bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suporte básico de vida: capacitação de agentes penitenciários federais para atuação em situações de urgência/emergência / Basic life support: training of federal penitentiary agents for action in situations of emergency
Authors: Oliveira Kênnia Stephanie Morais , Justino Jéssica Micaele Rebouças , Linhares Maria Isabel , Figueiredo Anderson Samuel , Ferreira Lucas Alves , Queiroz Johny Carlos
Published: April 2018

OBJETIVO: Expor a prática de uma atividade de extensão realizada no intuito capacitar os agentes penitenciários da Penitenciária Federal de Mossoró/RN. MÉTODOS: Para aplicação do Suporte Básico de Vida (SBV) em situações de urgência/emergência. A atividade aconteceu no período de novembro de 2012 a setembro de 2013, coordenado por um docente, com a participação de 09 discentes da Faculdade de Enfermagem da Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte. RESULTADOS: A realização deste trabalho permitiu aos agentes penitenciários aperfeiçoar noções prévias acerca da temática, bem como adquirir novos conhecimentos, tendo em vista a possibilidade de aplicá-los no seu cotidiano no âmbito profissional, como também pessoal. CONCLUSÃO: Nesse sentido, os objetivos do projeto foram contemplados na medida em que foram evidenciados os avanços durante as etapas do ensino-aprendizagem.
Corantes alimentares presentes em alimentos ultraprocessados consumidos por universitários / Food dyes present in ultra-processed foods consumed by university students
Authors: Gama Dayana Nolasco , Polônio Maria Lúcia Teixeira
Published: April 2018

Objetivo: Descrever os corantes alimentares presentes nos alimentos ultraprocessados consumidos por 273 graduandos de uma universidade pública do Rio de Janeiro. Métodos: Foi caracterizado o perfil sociodemográfico e de saúde a partir de questionário semiestruturado. Consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados foi obtido através do Questionário de Frequência Alimentar (gelatinas, biscoitos recheados, balas e chicletes, refrigerantes, preparados sólidos para refresco, sucos industrializados, temperos prontos e macarrão instantâneo) e os corantes foram identificados nos rótulos dos produtos. Resultados: O consumo de produtos contendo corantes como gelatinas, balas e chicletes, refrigerantes e sucos industrializados foi acima de 80%. Balas e chicletes e temperos prontos tiveram consumo quase diário, sendo 56,9% e 54,1% respectivamente. Conclusão: Identificaram-se quatorze corantes nos rótulos dos produtos industrializados ultraprocessados.  Destacaram-se os corantes artificiais caramelos III e IV, bordeuax S, amarelo crepúsculo e tartrazina, e naturais urucum e carmim. Descritores: Corantes de alimentos, hábitos alimentares, risco.
Reproducing Long‐Range Correlations in Global Mean Temperatures in Simple Energy Balance Models
Authors: Meyer Philipp , Hoell Marc , Kantz Holger
Published: April 2018

We study global mean surface temperature records since 1850 and their potential forcings. We find long range correlations by the method of detrended fluctuation analysis in most data sets, in agreement with previous studies. As a predictive model, we employ a zero‐dimensional energy balance model without memory that reproduces temperature data on the timescale of years. Even when driven with white noise, this model generates data that reproduce the observed long‐range correlations. We are able to explain this with theoretical results for the AR(1) process, which demonstrates that even processes with exponentially decaying correlations yield nontrivial detrended fluctuation analysis results if the available data set is too short. This article gives new support to the scepticism about long memory in global mean temperatures and discusses further implications of our findings.
Differentially Fed Metal Frame Antenna With Common Mode Suppression for Biomedical Smartband Applications
Authors: Xu Li‐Jie , Duan Zhu
Published: April 2018

This paper proposes a differentially fed metal frame antenna for biomedical smartband applications. It occupies a planar area of 40 × 20 mm, operating at 2.45‐GHz industrial, scientific, and medical band. The proposed antenna is composed of an external metal frame and an internal metal box acting as ground for electronics. Through a differential feeding to two copper strips located between the metal frame and the metal box, a rectangular ring slot is excited with common mode suppression capability. The antenna prototype is designed in free space, and then adapted to on‐body scenario for both repeater and transmitter cases. Additionally, the proposed differential feeding is modified to the traditional single port, demonstrating the half‐size miniaturization technique. Finally, the simulated results are verified by measurement. The proposed antenna's simple structure and satisfactory performance makes it a perfect candidate for future medical smartband applications, monitoring the physiological parameters of humans for health‐care purposes.
Burden of Psoriatic Arthritis According to Different Definitions of Disease Activity: Comparing Minimal Disease Activity and the Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Wervers Kim , Vis Marijn , Tchetveriko Ilja , Gerards Andreas H. , Kok Marc R. , Appels Cathelijne W. Y. , van der Graaff Wiebo L. , van Groenendael Johannes H. L. M. , Korswagen Lindy‐Anne , Veris‐van Dieren Josien J. , Hazes Johanna M. W. , Luime Jolanda J.
Published: April 2018

Objective

Treat‐to‐target strategies have improved outcomes in rheumatic diseases. In psoriatic arthritis (PsA), the proposed targets are the multidimensional target minimal disease activity (MDA) and the articular target Disease Activity index for PsA (DAPSA). The aim of this study was to compare the disease burden of PsA in patients with low disease activity according to the 2 definitions, MDA and DAPSA low disease activity (DAPSA‐LDA), 1 year after diagnosis.

