bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing canalisation of intraspecific variation on a macroevolutionary scale: the case of crinoid arms through the Phanerozoic
Authors: Pimiento Catalina , Tang Kit Lam , Zamora Samuel , Klug Christian , Sánchez-Villagra Marcelo R.
Published: May 2018

Clades that represent a new ‘Bauplan’ have been hypothesised to exhibit more variability than more derived clades. Accordingly, there is an expectation of greater variation around the time of the origin of a clade than later in its evolutionary history. This ‘canalisation’ has been tested in terms of morphological disparity (interspecific variation), whereas intraspecific variation in macroevolution is rarely studied. We analysed extensive data of brachial counts in crinoid populations from the Ordovician to the Recent to test for canalisation in morphological intraspecific variation. Our results show no support for the canalisation hypothesis through the Phanerozoic. This lack of pattern is maintained even when considering crinoid subclades separately. Our study is an example of the lack of universality in such macroevolutionary patterns both in terms of organisms and in terms of modules within them. It is also an example on the challenges and limitations of palaeontological studies of macroevolutionary processes.
Azotochelin and N-dihydroxy-N,N’-diisopropylhexanediamide as Fe sources to cucumber plants in hydroponic cultures
Authors: Martins Joao Graca , Apaolaza Clara Martin, Lourdes , Barros Maria Teresa , Soares Helena Maria Vieira Monteiro , Lucena Juan Jose
Published: May 2018

Environmental concerns related to the use of synthetic iron chelates, usually non-biodegradable, for overcoming iron chlorosis motivates the search for alternative compounds. Thus, the main aim of this work was to evaluate siderophore, azotochelin, and a siderophore mimic, N-dihydroxy-N,N’-diisopropylhexanediamide (DPH) as potential sources of iron to cucumber plants grown in hydroponic cultures. The behavior of the iron chelates of azotochelin and DPH, as a substrate of ferric chelate reductase (FCR) and the ability as iron suppliers for chlorotic plants was studied and compared with o,o-EDDHA/Fe3+ and EDTA/Fe3+ chelates, traditionally used for this purpose. The rate of reduction of DPH/Fe3+, by FCR, was comparable to o,o-EDDHA/Fe3+ but lesser than the obtained for EDTA/Fe+3. The rate of reduction for azotochelin/Fe3+ was not possible to determine. Both azotochelin/Fe3+ and DPH/Fe3+ chelates were effective in supplying iron to cucumber plants. After 7 and 21 days, all the plants treated with the iron chelates (10 µM, Fe) of DPH and azotochelin showed significantly higher SPAD index, leaf dry weight and leaf Fe concentration than the control plants (2µM, Fe). In conclusion, azotochelin/Fe3+ and DPH/Fe3+ can be considered as iron sources for cucumber plants when growing in hydroponic culture.
Morphological aspects and effect of carbon sources in the physiology of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. passiflorae
Authors: Catarino Aricleia de Moraes , Machado Gois de Oliveira Antonia A. C. Rodrigues, , Gomes da Costa Diogo H.S. Sardinha
Published: May 2018

The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological and physiological characteristics of F. oxysporum f. sp. passiflorae. Isolates were obtained from yellow passion fruit plants with fusariosis symptoms grown in four production poles. The pathogenicity test was carried out on seedlings of this crop, under greenhouse conditions. The morphological characters evaluated were the size of macroconidia and microconidia in single conidiophores or in false heads; number of septa, presence of basal cell in the macroconidia and chlamydospores, and the aspects of the colonies of the isolates cultivated in PDA culture medium for aerial mycelium formation and colony coloration. The carbon sources: starch, lactose, maltose and sucrose were tested for the three most virulent isolates obtained in the pathogenicity test. The mycelial growth was obtained through readings every 24 hours of the diameter of the colony in two diametrically opposite directions. Sporulation determination was performed by counting spores in a Neubauer chamber. The isolate Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. passiflorae 4 (FOP 4) was the most virulent. There was variation in the morphological characteristics of all the isolates. The starch provided the highest mycelial growth and the isolates showed preferences for a particular carbon source in the sporulation test.
Changes in the content and influence factors of α-solanine in potato during storage
Authors: Jianquan Kan Xiaolong Chen,
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a study on storage of three species of potato: Ruby, Black Beauty and Favorita. By using of high-performance liquid chromatography, the study investigated their variation pattern of α-solanine in different storage conditions including greenhouse with fluorescent lamp, greenhouse without fluorescent lamp, cold storage (4°C) and shaded, machine-damaged and shaded, and machine-damaged with fluorescent lamp. The experimental results showed that the content of α-solanine in Ruby is higher than Favorita and Black Beauty under the same conditions; and the content of α-solanine in peels is generally higher than tubers among the same specie; the following storage conditions influenced the content of α-solanine in potatoes to varying degrees: machine-damaged with fluorescent lamp > machine-damaged and shaded > greenhouse with fluorescent lamp > greenhouse without fluorescent lamp > cold storage (4°C) and shaded; and the content of α-solanine presented a trend of increasing firstly and then decreasing under the greenhouse with fluorescent lamp, greenhouse without fluorescent lamp, machine-damaged and shaded and machine-damaged with fluorescent lamp, but it nearly remains unchanged in the cold storage (4°C) and shaded. This study provides a useful reference to the proper storage of potatoes.
Morphological variation of wild peppers (Capsicum spp.) from the state of Tabasco, Mexico
Authors: Efrain de la Cruz-Lazaro Julio C. V.-Ventura, , Osorio Rodolfo Osorio- , Rangel Pablo Preciado-
Published: May 2018

