bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Ecology of Stress: linking life-history traits with physiological control mechanisms in free-living guanacos
Authors: Ovejero Aguilar Ramiro J.A. , Jahn Graciela A. , Soto-Gamboa Mauricio , Novaro Andrés J. , Carmanchahi Pablo
Published: November 2016

Background

Providing the context for the evolution of life-history traits, habitat features constrain successful ecological and physiological strategies. In vertebrates, a key response to life’s challenges is the activation of the Stress (HPA) and Gonadal (HPG) axes. Much of the interest in stress ecology is motivated by the desire to understand the physiological mechanisms in which the environment affects fitness. As reported in the literature, several intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect variability in hormone levels. In both social and non-social animals, the frequency and type of interaction with conspecifics, as well as the status in social species, can affect HPA axis activity, resulting in changes in the reproductive success of animals. We predicted that a social environment can affect both guanaco axes by increasing the secretion of testosterone (T) and Glucocorticoid (GCs) in response to individual social interactions and the energetic demands of breeding. Assuming that prolonged elevated levels of GCs over time can be harmful to individuals, it is predicted that the HPA axis suppresses the HPG axis and causes T levels to decrease, as GCs increase.

Methods

All of the data for individuals were collected by non-invasive methods (fecal samples) to address hormonal activities. This is a novel approach in physiological ecology because feces are easily obtained through non-invasive sampling in animal populations.

Results

As expected, there was a marked adrenal (p-value = .3.4e−12) and gonadal (p-value = 0.002656) response due to seasonal variation inLama guanicoe. No significant differences were found in fecal GCs metabolites between males/females*season for the entire study period (p-value = 0.2839). Despite the seasonal activity variation in the hormonal profiles, our results show a positive correlation (p-value = 1.952e−11, COR = 0.50) between the adrenal and gonadal system. The marked endocrine (r2 = 0.806) and gonad (r2 = 0.7231) response due to seasonal variation in male guanaco individuals highlights the individual’s energetic demands according to life-history strategies. This is a remarkable result because no inhibition was found between the axes as theory suggests. Finally, the dataset was used to build a reactive scope model for guanacos.

Discussion

Guanacos cope with the trade-off between sociability and reproductive benefits and costs, by regulating their GCs and T levels on a seasonal basis, suggesting an adaptive role of both axes to different habitat pressures. The results presented here highlight the functional role of stress and gonad axes on a critical phase of a male mammal’s life—the mating period—when all of the resources are at the disposal of the male and must be used to maximize the chances for reproductive success.
Regional variation in fire weather controls the reported occurrence of Scottish wildfires
Authors: Davies G. Matt , Legg Colin J.
Published: November 2016

Fire is widely used as a traditional habitat management tool in Scotland, but wildfires pose a significant and growing threat. The financial costs of fighting wildfires are significant and severe wildfires can have substantial environmental impacts. Due to the intermittent occurrence of severe fire seasons, Scotland, and the UK as a whole, remain somewhat unprepared. Scotland currently lacks any form of Fire Danger Rating system that could inform managers and the Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) of periods when there is a risk of increased of fire activity. We aimed evaluate the potential to use outputs from the Canadian Fire Weather Index system (FWI system) to forecast periods of increased fire risk and the potential for ignitions to turn into large wildfires. We collated four and a half years of wildfire data from the Scottish FRS and examined patterns in wildfire occurrence within different regions, seasons, between urban and rural locations and according to FWI system outputs. We used a variety of techniques, including Mahalanobis distances, percentile analysis and Thiel-Sen regression, to scope the best performing FWI system codes and indices. Logistic regression showed significant differences in fire activity between regions, seasons and between urban and rural locations. The Fine Fuel Moisture Code and the Initial Spread Index did a tolerable job of modelling the probability of fire occurrence but further research on fuel moisture dynamics may provide substantial improvements. Overall our results suggest it would be prudent to ready resources and avoid managed burning when FFMC > 75 and/or ISI > 2.
The Choice of Palliative Treatment for Biliary and Duodenal Obstruction in Patients With Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer: Is Surgery Bypass Better?
Authors: Fu Qinghui , Chen Ying , Liu Xiaohan
Published: November 2016

This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of palliative operation for carcinoma of pancreas between bypass surgery and interventional therapy. Most patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer cannot undergo resection and show obstructive jaundice at presentation. Methods of palliation in these patients comprise biliary stent or surgical bypass. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 53 patients who underwent palliative treatment with incurable locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. This retrospective study compared morbidity, mortality, hospital stay, readmission rate, and survival in these patients. A total of 31 patients underwent biliary bypass surgery, and 22 had interventional therapy. There was no significant difference in the patients' basic condition before operation and in the 30-day mortality between surgical palliation and intervention. However, there were some differences in the early complications, survival time, successful biliary drainage, and recurrent jaundice. Through analysis of these clinical data and the published studies, we conclude that surgical bypass is a better effective palliative method for patients than biliary and duodenum stent with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Patients need to be carefully selected in consideration of operative risk and perceived overall survival.
Another Type of Choledochal Cyst Beyond the Todani Classification
Authors: Huang Fu-Huan , Lee Chien-Hsing , Tseng Tsai-Yi , Hung Ching-Yi
Published: November 2016

