bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discontinuities in soil strength contribute to destabilization of nutrient‐enriched creeks
Authors: Wigand Cathleen , Watson Elizabeth B. , Martin Rose , Johnson David S. , Warren R. Scott , Hanson Alana , Davey Earl , Johnson Roxanne , Deegan Linda
Published: August 2018

In a whole‐ecosystem, nutrient addition experiment in the Plum Island Sound Estuary (Massachusetts), we tested the effects of nitrogen enrichment on the carbon and nitrogen contents, respiration, and strength of marsh soils. We measured soil shear strength within and across vegetation zones. We found significantly higher soil percent organic matter, carbon, and nitrogen in the long‐term enriched marshes and higher soil respiration rates with longer duration of enrichment. The soil strength was similar in magnitude across depths and vegetation zones in the reference creeks, but showed signs of significant nutrient‐mediated alteration in enriched creeks where shear strength at rooting depths of the low marsh–high marsh interface zone was significantly lower than at the sub‐rooting depths or in the creek bank vegetation zone. To more closely examine the soil strength of the rooting (10–30 cm) and sub‐rooting (40–60 cm) depths in the interface and creek bank vegetation zones, we calculated a vertical shear strength differential between these depths. We found significantly lower differentials in shear strength (rooting depth < sub‐rooting depths) in the enriched creeks and in the interface zones. The discontinuities in the vertical and horizontal shear strength across the enriched marshes may contribute to observed fracturing and slumping occurring in the marsh systems. Tide gauge data also showed a pattern of rapid sea level rise for the period of the study, and changes in plant distribution patterns were indicative of increased flooding. Longer exposure times to nutrient‐enriched waters and increased hydraulic energy associated with sea level rise may exacerbate creek bank sloughing. Additional research is needed, however, to better understand the interactions of nutrient enrichment and sea level rise on soil shear strength and stability of tidal salt marshes.
Three novel methods to estimate abundance of unmarked animals using remote cameras
Authors: Moeller Anna K. , Lukacs Paul M. , Horne Jon S.
Published: August 2018

Abundance and density estimates are central to the field of ecology and are an important component of wildlife management. While many methods exist to estimate abundance from individually identifiable animals, it is much more difficult to estimate abundance of unmarked animals. One step toward noninvasive abundance estimation is the use of passive detectors such as remote cameras or acoustic recording devices. However, existing methods for estimating abundance from cameras for unmarked animals are limited by variable detection probability and have not taken full advantage of the information in camera trapping rate. We developed a time to event (TTE) model to estimate abundance from trapping rate. This estimate requires independent estimates of animal movement, so we collapsed the sampling occasions to create a space to event (STE) model that is not sensitive to movement rate. We further simplified the STE model into an instantaneous sampling (IS) estimator that applies fixed‐area counts to cameras. The STE and IS models utilize time‐lapse photographs to eliminate the variability in detection probability that comes with motion‐sensor photographs. We evaluated the three methods with simulations and performed a case study to estimate elk (Cervus canadensis) abundance from remote camera trap data in Idaho. Simulations demonstrated that the TTE model is sensitive to movement rate, but the STE and IS methods are unbiased regardless of movement. In our case study, elk abundance estimates were comparable to those from a recent aerial survey in the area, demonstrating that these new methods allow biologists to estimate abundance from unmarked populations without tracking individuals over time.
Habitat type and structure affect trap capture success of an invasive snake across variable densities
Authors: Nafus Melia G. , Yackel Adams Amy A. , Klug Page E. , Rodda Gordon H.
Published: August 2018

Detection represents an important limitation of accurately estimating population size, abundance, and habitat suitability for wildlife, which can be especially true for cryptic animals. Moreover, for reptiles, juveniles are often less likely to be detected than later life stages. In the case of invasive species, preventing false negatives early in the invasion process can be critical for improving outcomes of control measures. We evaluated habitat structure in relation to catch per unit effort (CPUE) and mean size of trapped invasive brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) on Guam. We used a 5‐ha enclosure containing a known, closed population of brown treesnakes to identify key habitat variables that related to CPUE and mean size of trapped snakes over six years. We then tested the relationship of those variables to CPUE and mean size of trapped snakes at three sites with suppressed snake populations as a proxy for low‐density populations anticipated to occur during early detection of invasive populations. We found that a coarse measure of habitat structure represented by three forest types correlated with trap detections, as well as finer measures of habitat structure, such as distance to nearest branch and the type of trap support structure used. On average, smaller snakes were captured in traps placed higher in the tree canopy. Some, but not all, habitat variables identified as predictive of CPUE and mean size within the enclosed population pre‐suppression were also predictive at the snake‐suppressed (low‐density proxy) sites. Habitat structure around the sampling unit (a trap) affected detection probability and the size of detected individuals independently of the demographic structure of the population. Measuring wildlife‐habitat relationships of invaders in their novel environments may be one method to improve early detection during invasive species management.
Utility of Nd isotope ratio as a tracer of marine animals: regional variation in coastal seas and causal factors
Authors: Saitoh Yu , Nakano Takanori , Shin Ki‐Cheol , Matsubayashi Jun , Kato Yoshikazu , Amakawa Hiroshi , Osada Yutaka , Yoshimizu Chikage , Okuda Noboru , Amano Yosuke , Togashi Hiroyuki , Kurita Yutaka , Tayasu Ichiro
Published: August 2018

