bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of female commuting on partnership stability in suburban and other residential regions
Authors: Kley Stefanie A. , Feldhaus Michael
Published: August 2017

Long‐distance commuting between home and the place of work is a means to combine both labour market participation and staying embedded in family and local social networks. But commuters often report high stress levels due to their commute and negative outcomes on their family life. Recent findings suggest that long commutes are harmful for partnership stability, especially if women commute. This contribution analyses the questions whether these findings can be replicated with a representative cohort panel study from Germany (pairfam), whether the expected negative outcome of female commuting is robust against partnership quality and labour division, and whether the risk of separation varies systematically across urban, suburban, and rural areas. Discrete event history models are applied to estimate the risk of separation for about 2,500 couples over 3 years (N = 49,408 person‐months). The findings indicate that women's long commuting is normally harmful for partnership stability but with one important exception: not if the couple lives in a suburban area. The article discusses whether the spatial variation in the influence of female commuting might be due to self‐selection processes in the course of family formation.
Identification of a Triterpenoid as a Novel PPARγ Activator Derived from Formosan Plants
Authors: Weng Jing‐Ru , Bai Li‐Yuan , Lin Wei‐Yu
Published: August 2017

Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ), one of the transcription factors that regulate lipid metabolism and energy use in tumor cells, is a viable target for cancer therapy. In our search for potential PPARγ activator, extracts from five Formosan plants were tested. Among them, Momordica charantia L. showed the highest ability to activate PPARγ, which led us to identify its potential constituents. Among the seven compounds isolated from M. charantia, a triterpenoid, 5β,19‐epoxy‐19‐methoxycucurbita‐6,23‐dien‐3β,25‐diol (compound 1), was identified as a PPARγ activator with an IC50 of 10 μM in breast cancer MCF‐7 cells. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that compound 1 induced G1 cell cycle arrest which might be attributable to the modulation of phosphorylation and expression of numerous key signaling effectors, including cyclin D1, CDK6, and p53. Notably, compound 1 downregulated the expression of histone deacetylase 1, leading to increased histone H3 acetylation. Taken together, these findings suggest that compound 1 may have therapeutic applications in cancer treatment through PPARγ activation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anticancer Effects of a Korean Herbal Medicine Formula (H9) via AMPK and HER2‐PI3K/Akt Signaling in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Lee Ju‐Hee , Son Young Hoon , Kwon Young‐Won , Park Sung Yun , Koo Byung‐Soo , Jung Seung Hyun
Published: August 2017

An H9 is a formula of nine medicinal herbs derived from Osuyubujaijung‐tang, a traditional Korean prescription for Soeumin constitution. In our previous study, H9 showed anticancer effects against breast cancer and non‐small‐cell lung cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms of these effects have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of H9, both alone and in combination with trastuzumab, on breast cancer cells and sought to elucidate the mechanisms involved. H9 suppressed the proliferation of human breast cancer cells, induced arrest of the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, and caused mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. In addition, H9 induced the activation of AMPK and inhibited the HER2‐PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Furthermore, H9 attenuated hypoxia‐induced HIF‐1α and VEGF, resulting in decreased migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Compared with treatment with either drug alone, co‐treatment with H9 and trastuzumab significantly inhibited the growth of BT‐474 cells through induction of apoptosis. These results suggest that H9 should be considered as a potent anticancer agent that targets the HER2‐PI3K/Akt pathway, and the combination of H9 with trastuzumab should be considered as a new therapeutic regimen for treating breast cancer. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Linear stability analysis of steady‐state tropical cyclones with single or double eyewalls
Authors: Luckins Ellen K. , Van Gorder Robert A.
Published: August 2017

The structure of an eyewall within an intense tropical cyclone is known to influence its intensity strongly. Furthermore, intense tropical cyclones often undergo an eyewall replacement cycle, a process in which an outer eyewall forms, contracts and replaces an inner eyewall. During this process, two concentric eyewalls will exist. To examine the effects of such structures, analytical solutions of the transverse circulation equation associated with a balanced vortex model have been proposed in the literature. For a single eyewall, the analytical solution is defined over three regions–the eye, eyewall and far‐field–while in the case of concentric or double eyewalls one subdivides the domain into five regions–the eye, inner eyewall, moat, outer eyewall and far‐field. The goal of the present article is to present a stability analysis for steady‐state vortex solutions corresponding to tropical cyclones with either single or double eyewalls. We first obtain general steady‐state solutions and a general approach for the stability or instability of such states involving a perturbation analysis (which makes use of small perturbations to the vortex structure in each of the three or five regions). We then make several simplifying assumptions on the form of the stationary solutions, so as to make the stability analysis tractable while maintaining physical relevance. The stability criteria obtained depend on the model parameters as well as on the structure of the perturbations undergone by the steady‐state solutions. Making use of parameter values calibrated from the literature, we then provide bifurcation diagrams giving regions of stability or instability. Such analytical stability results for steady‐state vortex solutions of the transverse circulation equation complement existing numerical stability results in the literature.
Stable isotope discrimination factors and between‐tissue isotope comparisons for bone and skin from captive and wild green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas)
Authors: Turner Tomaszewicz Calandra N. , Seminoff Jeffrey A. , Price Mike , Kurle Carolyn M.
Published: August 2017

Rationale

The ecological application of stable isotope analysis (SIA) relies on taxa‐ and tissue‐specific stable carbon (Δ13C) and nitrogen (Δ15N) isotope discrimination factors, determined with captive animals reared on known diets for sufficient time to reflect dietary isotope ratios. However, captive studies often prohibit lethal sampling, are difficult with endangered species, and reflect conditions not experienced in the wild.

