bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MDM tool: A data mining framework integrated into Moodle
Authors: Luna J. M. , Castro C. , Romero C.
Published: January 2017

The interest in developing Learning Analytics tools that can be integrated into the well‐known Moodle course management systems is increasing nowadays. These tools generally provide some type of basic analytics and graphs about users' interaction in the course. However, they do not enable a varied set of Data Mining techniques to be applied, such as approaches for classification, clustering, or association. To address this issue, a new and freely available Moodle Data Mining tool, named MDM, has been proposed in this paper. The proposed tool eases the whole knowledge discovery process, including tasks such as selection, data pre‐processing, and data mining from Moodle courses. The proposed MDM tool has been developed in PHP programming language, so it can be easily integrated into Moodle as a module for a specific course. Its main features and architecture are described in depth, and a tutorial is also provided as a practical way of using the MDM interface. Finally, some experimental results using a real‐life sample dataset of mechanical engineering students are analyzed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 25:90–102, 2017; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21782
Analysis of water distribution networks using MATLAB and Excel spreadsheet: h‐based methods
Authors: Niazkar Majid , Afzali Seied Hosein
Published: January 2017

The need for computer application for solving water distribution networks (WDNs) is inevitable for both educational and practical purposes. In this paper, three h‐based methods for solving WDN including h‐based Newton–Raphson method, finite element method, and gradient algorithm are implemented using MATLAB and Excel spreadsheet. The input data should be first inserted into Excel spreadsheet while MATLAB codes utilize this data to solve the pipe network. The output results are also presented in Excel for convenience. As educational facets of this application was the main focus of this paper, the details of this computer application were step‐by‐step explained with codes. Furthermore, a simple network selected from literature was analyzed using the three h‐based methods. Finally, the presented codes and this computer application are believed to encourage many educators and applicants to assess them for both educational and practical purposes in this engineering field. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 25:129–141, 2017; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21786
A Multi‐Mitochondrial Anticancer Agent that Selectively Kills Cancer Cells and Overcomes Drug Resistance
Authors: Peng Yong Bo , Zhao Zi Long , Liu Teng , Xie Guo Jian , Jin Cheng , Deng Tang Gang , Sun Yang , Li Xiong , Hu Xiao Xiao , Zhang Xiao Bing , Ye Mao , Tan Wei Hong
Published: January 2017

Mitochondria are double‐membrane‐bound organelles involved mainly in supplying cellular energy, but also play roles in signaling, cell differentiation, and cell death. Mitochondria are implicated in carcinogenesis, and therefore dozens of lethal signal transduction pathways converge on these organelles. Accordingly, mitochondria provide an alternative target for cancer management. In this study, F16, a drug that targets mitochondria, and chlorambucil (CBL), which is indicated for the treatment of selected human neoplastic diseases, were covalently linked, resulting in the synthesis of a multi‐mitochondrial anticancer agent, FCBL. FCBL can associate with human serum albumin (HSA) to form an HSA–FCBL nanodrug, which selectively recognizes cancer cells, but not normal cells. Systematic investigations show that FCBL partially accumulates in cancer cell mitochondria to depolarize mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), and attack mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). With this synergistic effect on multiple mitochondrial components, the nanodrug can effectively kill cancer cells and overcome multiple drug resistance. Furthermore, based on its therapeutic window, HSA–FCBL exhibits clinically significant differential cytotoxicity between normal and malignant cells. Finally, while drug dosage and drug resistance typically limit first‐line mono‐chemotherapy, HSA–FCBL, with its ability to compromise mitochondrial membrane integrity and damage mtDNA, is expected to overcome those limitations to become an ideal candidate for the treatment of neoplastic disease.
Hexagonal Boron Nitride (h‐BN) Sheets Decorated with OLi, ONa, and Li2F Molecules for Enhanced Energy Storage
Authors: Naqvi Syeda Rabab , Rao Gollu Sankar , Luo Wei , Ahuja Rajeev , Hussain Tanveer
Published: January 2017

First‐principles electronic structure calculations were carried out on hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) sheets functionalized with small molecules, such as OLi, ONa, and Li2F, to study their hydrogen (H2) storage properties. We found that OLi and ONa strongly adsorb on h‐BN sheets with reasonably large inter‐adsorbent separations, which is desirable for H2storage. Ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) simulations further confirmed the structural stability of OLi‐BN and ONa‐BN systems at 400 K. On the other hand, Li2F molecules form clusters over the surface of h‐BN at higher temperatures. We performed a Bader charge investigation to explore the nature of binding between the functionalized molecules and h‐BN sheets. The density of states (DOS) revealed that functionalized h‐BN sheets become metallic with two‐sided coverage of each type of molecules. Hydrogenation of OLi‐BN and ONa‐BN revealed that the functionalized systems adsorb multiple H2molecules around the Li and Na atoms, with H2adsorption energies ranging from 0.20 to 0.28 eV, which is desirable for an efficient H2storage material.
Cellular plasticity in cardiovascular development and disease
Authors: Das Soumyashree , Red‐Horse Kristy
Published: January 2017

