bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncovering state‐dependent relationships in shallow lakes using Bayesian latent variable regression
Authors: Vitense Kelsey , Hanson Mark A. , Herwig Brian R. , Zimmer Kyle D. , Fieberg John
Published: October 2017

Ecosystems sometimes undergo dramatic shifts between contrasting regimes. Shallow lakes, for instance, can transition between two alternative stable states: a clear state dominated by submerged aquatic vegetation and a turbid state dominated by phytoplankton. Theoretical models suggest that critical nutrient thresholds differentiate three lake types: highly resilient clear lakes, lakes that may switch between clear and turbid states following perturbations, and highly resilient turbid lakes. For effective and efficient management of shallow lakes and other systems, managers need tools to identify critical thresholds and state‐dependent relationships between driving variables and key system features. Using shallow lakes as a model system for which alternative stable states have been demonstrated, we developed an integrated framework using Bayesian latent variable regression (BLR) to classify lake states, identify critical total phosphorus (TP) thresholds, and estimate steady state relationships between TP and chlorophyll a (chl a) using cross‐sectional data. We evaluated the method using data simulated from a stochastic differential equation model and compared its performance to k‐means clustering with regression (KMR). We also applied the framework to data comprising 130 shallow lakes. For simulated data sets, BLR had high state classification rates (median/mean accuracy >97%) and accurately estimated TP thresholds and state‐dependent TP‐chl a relationships. Classification and estimation improved with increasing sample size and decreasing noise levels. Compared to KMR, BLR had higher classification rates and better approximated the TP‐chl a steady state relationships and TP thresholds. We fit the BLR model to three different years of empirical shallow lake data, and managers can use the estimated bifurcation diagrams to prioritize lakes for management according to their proximity to thresholds and chance of successful rehabilitation. Our model improves upon previous methods for shallow lakes because it allows classification and regression to occur simultaneously and inform one another, directly estimates TP thresholds and the uncertainty associated with thresholds and state classifications, and enables meaningful constraints to be built into models. The BLR framework is broadly applicable to other ecosystems known to exhibit alternative stable states in which regression can be used to establish relationships between driving variables and state variables.
Precopulatory but not postcopulatory male reproductive traits diverge in response to mating system manipulation in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Wensing Kristina U. , Koppik Mareike , Fricke Claudia
Published: October 2017

Competition between males creates potential for pre‐ and postcopulatory sexual selection and conflict. Theory predicts that males facing risk of sperm competition should evolve traits to secure their reproductive success. If those traits are costly to females, the evolution of such traits may also increase conflict between the sexes. Conversely, under the absence of sperm competition, one expectation is for selection on male competitive traits to relax thereby also relaxing sexual conflict. Experimental evolution studies are a powerful tool to test this expectation. Studies in multiple insect species have yielded mixed and partially conflicting results. In this study, we evaluated male competitive traits and male effects on female costs of mating in Drosophila melanogaster after replicate lines evolved for more than 50 generations either under enforced monogamy or sustained polygamy, thus manipulating the extent of intrasexual competition between males. We found that in a setting where males competed directly with a rival male for access to a female and fertilization of her ova polygamous males had superior reproductive success compared to monogamous males. When comparing reproductive success solely in double mating standard sperm competition assays, however, we found no difference in male sperm defense competitiveness between the different selection regimes. Instead, we found monogamous males to be inferior in precopulatory competition, which indicates that in our system, enforced monogamy relaxed selection on traits important in precopulatory rather than postcopulatory competition. We discuss our findings in the context of findings from previous experimental evolution studies in Drosophila ssp. and other invertebrate species.
A biogeographical study on tropical flora of southern China
Authors: Zhu Hua
Published: October 2017

The tropical climate in China exists in southeastern Xizang (Tibet), southwestern to southeastern Yunnan, southwestern Guangxi, southern Guangdon, southern Taiwan, and Hainan, and these southern Chinese areas contain tropical floras. I checked and synonymized native seed plants from these tropical areas in China and recognized 12,844 species of seed plants included in 2,181 genera and 227 families. In the tropical flora of southern China, the families are mainly distributed in tropical areas and extend into temperate zones and contribute to the majority of the taxa present. The genera with tropical distributions also make up the most of the total flora. In terms of geographical elements, the genera with tropical Asian distribution constitute the highest proportion, which implies tropical Asian or Indo‐Malaysia affinity. Floristic composition and geographical elements are conspicuous from region to region due to different geological history and ecological environments, although floristic similarities from these regions are more than 90% and 64% at the family and generic levels, respectively, but lower than 50% at specific level. These differences in the regional floras could be influenced by historical events associated with the uplift of the Himalayas, such as the southeastward extrusion of the Indochina geoblock, clockwise rotation and southeastward movement of Lanping–Simao geoblock, and southeastward movement of Hainan Island. The similarity coefficients between the flora of southern China and those of Indochina countries are more than 96% and 80% at family and generic levels, indicating their close floristic affinity and inclusion in the same biogeographically floristic unit.
Subtle physiological and morphological differences explain ecological success of sympatric congeners
Authors: Porreca Anthony P. , Hintz William D. , Coulter David P. , Garvey James E.
Published: October 2017

