bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐Performance Hybrid Supercapacitor Based on Graphene‐Wrapped Mesoporous T‐Nb2O5 Nanospheres Anode and Mesoporous Carbon‐Coated Graphene Cathode
Authors: Ma Guoqiang , Li Ke , Li Yuanyuan , Gao Biao , Ding Tianpeng , Zhong Qize , Su Jun , Gong Li , Chen Jian , Yuan Longyan , Hu Bin , Zhou Jun , Huo Kaifu
Published: June 2016

Lithium‐ion hybrid supercapacitors combining the advantages of Li‐ion batteries and supercapacitors have been the subject of extensive interest in the field of energy storage because of their high energy density at high power density. Herein, we report reduced graphene oxide (rGO) cross‐linked mesoporous T‐Nb2O5 nanospheres (T‐Nb2O5 MNSs/rGO) as high‐performance Li+ intercalation pseudocapacitive material and mesoporous carbon‐coated rGO (MC/rGO) as high‐power electric double‐layer capacitive material. The T‐Nb2O5 MNSs/rGO anode material boasts a high reversible capacity of 181 mAh g−1 at a current density of 20 mA g−1, good cycle stability, with 85 % capacity retention after 1000 cycles, as well as excellent rate capability. The MC/rGO cathode material delivers a large capacity of 110 and 86 F g−1 at a current density of 500 and 10 000 mA g−1 in organic electrolyte in the voltage range of 3–4.5 V (vs. Li/Li+). The advanced Li‐HSCs with a T‐Nb2O5 MNSs/rGO anode combined with a MC/rGO cathode show the highest power density of 25 600 W kg−1 at 21 Wh kg−1, which is much higher than that of similar Li‐HSC systems previously reported. Furthermore, the Li‐HSCs exhibit an excellent cyclability, with 82 % capacitance retention after 4000 cycles.
Patient experience and quality of urologic cancer surgery in US hospitals
Authors: Shirk Joseph D. , Tan Hung‐Jui , Hu Jim C. , Saigal Christopher S. , Litwin Mark S.
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

Care interactions as perceived by patients and families are increasingly viewed as both an indicator and lever for high‐value care. To promote patient‐centeredness and motivate quality improvement, payers have begun tying reimbursement with related measures of patient experience. Accordingly, the authors sought to determine whether such data correlate with outcomes among patients undergoing surgery for genitourinary cancer.

METHODS

The authors used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) data from 2009 through 2011. They identified hospital admissions for cancer‐directed prostatectomy, nephrectomy, and cystectomy, and measured mortality, hospitalization length, discharge disposition, and complications. Mixed effects models were used to compare the likelihood of selected outcomes between the top and bottom tercile hospitals adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics.

RESULTS

Among a sample of 46,988 encounters, the authors found small differences in patient age, race, income, comorbidity, cancer type, receipt of minimally invasive surgery, and procedure acuity according to HCAHPS tercile (P<.001). Hospital characteristics also varied with respect to ownership, teaching status, size, and location (P<.001). Compared with patients treated in low‐performing hospitals, patients treated in high‐performing hospitals less often faced prolonged hospitalization (odds ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.64‐0.92) or nursing‐sensitive complications (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.72‐0.99). No difference was found with regard to inpatient mortality, other complications, and discharge disposition (P>.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Using Nationwide Inpatient Sample and HCAHPS data, the authors found a limited association between patient experience and surgical outcomes. For urologic cancer surgery, patient experience may be optimally viewed as an independent quality domain rather than a mechanism with which to improve surgical outcomes. Cancer 2016;122:2571–8. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Impact of hypofractionated and standard fractionated chemoradiation before pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Cloyd Jordan M. , Crane Christopher H. , Koay Eugene J. , Das Prajnan , Krishnan Sunil , Prakash Laura , Snyder Rebecca A. , Varadhachary Gauri R. , Wolff Robert A. , Javle Milind , Shroff Rachna T. , Fogelman David , Overman Michael , Wang Huamin , Maitra Anirban , Lee Jeffrey E. , Fleming Jason B. , Katz Matthew H. G.
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have suggested that preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) is associated with an improved margin‐negative resection rate among patients who undergo pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the optimal preoperative regimen has not been established.

METHODS

All patients with PDAC who received chemotherapy and/or CRT followed by PD between 1999 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The effects of 2 external‐beam radiation regimens—a standard course of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions and a hypofractionated course of 30 Gy in 10 fractions—were compared. Differences in clinicopathologic characteristics, locoregional recurrence (LR), and overall survival (OS) were assessed.