The classification of choledochal cyst has changed from 3 types described by Alonso-Lej to 5 types described by Todani, but these classifications do not include dilatation of the cystic duct. The sixth type of choledochal cyst has been described by some authors for the cystic dilatation of the cystic duct. It is so rare that accurate diagnosis is difficult before operation. We present a 15-month-old girl with a type VI choledochal cyst that was misidentified preoperatively as a type I choledochal cyst. Besides the gall bladder and the cystic duct cyst, we also excised the distal part of the common bile duct and performed reconstruction with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. From a review of the literature, we have determined that there is a more direct route to adequate diagnosis and management of the sixth type of choledochal cyst.
High-Resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (HR-PQCT) and Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Measurements of Proximal Tibia in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Sadat-Ali Mir , Al-Omran Abdallah S.
Published: November 2016

The aim of the study was to assess bone morphometric indices of the proximal tibia and compare it with bone mineral density (BMD) at hip and lumbar spine and compare with the pQCT. Fifty consecutive patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) had a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan of the upper femur and lumbar spine. Upper tibial cuts were harvested from the tibial condyles and a DXA of tibial cuts was done during TKA. Bone morphometry studies were carried out using HR-pQCT. The bone mineral density at the hip was 0.54 ± 0.08 g/cm2 and spine was 0.73 ± 0.1 with a T score at the hip −2.23 ± 0.44 and spine −2.61 ± 0.45. The bone mineral density of the tibial cut was 0.356 ± 0.03 g/cm2 (P < 0.001) and T score was −6.58 ± 2.87 (P < 0.001). The average bone volume (BV) was 115.27 ± 40.45 mm3, trabecular number (Tb.N) was 1.45 ± 0.32 (1.009–2.37) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) was 0.181 ± 0.03 mm (0.111–0.268). The mean bone mineral density measured was 206.24 ± 50.58 mg HA/ccm. This study shows that there is highly significant difference between BMD measured by DXA and pQCT, and that bone morphometric analysis indicates that there is marked decrease in the mechanical properties of the bone in the proximal tibia due to knee Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis indicating poor bone architecture and quality.
Laparoscopic Varicocelectomy: My Personal Experience of 4000 Cases
Authors: Chen Christopher
Published: November 2016

Varicocele accounts for 40% of male infertility. Laparoscopic varicocelectomy was used for the treatment of a series of 4000 men. The operation was a high bilateral ligation. The average time for the operation was 1 hour and 15 minutes. There were no complications and patients were discharged on the same day of the operation. Testicular damage from varicocele was permanent, and the usual percentage was 10% of total testicular tissue examined. The surgery was very well accepted by patients. Semen parameters improved among 80% of the patients, with 45% of their wives becoming pregnant. There is clearly a role for video laparoscopic varicocelectomy in the treatment of male infertility.
Highly Thermally Conductive Yet Flexible Composite of Carbon Fiber, Carbon Nanotube, and Rubber Obtained by Decreasing the Thermal Resistivity at the Interface between Carbon Fiber and Carbon Nanotube
Authors: Ata Seisuke , Subramaniam Chandramouli , Nishizawa Ayumi , Yamada Takeo , Hata Kenji
Published: November 2016

Thermal management of personal computer and other devices are critical issue for stable operation. Especially, soft and high thermal conductive materials are widely required for thermal transfer from heat source to heat sink. In this study, we prepared high thermal conductive composite with long single wall carbon nanotube, pitch‐derived carbon fiber and fluorinated rubber. Thermal conductivity of the composites is up to 80 W mK−1 which is higher than that of iron or brass. Furthermore, origin of the high thermal conductivity of the composites is investigated by using Weidman–Franz low. Carbon nanotubes enhance phonon thermal transfer between carbon fiber to carbon fiber.
Orbital Angular Momentum Multiplexing and Demultiplexing by a Single Metasurface
Authors: Li Yang , Li Xiong , Chen Lianwei , Pu Mingbo , Jin Jinjin , Hong Minghui , Luo Xiangang
Published: November 2016

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) has recently gained much interest in high‐speed optical communication due to its spatial orthogonality. However, complex spatial phase distributions of OAM make the components difficult for nano‐photonic integration. In this work, a method to multiplex and demultiplex multiple OAMs, wavelengths, and polarizations channels by a highly integrated off‐axis technique on a metasurface is presented. As a multiplexer, beams without OAM can be transferred into coaxial beams carrying different OAM features by different incident angles; as a demultiplexer, coaxial beams carrying multi‐OAMs can be divided into different directions with fundamental modes. Furthermore, the component based on dipole optical antenna metasurface can be used not only as an OAM multiplexer/demultiplexer but also as a multiplexer/demultiplexer to achieve wavelength division multiplexing and polarization‐division multiplexing, as both these applications are based on the conservations of momentum and angular momentum. For practical applications, phase‐only hologram is analyzed to demonstrate multiple functions of this method.
Contrasting time‐based and weight‐based estimates of protein and energy intake of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra)
Authors: Aristizabal John F. , Rothman Jessica M. , García‐Fería Luis M. , Serio‐Silva Juan Carlos
Published: November 2016