Sympatric congeners with similar physiological and morphological characteristics may appear to overlap in niche space but respond to environmental change in different ways leading to population decline of one species while the other remains stable. Understanding why sympatric congeners vary in their ecological success can be challenging, but is particularly necessary given the magnitude of human‐induced environmental change among ecosystems. We propose that identifying a complex of subtle, interacting characters among congeners may be more effective in elucidating both historical coexistence and divergent ecological success in contemporary habitats compared to identifying just one apparent limiting similarity between species. Using this subtle difference hypothesis, we examined how metabolic rate associated with habitat use and internal and external morphology collectively influenced the ecological success of a common and a rare sturgeon species that differ dramatically in their conservation status due to environmental change. Multivariate analyses of gut morphology (e.g., intestine length) combined with respirometry on sand and gravel habitats were incorporated into a bioenergetics model to compare how the fishes responded to habitat change and food quality. Energetic tradeoffs induced by habitat type and underlying morphological differences led to different predicted growth rates. Compared with the more prevalent species, the rare and endangered fish needed to seek different habitats with less energetic costs and switch to foraging at a higher trophic level to persist. Our results corresponded to observed differences in ecological success between these species in the wild. Thus, subtle physiological and morphological differences may lead to dramatic differences in ecological success in contemporary habitats for species that are very similar ecologically.
Frequency‐dependent seed predation by rodents on Sonoran Desert winter annual plants
Authors: Horst Jonathan L. , Venable D. Lawrence
Published: October 2017

Numerous mechanisms may allow species to coexist. We tested for frequency‐dependent predation, a mechanism predicted by theory and established as a foraging behavior for many types of animals. Our field test included multiple prey species exposed in situ to multiple predator species and individuals to determine whether the prey species experienced predation patterns that were frequency dependent. The prey were seeds of three species of Sonoran Desert winter annual plants while the predator species were a guild of nocturnal seed foraging heteromyid and murid rodents that co‐occur naturally in the same community as the desert annuals at Tumamoc Hill near Tucson. Seeds of one species were much preferred over the other two. Nonetheless, we found the net effect of rodent foraging to be positively frequency dependent (the preference for each species is higher when it is common than when it is uncommon) as has been previously hypothesized. This frequency‐dependent predation should function as a species coexistence promoting mechanism in concert with the storage effect that has been previously demonstrated for this system.
Synergistic effects of parental and embryonic exposure to predation risk on prey offspring size at emergence
Authors: Donelan Sarah C. , Trussell Geoffrey C.
Published: October 2017

Cues signaling predation risk can strongly influence prey phenotypes both within and between generations. Parental and embryonic effects have been shown to operate independently in response to predation risk, but how they interact to shape offspring life history traits remains largely unknown. Here, we conducted experiments to examine the synergistic impacts of parental and embryonic experiences with predation risk on offspring size at emergence in the snail,Nucella lapillus,which is an ecologically important intermediate consumer on rocky intertidal shores. We found that when embryos were exposed to predation risk, the offspring of risk‐experienced parents emerged larger than those of parents that had no risk experience. This response was not the result of increased development time, greater resource availability, or fewer emerging offspring, but may have occurred because both parental and embryonic experiences with risk increased growth efficiency, perhaps by reducing embryonic respiration rates under risk. Our results highlight the potential for organisms to be influenced by a complex history of environmental signals with important consequences for individual fitness and predator–prey interactions.
Optimized Energy‐Saving Speed Profile in Linear‐Motor Railway System
Authors: WATANABE SHOICHIRO , KOSEKI TAKAFUMI , NODA YOSHICHIKA , MIYATAKE MASAFUMI
Published: October 2017

The most striking characteristic of linear‐motor railway system is that the structure consists of a primary and secondary linear induction motor (LIM). The primary side of the LIM is installed in a rolling stock, and the secondary side of LIM is installed on the track. The magnetic attractive vertical force produced by the LIM increases the running resistance since this force is in the same direction as the gravitational force due to which rolling stocks gain weight virtually from the track side of view. In addition, the efficiency of the LIM has different characteristics of efficiency compared with the rotary motor. Previous studies have focused on the design method of LIM to improve motor efficiency and decrease energy consumption. However, it is a well‐known fact that this kind of approach requires hardware renewal which requests large amount of investments. The purpose of this study is to analyze these characteristics of LIM effects and design the optimal speed profile to minimize the energy consumption as a linear‐motor railway system. This smart and economic energy‐saving approach is based on the optimization of speed profiles of the linear‐motor railway system using dynamic programming.
Improving the Efficiency by Controlling the Switching Frequency for Secondary‐Side Converter of an Inductive Power Transfer System
Authors: OTA RYOSUKE , HOSHI NOBUKAZU , UCHIDA KOSUKE
Published: October 2017