Methods

We overcame these constraints and determined the Δ13C and Δ15N values for skin and cortical bone from green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) that died in captivity and evaluated the utility of a mathematical approach to predict discrimination factors. Using stable carbon (δ13C values) and nitrogen (δ15N values) isotope ratios from captive and wild turtles, we established relationships between bone stable isotope (SI) ratios and those from skin, a non‐lethally sampled tissue, to facilitate comparisons of SI ratios among studies using multiple tissues.

Results

The mean (±SD) Δ13C and Δ15N values (‰) between skin and bone from captive turtles and their diet (non‐lipid‐extracted) were 2.3 ± 0.3 and 4.1 ± 0.4 and 2.1 ± 0.6 and 5.1 ± 1.1, respectively. The mathematically predicted Δ13C and Δ15N values were similar (to within 1‰) to the experimentally derived values. The mean δ15N values from bone were higher than those from skin for captive (+1.0 ± 0.9‰) and wild (+0.8 ± 1.0‰) turtles; the mean δ13C values from bone were lower than those from skin for wild turtles (−0.6 ± 0.9‰), but the same as for captive turtles. We used linear regression equations to describe bone vs skin relationships and create bone‐to‐skin isotope conversion equations.

Conclusions

For sea turtles, we provide the first (a) bone‐diet SI discrimination factors, (b) comparison of SI ratios from individual‐specific bone and skin, and (c) evaluation of the application of a mathematical approach to predict stable isotope discrimination factors. Our approach opens the door for future studies comparing different tissues, and relating SI ratios of captive to wild animals.
Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry based detection and semi‐quantitative analysis of INSL5 in human and murine tissues
Authors: Kay R.G. , Galvin S. , Larraufie P. , Reimann F. , Gribble F.M.
Published: August 2017

Rationale

Insulin‐like peptide 5 (INSL5) is a hormone produced by enteroendocrine L‐cells in the colon that has recently been implicated in the control of metabolic homeostasis. However, research into its physiology has been hindered by the reported unreliability of commercially available immunoassays and additional detection assays would benefit this emerging field.

Methods

Peptides from purified murine L‐cells and homogenates from both human and mouse colonic tissues were extracted by precipitating larger proteins with acetonitrile. Untargeted liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analyses, followed by database searching, were used to detect and identify various INSL5 gene derived peptides and characterise their precise sequence. A similar approach was developed to quantify INSL5 levels in primary intestinal culture supernatants after purification and concentration by solid‐phase extraction.

Results

Mass spectral analysis of purified enteroendocrine cells and tissue homogenates identified the exact sequence of A and B chains of INSL5 endogenously expressed in L‐cells. Differences in the endogenously processed peptide and the Swissprot database entry were observed for murine INSL5, whereas the human sequence matched previous predictions from heterologous expression experiments. INSL5 was detected in the supernatant of human and mouse primary colonic cultures and concentrations increased after treatment with a known L‐cell stimulus.

Conclusions

The first LC/MS/MS‐based method capable of the detection and semi‐quantitative analysis of endogenous INSL5 using MS‐based techniques has been demonstrated. The methodology will enable the identification of stimulants for INSL5 secretion from murine and human primary colonic epithelial cultures.
Guaranteed systematic simulation of discrete‐time systems defined by polynomial expressions via convex relaxations
Authors: Massioni Paolo , Scorletti Gérard
Published: August 2017

This paper concerns the simulation of a class of nonlinear discrete‐time systems under a set of initial conditions described by a bounding ellipsoid. We derive a procedure allowing the propagation of such ellipsoids through time, which makes it possible to set a guaranteed hard bound on the evolution of the state of the system for all the possible initial conditions. Two versions of this procedure are given, the second of which is slightly less general but less computationally demanding. At the end of this paper, we first show an application of the method in the domain of aerospace engineering. Subsequently, three academic examples of applications are presented, two of which come from the theory of fractals.
Effect of morphologic and hydraulic factors on hysteresis of sediment transport rates in alluvial streams
Authors: Gunsolus Etta Haley , Binns Andrew D.
Published: August 2017

Unsteady flow events, such as those caused by extreme precipitation events or reservoir flushing, can result in hysteresis of sediment transport rates in alluvial streams. Over the past 20 years, several experimental studies have been conducted that monitored sediment transport rates in response to unsteady flow event hydrographs. Previous literature has identified numerous morphological and hydraulic factors, including sediment composition, sediment supply, hydrograph characteristics, bed morphology, and mode of sediment transport, that affect hysteresis of sediment transport rates. This manuscript reviews and evaluates the degree of influence of these factors on hysteresis in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of the dominant factors responsible for this phenomenon. This systematic evaluation suggests that the mode of sediment transport and sediment composition are the most dominant factors influencing the resulting type of hysteresis. Further research is required to investigate the effect of other factors, such as non‐uniform stream bed composition and planform geometry, and develop predictive models to assess the sediment transport response to unsteady flow events.
Implementation and experimentation of network coding in DVB‐S2/RCS2 systems
Authors: Erl Stefan , de Cola Tomaso
Published: August 2017