The pepper (Capsicum spp.) is one of the most important vegetables in Mexico. The aim of this study was to collect wild peppers and characterize in situ their morphological diversity. From January to November 2015, field trips were made to 54 locations in 15 municipalities in the state of Tabasco, Mexico; 131 collections were obtained in which a total of 23 plant, flower and fruit variables were evaluated. With the mean values of the variables, principal component (PC) and cluster analyses were performed. The first three PCs explained 65.2% of total morphological variability, with the variables fruit length, fruit shape, fruit width, leaf width, leaf length, plant height and branch density providing a greater explanation for the diversity. Cluster analysis grouped the 131 collections into two groups, one formed by the morphotypes 'Amashito', 'Garbanzo' and 'Ojo de cangrejo', with characteristics of C. annuum var. Glabriusculum, and the second group with the morphotype 'Pico de paloma' with characteristics of the species C. frutescens L. It is concluded that the wild peppers of the State of Tabasco have morphological diversity, which must be preserved as a genetic resource of interest.
Fermented camel milk: A Review on its bio-functional properties
Authors: Subrota Hati Divyang Solanki,
Published: May 2018

Camel milk is a healthy food used in many countries across the world for different health problems since long years. Fermented camel milk is proved to have some health benefits, proved or not, such as hypocholesterolaemic effect, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, activity against diarrhea, anticancer activity. Camel milk originated lactic cultures also tested for probiotic potential and showed exciting results through in vitro experiments. Nowadays, researchers analyzing these properties with an aim to identify the unknown health benefits and emphasizing on the in vitro, in vivo and in silico experiments to bring out novelty in the market for the public.
Optimization and some characteristics of bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus sp. CM9 collected from Mauritanian Camel milk
Authors: Fatiha Dalache Zahia Benmouna, , Halima Zadi-Karam Noureddine Karam,
Published: May 2018

The use of bacteriocin as a bioconservation is very promising in the agri-food industry to substitute the chemical preservatives. The production of bacteriocin by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) depending on various conditions, the purpose of the present work was to assess the effect of some ingredients of medium on the bacteriocin production. Twenty-four strains of LAB of the genera Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus, isolated from camel milk, were tested for antibacterial activity and bacteriocin production. Among these strains, three isolates showed bacteriocinogenic activity, two Enterococcus strains (bacteriocin CM9, bacteriocin CM18), and one Leuconostoc strain (bacteriocin CHBK310). The bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus sp CM9 was subject of optimisation study. The modified MRS with nitrogen sources in media containing tryptone, meat extract and yeast extract and with potassium sources in media containing 2% of K2HPO4 allowed higher activity with inhibition zone of 10 mm and this production remained stable at incubation temperatures from 25 to 40°C with an inhibition zone which reached 12 mm at 25°C. The diffusion of this bacteriocin in the neutrality condition, allowed a better evaluation of its inhibitory effect. The activity of the bacteriocin was not affected, neither by acidic or basic pH nor by heat treatments, its activity remaining stable even after 2 weeks at -20 and 4°C. The bacteriocin CM9  belonged to class II, had a molecular weight of 7.6 kDa. These results indicated that the growth and diffusion conditions have a role in the bacteriocin production and its activity.
Effect of slaughter season on postmortem metabolic characteristics of muscle in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Aggad, Leyla Hadef Brahim Hamad, Hebib , Beddada Abdelghani , Faye Bernard
Published: May 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of slaughter season on the postmortem metabolic characteristics of dromedary camel longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle. A total number of thirty male camels (5-7 years old) were included in this work. Ten camels were slaughtered according to season of the year (winter, spring and summer). The samples were analyzed for muscle pH, muscle temperature, electrical conductivity, drip loss (DL), cooking loss(CL) and thawing loss (TL). No significant (p> 0.05) effect of slaughter season on muscle pH and cooking loss was observed. However, slaughter season significantly (p< 0.05) influenced the electrical conductivity, muscle temperature, drip loss and thawing loss. All of these parameters were higher (p< 0.05) during summer as compared to winter and / or spring seasons. Moreover, several correlations between different studied parameters were reported. In conclusion, these findings indicated that slaughter season had a significant (p< 0.05) effect on several postmortem metabolic parameters of camels. Therefore, this study demonstrated that the electrical conductivity late postmortem measurement can be used as a suitable method for the evaluation of camel's meat quality.
Effect of different proteolytic enzymes on liquefaction of semen of dromedary camel
Authors: Ansari Mohd. Matin , Rajesh K Sawal Sumant Vyas, , Ravi Sanjay K. , Patil Niteen V. , Jan Mustafa. Hasan
Published: May 2018