Methods

We obtained data on MDA, DAPSA‐LDA and disease burden 1 year after diagnosis for patients included in the Dutch southwest early PsA cohort. Disease burden was assessed in 2 domains: “Body functions,” including the Short Form 36 bodily pain (SF‐36 BP) measure, and “Activity,” including the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).

Results

Among the 292 patients included, 48% achieved MDA and 74% achieved DAPSA‐LDA. Average scores for Body functions and Activity were better in patients who achieved MDA and those who achieved DAPSA‐LDA. The scores were significantly better in the 46% of patients who achieved both MDA and DAPSA‐LDA than in the 29% of patients who achieved only DAPSA‐LDA. The average SF‐36 BP score was higher in patients achieving both targets (73.8; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 71.1‐76.5) than in patients achieving only DAPSA‐LDA (57.6; 95% CI 54.5‐60.8). Similarly, mean HAQ scores measuring Activity were 0.21 (95% CI 0.15‐0.26) and 0.63 (95% CI 0.53‐0.72), respectively.

Conclusion

Among patients with newly diagnosed PsA, 48% achieved MDA and 74% achieved DAPSA‐LDA after 1 year of receiving usual care. The average disease burden was better in patients who achieved MDA and those who achieved DAPSA‐LDA. Also, patients who achieved only DAPSA‐LDA reported worse outcomes than those who also achieved MDA.
Multigram Scale Enzymatic Synthesis of (R)‐1‐(4′‐Hydroxyphenyl)ethanol Using Vanillyl Alcohol Oxidase
Authors: Ewing Tom A. , Kühn Jasmin , Segarra Silvia , Tortajada Marta , Zuhse Ralf , van Berkel Willem J. H.
Published: April 2018

The enantioselective oxyfunctionalisation of C−H bonds is a highly interesting reaction, as it provides access to chiral alcohols that are important pharmaceutical building blocks. However, it is hard to achieve using traditional methods. One way in which it can be achieved is through the action of oxidative enzymes. Although many reports of the oxyfunctionalisation capabilities of enzymes at an analytical scale have been published, reports on the use of enzymes to achieve oxyfunctionalisation on a synthetically relevant scale are fewer. Here, we describe the scale‐up of the conversion of 4‐ethylphenol to (R)‐1‐(4′‐hydroxyphenyl)ethanol using the flavin‐dependent enzyme vanillyl alcohol oxidase. The process was optimised by testing different reaction media and substrate and enzyme concentrations and by performing it under an oxygen atmosphere. Under optimised reaction conditions, 4.10 g (R)‐1‐(4′‐hydroxyphenyl)ethanol at 97% ee was obtained from 10 g 4‐ethylphenol (isolated yield 36%). These results highlight some of the challenges that can be encountered during scale‐up of an enzymatic oxyfunctionalisation process to a synthetically relevant scale and will be of use for the development of enzymatic processes for the synthesis of industrially relevant compounds.

magnified image
The Tedeschi collection: A collection of documented and undocumented human skeletal remains at the Museum of Anthropology, Padua University (Italy)
Authors: Carrara Nicola , Scaggion Cinzia , Holland Emily
Published: April 2018

Objective

Documented and undocumented skeletal collections offer unique windows into life in the past and are integral for research in biological anthropology. The objective of this article is to describe the documented and undocumented collections curated by the Museum of Anthropology at Padua University (Italy) to demonstrate their potential for research and encourage researchers to consider them for future projects.

Materials

The collection was established by Prof. Enrico Tedeschi at the beginning of 20th century, and dates to the late 19th and early 20th century. The collection consists primarily of individuals excavated from cemeteries, ossarios, or unclaimed individuals donated by hospitals or other institutions.

Results

Both documented and undocumented human skeletal remains are included in the collection, totalling 1,580 individuals. Associated documented information including age at death, date of death, sex, occupation, and cause of death is available in different combinations for 293 individuals of varying completeness (188 crania only, 93 crania and postcranial, 12 postcranial only). Origin and chronological period are known for the remaining 1,287 individuals.