Isotopic compositions of animal tissue are an intrinsic marker commonly used to trace animal origins and migrations; however, few isotopes are effective for this purpose in marine environments, especially on a local scale. The isotope ratio of the lanthanoid element neodymium (Nd) is a promising tracer for coastal animal migrations. Neodymium derives from the same geologic materials as strontium, well known as an isotopic tracer (87Sr/86Sr) for terrestrial and anadromous animals. The advantage of the Nd isotope ratio (143Nd/144Nd, expressed as εNd) is that it varies greatly in the ocean according to the geology of the neighboring continents, whereas oceanic 87Sr/86Sr is highly uniform. This study explored the utility of the Nd isotope ratio as a marine tracer by investigating the variation of εNd preserved in tissues of coastal species, and the causes of that variation, in a region of northeastern Japan where the bedrock geology is highly variable. We measured εNd and 87Sr/86Sr in seawater, river water, and soft tissues of sedentary suspension feeders: the mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis and Mytilus coruscus and the oyster Crassostrea gigas. We also measured concentrations of three lanthanoids (La, Ce, and Pr) in shellfish bodies to determine whether the Nd in shellfish tissue was derived from solution in seawater or from suspended particulates. The εNd values in shellfish tissue varied regionally (−6 to +1), matching the ambient seawater, whereas all 87Sr/86Sr values were homogeneous and typical of seawater (0.7091–0.7092). The seawater εNd values were in turn correlated with those in the adjacent rivers, linking shellfish εNd to the geology of river catchments. The depletion of Ce compared to La and Pr (negative Ce anomaly) suggested that the Nd in shellfish was derived from the dissolved phase in seawater. Our results indicate that the distinct Nd isotope ratio derived from local geology is imprinted, through seawater, on the soft tissues of shellfish. This result underscores the potential of εNd as a tracer of coastal marine animals.
Bimetal Seleno‐Sulfide CuNiSeS Nanosheet Catalyst for Methylene Blue Degradation in the Dark
Authors: Chen Xiaoyun , Kuo Dong‐Hau , Wu Zong‐Yan , Abdullah Hairus , Zhang Jubin , Lin Jinguo
Published: August 2018

In order to overcome the photocatalytic degradation reaction with a need for light excitation, the exploration of a catalyst for the organic degradation reaction without light has become one of the core challenges in catalysis and pollution control. Here we report a novel CuNiSeS nanosheet catalyst with a hexagonal structure by a feasible preparation method. The structure and composition of CuNiSeS were well characterized by X‐ray diffractometry and electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometry, respectively. The result indicated that the best CuNiSeS‐2 of 25 mg displayed excellent activity even in the dark to complete the degradation of 100 mL of MB solution of 10 ppm within 5 min. This catalyst also showed relatively good stability and durability during the reusability tests. The reasons for the fast MB degradation in the dark were investigated and the reaction kinetic mechanism was proposed.
Phenolics, Tocopherols, and Volatiles Changes During Virgin Pistachio Oil Processing Under Different Technological Conditions
Authors: Ojeda‐Amador Rosa M. , Trapani Serena , Fregapane Giuseppe , Salvador María D.
Published: August 2018

The present work aims to study the influence of different processing conditions, including temperature, roasting, the use of whole nuts, pressure (nozzle size) and speed of the screw‐press extraction process, on the minor components, mainly tocopherols, phenolics, and volatile components, contained in virgin pistachio oils (VPO) and their corresponding partially defatted residual cakes. An important increase in total polar phenolic (TPP) is observed in VPO processed at a temperature above 60 °C (e.g., 16.7–65.3 and 76.4 mg kg−1 at 130 °C and roasting conditions). TPP and the corresponding antioxidant activity also increase when a smaller nozzle diameter (3 mm) is used (16.7–35.4 mg kg−1; DPPH increases 36%), but no differences are observed when changing the screw speed. It is remarkable that the use of the whole pistachio (with its shell) helps to greatly enrich the oil in aromatic volatile compounds by up to 135%, with terpenes being the main family (e.g., 38.6–90.9 mg kg−1). Phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity are higher in the residual cake when a higher processing temperature is used, for example, from 7260 to 12 250 mg kg−1 (at 40 and 130 °C, respectively). This result indicates their potential use as functional ingredients in food formulations.

Practical Applications: The edible oil market is expanding and creating new products, where nut oils are gaining space in the preferences of consumers. In this sense, the study of the effect of different oil extraction conditions on the minor composition may help to produce VPOs with a higher bioactive compound content and/or with desired organoleptic characteristics.