The switching frequency affects the efficiency of a secondary‐side converter that is configured with a diode bridge rectifier connected to a DC‐DC converter in an inductive power transfer (IPT) system. The efficiency characteristics for the switching frequency of a secondary‐side converter were analyzed theoretically in order to establish a highly efficient control scheme the controls the switching frequency of the converter. A control scheme is proposed in which the switching frequency of the secondary‐side converter is controlled according to the efficiency characteristics. The validity of the proposed control scheme was clarified through experiments. The results showed that the proposed control scheme improved the efficiency of the IPT system by 3.4 points compared to the conventional control scheme.
Changing the size of a mirror‐reflected hand does not affect pain perception: A repeated measures study on healthy human participants
Authors: Wittkopf P.G. , Lloyd D.M. , Johnson M.I.
Published: October 2017

Background

Studies suggest that observing magnified and minified body parts using mirrors, lenses and virtual reality may affect pain perception. However, the direction of effect varies between studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of observing a normal‐sized, magnified and minified reflection of a hand on perceptual embodiment and contact‐heat stimuli.

Methods

Participants (n = 46) observed a normal‐sized, magnified and minified reflection of the hand and a no‐reflection condition while performing synchronized finger movements for 3 min (adaptive phase). Measurements of embodiment were taken before adaptive phase, pre‐ and post‐contact‐heat stimuli.

Results

There were no differences in pain threshold nor tolerance between reflection and no‐reflection conditions. Altering the size of the reflection of the hand did not affect estimates of pain threshold nor tolerance. The temperature for warm detection threshold was lower when participants were observing the magnified reflection of the hand compared with the no‐reflection condition. Perceptual embodiment of the reflection of the hand was stronger after an adaptive phase with visuo‐motor feedback, and the painful stimuli did not weaken the perceptual experience.

Conclusion

Observing a reflection of the hand in front of a mirror did not alter heat pain threshold nor tolerance when compared with a no‐reflection condition, and altering the size of the reflection did not affect pain perception. Researchers and clinicians using visual feedback techniques may consider including an adaptive phase with visuo‐motor feedback to facilitate embodiment of the viewed body part.

Significance

An adaptive phase with visuo‐motor feedback enhances the perceptual experience of embodiment of a reflection of a hand and a painful stimulus does not weaken the experience. This should be considered when using visual feedback techniques for pain management.
Modification of polyethylene glycol with choline chloride and evaluation of the CO2 absorption capacity of their aqueous solutions
Authors: Sadeghpour Mahsa , Yusoff Rozita , Aroua Mohamed Kheireddine , Tabandeh Mojtaba
Published: October 2017

In this study, two new water‐soluble poly ionic liquids (PILs) polyethylene glycol‐ Di choline chloride (PEG‐(ChCl)2) were modified, with two molecular weights of PEG, 400 and 600, to be used as solvents for CO2 capture. The modified polymers were characterized using Fourier transform infra‐red (FT‐IR) spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR). CO2 absorption using the PILs was conducted at temperatures from 30 to 70°C and at pressures ranging from 10 to 13 bars. Both PILs saturated and then regenerated under the regeneration temperature: 90–100°C. The results showed that most of CO2 in the liquid phase is released through the thermal regeneration before solutions start to boil after three cycles. PEG (400)–(ChCl)2, and PEG(600)–(ChCl)2 with a concentration of 0.03M showed CO2 loading of 16.24 and 15.68, respectively. These results were 25% higher than the original PEG (400–600). © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complications and donor site morbidity of 3‐layer reconstruction with iliotibial tract of the anterior skull base: Retrospective analysis of 186 patients
Authors: Mattavelli Davide , Schreiber Alberto , Villaret Andrea Bolzoni , Accorona Remo , Turri‐Zanoni Mario , Lambertoni Alessia , Ferrari Marco , Castelnuovo Paolo , Nicolai Piero
Published: October 2017

Background

Anterior skull base reconstruction after resection of sinonasal cancers may be challenging when pedicled flaps are unavailable. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the complication rate and donor site morbidity of 3‐layer reconstruction with the iliotibial tract (ITT).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all anterior skull base reconstructions with ITT performed from 2007 to 2015. Donor site morbidity was investigated by a dedicated questionnaire. Factors impacting on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak were assessed using the Fisher's exact test.

Results

One hundred eighty‐six patients were included. The overall complication rate was 9.7%. A CSF leak occurred in 11 patients (5.8%). Twenty patients (10.8%) and 130 patients (69.9%) underwent previous or adjuvant radiotherapy, respectively. Neither radio(chemo)therapy nor age impacted the risk of CSF leak. Six patients (3.2%) experienced complications at the donor site. The questionnaire demonstrated minimal functional and aesthetic morbidity.