Knowledge on cellular differentiation pathways is critical to understanding organ development, homeostasis, and disease. Studying cell differentiation and cell fate restrictions in these contexts can be done through lineage tracing experiments, which entail permanent labeling of a cell and all its progeny. Recent lineage experiments within the cardiovascular system have uncovered unexpected findings on cellular origins during organogenesis and cell plasticity during disease. For example, there is increasing evidence that multiple progenitor sources exist for a single cell type, and that cells have remarkable expansive capacities under disease settings. Here, we summarize some recent findings in the cardiovascular system and highlight where there is evidence that the underlying concepts are a widespread phenomenon used by other organ systems. Developmental Dynamics 246:328–335, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
AmphiBase: A new genomic resource for non‐model amphibian species
Authors: Kwon Taejoon
Published: January 2017

More than five thousand genes annotated in the recently published Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis genomes do not have a candidate orthologous counterpart in other vertebrate species. To determine whether these sequences represent genuine amphibian‐specific genes or annotation errors, it is necessary to analyze them alongside sequences from other amphibian species. However, due to large genome sizes and an abundance of repeat sequences, there are limited numbers of gene sequences available from amphibian species other than Xenopus. AmphiBase is a new genomic resource covering non‐model amphibian species, based on public domain transcriptome data and computational methods developed during the X. laevis genome project. Here, I review the current status of AmphiBase, including amphibian species with available transcriptome data or biological samples, and describe the challenges of building a comprehensive amphibian genomic resource in the absence of genomes. This mini‐review will be informative for researchers interested in functional genomic experiments using amphibian model organisms, such as Xenopus and axolotl, and will assist in interpretation of results implicating “orphan genes.” Additionally, this study highlights an opportunity for researchers working on non‐model amphibian species to collaborate in their future efforts and develop amphibian genomic resources as a community.
Tracing the history and ecological context of Wolbachia double infection in a specialist host (Urophora cardui)—parasitoid (Eurytoma serratulae) system
Authors: Johannesen Jes
Published: January 2017

The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia is the most widespread bacteria in insects, yet the ecology of novel acquisitions in natural host populations is poorly understood. Using temporal data separated by 12 years, I tested the hypothesis that immigration of a parasitoid wasp led to transmission of its Wolbachia strain to its dipteran host, resulting in double‐strain infection, and I used geographic and community surveys to explore the history of transmission in fly and parasitoid. Double infection in the fly host was present before immigration of the parasitoid. Equal prevalence of double infection in males and females, constant prevalence before and after immigration in two regions, and increase in one region of immigration indicate little if no competition between strains. Double infection was present throughout the fly's distribution range, but proportions varied highly (0–0.71, mean = 0.26). Two fly‐specific MLST strains, observed in Eastern and Western Europe, respectively, differed at hcpA only. Flies with either fly‐strain could be double infected with the parasitoid's strain. The geographic distribution of double infection implies that it is older than the fly host's extent distribution range and that different proportions of double infection are caused by demographic fluctuations in the fly. The geographic data in combination with community surveys of infections and strains further suggest that the parasitoid strain was the fly's ancestral strain that was transmitted to the parasitoid, that is, the reverse transmission route as first hypothesized. Based on these findings together with a comparison of oviposition strategies of other hosts harboring related Wolbachia strains, I hypothesize that trans‐infection during an insect host's puparial metamorphosis might be important in promoting horizontal transmission among diverse holometabolic taxa.
Edge responses are different in edges under natural versus anthropogenic influence: a meta‐analysis using ground beetles
Authors: Magura Tibor , Lövei Gábor L. , Tóthmérész Béla
Published: January 2017

Most edges are anthropogenic in origin, but are distinguishable by their maintaining processes (natural vs. continued anthropogenic interventions: forestry, agriculture, urbanization). We hypothesized that the dissimilar edge histories will be reflected in the diversity and assemblage composition of inhabitants. Testing this “history‐based edge effect” hypothesis, we evaluated published information on a common insect group, ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in forest edges. A meta‐analysis showed that the diversity‐enhancing properties of edges significantly differed according to their history. Forest edges maintained by natural processes had significantly higher species richness than their interiors, while edges with continued anthropogenic influence did not. The filter function of edges was also essentially different depending on their history. For forest specialist species, edges maintained by natural processes were penetrable, allowing these species to move right through the edges, while edges still under anthropogenic interventions were impenetrable, preventing the dispersal of forest specialists out of the forest. For species inhabiting the surrounding matrix (open‐habitat and generalist species), edges created by forestry activities were penetrable, and such species also invaded the forest interior. However, natural forest edges constituted a barrier and prevented the invasion of matrix species into the forest interior. Preserving and protecting all edges maintained by natural processes, and preventing anthropogenic changes to their structure, composition, and characteristics are key factors to sustain biodiversity in forests. Moreover, the increasing presence of anthropogenic edges in a landscape is to be avoided, as they contribute to the loss of biodiversity. Simultaneously, edges under continued anthropogenic disturbance should be restored by increasing habitat heterogeneity.
The impacts of precipitation increase and nitrogen addition on soil respiration in a semiarid temperate steppe
Authors: Zhang Xiaolin , Tan Yulian , Zhang Bingwei , Li Ang , Daryanto Stefani , Wang Lixin , Huang Jianhui
Published: January 2017

