bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward harmonizing ecotoxicity characterization in life cycle impact assessment
Authors: Fantke Peter , Aurisano Nicoló , Bare Jane , Backhaus Thomas , Bulle Cécile , Chapman Peter M. , De Zwart Dick , Dwyer Robert , Ernstoff Alexi , Golsteijn Laura , Holmquist Hanna , Jolliet Olivier , McKone Thomas E. , Owsianiak Mikołaj , Peijnenburg Willie , Posthuma Leo , Roos Sandra , Saouter Erwan , Schowanek Diederik , van Straalen Nico M. , Vijver Martina G. , Hauschild Michael
Published: September 2018

Ecosystem quality is an important area of protection in life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). Chemical pollution has adverse impacts on ecosystems on a global scale. To improve methods for assessing ecosystem impacts, the Life Cycle Initiative hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme established a task force to evaluate the state-of-the-science in modeling chemical exposure of organisms and the resulting ecotoxicological effects for use in LCIA. The outcome of the task force work will be global guidance and harmonization by recommending changes to the existing practice of exposure and effect modeling in ecotoxicity characterization. These changes will reflect the current science and ensure the stability of recommended practice. Recommendations must work within the needs of LCIA in terms of 1) operating on information from any inventory reporting chemical emissions with limited spatiotemporal information, 2) applying best estimates rather than conservative assumptions to ensure unbiased comparison with results for other impact categories, and 3) yielding results that are additive across substances and life cycle stages and that will allow a quantitative expression of damage to the exposed ecosystem. We describe the current framework and discuss research questions identified in a roadmap. Primary research questions relate to the approach toward ecotoxicological effect assessment, the need to clarify the method's scope and interpretation of its results, the need to consider additional environmental compartments and impact pathways, and the relevance of effect metrics other than the currently applied geometric mean of toxicity effect data across species. Because they often dominate ecotoxicity results in LCIA, we give metals a special focus, including consideration of their possible essentiality and changes in environmental bioavailability. We conclude with a summary of key questions along with preliminary recommendations to address them as well as open questions that require additional research efforts. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2955–2971. © 2018 SETAC

Abstract

Refinements are proposed for the current ecotoxicological effect characterization in life cycle impact assessment.
Predicting opening spot prices using extended futures trading
Authors: Wang Janchung , Chen Sunwu Winfred , Wang Bo‐Ting
Published: September 2018

Previous studies found that extended futures trading contains useful information in explaining subsequent overnight spot returns. This study therefore compares the performance of using the extended trading of the TAIFEX (Taiwan Futures Exchange) index futures and single‐stock futures to predict their opening underlying spot prices. Furthermore, according to the efficient market hypothesis, the share price fully reflects all the information available and should adjust to new information instantaneously. However, several studies have demonstrated that short‐sales restrictions delay the speed of price adjustment to negative information. The relevant question is whether short‐selling restrictions also slow down the speed at which the opening spot price adjusts to the new information revealed through extended futures trading, and thus reducing the price prediction function of extended futures trading. The empirical results find that using the opening futures price and the prediction method proposed in this study can more accurately predict the opening spot price on the same day. Furthermore, the performance of using the extended trading of index futures to predict the opening spot index price is superior to that of using the extended trading of single‐stock futures to predict the opening stock price. Finally, as found in previous studies, short‐selling restrictions also slow down the speed of stock price adjustment to the new information revealed through extended futures trading. Thus both the up‐tick rule and the short‐selling bans (especially the latter) negatively affect the price forecasting performance of extended futures trading.
Hepatitis B Virus Induces Autophagy to Promote its Replication by the Axis of miR‐192‐3p‐XIAP Through NF kappa B Signaling
Authors: Wang Jingwen , Chen Jianwen , Liu Yang , Zeng Xianhuang , Wei Mingcong , Wu Shaoshuai , Xiong Qiushuang , Song Feifei , Yuan Xu , Xiao Yu , Cao Yun , Li Changyong , Chen Lang , Guo Mingxiong , Shi Yun‐Bo , Sun Guihong , Guo Deyin
Published: September 2018

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major risk factor for the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. It has been reported that viral infection can interfere with cellular microRNA (miRNA) expression and participate in the pathogenesis of oncogenicity. Here, we report that decreasing levels of the expression of the miRNA miR‐192‐3p is associated with rising levels of HBV DNA in the serum of HBV patients. We revealed that HBV infection repressed the expression of miR‐192‐3p through hepatitis B x protein interaction with c‐myc. We further showed that miR‐192‐3p was repressed by HBV transfection in vitro and in a mouse model, leading to cellular autophagy. Using an miRNA target prediction database miRBase, we identified X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) as a target gene of miR‐192‐3p and demonstrated that miR‐192‐3p directly targeted the XIAP 3′‐untranslated region of XIAP messenger RNA. Importantly, we discovered that HBV promoted autophagy through miR‐192‐3p‐XIAP axis and that this process was important for HBV replication in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated that miR‐192‐3p functioned through the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway to inhibit autophagy, thereby reducing HBV replication. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that miR‐192‐3p is a regulator of HBV infection and may play a potential role in hepatocellular carcinoma. It may also serve as a biomarker or therapeutic target for HBV patients.
Burden of Illness and Economic Model for Patients With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in the United States
Authors: Younossi Zobair M. , Tampi Radhika , Priyadarshini Massoom , Nader Fatema , Younossi Issah M. , Racila Andrei
Published: September 2018