Discussion

Overall, this little studied collection could be particularly useful for researchers interested in craniometrics, dentition, and 19th and 20th century health and demography in Italy. The documented skeletons will be especially useful for forensic anthropological research.
Thermal Decomposition of Partially Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil During Repeated Frying Traditional and Fast French Fries
Authors: Kmiecik Dominik , Kobus‐Cisowska Joanna , Kulczyński Bartosz
Published: April 2018

The aim of this study was to compare thermal degradation of oil, especially the composition of the polymer in a polar and nonpolar fraction of oil, used for repeated frying of fast and traditional French fries. The French fries were fried using the partially hydrogenated rapeseed oil. Fast French fries were characterized by a half shorter frying time compared to traditional ones. The frying process was done at 170 °C ± 5 °C in 5‐l electric fryers and carried out in 15‐min cycles for 48 hours. The content of thermal decomposition of triacylglycerol (TAG) in both fractions of oil was analyzed by high‐performance size‐exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). In all analyzed samples, thermal decomposition products were found. However, the composition of a polar and nonpolar fraction of oil was not the same. In a nonpolar fraction, only the monomers and hydrolysis products of TAG were observed. In a polar fraction, dimers, trimers, and oligomers of TAG were also found. The shorter time of frying the fast French fries resulted in a lower total and individual polymers content in all steps of analysis compared to the oil used for frying the traditional French fries.
New approach for preparation of dry natural rubber nanocomposites through acid‐free co‐coagulation: Effect of organoclay content
Authors: Jayaraj S. , Egodage S. M. , Walpalage S.
Published: April 2018

Natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates exhibit good mechanical properties compared to vulcanizates of synthetic rubbers. Incorporation of a conventional filler at higher loadings to NR enhances its modulus, while reduction in tensile strength and elongation. This paper presents a new strategy for development of a NR‐clay nanocomposite with enhanced mechanical properties by incorporation of lower loadings (2–8 phr) of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide modified montmorillonite clay (OMMT‐C) under acid‐free environment. The effect of OMMT‐C loading on cure characteristics, rubber‐filler interactions, crosslink density, dynamic mechanical thermal properties, and mechanical properties were evaluated. Incorporation of OMMT‐C accelerated the vulcanization process and enhanced mechanical properties. X‐ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the formation of intercalated clay structures at lower OMMT‐C loadings, and clay aggregates at higher loadings. A nanocomposite at OMMT‐C loading of 2 phr exhibited the best balanced mechanical properties, and was associated with highest crosslink density and rubber–filler interactions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46502.
Open‐Label, Non‐Mandatory Transitioning From Originator Etanercept to Biosimilar SB4
Authors: Tweehuysen Lieke , Huiskes Victor J. B. , van den Bemt Bart J. F , Vriezekolk Johanna E. , Teerenstra Steven , van den Hoogen Frank H. J. , van den Ende Cornelia H. , den Broeder Alfons A.
Published: April 2018

Objective

To evaluate the effects of non‐mandatory transitioning from the originator biologic drug etanercept (ETN) to its biosimilar, SB4, on drug survival and effectiveness in a controlled cohort study of patients with an inflammatory rheumatic disease.

Methods

In 2016, 642 patients were asked to transition their treatment from originator ETN to biosimilar SB4 by a structured communication strategy with opt‐out option. Patients who consented to switch to SB4 were considered eligible for inclusion in the transition cohort, while patients being treated with originator ETN in 2014 were recruited as the historical cohort. Drug survival was compared between the 2 cohorts using Cox regression analyses, which were adjusted for age, sex, diagnosis, ETN treatment duration, ETN dose interval, conventional synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug usage, and C‐reactive protein (CRP) level, with a robust variance estimator applied to account for repeated subjects (i.e., patients who were included in both the transition cohort and the historical cohort). Adjusted differences in the 6‐month change in CRP level, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using CRP level (DAS28‐CRP), and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index were also assessed.

Results

Of the 642 ETN‐treated patients, 635 (99%) agreed to transition from originator ETN to biosimilar SB4, of whom 625 patients (433 with rheumatoid arthritis, 128 with psoriatic arthritis, and 64 with ankylosing spondylitis) were included in the transition cohort, and 600 ETN‐treated patients from 2014 were included in the historical cohort. The crude treatment persistence rate for biosimilar SB4 over 6 months was 90% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 88–93%), compared to a 6‐month treatment persistence rate of 92% (95% CI 90–94%) for originator ETN. Patients in the transition cohort, compared to the historical cohort, had a statistically significantly higher relative risk of treatment discontinuation (adjusted hazard ratio 1.57, 95% CI 1.05–2.36) and showed smaller decreases in the CRP level (adjusted difference 1.8, 95% CI 0.3–3.2) and DAS28‐CRP (adjusted difference 0.15, 95% CI 0.05–0.25) over 6 months.