Soil respiration, Rs, is strongly controlled by water availability in semiarid grasslands. However, how Rs is affected by precipitation change (either as rainfall or as snowfall) especially under increasing nitrogen (N) deposition has been uncertain. A manipulative experiment to investigate the responses of growing season Rs to changes in spring snowfall or summer rainfall with or without N addition was conducted in the semiarid temperate steppe of China during three hydrologically contrasting years. Our results showed that both spring snow addition and summer water addition significantly increased Rs by increasing soil moisture. The effect of spring snow addition only occurred in years with both relatively lower natural snowfall and later snowmelt time. Summer water addition showed a much stronger effect on Rs by increasing plant root growth and microbial activities, but the magnitude also largely depended on the possible legacy effect of previous year precipitation. Our results indicated that precipitation increase in the form of snowfall had weaker effects than that in the form of rainfall as the former only accounted for less than 30% of total precipitation. Compared with other ecosystem processes, Rs was less responsible for increase in N deposition as it did not increase root productivity and microbial activities in the soils. Our results provided field data constraints for modeling the ecosystem carbon balance under the future global change scenarios in semiarid grasslands.
An Optimized and General Synthetic Strategy To Prepare Arylnaphthalene Lactone Natural Products from Cyanophthalides
Authors: Kim Taejung , Jeong Kyu Hyuk , Kang Ki Sung , Nakata Masaya , Ham Jungyeob
Published: January 2017

A simple method for the preparation of arylnaphthalene lactone natural products was developed and used to synthesize diphyllin (10), justicidin A (12), cilinaphthalide B (13), taiwanin E (15), chinensinaphthol (16), taiwanin E methyl ether (17), chinensinaphthol methyl ether (18), justicidin C (21), and justicidin D (22). Key steps of the syntheses include the Hauser–Kraus annulation of cyanophthalides 7a and 7b and Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions between arylnaphthalene lactones that contain a sulfonate group (i.e., 9, 14, 19, and 20) and various potassium aryltrifluoroborates.
Identifying the spatial pattern and importance of hydro‐geomorphic drainage impairments on unpaved roads in the northeastern USA
Authors: Wemple Beverley C. , Clark Gordon E. , Ross Donald S. , Rizzo Donna M.
Published: January 2017

Roads have been widely studied as sources of runoff and sediment and identified as pollutant production sources to receiving waters. Despite the wealth of research on logging roads in forested, upland settings, little work has been conducted to examine the role of extensive networks of rural, low‐volume, unpaved roads on water quality degradation at the catchment scale. We studied a network of municipal unpaved roads in the northeastern US to identify the type and spatial extent of ‘hydro‐geomorphic impairments’ to water quality. We mapped erosional and depositional features on roads to develop an estimate of pollutant production. We also mapped the type and location of design interventions or best management practices (BMPs) used to improve road drainage and mitigate water quality impairment. We used statistical analyses to identify key controls on the frequency and magnitude of erosional features on the road network, and GIS to scale up from the survey results to the catchment scale to identify the likely importance of unpaved roads as a pollutant source in this setting. An average of 21 hydro‐geomorphic impairments were mapped per kilometer of road, averaging 0.3 m3in volume. Road gradient and slope position were key controls on the occurrence of these features. The presence of BMPs effectively reduced erosion frequency. Scaled up to the watershed and using a conservative estimate of road–stream connectivity, our results for the Winooski River watershed in the northeastern US suggest that roughly 16% and 6% of the average annual sediment and phosphorus flux, respectively, of the Winooski River may be derived from unpaved roads. Our study identifies an under‐appreciated source of water quality degradation in rural watersheds, provides insights into identifying ‘hot spots’ of pollutant production associated with these networks, and points to effectiveness of design interventions in mitigating these adverse impacts on water quality. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of melatonin receptor‐signaling on Zeitgeber time‐dependent changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis in the adult murine hippocampus
Authors: Fredrich Michaela , Hampel Mareike , Seidel Kay , Christ Elmar , Korf Horst‐Werner
Published: January 2017