Applicability of network coding (NC) to satellite networks and related advantages has been long addressed and thoroughly analyzed by the scientific community in the last years, through theoretical approaches and simulations campaigns. Despite the great effort devoted to such analysis, few insights have been actually given to the NC implementation in real satellite systems and to the related validation. In particular, no recommendations on how to implement exemplary NC solutions in the widespread DVB‐S2/RCS2 system architecture have been given. In the attempt to bridge this gap, the present paper extends the DVB‐S2/RCS2 architecture so as to implement NC functions, operating between network and datalink layers. The study is corroborated by the implementation of the proposed protocol stack in a testbed closely reproducing a real system architecture. Finally, performance analysis results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed integrated architecture.
Applications of microbeam analytical techniques in gold deportment studies and characterization of losses during the gold recovery process
Authors: Dimov Stamen S. , Hart Brian R.
Published: August 2017

Many gold deposits are characterized by the presence of refractory (submicroscopic) gold in the matrix of sulfide minerals which is not directly amenable to gold cyanidation. In order to recover this submicroscopic gold, the ore has to be oxidized before being subjected to gold cyanidation and extraction. This is done by autoclave pressure oxidation (AC POX), a technology commonly used in the mining industry for ores with a high refractory gold content. Gold ores commonly contain active carbonaceous materials which have the ability to adsorb, or preg‐rob, gold during the AC POX and/or cyanidation steps of the recovery process, and gold losses can be significant.

Advanced microbeam analytical techniques such as dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (D‐SIMS) and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS) have become powerful tools for characterization of different forms and carriers of gold in the mining industry. Major advantages of these techniques are related to the investigation of individual mineral particles and quantitative analysis with detection limits in the low ppm/ppb concentrations. This paper describes various microbeam techniques and procedures implemented at Surface Science Western (SSW) which have become an intricate part of a comprehensive mineralogical and analytical approach for ore characterization and process mineralogy. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Initial Products and Reaction Mechanisms for Fast Pyrolysis of Synthetic G‐Lignin Oligomers with β‐O‐4 Linkages via On‐Line Mass Spectrometry and Quantum Chemical Calculations
Authors: Sheng Huaming , Murria Priya , Degenstein John C. , Tang Weijuan , Riedeman James S. , Hurt Matthew R. , Dow Alex , Klein Ian , Zhu Hanyu , Nash John J. , Abu‐Omar Mahdi , Agrawal Rakesh , Delgass William Nicholas , Ribeiro Fabio H. , Kenttämaa Hilkka I.
Published: August 2017

The products of fast pyrolysis that first leave the hot pyrolysis surface were identified for three G‐lignin model compounds, a trimer, a tetramer and a synthetic polymer, all containing β‐O‐4 linkages, by using a very fast heating pyrolysis probe coupled with a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer or a linear quadrupole ion trap coupled with an orbitrap detector. High‐resolution measurements were used to determine the elemental compositions of the deprotonated pyrolysis products. Their structures were examined using collision‐activated dissociation experiments and via comparison to the dissociation reactions of ionized authentic compounds. The initial pyrolysis products for all model compounds range from monomers to tetramers. Even for the polymer, no products larger than tetramers were observed. None of the products were radicals. The observed trimers and tetramers were formed directly from the intact model compounds rather than from repolymerization of initially formed monomers. Both the observed product distributions and quantum chemical calculations suggest that the mechanism(s) of the major reactions occurring under the conditions employed here are Maccoll and/or retro‐ene eliminations rather than radical reactions. Based on a comparison of the behavior of the smaller β‐O‐4 model compounds to the synthetic β‐O‐4 lignin polymer, the smaller model compounds appear to be good surrogates for further studies of the mechanisms of fast pyrolysis of lignin.
Ultrasensitive Detection of Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes Genomic DNA by Nanoparticle‐Enhanced Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging
Authors: Aura Angela Margherita , D'Agata Roberta , Spoto Giuseppe
Published: August 2017

The rapid, sensitive and specific detection of pathogenic bacteria is key to the prevention of a variety of foodborne illnesses representing a significant threat to public health. Conventional methods for the detection and identification of pathogens may take up to a few days to yield an answer, and for this reason, efforts have been made to develop new biosensing platforms for the efficient detection of foodborne pathogens. Here we report the use of a nanoparticle‐enhanced surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging biosensor for the rapid and femtomolar‐attomolar detection of Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes genomic DNAs. We performed the nanoparticle enhanced SPR imaging detection of pathogen genomic DNAs with no need for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) pre‐amplification of the sequences to be detected. Here we show that peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes can discriminate between two pathogenic genomic DNAs. We tested the selectivity of the detection method against control probe sequences or contaminating bovine genomic DNA and demonstrated, for the first time, the attomolar detection of Staphylococcus aureus genomic DNA in the presence of a 10‐fold higher concentration of bovine genomic DNA.
Synthesis of Two Hexasaccharides Related to the Repeating Unit of the O‐Antigen from Escherichia coli TD2158
Authors: Pal Kumar Bhaskar , Mukhopadhyay Balaram
Published: August 2017