Conclusion

Non‐mandatory transitioning from originator ETN to biosimilar SB4 using a specifically designed communication strategy resulted in a slightly lower 6‐month treatment persistence rate and smaller decreases in disease activity in the transition cohort compared to the historical cohort, but these differences were not considered clinically relevant.
Preliminary results of proton radiotherapy for pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma: a multi‐institutional study in Japan
Authors: Mizumoto Masashi , Murayama Shigeyuki , Akimoto Tetsuo , Demizu Yusuke , Fukushima Takashi , Ishida Yuji , Oshiro Yoshiko , Numajiri Haruko , Fuji Hiroshi , Okumura Toshiyuki , Shirato Hiroki , Sakurai Hideyuki
Published: April 2018

To evaluate preliminary results of proton radiotherapy (PRT) for pediatric patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). From 1987 to 2014, PRT was conducted as initial radiotherapy in 55 patients (35 males, 20 females, median age 5 years, range 0–19) with RMS at four institutes in Japan. Thirty‐one, 18, and six patients had embryonal, alveolar, and other RMS, respectively. One, 11, 37, and six patients were in IRSG groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively, and the COG risk group was low, intermediate, and high for nine, 39, and seven patients, respectively. The irradiation dose was 36–60 GyE (median: 50.4 GyE). The median follow‐up period was 24.5 months (range: 1.5–320.3). The 1‐ and 2‐year overall survival rates were 91.9% (95% CI: 84.3–99.5%) and 84.8% (95% CI 75.2–94.3%), respectively, and these rates were 100% and 100%, 97.1% and 90.1%, and 57.1% and 42.9% for COG low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk groups, respectively. There were 153 adverse events of Grade ≥3, including 141 hematologic toxicities in 48 patients (87%) and 12 radiation‐induced toxicities in nine patients (16%). Proton‐specific toxicity was not observed. PRT has the same treatment effect as photon radiotherapy with tolerable acute radiation‐induced toxicity.
Changes in myocardial iron content following administration of intravenous iron (Myocardial‐IRON): Study design
Authors: Miñana Gema , Cardells Ingrid , Palau Patricia , Llàcer Pau , Fácila Lorenzo , Almenar Luis , López‐Lereu Maria Pilar , Monmeneu Jose V. , Amiguet Martina , González Jessika , Serrano Alicia , Montagud Vicente , López‐Vilella Raquel , Valero Ernesto , García‐Blas Sergio , Bodí Vicent , de la Espriella‐Juan Rafael , Sanchis Juan , Chorro Francisco J. , Bayés‐Genís Antoni , Núñez Julio ,   for the Myocardial‐IRON Investigators
Published: April 2018

Treatment with intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) has been shown to improve symptoms, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with heart failure and iron deficiency. However, the underlying mechanisms for these beneficial effects remain undetermined. The aim of this study is to quantify cardiac magnetic resonance changes in myocardial iron content after administration of intravenous FCM in patients with heart failure and iron deficiency and contrast them with parameters of heart failure severity. This is a multicenter, double‐blind, randomized study. Fifty patients with stable symptomatic heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction <50%, and iron deficiency will be randomly assigned 1:1 to receive intravenous FCM or placebo. Intramyocardial iron will be evaluated by T2* and T1 mapping cardiac magnetic resonance sequences before and at 7 and 30 days after FCM. After 30 days, patients assigned to placebo will receive intravenous FCM in case of persistent iron deficiency. The main endpoint will be changes from baseline in myocardial iron content at 7 and 30 days. Secondary endpoints will include the correlation of these changes with left ventricular ejection fraction, functional capacity, quality of life, and cardiac biomarkers. The results of this study will add important knowledge about the effects of intravenous FCM on myocardial tissue and cardiac function. We hypothesize that short‐term (7 and 30 days) myocardial iron content changes after intravenous FCM, evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance, will correlate with simultaneous changes in parameters of heart failure severity. The study is registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03398681).
The CDC Opioid Guideline: Proponent Interpretation Has Led to Misinformation
Authors: Wegrzyn Erica L. , Chaghtai Ausim M. , Argoff Charles E. , Fudin Jeffrey
Published: April 2018

Pain management epitomizes the value of a multidisciplinary approach to caring for patients, yet regrettably, the term pain management has too often become synonymous with prescribing opioids only. Optimal chronic pain management requires a skillset most conducive to a multidisciplinary team approach and should be performed in a scientifically and clinically sound manner. It is with these facts in mind that we offer our view of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain.
Going Beyond the Limits of the Biorenewable Platform: Sodium Dithionite‐Promoted Stabilization of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural
Authors: Gomes Rafael F. A. , Mitrev Yavor N. , Simeonov Svilen P. , Afonso Carlos A. M.
Published: April 2018

