bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Different Potting Media on Sprouting, Survival and Growth Performance of Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.) Cuttings
Authors: Phule Sucheta S. , Khanvilkar M. H. , Dalvi N. V. , Kulkarni M. M. , Dhopavkar R. V. , Pawar P. R.
Published: September 2024

The present investigation on “Effect of different potting media on bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.) cuttings’’was carried out during academic year 2023-24 at College of Horticulture, Dapoli, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Maharashtra, India. The experiment was laid down in Randomized Block Design (RBD) replicated thrice with eight treatments. The maximum number of sprouts (3.10), sprouting percentage (95.00), survival percentage (88.33), plant height (56.76 cm), relative growth rate (0.0068 cm/cm/day) were recorded in treatment T8 i.e. Soil + Sand + FYM +Vermicompost (1:1:1:). The combination of soil, sand, FYM, vermicompost showed better performance for sprouting, survival and growth parameters.
Replacement of Soybean Meal with Rice Distiller’s Dried Grains with Soluble in Layer Diet on Chicken Egg Quality
Authors: Khose K. K. , Adkine A. C. , Nikam M. G. , Gangane G. R. , Waghmare R. N. , Munde V. K.
Published: September 2024

The experiment was conducted on 144 layers of BV- 300 strain from age of 59th week and completed at 70th week for the period of 12 weeks to study the replacement of soybean meal with rice distiller’s dried grains with soluble (rDDGS) in layer diet on egg quality parameters. The egg weight, shape index, egg surface area, albumin index, yolk index, yolk color score, percent eggshell weight and eggshell thickness parameters were studied. The layer birds were randomly distributed into 4 equal treatments T1 (Control), T2, T3 and T4 with 36-layer birds in each group having 6 replicates of 6 layers each. The control group T1 fed basal layer ration as per the recommendation of BV-300-layer strain and treatment groups T2, T3 and T4 offered 5, 10 and 15% rDDGS inclusion levels replacing soybean meal in diet and recorded for egg quality parameters. It was observed that, the inclusion of rDDGS at 0, 5, 10 and 15% in treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively, in layer diets were non-significantly influenced on shape index, egg surface area, albumin index, yolk index, yolk colour score, percent eggshell weight and eggshell thickness. The egg weights were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in treatment group T4 receiving diet at 15% rDDGS as compared to control group T1 and treatment group T2. However, there was non-significant differences for egg weight in groups T1, T2 and T3. Thus, it was concluded that the rice distiller’s dried grains with soluble (rDDGS) can be included up to 10% in layer diet with replacing soybean meal without affecting the body weights, external and internal egg quality parameters like eggshell weight, shape index, egg surface area, albumin index, yolk index, yolk colour score, egg surface area and eggshell thickness.
Effectiveness of Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors in Reducing Cardiovascular Mortality in Heart Failure: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Mahmood Arhum , Abid Marium , Ray Rubela , Sikander Azam , Nureen Uzma , Shah Syed Muhammad Rehman , Masmoum Raneem , Altaf Shaf A. , Mohiuddin Sumaiyya , Essani Binish , Ullah Imdad
Published: September 2024

Cardiac dysfunction or heart failure (HF) continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally with more than 64 million affected people. Despite advancements in pharmacotherapy, patients with heart failure (HF) continue to face significant risks of mortality and hospitalization due to cardiovascular disease. Clinical trials in the last few years have demonstrated that SGLT2 inhibitors initially used for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus have been beneficial for the reduction of cardiovascular events in patients with HF regardless of their diabetes status. This systematic review and meta-analysis use data from RCTs and observational study to assess the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalization. The study findings suggest a 16% decrease in cardiovascular mortality and a 24% decrease in HF related hospitalizations among the patients receiving SGLT2 inhibitors. The findings from the present study are suggestive of offering primacy to SGLT2 inhibitors in heart failure treatment as it has benefits more than the glycemic regulation. These outcomes have significant implications for the approach toward clinical treatments and establish a significant focus for further studies concerning the long-term outcomes of such therapies in different patient groups.
The Impact of Integrated Weed Management Practices on Nutrient Uptake in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Rastogi Mausmi , Vivek  , Dhyani B.P. , Kumar Mukesh , Singh Adesh , Verma Shikhar
Published: September 2024

The study investigated the impact of integrated weed management practices on nutrient uptake in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and weeds at 90 days after transplanting (DAT) over the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons at the Crop Research Centre (CRC) farm of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut. Various weed control strategies, including the application of pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides combined with manual weeding, were evaluated for their effectiveness in enhancing the uptake of essential nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) by rice, while also reducing nutrient loss to weeds. Among the strategies tested, the combination of Pyrazosulfuron at 150 g active ingredient per hectare (a.i. ha⁻¹) as a pre-emergence herbicide and Penoxsulam at 22 g a.i. ha⁻¹ as a post-emergence herbicide, supplemented with one manual weeding at 40 DAT, proved to be the most effective. This approach resulted in the highest nutrient uptake by rice and the lowest nutrient uptake by weeds. In this treatment, nitrogen uptake in the rice grains reached 62.7 kg per hectare in 2022 and 67.4 kg per hectare in 2023, significantly outperforming other treatments. The weed-free treatment, which involved complete weed eradication, also demonstrated high nutrient absorption, highlighting the importance of thorough weed control for optimal rice growth. Conversely, the untreated weedy check, where no weed control was implemented, led to the highest nutrient uptake by weeds, severely limiting the availability of nutrients for the rice crop. Manual weeding alone, without the use of herbicides, showed moderate effectiveness but was less efficient compared to the integrated approach combining herbicides and hand weeding.
Cancer Metabolism
Authors: Pavlova Natalya N. , Thompson Craig B.
Published: November 2016