Virgin nut oils are minimally processed foods characterized by their typical aroma, taste, and minor bioactive compounds depending on the extraction and processing methods employed. Different technological conditions are studied using a screw‐press expeller to produce added value pistachio virgin oils and their residual cakes.
Biochar: A Low‐cost Electrode Modifier for Electrocatalytic, Sensitive and Selective Detection of Similar Organic Compounds
Authors: Ferreira Priscila Alves , Backes Rafael , Martins Cauê Alves , de Carvalho Cláudio Teodoro , da Silva Rodrigo Amorim Bezerra
Published: August 2018

This work proposes for the first time the use of biochar (BC) as a cost‐effective electrode modifier for simultaneous electroanalysis of similar organic compounds. BCs were prepared from Babassu petiole pyrolysis at five temperatures (500–900 °C) and characterized by FTIR, SEM, TG‐DTA and BET., which presented amorphous shapes with relative high surface areas (280–396 m2 g−1) and polar surface groups (T<700 °C). As a proof of concept, BC‐modified glassy carbon electrodes (BC/GCE) were studied using ferrocyanide probe and evaluated towards the simultaneous detection of catechol and hydroquinone (isomers), levofloxacin and norfloxacin (analogous structure), and tert‐butylhydroquinone and butylated hydroxyanisole. In all cases, BC improved the peak‐to‐peak separation, sensitivity and electrocatalytic activity, which highlights BC as a promising modifier to be used in simultaneous determinations of organic compounds with similar peak potentials.
Preparing adult learners for collegiate success starts at orientation
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: August 2018

Your institution's new‐student orientation is the first step to setting up students for a successful academic career and path to graduation. Is your institution optimizing this opportunity to ensure that students are not only prepared for life at your institution, but also retain key points months after orientation? And how do you cater to the needs of your different student groups, who expect different types of information at orientation?
Recruiting heroes to campus: Crafting powerful narratives to drive enrollment
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: August 2018

Here's a familiar scenario: Your institution shells out money on marketing and digital initiatives that result in a high number of inquiries and click‐throughs on your website, but little to no return in enrollment numbers. If that sounds familiar, the problem may not be your outreach — it may be that you're not telling a cohesive story about your institution that immediately connects with prospective students.
The soft power of Confucius Institutes
Authors: Dennis Marguerite J.
Published: August 2018

Many of you reading this article may already have a Confucius Institute on your campuses. And some of you may be considering entering into an agreement with the Chinese government to bring a Confucius Institute to your campus. Either way, I think the information in this article will be of interest to you.
Occurrence, evolution and ice content of ice‐debris complexes in the Ak‐Shiirak, Central Tien Shan revealed by geophysical and remotely‐sensed investigations
Authors: Bolch T. , Rohrbach N. , Kutuzov S. , Robson B.A. , Osmonov A.
Published: August 2018

Rock glaciers and large ice‐debris complexes are common in many mountain ranges and are especially prominent in semi‐arid mountains such as the Andes or the Tien Shan. These features contain a significant amount of ice but their occurrence and evolution are not well known. Here, we present an inventory of the ice‐debris complexes for the Ak‐Shiirak, Tien Shan's second largest glacierised massif, and a holistic methodology to investigate two characteristic and large ice‐debris complexes in detail based on field investigations and remote sensing analysis using Sentinel‐1 SAR data, 1964 Corona and recent high resolution stereo images. Overall, we found 74 rock glaciers and ice‐debris complexes covering an area of 11.2 km2 (3.2% of the glacier coverage) with a mean elevation of about 3950 m asl. Most of the complexes are located south‐east of the main ridge of Ak‐Shiirak. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements reveal high ice content with the occurrence of massif debris‐covered dead‐ice bodies in the parts within the Little Ice Age glacier extent. These parts showed significant surface lowering, in some places exceeding 20 m between 1964 and 2015. The periglacial parts are characterised by complex rock glaciers of different ages. These rock glaciers could be remnants of debris‐covered ice located in permafrost conditions. They show stable surface elevations with no or only very low surface movement. However, the characteristics of the fronts of most rock glacier parts indicate slight activity and elevation gains at the fronts slight advances. GPR data indicated less ice content and slanting layers which coincide with the ridges and furrows and could mainly be formed by glacier advances under permafrost conditions. Overall, the ice content is decreasing from the upper to the lower part of the ice‐debris complexes. Hence, these complexes, and especially the glacier‐affected parts, should be considered when assessing the hydrological impacts of climate change. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of chronic toxicity of sodium chloride or potassium chloride to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) in water exposures using standard and refined toxicity testing methods
Authors: Wang Ning , Kunz James L. , Dorman Rebecca A. , Ingersoll Christopher G. , Steevens Jeffery A. , Hammer Edward J. , Bauer Candice R.
Published: August 2018

Freshwater mussels are generally underrepresented in toxicity databases used to derive water quality criteria, especially for long-term exposures. Multiple tests were conducted to determine the chronic toxicity of sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl) to a unionid mussel (fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea). Initially, a 4-wk NaCl test and a 4-wk KCl test were conducted starting with 2-mo-old mussels in water exposures with and without a thin layer of sand substrate. A feeding study was conducted later to refine test conditions for longer-term 12-wk exposures, and 3 chronic NaCl tests were then conducted following the refined method to assess the influence of test duration (4–12 wk) and age of organisms (starting age ∼1 wk to 2 mo) on mussel sensitivity. Biomass (total dry wt of surviving mussels in a replicate) was generally a more sensitive endpoint compared to survival and growth (length and dry wt). In the 4-wk NaCl or KCl test started with 2-mo-old juveniles, a 20% effect concentration (EC20) based on biomass (264 mg Cl/L from the NaCl test or 8.7 mg K/L from the KCl test) in the exposure with sand was 2-fold lower than the EC20 in the exposure without sand. The longer-term 12-wk NaCl tests started with the 1-wk-old and 2-mo-old juveniles were successfully completed under refined test conditions based on the feeding study, and younger juveniles were more sensitive to NaCl than older juveniles. The NaCl toxicity did not substantially change with extended exposure periods from 4 to 12 wk, although the 4-wk EC20s for biomass were slightly greater (up to 37%) than the 12-wk EC20s in the 2 longer-term exposures. Including the toxicity data from the present study into existing databases would rank fatmucket the most sensitive species to KCl and the second most sensitive species to NaCl for all freshwater organisms. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:3050–3062. Published 2018 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Positive and balancing selection onSLC18A1gene associated with psychiatric disorders and human-unique personality traits
Authors: Sato Daiki X. , Kawata Masakado
Published: August 2018