RESULTS

Among 472 patients who received preoperative therapy, 224 (47.5%) received 30 Gy, 221 (46.8%) received 50.4 Gy, and 27 (5.7%) received chemotherapy alone. Patients who received 50.4 Gy were more likely to have advanced‐stage disease and to have received induction and postoperative chemotherapy, but there was no difference in the R1 margin status, treatment effect, LR, or OS between the 2 radiation groups (all P values > .05). Patients who received preoperative CRT had a lower rate of LR than patients who received preoperative chemotherapy alone (P < .01). In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, 50.4 Gy was associated with OS and LR similar to those associated with 30 Gy, whereas the absence of preoperative radiation was associated with a higher rate of LR (odds ratio, 2.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.04‐4.70) and similar OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative hypofractionated CRT was associated with similar local control and OS in comparison with standard CRT in patients undergoing PD for PDAC. The use of chemotherapy alone without CRT was associated with poorer local control but similar survival. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2016;122:2671–2679. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Effect of particle size on pigments colour
Authors: Gueli Anna M. , Bonfiglio Guido , Pasquale Stefania , Troja Sebastiano O.
Published: June 2016

The historical pigments, contrary to modern ones, are not constituted by particles having all the same size and this influences the colour of the paint layers. The hiding power and colouring power of a pigment depends, in fact, on its particle size. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of particle size on optical characterization of paintings in terms of reflection of light and related colour specification. Starting from the qualitative observation, we have attempted to quantify the pigments colour variations induced by grinding and then attributable to granularity. Powdered pigments of principal colours have been selected in specific particle size range by mechanical sieving. The measurements were performed both on pigment pellets and on paintings realized with binder casein. All samples were characterized by an optical and colorimetric point of view through spectrophotometric analysis and for the surface morphological observation through scanning electron microscopy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 42, 236–243, 2017
Pseudo‐Ligandless Click Chemistry for Oligonucleotide Conjugation
Authors: Mack Stephanie , Fouz Munira F. , Dey Sourav K. , Das Subha R.
Published: June 2016

Particularly for its use in bioconjugations, the copper‐catalyzed (or copper‐promoted) azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction or ‘click chemistry’, has become an essential component of the modern chemical biologist's toolbox. Click chemistry has been applied to DNA, and more recently, RNA conjugations, and the protocols presented here can be used for either. The reaction can be carried out in aqueous buffer, and uses acetonitrile as a minor co‐solvent that serves as a ligand to stabilize the copper. The method also includes details on the analysis of the reaction product. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Optimization of Norbornadiene Compounds for Solar Thermal Storage by First‐Principles Calculations
Authors: Kuisma Mikael , Lundin Angelica , Moth‐Poulsen Kasper , Hyldgaard Per , Erhart Paul
Published: June 2016

Molecular photoswitches capable of storing solar energy are interesting candidates for future renewable energy applications. Here, using quantum mechanical calculations, we carry out a systematic screening of crucial optical (solar spectrum match) and thermal (storage energy density) properties of 64 such compounds based on the norbornadiene–quadricyclane system. Whereas a substantial number of these molecules reach the theoretical maximum solar power conversion efficiency, this requires a strong red‐shift of the absorption spectrum, which causes undesirable absorption by the photoisomer as well as reduced thermal stability. These compounds typically also have a large molecular mass, leading to low storage densities. By contrast, single‐substituted systems achieve a good compromise between efficiency and storage density, while avoiding competing absorption by the photo‐isomer. This establishes guiding principles for the future development of molecular solar thermal storage systems.
Consummatory succesive positive contrast produced by the downshift of an aversive solution in infant rats
Authors: Suárez Andrea B. , Pautassi Ricardo M. , Kamenetzky Giselle V.
Published: June 2016

Subjects trained in successive positive contrast are usually given an appetitive stimulus of relatively low quality during a pre‐shift, followed by exposure to a significantly greater quality of the same stimulus. Enhanced responsiveness to the high‐quality stimulus during the post‐shift phase, compared to a control group that receives the superior reward in both phases, is taken as an index of successive positive contrast. Successive positive contrast reports are rare, probably due to performance limitations inherent to the experimental protocols available. We exposed infant rats (14 days old at the start of training) to .1% or .01% quinine during 4, 10 min, trials (pre‐shift phase). All animals were then given two trials of exposure to .01% quinine (post‐shift phase). During the pre‐shift the level of intake was greater in pups stimulated with the relatively less aversive .01% quinine solution. These animals also exhibited, compared to those stimulated with .1% quinine, lower emission of the aversive response paw treading. During the post‐shift phase, the group that had been exposed to .1% quinine exhibited significantly greater intake of .01% quinine, along with a reduction in the emission of paw treading and an enhancement in paw licking, an ingestive, appetitive response. Altogether, the evidence is suggestive of the emergence of consummatory successive positive contrast during the second week of life of the rat. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of positive contrast using an aversive solution.
Dispersal by rodent caching increases seed survival in multiple ways in canopy‐fire ecosystems
Authors: Peterson N. B. , Parker V. T.
Published: May 2016