The lack of thermal and storage stability and occurrence of side reactions during the processing of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) limits its potential as biorenewable platform molecule. The addition of small amounts of the readily available sodium dithionite has a remarkable effect on promoting the stability of 5‐HMF and inhibiting side reactions, thus helping to circumvent such limitations. The addition of sodium dithionite led to improvements in thermal stability (120 °C, 4 h, neat; 100 % vs. 37 %), under distillation (yield: 85 % vs. 52 %), and in a wide range of reactions, including 5‐HMF synthesis under biphasic conditions (yield: 98 % vs. 67 %; purity: 92 % vs. 83 %) and 5‐HMF transformations, such as Knoevenagel condensation with Meldrum's acid (yield: 96 % vs. 74 %), Cannizaro reaction (yield: quantitative vs. 83 %), and condensation with primary diamines to give pyridinium salts (yield: 88 % vs. 60 %).
Asymmetric biotic interactions and abiotic niche differences revealed by a dynamic joint species distribution model
Authors: Lany Nina K. , Zarnetske Phoebe L. , Schliep Erin M. , Schaeffer Robert N. , Orians Colin M. , Orwig David A. , Preisser Evan L.
Published: April 2018

A species’ distribution and abundance are determined by abiotic conditions and biotic interactions with other species in the community. Most species distribution models correlate the occurrence of a single species with environmental variables only, and leave out biotic interactions. To test the importance of biotic interactions on occurrence and abundance, we compared a multivariate spatiotemporal model of the joint abundance of two invasive insects that share a host plant, hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA; Adelges tsugae) and elongate hemlock scale (EHS; Fiorina externa), to independent models that do not account for dependence among co‐occurring species. The joint model revealed that HWA responded more strongly to abiotic conditions than EHS. Additionally, HWA appeared to predispose stands to subsequent increase of EHS, but HWA abundance was not strongly dependent on EHS abundance. This study demonstrates how incorporating spatial and temporal dependence into a species distribution model can reveal the dependence of a species’ abundance on other species in the community. Accounting for dependence among co‐occurring species with a joint distribution model can also improve estimation of the abiotic niche for species affected by interspecific interactions.
Herbivory enhances the resistance of mangrove forest to cordgrass invasion
Authors: Zhang Yihui , Meng Hanyu , Wang Yi , He Qiang
Published: April 2018

The biotic resistance hypothesis proposes that biotic interactions, such as competition and herbivory, resist the establishment and spread of non‐native species. The relative and interactive role of competition and herbivory in resisting plant invasions, however, remains poorly understood. We investigated the interactive role of competition and herbivory (by the native rodent Rattus losea) in resisting Spartina alterniflora (cordgrass) invasions into mangrove forests. In southern China, although exotic cordgrass numerically dominates intertidal mudflats and open gaps in mangrove forests, intact forests appear to be highly resistant to cordgrass invasion. A field transplant and rodent exclusion experiment showed that while the impact of rodent grazing on cordgrass was weak on mangrove forest edges and open mudflats, rodent grazing strongly suppressed cordgrass in mangrove understory habitats. A greenhouse experiment confirmed a synergistic interaction between grazing and light availability (a proxy for mangrove shading and light competition) in suppressing cordgrass establishment, with the strongest impacts of grazing in low light conditions that likely weakened cordgrass to survive and resprout. When both were present, as in mangrove understory habitats, grazing and low light acted in concert to eliminate cordgrass establishment, resulting in resistance of mangrove forests to cordgrass invasion. Our results reveal that grazing by native herbivores can enhance the resistance of mangrove forests to cordgrass invasion in southern China, and suggest that investigating multifactor interactions may be critical to understanding community resistance to exotic invasions.
Does news uncertainty matter for commodity futures markets? Heterogeneity in energy and non‐energy sectors
Authors: Liu Yang , Han Liyan , Yin Libo
Published: April 2018

This study investigates the impact of news implied volatility (NVIX) and its two sub‐components (news about stock markets, SMI, and news about banks and other financial intermediaries, FII) on the long‐term volatilities of commodity futures. Our empirical results clearly show that NVIX behaves heterogeneously in energy and non‐energy sectors. NVIX exerts a positively significant influence on volatilities of non‐energy futures. By contrast, volatilities of energy futures cannot be triggered by NVIX. We further show that SMI significantly affects both energy and non‐energy futures, whereas, FII only impacts non‐energy futures.
Run‐off processes from mountains to foothills: The role of soil stratigraphy and structure in influencing run‐off characteristics across high to low relief landscapes
Authors: Zimmer Margaret A. , Gannon John P.
Published: April 2018