The hippocampus is subjected to diurnal/circadian rhythms on both the morphological and molecular levels. Certain aspects of cell proliferation in the adult hippocampus are regulated by melatonin and accompanied by apoptosis to ensure proper tissue maintenance and function. The present study investigated Zeitgeber time (ZT)‐dependent changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis in the adult murine hippocampus and their regulation by melatonin receptor type1 and type2 (MT1/2)‐mediated signaling. Adult melatonin‐proficient C3H/HeN mice and melatonin‐proficient (C3H/HeN) mice with targeted deletion of MT1/2 were adapted to a 12‐h light, 12‐h dark photoperiod and were sacrificed at ZT00, ZT06, ZT12, and ZT18. Immunohistochemistry for Ki67 and activated caspase‐3 in combination with different markers for the diverse cell types residing in the hippocampus served to identify and quantify proliferating and apoptotic cells in the hippocampal subregions. ZT‐dependent changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis were found exclusively in the subgranular zone (SGZ) and granule cell layer (GCL) of melatonin‐proficient mice with functional MT1/2. Cell proliferation in the SGZ showed ZT‐dependent changes indicated by an increase of proliferating immature neurons during the dark phase of the 24‐h light‐dark cycle. Apoptosis showed ZT‐dependent changes in the SGZ and GCL indicated by an increase of apoptotic immature neurons at ZT06 (SGZ) and a decrease of immature and mature neurons at ZT18 (GCL). Our results indicate that ZT‐dependent changes in proliferation of immature neurons in the SGZ are counterbalanced by ZT‐dependent changes in apoptosis of immature and mature neurons in the SGZ and GCL exclusively in mice with functional MT1/2. Therefore, MT1/2‐mediated signaling appears to be crucial for generation and timing of ZT‐dependent changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis and for differentiation of proliferating cells into neurons in the SGZ. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determining annual cryosphere storage contributions to streamflow using historical hydrometric records
Authors: Brahney Janice , Menounos Brian , Wei Xiaohua , Curtis Paul Jefferson
Published: January 2017

Alpine glaciers and perennial snow fields are important hydrologic elements in many mountain environments providing runoff during the late summer and during periods of drought. Because relatively long records of glacier mass–balance data are absent from many glacierized catchments, it remains unclear to what extent shrinking perennial snow and glaciers have affected runoff trends from these watersheds. Here, we employ a hydrograph separation technique that uses a double mass curve in an attempt to isolate changes in runoff due to glacier retreat and disappearance of perennial snow. The method is tested using hydrometric data from 20 glacierized and 16 nonglacierized catchments in the Columbia Basin of Canada. The resulting estimates on cryosphere storage contribution to streamflow were well correlated to other regional estimates on the basis of measurements as well as empirical and mechanistic models. Annual cryosphere runoff changed from +19 to −55% during the period 1975–2012, with an average decline of 26%. For August runoff, these changes ranged from +17 to −66%, with an average decrease of 24%. Reduction of cryosphere contributions to annual and late summer flows is expected to continue in the coming decades as glaciers and the perennial snow patches shrink. Our method to isolate changes in late summer cryospheric storage contributions can be used as a first order estimate on changes in glacier contributions to flow and may help researchers and water managers target watersheds for further analysis.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins as Regulators of Beta‐amyloid Aggregation and Toxicity
Authors: Pate Kayla M. , Murphy Regina M.
Published: January 2017

Amyloid disorders, such as Alzheimer's, are almost invariably late‐onset diseases. One defining diagnostic feature of Alzheimer's disease is the deposition of beta‐amyloid as extracellular plaques, primarily in the hippocampus. This raises the question: are there natural protective agents that prevent beta‐amyloid from depositing, and is it loss of this protection that leads to onset of disease? Proteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been suggested to act as just such natural protective agents. Here, we describe some of the early evidence that led to this suggestion, and we discuss, in greater detail, two CSF proteins that have garnered the bulk of the attention.
Development of a Bio‐Inspired Dual Catalytic System for Alkane Dehydrogenation
Authors: West Julian G. , Sorensen Erik J.
Published: January 2017

The alkene is a central functional group in organic synthesis. While myriad reliable methods exist to access this moiety from other functionalities, acceptorless dehydrogenation, or the direct synthesis of alkenes from alkanes with hydrogen gas as the sole byproduct, remains a challenging, albeit highly desirable, transformation. This essay provides an account of our recent efforts toward accessing this difficult reaction class, with particular attention paid to the diverse precedents that informed our explorations. This report highlights the benefits of maintaining a broad range of interests, and we hope that it illustrates the vast connectivity between chemical disciplines.
Telescoped Synthesis of γ‐Bromo‐β‐Lactones from Allylic Bromides Employing Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Vellalath Sreekumar , Romo Daniel
Published: January 2017