Efficient strategies for the synthesis of two hexasaccharides related to the O‐antigen polysaccharide of E. coli TD2158 are reported. Both of the oligosaccharides were prepared by the sequential glycosylation of rationally functionalized monosaccharide synthons derived from commercially available sugars. Azido and phthalimido groups were utilized as the precursors for the natural acetamido functionality depending on the stereochemical requirement of the glycosidic bond. The target oligosaccharides were prepared in the form of their 4‐methoxyphenyl (OPMP) glycoside to leave the scope for further glycoconjugate formation. All glycosylation reactions were performed through the activation of thioglycosides using NIS and H2SO4‐silica resulting in desired stereoselectivity and good to excellent yields.
ESIPT‐Based Nanomolar Zn2+ Sensor for Human Breast Cancer Cell (MCF7) Imaging
Authors: Ghosh Milan , Ghosh Abhijit , Ta Sabyasachi , Matalobos Jesús S. , Das Debasis
Published: August 2017

A single crystal X‐ray structurally characterized probe (L), derived from 2‐amino‐1‐phenylpropan‐1‐ol and 2‐hydroxy‐1‐napthaldehyde selectively recognizes nano‐molar Zn2+ both by fluorescence and colorimetric method. Inhibition of excited‐state intra‐molecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and ‐CH=N isomerization along with chelation‐enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) collectively contribute to Zn2+ recognition. L exhibits excellent sensitivity (2×10−9 M) and selectivity for Zn2+ in aqueous DMSO (1:1, v/v) media and useful for intra‐cellular Zn2+ imaging in human breast cancer cells (MCF7).
Synthesis of Triazole Derivatives of 9‐Ethyl‐9H‐carbazole and Dibenzo[b,d]furan and Evaluation of Their Antimycobacterial and Immunomodulatory Activity
Authors: Chirke Sahadev S. , Krishna Jattuboyina Siva , Rathod Balaji B. , Bonam Srinivasa Reddy , Khedkar Vijay M. , Rao Batchu Venkateswara , Sampath Kumar Halmuthur Mahabalarao , Shetty Prakasham Reddy
Published: August 2017

1,4‐Disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazole derivatives of 9‐ethyl‐9H‐carbazole and dibenzo[b,d]furan were synthesized by the Huisgen's 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction between azides and terminal alkynes. The synthesized derivatives 7d, 8a, 8b, 9e, and 10c exhibited good MIC values, especially against Mycobacterium smegmatis and these compounds were further evaluated for their immunomodulatory activity. Majority of the compounds exhibited no toxicity on splenocytes and macrophages and the compounds 8a and 8b are proved as induced proliferator. These compounds have shown decreased production of TNF‐α from LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and among all these compounds, 7d has shown significant inhibition of TNF‐α production. Molecular docking studies into the active site of mycobacterial DprE1 enzyme helped to establish a structural basis for inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and understand the type of ligand‐protein interactions governing the binding affinity.
Metal‐Free Remote C‐H Bond Acetoxylation of 8‐Aminoquinolines on the C5‐Position
Authors: Thrimurtulu Neetipalli , Dey Arnab , Pal Kuntal , Nair Akshay , Kumar Shreemoyee , Volla Chandra M. R.
Published: August 2017

Herein, we describe a simple and practical approach for the selective acetoxylation at the C5‐position of 8‐aminoquinoline amides under metal free conditions. Our strategy shows high conversion efficiency, broad substrate scope, and functional group tolerance giving access to various C5‐acetoxylated carboxamides, sulfonamides or phosphinamides in good yields. In addition, the reaction conditions are suitable to scale up and also exhibited high regioselectivity.
A New Chirally Organized Trifluoromethylanthrylmethanol Derivative and Its Application as Chiral Solvating Agent
Authors: Monteagudo Eva , de March Pedro , Álvarez‐Larena Ángel , Virgili Albert
Published: August 2017

The synthesis and structure of 1,1′‐(((10,10’‐(1,1′‐binaphthalene)‐2,2′‐diylbis(oxy))bis(methylene))bis(anthracene‐10,9‐diyl))bis(2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol), 4, is reported. This compound owns both axial and central chirality allowing its use as a chiral solvating agent (CSA) for the enantiomeric composition determination of several mixtures of chiral aromatic alcohols and amines using NMR. The study of the resulting diastereoisomeric complexes was carried out by determining its stoichiometry and association binding constants.
Regioselective Benzylic Oxidation of Aromatic Abietanes: Application to the Semisynthesis of the Naturally Occurring Picealactones A, B and C
Authors: Kolsi Laura E. , Krogerus Sara , Brito Vanessa , Rüffer Tobias , Lang Heinrich , Yli‐Kauhaluoma Jari , Silvestre Samuel M. , Moreira Vânia M.
Published: August 2017