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Our aim was to estimate the total economic burden of NASH and advanced NASH in the United States. We constructed lifetime Markov models for all stages of NASH and a separate model to specifically identify the increased burden of advanced NASH (fibrosis stage >3). The models comprised patients aged 18+, who moved through seven different health states. We used a lifetime horizon with 1‐year cycles for each transition. Cohort size was estimated using US population data, and prevalence and incidence rates were obtained from the literature. Transition probabilities between states were derived from meta‐analyses. Costs included inpatient, outpatient, professional services, emergency department, and drug costs, which were obtained from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Fee Schedule 2017 and published data. All future costs were discounted at an annual rate of 3%. Our models estimated that there are 6.65 million adults (18+ years old) with NASH in the United States and that there were 232,000 incident cases in 2017. Lifetime costs of all NASH patients in the United States in 2017 will be $222.6 billion, and the cost of the advanced NASH population will be $95.4 billion. Conclusion: NASH, especially advanced NASH, is associated with high lifetime economic burden; in the absence of treatment, the total direct costs of illness for these patients will continue to grow, and these costs would be even greater if the societal costs are included.
Thirty‐year trends in acid deposition and neutralization in two headwater catchments, northwestern Massachusetts, USA
Authors: Dethier David P. , Wieman Scott T. , Racela Jason
Published: September 2018

Long‐term decreases in acidic precursors have changed the chemistry of precipitation and streamflow in two moderately to well‐buffered, forested headwater catchments in the Taconic Range of western New England, USA. We report 30‐year geochemical trends from Birch Brook and annual and seasonal variations from Birch Brook and adjacent Ford Glen, which drain phyllitic and carbonate bedrock. Median pH of precipitation has increased irregularly since 1983, consistent with regional trends. Increases in precipitation pH and decreases in sulfate (SO42−) correspond with increasing stream pH and decreasing SO42− concentration and flux over at least the past 30 years. Calcium (Ca2+) concentration and acid‐neutralizing capacity (ANC) in Birch Brook began to increase about 2005, in contrast to geochemical indicators from some poorly buffered catchments in the NE USA. Point and longitudinal sampling over a range of flows show that Birch Brook chemistry is a mixture of upstream source waters (throughfall, soil water, and ground water) with different chemistries. Acidic precipitation and shallow soil water affect stream chemistry directly only in the upper reaches of Birch Brook and during periods of extremely high flow, such as snowmelt. Ford Glen has high ANC and is near saturation with calcite at most flows. Long‐term trends measured at Birch Brook and at other streams in western Massachusetts show that stream chemistry reflects changes in acidic deposition in upland catchments, even where ecosystem geochemistry is well buffered by bedrock composition.
Copula‐based downscaling of daily precipitation fields
Authors: Lorenz Manuel , Bliefernicht Jan , Haese Barbara , Kunstmann Harald
Published: September 2018

A novel stochastic downscaling approach to simulate ensembles of daily precipitation fields using the Gaussian copula is presented. In contrast to many other statistical downscaling techniques, this approach uses spatial correlation (correlograms) to derive the transfer function between predictors and predictands for a parsimonious model structure. Daily regional climate model (RCM) simulations for a region in Central Europe in two different spatial resolutions (7 and 42 km) served as a training set to derive the statistics necessary to simulate fine scale precipitation values. The model was calibrated with RCM simulations for the year 1971, and the evaluation was performed for the period 1972–2000 to emulate the typical problem of limited availability of fine scale data. A comprehensive evaluation of the downscaling approach comprising the spatial correlations and statistical distributions of the simulated precipitation fields and several further performance measures was performed. The distribution of simulated precipitation is in close agreement with values simulated from a distribution function that was fitted to the complete evaluation period. Average Brier skill scores of 0.5 indicate a good performance of reproducing the daily dynamical simulations for most regions. A comparison with precipitation fields interpolated with inverse distance weighting revealed an average added skill of 42% for different precipitation thresholds; 87% of the dry days and 71% of the wet days were simulated correctly. An advantage of the proposed method over deterministic downscaling techniques is that ensembles of predictand fields are generated. Thus, the uncertainty that is inherent to downscaling can be estimated. The method has the potential to be used in other downscaling applications to generate ensembles of spatially correlated predictands based on other predictors. As copulas treat the dependence structure separately from the marginal distributions of the predictors and predictands, it is possible to simulate meteorological variables from any desired distribution function.
An hourly‐scale scenario‐neutral flood risk assessment in a mesoscale catchment under climate change
Authors: Kim Daeha , Chun Jong Ahn , Aikins Christianne M.
Published: September 2018