Two methods are commonly used to describe the feeding behavior of wild primates, one based on the proportion of time animals spent feeding on specific plant parts (“time‐based” estimates) and one based on estimates of the actual amounts of different plant materials ingested (‘“weight‐based” estimates). However, studies based on feeding time may not be accurate for making quantitative assessments of animals’ nutrient and energy intake. We analyzed the diet of two groups of Alouatta pigra living in forest fragments using two different methods (time‐ and dry weight‐based estimates), to explore how these alternative approaches impact estimates of (a) the contribution of each food type to the diet and (b) the macronutrient composition of the diet, including available protein (AP), non‐protein energy (NPE), and total energy (TE) intake. We conducted behavioral observations (N = 658 hr and N = 46 full day focal follows), from August 2012 to March 2013. For each feeding bout, we estimated both time spent feeding and actual fresh‐ and dry‐weight consumption by counting the number of food items ingested during the bout. Using time‐based estimates, A. pigra showed a predominantly leaf‐based diet. In contrast, weight‐based estimates described combined a fruit and leaf‐based diet. There were no differences between methods when estimating AP intake; however, we found significant differences while estimating NPE and TE intake. Time‐based estimates provide us with important information such as the foraging effort spent on food items, trees, or patches, while weight‐based estimates may provide more accurate information concerning nutrient and energy intake. We suggest that quantitative estimates of nutrient intake in a primate's diet be based on observations of wet and/or dry weight actually ingested rather than extrapolated from time spent feeding.
Tungsten Nitride‐Cobalt Anchored in N‐Doped Ordered Porous Carbon as an Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalyst
Authors: Zhou Yan , Xue Hairong , Wang Tao , Guo Hu , Fan Xiaoli , Song Li , Xia Wei , Gong Hao , He Yuping , Wang Junwei , He Jianping
Published: November 2016

We prepared a non‐precious‐metal tungsten nitride‐cobalt (WN‐Co) electrocatalyst anchored in nitrogen‐doped ordered porous carbon (NOPC) through an in situ method. The WN‐Co/NOPC electrocatalyst possesses good oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) capability in alkaline media, including a high onset potential of −132 mV, a dominant four‐electron process, and a superior stability (onset potential and limiting current density were almost unchanged after 5000 cycles in 0.1 m KOH). The improved ORR performance was comparable to that of WN/NOPC and Co/NOPC with regard to three aspects: the even dispersion and uniform size of electrocatalyst particles provide more reactive sites; the nitrogen doping, high specific surface area and highly ordered mesoporous channel of catalyst support (NOPC) are conducive to the infiltration of the electrolyte; the existence of WN reinvests the catalyst with good stability, and the anchored configuration of WN and Co in the NOPC will prevent the particles from agglomerating after a long‐term cycle, thereby improving the stability of the catalyst particles.
Twenty‐five–year survival for aboriginal and caucasian children with congenital heart defects in Western Australia, 1980 to 2010
Authors: Nembhard Wendy N. , Bourke Jenny , Leonard Helen , Eckersley Luke , Li Jingyun , Bower Carol
Published: November 2016

Background

Australian Aboriginal children have increased infant and childhood mortality compared with Caucasian children, but their mortality related to congenital heart defects (CHDs) throughout life is unknown.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data on 8,110 live born, singleton infants with CHDs born January 1980 to December 2010 from the Western Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies. Vital status was determined from death and medical records. Data for infants with chromosomal anomalies (except Down syndrome) were excluded. Kaplan‐Meier Product‐Limit estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed by Aboriginality. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs were calculated from multivariable Cox‐Proportional Hazard Regression models.

Results

Aboriginal children had lower survival than Caucasians for all CHDs combined but most notably during the neonatal period for functional single ventricle (50.0% vs. 86.1%; p = 0.015) and during the postneonatal period for tetralogy of Fallot (87.0% vs. 97.4%; p = 0.021) and atrioventricular septal defect (60.0% vs. 94.6%; p = 0.010). After adjusting for covariates except remoteness and socioeconomic status (SES), Aboriginal children with all CHDs combined (HR = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0–1.9), with transposition of the great arteries (HR = 4.3; 95% CI, 1.0–18.9) or functional single ventricle (HR = 8.6; 95% CI, 1.3–57.9) had increased risk of mortality compared with Caucasian children. When remoteness and SES were included, the risks were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Long‐term survival was lower for Aboriginal children with CHDs, and Aboriginal children with specific CHD phenotypes had increased risk of mortality throughout life. Increased risk may be due to SES and environmental factors. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:1016–1031, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Serum uric acid levels in Parkinson's disease and related disorders
Authors: Sakuta Hideki , Suzuki Keisuke , Miyamoto Tomoyuki , Miyamoto Masayuki , Numao Ayaka , Fujita Hiroaki , Watanabe Yuji , Hirata Koichi
Published: November 2016

Objective

Serum uric acid (UA) levels are reported to be decreased in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). However, clinical correlates of serum UA levels are still unclear in PD‐related disorders. We conducted a cross‐sectional study to evaluate the associations between serum UA levels and disease duration, disease severity, and motor function among PD, MSA, and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients.