In most of domestic animals, semen biology is well studied, but it is not so well studied in camelids particularly in dromedary camels. In camelids, the ejaculated semen is highly viscous, so before its evaluation and processing for preservation, it is necessary to be liquefied. Our study was designed to evaluate the effect of three different enzymes (0.1% Collagenase, 0.5 X Accutase, 0.1% Trypsin-EDTA - Ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid) on seminal viscosity at different time intervals along with its effects on seminal parameters. Semen was collected from the six adult healthy male camels using female camel as dummy. Bovine artificial vagina was used for the semen collection and ejaculate was kept at 37ºC for further processing after its collection. All three enzymes were diluted in 1x phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and the semen samples were kept at 37ºC. The samples were evaluated at different time intervals 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 min (T0–T240) for viscosity and it was evaluated by pipette method. Immediately after collection, the viscosity was very high, and no sperm mass motility was seen. However, after enzyme treatment viscosity was showed declining trend in all treatment groups compared to control. In trypsin treated group maximum motility was reached in 15 minutes. Live-dead percent was observed to be similar among treatment groups. Observations on liquefaction of semen revealed that use of enzymes decreasing the viscosity but with different rates.
RNA‐protein interactions in an unstructured context
Authors: Zagrovic Bojan , Bartonek Lukas , Polyansky Anton A.
Published: May 2018

Despite their importance, our understanding of noncovalent RNA–protein interactions is incomplete. This especially concerns the binding between RNA and unstructured protein regions, a widespread class of such interactions. Here, we review the recent experimental and computational work on RNA–protein interactions in an unstructured context with a particular focus on how such interactions may be shaped by the intrinsic interaction affinities between individual nucleobases and protein side chains. Specifically, we articulate the claim that the universal genetic code reflects the binding specificity between nucleobases and protein side chains and that, in turn, the code may be seen as the Rosetta stone for understanding RNA–protein interactions in general.
Immunosuppressants and risk of Parkinson disease
Authors: Racette Brad A. , Gross Anat , Vouri Scott Martin , Camacho‐Soto Alejandra , Willis Allison W. , Searles Nielsen Susan
Published: May 2018

We performed a population‐based case–control study of United States Medicare beneficiaries age 60–90 in 2009 with prescription data (48,295 incident Parkinson disease cases and 52,324 controls) to examine the risk of Parkinson disease in relation to use of immunosuppressants. Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitors (relative risk = 0.64; 95% confidence interval 0.51–0.79) and corticosteroids (relative risk = 0.80; 95% confidence interval 0.77–0.83) were both associated with a lower risk of Parkinson disease. Inverse associations for both remained after applying a 12‐month exposure lag. Overall, this study provides evidence that use of corticosteroids and inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitors might lower the risk of Parkinson disease.
A Palladium‐Catalyzed Domino Procedure for the Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Ureas
Authors: Chen Bo , Peng Jin‐Bao , Ying Jun , Qi Xinxin , Wu Xiao‐Feng
Published: May 2018

A palladium‐catalyzed carbonylative procedure for the synthesis of unsymmetrical ureas has been developed. This one‐pot one‐step cascade procedure is consisted by three individual processes: carbonylation, Curtius rearrangement, and nucleophilic addition. A series of unsymmetrical ureas were prepared from easily available aryl iodides and amines in moderate to excellent yields. This procedure provides a convenient and practical approach for unsymmetrical urea synthesis.

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Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: 2018 update on diagnosis, risk stratification and management
Authors: Patnaik Mrinal M. , Tefferi Ayalew
Published: May 2018

Disease overview

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorder with overlapping features of myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms, with an inherent risk for leukemic transformation (∼15%‐20% over 3‐5 years).

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on the presence of sustained (>3 months) peripheral blood monocytosis (≥1 × 109/L; monocytes ≥10%), along with bone marrow dysplasia. Clonal cytogenetic abnormalities occur in ∼ 30% of patients, while >90% have gene mutations. Mutations involving TET2 (∼60%), SRSF2 (∼50%), ASXL1 (∼40%) and the oncogenic RAS pathway (∼30%) are frequent; while the presence of ASXL1 and DNMT3A mutations and the absence of TET2 mutations negatively impact over‐all survival.

Risk stratification

Molecularly integrated prognostic models include; the Groupe Français des Myélodysplasies (GFM), Mayo Molecular Model (MMM), and the CMML specific prognostic model (CPSS‐Mol). Risk factors incorporated into the MMM include presence of nonsense or frameshift ASXL1 mutations, absolute monocyte count > 10 × 109/L, hemoglobin <10 gm/dL, platelet count <100 × 109/L and the presence of circulating immature myeloid cells. The MMM stratifies CMML patients into 4 groups; high (≥3 risk factors), intermediate‐2 (2 risk factors), intermediate‐1 (1 risk factor), and low (no risk factors), with median survivals of 16, 31, 59, and 97 months, respectively.