Reliable assessments of flood risks are essential to formulate robust adaptation policies to climate change. Although the scenario‐neutral flood assessments have reduced the dependency on uncertain climate predictions, coarse temporal resolutions of rainfall–runoff modelling adopted for the stress tests may introduce appreciable bias to flood risks driven by climatic stresses. To refine the temporal scale of flow estimates, this study proposes to incorporate a multiplicative random cascade (MRC) scheme and a simple catchment model in the bottom‐up flood risk assessment. Results showed that use of a daily flow indicator for the stress tests could considerably underestimate the impact of climatic change on flood risks. The non‐linearity between daily and hourly peak flows could increasingly amplify flood risks as the mean and variance of daily precipitation become greater in the study catchment. The first‐order catchment model combined with the MRC could acceptably estimate hourly peak flows and the catchment recession behaviours at high flows. This study suggests that subdaily flood indicators should be used in the scenario‐neutral assessments for small or mesoscale catchments to prevent underprediction of flood risks. To expand the applicability of the bottom‐up framework, we also suggest developing efficient tools that can perturb high‐resolution weather time series for the stress tests.
Dietary folate intake and pancreatic cancer risk: Results from the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition
Authors: Park Jin Young , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita H. Bas , Ferrari Pietro , Weiderpass Elisabete , de Batlle Jordi , Tjønneland Anne , Kyro Cecilie , Rebours Vinciane , Boutron‐Ruault Marie‐Christine , Mancini Francesca Romana , Katzke Verena , Kühn Tilman , Boeing Heiner , Trichopoulou Antonia , La Vecchia Carlo , Kritikou Maria , Masala Giovanna , Pala Valeria , Tumino Rosario , Panico Salvatore , Peeters Petra H. , Skeie Guri , Merino Susana , Duell Eric J. , Rodríguez‐Barranco Miguel , Dorronsoro Miren , Chirlaque Maria‐Dolores , Ardanaz Eva , Gylling Björn , Schneede Jörn , Ericson Ulrika , Sternby Hanna , Khaw Kay‐Tee , Bradbury Kathryn E. , Huybrechts Inge , Aune Dagfinn , Vineis Paolo , Slimani Nadia
Published: September 2018

Pancreatic cancer (PC) has an exceptionally low survival rate and primary prevention strategies are limited. Folate plays an important role in one‐carbon metabolism and has been associated with the risk of several cancers, but not consistently with PC risk. We aimed to investigate the association between dietary folate intake and PC risk, using the standardised folate database across 10 European countries. A total of 477,206 participants were followed up for 11 years, during which 865 incident primary PC cases were recorded. Folate intake was energy‐adjusted using the residual method. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. In multivariable analyses stratified by age, sex, study centre and adjusted for energy intake, smoking status, BMI, educational level, diabetes status, supplement use and dietary fibre intake, we found no significant association between folate intake and PC risk: the HR of PC risk for those in the highest quartile of folate intake (≥353 μg/day) compared to the lowest (<241 μg/day) was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.51, 1.31; ptrend = 0.38). In current smokers, a positive trend was observed in PC risk across folate quartiles [HR = 4.42 (95% CI: 1.05, 18.62) for ≥353 μg/day vs. <241 μg/day, ptrend = 0.01]. Nonetheless, there was no significant interaction between smoking and dietary folate intake (pinteraction = 0.99). We found no association between dietary folate intake and PC risk in this large European study.
Polymer in MOF Nanospace: from Controlled Chain Assembly to New Functional Materials
Authors: Le Ouay Benjamin , Uemura Takashi
Published: September 2018

Preparation of composites by inclusion of polymers inside metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) is a very powerful strategy to prepare innovative functional materials. MOF's nanosized pores disrupt polymer chains natural coiling and constrain them in an extended conformation, bringing new properties. At the single nanochannel scale, polymerization reactions are significantly modified due to confinement, and control over the primary structure (sequence, tacticity or branching) can be achieved. Because of confinement and chain extension, physical and chemical properties can also be significantly improved compared to the bulk state. Inclusion is also useful to control organization at a higher scale, for instance for precise polymer positioning or by acting as scaffold for an accessible microporous polymer network. Furthermore, the MOF ordering can be maintained in pure polymer systems even after removal of the host.
Acute pain and postherpetic neuralgia related to Varicella zoster virus reactivation: Comparison between typical herpes zoster and zoster sine herpete
Authors: Drago Francesco , Herzum Astrid , Ciccarese Giulia , Broccolo Francesco , Rebora Alfredo , Parodi Aurora
Published: September 2018

Herpes zoster (HZ) is typically characterized by pain involving the area of vesicular eruption. Several patients, however, complain of unilateral radicular pain without rash (zoster sine herpete [ZSH]). To evaluate whether the severity and duration of pain and the use of analgesics are greater in ZSH patients than in typical HZ with rash, 16 consecutive patients with acute unilateral pain, without vesicular eruption (ZSH), were compared with 16 controls suffering from typical HZ eruption. Only patients with laboratory evidence of varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) reactivation were selected. Serum samples were obtained from all patients at their initial visit and 1 and 2 months later. Monthly, the administered therapies and the average pain score (visual analog scale [VAS] score) were recorded. VZV DNA persisted statistically higher in ZSH sera than HZ sera 1 month after onset (P = 0.0007). ZSH patients averaged greater pain than HZ patients, scoring VAS 76.88 and 66.88 (
P = 0.0012), respectively. ZSH patients used significantly more opioid therapy than HZ patients (
P = 0.0449; OR, 9.00). This is the first study comparing pain in ZSH and HZ patients: greater severity and duration of pain and more opioid use was detected in patients with ZSH.
Atmospheric heat advection in the Kara Sea region under main synoptic processes
Authors: Yurova Alla , Bobylev Leonid P , Zhu Yali , Davy Richard , Korzhikov Alexander Ya
Published: September 2018