The critical zone features that control run‐off generation, specifically at the regional watershed scale, are not well understood. Here, we addressed this knowledge gap by quantitatively and conceptually linking regional watershed‐scale run‐off regimes with critical zone structure and climate gradients across two physiographic provinces in the Southeastern United States. We characterized long‐term (~20 years) discharge and precipitation regimes for 73 watersheds with United States Geological Survey in‐stream gaging stations across the Appalachian Mountain and Piedmont physiographic provinces of North Carolina. Watersheds included in this analysis had <10% developed land and ranged in size from 14.1–4,390 km2. Thirty‐four watersheds were located in the Piedmont physiographic province, which is typically classified as a low relief landscape with deep, highly weathered soils and regolith. Thirty‐nine watersheds were located in the Appalachian Mountain physiographic province, which is typically classified as a steeper landscape with highly weathered, but shallower soils and regolith. From the United States Geological Survey daily mean run‐off time series, we calculated annual and seasonal baseflow indices (BFI), minimum, mean, and maximum daily run‐off, and Pearson's correlation coefficients between precipitation and baseflow. Our results showed that Appalachian Mountain watersheds systematically had higher minimum daily flows and BFI values. Piedmont watersheds displayed much larger deviations from mean annual BFI in response to year‐to‐year variability in precipitation. A series of linear regression models between 21 landscape metrics and annual BFIs showed non‐linear and complex terrestrial–hydrological relationships across the two provinces. From these results, we discuss how distinct features of critical zone architecture, with specific focus on soil depth and stratigraphy, may be dominating the regulation of hydrological processes and run‐off regimes across these provinces.
1‐L‐MT, an IDO inhibitor, prevented colitis‐associated cancer by inducing CDC20 inhibition‐mediated mitotic death of colon cancer cells
Authors: Liu Xiuting , Zhou Wei , Zhang Xin , Ding Yang , Du Qianming , Hu Rong
Published: April 2018

Indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), known as IDO, catabolizes tryptophan through kynurenine pathway, whose activity is correlated with impaired clinical outcome of colorectal cancer. Here we showed that 1‐L‐MT, a canonical IDO inhibitor, suppressed proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells through inducing mitotic death. Our results showed that inhibition of IDO decreased the transcription of CDC20, which resulted in G2/M cycle arrest of HCT‐116 and HT‐29. Furthermore, 1‐L‐MT induced mitochondria injuries and caused apoptotic cancer cells. Importantly, 1‐L‐MT protected mice from azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced colon carcinogenesis, with reduced mortality, tumor number and size. What is more, IDO1–/– mice exhibited fewer tumor burdens and reduced proliferation in the neoplastic epithelium, while, 1‐L‐MT did not exhibit any further protective effects on IDO–/– mice, confirming the critical role of IDO and the protective effect of 1‐L‐MT‐mediated IDO inhibition in CRC. Furthermore, 1‐L‐MT also alleviated CRC in Rag1–/– mice, demonstrating the modulatory effects of IDO independent of its role in modulating adaptive immunity. Taken together, our findings validated that the anti‐proliferation effect of 1‐L‐MT in vitro and the prevention of CRC in vivo were through IDO‐induced cell cycle disaster of colon cancer cells. Our results identified 1‐L‐MT as a promising candidate for the chemoprevention of CRC.
The Challenges and Opportunities of Pharmacoepidemiology in Bone Diseases
Authors: Alarkawi Dunia , Ali M Sanni , Bliuc Dana , Center Jacqueline R , Prieto‐Alhambra Daniel
Published: April 2018

Pharmacoepidemiology is used extensively in osteoporosis research and involves the study of the use and effects of drugs in large numbers of people. Randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard in assessing treatment efficacy and safety. However, their results can have limited external validity when applied to day‐to‐day patients. Pharmacoepidemiological studies aim to assess the effect/s of treatments in actual practice conditions, but they are limited by the quality, completeness, and inherent bias due to confounding. Sources of information include prospectively collected (primary) as well as readily available routinely collected (secondary) (eg, electronic medical records, administrative/claims databases) data. Although the former enable the collection of ad hoc measurements, the latter provide a unique opportunity for the study of large representative populations and for the assessment of rare events at relatively low cost. Observational cohort and case‐control studies, the most commonly implemented study designs in pharmacoepidemiology, each have their strengths and limitations. However, the choice of the study design depends on the research question that needs to be answered. Despite the many advantages of observational studies, they also have limitations. First, missing data is a common issue in routine data, frequently dealt with using multiple imputation. Second, confounding by indication arises because of the lack of randomization; multivariable regression and more specific techniques such as propensity scores (adjustment, matching, stratification, trimming, or weighting) are used to minimize such biases. In addition, immortal time bias (time period during which a subject is artefactually event‐free by study design) and time‐varying confounding (patient characteristics changing over time) are other types of biases usually accounted for using time‐dependent modeling. Finally, residual “uncontrolled” confounding is difficult to assess, and hence to account for it, sensitivity analyses and specific methods (eg, instrumental variables) should be considered. © 2018 The AuthorsJBMR Pluspublished by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Pathophysiology and management of glaucoma associated with phakomatoses
Authors: Thavikulwat Alisa T. , Edward Deepak P. , AlDarrab Abdulrahman , Vajaranant Thasarat S.
Published: April 2018