Risk‐adapted therapy

Hypomethylating agents such as 5‐azacitidine and decitabine are commonly used, with overall response rates of ∼30%‐40% and complete remission rates of ∼7%‐17%; with no impact on mutational allele burdens. Allogeneic stem cell transplant is the only potentially curative option, but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
Revision endoscopic sinus surgery rates by chronic rhinosinusitis subtype
Authors: Miglani Amar , Divekar Rohit D. , Azar Antoine , Rank Matthew A. , Lal Devyani
Published: May 2018

Background

Revision surgery rates following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) range between 7% and 50% and are influenced by many factors. This study investigates ESS outcomes for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) subtypes.

Methods

Retrospective review of adult CRS patients undergoing ESS with a single surgeon (2010‐2015) was conducted. Outcomes were analyzed by CRS subtypes.

Results

ESS was performed in 424 CRS patients (CRS with nasal polyps [CRSwNP], n = 170; CRS without polyps [CRSsNP], n = 254). Most patients (309; 72.9%) could not be specifically subtyped; 115 (27.1%) were subtyped as follows: aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), n = 47 (11.1%); allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS), n = 39 (9.2%); immunodeficiency, n = 21 (5.0%); granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), n = 5 (1.2%); and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), n = 3 (0.7%). All subgroups experienced clinically meaningful reduction in postoperative 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22) scores. At median follow‐up of 28 months (interquartile range [IQR], 10–47 months), 19 patients (4%) underwent revision ESS (CRSwNP, n = 6; CRSsNP, n = 13). Revision ESS rates were 3.5% and 5.1% for CRSwNP and CRSsNP, respectively. Revision ESS rate for subtypes were: AERD 2%; AFS 2%; immunodeficiency 14%; GPA 40%; EGPA 0%; and “all other CRS” 4% at median follow‐up duration of 36, 28, 41, 37, 44, and 26 months, respectively.

Conclusion

All CRS subtypes demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement in postoperative SNOT‐22 scores following ESS. Our overall revision ESS rate was 4% (3.5% in CRSwNP). AFS, AERD, and EGPA groups demonstrated low revision rates, while immunodeficiency and GPA patients required more revision surgery. A contemporary understanding of CRSwNP subtypes facilitated surgical and medical strategies in improving outcomes for AERD, AFS, and EGPA patients. CRSsNP subtypes with immunodeficiency and GPA merit further investigation to optimize outcomes.
Elasticity‐Dependent Fast Underwater Adhesion Demonstrated by Macroscopic Supramolecular Assembly
Authors: Ju Guannan , Cheng Mengjiao , Guo Fengli , Zhang Qian , Shi Feng
Published: May 2018

Macroscopic supramolecular assembly (MSA) is a recent development in supramolecular chemistry to associate visible building blocks through non‐covalent interactions in a multivalent manner. Although various substrates (e.g. hydrogels, rigid materials) have been used, a general design rule of building blocks in MSA systems and interpretation of the assembly mechanism are lacking and are required. Herein we design three model systems with varied elastic modulus and correlated the MSA probability with the elasticity. Based on the effects of substrate deformability on multivalency, we have proposed an elastic‐modulus‐dependent rule that building blocks below a critical modulus of 2.5 MPa can achieve MSA for the used host/guest system. Moreover, this MSA rule applies well to the design of materials for fast underwater adhesion: Soft substrates (0.5 MPa) can achieve underwater adhesion within 10 s with one order of magnitude higher strength than that of rigid substrates (2.5 MPa).
A Flexible Composite Mechanical Energy Harvester from a Ferroelectric Organoamino Phosphonium Salt
Authors: Vijayakanth Thangavel , Srivastava Anant Kumar , Ram Farsa , Kulkarni Priyangi , Shanmuganathan Kadhiravan , Praveenkumar Balu , Boomishankar Ramamoorthy
Published: May 2018

A new binary organic salt diphenyl diisopropylamino phosphonium hexaflurophosphate (DPDP⋅PF6) was shown to exhibit a good ferroelectric response and employed for mechanical energy harvesting application. The phosphonium salt crystallizes in the monoclinic noncentrosymmetric space group Cc and exhibits an H‐bonded 1D chain structure due to N−H⋅⋅⋅F interactions. Ferroelectric measurements on the single crystals of DPDP⋅PF6 gave a well‐saturated rectangular hysteresis loop with a remnant (Pr) polarization value of 6 μC cm−2. Further, composite devices based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films for various weight percentages (3, 5, 7, 10 and 20 wt %) of DPDP⋅PF6 were prepared and examined for power generation by using an impact test setup. A maximum output peak‐to‐peak voltage (VPP) of 8.5 V and an output peak‐to‐peak current (IPP) of 0.5 μA was obtained for the non‐poled composite film with 10 wt % of DPDP⋅PF6. These results show the efficacy of organic ferroelectric substances as potential micropower generators.
Surgical Smoke: Putting the Pieces Together to Become Smoke‐Free
Authors: York Kim , Autry Mandy
Published: May 2018