Atmospheric studies document both a periodic variability in the winter temperatures in the Kara Sea region related to internal Arctic climate variability and a recent trend of winter warming—one of the strongest warming trends in the whole Arctic. This study aims to analyse side by side with other energy budget terms the contribution of horizontal heat and moisture advection to the observed recent warming. The atmospheric energy budget terms vertically integrated from the surface up to 500 hPa are estimated using the ERA‐Interim reanalysis for the period 1979–2014. The core of this study is to relate variability and changes in heat fluxes in the Kara Sea region to synoptic‐scale processes using the Russian weather‐type classification system. Singular spectrum analysis is applied to the heat flux data which were previously stratified into changes due to changes in frequency and due to changes in amplitude. We have shown that the multi‐decadal variations in the horizontal heat advection (now on a rising phase) are comparable to the positive trend in the turbulent heat fluxes due to sea ice reduction, although relatively weaker. We have also found that the changes in sensible heat flux (a constant increase in the first principal component since 1999) is a general regional feature and not related to any weather pattern, while the changes in horizontal heat advection are clearly related to the changes in frequency of the weather type A (characterized by a low‐pressure system in the central Arctic surrounded by high pressure in the continents, winds of S, S‐W direction and a positive horizontal heat advection and surface temperature anomaly over the Kara Sea) which are periodic in nature with a period of about 22 years. In recent years (at least until 2012) not only is warm air advection, associated with A type, more frequent, but it also brings much more energy from the continent to the Kara Sea compared to the reference period (1980–1990). This is most probably related to the increase in the radiatively forced surface air temperature at the source.
Surface enhancement Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory study of silver nanoparticles synthetized with d‐glucose
Authors: González Fá Alejandro , López‐Corral Ignacio , Faccio Ricardo , Juan Alfredo , Di Nezio María Susana
Published: September 2018

The role of α‐ and β‐d‐glucose, and d‐gluconate anion, acting as capping agent, on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was evaluated using both Raman and density functional theory studies. The particles were synthetized employing glucose, as reducing and blocking agent, in alkaline conditions. Capping agents were characterized through surface enhancement Raman spectroscopy together with modeling performed using silver clusters. Several geometries were optimized, and its energies and wavenumbers were calculated for each of them. Vibration normal modes from d‐glucose isomers and d‐gluconate were obtained and compared with those reported in bibliography, showing a satisfactory correlation. Comparison between experimental and calculated frequencies reveals a preference for d‐gluconate anion acting as capping agent under the necessary presence of d‐glucose on the surface of the AgNPs. The study of energies shows a greater affinity of d‐gluconate for the silver atoms (above −1.3 eV for both geometries) than for other configurations of the glucose molecule (about −0.66 eV in the case of α‐d‐glucose).
Durability behavior of polymer impregnated carbon textiles in alkaline solution as CP anode
Authors: Asgharzadeh Amir , Raupach Michael
Published: September 2018

Cathodic corrosion protection (CP) is a cost‐effective option for maintenance of concrete structures. CP is an electrochemical method that can be used to reduce the corrosion rate to an acceptable level. Thus, service life of reinforced concrete can be increased considerably. In this work, carbon textiles with varying polymer impregnations, cross sections, and mesh widths have been used as CP anodes and have been tested for their durability. The main goal of this research is to determine the behavior of carbon textile under permanent anodic polarization while stored in saturated calcium hydroxide solution. The outcome will serve as a basis for further investigations in which textiles will be permanently polarized and tested after embedding in mortar.
High‐Barrier, Biodegradable Food Packaging
Authors: Habel Christoph , Schöttle Marius , Daab Matthias , Eichstaedt Natalie J. , Wagner Daniel , Bakhshi Hadi , Agarwal Seema , Horn Marcus A. , Breu Josef
Published: September 2018

Biodegradable, high‐barrier, flexible and transparent food packaging are required to replace current multilayered, metal‐ or halogen‐containing packaging that is nonrecyclable and nondegradable. An “all‐green” solution for food packaging made of a polylactic acid (PLA) foil (25 µm) furnished with a glycol chitosan‐clay nanocomposite coating (1.4 µm) is presented here that surpasses state‐of‐the‐art high‐performance materials like metallized poly(ethylene terephthalate) or poly(vinylidene chloride) even at harsh conditions (OTR = 0.17 cm3 m−2 day−1 bar−1 at 75% relative humidity). While the barrier side of the foil inhibits bacterial colonization, the uncoated PLA side assures biodegradability. Such a Janus feature in combination with the superb barrier performance renders this waterborne bio‐nanocomposite coating a valuable alternative to conventional less eco‐friendly food packaging materials.
Analyticity of the attractors of dissipative‐dispersive systems in higher dimensions
Authors: Evripidou Charalampos A. , Smyrlis Yiorgos‐Sokratis
Published: September 2018