Methods

A total of 100 patients with PD, 42 patients with MSA, 30 patients with PSP, and 100 controls were included in this study. Serum UA levels were determined, and associations among serum UA levels and disease duration, disease severity, and motor function in PD, PSP, and MSA patients were evaluated.

Results

Serum UA levels were significantly lower in male PD, MSA, and PSP patients compared with the controls, but not in female patients. Serum UA levels were negatively correlated with disease duration and severity in MSA and PSP patients, but no correlations were observed in PD patients. The serum UA levels were significantly decreased in the tauopathy group (PSP patients) compared with the synucleinopathy group (PD and MSA patients) after adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index.

Conclusion

We found decreased serum UA levels in male patients with PD‐related disorders (PD, MSA, and PSP) compared with male controls, and significant correlations between serum UA levels and disease severity in MSA and PSP patients.
Selective Sensing of Phosphates by a New Bis‐heteroleptic RuII Complex through Halogen Bonding: A Superior Sensor over Its Hydrogen‐Bonding Analogue
Authors: Chowdhury Bijit , Sinha Sanghamitra , Ghosh Pradyut
Published: November 2016

The selective phosphate‐sensing property of a bis‐heteroleptic RuII complex, 1[PF6]2, which has a halogen‐bonding iodotriazole unit, is demonstrated and is shown to be superior to its hydrogen‐bonding analogue, 2[PF6]2. Complex 1[PF6]2, exploiting halogen‐bonding interactions, shows enhanced phosphate recognition in both acetonitrile and aqueous acetonitrile compared with its hydrogen‐bonding analogue, owing to considerable amplification of the RuII‐center‐based metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) emission response and luminescence lifetime. Detailed solution‐state studies reveal a higher association constant, lower limit of detection, and greater change in lifetime for complex 1 in the presence of phosphates compared with its hydrogen‐bonding analogue, complex 2. The 1H NMR titration study with H2PO4− ascertains that the binding of H2PO4− occurs exclusively through halogen‐bonding or hydrogen‐bonding interactions in complexes 1[PF6]2 and 2[PF6]2, respectively. Importantly, the single‐crystal X‐ray structure confirms the first ever report on metal‐assisted second‐sphere recognition of H2PO4− and H2P2O72− with 1 through a solitary C−I⋅⋅⋅anion halogen‐bonding interaction.
Overview of Blotting
Authors: Negritto Maria Cristina , Manthey Glenn M.
Published: November 2016

Blotting techniques are among the most common approaches used in a molecular biology laboratory. These techniques, Southern, northern, and immunoblotting, are applicable to a variety of macromolecules including DNA, RNA, and protein, respectively. Each of the techniques are dependent on the ability to resolve the individual macromolecules in a size‐dependant manner, transfer the molecules to a solid support, and finally use a defined probe to detect the specific molecule of interest. The utilization of the blotting technology over the last 30 years has been instrumental to the elucidation of many fundamental biological processes. The continued use of blotting technology holds promise for even greater discovery over the next 30 years. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Column Chromatography
Authors: Chakravarti Bulbul , Mallik Buddhadeb , Chakravarti Deb N.
Published: November 2016

Chromatography is a widely used technique of separation which depends on the differential interaction of molecules between a stationary phase and a mobile phase. In most modern life science laboratories, purification of proteins plays an important role. Almost all types of laboratory‐based liquid chromatography techniques used for purification of proteins are carried out with the stationary phase contained in tubular columns. Although individual methods for sample loading or elution of these columns are usually different depending on the specific technique used, this general experimental procedure that uses tubular columns is known as column chromatography. This unit is focused on setting up laboratory‐based column chromatography methods for separation of proteins using three commonly used chromatographic techniques for separation of proteins, such as size exclusion, ion exchange, and affinity chromatography. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Transduction of Herpesvirus saimiri‐Transformed T Cells with Exogenous Genes of Interest
Authors: Martínez‐Barricarte Rubén , de Jong Sarah Jill , Markle Janet , de Paus Roel , Boisson‐Dupuis Stephanie , Bustamante Jacinta , van de Vosse Esther , Fleckenstein Bernhard , Casanova Jean‐Laurent
Published: November 2016

Human T cells can be transformed and expanded with herpesvirus saimiri (HVS). HVS‐transformed T cells from patients have facilitated the study of a broad range of primary immunodeficiencies (PID) in which T‐cell development or function is altered. However, the utility of HVS‐transformed T cells for genetic studies has been limited by technical challenges in the expression of exogenous genes, including wild‐type or mutant alleles. A novel, gamma retrovirus–based method for the simple and reliable transduction, purification, and study of HVS‐transformed T cells is described. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Global Proteomics Analysis of Protein Lysine Methylation
Authors: Cao Xing‐Jun , Garcia Benjamin A.
Published: November 2016

Lysine methylation is a common protein post‐translational modification dynamically mediated by protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs) and protein lysine demethylases (PKDMs). Beyond histone proteins, lysine methylation on non‐histone proteins plays a substantial role in a variety of functions in cells and is closely associated with diseases such as cancer. A large body of evidence indicates that the dysregulation of some PKMTs leads to tumorigenesis via their non‐histone substrates. However, most studies on other PKMTs have made slow progress owing to the lack of approaches for extensive screening of lysine methylation sites. However, recently, there has been a series of publications to perform large‐scale analysis of protein lysine methylation. In this unit, we introduce a protocol for the global analysis of protein lysine methylation in cells by means of immunoaffinity enrichment and mass spectrometry. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Modification of Amino Groups
Authors: Geoghegan Kieran F.
Published: November 2016