Conclusion

Three‐layer reconstruction with the ITT is a safe procedure with acceptable complication rate and donor site morbidity.
Stage II recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Prognostic significance of retropharyngeal nodal metastasis, parapharyngeal invasion, and carotid encasement
Authors: Chan Jimmy Yu Wai , Wong Stanley Thian Sze , Wei William Ignace
Published: October 2017

Background

The purpose of this study was to assess the predictability of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system on patients with stage II recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Method

We conducted a retrospective review of the surgical outcome for patients with recurrent NPC and retropharyngeal lymph node (RLN) metastasis (group I), recurrent NPC and parapharyngeal space (PPS) invasion (group II), and recurrent NPC and internal carotid artery (ICA) encasement (group III).

Results

Between 1990 and 2013, 145 patients received an operation for stage II recurrent NPC (group I, n = 62; group II, n = 65; and group III, n = 18). The rate of local tumor recurrence was significantly higher in groups II and III. The rate of systemic metastasis was significantly higher in group III (16.7%). Accordingly, the 5‐year overall survival was significantly worse for patients in group III (group I: 81.2%; group II: 68.4%; and group III: 48.5%).

Conclusion

The significantly worse prognosis of recurrent NPC encasing the ICA warrants an upstage to the T3 classification in the current AJCC staging system.
The role of human cytochrome P450 2E1 in liver inflammation and fibrosis
Authors: Xu Jun , Ma Hsiao‐Yen , Liang Shuang , Sun Mengxi , Karin Gabriel , Koyama Yukinori , Hu Ronglin , Quehenberger Oswald , Davidson Nicholas O. , Dennis Edward A. , Kisseleva Tatiana , Brenner David A.
Published: October 2017

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) plays an important role in alcohol and toxin metabolism by catalyzing the conversion of substrates into more polar metabolites and producing reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species‐induced oxidative stress promotes hepatocyte injury and death, which in turn induces inflammation, activation of hepatic stellate cells, and liver fibrosis. Here, we analyzed mice expressing only the human CYP2E1 gene (hCYP2E1) to determine differences in hCYP2E1 versus endogenous mouse Cyp2e1 function with different liver injuries. After intragastric alcohol feeding, CYP2E1 expression was induced in both hCYP2E1 and wild‐type (Wt) mice. hCYP2E1 mice had greater inflammation, fibrosis, and lipid peroxidation but less hepatic steatosis. In addition, hCYP2E1 mice demonstrated increased expression of fibrogenic and proinflammatory genes but decreased expression of de novo lipogenic genes compared to Wt mice. Lipidomics of free fatty acid, triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol, and cholesterol ester species and proinflammatory prostaglandins support these conclusions. Carbon tetrachloride‐induced injury suppressed expression of both mouse and human CYP2E1, but again hCYP2E1 mice exhibited greater hepatic stellate cell activation and fibrosis than Wt controls with comparable expression of proinflammatory genes. By contrast, 14‐day bile duct ligation induced comparable cholestatic injury and fibrosis in both genotypes. Conclusion: Alcohol‐induced liver fibrosis but not hepatic steatosis is more severe in the hCYP2E1 mouse than in the Wt mouse, demonstrating the use of this model to provide insight into the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:1043–1057)
The problem of employees' network centrality and supervisors' error in performance appraisal: A multilevel theory
Authors: Bizzi Lorenzo
Published: October 2017

This article reveals an unexplored paradox for HR managers: the centrality of an employee in the social network benefits performance but hampers performance appraisal because it affects supervisors' rating errors. Central employees can be erroneously rated high on performance even when they are not high performers because supervisors tend to overappraise their performance. A distinction is made between rating precision, which depends on supervisors' uncertainty regarding employees' performance, and rating accuracy, which depends on supervisors' bias in favor of employees. Employee centrality is posited to be beneficial to precision but deleterious to accuracy because it regulates the diffusion of positive information, status, and power, all of which distort supervisors' capacity and motivation to accurately appraise performance. It is then argued that rating errors caused by network centrality affect aggregate perceptions of justice in organizations. When employees are highly connected to each other in a dense network, organizations have a strong and positive justice climate. Yet when some employees are more central than others in a centralized network, organizations have a negative and weak justice climate. The article contributes to the literature because it identifies an unexplored dark side of network centrality and offers recommendations for HR managers to cope with its deleterious consequences and for scholars to study them.
Unexpected nationwide nitrate declines in groundwater of Korea
Authors: Lee Jin‐Yong , Kwon Kideok D. , Park Yu‐Chul , Jeon Woo‐Hyun
Published: October 2017

Elevated levels of nitrate in groundwater are an important concern for health and the environment. The overapplication of nitrogen fertilizer to croplands is one of the major sources of high nitrate content in groundwater. In this study, we analyse the nitrate concentrations in Korean groundwater based on data from groundwater quality monitoring wells (n = 1,022–2,072), which were sampled twice annually over a recent 13‐year analysis period (2001–2013). We report that groundwater nitrate levels are decreasing, despite steadily increasing groundwater use. The maximum nitrate concentration decreased from 168.91 to 48.11 mg/L, whereas the mean values also show a gradual decreasing trend. Non‐parametric Mann–Kendall tests on nitrate concentrations also confirm the decreasing trend. The nitrate decrease is more clearly evident in agricultural groundwater as compared to domestic and drinking groundwaters. This decrease of nitrate in groundwater coincides with a large decline in nitrogen fertilizer application due to reduced cropland areas, more sustainable agricultural practices, and progressive improvement of sewage disposal services. This study proposes that the long‐term adoption of best practices in agriculture has had a positive impact on groundwater nitrate control.
Influence of a rock glacier spring on the stream energy budget and cold‐water refuge in an alpine stream
Authors: Harrington Jordan S. , Hayashi Masaki , Kurylyk Barret L.
Published: October 2017