Overview

Successful cell proliferation is dependent on a profound remodeling of cellular metabolism, required to support the biosynthetic needs of a growing cell. Constitutive signaling through aberrantly activated oncogenes activates pro‐growth metabolic circuits that can lock cancer cells into net macromolecular synthesis and resistance to cell death. Oncogenic signaling can induce cellular uptake of metabolic substrates, such as glucose and glutamine, as well as utilization of unconventional nutrient sources. In contrast to nonproliferating tissues, which preferentially oxidize acquired metabolic substrates in mitochondria to fuel the oxidative phosphorylation and energy production, cancer cells prioritize the use of acquired metabolic substrates in anabolic processes, including fatty acid, cholesterol, nonessential amino acid, and nucleotide biosynthesis. The accumulation of these precursors supports the synthesis of the macromolecules necessary to sustain cell growth. Oncogene‐directed increases in levels of select metabolites can also influence cellular processes beyond metabolic circuits, resulting in changes to the cellular epigenetic state as well as long‐ranging effects on cells within the tumor microenvironment. Recent studies suggest these alterations in tumor cell metabolism can be exploited to improve the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of cancers.
Defying geometric similarity: Shape centralization in male UK offshore workers
Authors: Stewart Arthur D. , Ledingham Robert J. , Furnace Graham , Williams Hector , Nevill Alan M.
Published: November 2016

Objectives

Applying geometric similarity predictions of body dimensions to specific occupational groups has the potential to reveal useful ergonomic and health implications. This study assessed a representative sample of the male UK offshore workforce, and examined how body dimensions from sites typifying musculoskeletal development or fat accumulation, differed from predicted values.

Methods

A cross sectional sample was obtained across seven weight categories using quota sampling, to match the wider workforce. In total, 588 UK offshore workers, 84 from each of seven weight categories, were measured for stature, mass and underwent 3D body scans which yielded 22 dimensional measurements. Each measurement was modeled using a body‐mass power law (adjusting for age), to derive its exponent, which was compared against that predicted from geometric similarity.

Results

Mass scaled to stature 1.73 (CI: 1.44–2.02). Arm and leg volume increased by mass0.8, and torso volume increased by mass1.1 in contrast to mass 1.0 predicted by geometric similarity. Neck girth increased by mass 0.33 as expected, while torso girth and depth dimensions increased by mass0.53–0.72, all substantially greater than assumed by geometric similarity.

Conclusions

After controlling for age, offshore workers experience spectacular “super‐centralization” of body shape, with greatest gains in abdominal depth and girth dimensions in areas of fat accumulation, and relative dimensional loss in limbs. These findings are consistent with the antecedents of sarcopenic obesity, and should be flagged as a health concern for this workforce, and for future targeted research and lifestyle interventions.
Does arsenic increase the risk of neural tube defects among a highly exposed population? A new case–control study in Bangladesh
Authors: Mazumdar Maitreyi
Published: November 2016

Background

Neural tube defects are debilitating birth defects that occur when the developing neural plate fails to close in early gestation. Arsenic induces neural tube defects in animal models, but whether environmental arsenic exposure increases risk of neural tube defects in humans is unknown.

Methods

We describe a new case–control study in Bangladesh, a country currently experiencing an epidemic of arsenic poisoning through contaminated drinking water. We plan to understand how arsenic influences risk of neural tube defects in humans through mechanisms that include disruption of maternal glucose and folate metabolism, as well as epigenetic effects. We also investigate whether sweat chloride concentration, a potential new biomarker for arsenic toxicity, can be used to identify women at higher risk for having a child affected by neural tube defect. We will collect dural tissue from cases, obtained at the time of surgical closure of the defect, and believe investigation of these samples will provide insight into the epigenetic mechanisms by which prenatal arsenic exposure affects the developing nervous system.

Conclusion

These studies explore mechanisms by which arsenic may increase risk of neural tube defects in humans and use a unique population with high arsenic exposure to test hypotheses. If successful, these studies may assist countries with high arsenic exposure such as Bangladesh to identify populations at high risk of neural tube defects, as well as direct development of novel screening strategies for maternal risk.Birth Defects Research 109:92–98, 2017.© 2016 The Authors Birth Defects Research Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Artificial Co‐enzyme Based on the Viologen Skeleton for Highly Efficient CO2 Reduction to Formic Acid with Formate Dehydrogenase
Authors: Ikeyama Shusaku , Amao Yutaka
Published: November 2016