The phakomatoses, encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis (ETA; Sturge‐Weber Syndrome), neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1 or von Recklinghausen disease), Von Hippel‐Lindau (VHL) disease, tuberous sclerosis (TSC), oculodermal melanocytosis (ODM), and phakomatosis pigmentovascularis are a group of neurocutaneous disorders that have characteristic systemic and ocular manifestations. Through many different mechanisms, they may cause glaucomatous damage of the optic nerve and subsequent vision loss varying from mild to severe. Glaucoma commonly affects patients with ETA (43–72%), orbito‐facial NF1 (23–50%), and ODM (10%). Rarely, it may present as neovascular glaucoma in VHL and TSC. In ETA, glaucoma typically occurs ipsilateral to the port‐wine stain, which is caused by a mutation in the GNAQ gene. Specifically, mechanical malformation of the anterior chamber angle and elevated episcleral venous pressure has been implicated as causes of glaucoma in ETA. In NF1, which is caused by a mutation in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene, glaucoma commonly occurs ipsilateral to lid plexiform neurofibromas. Histological studies of eyes with NF1 have revealed direct anterior chamber infiltration by neurofibromas, secondary angle closure, fibrovascularization, and developmental angle abnormalities as mechanisms of glaucoma. Lastly, phakomatosis pigmentovascularis is a rare combination of ODM and port‐wine stain. Affected patients are at very high risk of developing glaucoma. Despite the many different mechanisms of glaucomatous damage, management follows similar principles as that for congenital glaucoma and primary open angle glaucoma. First‐line therapy is topical intraocular pressure‐lowering eye drops. Surgical management, including goniotomy, trabeculotomy, trabeculectomy, and tube shunt placement may be required for more severe cases.
Tree‐ring‐based precipitation reconstruction in the source region of Weihe River, northwest China since AD 1810
Authors: Sun Changfeng , Liu Yu , Song Huiming , Mei Ruochen , Payomrat Paramate , Wang Lu , Liu Ruoshi
Published: April 2018

A tree‐ring width chronology of Picea purpurea Mast from Mt. Shouyang in the source region of Weihe River (SWR), northwest China, was developed in this study. Correlation analysis showed that the precipitation from previous August to current July was the limiting climate factor of tree growth. Using a reliable and stable linear regression model, which explained 42.6% of the variance of the actual precipitation during the calibration period from 1958 to 2014, a 205‐year long precipitation series was reconstructed for the SWR. The dry years in the reconstruction were well supported by historical documents, and famous historical droughts were also recorded in the dry periods of a low‐frequency scale of the reconstructed precipitation. As demonstrated by the spatial correlation patterns, the reconstructed series compared well with other hydroclimate records for northwest China, indicating that it could represent large‐scale hydroclimate changes. The 2–8‐year interannual cycles and the interdecadal quasiperiods of 15.9 years and 18.6 years revealed that the precipitation in this region was probably affected by the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation and North Atlantic Oscillation. The dry/wet years corresponded well with the El Niño/La Niña events and the SWR commonly experienced droughts during the low periods of North Atlantic Oscillation.
Eastern massasauga demography and extinction risk under prescribed‐fire scenarios
Authors: Hileman Eric T. , King Richard B. , Faust Lisa J.
Published: April 2018

The use of poorly estimated or surrogate population parameter estimates to assess population viability may result in misleading predictions. Consequently, a critical first step to understanding population health and the effects of land management practices on threatened species is estimation of site‐specific demographic parameters. A major threat to the eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) is habitat loss due to encroachment of woody vegetation and invasive species. Current land management practices require periodic burning or mowing to maintain habitat suitability. Although these methods improve habitat quality, they may also increase the risk of depredation due to reduced ground cover if burns are too extensive or cause mortality if conducted when snakes are active. We fitted contemporary capture–recapture and matrix models to an 8‐year dataset to estimate population parameters for an eastern massasauga population near the range center of the species, where the largest number of eastern massasauga populations may still persist. From 2009 to 2016, we captured 826 eastern massasaugas 1,776 times. In general, annual survival increased with increasing age (age 0 = 0.38, age 1 = 0.65, age 2 = 0.67, age ≥3 females = 0.71, age ≥3 males = 0.66). Abundance estimates ranged from 84 to 140 adults and annual reproductive frequency was 0.44 (95% CI = 0.29–0.59). We simulated increased mortality due to prescribed burns during spring, fall, and late fall for 50 and 100 years. The baseline model, which incorporated current prescribed‐fire practices, indicated a stable population with only a 0.2–0.6% probability of extinction over 100 years, suggesting that management practices at this site are sustainable if they remain unchanged. Simulations of conservative increases in mortality due to fire changed the probability of extinction little over 50 years (≤0.7%) but increased probability of extinction up to 24.5% over 100 years in the most pessimistic prescribed‐burn scenario. These prescribed‐burn simulations may be comparable to burn regimes used at other eastern massasauga sites. The population parameters estimated here provide information needed for assessing range‐wide population viability and investigating geographic variation in eastern massasauga demography. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Dynamical behaviors on a delay differential neoclassical growth model with patch structure
Authors: Yang Gang
Published: April 2018

