor BIQA–C base-pair formation in ODN duplexes.
Supercapacitors based on polyelectrolyte/ferrocenyl-surfactant complexes with high rate capability
Authors: Tan Guiping , Cheng Zhiyu , Qiu Yongfu , Huang Weiqing , Fan Hongbo , Ren Biye
Published: March 2016

The composite PFSC/CP was reported as a promising electrode material for efficient supercapacitors for the first time.
The first crystal structure of human RNase 6 reveals a novel substrate-binding and cleavage site arrangement
Authors: Prats-Ejarque Guillem , Arranz-Trullén Javier , Blanco Jose A. , Pulido David , Nogués M. Victòria , Moussaoui Mohammed , Boix Ester
Published: March 2016

Human RNase 6 is a cationic secreted protein that belongs to the RNase A superfamily. Its expression is induced in neutrophils and monocytes upon bacterial infection, suggesting a role in host defence. We present here the crystal structure of RNase 6 obtained at 1.72 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm) resolution, which is the first report for the protein 3D structure and thereby setting the basis for functional studies. The structure shows an overall kidney-shaped globular fold shared with the other known family members. Three sulfate anions bound to RNase 6 were found, interacting with residues at the main active site (His15, His122 and Gln14) and cationic surface-exposed residues (His36, His39, Arg66 and His67). Kinetic characterization, together with prediction of protein–nucleotide complexes by molecular dynamics, was applied to analyse the RNase 6 substrate nitrogenous base and phosphate selectivity. Our results reveal that, although RNase 6 is a moderate catalyst in comparison with the pancreatic RNase type, its structure includes lineage-specific features that facilitate its activity towards polymeric nucleotide substrates. In particular, enzyme interactions at the substrate 5′ end can provide an endonuclease-type cleavage pattern. Interestingly, the RNase 6 crystal structure revealed a novel secondary active site conformed by the His36–His39 dyad that facilitates the polynucleotide substrate catalysis.
A novel live cell assay to measure diacylglycerol lipase α activity
Authors: Singh Praveen K. , Markwick Rachel , Howell Fiona V. , Williams Gareth , Doherty Patrick
Published: March 2016

Diacylglycerol lipase α (DAGLα) hydrolyses DAG to generate the principal endocannabinoid (eCB) 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the central nervous system. DAGLα dependent cannabinoid (CB) signalling has been implicated in numerous processes including axonal growth and guidance, adult neurogenesis and retrograde signalling at the synapse. Recent studies have implicated DAGLα as an emerging drug target for several conditions including pain and obesity. Activity assays are critical to the drug discovery process; however, measurement of diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) activity using its native substrate generally involves low-throughput MS techniques. Some relatively high-throughput membrane based assays utilizing surrogate substrates have been reported, but these do not take into account the rate-limiting effects often associated with the ability of a drug to cross the cell membrane. In the present study, we report the development of a live cell assay to measure DAGLα activity. Two previously reported DAGLα surrogate substrates, p-nitrophenyl butyrate (PNPB) and 6,8-difluoro-4-methylumbelliferyl octanoate (DiFMUO), were evaluated for their ability to detect DAGLα activity in live cell assays using a human cell line stably expressing the human DAGLα transgene. Following optimization, the small molecule chromogenic substrate PNPB proved to be superior by providing lower background activity along with a larger signal window between transfected and parental cells when compared with the fluorogenic substrate DiFMUO. The assay was further validated using established DAGL inhibitors. In summary, the live cell DAGLα assay reported here offers an economical and convenient format to screen for novel inhibitors as part of drug discovery programmes and compliments previously reported high-throughput membrane based DAGL assays.
Fuzzy approach and Eddy currents NDT/NDE devices in industrial applications
Authors: Versaci M.
Published: March 2016

In this Letter, detection/classification of defects are treated in a fuzzy way considering classes of defects to a certain depth characterized by typical ranges of fuzzy similarities. So, depth evaluation is translated in terms of comparison of similarities among signals with defectiveness located at unknown depth and the class of signals without defects. In addition, an FPGA‐based board implementing the designed procedure will be discussed. The performance gives the comparability of the results with other established techniques.
Fusing the facial temporal information in videos for face recognition
Authors: Panner Selvam Ithayarani , Karruppiah Muneeswaran
Published: March 2016

Face recognition is a challenging and innovative research topic in the present sophisticated world of visual technology. In most of the existing approaches, the face recognition from the still images is affected by intra‐personal variations such as pose, illumination and expression which degrade the performance. This study proposes a novel approach for video‐based face recognition due to the availability of large intra‐personal variations. The feature vector based on the normalised semi‐local binary patterns is obtained for the face region. Each frame is matched with the signature of the faces in the database and a rank list is formed. Each ranked list is clustered and its reliability is analysed for re‐ranking. To characterise an individual in a video, multiple re‐ranked lists across the multiple video frames are fused to form a video signature. This video signature embeds diverse intra‐personal and temporal variations, which facilitates in matching two videos with large variations. For matching two videos, their video signatures are compared using Kendall‐Tau distance. The developed methods are deployed on the YouTube and ChokePoint videos, and they exhibit significant performance improvement owing to their approach when compared with the existing techniques.
Comments on and corrections to ‘Hardware–software co‐design architecture for joint photo expert graphic XR encoder’
Authors: Do Trang Thi Thu , Nguyen Binh Phu
Published: March 2016