A direct synthesis of the title compounds involving a stepwise Zn‐mediated carboxylation of allylic bromides with CO2 delivering β, γ‐unsaturated carboxylic acids and a subsequent bromolactonization is reported. The described method demonstrates the use of readily prepared allylzinc bromides by the method of Knochel for fixation of CO2 employing commodity chemicals and zinc dust. This process was then optimized into a two‐stage, telescoped process for the direct synthesis of γ‐bromo‐β‐lactones from allyl bromides. The described strategy delivers functionalized β‐lactones with dual reactivity as acylating and alkylating agents, which have utility as synthetic intermediates and are attracting growing interest as proteomic tools for activity‐based protein profiling.
Direction of pion‐induced radioactivity by autoradiography and positron emission tomography
Authors: Shirato Hiroki , Harrison Robert , Kornelsen R. O. , Lam Gabriel K. Y. , Gaffney Cristopher C. , Goodman George B. , Grochowski Ed , Pate Brian
Published: January 2017

An autoradiographic technique incorporating a new imaging system was used to detect pioninduced radioactivity in Plexiglass and the results were compared with aluminium activation and PET imaging. The activity distribution in the region of the pion‐stopping peak was similar in all three cases. Another large signal in the entrance region due to in‐flight interactions [12C(π −, π − π) 11C] was detected by autoradiography and by PET but was not reflected in the aluminium activation measurements. This new technique is capable of defining the stopping region in phantoms with a better resolution than PET scanning and is useful as a complementary technique to other methods of pion dosimetry.
An optimal synthetic aperture for circular tomosynthesis
Authors: Ruttimann Urs E. , Oi Xiang‐Lin , Webber Richard L.
Published: January 2017

In circular tomosyntesis obtained from a sufficient number of radiographs with projection directions forming a single cone, object detail at a distance from the plane of interest is blurred according to the zero order Bessel function. The main lobe of this window function defines slice thickness, while its ringing side lobes are undesirable because they permit further outlying structures to “leak” through. Using the orthogonality of Bessel functions, a sampling scheme consistmg of multiple, concentric projection cones was designed to synthesize by a finite FourierBessel series a slice window with superior side lobe suppression. The window that concentrates the most “energy” within a finite slice, and can be realized by a limited number of sampling cones, is the zero order circular prolate spheroidal function. Its application to tomosynthesis of 3 mm thick slices with a characteristic detail size of 0.5 mm, concentrated 95% of the total series expansion to only 3 concentric circular scans, yielding a theoretical suppression of the first side lobe of − 38 dB, to be compared to − 8 dB achieved with the Bessel function. Experimental implementation of this optimal sampling scheme using 3, 8, and 14 projection views, distributed over cones with opening half‐anges of 1.92, 4.39, and 6.88°, respectively, resulted in a side‐lobe attenuation of at least − 20 dB. This attenuation reduced significantly artifacts arising from out‐of‐plane detail of high spatial frequency (e.g., edges) in tomosynthetic images of clinical interest in dentistry.
Impact of lysosomal storage disorders on biology of mesenchymal stem cells: Evidences from in vitro silencing of glucocerebrosidase (GBA) and alpha‐galactosidase A (GLA) enzymes
Authors: Squillaro Tiziana , Antonucci Ivana , Alessio Nicola , Esposito Anna , Cipollaro Marilena , Melone Mariarosa Anna Beatrice , Peluso Gianfranco , Stuppia Liborio , Galderisi Umberto
Published: January 2017

Lysosomal storage disorders (LDS) comprise a group of rare multisystemic diseases resulting from inherited gene mutations that impair lysosomal homeostasis. The most common LSDs, Gaucher disease (GD), and Fabry disease (FD) are caused by deficiencies in the lysosomal glucocerebrosidase (GBA) and alpha‐galactosidase A (GLA) enzymes, respectively. Given the systemic nature of enzyme deficiency, we hypothesized that the stem cell compartment of GD and FD patients might be also affected. Among stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a commonly investigated population given their role in hematopoiesis and the homeostatic maintenance of many organs and tissues. Since the impairment of MSC functions could pose profound consequences on body physiology, we evaluated whether GBA and GLA silencing could affect the biology of MSCs isolated from bone marrow and amniotic fluid. Those cell populations were chosen given the former's key role in organ physiology and the latter's intriguing potential as an alternative stem cell model for human genetic disease. Our results revealed that GBA and GLA deficiencies prompted cell cycle arrest along with the impairment of autophagic flux and an increase of apoptotic and senescent cell percentages. Moreover, an increase in ataxia–telangiectasia‐mutated staining 1 hr after oxidative stress induction and a return to basal level at 48 hr, along with persistent gamma‐H2AX staining, indicated that MSCs properly activated DNA repair signaling, though some damages remained unrepaired. Our data therefore suggest that MSCs with reduced GBA or GLA activity are prone to apoptosis and senescence due to impaired autophagy and DNA repair capacity.
Excess Retinoic Acid Induces Fusion of Centra by Degenerating Intervertebral Ligament Cells in Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Wu Xiaoming , Chen Qiran , Washio Youhei , Yokoi Hayato , Suzuki Tohru
Published: January 2017