Maintenance of genetic variants susceptible to psychiatric disorders is one of the intriguing evolutionary enigmas. The present study detects three psychiatric disorder-relevant genes (CLSTN2, FAT1, and SLC18A1) that have been under positive selection during the human evolution. In particular, SLC18A1 (vesicular monoamine transporter 1; VMAT1) gene has a human-unique variant (rs1390938, Thr136Ile), which is associated with bipolar disorders and/or the anxiety-related personality traits. 136Ile shows relatively high (20–61%) frequency in non-African populations, and Tajima's D reports a significant peak around the Thr136Ile site, suggesting that this polymorphism has been positively maintained by balancing selection in non-African populations. Moreover, Coalescent simulations predict that 136Ile originated around 100,000 years ago, the time being generally associated with the Out-of-Africa migration of modern humans. Our study sheds new light on a gene in monoamine pathway as a strong candidate contributing to human-unique psychological traits.
A new chronostratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental framework for the end of the Messinian salinity crisis in the Sorbas Basin (Betic Cordillera, southern Spain)
Authors: Roveri Marco , Gennari Rocco , Persico Davide , Rossi Francesco Paolo , Lugli Stefano , Manzi Vinicio , Reghizzi Matteo , Taviani Marco
Published: August 2018

New palaeontologic, sedimentologic, and Sr isotope data allow to reconstruct a high‐resolution chronostratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental framework of the continental‐marine transition at the Miocene–Pliocene boundary in the Sorbas Basin (Betic Cordillera, South‐eastern Spain). The presence ofReticulofenestra zancleana,Ceratolithus acutus, andR. pseudoumbilicusin a marine horizon sharply overlying the continental deposits of the Zorreras Member indicates that the Messinian salinity crisis ended in the Sorbas Basin synchronously with the other Mediterranean basins at the base of the Zanclean, within the MNN12a biozone. Our results suggest that the Zanclean flooding turned the Sorbas Basin into a shallow bay with limited exchange with the main Mediterranean basin, probably through narrow seaways connecting also the Almeria, Nijar, and Vera basins. Our results do not confirm previous hypotheses envisaging an older age for the return to fully marine conditions in the Sorbas Basin and is in a good agreement with the reconstructions suggesting that the Zorreras Mb. continental deposits are the local time‐equivalent of the latest Messinian Lago‐Mare phase during the last stage of the salinity crisis.
Facies and platform development of a microbe‐dominated carbonate platform: The Zhangxia Formation (Drumian, Cambrian Series 3), Shandong Province, China
Authors: Woo Jusun , Kim Young‐Hwan S. , Chough Sung Kwun
Published: August 2018

Microbial carbonate has been increasingly recognized as an important player for sediment production and building up of organosedimentary deposits. The integrated spatio‐temporal pattern of microbial facies is important for understanding carbonate production processes in a carbonate platform. This paper focuses on the sedimentary facies and development of a microbe‐dominated platform in the Cambrian North China Platform (the Zhangxia Formation of the Cambrian Series 3) in Shandong Province, China. In the entire Zhangxia platform, deposition started with oolite‐dominated shoal‐lagoon system with rare microbialites. The shoal‐lagoon system in the western part of the study area kept up with sea‐level rise and formed a flat‐topped platform, whereas that in the eastern part failed to keep up and thus drowned. The platform top then changed to a microbe‐dominated carbonate platform consisting of thrombolite, stromatolite, dendrolite, and Epiphyton framestone. The initial significant microbialites were biohermal thrombolite and dendrolites, which subsequently changed into wider biostromal forms. The morphologic change was largely due to initial rapid rise in sea level and the following deceleration. Extensive biostromes of laterally coalesced thrombolite–Epiphyton bioherms occur in the shale‐dominated eastern part. These microbialites then perished by platform‐wide drowning. The vast initial development of microbialite facies of the Zhangxia Formation in the Shandong area was important for the establishment of an extensive microbialite‐dominated carbonate factory made by combination of an absence of reef‐building metazoans and possible transition of seawater chemistry from aragonite sea to calcite sea in the Cambrian Series 3. It is comparable to the other carbonate environments lacking dominant metazoan reef builders after the mass extinctions.
Cerebellar development and its mediation role in cognitive planning in childhood
Authors: Kipping Judy A. , Xie Yingyao , Qiu Anqi
Published: August 2018