Chemical modification of amino groups in proteins serves a diversity of preparative and analytical purposes. The most prominent is to attach nonpeptide groups with useful properties to proteins. Examples of these groups include biotin for affinity capture and fluorescent dyes for detectability. A widely applied chemistry, and one for which many reagents are available, is reaction of the activated ester of a carboxylic acid (often a succinimidyl ester) with amino groups at mildly basic pH. Reductive alkylation using a carbonyl compound and a hydride‐donating reducing agent is another valued reaction with multiple applications. Most proteins contain more than one amino group, so the extent of reaction desired must be considered in advance and the result assessed experimentally after the fact. The distinctive environment of the α‐amino group of a polypeptide sets it apart from the ɛ‐amino groups of lysine side chains, and can afford useful specificity. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Soft‐Switching Interleaved PFC Converter with Lossless Snubber
Authors: ANDO ITARU , ABE KODAI , NAKAMURA TOMOAKI , ARAKI YUSHI , OHNISHI KIYOSHI
Published: November 2016

This paper describes a soft‐switching interleaved power factor correction (PFC) converter with a lossless snubber. AC–DC converters require a unity input power factor characteristic with highly efficient operation to prevent the inflow of harmonic current to the power source. The proposed PFC converter improves the input current ripple with interleave control. The converter realizes a high efficiency by the soft‐switching operation of all switching devices without a large auxiliary resonant circuit. This paper introduces the soft‐switching operation of the converter. In order to confirm the validity of the proposed converter, experiments with a prototype of the PFC converter have been performed. The experimental results indicate that the proposed converter can realize the soft‐switching operation of all switching devices, a reduction in the input current ripple, a unity power factor of 98% or more, a sinusoidal input current, and constant output voltage control. The efficiency of the proposed PFC converter with a lossless snubber is higher than that without the lossless snubber. The results presented in this paper confirm the validity of the proposed converter.
Analysis of intracellular metabolites of Corynebacterium glutamicum at high cell density with automated sampling and filtration and assessment of engineered enzymes for effective l‐lysine production
Authors: da Luz Julian A. , Hans Enrico , Frank Doinita , Zeng An‐Ping
Published: November 2016

Engineering of enzymes and pathways is generally required for the development of efficient strains for bioproduction processes. To this end, quantitative and reliable data of intracellular metabolites are highly desired, but often not available, especially for conditions more close to industrial applications, i.e. at high cell density and product concentration. Here, we investigated the intracellular metabolite profiles of an engineered l‐lysine‐producing Corynebacterium glutamicum strain and the corresponding wild‐type strain to assess the impacts of deregulation of product inhibition of the key enzymes aspartate kinase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and to identify potentials for their further improvement. A bioreactor system with automated fast‐sampling, filtration and on‐filter quenching of the metabolism was used for a more reliable determination of intracellular metabolites in batch cultures with optical cell density (OD660) up to 40. The l‐lysine‐producing strain showed substantially different metabolite profiles in the amino acid metabolism, including increased intracellular pool sizes in the l‐lysine‐, l‐homoserine‐ and l‐threonine pathways and decreased intracellular pool sizes for all other determined amino acids. By comparing data of in vitro inhibition of the engineered enzymes and determined intracellular concentrations of the inhibitors it was found that the inferred in vivo activities of these enzymes are still significantly below their in vitro maximums. This work demonstrates the usefulness of metabolic analysis for assessing the impact of engineered enzymes and identifying targets for further strain development.
Temperature and reaction atmosphere effects on the properties of corn stover biochar
Authors: Brewer Catherine E. , Hall Eric T. , Schmidt‐Rohr Klaus , Laird David A. , Brown Robert C. , Zygourakis Kyriacos
Published: November 2016

Biochar properties can vary widely depending on feedstock and processing conditions, which can make meaningful comparisons between biochars difficult. Clear trends can be observed in slow pyrolysis biochar properties over a 300–800°C range of highest treatment temperatures (HTT). These trends, however, are much less consistent for biochars made under slightly oxidizing conditions, such as in gasification and internally‐heated kiln carbonization processes. In this study, slow pyrolysis biochars were produced from corn stover under either pure nitrogen or nitrogen + 5% oxygen atmospheres over a 200–800°C HTT range. For the biochars made at 300 and 400°C, the presence of oxygen in the reaction environment resulted in biochars with properties similar to those of biochars produced at higher HTTs in pure nitrogen. Addition of oxygen has only minor effects on biochar bulk oxygen content or abundance of surface oxygenated functionalities. Thermogravimetric analysis with mass spectroscopy (TGA‐MS) indicated that the apparent increase in HTT for chars made in the O2 environment at 300 and 400°C resulted in the removal of methyl and higher alkyl functionalities in the biomass feedstock. Advanced solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) methods to quantify carbon functional group abundance and aromaticity supported this observation. Overall, addition of oxygen to the pyrolysis atmosphere will increase pyrolysis process severity but will not create oxygenated groups on biochar surfaces as biochar aging does. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 696–707, 2017
Melon seed oil utilization for biodiesel production and analysis of liquid–liquid equilibrium for the system biodiesel + methanol + glycerin
Authors: Sena Suzara R.C. , Pereira Camila G.
Published: November 2016