Formate dehydrogenase (FDH) is an attractive catalyst for the reduction of CO2 because CO2 is converted to formic acid by FDH at room temperature under normal pressure in neutral aqueous solution. The reduced form of methylviologen acts as an artificial co‐enzyme for FDH in the conversion of CO2 to formic acid. To improve the catalytic activity of FDH in reducing CO2, viologen derivatives with ionic groups were synthesized as effective artificial co‐enzymes for FDH. We used enzyme kinetic analysis to assess the effect of the ionic amino or carboxyl functional groups in the reduced form of the viologen derivatives on the catalytic activity of FDH with respect to the reduction of CO2. By using 1,1′‐diaminoethyl‐4,4′‐bipyridinium salt, which is the reduced form of a viologen derivative with two amino groups, we optimized the reduction of CO2 to formic acid with FDH. The catalytic efficiency value (kcat/Km) of the reduced form of 1,1′‐diaminoethyl‐4,4′‐bipyridinium salt was estimated to be more than 560 times larger than that of the natural co‐enzyme NADH. From the analysis result, the CO2 reduction was influenced by the ionic group of the viologen derivative.
Synthesis and Molecular Structure of 99Tc Corroles
Authors: Einrem Rune F. , Braband Henrik , Fox Thomas , Vazquez‐Lima Hugo , Alberto Roger , Ghosh Abhik
Published: November 2016

The first 99Tc corroles have been synthesized and fully characterized. A single‐crystal X‐ray structure of a 99TcO triarylcorrole revealed nearly identical geometry parameters as the corresponding ReO structure. A significant spectral shift between the Soret maxima of TcO (410–413 nm) and ReO (438–441 nm) corroles was observed and, based on two‐component spin–orbit ZORA TDDFT calculations, ascribed to relativistic effects in the Re case. The syntheses reported herein potentially pave the way toward 99mTc‐porphyrinoid‐based radiopharmaceuticals.
Detection of Proteins on Blot Membranes
Authors: Goldman Aaron , Harper Sandra , Speicher David W.
Published: November 2016

Staining of blot membranes enables the visualization of bound proteins. Proteins are usually transferred to blot membranes by electroblotting, by direct spotting of protein solutions, or by contact blots. Staining allows the efficiency of transfer to the membrane to be monitored. This unit describes protocols for staining proteins after electroblotting from polyacrylamide gels to blot membranes such as polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), nitrocellulose, or nylon membranes. The same methods can be used if proteins are directly spotted, either manually or using robotics. Protocols are included for seven general protein stains (amido black, Coomassie blue, Ponceau S, colloidal gold, colloidal silver, India ink, and MemCode) and three fluorescent protein stains (fluorescamine, IAEDANS, and SYPRO Ruby). Also included is an in‐depth discussion of the different blot membrane types and the compatibility of different protein stains with downstream applications, such as immunoblotting or N‐terminal Edman sequencing. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Study of Lightning Risk Evaluation of Distribution Systems
Authors: ISHIMOTO KAZUYUKI , ASAKAWA AKIRA , SHINDO TAKATOSHI
Published: November 2016

Recently, concept of the lightning risk management has been proposed for the minimization of damages caused by lightning. In distribution systems (power distribution lines, low‐voltage distribution lines, telecommunication lines, and customer appliances), lightning protection measures based on the lightning risk management are effective since the number of facilities is enormous. In this paper, for the establishment of lightning risk management method of distribution systems, we expressed the lightning risk assessment method of distribution systems and examined the influence of arrangement of customer house on the lightning risk values of power distribution lines and customer appliances.
Development of a chitosan‐based tissue‐engineered renal proximal tubule conduit
Authors: Chiang I‐Ni , Huang Wan‐Chen , Huang Chao‐Yuan , Pu Yeong‐Shiau , Young Tai‐Horng
Published: November 2016

Renal proximal tubule cells (RPTCs) are responsible for glomerular filtration and maintenance of water/electrolyte balance. To regenerate a proximal tubule, sufficient cell numbers and normal cell function are requisite. Collagen has been routinely used as a substrate for culturing human RPTCs (HRPTCs); however, the role of biomaterials has not been thoroughly explored. In this study, RPTCs retrieved from human nephrectomy/nephroureterectomy specimens were cultivated on chitosan as a substrate in serum‐free condition for up to 150 days. HRPTCs could maintain a typical epithelial morphology and the specific differentiation feature of transporting epithelia after such long‐term culture. As compared with HRPTCs cultivated on collagen, those cultivated on chitosan showed more dome formation, higher Na+‐K+ ATPase expression, lower vimentin expression, and lower transepithelial electrical resistance, indicating that HRPTCs cultivated on chitosan presented better differentiation status and would be more functional with better active transportation. Thus, the current study indicates greater scope for the use of chitosan as a biomaterial for preparing a HRPTC‐coated chitosan conduit, which might be useful for the scaffold design of tissue‐engineered proximal tubules. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 9–20, 2018.
New functionalities of Maillard reaction products as emulsifiers and encapsulating agents, and the processing parameters: a brief review
Authors: Lee Yee‐Ying , Tang Teck‐Kim , Phuah Eng‐Tong , Alitheen Noorjahan Banu Mohamed , Tan Chin‐Ping , Lai Oi‐Ming
Published: November 2016

Non‐enzymatic browning has been a wide and interesting research area in the food industry, ranging from the complexity of the reaction to its applications in the food industry as well as its ever‐debatable health effects. This review provides a new perspective to the Maillard reaction apart from its ubiquitous function in enhancing food flavour, taste and appearance. It focuses on the recent application of Maillard reaction products as an inexpensive and excellent source of emulsifiers as well as superior encapsulating matrices for the entrapment of bioactive compounds. Additionally, it will also discuss the latest approaches employed to perform the Maillard reaction as well as several important reaction parameters that need to be taken into consideration when conducting the Maillard reaction. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
The self‐consistent charge density functional tight‐binding theory study of carbon adatoms using tuned Hubbard U parameters
Authors: Wang Jia , Dai Xing , Jiang Wanrun , Yu Tianrong , Wang Zhigang
Published: November 2016