The thermal regimes of alpine streams remain understudied and have important implications for cold‐water fish habitat, which is expected to decline due to climatic warming. Previous research has focused on the effects of distributed energy fluxes and meltwater from snowpacks and glaciers on the temperature of mountain streams. This study presents the effects of the groundwater spring discharge from an inactive rock glacier containing little ground ice on the temperature of an alpine stream. Rock glaciers are coarse blocky landforms that are ubiquitous in alpine environments and typically exhibit low groundwater discharge temperatures and resilience to climatic warming. Water temperature data indicate that the rock glacier spring cools the stream by an average of 3 °C during July and August and reduces maximum daily temperatures by an average of 5 °C during the peak temperature period of the first two weeks in August, producing a cold‐water refuge downstream of the spring. The distributed stream surface and streambed energy fluxes are calculated for the reach along the toe of the rock glacier, and solar radiation dominates the distributed stream energy budget. The lateral advective heat flux generated by the rock glacier spring is compared to the distributed energy fluxes over the study reach, and the spring advective heat flux is the dominant control on stream temperature at the reach scale. This study highlights the potential for coarse blocky landforms to generate climatically resilient cold‐water refuges in alpine streams.
In vitro label‐free screening of chemotherapeutic drugs using Raman microspectroscopy: Towards a new paradigm of spectralomics
Authors: Farhane Zeineb , Nawaz Haq , Bonnier Franck , Byrne Hugh J.
Published: October 2017

This overview groups some of the recent studies highlighting the potential application of Raman microspectroscopy as an analytical technique in preclinical development to predict drug mechanism of action and in clinical application as a companion diagnostic and in personalised therapy due to its capacity to predict cellular resistance and therefore to optimise chemotherapeutic treatment efficacy. Notably, the anthracyclines, doxorubicin and actinomycin D, elicit similar spectroscopic signatures of subcellular interaction characteristic of the mode of action of intercalation. Although cisplatin and vincristine show markedly different signatures, at low exposure doses, their signatures at higher doses show marked similarities to those elicited by the intercalating anthracyclines, confirming that anticancer agents can have different modes of action with different spectroscopic signatures, depending on the dose. The study demonstrates that Raman microspectroscopy can elucidate subcellular transport and accumulation pathways of chemotherapeutic agents, characterise and fingerprint their mode of action, and potentially identify cell‐resistant strains. The consistency of the spectroscopic signatures for drugs of similar modes of action, in different cell lines, suggests that this fingerprint can be considered a “spectralome” of the drug‐cell interaction suggesting a new paradigm of representing spectroscopic responses.
In vitro evaluation of marrow clot enrichment on microstructure decoration, cell delivery and proliferation of porous titanium scaffolds by selective laser melting three‐dimensional printing
Authors: Yao Qing‐qiang , Hu Jun , Zheng Peng‐fei , Li Jia‐yi , Zhou Jin , Tian Shu‐chang , Wei Bo , Xu Yan , Wang Li‐ming
Published: October 2017

Titanium alloy is a clinically approved material for bone substitution. Although three‐dimensional printing (3DP) fabrication technique can build up porous Ti scaffolds with the designed shape and microstructure, the biomechanical performance of 3DP Ti scaffolds still need to be improved to increase the reliability of osseointegration capacity. To address this issue, rabbit bone marrow clot (MC) is used to modify 3DP Ti scaffolds by stem cell delivery and microenvironment decoration inside the pores of these scaffolds. Moreover, 3DP Ti scaffolds were built up using selective laser melting, and 3DP MC‐Ti scaffolds were constructed through the enrichment of MC with Ti scaffolds in vitro. Results demonstrated that the obtained 3DP Ti scaffolds in current study has an average modulus of elasticity (ME) at 1294.48 MPa with average yield strength of 33.154 MPa. For MC‐Ti scaffolds, MC enrichment obstructs the pores of 3DP scaffolds due to the large amount of fibrin and erythrocytes and leads to a decrease in ratio of live cells at 1‐week culture. Cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation performance of MC‐Ti scaffolds were promoted with porous recanalization in the later 3 weeks. After 2 weeks in vitro culture, fivefold of cell number in MC‐Ti scaffolds were observed than bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cell‐seeded Ti scaffolds. Compared to Ti scaffolds, fourfold of deoxyribonucleic acid content, type I collagen‐α1, osteocalcin, and alkaline phosphatase expression in MC‐Ti scaffolds were observed after 4 weeks in vitro culture. Results suggested that the combination with MC is a highly efficient method that improves the biological performance of Ti scaffolds. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2245–2253, 2018.
Hormonal Regulation of Osteocyte Perilacunar and Canalicular Remodeling in the Hyp Mouse Model of X-Linked Hypophosphatemia
Authors: Tokarz Danielle , Martins Janaina S , Petit Elizabeth T , Lin Charles P , Demay Marie B , Liu Eva S
Published: October 2017