Oxygenated aromatic abietanes are an important class of naturally occurring compounds in plants where they play specific ecological roles. However, limited availability from their natural sources hampers their exploitation for the development of new drugs to treat human diseases. Herein the benzylic oxidation of aromatic abietanes mediated by sodium chlorite and aqueous tert‐butyl hydroperoxide is reported. The method is regioselective for 12‐substituted derivatives and gives the 7‐oxo products, in good yields. Moreover, it conveniently replaces the use of toxic chromium reagents for this transformation. Preparation of 7‐oxo, 7‐oxo‐15‐hydroperoxy and 7‐oxo‐15‐hydroxy derivatives of other aromatic abietanes is also possible with this method. Furthermore, the reaction products were used as key intermediates for a short and facile semisynthesis of the naturally occurring picealactones A, B and C to disclose their anti‐proliferative activity for the first time.
Selective Catalytic Oxidation of Humins to Low‐Chain Carboxylic Acids with Tailor‐Made Polyoxometalate Catalysts
Authors: Maerten Stephanie G. , Voß Dorothea , Liauw Marcel A. , Albert Jakob
Published: August 2017

For the first time, a selective catalytic conversion of thermally induced side products (humins) from biomass valorization to short‐chain carboxylic acids like formic acid and acetic acid is reported. Very interestingly, we found that homogeneous polyoxometalate catalysts could selectively oxidize humins from sugar‐derived levulinic acid production to formic acid and acetic acid under very mild conditions in a simple monophasic aqueous approach. This green and sustainable process offers a very cost‐effective and sustainable way for the conversion of undesired humins and benefits from its low reaction temperature (90‐120 °C) and its tunable product distribution. By variation of process parameters and chemical composition of the POM structures, we could control both product selectivity and humin conversion. Furthermore, catalyst recycling over three batches has been successfully carried out.
Charcoal Use in Chromite Pellets − Effect on Sintering Process, Pellet Properties, and Electrical Conductivity
Authors: Sakaranaho Matti , Heikkilä Anne , Suopajärvi Hannu , Päätalo Mika , Fabritius Timo
Published: August 2017

Ferrochrome is produced by carbothermic reduction of chromite raw materials. Chromite fines need to be agglomerated before they can be utilized. Typically, chromite fines are fed to the smelting furnace in a form of sinter or sintered pellets. Sintering requires high temperatures, which is generated by burning carbon‐bearing materials. Usually, coke is used as a fuel in chromite pellet sintering, which results in SOX and CO2 emissions. Using low‐sulfur biofuel to substitute coke is an attractive technique for reducing SOX and CO2. In this paper, coke substitution with charcoal in chromite pellet sintering is studied. The results show that coke substitution with charcoal affects the sintering behavior, cold compression strength, and electrical conductivity of the chromite pellets. The suitable replacing proportion of charcoal according to studies made in this paper will be 50%.
Starch digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract of humans
Authors: Brownlee Iain A. , Gill Saloni , Wilcox Matt D. , Pearson Jeff P. , Chater Peter I.
Published: August 2017

Starch provides a large proportion of the dietary energy consumed worldwide. The breakdown of dietary starch is driven by α‐amylase produced by the salivary glands and pancreatic acini and is completed by a range of brush‐border bound enzymes. This enzymatic digestion is aided by mechanical and secretory actions of the gastrointestinal tract. The absorption of the resultant glucose in the small intestine is primarily driven by two separate transport proteins − SGLT1 and GLUT2. The control of processes that govern starch digestion is complex and still not fully understood, although it appears that the human gut has the ability to sense both glucose and non‐sweet glucose oligomers. Recent work has also suggested that variations in the genes encoding for α‐amylase also appear to be associated with health outcomes. The authors consider the physiological factors that govern starch digestion and absorption, consider other dietary factors that may impact on this process and attempt to highlight the limitations in current knowledge to help focus future research needs in relation to starch digestion the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Design and compilation of specifications for a modular‐prefabricated high‐rise steel frame structure with diagonal braces. Part I: Integral structural design
Authors: Liu Xuechun , Zhou Xiaojun , Zhang Ailin , Tian Chen , Zhang Xun , Tan Yongqiang
Published: August 2017

Prefabricated steel structures have certain obvious advantages, that is, rapid construction, industrial production, and environmental protection. Although prefabricated structures have been applied in a number of countries in the world, in most cases, these structures are suitable only for low‐rise buildings, and their applications in high‐rise buildings are nota\bly rare. This paper proposes a new type of prefabricated steel structure called the modular‐prefabricated high‐rise steel frame structure with diagonal braces. Based on the T30 building, which is a hotel building with 30 storeys above the ground, the mechanical properties, failure mode, failure mechanism, and elastic–plastic development laws of the structure were studied via elastic and elastic–plastic design and analyses under various load cases and combinations. The analysis of the internal force and displacement response with frequent earthquakes was performed using the response spectrum and elastic time‐history methods, and an analysis under rare earthquakes is performed via static elastic–plastic pushover analysis. This paper summarizes the elastic and elastic–plastic structural design methods and process. This study provides important references for the design of this kind of modular‐prefabricated high‐rise steel structure, and the design method has been compiled into a design specification named Technical Specifications for Prefabricated Steel Frame Structure with Diagonal Bracing Joints.
Tailoring incoming shear and turbulence profiles for lab‐scale wind turbines
Authors: Hearst R. Jason , Ganapathisubramani Bharathram
Published: August 2017