The self‐consistent charge density functional tight‐binding (DFTB) theory is a useful tool for realizing the electronic structures of large molecular complex systems. In this study, the electronic structure of C61 formed by fullerene C60 with a carbon adatom is analyzed, using the fully localized limit and pseudo self‐interaction correction methods of DFTB to adjust the Hubbard U parameter (DFTB + U). The results show that both the methods used to adjust U can significantly reduce the molecular orbital energy of occupied states localized on the defect carbon atom and improve the gap between highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO) of C61. This work will provide a methodological reference point for future DFTB calculations of the electronic structures of carbon materials.
Thermal Antioxidative Kinetics of Hydroxytyrosol in Selected Lipid Systems of Different Unsaturation Degree
Authors: Mahdavianmehr Hadi , Farhoosh Reza , Sharif Ali
Published: November 2016

The oxidation kinetics of the purified triacylglycerols of olive, canola, and fish oils as affected by different concentrations of hydroxytyrosol were studied at 60–100 °C. On average, hydroxytyrosol improved the temperature susceptibility (temperature coefficient, TC, and Q10 number) of olive oil, whereas opposite results were observed for canola and fish oils. Despite the results observed in canola and fish oils, hydroxytyrosol caused much greater changes in the Arrhenius equation parameters (activation energy, Ea, and frequency factor, A) for the oxidation of olive oil. On the whole, the highest increase in the Gibbs free energy, ΔG++, of the activated complex formation as affected by the antioxidant was for olive (9.7%), canola (8.9%), and fish (5.7%) oils, respectively.
Thrombolytic therapy delay is independent predictor of mortality in acute pulmonary embolism at emergency service
Authors: Beydilli İnan , Yılmaz Fevzi , Sönmez Bedriye Müge , Kozacı Nalan , Yılmaz Akar , Toksul İbrahim Halil , Güven Ramazan , Avcı Mustafa
Published: November 2016

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Delays in diagnosis or therapy may result in sudden, fatal deterioration; therefore, rapid diagnosis and an appropriate therapeutic approach are needed. We aimed to investigate the effect of delaying thrombolytic administration on the mortality rate in a suspected PE. We retrospectively analyzed 49 consecutive patients who were aged 18 years or older and received thrombolysis for a high‐risk PE without a major contraindication. All patients were classified according to the time of onset of the thrombolytic therapy. Patients experiencing cardiopulmonary arrest were analyzed from the time of admission to thrombolytic administration with 10‐minute cutoff values. Data were analyzed by a regression analysis and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for significant and independent associated risk factors and in‐hospital mortality. Mortality was seen in 17 of the 49 cases. Thirteen of these had received thrombolytic therapy 1 hour after their emergency department (ED) admission. Among all cases, the mortality rate was 35%. The ROC analysis indicated that a > 97‐second delayed thrombolytic administration time was associated with mortality with 53% sensitivity and 91% specificity (area under the curve, 0.803; 95% confidence interval, 0.668–0.938). In the logistic regression, a 5‐minute delay in thrombolytic therapy (beta = 1.342; 95% confidence interval, 1.818–2.231; p = 0.001) was associated with in‐hospital mortality in the multivariable model. No major bleeding complications were seen in PE survivors. We conclude that early onset thrombolytic therapy in the ED for high‐risk and hemodynamically worsening patients appears safe and life‐saving.
Assessing the effects of climate change and land use on northern Labrador forest stands based on paleoecological data
Authors: Lemus-Lauzon Isabel , Bhiry Najat , Woollett James
Published: November 2016

We reconstructed the late Holocene vegetation of the Nain region (northern Labrador, northeastern Canada) in order to assess the influence of climate and historic land use on past shifts in forest composition. Chronostratigraphy was used in combination with macrofossil and pollen data from monoliths sampled from four peatlands. Paleoecological reconstructions produced a vegetation history spanning 4900 years for the Nain region that is largely concordant with other studies in Labrador. An initial open forest tundra phase was followed by an increase in tree cover at around 2800 cal yr BP. Paludification began ∼200 cal yr BP. A decline in Picea and its subsequent disappearance from most of the sites occurred ∼170 cal yr BP (AD 1780) in a period of relatively mild conditions during the Little Ice Age. This event was followed by the establishment of Larix laricina in the region. Local anthropogenic factors are likely responsible for these later developments, as they were not observed in other regional studies. The period around AD 1780 corresponds to the establishment of the Moravian missionaries on the Labrador coast, which increased the need for fuel and lumber. We conclude that changes in land use are reflected in the patterns of vegetation and hydrological change at the study sites.
Challenging Residual Contamination of Instruments for Robotic Surgery in Japan
Authors: Saito Yuhei , Yasuhara Hiroshi , Murakoshi Satoshi , Komatsu Takami , Fukatsu Kazuhiko , Uetera Yushi
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

Recently, robotic surgery has been introduced in many hospitals. The structure of robotic instruments is so complex that updating their cleaning methods is a challenge for healthcare professionals. However, there is limited information on the effectiveness of cleaning for instruments for robotic surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the level of residual contamination of instruments for robotic surgery and to develop a method to evaluate the cleaning efficacy for complex surgical devices.