In marine aquaculture fish, excessive supplement of vitamin A (VA) to zooplanktons for larval culture and experimental exposure of larvae to retinoic acid (RA: active form of VA) have been known to cause vertebral deformity. However, the tissues in the developing vertebral column that are affected by RA and the progression of vertebral deformity remain undetermined. To examine these questions, we histologically traced the progress of vertebral deformity induced by RA in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Larvae were exposed to RA for 3 days at mid‐metamorphosis (G‐stage), a critical stage for vertebral deformity. Intervertebral ligament, which is known to form intervertebral joints in cooperation with the notochord, was severely degenerated by RA, leading to fusion of centra. During further development to adult, growth of centra was severely suppressed in an anterior–posterior direction in RA‐treated fish and the notochord tissue was lost from fused centra, resulting in complete loss of intervertebral joints and fusion of centra. We conclude that RA initially damages the intervertebral ligaments, and these defects lead to fusion, narrowing of centra, and loss of intervertebral joints in the vertebral column. The cumulative effect of these modifications is a truncated body form.
Tree‐Chromatic Number Is Not Equal to Path‐Chromatic Number*
Authors: Huynh Tony , Kim Ringi
Published: January 2017

For a graph G and a tree‐decomposition of G, the chromatic number of is the maximum of , taken over all bags . The tree‐chromatic number of G is the minimum chromatic number of all tree‐decompositions of G. The path‐chromatic number of G is defined analogously. In this article, we introduce an operation that always increases the path‐chromatic number of a graph. As an easy corollary of our construction, we obtain an infinite family of graphs whose path‐chromatic number and tree‐chromatic number are different. This settles a question of Seymour (J Combin Theory Ser B 116 (2016), 229–237). Our results also imply that the path‐chromatic numbers of the Mycielski graphs are unbounded.
EHR‐related medication errors in two ICUs
Authors: Carayon Pascale , Du Shimeng , Brown Roger , Cartmill Randi , Johnson Mark , Wetterneck Tosha B.
Published: January 2017

The objective of this study was to describe the frequency, potential harm, and nature of electronic health record (EHR)‐related medication errors in intensive care units (ICUs). Using a secondary data analysis of a large database of medication safety events collected in a study on EHR technology in ICUs, we assessed the EHR relatedness of a total of 1622 potential preventable adverse drug events (ADEs) identified in a sample of 624 patients in 2 ICUs of a medical center. Thirty‐four percent of the medication events were found to be EHR related. The EHR‐related medication events had greater potential for more serious patient harm and occurred more frequently at the ordering stage as compared to non–EHR‐related events. Examples of EHR‐related events included orders with omitted information and duplicate orders. The list of EHR‐related medication errors can be used by health care delivery organizations to monitor implementation and use of the technology and its impact on patient safety. Health information technology (IT) vendors can use the list to examine whether their technology can mitigate or reduce EHR‐related medication errors.
Feeling Vulnerable? Disclosure of Vulnerability in the Charismatic Leadership Relationship
Authors: Ito Ai , Bligh Michelle C.
Published: January 2017

The current conceptual paper explores the role of vulnerability in the charismatic leadership relationship. “Sharing vulnerability” is defined as communicating an experience to followers, in which the leader was hurt emotionally, physically, or spiritually. We argue that sharing vulnerability may be an important mechanism through which leaders develop relationships with their followers and increase attributions of charisma. We also note several likely preconditions for sharing vulnerability, including humility, self‐awareness, and the courage to acknowledge imperfections. Further, we highlight that when leaders disclose emotions, it creates opportunities for followers to connect with leaders at an emotional level. Followers, in turn, may perceive increased psychological safety, be more willing to trust the leader, and be more motivated to engage in building a more egalitarian leader–follower relationship. Therefore, we propose sharing vulnerability as a potential avenue for building more compassionate and caring leader–follower relationships.
Characterisation of the enzymatic properties of MpAPr1, an aspartic protease secreted by the wine yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima
Authors: Theron Louwrens Wiid , Bely Marina , Divol Benoit
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND

MpAPr1, encoding an acid protease from the wine yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima IWBT Y1123, was previously isolated and shown to display potential activity against casein and grape proteins. However, its characterisation remained partial.

RESULTS

MpAPr1 was cloned into the pGAPZαA vector and transformed into Komagataella pastoris X33 for heterologous expression. After verification of activity, the enzyme properties were characterised. Protease activity within the concentrated supernatant was retained over a pH range of 3.0 to 5.0 and between 10 °C and 50 °C. Optimal conditions for protease activity were found at 40 °C and pH 4.5. Activity was mostly unaffected by the presence of metal ions with the exception of Cu2+ and Ni2+. Furthermore, proteolytic activity was retained in the presence of sugar and ethanol. pH and temperature conditions for MpAPr1 expression in K. pastoris were optimised. Purification was achieved by means of cation exchange chromatography and kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) were determined. MpAPr1 activity against grape proteins was confirmed, but the extent of the degradation was dependent on the nature of these proteins and the environmental conditions.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the results suggest that MpAPr1 could be applied in food biotechnology processes such as winemaking. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Quality of Memories in Women Abused by Their Intimate Partner: Analysis of Traumatic and Nontraumatic Narratives
Authors: Fernández‐Lansac Violeta , Crespo María
Published: January 2017