An active grid is used to generate a variety of turbulent shear profiles in a wind tunnel. The vertical bars are set to flap through varying angles across the test section producing a variation in the perceived solidity, resulting in a mean shear. The horizontal bars are used in a fully random operational mode to set the background turbulence level. It is demonstrated that mean velocity profiles with approximately the same shear can be produced with different turbulence intensities and local turbulent Reynolds numbers based on the Taylor microscale, λ. Conversely, it is also demonstrated that flows can be produced with similar turbulence intensity profiles but different mean shear. It is confirmed that the length scales and dynamics, the latter being assessed through the velocity spectra and probability density functions, do not vary significantly across the investigation domain. Such flows are of particular relevance for studies investigating the effect of in‐flow conditions on obstacles where these studies wish to decouple the effects of turbulence intensity and mean shear, a feat previously unattainable in experimental facilities. Given that the power output of wind turbines is known to be a function of both mean shear and turbulence intensity, the experimental methodology presented herein is invaluable to the wind turbine model testing community who, at present, cannot exert such control authority over the in‐flow conditions.
Determination of Crystal Orientation by Ω-Scan Method in Nickel-Based Single-Crystal Turbine Blades
Authors: Gancarczyk Kamil , Albrecht Robert , Berger Hans , Szeliga Dariusz , Gradzik Andrzej , Sieniawski Jan
Published: August 2017

The article presents an assessment of the crystal perfection of single-crystal turbine blades based on the crystal orientation and lattice parameter distribution on their surface. Crystal orientation analysis was conducted by the X-ray diffraction method Ω-scan and the X-ray diffractometer provided by the EFG Company. The Ω-scan method was successfully used for evaluation of the crystal orientation and lattice parameters in semiconductors. A description of the Ω-scan method and an example of measurement of crystal orientation compared to the Laue and EBSD methods are presented.
Seeing the Light: The Case for Nuclear Power in the 21st Century
Authors: Montgomery Scott L. , Graham, Jr Thomas
Published: August 2017

Nuclear power is not an option for the future but an absolute necessity. Global threats of climate change and lethal air pollution, killing millions each year, make it clear that nuclear and renewable energy must work together, as non-carbon sources of energy. Fortunately, a new era of growth in this energy source is underway in developing nations, though not yet in the West. Seeing the Light is the first book to clarify these realities and discuss their implications for coming decades. Readers will learn how, why, and where the new nuclear era is happening, what new technologies are involved, and what this means for preventing the proliferation of weapons. This book is the best work available for becoming fully informed about this key subject, for students, the general public, and anyone interested in the future of energy production, and, thus, the future of humanity on planet Earth.
DYNAMIC HEDGING OF LONGEVITY RISK: THE EFFECT OF TRADING FREQUENCY
Authors: Li Hong
Published: August 2017

This paper investigates dynamic hedging strategies for pension and annuity liabilities that are exposed to longevity risk. In particular, we consider a hedger who wishes to minimize the variance of her hedging error using index-based longevity-linked derivatives. To cope with the fact that liquidity of longevity-linked derivatives is still limited, we consider a liquidity constrained case where the hedger can only trade longevity-linked derivatives at a frequency lower than other assets. Time-consistent, closed-form solutions of optimal hedging strategies are obtained under a forward mortality framework. In the numerical illustration, we show that lowering the trading of the longevity-linked derivatives to a 2-year frequency only leads to a slight loss of the hedging performance. Moreover, even when the longevity-linked derivatives are traded at a very low (5-year) frequency, dynamic hedging strategies still significantly outperform the static one.
Transatlantic convergence of preferential trade agreements environmental clauses
Authors: Morin Jean-Frédéric , Rochette Myriam
Published: August 2017

The United States and the European Union include several environmental clauses in their respective preferential trade agreements (PTAs). Building on an exhaustive and fine-grained dataset of PTAs’ environmental clauses, this article makes two contributions. First, it shows that the United States and the European Union have initially favored different approaches to environmental protection in their PTAs. The United States’ concerns over regulatory sovereignty and level playing field have led to a legalistic and adversarial approach, while the European Union's concerns for policy coherence have led to a more procedural and cooperative approach. Second, this article provides evidence that European and American trade negotiators have gradually converged on a shared set of environmental norms. Although the United States and the European Union initially pursued different objectives, they learned from each other and drew similar lessons. As a result, recent American agreements have become more European-like, and European agreements have become more Americanized. This article concludes that U.S. and E.U. approaches, far from being incompatible, can usefully be combined and reinforce each other.
Update on Minimal Standards for Electroencephalography in Canada: A Review by the Canadian Society of Clinical Neurophysiologists
Authors: Dash Dianne , Dash Chelsea , Primrose Sara , Hernandez-Ronquillo Lizbeth , Moien-Afshari Farzad , Ladino Lady D. , Appendino Juan Pablo , Mazepa Lindsay , Elliott Christine , Mirsattari Seyed M. , Federico Paolo , Bui Esther , Hunter Gary , RamachandranNair Rajesh , Sharma Rohit , Melendres Paula , Nikkel Joanne , Nguyen Dang Khoa , Almubarak Salah , Rigby Mike , Téllez-Zenteno Jose F.
Published: August 2017