In the present study, seeds from yellow melon (Cucumis melo l.), considered an industrial and domestic waste, were used as an oleaginous source to produce biodiesel by transesterification reaction in methanol and due to the importance and the lack of data, a study of phase equilibrium of the system biodiesel + methanol + glycerin was also conducted. The mean molecular mass the theoretical mass of biodiesel, and the conversion rate of the reaction were calculated. For the liquid–liquid study, Othmer‐Tobias and Hand correlations were applied to evaluate the data reliability of the tie‐lines and the NRTL and UNIQUAC models were used to predict the phase equilibrium. The results showed that oil from melon seeds could be a new alternative for the production of biodiesel, with a conversion rate close to 85%. The equilibrium data showed that the biodiesel obtained from melon seeds oil presented advantage in the production process, since the biodiesel is easily separated from the methanol and glycerol in the separation step, avoiding additional costs with steps of purification. Among the models evaluated, better agreement in the results was observed when NRTL was used (s.d. = 1.25%), followed by UNIQUAC model (s.d. 2.70%). © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 325–332, 2017
Declining streamflow induces collapse and replacement of native fish in the American Southwest
Authors: Ruhí Albert , Olden Julian D , Sabo John L
Published: November 2016

Water scarcity is a global threat to freshwater biodiversity, but connecting variation in streamflow to viability of imperiled faunas remains a challenge. Here we combined time‐series modeling techniques on long‐term ecohydrological data to quantify flow–ecology relationships on native and non‐native riverine fish in the American Southwest, and simulate likely fish trajectories and “quasi‐extinction” risks in the near future. Streamflow has been declining conspicuously over the past 30 years in the Colorado and Rio Grande river basins, and year‐to‐year variation in streamflow influences the covariation between native and non‐native fish abundance. Risks of decline are high (>50%) for nearly three‐quarters of the modeled native species, and current trends in streamflow increase quasi‐extinction risk for natives (+8.5%) but reduce this risk for non‐natives (–5.9%). Hydrological changes need to be mitigated if we are to slow down the rapid replacement of native biodiversity with non‐native species in American Southwest rivers.
Making Meaning Through Media: Scaffolding Academic and Critical Media Literacy With Texts About Schooling
Authors: Kelly Courtney , Brower Carleigh
Published: November 2016

This study investigated how an interdisciplinary first‐year seminar focused on representations of schooling in popular culture supported the acquisition of an academic version of critical media literacy. The authors explore how tapping into students’ funds of knowledge, constructing carefully scaffolded assignments, and offering targeted, personalized feedback allowed the instructors to support students as they acquired academic and critical media literacy through recursive acts of meaning making. Findings suggest that implementing these practices may help students perform close counterreadings of media texts and compose evidence‐based arguments that examine the clear and hidden lessons that these texts teach.
Label free imaging of cell‐substrate contacts by holographic total internal reflection microscopy
Authors: Mandracchia Biagio , Gennari Oriella , Marchesano Valentina , Paturzo Melania , Ferraro Pietro
Published: November 2016

The study of cell adhesion contacts is pivotal to understand cell mechanics and interaction at substrates or chemical and physical stimuli. We designed and built a HoloTIR microscope for label‐free quantitative phase imaging of total internal reflection. Here we show for the first time that HoloTIR is a good choice for label‐free study of focal contacts and of cell/substrate interaction as its sensitivity is enhanced in comparison with standard TIR microscopy. Finally, the simplicity of implementation and relative low cost, due to the requirement of less optical components, make HoloTIR a reasonable alternative, or even an addition, to TIRF microscopy for mapping cell/substratum topography. As a proof of concept, we studied the formation of focal contacts of fibroblasts on three substrates with different levels of affinity for cell adhesion.

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PB‐AM: An open‐source, fully analytical linear poisson‐boltzmann solver
Authors: Felberg Lisa E. , Brookes David H. , Yap Eng‐Hui , Jurrus Elizabeth , Baker Nathan A. , Head‐Gordon Teresa
Published: November 2016

We present the open source distributed software package Poisson‐Boltzmann Analytical Method (PB‐AM), a fully analytical solution to the linearized PB equation, for molecules represented as non‐overlapping spherical cavities. The PB‐AM software package includes the generation of outputs files appropriate for visualization using visual molecular dynamics, a Brownian dynamics scheme that uses periodic boundary conditions to simulate dynamics, the ability to specify docking criteria, and offers two different kinetics schemes to evaluate biomolecular association rate constants. Given that PB‐AM defines mutual polarization completely and accurately, it can be refactored as a many‐body expansion to explore 2‐ and 3‐body polarization. Additionally, the software has been integrated into the Adaptive Poisson‐Boltzmann Solver (APBS) software package to make it more accessible to a larger group of scientists, educators, and students that are more familiar with the APBS framework. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Do Concepts of Depression Predict Treatment Pathways? A Closer Look at Explanatory Models Among Clinical and Nonclinical Samples in Uganda
Authors: Johnson Laura Renee , Chin Eu Gene , Kajumba Mayanja , Buchanan Erin , Kizito Simon , Bangirana Paul
Published: November 2016

Objective

Explanatory models (EMs) are a collection of beliefs about a disorder that can help us understand help‐seeking and treatment pathways in diverse contexts. In 2 related studies, we explore EMs about depression held among both clinical and nonclinical samples in Uganda. To explore the potential of EMs to predict help seeking, we assessed the relationship between 2 main aspects of the EM: problem conceptualization and treatment.