We investigate the analyticity of the attractors of a class of Kuramoto‐Sivashinsky–type pseudodifferential equations in higher dimensions, which are periodic in all spatial variables and possess a universal attractor. This is done by fine‐tuning the techniques used in a previous work of the second author, which are based on an analytic extensibility criterion involving the growth of ∇nu, as n tends to infinity (here, u is the solution). These techniques can now be utilized in a variety of higher‐dimensional equations possessing universal attractors, including Topper‐Kawahara equation, Frenkel‐Indireshkumar equations, and their dispersively modified analogs. We prove that the solutions are analytic whenever γ, the order of dissipation of the pseudodifferential operator, is higher than one. We believe that this estimate is optimal based on numerical evidence.
New version of Bäcklund transformations in Euclidean 3‐space
Authors: Sariaydin Muhammed Talat , Körpinar Talat
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we study the Bäcklund transformations for the adjoint curve in the Euclidean 3‐space. Firstly, it is obtained some essential equations of the Bäcklund transformation. After this, we give a new theorem, the Bäcklund transformations for the adjoint curve in Euclidean 3‐space.
Fixed points of (α,ψ)‐contractions in Hausdorff partial metric spaces
Authors: Nazam Muhammad , Acar Özlem
Published: September 2018

The concept of (α,ψ)‐contractions was introduced by Samet et al. in this paper, we introduce (α,ψ)‐generalized contractions in a Hausdorff partial metric space. We discuss its significance and obtain some common fixed point theorems for a pair of self‐mappings. Some examples are given to support the theory.
Stability of two 3 × 3 close‐to‐cyclic systems of exponential difference equations
Authors: Mylona Chrysoula , Psarros Nikolaos , Papaschinopoulos Garyfalos , Schinas Christos J.
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we study the stability of the zero equilibria of the following systems of difference equations:

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma5256:mma5256-math-0001

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma5256:mma5256-math-0002
where a1, a2, a3, b1, b2, and b3 are real constants, and the initial values x0, y0, and z0 are real numbers. We study the stability of those systems in the special case when one of the eigenvalues of the coefficient matrix of the corresponding linearized systems is equal to −1 and the remaining eigenvalues have absolute value less than 1, using centre manifold theory.
Fitting rectangles under vulnerability curves: Optimal water flow through plants
Authors: Koshkin Sergiy , Tobin Michael , Schroff Jeffae , Capobianco Matt , Oldfield Sarah
Published: September 2018

We study an optimization problem for a model of steady‐state water transport through plants that maximizes water flow subject to the constraints on hydraulic conductance due to vulnerability to embolism (air blockage of conduits). The model has an elementary geometric interpretation and exhibits bottleneck behavior where one of the plant segments limits the overall optimal flow, sometimes in a counterintuitive way. The results show good agreement with experimental measurements and provide support for the hypothesis that leaves serve as a safety buffer protecting stems against excessive embolism.
Radioembolization lung shunt estimation based on a 90Y pretreatment procedure: A phantom study
Authors: Kunnen Britt , van der Velden Sandra , Bastiaannet Remco , Lam Marnix G. E. H. , Viergever Max A. , de Jong Hugo W. A. M.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Prior to 90Y radioembolization, a pretreatment procedure is performed, in which 99mTc‐macroaggerated albumin (99mTc‐MAA) is administered to estimate the amount of activity shunting to the lungs. A high lung shunt fraction (LSF) may impose lower prescribed treatment activity or even impede treatment. Accurate LSF measurement is therefore important, but is hampered by the use of MAA particles, which differ from 90Y microspheres. Ideally, 90Y microspheres would also be used for the pretreatment procedure, but this would require the activity to be lower than an estimated safety threshold of about 100 MBq to avoid unintended radiation damage. However, 90Y is very challenging to image, especially at low activities (<100 MBq). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of three nuclear imaging techniques in estimating the LSF in a low activity 90Y pretreatment scan, using an anthropomorphic phantom: (a) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), (b) Bremsstrahlung single photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT), and (c) planar imaging.

Methods

The lungs and liver of an anthropomorphic phantom were filled with 90Y chloride to acquire an LSF of 15%. Several PET/CT (Siemens Biograph mCT), Bremsstrahlung SPECT/CT (Siemens Symbia T16) and planar images (Siemens Symbia T16) were acquired at a range of 90Y activities (1586 MBq down to 25 MBq). PET images were reconstructed using a clinical protocol (attenuation correction, TOF, scatter and random correction, OP‐OSEM), SPECT images were reconstructed using both a clinical protocol (attenuation correction, OSEM) and a Monte Carlo (MC)‐based reconstruction method (MC‐based detector, scatter, and attenuation modeling, OSEM), for planar images the geometric mean was calculated. In addition, in all cases except clinical SPECT, background correction was included. The LSF was calculated by assessing the reconstructed activity in the lungs and in the liver, as delineated on the CT images. In addition to the 15% LSF, an extra “cold” region was included to simulate an LSF of 0%.

Results

PET reconstructions accurately estimated the LSF (absolute difference <2 percent point (pp)) when total activity was over 200 MBq, but greatly overestimated the LSF (up to 25pp) when activity decreased. Bremsstrahlung SPECT clinical reconstructions overestimated the LSF (up to 13pp) when activity was both high and low. Similarly, planar images overestimated the LSF (up to 23pp). MC‐based SPECT reconstructions accurately estimated the LSF with an absolute difference of less than 1.3pp for activities as low as 70 MBq.