Surface electroencephalogram (EEG) recording remains the gold standard for noninvasive assessment of electrical brain activity. It is the most efficient way to diagnose and classify epilepsy syndromes as well as define the localization of the epileptogenic zone. The EEG is useful for management decisions and for establishing prognosis in some types of epilepsy. Electroencephalography is an evolving field in which new methods are being introduced. The Canadian Society of Clinical Neurophysiologists convened an expert panel to develop new national minimal guidelines. A comprehensive evidence review was conducted. This document is organized into 10 sections, including indications, recommendations for trained personnel, EEG yield, paediatric and neonatal EEGs, laboratory minimal standards, requisitions, reports, storage, safety measures, and quality assurance.
The Uniform Cortex Sign: A Diagnostic Sign of Diffuse Cortical Injury on MR Imaging of the Brain at 1.5 T
Authors: Leung Andrew , Patel Apurva , Bahakeem Basem , Pelz David , Lee Donald , Sharma Manas
Published: August 2017

Background: To introduce the “uniform cortex sign” (UCS) and evaluate its performance as a diagnostic test for the presence of diffuse cortical injury (DCI). Methods: The study was approved by our institutional review board. Three experienced neuroradiologists were given a tutorial on the UCS. They were subsequently presented with 14 cases (7 control patients and 7 DCI patients with the UCS) in random order and asked to determine whether the UCS was present. Each case consisted of selected DWI, T2-weighted, and FLAIR images from unenhanced 1.5T MRI examinations. A consensus result for each case was determined by unanimity or majority rule. Results: All control patients were correctly identified as normal by all neuroradiologists (7/7). The UCS was correctly identified in 86% of DCI patients (6/7). UCS interrater agreement was high (multirater κ=0.81). Conclusions: This small study shows that the UCS can identify DCI, especially in patients with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The UCS can be subtle, hence the reader must be vigilant for this finding. The accuracy of the UCS may depend on the extent of cortical injury and time between injury and MRI. Also, a UCS may be reversible, as in our case of viral meningoencephalitis.
Association between sleep difficulties as well as duration and hypertension: is BMI a mediator?
Authors: Carrillo-Larco R. M. , Bernabe-Ortiz A. , Sacksteder K. A. , Diez-Canseco F. , Cárdenas M. K. , Gilman R. H. , Miranda J. J.
Published: August 2017

Sleep difficulties and short sleep duration have been associated with hypertension. Though body mass index (BMI) may be a mediator variable, the mediation effect has not been defined. We aimed to assess the association between sleep duration and sleep difficulties with hypertension, to determine if BMI is a mediator variable, and to quantify the mediation effect. We conducted a mediation analysis and calculated prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals. The exposure variables were sleep duration and sleep difficulties, and the outcome was hypertension. Sleep difficulties were statistically significantly associated with a 43% higher prevalence of hypertension in multivariable analyses; results were not statistically significant for sleep duration. In these analyses, and in sex-specific subgroup analyses, we found no strong evidence that BMI mediated the association between sleep indices and risk of hypertension. Our findings suggest that BMI does not appear to mediate the association between sleep patterns and hypertension. These results highlight the need to further study the mechanisms underlying the relationship between sleep patterns and cardiovascular risk factors.
Effect of an internal nonlinear rotational dissipative element on vortex shedding and vortex-induced vibration of a sprung circular cylinder
Authors: Tumkur Ravi Kumar R. , Pearlstein Arne J. , Masud Arif , Gendelman Oleg V. , Blanchard Antoine B. , Bergman Lawrence A. , Vakakis Alexander F.
Published: August 2017

We computationally investigate coupling of a nonlinear rotational dissipative element to a sprung circular cylinder allowed to undergo transverse vortex-induced vibration (VIV) in an incompressible flow. The dissipative element is a ‘nonlinear energy sink’ (NES), consisting of a mass rotating at fixed radius about the cylinder axis and a linear viscous damper that dissipates energy from the motion of the rotating mass. We consider the Reynolds number range $20\leqslant Re\leqslant 120$, with $Re$ based on cylinder diameter and free-stream velocity, and the cylinder restricted to rectilinear motion transverse to the mean flow. Interaction of this NES with the flow is mediated by the cylinder, whose rectilinear motion is mechanically linked to rotational motion of the NES mass through nonlinear inertial coupling. The rotational NES provides significant ‘passive’ suppression of VIV. Beyond suppression however, the rotational NES gives rise to a range of qualitatively new behaviours not found in transverse VIV of a sprung cylinder without an NES, or one with a ‘rectilinear NES’, considered previously. Specifically, the NES can either stabilize or destabilize the steady, symmetric, motionless-cylinder solution and can induce conditions under which suppression of VIV (and concomitant reduction in lift and drag) is accompanied by a greatly elongated region of attached vorticity in the wake, as well as conditions in which the cylinder motion and flow are temporally chaotic at relatively low $Re$.
Aspect ratio effect on electroconvection in a suspended liquid crystal film with a rectangular boundary
Authors: Guo Xuefei , Le Yongkang , Cao Bochao
Published: August 2017