Surgical smoke is generated when tissue vaporizes from the use of various energy‐generating devices (eg, electrosurgery units, lasers). Surgical smoke contains toxic gases and vapors that can be hazardous to patients and perioperative staff members. In addition to ocular and upper respiratory tract irritation, surgical smoke can have mutagenic potential. Although many regulatory agencies agree that surgical smoke is dangerous, they have been slow to commit to a firm standard to address the inhalation hazards related to surgical smoke. With the clear evidence supporting the need to filter surgical smoke, perioperative nurses and surgical technologists at our facility implemented a plan to protect patients and staff members. The plan included identifying and evaluating in‐house equipment and the perceived barriers to becoming smoke‐free. Perioperative personnel tested multiple smoke‐evacuating products to determine which best met the needs of our staff members and facility, and our ORs are now smoke‐free.
Characterization of 19 polymorphic SSR markers in Spirodela polyrhiza (Lemnaceae) and cross‐amplification in Lemna perpusilla
Authors: Xu Nana , Hu Fanglu , Wu Jiameng , Zhang Wenjun , Wang Mengwei , Zhu Mingdong , Ke Jianwei
Published: May 2018

Premise of the Study

Polymorphic microsatellite primers were developed for greater duckweed, Spirodela polyrhiza (Lemnaceae), to investigate genetic diversity and structure for application in a bioremediation program.

Methods and Results

A total of 401 publicly available S. polyrhiza whole‐genome shotgun sequences were searched for simple sequence repeat loci of two or more nucleotides. Of these, 60 primer pairs were selected to analyze 68 individuals of S. polyrhiza from three populations. Nineteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed. A total of 108 alleles were detected with an average of 5.7 alleles per locus. The levels of expected and observed heterozygosity were 0.0511–0.8669 and 0–0.8750, respectively. Ten loci also successfully amplified in 16 individuals of Lemna perpusilla.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate the broad utility of these microsatellite loci for studying population genetics in S. polyrhiza.
Heart mechanical and hemodynamic parameters of a beetle, Tenebrio molitor, at selected ages
Authors: Pacholska‐Bogalska Joanna , Szymczak Monika , Marciniak Paweł , Walkowiak‐Nowicka Karolina , Rosiński Grzegorz
Published: May 2018

The physiological processes that occur during the aging of insects are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to describe the changes in contractile activity and hemodynamic parameters of the heart that take place as the coleopteran beetle, Tenebrio molitor, ages. The frequency of heart contractions in beetles that had just undergone metamorphosis (median 24.7 beats/min) was significantly lower than the frequency of heart contractions in older beetles. In 56% of beetles that were < 1 week of age, a pattern of contractile activity with alternating periods of higher and lower contraction frequency was detected, suggesting that some posteclosion developmental processes occur during the first week of adulthood. All beetles that were 1 week of age showed a regular rhythm of heart contractions (median 72 beats/min). In older beetles, abnormalities such as heart arrhythmias or heart arrest were observed. The incidence of arrhythmia as well as the arrhythmicity index was highest in beetles that were 8–18 weeks old. The calculated stroke volume (SV) was also found to increase from eclosion to 12 weeks of age, and then decreased as adults aged further. Interestingly, cardiac output increased gradually, but the ejection fraction did not change significantly with age.
Brief Report: Tubulointerstitial Damage in Lupus Nephritis: A Comparison of the Factors Associated With Tubulointerstitial Inflammation and Renal Scarring
Authors: Londoño Jimenez Alejandra , Mowrey Wenzhu B. , Putterman Chaim , Buyon Jill , Goilav Beatrice , Broder Anna
Published: May 2018

Objective

To characterize and compare the factors associated with tubulointerstitial inflammation (TII) and tubulointerstitial scarring, defined as interstitial fibrosis and/or tubular atrophy (IF/TA), in patients with lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods

We identified systemic lupus erythematosus patients who had renal biopsy results consistent with LN between 2005 and 2017. Clinical data were collected from medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to assess factors associated with TII and with IF/TA (moderate‐to‐severe versus none/mild).

Results

Of 203 LN patients included, 41 (20%) had moderate‐to‐severe TII, 45 (22%) had moderate‐to‐severe IF/TA, and 21 (10%) had both. Multivariable logistic regression models showed that moderate‐to‐severe TII was associated with a shorter disease duration, African American race, proliferative LN, and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 ml/minute/1.73 m2 at the time of biopsy. Hydroxychloroquine use was associated with significantly lower odds of moderate‐to‐severe TII (odds ratio 0.27 [95% confidence interval 0.10–0.70], P = 0.008). Similar to TII, factors associated with moderate‐to‐severe IF/TA included proliferative LN and eGFR <60 ml/minute/1.73 m2 at the time of biopsy. In addition, the presence of moderate‐to‐severe TII and older age was associated with moderate‐to‐severe IF/TA. None of the routinely available serologic markers—including anti–double‐stranded DNA antibodies, anti‐Ro/La antibodies, and low complement—were associated with tubulointerstitial damage.