Conclusions

Bremsstrahlung SPECT/CT can accurately estimate the LSF for a 90Y pretreatment procedure using a theoretically safe 90Y activity as low as 70 MBq, when reconstructed with an MC‐based model.
Comparative performance analysis of 2DOF state feedback controller for automatic generation control using whale optimization algorithm
Authors: Simhadri Kumara Swamy , Mohanty Banaja , Panda Sanjaya Kumar
Published: September 2018

This paper presents the design of two‐degree‐of‐freedom state feedback controller (2DOFSFC) for automatic generation control problem. A recently developed new metaheuristic algorithm called whale optimization algorithm is employed to optimize the parameters of 2DOFSFC. The proposed 2DOFSFC is analyzed for a two‐area interconnected thermal power system including governor dead band nonlinearity and further extended to multiunit hydrothermal power system. The supremacy of the 2DOFSFC is established comparing with proportional‐integral, proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID), and 2DOFPID controllers optimized with different competitive algorithms for the concerned system. The sensitivity analysis of the optimal 2DOFSFC is performed with uncertainty condition made by varying bias coefficient B and regulation R parameters. Furthermore, the proposed controller is also verified against random load variations and step load perturbation at different locations of the system.
On the Promising Role of Enzyme Activity Assay in Interpreting Comparative Proteomic Data in Plants
Authors: Niu Liangjie , Xu Xiangru , Liu Hui , Wu Xiaolin , Wang Wei
Published: September 2018

Comparative proteomics is widely used to detect protein changes, especially differential abundance proteins (DAPs) that are involved in plant responses to development, disease, or environment. Once DAPs are identified, it is essential to validate any change in their abundance, and their role in the biological process under study. In addition to common confirmation by quantitative RT‐PCR, immunoblot, and multiple reaction monitoring analysis, it has been proposed that enzyme activity assay (EAA) can be complementary to the standard proteomics results, especially regarding the elucidation of protein (enzyme) function and the mechanism of enzyme‐associated biochemical or metabolic pathways. The enzymes discussed here are the DAPs identified in comparative plant proteomics. Despite the small number of enzymes in a proteome, they often make up a substantial proportion of the DAPs identified in comparative studies. Currently, only a few studies have performed EAA to complement the interpretation of proteomic data, especially activity‐based protein profiling. This viewpoint aims to arouse the attention of proteomic researchers on the promising role of EAA in plant proteomics and highlights the need for high‐throughput assays of enzyme activities in comparative plant proteomics.
Towards the validation of a new, blended theoretical model of fear of cancer recurrence
Authors: Lebel Sophie , Maheu Christine , Tomei Christina , Bernstein Lori J. , Courbasson Christine , Ferguson Sarah , Harris Cheryl , Jolicoeur Lynne , Lefebvre Monique , Muraca Linda , Ramanakumar Agnihotram V. , Singh Mina , Parrott Julia , Figueiredo Danielle
Published: September 2018

Objective

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is defined as “fear, worry, or concern about cancer returning or progressing”. To date, only the seminal model proposed by Lee‐Jones and colleagues has been partially validated, so additional model testing is critical to inform intervention efforts. The purpose of this study is to examine the validity of a blended model of FCR that integrates Leventhal's Common Sense Model, Mishel's Uncertainty in Illness Theory, and cognitive theories of worry.

Methods

Participants (n = 106) were women diagnosed with stage I to III breast or gynecological cancer who were enrolled in a Randomized Controlled Trial of a group cognitive‐existential intervention for FCR. We report data from standardized questionnaires (Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory—Severity and Triggers subscales; Illness Uncertainty Scale; perceived risk of recurrence; Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale; Why do people Worry about Health questionnaire; Reassurance‐seeking Behaviors subscale of the Health Anxiety Questionnaire, and the Reassurance Questionnaire) that participants completed before randomization. Path analyses were used to test the model.

Results

Following the addition of four paths, the model showed an excellent fit (χ2 = 13.39, P = 0.20; comparative fit index = 0.99; root mean square error of approximation = 0.06). Triggers, perceived risk of recurrence, and illness uncertainty predicted FCR. FCR was associated with maladaptive coping. Positive beliefs about worrying and intolerance of uncertainty did not predict FCR but led to more maladaptive coping.

Conclusions

These results provide support for a blended FCR model.
NPRL2 enhances autophagy and the resistance to Everolimus in castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Chen Zhixiong , Jiang Qilong , Zhu Pingyu , Chen Yanlin , Xie Xuemei , Du Zhongbo , Jiang Li , Tang Wei
Published: September 2018

Background

Nitrogen permease regulator‐like 2 (NPRL2) is reported to be a tumor suppressor candidate gene and involved in the mTOR signaling and drug resistance in several cancers. However, the role of NPRL2 in regulating the resistance to Everolimus (EVS), an inhibitor of the mTOR, in castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is still unclear. Therefore, in present study, we evaluated the role of NPRL2 and its potential resistance to EVS in CRPC.