Seed‐caching rodents have long been seen as important actors in dispersal ecology. Here, we focus on the interactions with plants in a fire‐disturbance community, specifically Arctostaphylos species (Ericaceae) in California chaparral. Although mutualistic relationships between caching rodents and plants are well studied, little is known how this type of relationship functions in a disturbance‐driven system, and more specifically to systems shaped by fire disturbance. By burying seeds in the soil, rodents inadvertently improve the probability of seed surviving high temperatures produced by fire. We test two aspects of vertical dispersal, depth of seed and multiple seeds in caches as two important dimensions of rodent‐caching behavior. We used a laboratory experimental approach to test seed survival under different heating conditions and seed bank structures. Creating a synthetic soil seed bank and synthetic fire/heating in the laboratory allowed us to have control over surface heating, depth of seed in the soil, and seed cache size. We compared the viability of Arctostaphylos viscida seeds from different treatment groups determined by these factors and found that, as expected, seeds slightly deeper in the soil had substantial increased chances of survival during a heating event. A key result was that some seeds within a cache in shallow soil could survive fire even at a depth with a killing heat pulse compared to isolated seeds; temperature measurements indicated lower temperatures immediately below caches compared to the same depth in adjacent soil. These results suggest seed caching by rodents increases seed survival during fire events in two ways, that caches disrupt heat flow or that caches are buried below the heat pulse kill zone. The context of natural disturbance drives the significance of this mutualism and further expands theory regarding mutualisms into the domain of disturbance‐driven systems.
Herbivore density mediates the indirect effect of herbivores on plants via induced resistance and apparent competition
Authors: Ramirez Ricardo A. , Eubanks Micky D.
Published: June 2016

Herbivore‐induced plant resistance and apparent competition are two indirect ways herbivores interact. If a less damaging herbivore indirectly suppresses the abundance of a more damaging herbivore via these mechanisms, then plants may ultimately benefit. Changes in herbivore density, however, can dictate the intensity of species interactions and may play a critical role in determining the outcome of plant‐ and predator‐mediated herbivore interactions. We tested the effects of herbivore density on the strength of indirect interactions among phloem‐feeding aphids and herbivorous caterpillars and the outcome of these interactions for their shared host plant, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). We quantified the survival of caterpillars on host plants that were infested with varying densities of aphids in the presence and absence of predators (ladybeetles). We found that aphids induced defensive proteins in cotton plants and that caterpillar survival was negatively affected by induced resistance. Likewise, we found that the presence of aphids increased predation of caterpillars by ladybeetles, but that apparent competition between aphids and caterpillars was density dependent. Ladybeetles consumed relatively high numbers of small caterpillars at low to intermediate aphid densities, but essentially became aphid specialists at high aphid densities. Aphid induced defenses and apparent competition combined such that plant damage by caterpillars was lowest when predators were present at low aphid density (induced resistance + highest level of apparent competition). This suggests that herbivores can benefit plants, but the effect on host plants is mediated by herbivore density. Indirect herbivore‐plant mutualisms may increase plant quality, plant fitness, and yield of crop plants and these interactions need to be considered in ecologically based pest management plans. In addition, these interactions likely alter arthropod community structure and natural selection on anti‐herbivore defense traits in plants in natural systems.
Environmental stress mediates trophic cascade strength and resistance to invasion
Authors: Cheng Brian S. , Grosholz Edwin D.
Published: June 2016

Although much attention has focused on the drivers of trophic cascade strength among systems (e.g., habitat type, body size, predator, and prey thermy) comparatively little is known of how trophic cascades change within systems, especially with respect to gradients in environmental stress. To address this, we measured the strength of a trophic cascade across an estuarine stress gradient and tested the predictions of “consumer stress model” that suggests sensitivity to stress is greater in mobile consumers relative to sessile prey. We used field observations and experimental manipulations within a central California estuary (Tomales Bay), where higher water temperatures in summer/fall and lower salinity during winter/spring may differentially affect predators (native crabs), meso‐consumers (invasive oyster drills), and sessile prey (native oysters). Our results demonstrate that sites with high environmental stress (warmer and lower salinity waters) excluded top predators from the food web, which facilitated high densities of oyster drills and resulted in low oyster survival. In contrast, less stressful sites (cooler and higher salinity waters) had high crab densities leading to reduced oyster drill survival and high oyster survival (an indirect positive effect). Observational data from 14 field sites along both margins of Tomales Bay are consistent with the results of experimental manipulations. This study highlights the importance of environmental stress in mediating within system trophic cascade strength by altering top predator abundance. Our results support the predictions of the consumer stress model and suggest that increasing environmental stress (warming and variable salinity regimes) as a result of climate change may decouple species interactions. Furthermore, warming and extreme low salinities may indirectly intensify the negative effects of non‐native species by reducing the biotic resistance provided by native predators.
Estimation of avian species richness: biases in morning surveys and efficient sampling from acoustic recordings
Authors: La Van T. , Nudds Thomas D.
Published: June 2016