Osteocytes remodel their surrounding perilacunar matrix and canalicular network to maintain skeletal homeostasis. Perilacunar/canalicular remodeling is also thought to play a role in determining bone quality. X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is characterized by elevated serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels, resulting in hypophosphatemia and decreased production of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D). In addition to rickets and osteomalacia, long bones from mice with XLH (Hyp) have impaired whole-bone biomechanical integrity accompanied by increased osteocyte apoptosis. To address whether perilacunar/canalicular remodeling is altered in Hyp mice, histomorphometric analyses of tibia and 3D intravital microscopic analyses of calvaria were performed. These studies demonstrate that Hyp mice have larger osteocyte lacunae in both the tibia and calvaria, accompanied by enhanced osteocyte mRNA and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and genes classically used by osteoclasts to resorb bone, such as cathepsin K (CTSK). Hyp mice also exhibit impaired canalicular organization, with a decrease in number and branching of canaliculi extending from tibial and calvarial lacunae. To determine whether improving mineral ion and hormone homeostasis attenuates the lacunocanalicular phenotype, Hyp mice were treated with 1,25D or FGF23 blocking antibody (FGF23Ab). Both therapies were shown to decrease osteocyte lacunar size and to improve canalicular organization in tibia and calvaria. 1,25D treatment of Hyp mice normalizes osteocyte expression of MMP13 and classic osteoclast markers, while FGF23Ab decreases expression of MMP13 and selected osteoclast markers. Taken together, these studies point to regulation of perilacunar/canalicular remodeling by physiologic stimuli including hypophosphatemia and 1,25D. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Hydroxyethyl starch and kidney function: A retrospective study in patients undergoing therapeutic plasma exchange
Authors: Radhakrishnan Muthuchellappan , Batra Akshay , Periyavan Sundar , Philip Mariamma , Anand Vivek
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and albumin are used as replacement fluids during therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). HES solutions are no longer recommended in critically ill patients due to its effect on kidneys and coagulation. In this retrospective study, we tried to look at the association between cumulative HES administration and kidney function in patients undergoing TPE.

Methods

Transfusion medicine department register was scrutinized to identify adult patients who had completed at least 5 cycles of TPE during the period June 2014–May 2015. Patient demographics, indication for TPE, amount of plasma removed, amount of colloid administered, adverse events and vascular access details were collected. Electronic hospital database was scrutinized to retrieve lab parameters, including blood urea and serum creatinine (before and after 5 cycles of TPE) and platelet count. Baseline renal parameters were compared with post TPE values using Wilcoxon signed rank test. A p value <0.05 was kept as significant.

Results

Of the 593 patients who received TPE during the study period, 104 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Forty‐five patients out of 104 received TPE in the intensive care unit. All patients received 2500 ml of HES during the study period. Blood urea and serum creatinine values, when compared to baseline, significantly decreased after 5 cycles of TPE (p = 0.004, p = 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

Blood urea and serum creatinine, used as markers of renal function, improved in patients requiring multiple doses of HES solutions during TPE. Further studies using novel renal biomarkers are required to examine whether HES induces any structural damage to kidneys.
Comparison of Various Means of Evaluating Molecular Electrostatic Potentials for Noncovalent Interactions
Authors: Scheiner Steve
Published: October 2017

The various heterodimers formed by a series of Lewis acids with NH3as Lewis base are identified. Lewis acids include those that can form chalcogen (HSF and HSBr), pnicogen (H2PF and H2PBr), and tetrel (H3SiF and H3SiBr) bonds, as well as H‐bonds and halogen bonds. The molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) of each Lewis acid is considered in a number of ways. Pictorial versions show broad regions of positive and negative MEP, on surfaces that vary with respect to either the value of the chosen isopotential, or their distance from the nuclei. Specific points are identified where the MEP reaches a maximum on a particular isodensity surface (Vs,max). The locations and values ofVs,maxwere evaluated on different isodensity surfaces, and compared to the stabilities of the various equilibrium geometries. As the chosen isodensity is decreased, and the MEP maxima drift away from the molecule, some points maintain their angular positions with respect to the molecule, whereas others undergo a reorientation. The lowering isodensity also causes some of the maxima to disappear. In general, there is a fairly good correlation between the energetic ordering of the equilibrium structures and the values ofVs,max. A number of possible Lewis acid sites on the heteroaromatic imidazole ring were also considered and presents some cautions about application ofVs,maxas the principal criterion for predicting equilibrium geometries. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reciprocity Between Parental Psychopathology and Oppositional Symptoms From Preschool to Middle Childhood
Authors: Antúnez Zayra , de la Osa Nuria , Granero Roser , Ezpeleta Lourdes
Published: October 2017

Objective

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a common disorder in preschool children. Evidence indicates that maternal and paternal psychopathology, particularly aggressive behavior and anxious and depressed symptoms, contributes to the development of this disorder. The latest research also suggests that ODD symptoms may exacerbate the mental health problems of parents. Our aim was to establish the existence of a reciprocal association between paternal and maternal psychopathology (aggression, depression, and anxiety) and child ODD at ages 3 and 8, using a longitudinal design in a community sample of preschoolers.