In the aforementioned paper, Tseng and Lai presented a hardware‐sharing design of elementary transform operations for the photo overlap transform and the photo core transform in JPEG XR. In this letter, we point out some errors in their work and suggest the corresponding corrections.
New cascade boost converter with reduced losses
Authors: Lotfi Nejad Mohammad , Poorali Behzad , Adib Ehsan , Motie Birjandi Ali Akbar
Published: March 2016

To enhance the gain of conventional boost converters in applications such as fuel cells and photovoltaic systems, cascade boost converters are normally applied. In this study, a new cascade boost converter topology with reduced conduction losses is proposed. This converter shows reduced root‐mean‐square currents of the circuit elements and reduced conduction losses. The proposed converter is analysed and compared with the conventional circuit topology. The proposed converter has all the advantages of cascade boost converter with the advantage of reduced conduction losses. Finally, simulation and experimental results of a 200 W laboratory prototype are presented.
Control of photovoltaic‐based low‐voltage dc microgrid system for power sharing with modified droop algorithm
Authors: Augustine Sijo , Lakshminarasamma N. , Mishra Mahesh Kumar
Published: March 2016

This study discusses a droop‐based proportional load sharing control of parallel connected dc–dc converters in photovoltaic (PV)‐based low‐voltage dc microgrid. Droop control is the popular scheme for power sharing in dc microgrid. In this study, proportional droop index (PDI) algorithm with droop (Rdroop) shifting is introduced to improve the load sharing performance of the dc microgrid, which is a function of normalised current sharing difference and voltage deviation in the output side of the converters. This proposed control method calculates adaptive virtual resistance, Rdroop, and allows the converter to share the load current based on PV power available. By incorporating a new Rdroop shifting method with PDI, the proposed scheme eliminates the trade‐off between current sharing and voltage regulation of the conventional method. The detailed analysis and design procedures are explained, and the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by detailed simulation and experimental studies.
Numerical approximation of stochastic conservation laws on bounded domains
Authors: Bauzet Caroline , Charrier Julia , Gallouët Thierry
Published: March 2016

This paper is devoted to the study of finite volume methods for the discretization of scalar conservation laws with a multiplicative stochastic force defined on a bounded domain D of Rd with Dirichlet boundary conditions and a given initial data in L∞(D). We introduce a notion of stochastic entropy process solution which generalizes the concept of weak entropy solution introduced by F.Otto for such kind of hyperbolic bounded value problems in the deterministic case. Using a uniqueness result on this solution, we prove that the numerical solution converges to the unique stochastic entropy weak solution of the continuous problem under a stability condition on the time and space steps.
Analysis of Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Use in the Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Authors: Yao Qingqiang , Cohen Jeremiah R. , Buser Zorica , Park Jong-Beom , Brodke Darrel S. , Meisel Hans-Joerg , Youssef Jim A. , Wang Jeffrey C. , Yoon S. Tim
Published: March 2016

Study Design

Retrospective database review.

Objective

To identify trends of the recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) use in the treatment of lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS).

Methods

PearlDiver Patient Record Database was used to identify patients who underwent lumbar fusion for LDS between 2005 and 2011. The distribution of bone morphogenetic protein use rate (BR) in various surgical procedures was recorded. Patient numbers, reoperation numbers, BR, and per year BR (PYBR) were stratified by geographic region, gender, and age.

Results

There were 11,335 fusion surgeries, with 3,461 cases using rhBMP-2. Even though PYRB increased between 2005 and 2008, there was a significant decrease in 2010 for each procedure: 404 (34.5%) for posterior interbody fusion, 1,282 (34.3%) for posterolateral plus posterior interbody fusion (PLPIF), 1,477 (29.2%) for posterolateral fusion, and 335 (22.4%) for anterior lumbar interbody fusion. In patients using rhBMP-2, the reoperation rate was significantly lower than in patients not using rhBMP-2 (0.69% versus 1.07%, p < 0.0001). Male patients had higher PYBR compared with female patients in 2008 and 2009 ( p < 0.05). The West region and PLPIF had the highest BR and PYBR.

Conclusions

Our data shows that the revision rates were significantly lower in patients treated with rhBMP-2 compared with patients not treated with rhBMP-2. Furthermore, rhBMP-2 use in LDS varied by year, region, gender, and type of fusion technique. In the West region, the posterior approach and patients 65 to 69 years of age had the highest rate of rhBMP-2 use.
The role of spin-orbit coupling in the photolysis of methylcobalamin
Authors: Andruniów Tadeusz , Lodowski Piotr , Garabato Brady D. , Jaworska Maria , Kozlowski Pawel M.
Published: March 2016

The photolysis of the methylcobalamin cofactor (MeCbl) in its base-off form was investigated by considering the extent of spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Triplet Co–C photodissociation pathways previously invoked at the density functional theory level using Landau-Zener theory were further validated with ab initio calculations that combine SOC based on multi-state second order perturbation theory. It was determined that SOC is feasible between singlet and triplet states at elongated Co–C distances, leading to photodissociation from the state having dominant σ(dz2) character, by either direct coupling with the lowest singlet states or by crossing with SOC mixed triplets.