Methods

NPRL2 expression levels in prostate tissues, including benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) tissues, primary prostate cancer (PCa) tissues, CRPC tissues, and several PCa cell lines (LNCaP, PC3, and enzalutamide‐resistant LNCaP, named LNPER) were be evaluated by immunohistochemistry, RT‐PCR, and Western blot. Furthermore, we employed the loss or gain function of NPRL2 to determine the role of NPRL2 in regulating the proliferation, sensitivity to EVS, the mTOR signaling, autophagy in CRPC. Lastly, relationship between NPRL2 expression level and the efficacy of EVS were evaluated in mice tumor xenograft models.

Results

NPRL2 expression level is upregulated in PCa, particularly in the CRPC. NPRL2 over‐expression promoted the proliferation, resistance to EVS, and NPRL2 silencing inhibited proliferation, enhanced sensitivity to EVS in PC3 and LNPER cells. Moreover, NPRL2‐silencing increased the activity of mTOR signaling, and the autophagy attenuation induced by NPRL2‐silencing in EVS‐treated CRPC cells was associated with the increase of apoptosis. In addition, the growth prevention of NPRL2‐silencing LNPER tumors in mice induced by EVS‐treatment was associated with the autophagy attenuation and apoptosis increase.

Conclusions

NPRL2 may act as a pro‐growth factor in PCa. The high levels of NPRL2 expression in CRPC promote resistance to EVS by enhancing autophagy. NPRL2 may be a new therapeutic target for intervention of CRPC and a biomarker for predicting resistance to EVS in CRPC.
Longitudinal monitoring of environmental factors at Culicidae larval habitats in urban areas and their association with various mosquito species using an innovative strategy
Authors: Nebbak Amira , Willcox Alexandra C , Koumare Sekou , Berenger Jean‐Michel , Raoult Didier , Parola Philippe , Fontaine Albin , Briolant Sébastien , Almeras Lionel
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

To prevent the risk of mosquito‐borne disease outbreaks, larval source management remains the most sustainable and effective mosquito control strategy. The present study aimed to determine the influence of environmental characteristics of mosquito larval habitats in an urban area of Marseille, France. Fourteen sites containing water were monitored every 2 weeks from May to October 2015 for mosquito species occurrence and larval density, and environmental parameters were measured at each visit. Rapid and accurate species identification of mosquito larvae was performed using an innovative MALDI‐TOF MS method.

RESULTS

A total of 6753 larvae (L1–L4) and pupae were collected, of which 35.8% (n = 2418) were speciated using MALDI‐TOF MS. Correct identifications were obtained for 2259 specimens (93.4%). A total of five mosquito species were found, including Aedes (Ae.) albopictus, Culex (Cx.) p. pipiens, Cx. hortensis, Cx. impudicus, and Culiseta (Cs.) longiareolata. Larvae of the Culex genus were predominant in both density and distribution. Small, shaded pools of shallow water favored Ae. albopictus colonization, whereas the wide distribution of Cx. p. pipiens demonstrated that this species was weakly influenced by environmental changes.

CONCLUSIONS

The present work confirms that MALDI‐TOF MS is a useful tool for mosquito speciation and suggests that understanding the environmental factors associated with the occurrence and density of mosquito species at the larval stage in Marseille may aid in the future implementation of mosquito control programs. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Black Phosphorus Infrared Photodetectors with Fast Response and High Photoresponsivity
Authors: Gong Fan , Wu Feng , Long Mingsheng , Chen Fansheng , Su Meng , Yang Zhenyu , Shi Jing
Published: September 2018

Recently, black phosphorus (BP) has attracted enormous attention as the potential materials for next‐generation photonic device applications due to the high carrier mobility and the narrow bandgap. However, the metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) structure of BP photodetectors cannot achieve simultaneously high photoresponsivity and fast photoresponse, due to its natural surface defects, the thinness of absorption layer, and the instability of BP in the air, which limits the application of BP MSM structure photodetectors. Here, infrared photodetectors with the multilayer BP sandwiched between the top protective layer of boron nitride and the bottom Au electrodes are demonstrated. The BP photodetectors exhibit a fast photoresponse of ≈16 µs, a broadband photodetection up to ≈2 µm, a high light on/off ratio of ≈103 which is higher than most BP photodetectors, together with an acceptable photoresponsivity of ≈1.55 A W−1 for the wavelength of 1550 nm at room temperature. Scanning photocurrent microscopy measurements show that the mechanism of BP photodetectors is a combination of photovoltaic effect and photoconductive effect. This work demonstrates an effective way to design high‐performance photovoltaic/photoconductive devices based on 2D materials.
Removal of oxoanions of MVI (MVI=Cr, Mo, W) metals by carbon nanostructures: Insights into mechanisms from DFT calculations
Authors: Hizhnyi Yuriy , Nedilko Sergii , Borysiuk Viktor , Shyichuk Andrii
Published: September 2018