Species richness estimation is an important component of ecological studies and conservation planning. Limited resources necessitate that sampling protocols be as efficient and accurate as possible. For birds, automated acoustic sampling offers potential advantages of abundant data at reduced cost for field observers, and enhanced diel coverage, but neither of which may accrue if surveys are biased and/or too costly to analyze in the lab. Here, we assessed bias in estimates of species and higher order taxonomic richness obtained from standard morning point counts, and from morning‐only acoustic recordings, relative to estimates from 72, 10‐min acoustic recordings conducted hourly over 3 d. Furthermore, we compared 10‐min subsamples of 24‐h recordings across five statistical estimators to establish which combination of number of samples, from which times of day, and with which statistical estimator, best approximated total observed species richness. Total observed species richness was the total number of species detected per site over 720 min of 10‐min recordings. Standard morning point counts and morning‐only acoustic recordings consistently underestimated both total species and higher order taxonomic richness. Species not detected were those that irregularly or nocturnally vocalize. Without statistical estimators, the greatest number of species per unit sample effort was detected from 10‐min, on‐the‐hour samples between 07:00 and 12:00, and at 21:00, over 3 d. With the jackknife estimator, three 10‐min samples (one at each of 08:00, 09:00, and 12:00, over 3 d) most efficiently estimated within 5% of total observed species richness. Researchers can subsample in combination with statistical estimators to increase analytical efficiency for species richness using acoustic recordings.
The plant phenology monitoring design for The National Ecological Observatory Network
Authors: Elmendorf Sarah C. , Jones Katherine D. , Cook Benjamin I. , Diez Jeffrey M. , Enquist Carolyn A. F. , Hufft Rebecca A. , Jones Matthew O. , Mazer Susan J. , Miller‐Rushing Abraham J. , Moore David J. P. , Schwartz Mark D. , Weltzin Jake F.
Published: June 2016

Phenology is an integrative science that comprises the study of recurring biological activities or events. In an era of rapidly changing climate, the relationship between the timing of those events and environmental cues such as temperature, snowmelt, water availability, or day length are of particular interest. This article provides an overview of the observer‐based plant phenology sampling conducted by the U.S. National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), the resulting data, and the rationale behind the design. Trained technicians will conduct regular in situ observations of plant phenology at all terrestrial NEON sites for the 30‐yr life of the observatory. Standardized and coordinated data across the network of sites can be used to quantify the direction and magnitude of the relationships between phenology and environmental forcings, as well as the degree to which these relationships vary among sites, among species, among phenophases, and through time. Vegetation at NEON sites will also be monitored with tower‐based cameras, satellite remote sensing, and annual high‐resolution airborne remote sensing. Ground‐based measurements can be used to calibrate and improve satellite‐derived phenometrics. NEON's phenology monitoring design is complementary to existing phenology research efforts and citizen science initiatives throughout the world and will produce interoperable data. By collocating plant phenology observations with a suite of additional meteorological, biophysical, and ecological measurements (e.g., climate, carbon flux, plant productivity, population dynamics of consumers) at 47 terrestrial sites, the NEON design will enable continental‐scale inference about the status, trends, causes, and ecological consequences of phenological change.
The mechanistic basis of changes in community assembly in relation to anthropogenic disturbance and productivity
Authors: Elo Merja , Kareksela Santtu , Haapalehto Tuomas , Vuori Hilja , Aapala Kaisu , Kotiaho Janne S.
Published: June 2016

Anthropogenic disturbance often causes changes in communities. However, the mechanistic basis of these changes remains elusive. As all patterns in community ecology can be understood as a result of four processes (speciation, selection, drift, and dispersal), the effect of disturbance should depend on how disturbance disrupt these processes. We studied the effects of disturbance and productivity on species richness, community composition, and community dispersion (i.e., variation in community composition) in the vegetation of 120 boreal peatlands using null‐model approach to determine whether community assembly processes differ between pristine and disturbed sites. Sites represented three peatland ecosystem types, each with two levels of productivity. Half of the sites were disturbed by drainage and half are pristine. Pristine and disturbed sites showed similar species richness. However, their community composition differed indicating a directional selection due to disturbance, whereas dispersion of disturbed and pristine communities did not differ suggesting no change in the relative strength of selection and drift. Our results suggest that understanding the combination of landscape level community changes and local selection pressures is important when restoration of degraded ecosystems is undertaken.
Evidence that summer jellyfish blooms impact Pacific Northwest salmon production
Authors: Ruzicka James J. , Daly Elizabeth A. , Brodeur Richard D.
Published: June 2016

Interannual variability in salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) production in the northeast Pacific is understood to be driven by oceanographic variability and bottom‐up processes affecting prey availability to juvenile salmon. Scyphozoan jellyfish have an important role in shaping the pathways of energy flow through pelagic food webs. While jellyfish obtain high production rates and biomasses as major consumers of zooplankton production, they have few predators and may divert plankton production away from higher trophic levels. Although jellyfish are planktivorous and juvenile coho (O. kisutch) and Chinook (O. tshawytscha) salmon are mainly piscivorous, they may be indirect competitors for plankton production. Ecosystem model simulations suggested that among all trophic interactions within the Pacific Northwest coastal food web, juvenile salmon are particularly sensitive to jellyfish blooms, and that salmon production will be suppressed in years of high summer jellyfish biomass. Pelagic surveys off Oregon and Washington (1999–2012) were used to examine the interannual relationship between salmon production and the dominant jellyfish species, the sea nettle Chrysaora fuscescens, off the Pacific Northwest coast. There was a significant, negative correlation between sea nettle biomass and the strength of adult coho and Chinook salmon returns to the Columbia River. Examination of spatial distributions across years showed a positive association between sea nettles and salmon. Within individual years, significant differences between the distribution of sea nettles and yearling coho and Chinook salmon generally occurred during cooler ocean summers, perhaps due to the greater expanse of optimal salmon habitat resulting from more upwelling. Whether the association is behavioral or a product of oceanographic processes, association enhances the opportunity for indirect competition. Examination of feeding incidence in September showed that salmon stomachs were less full at locations with higher sea nettle biomass.
Plant community response to regional sources of dominant grasses in grasslands restored across a longitudinal gradient
Authors: Wilson Laurel R. , Gibson David J. , Baer Sara G. , Johnson Loretta C.
Published: June 2016