Traditional models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) claim that the high emotional intensity of traumatic events leads to deficits in the voluntary access of traumatic memories. This may result in disorganized narratives, with a high sense of emotional and sensory reliving. Alternatively, the basic mechanisms view suggests that high arousal leads to more available involuntary and voluntary memories. Traumatic narratives would not be impaired; indeed, they would be immersive and rich in detail. To test this perspective, this study compared the trauma narratives of 50 battered women (trauma‐exposed group) with narratives about positive experiences and narratives of 50 nonexposed women (controls), and analyzed the relationship between trauma narrative aspects and the severity of PTSD. Results showed that trauma narratives were detailed, oriented, and coherent. Affective process words and emotional tone were related to trauma centrality and anxiety during disclosure, and predicted the severity of PTSD (R2 = .26). These variables, together with the use of present tense verbs, accounted for a significant variance in intrusions (R2 = .34). As hypothesized, narrative aspects related to a sense of reliving and narrative immersion were better predictors of PTSD than aspects reflecting impaired access to voluntary traumatic memories.
Understanding the Connection Between Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Respiratory Problems: Contributions of Anxiety Sensitivity
Authors: Mahaffey Brittain L. , Gonzalez Adam , Farris Samantha G. , Zvolensky Michael J. , Bromet Evelyn J. , Luft Benjamin J. , Kotov Roman
Published: January 2017

Respiratory problems and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are the signature health consequences associated with the September 11, 2001 (9/11), World Trade Center disaster and frequently co‐occur. The reasons for this comorbidity, however, remain unknown. Anxiety sensitivity is a transdiagnostic trait that is associated with both PTSD and respiratory symptoms. The present study explored whether anxiety sensitivity could explain the experience of respiratory symptoms in trauma‐exposed smokers with PTSD symptoms. Participants (N = 135; Mage = 49.18 years, SD = 10.01) were 9/11‐exposed daily smokers. Cross‐sectional self‐report measures were used to assess PTSD symptoms, anxiety sensitivity, and respiratory symptoms. After controlling for covariates and PTSD symptoms, anxiety sensitivity accounted for significant additional variance in respiratory symptoms (ΔR2 = .04 to .08). This effect was specific to the somatic concerns dimension (β = .29, p = .020); somatic concerns contributed significantly to accounting for the overlap between PTSD and respiratory symptoms, b = 0.03, 95% CI [0.01, 0.07]. These findings suggest that the somatic dimension of anxiety sensitivity is important in understanding respiratory symptoms in individuals with PTSD symptoms. These findings also suggest that it may be critical to address anxiety sensitivity when treating patients with comorbid respiratory problems and PTSD.
Persistent Serious Mental Illness Among Former Applicants for VA PTSD Disability Benefits and Long‐Term Outcomes: Symptoms, Functioning, and Employment
Authors: Murdoch Maureen , Spoont Michele Roxanne , Kehle‐Forbes Shannon Marie , Harwood Eileen Mae , Sayer Nina Aileen , Clothier Barbara Ann , Bangerter Ann Kay
Published: January 2017

Millions of U.S. veterans have returned from military service with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for which a substantial number receive U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits. Although PTSD is treatable, comorbid serious mental illness (defined here as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar spectrum disorders) could complicate these veterans’ recovery. Using VA administrative data, we examined the burden of persistent serious mental illness in a nationally representative cohort of 1,067 men and 1,513 women who applied for VA PTSD disability benefits between 1994 and 1998 and served during or after the Vietnam conflict. Self‐reported outcomes were restricted to the 713 men and 1,015 women who returned surveys at each of 3 collection points. More than 10.0% of men and 20.0% of women had persistent serious mental illness; of these, more than 80.0% also had persistent PTSD. On repeated measures modeling, those with persistent serious mental illness consistently reported more severe PTSD symptoms and poorer functioning in comparison to other participants (ps < .001); their employment rate did not exceed 21.0%. Interactions between persistent serious mental illness and PTSD were significant only for employment (p = .002). Persistent serious mental illness in this population was almost 2 to 19 times higher than in the general U.S. population. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Traditional Agrarian Landscape in the Mediterranean Mountains. A Regional and Local Factor Analysis in the Central Spanish Pyrenees
Authors: Lasanta Teodoro , Errea María Paz , Nadal‐Romero Estela
Published: January 2017