METHODS

Surgical instruments were collected immediately after operations and/or after in-house cleaning, and the level of residual protein was measured. Three serial measurements were performed on instruments after cleaning to determine the changes in the level of contamination and the total amount of residual protein. The study took place from September 1, 2013, through June 30, 2015, in Japan.

RESULTS

The amount of protein released from robotic instruments declined exponentially. The amount after in-house cleaning was 650, 550, and 530 µg/instrument in the 3 serial measurements. The overall level of residual protein in each measurement was much higher for robotic instruments than for ordinary instruments (P<.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrated that complete removal of residual protein from surgical instruments is virtually impossible. The pattern of decline differed depending on the instrument type, which reflected the complex structure of the instruments. It might be necessary to establish a new standard for cleaning using a novel classification according to the structural complexity of instruments, especially for those for robotic surgery.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:143–146
Reduced models accounting for parallel magnetic perturbations: gyrofluid and finite Larmor radius–Landau fluid approaches
Authors: Tassi E. , Sulem P. L. , Passot T.
Published: November 2016

Reduced models are derived for a strongly magnetized collisionless plasma at scales which are large relative to the electron thermal gyroradius and in two asymptotic regimes. One corresponds to cold ions and the other to far sub-ion scales. By including the electron pressure dynamics, these models improve the Hall reduced magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and the kinetic Alfvén wave model of Boldyrev et al. (2013 Astrophys. J., vol. 777, 2013, p. 41), respectively. We show that the two models can be obtained either within the gyrofluid formalism of Brizard (Phys. Fluids, vol. 4, 1992, pp. 1213–1228) or as suitable weakly nonlinear limits of the finite Larmor radius (FLR)–Landau fluid model of Sulem and Passot (J. Plasma Phys., vol 81, 2015, 325810103) which extends anisotropic Hall MHD by retaining low-frequency kinetic effects. It is noticeable that, at the far sub-ion scales, the simplifications originating from the gyroaveraging operators in the gyrofluid formalism and leading to subdominant ion velocity and temperature fluctuations, correspond, at the level of the FLR–Landau fluid, to cancellation between hydrodynamic contributions and ion finite Larmor radius corrections. Energy conservation properties of the models are discussed and an explicit example of a closure relation leading to a model with a Hamiltonian structure is provided.
Multi-D magnetohydrodynamic modelling of pulsar wind nebulae: recent progress and open questions
Authors: Olmi B. , Del Zanna L. , Amato E. , Bucciantini N. , Mignone A.
Published: November 2016

In the last decade, the relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modelling of pulsar wind nebulae, and of the Crab nebula in particular, has been highly successful, with many of the observed dynamical and emission properties reproduced down to the finest detail. Here, we critically discuss the results of some of the most recent studies: namely the investigation of the origin of the radio emitting particles and the quest for the acceleration sites of particles of different energies along the termination shock, by using wisp motions as a diagnostic tool; the study of the magnetic dissipation process in high magnetization nebulae by means of new long-term three-dimensional simulations of the pulsar wind nebula evolution; the investigation of the relativistic tearing instability in thinning current sheets, leading to fast reconnection events that might be at the origin of the Crab nebula gamma-ray flares.
Administration Official Sees Alaska Offshore Drilling Ahead
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: November 2016

At a recent forum, leaders laid out some interdependent energy, environmental, infrastructure, and military issues coming into play in a more navigable Arctic region.
Genome of ‘Ca. Desulfovibrio trichonymphae’, an H2-oxidizing bacterium in a tripartite symbiotic system within a protist cell in the termite gut
Authors: Kuwahara Hirokazu , Yuki Masahiro , Izawa Kazuki , Ohkuma Moriya , Hongoh Yuichi
Published: November 2016

The cellulolytic protist Trichonympha agilis in the termite gut permanently hosts two symbiotic bacteria, ‘Candidatus Endomicrobium trichonymphae’ and ‘Candidatus Desulfovibrio trichonymphae’. The former is an intracellular symbiont, and the latter is almost intracellular but still connected to the outside via a small pore. The complete genome of ‘Ca. Endomicrobium trichonymphae’ has previously been reported, and we here present the complete genome of ‘Ca. Desulfovibrio trichonymphae’. The genome is small (1 410 056 bp), has many pseudogenes, and retains biosynthetic pathways for various amino acids and cofactors, which are partially complementary to those of ‘Ca. Endomicrobium trichonymphae’. An amino acid permease gene has apparently been transferred between the ancestors of these two symbionts; a lateral gene transfer has affected their metabolic capacity. Notably, ‘Ca. Desulfovibrio trichonymphae’ retains the complex system to oxidize hydrogen by sulfate and/or fumarate, while genes for utilizing other substrates common in desulfovibrios are pseudogenized or missing. Thus, ‘Ca. Desulfovibrio trichonymphae’ is specialized to consume hydrogen that may otherwise inhibit fermentation processes in both T. agilis and ‘Ca. Endomicrobium trichonymphae’. The small pore may be necessary to take up sulfate. This study depicts a genome-based model of a multipartite symbiotic system within a cellulolytic protist cell in the termite gut.
Estimating economic losses to tourism in Africa from the illegal killing of elephants
Authors: Naidoo Robin , Fisher Brendan , Manica Andrea , Balmford Andrew
Published: November 2016