Recent evidence suggests that the cerebellum contributes not only to the planning and execution of movement but also to the high‐order cognitive planning. Childhood is a critical period for development of the cerebellum and cognitive planning. This study aimed (a) to examine the development of cerebellar morphology and microstructure and (b) to examine the cerebellar mediation roles in the relationship between age and cognitive planning in 6‐ to 10‐year‐old children (n = 126). We used an anatomical parcellation to quantify cerebellar regional gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes, and WM microstructure, including fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD). We assessed planning ability using the Stockings of Cambridge (SOC) task in all children. We revealed (a) a measure‐specific anterior‐to‐posterior gradient of the cerebellar development in childhood, that is, smaller GM volumes and greater WM FA of the anterior segment of the cerebellum but larger GM volumes and lower WM FA in the posterior segment of the cerebellum in older children; (b) an age‐related improvement of the SOC performance at the most demanding level of five‐move problems; and (c) a mediation role of the lateral cerebellar WM volumes in age‐related improvement in the SOC performance in childhood. These results highlight the differential development of the cerebellum during childhood and provide evidence that brain adaptation to the acquisition of planning ability during childhood could partially be achieved through the engagement of the lateral cerebellum.
Health care utilization at retirement: The role of the opportunity cost of time
Authors: Lucifora Claudio , Vigani Daria
Published: August 2018

We investigate the causal impact of retirement on health care utilization using SHARE data for 10 European countries. We show that the number of doctor's visits and the probability of visiting a doctor more than four times a year (our measures of health care utilization) increase after retirement. The increase in health care utilization is found to depend mainly on the years spent in retirement, suggesting that adjustment may take time. We find evidence of heterogeneous effects by gender and across different patterns of time use prior to retirement (i.e., working long hours and combined work and out‐of‐work activities). Overall, the empirical findings suggest that the increase in health care utilization is consistent with the decrease in the opportunity cost of time faced by individuals when they retire.
Discovery of the Novel Entecavir‐Resistant Hepatitis B Virus Reverse Transcriptase A181C Substitution From an Integrated Genotypic Analysis
Authors: Rose Ronald E. , Hernandez Dennis , Falk Paul J. , Ericson Karen , Zhou Nannan , Thiry Alexandra , McPhee Fiona
Published: August 2018

Entecavir (ETV) is a first‐line therapy for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV), demonstrating potent suppression of HBV DNA and a high barrier to viral resistance. Previous studies revealed that ETV‐resistant (ETVr) HBV DNA resulted from substitutions in the HBV reverse transcriptase (RT) at positions rtT184, rtS202, or rtM250 in combination with lamivudine resistance (LVDr) substitutions rtM204I/V±rtL180M. In vitro, viral variants exhibit varying degrees of ETV susceptibility and replication capacity depending on specific resistance substitutions. To explore the potential for additional pathways to ETVr, HBV RT sequences from 982 evaluable patients enrolled in 17 ETV clinical studies were analyzed. Thirty novel emergent substitutions at amino acid positions not previously associated with HBV nucleos(t)ide drug resistance were observed in at least 2 patients and were identified in patient‐derived HBV with a wild‐type, LVDr, or ETVr RT sequence. Phenotypic analysis of these substitutions indicated that they had no effect on ETV susceptibility. Phenotypic analysis was also performed on patient‐derived HBV RT sequences from 10 LVD‐naive and 13 LVD‐experienced patients with virologic breakthrough and emergent novel substitutions while on ETV treatment. One LVD‐experienced patient‐derived HBV RT harboring LVDr substitutions rtL180M+rtM204V with rtA181C displayed reduced ETV susceptibility (122‐fold greater than wild‐type HBV) and remained susceptible to adefovir and tenofovir. HBV harboring the rtA181C substitution without LVDr substitutions rtL180M+rtM204V remained susceptible to inhibition by ETV, adefovir, and tenofovir, although cross‐resistance to LVD and telbivudine was observed. Conclusion: An integrated genotypic analysis of HBV RT sequences from patients with chronic HBV treated with ETV led to the discovery of the novel ETVr substitution rtA181C. This substitution was always detected in combination with LVDr substitutions rtL180M+rtM204V in ETV‐treated patients.
Subject‐specific hand grip fatigability indicator determined using parameter identification technique
Authors: Liu Bin , Ma Liang , Zhang Wei , Zhang Zhanwu
Published: August 2018

During hand grip operations, the fatigability of the local muscle determines the antifatigue capacity and influences the risk of injury of the workers. This study proposes a new hand grip subject‐specific fatigability indicator using a parameter identification technique from a physiologically based muscle fatigue model. Experimental measurements were conducted in a laboratorial fatiguing operation with a fixed external load (5 kg) under a static posture. Sixty participants (30 males and 30 females) participated in the experiment. Subject‐specific hand muscle fatigue rates (k) were identified by performing regressions of the muscle strength during time intervals using the muscle fatigue model. The majority (46/60) of the goodness of fit statistics (R2) was over 0.70, which indicates the validity of using the fatigue rate (k) as a hand grip fatigability indicator. Individual differences in the hand grip fatigue rate (k) were substantial, ranging from 0.14 to 2.57 min−1 with a coefficient of variation of 59.0%. The gender effect and body mass index did not exhibit significant influences on the hand grip muscle fatigue rates (k).
Long‐term results of the risk‐stratified treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in China
Authors: Shen Shuhong , Cai Jiaoyang , Chen Jing , Xue Huiliang , Pan Ci , Gao Yijin , Tang Yanjing , Wang Jianmin , Li Benshang , Wang Xiang , Chen Jing , Gu Longjun , Tang Jingyan
Published: August 2018