Method

In Study 1, we interviewed and assessed EMs of depression for 135 lay community members and 111 professional practitioners using a vignette. In Study 2, we assessed actual EMs among 33 clinically depressed adults. We transcribed all interviews and analyzed and coded the content. In Study 1, we used logistic regression to examine the relationship of problem conceptualization and stigma to treatment choice; in Study 2, we used Fisher's exact tests to examine the relationship between conceptualization and treatment. Sociodemographics such as age, income, and language were also examined.

Results

Interviews elicited a diverse range of beliefs about the nature of depression and the types of treatment needed. However, problem conceptualization did not predict treatment in either group. Instead, education and interview language predicted treatment in clinical and nonclinical samples.

Conclusion

Although EMs can be useful for both exploring mental health and treatment‐related beliefs in clinical settings and developing mental health services, contextual factors may be more significant predictors of help seeking.
Clinical evaluation of three‐dimensional late enhancement MRI
Authors: Bratis Konstantinos , Henningsson Markus , Grigoratos Chrisanthos , Omodarme Matteo Dell' , Chasapides Konstantinos , Botnar Rene , Nagel Eike
Published: November 2016

Purpose

To assess the diagnostic value of three‐dimensional late enhancement (3D‐LGE) for the detection of myocardial necrosis in a routine clinical setting. 3D‐LGE has been proposed as a novel magnetic resonance (MR) technique for the accurate detection of myocardial scar in both the ventricles and atria. Its performance in clinical practice has been poorly examined.

Materials and Methods

Fifty‐seven patients referred for cardiac MR examination including scar imaging were prospectively enrolled. Gadolinium enhanced single breathhold 3D T1‐weighted gradient‐echo inversion recovery sequence and a conventional 2D‐LGE sequence were performed using a 1.5 Tesla clinical MR imaging system. The presence, pattern and transmurality of LGE, diagnostic accuracy and level of diagnostic confidence as well as image quality (median quality, mean LGE signal intensity, sharpness, virtual scan time) were graded on a 4‐point scale.

Results

Interpretable images were obtained in 52/57 2D‐LGE and in 47/57 3D high‐resolution exams. LGE was detected in 10 patients with ischemic pattern, 9 with nonischemic pattern, while it was absent in 28, resulting in a total of 47 complete datasets. The detection of global and segmental LGE as well as its transmural extent were similar for both techniques (P = 0.65, P = 0.305, and P = 0.15, respectively). Image quality (median quality, LGE/ myocardial and LGE/ blood pool sharpness) was similar for both techniques (P = 0.740, P = 0.34, and P = 1.00, respectively), but LGE signal intensity was higher with 2D (P = 0.020).

Conclusion

3D‐LGE diagnostic and quality scores were comparable to 2D‐LGE in a routine clinical setting. Further technical refinement is required for 3D LGE to offer a reliable alternative for high quality scar imaging.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;45:1675–1683
Polylactides Bearing Vanillin at Chain End Provided Dual Dynamic Interactions: Stereocomplex Formation and Nanostructure Control
Authors: Kan Kai , Akashi Mitsuru , Ajiro Hiroharu
Published: November 2016

The chemical modification of the polymer chain end group of polylactide is important for the development of nanostructural materials. Herein, the first example of dual dynamic functionality in polylactides bearing vanillin at the chain end is first demonstrated. The first function, stereocomplex formation of both enantiomeric polymers, results in an enhancement in thermal resistance, while the second creates reversibility through amine–imine transformation. This transformation self‐assembles into interesting morphologies, including raindrop‐like nanoparticles observed on imine formation, and spider‐web‐like fibrous ones observed on aldehyde formation from hydrophobic–hydrophilic stimuli by acid. These properties indicate that the present polymer shows dual dynamic building block moiety properties, composed of the natural products.

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Supplementation of oligofructose, but not sucralose, decreases high‐fat diet induced body weight gain in mice independent of gustducin‐mediated gut hormone release
Authors: Steensels Sandra , Cools Leen , Avau Bert , Vancleef Laurien , Farré Ricard , Verbeke Kristin , Depoortere Inge
Published: November 2016

Scope

Enteroendocrine cells sense nutrients through taste receptors similar to those on the tongue. Sweet and fatty acid taste receptors (FFAR) coupled to the gustatory G‐protein, gustducin, on enteroendocrine cells play a role in gut hormone release. We studied if supplementation of artificial (sucralose) or prebiotic (oligofructose; OFS) sweeteners target gustducin‐mediated signaling pathways to alter gut hormone release and reduce obesity‐associated disorders.