Carbon nanostructured materials have been recognized as perspective adsorbents for removal of toxic anions of hexavalent metals M(VI) from surrounding media. The article reveals the peculiarities of such removal mechanisms at a single‐molecule level. Adsorption of MVIO42− (MVI = Cr, Mo, W), Cr2O72−, and HCrO4− anions on the surface of pristine, B(N)‐doped, and functionalized by functional groups (COOH, COO−, OH, and NH3+) carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene is studied in the density functional theory electronic structure calculations carried out in vacuo and in aqua using polarizable continuum model. It is found that neither pristine, nor B or N‐doped CNTs can be efficient adsorbents of the anions in water. Functionalization of the CNT‐based materials with oxygen‐ or ammonia‐containing surface groups will allow creation of efficient adsorbents of Cr(VI) toxic anions at low pH levels of water solution. Whereas at high pH (> 6), only functionalization by ammonia‐containing groups is feasible for this task.
The tardy dance of molecular orbitals
Authors: Frank Irmgard , Kraus Peter
Published: September 2018

Molecular orbitals are obtained readily from quantum chemical calculations. Their densities sum up to the total electronic cloud which determines structure and reactivity of every system consisting of atoms, that is, of any kind of matter. The present study shows the flexibility but also the tardiness of molecular orbitals in slow motion movies. With such movies it is easy to get familiar with orbitals and with their motion on the picometer and femtosecond scales, but there are phenomena which also surprise the expert. As an example, the photochemistry and photophysics of butadiene is investigated.
Mechanisms and stereoselectivities of phosphine‐catalyzed (3+3) cycloaddition reaction between azomethine imine and ynone: A computational study
Authors: Li Yan , Fu Wenwen , Tian Ruixue , Liang Changhai
Published: September 2018

To understand the mechanisms and origins of stereoselectivities in PPh
3‐catalyzed (3 + 3) cycloaddition reaction of but‐3‐yn‐2‐one with azomethine imine, density functional theory (DFT) and ReaxFF molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been conducted. Various possible reaction pathways have been examined. DFT calculations indicate that this reaction is initiated by nucleophilic attack of catalyst PPh
3 to but‐3‐yn‐2‐one to form intermediate 1, followed by proton transfer leads to intermediate 2. The subsequent nucleophilic addition of 2 to azomethine imine forms intermediate 3. Then, intermediate 3 undergoes intramolecular cycloaddition, 1,2‐proton transfer, and elimination of catalyst affording the final product. A trace amount of PhOH plays an important role in the proton transfer process. For the stereoselectivity determining CC bond formation step, both DFT calculations and MD simulations demonstrate that the R‐configured P(R) is the predominant product. Furthermore, high Z/E‐selectivity is predicted for the studied reaction. Our computational results are in good agreement with previous experimental observations. The present study should be useful to the development of this kind reaction in the future.
Superacidity of P(OH)3 and SO(OH)2 derivatives of cyclopentadiene and vinylcyclopentadiene in the gas phase: A computational DFT analysis
Authors: Valadbeigi Younes , Vianello Robert
Published: September 2018

Strong Brønsted acids were designed using a simple strategy of replacing double‐bonded oxygen atoms in mineral acids H3PO4 and H2SO4 with cyclopentadiene and vinylcyclopentadiene moieties, followed by a substitution with strong electron‐withdrawing cyano groups. Their intrinsic gas‐phase acidity was assessed by the B3LYP density functional theory calculations employing the 6‐311++G(d,p) basis set, and many highly potent superacids were identified. The pronounced acidity of these conjugates is due to two predominant factors, namely, (i) an increase in the aromaticity of the five‐membered ring on deprotonation, as evaluated through the NICS parameters, and (ii) an extension of the conjugated π‐network enabled by the cyano groups that efficiently distribute an excess negative charge over a large number of atoms in conjugate bases. The SO(OH)2 derivatives are generally more acidic than the corresponding P(OH)3 counterparts so that the ΔHacid values for the SO(OH)2 and P(OH)3 derivatives with CN substituents evaluated here are 260‐266 and 263‐272 kcal mol−1, respectively. Given the growing interest in highly acidic molecules together with related acidic catalysts and metal complexing agents, the results presented here should direct the attention toward utilizing proposed systems as improved organic materials, and their synthesis is highly recommended.
Quantifying geomorphic and vegetation change at sandbar campsites in response to flow regulation and controlled floods, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Authors: Hadley Daniel R. , Grams Paul E. , Kaplinski Matthew A.
Published: September 2018

Sandbars along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park, USA, are an important recreational resource used as campsites by over 25,000 river runners and hikers annually. The number and size of campsites decreased following the completion of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963 due to reductions of sediment that replenish sandbars and increases in vegetation cover caused by flow regulation. Campsite area continues to decrease despite the use of controlled floods to rebuild sandbars. We quantify the relative magnitude of factors that contribute to changes in campsite size, such as fluvial deposition and erosion, gullying, and vegetation expansion with analysis of four‐band aerial imagery and digital elevation models. Campsite area declined by 37% between 2002 and 2016 (an average of 161 m2 per site at long‐term monitoring sites). Two drivers contributed to campsite area change: (a) short‐term gains and losses associated with controlled floods and flood‐deposit erosion and (b) long‐term one‐directional loss of campsite area caused by vegetation encroachment. There was more erosion and slope change at sites in critical reaches—sections of river where campsites are infrequent or in high demand—than in noncritical reaches. Vegetation continues to expand at campsites under flow regulation, particularly in noncritical reaches. Although controlled floods have contributed to short‐term increases in sandbar size, long‐term increases in campsite area have not occurred because of sandbar erosion between controlled floods and vegetation expansion. Manual vegetation removal may need to be considered in future management strategies.