Conclusion

The use of hydroxychloroquine was strongly associated with less inflammation, while the presence of TII, proliferative LN, and low eGFR were major determinants of tubulointerstitial scarring. Identifying modifiable factors is critical for the development of better preventive and therapeutic strategies with the goal of improving survival in patients with lupus‐related kidney disease.
PdII‐Catalyzed Oxidative Tandem aza‐Wacker/Heck Cyclization for the Construction of Fused 5,6‐Bicyclic N,O‐Heterocycles
Authors: Ye Chenghao , Kou Xuezhen , Xia Jingzhao , Yang Guoqiang , Kong Li , Wei Quhao , Zhang Wanbin
Published: May 2018

A PdII‐catalyzed oxidative tandem cyclization was developed for the construction of fused 5,6‐bicyclic N, O‐heterocycles. This reaction was enabled by the combined use of a 3‐methylpyridine ligand and pentafluorobenzoic acid additive. A range of heterocyclic products with different substituents could be prepared in moderate to good yields via this methodology. Several transformations, including a scaled‐up preparation of product 2 a, were also carried out showing the good applicability of our methodology.
Variable Structure Predefined‐Time Stabilization of Second‐Order Systems
Authors: Jiménez‐Rodríguez Esteban , Sánchez‐Torres Juan Diego , Gómez‐Gutiérrez David , Loukinanov Alexander G.
Published: May 2018

A controller that stabilizes second‐order vector systems in predefined‐time is introduced in this paper. That is, for second‐order systems a controller is designed such that the trajectories reach the origin in a time defined in advance. The proposed controller is a variable structure controller that first drive the system trajectories to a linear manifold in predefined time and then drives the system trajectories to a non‐smooth manifold with the predefined‐time stability property, in predefined time also; this is done in order to avoid the differentiability problem that inherently appears when stabilizing high‐order systems in finite time under the block control principle technique. The proposal is applied to the predefined‐time exact tracking of fully actuated mechanical systems. As an example, the proposed solution is applied to a two‐link planar manipulator, and numerical simulations are conducted to show its performance.
Rohrs' Example Revisited: On the Robustness of Adaptive Iterative Learning Control
Authors: Altın Berk , Barton Kira
Published: May 2018

Adaptive feedback based methods in iterative learning control (ILC) have garnered much interest from researchers for some time now. Much as in adaptive feedback control, most of these methods use Lyapunov functions and positive real transfer functions to prove convergence and boundedness of system signals updated through iterative estimations. While Rohrs et al. have motivated further research on the design of robust adaptive feedback controllers by demonstrating in the early 1980's that the algorithms of the time were not robust in the presence of unmodeled dynamics, the topic of robustness has not been studied much in the adaptive iterative learning control (AILC) literature. Inspired by Rohrs' counterexample, we use a model reference AILC scheme to show the lack of robustness to unmodeled dynamics in AILC. We rigorously define the concept of stability in ILC via
space concepts, and demonstrate the existence of unstable learning operators. We put forth linear systems arguments to explain how conditions leading to instability can occur, and support heuristic arguments with simulation examples. Our findings indicate that the shortcomings of AILC in terms of robustness are no different than those of adaptive feedback, with the robustness issue more severe in certain cases, and further research is necessary to design robust AILC schemes.
Pinning Control of the Coupled Distributed Parameter System with Time Delay
Authors: Yuan Kun , Zhang Kaifeng , Cao Jinde
Published: May 2018

In this paper, the synchronization for undirected and directed coupled distributed parameter systems (DPS) with delay by employing parabolic partial differential equation (PDE) theory and Lyapunov technique. In the case that the whole coupled system cannot synchronize by itself, the proportional‐spatial derivative (P‐sD) state feedback controller and the pinning scheme are designed to force the coupled DPS to synchronize. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control design methodology is demonstrated in numerical simulations.
CBR1 rs9024 genotype status impacts the bioactivation of loxoprofen in human liver
Authors: Quiñones‐Lombraña Adolfo , Li Nasi , Del Solar Virginia , Atilla‐Gokcumen G. Ekin , Blanco Javier G.
Published: May 2018

Loxoprofen is an anti‐inflammatory drug that requires bioactivation into the trans‐OH metabolite to exert pharmacological activity. Evidence suggests that carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) is important during the bioactivation of loxoprofen. This study examined the impact of the functional single nucleotide polymorphism CBR1 rs9024 on the bioactivation of loxoprofen in a collection of human liver samples. The synthesis ratios of trans‐OH loxoprofen/cis‐OH loxoprofen were 33% higher in liver cytosols from donors homozygous for the CBR1 rs9024 G allele in comparison with the ratios in samples from donors with heterozygous GA genotypes. Complementary studies examined the impact of CBR1 rs9024 on the bioactivation of loxoprofen in lymphoblastoid cell lines. CBR1 rs9024 genotype status impacts the synthesis of the bioactive trans‐OH metabolite of loxoprofen in human liver.
Create a Stellar Board
Authors: Henman Linda
Published: May 2018

Dr. Linda Henman is the author of six books, including Tough Calls: How to Move Beyond Indecision and Good Intentions. She has more than 35 years of experience working with executives and boards in Fortune 500 companies and small businesses to help them exceed their strategic objectives by maximizing talent. In this article, she walks readers through the five critical components of a successful, high‐performing board of directors.
Motor outcome and electrode location in deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Koivu Maija , Huotarinen Antti , Scheperjans Filip , Laakso Aki , Kivisaari Riku , Pekkonen Eero
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN‐DBS) in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) and the possible correlation between electrode location and clinical outcome.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 87 PD‐related STN‐DBS operations at Helsinki University Hospital (HUH) from 2007 to 2014. The changes of Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III score, Hoehn & Yahr stage, antiparkinson medication, and adverse effects were studied. We estimated the active electrode location in three different coordinate systems: direct visual analysis of MRI correlated to brain atlas, location in relation to the nucleus borders and location in relation to the midcommisural point.