Methods and results

Wild‐type (WT) and α‐gustducin knockout (α‐gust−/−) mice were fed a high‐fat diet and gavaged once daily (8 wk) with water or equisweet concentrations of sweeteners. OFS but not sucralose decreased body weight gain (−19 ± 3%, p < 0.01), fat pad mass (−55 ± 6%, p < 0.001), and insulin resistance (−39 ± 5%, p < 0.001) independent of α‐gustducin. Neither sweetener improved glucose intolerance, while solely OFS improved the disturbed colonic permeability. OFS decreased (−65 ± 8%, p < 0.001) plasma glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) but not ghrelin and peptide YY (PYY) levels in WT mice. Cecal acetate and butyrate levels were reduced by OFS in both genotypes suggesting enhanced uptake of SCFAs that may target FFAR2 (upregulated expression) in adipose tissue.

Conclusion

OFS, but not sucralose, reduced body weight gain and decreased intestinal permeability, but not glucose intolerance. Effects were not mediated by altered gut hormone levels or gustducin‐mediated signaling.

Artificial sweeteners do not affect gut hormone levels and are metabolically inert in mice on a high‐fat diet. In contrast, prebiotic oligosaccharides (OFS) prevent body weight gain but not glucose intolerance. Alterations in sweet and short‐chain fatty acid receptors (FFAR) (studied in WT and α‐gust−/− mice) that regulate gut hormone levels are not mandatory for the positive effects of OFS. Enhanced uptake of SCFAs may favor interaction with FFAR2/3 on adipose tissue to induce weight loss.
Fruit and vegetables consumption is directly associated to survival after prostate cancer
Authors: Taborelli Martina , Polesel Jerry , Parpinel Maria , Stocco Carmen , Birri Silvia , Serraino Diego , Zucchetto Antonella
Published: November 2016

Scope

Since the evidence on the role of diet on prostate cancer (PCa) prognosis is still controversial, we evaluated the long‐term effects of fruit and vegetables consumption on survival after PCa.

Methods and results

A retrospective cohort study included 777 men with PCa diagnosed between 1995 and 2002 in north‐eastern Italy and followed up to 2013. A validated food frequency questionnaire assessed the usual diet in the 2 years before PCa diagnosis, including detailed fruit and vegetables consumption. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of death with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Fine–Gray models. PCa patients with a consumption of both fruit and vegetables above the median showed a higher 15‐year overall survival probability than those with lower intakes (71% versus 58%, p = 0.04; HR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.47–0.93). Consumption of foods rich in fiber (HR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.41–0.86) and proanthocyanidins (HR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.40–0.82) were inversely associated with overall mortality. Interestingly, proanthocyanidins (HR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.27–0.98) and flavonols (HR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.19–0.84) were inversely associated also with PCa‐specific mortality.

Conclusion

High consumption of fruit and vegetables offers an advantage in survival among the rising number of men living after a PCa diagnosis, possibly through the epigenetic effect of some nutrients.
From Kindergarten Through Second Grade, U.S. Children's Obesity Prevalence Grows Only During Summer Vacations
Authors: von Hippel Paul T. , Workman Joseph
Published: November 2016

Objective

To assess the relative importance of school and nonschool risk factors, this study estimated whether overweight and obesity prevalence grows faster during the school year or during summer vacation.

Methods

In the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010–11, a nationally representative complex random sample of 18,170 U.S. children was followed from the fall of kindergarten in 2010 through the spring of second grade in 2013. Children's weight and heights were measured in schools each fall and spring. A multilevel growth model was used to estimate growth in mean BMI, overweight prevalence, and obesity prevalence during each summer and each school year.

Results

From the fall of kindergarten to the spring of second grade, the prevalence of obesity increased from 8.9% to 11.5%, and the prevalence of overweight increased from 23.3% to 28.7%. All of the increase in prevalence occurred during the two summer vacations; no increase occurred during any of the three school years.

Conclusions

The risk of obesity is higher when children are out of school than when they are in school.
Are all metabolically healthy individuals with obesity at the same risk of diabetes onset?
Authors: Navarro‐González David , Sánchez‐Íñigo Laura , Fernández‐Montero Alejandro , Pastrana‐Delgado Juan , Alfredo Martínez J.
Published: November 2016

Objective

To examine the risk of diabetes and the development of an unhealthy status according to metabolic health. To assess the effect of changes in metabolic health among participants with metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) on the risk of diabetes.

Methods

A total of 4,340 subjects were included. Unhealthy metabolic status was defined as having three or more risk factors of the Adult Treatment Panel‐III criteria. A Cox proportional‐hazard analysis was conducted to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of developing diabetes across the change in the metabolic status of subjects with MHO.

Results

After 40,622 person‐years of follow‐up, the risk of becoming unhealthy was 1.53 times higher for participants with MHO, compared with lean or overweight healthy subjects. A greater risk of diabetes was found in MHO, but it was attributable to those who progressed to an unhealthier status over time: HR of 4.78 (95% CI: 3.38‐6.78). The combination of being metabolically unhealthy and obesity heightened the risk of diabetes: HR of 10.09 (95% CI: 4.82‐21.55).

Conclusions

The increased risk of diabetes in MHO is attributed to the progression to an unhealthier state. “Healthy obesity” is not a permanent situation but a transitory state.