Restorations in the light of climate change will need to take into account whether or not sources of the dominant plants are adapted to the future conditions at a site. In addition, the effect of these dominants, especially if sourced from outside the local area, on the assembling plant community needs assessment. We investigated how different ecotypes of the tallgrass prairie dominants Andropogon gerardii and Sorghastrum nutans affect assembling prairie communities. Four reciprocal common garden experiments were established across a longitudinal climate gradient characterized by a decrease in aridity in western Kansas (COLBY), central Kansas (HAYS), eastern Kansas (MANHATTAN), and southern Illinois (CARBONDALE). At each site, plots were seeded with ecotypes of A. gerardii and S. nutans sourced from central Kansas (CKS), eastern Kansas (EKS), southern Illinois (SIL), or a mix of all three regional ecotypes (MIX). All plots were also seeded with the same suite of seven subordinate species. Species composition was measured during the fourth year of restoration. The greatest variation between communities occurred at HAYS and CARBONDALE between plots seeded with CKS and SIL ecotypes. At these sites, plots seeded with the local source had the lowest diversity and cover of nondominant species. Compositional variation between plots seeded with different dominant grass ecotypes was found exclusively at CARBONDALE between CKS and SIL plots. Differences between locally seeded plots and plots seeded with a MIX of dominant grass ecotypes were contingent upon site. At CARBONDALE, MIX seeded plots had higher diversity than SIL ecotype plots. Our results indicate that across a wide geographic precipitation gradient, limited but important differences in community assembly occur in restorations established with different ecotypes of the dominant grasses. However, our results also support the use of mixtures of nonlocal ecotypes of dominant grasses in restorations without risk to the assembling plant community. Future studies need to determine the potential for out‐breeding effects among seed sources in mixed stands.
A behavior‐based framework for assessing barrier effects to wildlife from vehicle traffic volume
Authors: Jacobson Sandra L. , Bliss‐Ketchum Leslie L. , de Rivera Catherine E. , Smith Winston P.
Published: June 2016

Roads, while central to the function of human society, create barriers to animal movement through collisions and habitat fragmentation. Barriers to animal movement affect the evolution and trajectory of populations. Investigators have attempted to use traffic volume, the number of vehicles passing a point on a road segment, to predict effects to wildlife populations approximately linearly and along taxonomic lines; however, taxonomic groupings cannot provide sound predictions because closely related species often respond differently. We assess the role of wildlife behavioral responses to traffic volume as a tool to predict barrier effects from vehicle‐caused mortality and avoidance, to provide an early warning system that recognizes traffic volume as a trigger for mitigation, and to better interpret roadkill data. We propose four categories of behavioral response based on the perceived danger to traffic: Nonresponders, Pausers, Speeders, and Avoiders. Nonresponders attempt to cross highways regardless of traffic volume. Pausers stop in the face of danger so have a low probability of successful crossing when traffic volume increases. Hence, highway barrier effects are primarily due to mortality for Nonresponders and Pausers at high traffic volumes. Speeders run away from danger but are unable to do so successfully as traffic volume increases. At moderate to high volume, Speeders are repelled by traffic danger. Avoiders face lower mortality than other categories because they begin to avoid traffic at relatively low traffic volumes. Hence, avoidance causes barrier effects more than mortality for Speeders and Avoiders even at relatively moderate traffic volumes. By considering a species’ risk‐avoidance response to traffic, managers can make more appropriate and timely decisions to mitigate effects before populations decline or become locally extinct.
Optimal processing for gel electrophoresis images: Applying Monte Carlo Tree Search in GelApp
Authors: Nguyen Phi‐Vu , Ghezal Ali , Hsueh Ya‐Chih , Boudier Thomas , Gan Samuel Ken‐En , Lee Hwee Kuan
Published: June 2016

In biomedical research, gel band size estimation in electrophoresis analysis is a routine process. To facilitate and automate this process, numerous software have been released, notably the GelApp mobile app. However, the band detection accuracy is limited due to a band detection algorithm that cannot adapt to the variations in input images. To address this, we used the Monte Carlo Tree Search with Upper Confidence Bound (MCTS‐UCB) method to efficiently search for optimal image processing pipelines for the band detection task, thereby improving the segmentation algorithm. Incorporating this into GelApp, we report a significant enhancement of gel band detection accuracy by 55.9 ± 2.0% for protein polyacrylamide gels, and 35.9 ± 2.5% for DNA SYBR green agarose gels. This implementation is a proof‐of‐concept in demonstrating MCTS‐UCB as a strategy to optimize general image segmentation. The improved version of GelApp—GelApp 2.0—is freely available on both Google Play Store (for Android platform), and Apple App Store (for iOS platform).
Effects of aging and soil properties on zinc oxide nanoparticle availability and its ecotoxicological effects to the earthworm Eisenia andrei
Authors: Romero-Freire Ana , Lofts Stephen , Martín Peinado Francisco J. , van Gestel Cornelis A.M.
Published: June 2016