Long‐term follow‐up data for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are scarce in China because of lacking population‐based and hospitalized registry system. This retrospective study, conducted at Shanghai's Children's Medical Center in China (SCMC), aimed to investigate the long‐term results of childhood ALL and to identify prognostic factors. The Pediatric Oncology Network Database, designed by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, USA, were used to collect data for the enrolled patients starting in 2005. From 2005 to 2014, 1085 evaluable patients with ALL aged 1 to 18 years old were enrolled and treated using SCMC‐ALL‐2005 risk‐stratified protocol. Complete remission was achieved in 95.6% of patients. At 5 and 10 years, the event‐free survival rate was 68.3 ± 1.4% and 64.6 ± 1.6%, and the overall survival rate was 80.0 ± 1.2% and 76.3 ± 1.6%, respectively. The 5‐year event‐free survival rates were 81.8 ± 2.0%, 67.0 ± 1.9%, and 14.3 ± 4.0% for patients in low‐risk, intermediate‐risk, and high‐risk groups, respectively. The cumulative risk of relapse was 24.5% at 10 years. Induction failure conferred worse prognosis. Patients younger than 1 year of age at diagnosis, intermediate‐risk/high‐risk group, male gender, and positive minimal residual disease (MRD) results at day 55, both in the univariate and multivariate analysis, were associated with significantly worse prognosis (P < .05). Patients with positive MRD at both day 35 and day 55 were related to a significantly poor outcome (P < .0001), but not for patients with negitive MRD at day 35. The overall outcomes for ALL patients treated with protocol SCMC‐ALL‐2005 in SCMC are lower than in developed countries. Factors including age, gender, risk group and MRD results at day 55 were associated with treatment outcomes in childhood ALL.
Human resource management in Chinese multinationals in the United Kingdom: The interplay of institutions, culture, and strategic choice
Authors: Khan Zaheer , Wood Geoffrey , Tarba Shlomo Y. , Rao‐Nicholson Rekha , He Shaowei
Published: August 2018

This is a study of the challenges faced by Chinese expatriate managers and their strategic responses in securing a workable degree of alignment in UK subsidiaries, against a backdrop of competing home‐country and host‐country pressures. Although much of the literature on home‐country and host‐country effects tends to either adopt a culture or an institutional approach, this study highlights the intermeshed nature of the two. In locating cultural dynamics within an institutional firmament, this study juxtaposes the effects of each and draws conclusions as to their intersection. It is founded on in‐depth interviews with home‐country and host‐country managers. The findings suggest, on the one hand, Chinese expatriate managers tended to see local regulations as an obstacle to efficiency, rather than as a means to access context‐specific complementarities. On the other hand, these managers recognized the need to fit in with established locally specific ways of doing things and in securing sufficient staff buy in to sustain operations, and played a key intermediary role between headquarters and subsidiary.
Fine mapping of 2q35 high‐risk neuroblastoma locus reveals independent functional risk variants and suggests full‐length BARD1 as tumor‐suppressor
Authors: Cimmino Flora , Avitabile Marianna , Diskin Sharon J. , Vaksman Zalman , Pignataro Piero , Formicola Daniela , Cardinale Antonella , Testori Alessandro , Koster Jan , de Torres Carmen , Devoto Marcella , Maris John M. , Iolascon Achille , Capasso Mario
Published: August 2018

A previous genome‐wide association study (GWAS) identified common variation at the BARD1 locus as being highly associated with susceptibility to high‐risk neuroblastoma, but the mechanisms underlying this association have been not extensively investigated.

Here, we performed a fine mapping analysis of BARD1 locus (2q35) using GWAS data from 556 high‐risk neuroblastoma patients and 2,575 controls of European‐American ancestry, and identified two independent genome‐wide neuroblastoma‐associated loci. Functional single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) prioritization identified two causative variants that independently contributed to neuroblastoma risk, and each replicated robustly in multiple independent cohorts comprising 445 high‐risk cases and 3,170 controls (rs17489363: combined p = 1.07 × 10−31, OR:1.79, 95% CI:1.62–1.98 and rs1048108: combined p = 7.27 × 10−14, OR:0.65, 95% CI:0.58–0.73). Particularly, the T risk allele of rs17489363 in the canonical promoter region of full‐length BARD1 altered binding site of the transcription factor HSF1 and correlated with low expression of full‐length BARD1 mRNA and protein. Low‐level expression of full‐length BARD1 associated with advanced neuroblastoma. In human neuroblastoma cells, attenuating full‐length BARD1 increased proliferation and invasion capacity. In conclusion, we have identified two potentially causative SNPs at the BARD1 locus associated with predisposition to high‐risk neuroblastoma, and have shown that full‐length BARD1 may act as tumor suppressor.
Health impact of delayed implementation of cervical cancer screening programs in India: A modeling analysis
Authors: Campos Nicole G. , Tsu Vivien , Jeronimo Jose , Regan Catherine , Resch Stephen , Clark Andrew , Sy Stephen , Kim Jane J.
Published: August 2018