Development of rural areas needs information about sustainable use of the land. The main objective of this research is to study the spatial distribution pattern of different field types in the traditional agricultural landscape in the Central Spanish Pyrenees (flat fields, four different terrace fields, sloping field and shifting agriculture) related to different geoecological variables: slope, exposition, altitude, distance to the villages, rainfall (intensity and volume), lithology and demographic pressure. Agricultural land patterns were mapped in five valleys in the Central Pyrenees from aerial photographs (1957). These maps were digitised and implemented in a Geographic Information System on a scale 1:50,000. We determined the influence of different geoecological variables in the spatial distribution of land agricultural patterns at local and regional valley using statistical analysis. The results showed that the agricultural area occupied a large extension, despite physical environment limitations, extending even in marginal slopes, with little agricultural skills, creating a complex landscape with different field patterns. At the local scale (valley), slope and distance are the more influence variables to explain the spatial distribution of the different field types. At the regional scale, in the Western valleys, sloping fields and shifting agriculture predominate, while terraces dominate in the Eastern valleys. Distance to the village and rainfall intensity is the more determinant factors in the spatial distribution. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An approach to correct the effects of phytoplankton vertical nonuniform distribution on remote sensing reflectance of cyanobacterial bloom waters
Authors: Xue Kun , Zhang Yuchao , Ma Ronghua , Duan Hongtao
Published: January 2017

Cyanobacterial blooms occur frequently in eutrophic lakes and their potentially harmful effects affected the security of drinking water and food sources, biodiversity, and economic activities, and attracted the attention of general public worldwide. Cyanobacteria could move vertically in the water column by regulating their buoyancy, which leads to the assumption of homogeneous water invalid. Ecolight, based on radiative transfer theory, was applied to examine the effects of vertical nonuniform of chlorophyll a concentrations (Chl a(z)) on remote sensing reflectance spectrum (Rrs(λ)) of optically complex inland waters. Simulations for nonuniform water consisting of three Chl a(z) profile classes, including Gaussian, exponential, and power, were compared with simulations for a reference homogeneous water whose Chl a was identical to average value of the nonuniform case. The near‐surface aggregation of phytoplankton are shown to have significant influence on Rrs(λ) and Chl a inversion algorithms. Variations of ΔRrs(λ) (relative difference of Rrs(λ) between inhomogeneous and homogeneous waters with same average Chl a concentration) mainly depended on the Chl a(z) structure parameters and wavelength. A correction scheme was developed based on the relationships between ΔRrs(λ) and Chl a(z) structure parameters. With knowledge of Chl a(z) profile parameters, Rrs(λ) of inhomogeneous waters can be corrected to the Rrs(λ) of uniform waters with same average Chl a across the water column. Examples of field data from Lake Chaohu illustrated the effects of phytoplankton variation on the near infrared‐to‐red ratio of Rrs and the Rrs correction performance.
‐error estimates of discontinuous Galerkin methods with theta time discretization scheme for an evolutionary HJB equations
Authors: Boulaaras Salah , Haiour Mohamed , Bencheick Le hocine Med Amine
Published: January 2017

The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the convergence and regularity of our proposed algorithm of the finite element methods coupled with a theta time discretization scheme for evolutionary Hamilton‐Jacobi‐Bellman equations with linear source terms with respect to the Dirichlet boundary conditions (Appl. Math. Comput., 262 (2015), 42.55 ). Also, an optimal error estimate with an asymptotic behavior in uniform norm is given. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adopt 10 key strategies to develop fully online programs at scale
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: January 2017

Fully online programs can be a good way to grow enrollment and meet student needs. But officials need to understand from the beginning what it will cost to develop, deliver, and grow a program, said Cindy Wheatley of Keypath Education. At many institutions, officials focus on developing the courses and admitting students. But they don't look ahead financially, and the programs never break even.
Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: January 2017

Weighing and managing the competing requests of those who report to you and hiring the right staff to lead your departments easily rank among the top challenges facing higher education administrators.
Missing the target: including perspectives of women with overweight and obesity to inform stigma‐reduction strategies
Authors: Puhl R. M. , Himmelstein M. S. , Gorin A. A. , Suh Y. J.
Published: January 2017

Objective

Pervasive weight stigma and discrimination have led to ongoing calls for efforts to reduce this bias. Despite increasing research on stigma‐reduction strategies, perspectives of individuals who have experienced weight stigma have rarely been included to inform this research. The present study conducted a systematic examination of women with high body weight to assess their perspectives about a broad range of strategies to reduce weight‐based stigma.

Methods

Women with overweight or obesity (N = 461) completed an online survey in which they evaluated the importance, feasibility and potential impact of 35 stigma‐reduction strategies in diverse settings. Participants (91.5% who reported experiencing weight stigma) also completed self‐report measures assessing experienced and internalized weight stigma.

Results

Most participants assigned high importance to all stigma‐reduction strategies, with school‐based and healthcare approaches accruing the highest ratings. Adding weight stigma to existing anti‐harassment workplace training was rated as the most impactful and feasible strategy. The family environment was viewed as an important intervention target, regardless of participants' experienced or internalized stigma.

Conclusion

These findings underscore the importance of including people with stigmatized identities in stigma‐reduction research; their insights provide a necessary and valuable contribution that can inform ways to reduce weight‐based inequities and prioritize such efforts.