The aspect ratio dependence of the electroconvection phenomenon in a suspended nematic liquid crystal film with a rectangular boundary is investigated. Two-dimensional global stability analysis is carried out on the coupled electrohydrodynamic system to calculate the instability boundary of the phenomenon for different aspect ratios. The calculated critical $R$ number (Rayleigh-like number) shows a rapidly decreasing trend in the low-aspect-ratio region (roughly $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}<1.5$, where $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}$ is defined as the aspect ratio of the film), and then the variation becomes slow until $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}\approx 2.5$, where the critical $R$ number starts to increase slightly. Convective patterns of liquid films with different aspect ratios are also obtained from stability analysis and validated by particle image velocimetry measurement.
Faunal Introductions to the Balearic Islands in the Early 1st Millennium Cal BC
Authors: Ramis Damià , Anglada Montserrat , Ferrer Antoni , Plantalamor Lluís , Van Strydonck Mark
Published: August 2017

Only domestic mammals (sheep, goat, cattle, pig, and dog) and two rodent species constituted the faunal package introduced to the Balearic Islands by the early settlers in the 3rd millennium cal BC. Later animal introductions in the archipelago were thought to occur by the end of the 1st millennium cal BC due to contacts with Punic merchants or, more than likely, to the Roman conquest of the islands. Recently, several faunal remains belonging to different vertebrates (red deer, chicken, and rabbit) were found in the Talayotic site of Cornia Nou (Minorca), in contexts that date to the early 1st millennium cal BC. A series of radiocarbon (14C) dates was made directly on samples of small species to exclude the possibility of infiltration into lower layers. The obtained results show that chicken and rabbit were already present on Minorca in the early 1st millennium cal BC. Chicken is recorded in Phoenician colonies in south Iberia as early as the 8th century cal BC. Rabbit, on the other hand, is indigenous to the Iberian Peninsula. These new faunal introductions recorded in Minorca could be related to the Late Bronze and Phoenician maritime activity.
METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY OF ECONOMIC EVALUATIONS ALONGSIDE TRIALS OF KNEE PHYSIOTHERAPY
Authors: García-Pérez Lidia , Linertová Renata , Arvelo-Martín Alejandro , Guerra-Marrero Carolina , Martínez-Alberto Carlos Enrique , Cuéllar-Pompa Leticia , Escobar Antonio , Serrano-Aguilar Pedro
Published: August 2017

Objectives:The methodological quality of an economic evaluation performed alongside a clinical trial can be underestimated if the paper does not report key methodological features. This study discusses methodological assessment issues on the example of a systematic review on cost-effectiveness of physiotherapy for knee osteoarthritis.

Methods:Six economic evaluation studies included in the systematic review and related clinical trials were assessed using the 10-question check-list by Drummond and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale.

Results:All economic evaluations were performed alongside a clinical trial but the studied interventions were too heterogeneous to be synthesized. Methodological quality of the economic evaluations reported in the papers was not free of drawbacks, and in some cases, it improved when information from the related clinical trial was taken into account.

Conclusions:Economic evaluation papers dedicate little space to methodological features of related clinical trials; therefore, the methodological quality can be underestimated if evaluated separately from the trials. Future economic evaluations should follow more strictly the recommendations about methodology and the authors should pay special attention to the quality of reporting.
Validation and incidence of community-acquired pneumonia in patients with type 2 diabetes in the BIFAP database
Authors: SAIZ L. C. , GARJÓN J. , GORRICHO J. , ERVITI J. , GIL-GARCÍA M. J. , MARTÍN-MERINO E.
Published: August 2017

Oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs) have been associated with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We aimed to validate the recording of CAP in the Spanish Database for Pharmacoepidemiological Research in Primary Care (BIFAP) for the future evaluation of OAD–CAP association. The incidence rate (IR/1000 person-years) of CAP in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was also determined. In total, 2966 pneumonia records (2040 listed as diagnosis and 926 as identified from comments added by physicians) were identified from 76 009 patients with T2DM after the first OAD in 2002–2013. Data around the CAP date were reviewed: 1803 (60·9%) were classified as ‘probable CAP’ (confirmed by X-ray/laboratory, referral letters or CAP lung site); 589 (19·8%) as ‘no-case’ (486 had other illness, 78 previous CAP, 25 cancer); and 574 (19·4%) as ‘possible CAP’ (441 without confirmatory information, 133 with uncertain diagnosis or uncertain diagnosis date). In total, 74·2% and 31·4% of pneumonia records in the diagnosis and comments, respectively, were ‘probable cases’ (IR: 6·04), which increased to 90·5% and 42·9%, respectively, when the 441 ‘possible cases’ without confirmatory information were included (IR: 7·52). In summary, diagnosis had a high positive predictive value, and adding cases automatically detected from comments decreased that value significantly.