Method

The sample included 331 children evaluated at ages 3 and 8 through questionnaires and a semistructured diagnostic interview with parents. Parents also informed about their own psychopathology.

Results

At 3 years of age, higher levels of ODD symptoms in girls were concurrently associated with maternal anxious and depressed symptoms and paternal aggressive behavior, and higher levels of ODD symptoms in boys were concurrently associated with maternal aggressive behavior. Longitudinally, for boys, higher levels of maternal anxious and depressed symptoms at child age 3 predicted increases in ODD symptoms from 3 to 8 years of age. In addition, higher levels of ODD symptoms in boys aged 3–8 years predicted increases in fathers’ anxious and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Children with ODD should be evaluated and treated promptly, but efforts should be extended to their parents. Mothers’ and fathers’ mental health must be explored because the psychopathologies of children and parents reciprocally affect each other.
Automated vessel exclusion technique for quantitative assessment of hepatic iron overload by ‐MRI
Authors: Tipirneni‐Sajja Aaryani , Song Ruitian , McCarville M. Beth , Loeffler Ralf B. , Hankins Jane S. , Hillenbrand Claudia M.
Published: October 2017

Background

Extraction of liver parenchyma is an important step in the evaluation of
‐based hepatic iron content (HIC). Traditionally, this is performed by radiologists via whole‐liver contouring and
‐thresholding to exclude hepatic vessels. However, the vessel exclusion process is iterative, time‐consuming, and susceptible to interreviewer variability.

Purpose

To implement and evaluate an automatic hepatic vessel exclusion and parenchyma extraction technique for accurate assessment of
‐based HIC.

Study Type

Retrospective analysis of clinical data.

Subjects

Data from 511 MRI exams performed on 257 patients were analyzed.

Field Strength/Sequence

All patients were scanned on a 1.5T scanner using a multiecho gradient echo sequence for clinical monitoring of HIC.

Assessment

An automated method based on a multiscale vessel enhancement filter was investigated for three input data types—contrast‐optimized composite image,
map, and
map—to segment blood vessels and extract liver tissue for
‐based HIC assessment. Segmentation and
results obtained using this automated technique were compared with those from a reference
‐thresholding technique performed by a radiologist.

Statistical Tests

The Dice similarity coefficient was used to compare the segmentation results between the extracted parenchymas, and linear regression and Bland‐Altman analyses were performed to compare the
results, obtained with the automated and reference techniques.

Results

Mean liver
values estimated from all three filter‐based methods showed excellent agreement with the reference method (slopes 1.04–1.05, R2 > 0.99, P < 0.001). Parenchyma areas extracted using the reference and automated methods had an average overlap area of 87–88%. The
‐thresholding technique included small vessels and pixels at the vessel/tissue boundaries as parenchymal area, potentially causing a small bias (<5%) in
values compared to the automated method.

Data Conclusion

The excellent agreement between reference and automated hepatic vessel segmentation methods confirms the accuracy and robustness of the proposed method. This automated approach might improve the radiologist's workflow by reducing the interpretation time and operator dependence for assessing HIC, an important clinical parameter that guides iron overload management.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1542–1551.
Response of viticulture‐related climatic indices and zoning to historical and future climate conditions in Greece
Authors: Koufos G. C. , Mavromatis T. , Koundouras S. , Jones G. V.
Published: October 2017

Climate and viticulture are indisputably linked and thus knowledge of the predominant weather and climate conditions of a given area is essential for optimum variety selection, viable production and overall wine quality. In this study, an assessment of the current (1981–2010) and future conditions (2021–2050 and 2061–2090) through principal climatic elements and six bioclimatic indices (i.e. Growing season average temperature, growing degree‐days, Huglin index, biologically effective degree‐days, dryness index and cool night index) at 23 weather stations proximal to the key mainland, coastal and island viticultural areas of Greece was performed. Mainland locations were generally colder due to their wider variety of terroir aspects and elevation, while coastal locations and islands faced proportionally more extreme temperatures and drier conditions. Trend analysis revealed that minimum temperatures increased at higher rates than the respective maximum temperatures at most locations. Climate change scenarios derived from the regional climate model RegCM4 suggested significant shifts towards warmer and drier conditions across all locations in the future. These conditions are very likely to advance phenology and harvest beyond what is considered suitable and will likely have detrimental impacts on wine quality. Differences in impacts will likely be seen between wine areas currently cultivated with early ripening (reducing variety suitability)versusthose with later‐ripening (increasing consistency in ripening) varieties. Overall, the changes projected for the future climate will challenge the Greek wine industry to increase its adaptive capacity through better understanding of temperature thresholds for the varieties grown and the adoption of new cultivation techniques and strategies.
Intensified impact of North Atlantic Oscillation in May on subsequent July Asian inland plateau precipitation since the late 1970s
Authors: Piao Jinling , Chen Wen , Chen Shangfeng , Wei Ke
Published: October 2017