To assess the influence of soil properties and aging on the availability and toxicity of zinc (Zn) applied as nanoparticles (Zn oxide [ZnO]-NPs) or as Zn2+ ions (Zn chloride [ZnCl2]), 3 natural soils were individually spiked with either ZnO-NPs or ZnCl2 and incubated for up to 6 mo. Available Zn concentrations in soil were measured by porewater extraction (ZnPW), whereas earthworms (Eisenia andrei) were exposed to study Zn bioavailability. Porewater extraction concentrations were lower when Zn was applied as NPs compared to the ionic form and decreased with increasing soil pH. For both Zn forms and Zn-PW values were affected by aging, but they varied among the tested soils, highlighting the influence of soil properties. Internal Zn concentration in the earthworms (ZnE) was highest for the soil with high organic carbon content (5.4%) and basic pH (7.6) spiked with Zn-NPs, but the same soil spiked with ZnCl2 showed the lowest increase in ZnE compared to the control. Survival, weight change, and reproduction of the earthworms were affected by both Zn forms; but differences in toxicity could not be explained by soil properties or aging. This shows that ZnO-NPs and ZnCl2 behave differently in soils depending on soil properties and aging processes, but differences in earthworm toxicity remain unexplained. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:137–146. © 2016 SETAC
Identifying Expensive Trades by Monitoring the Limit Order Book
Authors: Detollenaere Benoit , D'hondt Catherine
Published: June 2016

This paper provides an analysis of the impact of microstructure variables on the transaction costs for split orders on 171 Euronext large cap stocks. First, using the adaptive Lasso selection method, we conduct an exploratory study to identify which microstructure variables best explain the transaction costs of split orders. Then, we propose an ordinal logistic model to classify ex ante transaction costs into buckets. Our empirical work demonstrates that our model performs very well both in‐sample and out‐of‐sample. All the findings show that microstructure information is of great importance for any investor who attempts to manage the execution of split orders throughout the day. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fibroblast recruitment as a tool for ovarian cancer detection and targeted therapy
Authors: Oren Roni , Addadi Yoseph , Narunsky Haziza Lian , Dafni Hagit , Rotkopf Ron , Meir Gila , Fishman Ami , Neeman Michal
Published: May 2016

Metastatic ovarian cancer, the most lethal of gynecologic malignancies, is typically managed by debulking surgery, followed by chemotherapy. However, despite significant efforts, survival rate remains low. We have previously demonstrated, in mouse models, a specific systemic homing of labeled fibroblasts to solid ovarian tumors. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing this specific homing of genetically modified fibroblasts for detection and targeted therapy of orthotopic metastatic ovarian carcinoma model in immune‐deficient mice. Using an in vivo metastatic mouse model for ovarian cancer, we demonstrated that fibroblasts expressing fluorescent reporters injected intra‐peritoneally, were specifically recruited to peritoneal tumor nodules (resulting in 93‐100% co‐localization). We further used fibroblasts over expressing the soluble receptor variant of VEGFR1 (s‐Flt1). Mice bearing tumors were injected weekly with either control or s‐Flt1 expressing fibroblasts. Injection of s‐Flt1 expressing fibroblasts resulted in a significant reduction in the ascites volume, reduced vascularization of adherent metastases, and improved overall survival. Using fluorescently labeled fibroblasts for tumor detection with readily available intra‐operative fluorescence imaging tools may be useful for tumor staging and directing biopsies or surgical efforts during exploratory or debulking surgery. Fibroblasts may serve as a beacon pointing to the otherwise invisible metastases in the peritoneal cavity of ovarian cancer patients. Utilizing the recruited fibroblasts also for targeted delivery of anti angiogenic or antitumor molecules may aid in controlling tumor progression. Thus, these results suggest a novel approach for targeting ovarian tumor metastases for both tumor detection and therapy.
From natural to biomimetic: The superhydrophobicity and the contact time
Authors: Liang Yun‐Hong , Peng Jian , Li Xiu‐Juan , Xu Jin‐Kai , Zhang Zhi‐Hui , Ren Lu‐Quan
Published: June 2016