Results

At 6 months after operation, both levodopa equivalent doses (LEDs; 35%, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test = 0.000) and UPDRS part III scores significantly decreased (38%, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test = 0.000). Four patients (5%) suffered from moderate DBS‐related dysarthria. The generator and electrodes had to be removed in one patient due to infection (1%). Electrode coordinates in the three coordinate systems correlated well with each other. On the left side, more ventral location of the active contact was associated with greater LED decrease.

Conclusions

STN‐DBS improves motor function and enables the reduction in antiparkinson medication with an acceptable adverse effect profile. More ventral location of the active contact may allow stronger LED reduction. Further research on the correlation between contact location, clinical outcome, and LED reduction is warranted.
Suicide attempts and stressful life events among homeless people in Madrid (Spain)
Authors: Panadero Sonia , Martín Rosa , Vázquez José Juan
Published: May 2018

The article describes a study carried out with a representative sample of homeless people in Madrid (Spain; N = 188). This study aims to corroborate the relationship identified in the literature between stressful life events and suicidal behaviour in a group in a situation of social exclusion, to assess the differences in the number and characteristics of stressful life events experienced by homeless people who are attempters and non‐attempters, and to identify which combination of stressful life events enables discrimination for suicide attempts among homeless people. The results show that 30% of homeless people in Madrid had attempted suicide, and 57.9% of them had done so for the first time when they were homeless. The interviewees are shown to have experienced a large amount of stressful life events, with substantially more stressors experienced by the homeless people who tried to commit suicide, during both their childhood and adolescence and throughout their life. Finally, we found that the combination of 7 stressful life events provided the best possible discrimination between homeless attempters and non‐attempters.
Peer support critical elements and experiences in supporting the homeless: A qualitative study
Authors: Barker Stephanie L. , Maguire Nick , Bishop Felicity L. , Stopa Lusia
Published: May 2018

Peer supporters are individuals with lived experience and are an integral part of health care systems, providing support to those affected by various phenomena such as homelessness and addictions. However, little is known about the critical elements that underpin peer support interventions. This qualitative study sought to understand the critical elements of intentional peer support with a homeless population, voiced by those who provide and/or receive this support. Twenty‐nine participants from 4 different homeless charities in England were interviewed about their experiences of providing/receiving peer support and what they felt were critical factors to its success. Participants defined peer support as an experience‐based relationship, built upon mutual understanding, empathy, and support. Thematic analysis was utilised to in developing 6 themes. Results identified peers' persistence in developing unique experience‐based relationships, providing social support, role modelling recovery, and peers' motivations were perceived as important factors involved in peer support. It was also found that peers described benefitting from helping, such as, undergoing transformative identity developments that helped them to escape homelessness. Through the retelling of their stories, they create meaning and restructure their autobiography, attributing experiences of homelessness as a catalyst for positive changes in their lives. Limitations and future research are discussed.
Violence on campus: It is time for an intellectually honest discussion
Authors: Zacarese Lawrence M.
Published: May 2018

Unfortunately, it seems as though almost every day we hear about another shooting or violent incident on and around college, university, and public school campuses. Some people have dubbed this the “new normal.” Others have countered and questioned the classification by which we consider what is and what is not a “school shooting.” The definition of an “active shooter” incident also creates debate. Those of us actively practicing in the law enforcement and security arena know the official Federal Bureau of Investigation definitions and the generally accepted notion of what constitutes each; others, however, may not necessarily understand.
Boost retention, degree completion by understanding school choice
Authors: Turner Leah M.
Published: May 2018

Programming and services within athletics departments are established to resolve issues such as retention and degree completion. These challenges are historically more prevalent in special populations (first‐generation, transfer, international, etc.), but remain unidentified in a college athletics department. Moreover, collaboration efforts across campus don't always provide sufficient support for student‐athletes, who are often overlooked. To implement successful initiatives, it's imperative to make deliberate efforts to understand why student‐athletes chose your school.
Ensure contract language addresses consequences for coaches' misconduct
Authors: O'Brien Timothy
Published: May 2018

The world of coaching contracts has emerged as an extremely important risk management area demanding the heightened attention of administrators and legal counsel in order to preserve a university's ability to make prompt, responsible, and cost‐effective employment decisions in the face of inappropriate conduct by a coach.
Understand various approaches to conflict within your athletics department
Authors: Stringer Jeremy , Hogan Bill
Published: May 2018

There may be no other component of a university so capable of galvanizing public reaction to events as the department of athletics. Incidents involving the suspected or actual misconduct of athletics directors, athletics staff, coaches, or student‐athletes inevitably generate highly charged campus and community environments.
Administrator works for social change through sport
Authors: Elfman Lois
Published: May 2018