India has the highest burden of cervical cancer in the world. To estimate the consequences of delaying implementation of organized cervical cancer screening, we projected the avertable burden of disease under different implementation scenarios of a screening program. We used an individual‐based microsimulation model of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer calibrated to epidemiologic data from India to project age‐specific cancer incidence and mortality reductions associated with screening (once‐in‐a‐lifetime among women aged 30–34 years) with one‐visit visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and one‐ and two‐visit HPV DNA testing. We then applied these reductions to a population model to project the lifetime cervical cancer cases and deaths averted under different implementation scenarios taking place from 2017 to 2026: (1) immediate implementation of screening with currently available screening tests (one‐visit VIA, two‐visit HPV testing); (2) immediate implementation of screening with currently available screening tests, with a switch to point‐of‐care one‐visit HPV testing in 5 years; and (3) 5‐year delayed implementation of screening with current screening tests or point‐of‐care HPV testing. Immediate implementation of two‐visit HPV testing with a switch to one‐visit HPV testing averted 574,100 cases and 382,500 deaths over the lifetimes of 81.4 million 30‐ to 34‐year‐old women screened once between 2017 and 2026. Delayed implementation with a one‐visit HPV test averted 209,300 cases and 139,100 deaths. Delaying implementation of screening programs in high‐burden settings will result in substantial morbidity and mortality among women beyond the age for adolescent HPV vaccination.
Whole exome and target sequencing identifies MAP2K5 as novel susceptibility gene for familial non‐medullary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Ye Feng , Gao Hongwei , Xiao Lin , Zuo Zhixiang , Liu Yueping , Zhao Qi , Chen Huijiao , Feng Weiyi , Fu Bo , Sun Linyong , Jiang Xiaolin , He Du , Jiang He , Yang Mei , Li Li , Chen Fei , Liu Xiang , Li Shuang , Li Zhihui , Jiang Yong , Cheng Liang , Bu Hong
Published: August 2018

Although the genotype–phenotype for familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC) is well studied, only few low susceptibility risk loci were identified for familial non‐medullary thyroid carcinoma (FNMTC). The aim of this study is to screen and identify high‐penetrate genes for FNMTC. A total of 34 families with more than two first‐degree relatives diagnosed as papillary thyroid cancer without other familial syndrome were recruited. Whole exome and target gene sequencing were performed for candidate variants. These variants were screened and analyzed with ESP6500, ExAC, 1000 genomes project, and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) with SIFT score and Polyphen2 prediction. Finally, we identified recurrent genetic mutation of MAP2K5 variants c.G961A and c.T1100C (p. A321T and p.M367 T) as susceptibility loci for FNMTC. The frequencies of MAP2K5 c.G961A and c.T1100C were found, 0.0385 and 0.0259 in FNMTC and 0 and 0.00022523 in healthy Chinese controls (n = 2200, P < 0.001), respectively. Both variants were located in the protein kinase domain. The functional study showed that MAP2K5 A321T or M367 T could consistently phosphorylate downstream protein ERK5 on site Ser731 + Thr733 or Ser496, promoting nuclear translocation and subsequently altering target gene expressions. Our data revealed that MAP2K5 variants A321T or M367 T can activate MAP2K5–ERK5 pathway, alter downstream gene expression, and subsequently induce thyroid epithelial cell malignant transformation. While classic MAP2K1/2(MEK1/2)–ERK1/2 signaling is well known for driving sporadic NMTC, our research indicated that MAP2K5 (MEK5) is a susceptibility gene for FNMTC. These findings highlight the potential application of MAP2K5 for molecular diagnosis as well as early prevention.
Machine learning approach for homolog chromosome classification
Authors: Somasundaram Devaraj
Published: August 2018

Automated analysis of human chromosomes is a necessary procedure to attain karyotyping and it is highly effective in cytology analysis to detect birth defects in metaspread chromosomes. In this, chromosomes are partitioned into “abnormal” and “normal” categories. However, the success of most traditional classification methods relies on the presence of accurate chromosome segmentation. Despite many years of research in this field, accurate segmentation and classification remains a challenge in the presence of cell clusters and pathologies. Many classification methods focused on hand crafted features, such as length, centromere positions. In this manuscript, proposed method focused on chromosome classification based on deep features using convolutional neural network. It is subsequently trained on various chromosome datasets consisting of adaptively resampled image patches. In the testing phase, average the prediction scores of a similar set of image patches is performed. The proposed method is evaluated on different overlapped, nonoverlapped chromosomes and normal, abnormal datasets. Proposed method better performs than previous algorithms in classification accuracy with 98.7%, area under the curve AUC is 0.97 values, and abnormality detection accuracy is 98.4%.
Evidence for Lgr6 as a Novel Marker of Osteoblastic Progenitors in Mice
Authors: Khedgikar Vikram , Lehoczky Jessica A
Published: August 2018

Bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells are an important source of osteoblasts critical for both bone homeostasis and repair. The ability to isolate, or specifically target, mesenchymal stem cells committed to the osteogenic lineage is necessary for orthopedic translational therapy efforts; however the precise molecular signature of these cells remains elusive. Previously, we identified a population of osteoprogenitor cells expressing the Wnt signaling agonist Lgr6, which contributes to the development and regeneration of the mouse digit tip bone. In our present study we build upon this data and investigate the expression of Lgr6 more broadly in the skeleton. We find that Lgr6, and closely related Lgr4, are expressed in mouse primary calvarial cells, bone marrow cells, and bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, our data demonstrates that Lgr4 expression is modestly increased throughout the differentiation and mineralization of mesenchymal stem cells. In contrast, we find Lgr6 expression to be strikingly increased upon osteogenic induction and subsequently decreased upon differentiation and mineralization. These findings provide evidence for Lgr6 as a novel marker of osteoprogenitor cells in bone marrow, which could prove useful for isolation of this population toward future research and clinical applications. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Continuing Challenges in Advancing Preclinical Science in Skeletal Cell-Based Therapies and Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Featherall Joseph , Robey Pamela G , Rowe David W
Published: August 2018

Cell-based therapies hold much promise for musculoskeletal medicine; however, this rapidly growing field faces a number of challenges. Few of these therapies have proven clinical benefit, and an insufficient regulatory environment has allowed for widespread clinical implementation without sufficient evidence of efficacy. The technical and biological complexity of cell-based therapies has contributed to difficulties with reproducibility and mechanistic clarity. In order to aid in addressing these challenges, we aim to clarify the key issues in the preclinical cell therapy field, and to provide a conceptual framework for advancing the state of the science. Broadly, these suggestions relate to: (i) delineating cell-therapy types and moving away from “catch-all” terms such as “stem cell” therapies; (ii) clarifying descriptions of cells and their processing; and (iii) increasing the standard of in vivo evaluation of cell-based therapy experiments to determining cell fates. Further, we provide an overview of methods for experimental evaluation, data sharing, and professional society participation that would be instrumental in advancing this field. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Silencing CTGF/CCN2 inactivates the MAPK signaling pathway to alleviate myocardial fibrosis and left ventricular hypertrophy in rats with dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Hong Lang , Lai Heng‐Li , Fang Yan , Tao Yu , Qiu Yun
Published: August 2018

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by left ventricular dilation associated with systolic dysfunction. The purpose of the current study is to clarify the effect of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) on myocardial fibrosis and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) of rats with DCM through the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. First, DCM rat models were established and sh‐CTGF/CCN2 lentiviral expression vectors were constructed. Then, by observing the pathological changes and myocardial ultrastructure as well as detecting cardiac functions, myocardial fibrosis, and LVH of rats, the effect of CTGF/CCN2 gene silencing on rats with DCM was investigated. To further explore how CTGF/CCN2 gene silencing affects rats with DCM, the expression of CTGF/CCN2 and the related genes of the MAPK signaling pathway was detected. Sh‐CTGF/CCN2‐2 and sh‐CTGF/CCN2‐3 with lower CTGF/CCN2 expression were selected for further experimentation. CTGF/CCN2 gene silencing improved cardiac function and alleviated myocardial fibrosis and LVH of rats with DCM. It was also verified that CTGF/CCN2 gene silencing could relieve the pathology of rats with DCM by inactivation of the MAPK signaling pathway. We conclude that CTGF/CCN2 gene silencing inhibits the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway, thus decreases myocardial fibrosis and LVH, and then improves the pathological symptoms of DCM in rats.
GW0742 activates peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor δ to reduce free radicals and alleviate cardiac hypertrophy induced by hyperglycemia in cultured H9c2 cells
Authors: Cheng Kai‐Chun , Chang Wei‐Ting , Li Yingxiao , Cheng Yung‐Ze , Cheng Juei‐Tang , Chen Zhih‐Cherng
Published: August 2018

Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor δ (PPARδ), the predominant PPAR subtype in the heart, is known to regulate cardiac function. PPARδ activation may inhibit cardiac hypertrophy in H9c2 cells while the potential mechanism has not been elucidated. Then, H9c2 cells incubated with high glucose to induce hypertrophy were used to investigate using GW0742 to activate PPARδ. The fluorescence assays were applied to determine the changes in cell size, cellular calcium levels, and free radicals. Western blot analyses for hypertrophic signals and assays of messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for hypertrophic biomarkers were performed. In H9c2 cells, GW0742 inhibited cardiac hypertrophy. In addition, increases in cellular calcium and hypertrophic signals, including calcineurin and nuclear factor of activated T‐cells, were reduced by GW0742. This reduction was parallel to the decrease in the mRNA levels of biomarkers, such as brain/B‐type natriuretic peptides and β‐myosin heavy chain. These effects of GW0742 were dose‐dependently inhibited by GSK0660 indicating an activation of PPARδ by GW0742 to alleviate cardiac hypertrophy. Moreover, free radicals produced by hyperglycemia were also markedly inhibited by GW0742 and were later reversed by GSK0660. GW0742 promoted the expression of thioredoxin, an antioxidant enzyme. Direct inhibition of reactive oxygen species by GW0742 was also identified in the oxidant potassium bromate stimulated H9c2 cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that PPARδ agonists can inhibit free radicals, resulting in lower cellular calcium for reduction of hypertrophic signaling to alleviate cardiac hypertrophy in H9c2 cells. Therefore, PPARδ activation can be used to develop agent(s) for treating cardiac hypertrophy.