Recent surveys suggest tens of thousands of elephants are being poached annually across Africa, putting the two species at risk across much of their range. Although the financial motivations for ivory poaching are clear, the economic benefits of elephant conservation are poorly understood. We use Bayesian statistical modelling of tourist visits to protected areas, to quantify the lost economic benefits that poached elephants would have delivered to African countries via tourism. Our results show these figures are substantial (∼USD $25 million annually), and that the lost benefits exceed the anti-poaching costs necessary to stop elephant declines across the continent’s savannah areas, although not currently in the forests of central Africa. Furthermore, elephant conservation in savannah protected areas has net positive economic returns comparable to investments in sectors such as education and infrastructure. Even from a tourism perspective alone, increased elephant conservation is therefore a wise investment by governments in these regions.
AXL-associated tumor inflammation as a poor prognostic signature in chemotherapy-treated triple-negative breast cancer patients
Authors: Bottai Giulia , Raschioni Carlotta , Székely Borbála , Di Tommaso Luca , Szász Attila M , Losurdo Agnese , Győrffy Balázs , Ács Balázs , Torrisi Rosalba , Karachaliou Niki , Tőkés Tímea , Caruso Michele , Kulka Janina , Roncalli Massimo , Santoro Armando , Mantovani Alberto , Rosell Rafael , Reis-Filho Jorge S , Santarpia Libero
Published: November 2016

A subgroup of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) shows epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) features, which are sustained by the interaction between cancer cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). In this study, the clinical relevance of 30 EMT-related kinases and the potential cross-talk with TAMs were investigated in a cohort of 203 TNBC patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. The prognostic value of the evaluated markers was validated in two independent cohorts of TNBC patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (N=95; N=137). In vitro, we investigated the potential synergism between cancer cells and TAMs. We found that the EMT-related kinase AXL showed the highest correlation with the frequency of CD163-positive macrophages (rS=0.503; P<0.0001). Relapsing TNBC patients presented high expression of AXL (P<0.0001) and CD163 (P<0.018), but only AXL retained independent prognostic significance in multivariate analysis (relapse-free survival, P=0.002; overall survival P=0.001). In vitro analysis demonstrated that AXL-expressing TNBC cells were able to polarize human macrophages towards an M2-like phenotype, and modulate a specific pattern of pro-tumor cytokines and chemokines. Selective AXL inhibition impaired the activity of M2-like macrophages, reducing cancer cell invasiveness, and restoring the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. These data suggest that the EMT-related kinase AXL overexpressed in cancer cells has prognostic significance, and contributes to the functional skewing of macrophage functions in TNBC. AXL inhibition may represent a novel strategy to target cancer cells, as well as tumor-promoting TAMs in TNBC.
Analysis of induced pluripotent stem cells carrying 22q11.2 deletion
Authors: Toyoshima M , Akamatsu W , Okada Y , Ohnishi T , Balan S , Hisano Y , Iwayama Y , Toyota T , Matsumoto T , Itasaka N , Sugiyama S , Tanaka M , Yano M , Dean B , Okano H , Yoshikawa T
Published: November 2016

Given the complexity and heterogeneity of the genomic architecture underlying schizophrenia, molecular analyses of these patients with defined and large effect-size genomic defects could provide valuable clues. We established human-induced pluripotent stem cells from two schizophrenia patients with the 22q11.2 deletion (two cell lines from each subject, total of four cell lines) and three controls (total of four cell lines). Neurosphere size, neural differentiation efficiency, neurite outgrowth, cellular migration and the neurogenic-to-gliogenic competence ratio were significantly reduced in patient-derived cells. As an underlying mechanism, we focused on the role of DGCR8, a key gene for microRNA (miRNA) processing and mapped in the deleted region. In mice, Dgcr8 hetero-knockout is known to show a similar phenotype of reduced neurosphere size (Ouchi et al., 2013). The miRNA profiling detected reduced expression levels of miRNAs belonging to miR-17/92 cluster and miR-106a/b in the patient-derived neurospheres. Those miRNAs are reported to target p38α, and conformingly the levels of p38α were upregulated in the patient-derived cells. p38α is known to drive gliogenic differentiation. The inhibition of p38 activity by SB203580 in patient-derived neurospheres partially restored neurogenic competence. Furthermore, we detected elevated expression of GFAP, a gliogenic (astrocyte) marker, in postmortem brains from schizophrenia patients without the 22q11.2 deletion, whereas inflammation markers (IL1B and IL6) remained unchanged. In contrast, a neuronal marker, MAP2 expressions were decreased in schizophrenia brains. These results suggest that a dysregulated balance of neurogenic-to-gliogenic competence may underlie neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia.
Direct detection of tryptophan for rapid diagnosis of cancer cell metastasis competence by an ultra-sensitive and highly selective electrochemical biosensor
Authors: Majidi M. R. , Karami P. , Johari-Ahar M. , Omidi Y.
Published: November 2016

The detection of l-tryptophan (Trp) in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of solid tumors is important, particularly in metastatic tumors, which catabolize Trp to kynurenine to escape from host immune system-mediated recognition.
A tunable metal–polyaniline interface for efficient carbon dioxide electro-reduction to formic acid and methanol in aqueous solution
Authors: Zheng Weiran , Nayak Simantini , Yuan Weizi , Zeng Zhiyan , Hong Xinlin , Vincent Kylie A. , Tsang Shik Chi Edman
Published: November 2016