After more than two decades in athletics administration, almost 17 years of which were spent at the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Delise O'Meally is making a powerful impact as the executive director of the Institute for Sport and Social Justice (formerly the National Consortium for Academics and Sports).
Visual saliency‐based bas‐relief generation with symmetry composition rule
Authors: Li Tingting , Yang Liying , Wang Meili , Fan Yuling , Zhang Feiyu , Guo Shihui , Chang Jian , Zhang Jian Jun
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a novel approach for bas‐relief generation and synthesis. In contrast to previous methods, we divide this problem into two parts: the selection of the best view and arrangement of the relief layout. Taking these into account, we incorporate the visual saliency and photographic composition rules into the bas‐relief generation. Additionally, a nonlinear compression function is used to compress the models, and finally, we implement surface parameterization by directly manipulating the mesh triangles to generate curved surface bas‐relief. We validate our approach through a variety of models. The results indicate that the proposed approach is effective to adapt different types of target surface with topology unchanged. Comparing with conventional methods, our approach is able to effectively produce bas‐relief with a reasonable layout and distinct details.
Fourveo: Integration of 4D animation into conventional 3D animation workflows
Authors: Jensen Justin A. , Burton Robert P.
Published: May 2018

We have developed a software package that facilitates general‐purpose animation in four spatial dimensions. Standard features from popular 3D animation software have been included and adapted, where appropriate. Many adaptations are trivial; some have required novel solutions. Several features that are possible only in four or more dimensions have been included. The graphical user interface has been designed to be familiar to experienced 3D animators. Keyframe animation is provided by using a set of curves that defines movement in each dimension or rotation plane. An interactive viewport offers multiple visualization methods including slicing and projection. The viewport allows for both manipulation of 4D objects and navigation through virtual 4D space.
Physics‐based assistive grasping for robust object manipulation in virtual reality
Authors: Nasim Kiran , Kim Young J.
Published: May 2018

In this paper, an effective, interactive grasping algorithm is proposed to provide physically realistic interactions in the virtual world. We have provided a solution to lacking dynamic control resulting in penetrations and frictionless contact due to kinematic virtual hand provided by hand‐tracking devices, by including a proxy hand in the system. The introduced proxy hand not only provides correct visual feedback but also is used to simulate dynamics between the hand and virtual objects. Our method also provides semiautonomous assistive grasping, coupled with physics‐based grasping, which makes the system help the user in achieving a grasp by identifying grasp pose and orienting the object in the hand to be grasped robustly. We have implemented and evaluated our technique with various benchmarks, conducted a user study to compare our method against the state‐of‐the‐art, pinch‐based grasping mechanism, and showed that our technique provides physically realistic, stable, and time‐efficient real‐time interactions.
A motion‐field‐based data‐driven method for hair animation
Authors: Bao Yongtang , Qi Yue
Published: May 2018

We propose a motion‐field‐based data‐driven approach that animates static hair models from a set of precomputed motion data. We first sample a motion sequence to construct a motion database from physics‐based hair simulation data or dynamic hair capture data. We also define the preliminary definitions of motion states and construct a motion field for this motion database. Finally, we generate a sequence of target hairstyle from the input motion field by strand correspondence and motion control. Experimental results show that our approach achieves comparable quality with physics‐based methods but in orders of magnitude faster performance.
Infrared motion detection and electromyographic gesture recognition for navigating 3D environments
Authors: Chen Keyu , Liang Hai‐Ning , Yue Yong , Craig Paul
Published: May 2018

This research explores the suitability and effectiveness of two relatively new types of input device for navigating 3D virtual environments. These are infrared motion detection, like the Leap Motion tracker, and electromyographic gesture recognition, like the Myo Armband. Despite the introduction of a variety of new input devices intended to provide a more natural interaction experience, navigation within 3D virtual environments is still normally done on more traditional control devices such as game controllers or the keyboard–mouse combination. This study investigates the potential of new devices to support navigation in 3D environments through an experiment conducted with 27 participants using three different types of input devices to play a ball‐balancing maze‐like game. The input devices tested are a standard game controller, a Leap Motion tracker for infrared motion detection, and the Myo Armband for electromyographic gesture recognition. Results demonstrated the real potential of both types of device to support navigation interaction within 3D environments.
Time‐varying light motion in single convergence
Authors: Lin Xingyu , Chai Mingxuan , Li Sheng , Wang Guoping
Published: May 2018

As light travels fast in the physical world, it is generally hard to capture the propagation of light with a real camera. However, with the development of photon mapping, it is possible to simulate and visualize such fantastic effect. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm based on progressive photon mapping to render the time‐varying light motion. By incorporating our algorithm with participating media, we synthesis the animation of time‐varying light beams expanding in space with slow motion. Interesting phenomena can be observed in our experiments through designating either a constant light source or a bullet light that only emits instantaneously. Our algorithm is efficient in the sense that all frames of the animation can be rendered with only one convergence of the progressive photon mapping, showing the advantage of revealing the light propagation process by our algorithm. The experiments demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our approach.