The superhydrophobicities and the contact time of lotus leaf and reed leaf were investigated. The results indicated that both lotus leaf and reed leaf have good superhydrophobic properties, and the water contact time was 12.7 and 14.7 ms on the surface of lotus leaf and reed leaf, respectively. Surface structure plays a key role in the different contacting times. Homogeneous distribution of papillae on the surface of lotus leaf was more helpful to reduce the contact time than anisotropic groove‐shape on the surface of reed leaf. Based on the bionics coupling theory, the bionics sample possessing similar lotus‐leaf‐like surface structure on the aluminum alloy was designed and fabricated successfully. The water contact angle was about 153 ± 2°, sliding angle less than 5°, and the water contact time was 13.4 ms on the surface of bionics sample, which presented excellent superhydrophobic property, and achieved the aim of bionic design. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:712–720, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
One‐pot Synthesis of Bis[1‐N,7‐N‐diethoxyphthalimido‐4,4′‐{3,5‐dimethyl‐4‐(4‐N,N‐dimethyl Aminophenyl)‐4,7‐dihydro‐1H‐dipyrazolo[3,4‐b;4′,3′‐e]Pyridin‐8‐yl}‐phenyl] Compounds and Their Antiviral Evaluation Against Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Varicella‐zoster Virus (VZV) in Human Embryonic Lung (HEL) Cells
Authors: Hussain Nasir , Ahmed Maqbool , Khan Saba , Joshi Ajit , Yogi Prabhunath , Ashid Mohammed , Prajapat Prakash , Talesara G. L.
Published: May 2016

A one‐pot three components synthesis of substituted bis[1‐N,7‐N‐diethoxyphthalimido‐4,4′‐{3,5‐dimethyl‐4‐(4‐N,N‐dimethylaminophenyl)‐4,7‐dihydro‐1H‐dipyrazolo[3,4‐b;4′,3′‐e] pyridin‐8‐yl}‐phenyl] in moderate to high yields has been achieved by a two‐step reaction. All the synthesized compounds evaluate against cytomegalovirus and varicella‐zoster virus in human embryonic lung cells.
Diazatruxenes from the Condensation Reaction of Indoles with Ninhydrin
Authors: El‐Sayed Mardia T. , Wessjohann Ludger , Porzel Andrea , Hilgeroth Andreas
Published: June 2016

The reaction of indoles with ninhydrin has been reported to provide only 1:1 condensation products (cf. A or 8) that show good antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activity. In the present work, our synthetic challenge for the synthesis of innovative, highly substituted tetra‐indole indanes of type 1 via a 4:1 condensation reaction in acetic acid gave two unexpected new products, the diazatruxene derivatives 3 and 4. The novel structures have been characterized by their analytical and spectral data including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR. With 5‐chloroindole, only the known 1:1 reaction.
Determinants of Intra‐Household Gender Bias: Evidence from Timor‐Leste
Authors: Dawsey Amanda , Bookwalter Jeffrey
Published: May 2016

Household bargaining models indicate that girls' access to resources does not depend solely on household income, but also on a number of factors that affect women's bargaining power. Data describing the allocation of resources within households is rare, prompting the development of inferential methods. Using a methodology that only requires household‐level expenditure data, we analyze intra‐household resource allocation in Timor‐Leste. While the results do not support the hypothesis that allocation is biassed towards boys in the full population we find, in subpopulations where women are likely to have less bargaining power, substantial anti‐girl bias. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A LabView‐based hot cathode electron source simulator with no‐boundary condition computation method
Authors: Kania Bartosz
Published: June 2016

Fast and complex model‐based computations are often needed during the controller design process; therefore, a hot cathode electron source simulator was designed and implemented. The simulator uses the static model of electron source and is based on the LabView environment. It is developed for different materials and dimensions of filaments popular in vacuum instruments. The simulator is able to calculate the maximum temperature of the hot filament, its resistance, voltage drop and temperature and distribution of the electron emission current along the filament length in a steady state. Also, a new method was proposed and implemented for approximate calculations of distributions of the temperature and the electron emission current without measurements of the filament temperature. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diacylglycerol acyl transferase: A pathogenicity related gene in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
Authors: Sharma Meenakshi , Guleria Shiwani , Kulshrestha Saurabh
Published: June 2016

To gain more insight into the molecular mechanisms of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides pathogenesis, restriction enzyme‐mediated integration (REMI) mutagenesis identified the mutants of C. gloeosporioides impaired in pathogenicity. Transformants screened for defects in pathogenicity using detached leaves and fruits. Of the 20 REMI transformants tested, two mutants (H4 and H7) showed reduced pathogenicity on leaves of apple, kiwi, mango, peach, and fruits of guava, apple, and capsicum. One tagged gene from the genome sequence of mutant H4 was recovered by inverse PCR. Sequence analysis of the tagged site in mutant H4 revealed insertion in diacylglycerol acyltransferase gene which encodes diacylglycerol acyltransferase enzyme, catalyzing the steps involved in the biosynthesis of triacylglycerol, an important component of biological membranes and source of energy. Therefore, tagging of diacylglycerol acyltransferase gene in mutant H4 resulted in reduced pathogenicity, indicating possible role of this gene in pathogenicity of C. gloeosporioides.
Frequency stability characterization of a quantum cascade laser frequency comb
Authors: Cappelli Francesco , Campo Giulio , Galli Iacopo , Giusfredi Giovanni , Bartalini Saverio , Mazzotti Davide , Cancio Pablo , Borri Simone , Hinkov Borislav , Faist Jérôme , De Natale Paolo
Published: June 2016