Metals on polyaniline (PANI) exhibit excellent activity in the electro-reduction of CO2 to HCOOH or CH3OH due to tunable properties: N atoms on PANI capture CO2 while Pd atoms facilitate fast proton and electron transfers along the PANI in cooperative manner.
Time-resolved in situ powder X-ray diffraction reveals the mechanisms of molten salt synthesis
Authors: Moorhouse Saul J. , Wu Yue , Buckley Hannah C. , O'Hare Dermot
Published: November 2016

We report the first use of high-energy monochromatic in situ X-ray powder diffraction to gain unprecedented insights into the chemical processes occurring during high temperature, lab-scale metal oxide syntheses.
In vitro and in vivo MRI visualization of nanocomposite biodegradable microcapsules with tunable contrast
Authors: German Sergey V. , Bratashov Daniil N. , Navolokin Nikita A. , Kozlova Anastasia A. , Lomova Maria V. , Novoselova Marina V. , Burilova Evgeniya A. , Zyev Victor V. , Khlebtsov Boris N. , Bucharskaya Alla B. , Terentyuk Georgy S. , Amirov Rustem R. , Maslyakova Galina N. , Sukhorukov Gleb B. , Gorin Dmitry A.
Published: November 2016

Tunable MRI contrast of microcapsules was obtained.
High anisotropy of fully hydrogenated borophene
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Lü Tie-Yu , Wang Hui-Qiong , Feng Yuan Ping , Zheng Jin-Cheng
Published: November 2016

We have studied the mechanical properties and phonon dispersions of fully hydrogenated borophene (borophane) under strains by first principles calculations.
Solvation dynamics of an ionic probe in choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Cui Y. , Fulfer K. D. , Ma J. , Weldeghiorghis T. K. , Kuroda D. G.
Published: November 2016

Study of the solvation dynamics of an ionic probe in different choline-based deep eutectic solvents shows that the process is controlled by the motions of the choline ions within the pseudo lattice formed by the solvent.
pH-regulated surface properties and pH-reversible micelle transition of a zwitterionic gemini surfactant in aqueous solution
Authors: Lu Hongsheng , Zheng Cunchuan , Xue Miao , Huang Zhiyu
Published: November 2016

A zwitterionic gemini surfactant, called 2,2′-(1,4-phenylenebis(oxy))bis(N,N-dimethyl-N-carboxyethyl)-N-(alkylamide propyl) ammonium chloride(C14–B–C14), was synthesized successfully.
Direct determination of trace elements in austenitic stainless steel samples by ETV-ICPOES
Authors: Scheffler Guilherme L. , Brooks Adam J. , Yao Zhongwen , Daymond Mark R. , Pozebon Dirce , Beauchemin Diane
Published: November 2016

Electrothermal vaporization (ETV) coupled to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICPOES) was applied to the direct analysis of austenitic stainless steel powders using external calibration with increasing amounts of urban particulate matter (NIST 1648a) certified reference material.
Recreating mineralogical petrographic heterogeneity within microfluidic chips: assembly, examples, and applications
Authors: Bowden Stephen A. , Tanino Yukie , Akamairo Blessing , Christensen Magali
Published: November 2016

We developed a technique for rapid, low-cost assembly of single-use, mineralogically heterogeneous microfluidic rock analogues.
Bifunctional Ru(ii) complex catalysed carbon–carbon bond formation: an eco-friendly hydrogen borrowing strategy
Authors: Chakrabarti Kaushik , Paul Bhaskar , Maji Milan , Roy Bivas Chandra , Shee Sujan , Kundu Sabuj
Published: November 2016

Bifunctional Ru(ii) complex (0.1 mol%) catalysed one-pot β-alkylation of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols and double alkylation of cyclopentanol were carried out successfully following the atom economical borrowing hydrogen methodology.
CO2capture in a carbazole-based supramolecular polyhedron structure: the significance of Cu(ii) open metal sites
Authors: López-Olvera Alfredo , Sánchez-González Elí , Campos-Reales-Pineda Alberto , Aguilar-Granda Andrés , Ibarra Ilich A. , Rodríguez-Molina Braulio
Published: November 2016

Upon the removal of coordinated H2O and DMF molecules to the paddlewheel of MOP4(followed by FTIR), it showed very interesting CO2capture properties at 196 K.
Ultrathin few layer oxychalcogenide BiCuSeO nanosheets
Authors: Samanta Manisha , Guin Satya N. , Biswas Kanishka
Published: November 2016

Large scale ultrathin (∼3–4 nm thick and ∼1 μm long) few layered (4–5 layers) BiCuSeO nanosheets were synthesised by a facile soft chemical synthesis. BiCuSeO nanosheets exhibit lower lattice thermal conductivity and higher electrical conductivity than that of their bulk counterpart.
Thienobenzene-fused perylene bisimide as a non-fullerene acceptor for organic solar cells with a high open-circuit voltage and power conversion efficiency
Authors: Zhang Chen , Liu Tao , Zeng Weixuan , Xie Dongjun , Luo Zhenghui , Sun Yanming , Yang Chuluo
Published: November 2016

Two new thienobenzene-fused perylene bisimide dimers were designed and synthesized as non-fullerene acceptors with good device performances.
Synthesis of a figure-eight azahelicene dimer with high emission and CPL properties
Authors: Ushiyama Ayako , Hiroto Satoru , Yuasa Junpei , Kawai Tsuyoshi , Shinokubo Hiroshi
Published: November 2016