The relationship between the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in May and precipitation in the Asian inland plateau (AIP) in following July has experienced a significant enhancement since the late 1970s. This study investigates the factors for this inter‐decadal change of the NAO–AIP precipitation connection. Before the late 1970s, geopotential height anomalies related to the May NAO exhibited a dipole pattern confined to the North Atlantic from May to June and decayed in July. As a result, the impact of the May NAO on the AIP precipitation in July is weak. In contrast, after the late 1970s, geopotential height anomalies associated with the May NAO persisted into July. The analysis in this study finds that the May NAO influences July AIP precipitation via modulating the Polar–Eurasia teleconnection (POL). After (before) the late 1970s, the connection between the May NAO and the POL was strong (weak), explaining the inter‐decadal change in the May NAO–July AIP precipitation relationship. Further analysis suggests that the strengthening of the relationship between the May NAO pattern and the July POL after the late 1970s may be attributed to the inter‐decadal contraction of the Northern Hemisphere circumpolar vortex.
An observer‐metamerism sensitivity index for electronic displays
Authors: Le Moan Steven , Tanksale Tejas Madan , Byshko Roman , Urban Philipp
Published: October 2017

The effect of observer metamerism induced by electronic displays depends to a large extent on their primary spectra (red, green, and blue in the most common case). In particular, for narrow‐band primary spectra whose peak wavelength lies in the range of high variability of the observer's color‐matching function, some observers can experience very large differences between actual surface colors (e.g. in a light booth) and displayed colors if the monitor is optimized for the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) 1931 standard observer. However, because narrow‐band light‐emitting diodes lead to larger color gamuts, more and more monitors with very narrow band primaries are coming onto the market without manufacturers taking into account the associated problem of observer variations. Being able to measure these variations accurately and efficiently is therefore an important objective. In this paper, we propose a new approach to predict the extent of observer metamerism for a particular multiprimary display. Unlike existing dedicated models, ours does not depend on a reference illuminant and a set of reflectance spectra and is computationally more efficient.
Does the Pringle maneuver affect survival and recurrence following surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma? A western series of 441 patients
Authors: Famularo Simone , Giani Alessandro , Di Sandro Stefano , Sandini Marta , Giacomoni Alessandro , Pinotti Enrico , Lauterio Andrea , Gianotti Luca , De Carlis Luciano , Romano Fabrizio
Published: October 2017

Background

The impact of the Pringle maneuver (PM) on long‐term outcome after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is controversial, with eastern series reporting conflicting results. We aim to evaluate the impact of the PM in a western cohort.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed patients with HCC who underwent liver resection between January 2001 and August 2015. Patients were divided in two groups based the use of the PM during resection. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS).

Results

A total of 441 patients were analyzed. Of these, 176 patients (39.9%) underwent PM. Median OS was 46.4 months (95%CI: 34.1‐58.7) for the PM group and 56.5 months (95%CI: 37.1‐75.9) for the no‐PM group (P = 0.188), with a median DFS of 26.7 months (95%CI: 15.7‐37.7) and 24.9 months (95%CI: 18.1‐31.7), respectively (P = 0.883).

Conclusions

These results suggest that PM does not increase the risk of tumor recurrence or decrease long‐term survival.
Separation of selenium species and their sensitive determination in rice samples by ion‐pairing reversed‐phase liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Gao Huan‐Huan , Chen Ming‐Xue , Hu Xian‐Qiao , Chai Shuang‐Shuang , Qin Mei‐Ling , Cao Zhao‐Yun
Published: October 2017

A highly sensitive method was developed for the simultaneous separation and determination of organic and inorganic selenium species in rice by ion‐pairing reversed‐phase chromatography combined with inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry. To achieve a good separation of these species, a comparison between anion‐exchange chromatography and ion‐pairing reversed‐phase chromatography was performed. The results indicated that ion‐pairing reversed‐phase chromatography was more suitable due to better separation and higher sensitivity for all analytes. In this case, a StableBond C18 column proved to be more robust or to have a better resolution than other C18 columns, when 0.5 mM tetrabutylammonium hydroxide and 10 mM ammonium acetate at pH 5.5 were used as the mobile phase. Moreover, an excellent sensitivity was obtained in terms of interferences by means of tandem mass spectrometry in the hydrogen mode. The detection limits were 0.02–0.12 μg/L, and recoveries of five selenium species were 75–114%, with relative standard deviations ≤ 9.4%. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of rice samples. Compared with previous studies, the proposed method not only gave comparable results when used for measuring selenium‐enriched rice, but it can provide greater sensitivity for the detection of low concentrations of selenium species in rice.