Optical frequency combs generated by quantum cascade lasers have recently been demonstrated in the mid and far infrared, but a detailed analysis of the possibility of a fine control of the emission to use them for high‐resolution spectroscopy and metrology applications is still missing. In this manuscript the attempt of frequency stabilizing a mid‐infrared quantum cascade laser comb (QCL‐comb) against a metrological mid‐infrared intracavity‐difference‐frequency‐generated comb through a single phase‐locking chain acting on the driving current is presented. Following a brief derivation, simple relations between the QCL‐comb frequency parameters and optical quantities such as the refractive index have been found and used to observe how the locking affects the physics of the system. The conclusion is that the current locking essentially acts on the effective refractive index to reduce the offset fluctuations (common noise), but does not sensitively affect the group refractive index and the mode spacing. Nonetheless, the overall single QCL‐comb tooth linewidth is reduced from 500 kHz down to values ranging from 1 to 23 kHz on a 40 ms time scale.

image
Effect of photon induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) on bond strength to dentine of two root canal filling materials
Authors: Miletić Ivana , Chieffi Nicoletta , Rengo Carlo , Ferrari Marco , Nathanson Dan , Baraba Anja
Published: June 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of photon induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) technique in combination with EDTA on bond strength of gutta‐percha/AH Plus and Resilon/RealSeal SE root canal fillings to root dentine.

Materials and Methods

Forty freshly extracted human maxillary anterior teeth with intact straight roots, were instrumented endodontically with rotating ProTaper instruments and randomly divided into two experimental groups. In group 1 (n = 20), root canals were rinsed for 1 minute with 2 ml of 17% EDTA. In group 2 (n = 20), Er:YAG laser, with a 14 mm long 400 μ diameter tapered PIPS tip, was used for 1 minute with 2 ml of 17% EDTA. The laser parameters used were: 20 mJ per pulse, 15 Hz, 50 microsecond. In each experimental group, half of the root canals (n = 10) were obturated with gutta‐percha/AH Plus and other half (n = 10) with Resilon/RealSeal SE. A micropush‐out test was performed on sectiond specimens of the filled roots using a universal testing machine and resistance to failure plus failure modes were determined.

Results

Both gutta‐percha/AH Plus groups had higher bond strength to root dentin than the Resilon/RealSeal SE groups (P < 0.05). The smear layer removal protocol, with EDTA only or combining PIPS technique with EDTA, had no influence on bond strength of either gutta‐percha/AH Plus, or Resilon/RealSeal SE (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, it was found that the application of the PIPS technique did not have an affect on the push‐out bond strength of Resilon/RealSeal SE root canal filling to dentin nor on the gutta‐percha/AH Plus. A significant difference in bond strength was noted between the two root canal filling materials. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:951–954, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inclusion properties of generalized Morrey spaces
Authors: Gunawan Hendra , Hakim Denny I. , Limanta Kevin M. , Masta Al A.
Published: May 2016

This paper discusses the structure of Morrey spaces, weak Morrey spaces, generalized Morrey spaces, and generalized weak Morrey spaces. Some necessary and sufficient conditions for the inclusion property of these spaces are obtained through a norm estimate for the characteristic functions of balls.
Effects of supplemental calcium and vitamin D on the APC/β‐catenin pathway in the normal colorectal mucosa of colorectal adenoma patients
Authors: Liu Siyu , Barry Elizabeth L. , Baron John A. , Rutherford Robin E. , Seabrook March E. , Bostick Roberd M.
Published: June 2016

APC/β‐catenin pathway malfunction is a common and early event in colorectal carcinogenesis. To assess calcium and vitamin D effects on the APC/β‐catenin pathway in the normal‐appearing colorectal mucosa of sporadic colorectal adenoma patients, nested within a larger randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, partial 2 × 2 factorial chemoprevention clinical trial of supplemental calcium (1200 mg daily) and vitamin D (1000 IU daily), alone and in combination versus placebo, we assessed APC, β‐catenin, and E‐cadherin expression in colon crypts in normal‐appearing rectal mucosa biopsies from 104 participants at baseline and 1‐yr follow up using standardized, automated immunohistochemistry and quantitative image analysis. For vitamin D versus no vitamin D, the ratio of APC expression to β‐catenin expression in the upper 40% (differentiation zone) of crypts (APC/β‐catenin score) increased by 28% (P = 0.02), for calcium versus no calcium it increased by 1% (P = 0.88), and for vitamin D + calcium versus calcium by 35% (P = 0.01). Total E‐cadherin expression increased by 7% (P = 0.35) for vitamin D versus no vitamin D, 8% (P = 0.31) for calcium versus no calcium, and 12% (P = 0.21) for vitamin D + calcium versus calcium. These results support (i) that vitamin D, alone or in combination with calcium, may modify APC, β‐catenin, and E‐cadherin expression in humans in directions hypothesized to reduce risk for colorectal neoplasms; (ii) vitamin D as a potential chemopreventive agent against colorectal neoplasms; and (iii) the potential of APC, β‐catenin, and E‐cadherin expression as treatable, pre‐neoplastic risk biomarkers for colorectal neoplasms. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.