A bisbutadiyne bridged azahelicene dimer with a figure-eight shape, which exhibited both high fluorescence quantum yield and CPL properties, has been synthesized through the Glaser–Hay homo-coupling reaction with diethynylazahelicene.
Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous silica monoliths with polystyrene homopolymers as porogens
Authors: Wang Chaoyue , Li Lei , Zheng Sixun
Published: November 2016

In this contribution, we reported the preparation of mesoporous silica by the use of polystyrene homopolymers as the porogens, in marked contrast to the utilization of amphiphilic molecules via a self-assembly approach.
Endowing a cationic hydrophobic associating polyacrylamide solution with CO2 switchable properties using N,N-dimethylolamidopropylamine via the assembly transition between vesicles and spherical micelles by CO2
Authors: Lu Hongsheng , Zheng Cunchuan , Wang Li , Liu Ya , Huang Zhiyu
Published: November 2016

Endowing a polyacrylamide solution with CO2 switchable properties using N,N-dimethylolamidopropylamine via the assembly transition between vesicles and spherical micelles.
Quantum chemistry calculations of technetium and rhenium compounds with application in radiopharmacy: review
Authors: Hernández-Valdés Daniel , Alberto Roger , Jáuregui-Haza Ulises
Published: November 2016

Quantum chemistry calculations are a powerful tool in the development of new 99mTc and 186/188Re radiopharmaceuticals.
Large-area two-dimensional bismuth selenide crystals synthesized by solution-based control of the nucleation environment
Authors: Pradhan Mukul , Song Intek , Lee Jinho , Lee Minkyung , Park Chibeom , Choi Hee Cheul
Published: November 2016

Large-area 2D Bi2Se3 crystals are grown by solution-based synthesis, where both seed-mediated growth and chelating agents are used.
Li/Ag2VO2PO4 batteries: the roles of composite electrode constituents on electrochemistry
Authors: Bock David C. , Bruck Andrea M. , Pelliccione Christopher J. , Zhang Yiman , Takeuchi Kenneth J. , Marschilok Amy C. , Takeuchi Esther S.
Published: November 2016

Results indicate composition-dependent discharge progression in composite electrodes and provide insight into factors controlling the electrochemistry of resistive active materials.
White-light emission from a single heavy atom-free molecule with room temperature phosphorescence, mechanochromism and thermochromism
Authors: Xu Bingjia , Wu Haozhong , Chen Junru , Yang Zhan , Yang Zhiyong , Wu Yuan-Chun , Zhang Yi , Jin Chongjun , Lu Po-Yen , Chi Zhenguo , Liu Siwei , Xu Jiarui , Aldred Matthew
Published: November 2016

Two heavy atom-free white-light emitting luminophores exhibit fluorescence–phosphorescence dual-emission and are multi-stimuli responsive at room temperature.
Paper-based triboelectric nanogenerators and their application in self-powered anticorrosion and antifouling
Authors: Feng Yange , Zheng Youbin , Rahman Zia Ur , Wang Daoai , Zhou Feng , Liu Weimin
Published: November 2016

A paper-based triboelectric nanogenerator is fabricated by reusing gum wrappers as friction layers for self-powered anticorrosion and antifouling.
Car‐level co‐location detection on trains for infectious disease epidemic monitoring
Authors: Kuk S. , Park Y. , Han S. , Kim H.
Published: November 2016

On the brink of an infectious disease epidemic, contact tracing must be precisely focused on those most likely to have made contacts with the confirmed cases. This explores if the tracing can be made fine‐grained enough for train riders, so that those sharing the same car are identified as higher priority contact tracing targets, over those on different cars.
Distributed event‐triggered consensus of general linear multi‐agent systems with quantised measurements
Authors: Yu Pian , Ding Li , Liu Zhi‐Wei , Guan Zhi‐Hong
Published: November 2016

This studies distributed event‐triggered consensus of general linear multi‐agent systems subject to quantised relative state measurements, where both uniform quantisation and logarithmic quantisation are considered. First, a distributed event‐triggered controller with uniform quantised relative states is proposed, where the controller of each agent is updated by properly defined event trigger function, so that bounded consensus can be achieved in finite‐time and Zeno behaviour is excluded. Then, a computational method is proposed to calculate the continuous states in event trigger function. Thus, continuous communication between neighbouring agents can be avoided. The results are extended to the situation of logarithmic quantisation, and a sufficient condition is proposed to guarantee the complete consensus. Finally, a numerical example is given to verify the theoretical results.
Fuzzy logic approach for reactive power coordination in grid connected wind farms to improve steady state voltage stability
Authors: Moger Tukaram , Dhadbanjan Thukaram
Published: November 2016

This study presents a fuzzy logic approach for reactive power coordination in grid connected wind farms with different types of wind generator units to improve steady state voltage stability of power systems. The load bus voltage deviation is minimised by changing the reactive power controllers according to their sensitivity using fuzzy set theory. The proposed approach uses only few controllers of high sensitivity to achieve the desired objectives. The 297‐bus and 417‐bus equivalent grid connected wind systems are considered to present the simulation results. To prove the effectiveness of the proposed approach, a comparative analysis is carried out with the conventional linear programming based reactive power optimisation technique. Results demonstrated that the proposed approach is more effective in improving the system performance as compared with the conventional existing technique.