In this paper, by applying the fluctuation lemma and some differential inequality technique, delay‐dependent criteria are obtained for the global attractivity of a differential neoclassical growth model with patch structure and multiple time‐varying delays. Moreover, some numerical examples are provided to illustrate the validity of the obtained results.
High peak and high average radiofrequency power transmit/receive switch for thermal magnetic resonance
Authors: Ji Yiyi , Hoffmann Werner , Pham Michal , Dunn Alexander E. , Han Haopeng , Özerdem Celal , Waiczies Helmar , Rohloff Michael , Endemann Beate , Boyer Cyrille , Lim May , Niendorf Thoralf , Winter Lukas
Published: April 2018

Purpose

To study the role of temperature in biological systems, diagnostic contrasts and thermal therapies, RF pulses for MR spin excitation can be deliberately used to apply a thermal stimulus. This application requires dedicated transmit/receive (Tx/Rx) switches that support high peak powers for MRI and high average powers for RF heating. To meet this goal, we propose a high‐performance Tx/Rx switch based on positive‐intrinsic‐negative diodes and quarter‐wavelength (λ/4) stubs.

Methods

The λ/4 stubs in the proposed Tx/Rx switch design route the transmitted RF signal directly to the RF coil/antenna without passing through any electronic components (e.g., positive‐intrinsic‐negative diodes). Bench measurements, MRI, MR thermometry, and RF heating experiments were performed at f = 297 MHz (B0 = 7 T) to examine the characteristics and applicability of the switch.

Results

The proposed design provided an isolation of −35.7dB/−41.5dB during transmission/reception. The insertion loss was −0.41dB/−0.27dB during transmission/reception. The switch supports high peak (3.9 kW) and high average (120 W) RF powers for MRI and RF heating at f = 297 MHz. High‐resolution MRI of the wrist yielded image quality competitive with that obtained with a conventional Tx/Rx switch. Radiofrequency heating in phantom monitored by MR thermometry demonstrated the switch applicability for thermal modulation. Upon these findings, thermally activated release of a model drug attached to thermoresponsive polymers was demonstrated.

Conclusion

The high‐power Tx/Rx switch enables thermal MR applications at 7 T, contributing to the study of the role of temperature in biological systems and diseases. All design files of the switch will be made available open source at www.opensourceimaging.org.
Free‐breathing cine DENSE MRI using phase cycling with matchmaking and stimulated‐echo image‐based navigators
Authors: Cai Xiaoying , Epstein Frederick H.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This study aimed to develop a self‐navigated method for free‐breathing spiral cine displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE), a myocardial strain imaging technique that uses phase‐cycling for artifact suppression. The method needed to address 2 consequences of motion for DENSE: striping artifacts from incomplete suppression of the T1‐relaxation echo and blurring.

Methods

The method identifies phase‐cycled spiral interleaves at matched respiratory phases by minimizing the residual signal due to T1 relaxation after phase‐cycling subtraction. Next, the method reconstructs image‐based navigators from matched phase‐cycled interleaves that are comprised of the stimulated echo (ste‐iNAVs). Ste‐iNAVs are used for motion estimation and compensation of k‐space data. The method was demonstrated in phantoms and compared to diaphragm‐based navigator (dNAV) and conventional iNAV (c‐iNAV) methods for the reconstruction of free‐breathing volunteer data sets (N = 10).

Results

Phantom experiments demonstrated that the proposed method removes striping artifacts and blurring due to motion. Volunteer results showed that respiratory motion measured by ste‐iNAVs was better correlated than c‐iNAVs to dNAV data (R2 = 0.82 ± 0.03 vs. 0.70 ± 0.05, P < 0.05). Match‐making reconstructions of free‐breathing data sets achieved lower residual T1‐relaxation echo energy (1.04 ± 0.01 vs. 1.18 ± 0.04 for dNAV and 1.18 ± 0.03 for c‐iNAV, P < 0.05), higher apparent SNR (11.93 ± 1.05 vs. 10.68 ± 1.06 for dNAV and 10.66 ± 0.99 for c‐iNAV, P < 0.05), and better phase quality (0.147 ± 0.012 vs. 0.166 ± 0.017 for dNAV, P = 0.06, and 0.168 ± 0.015 for c‐iNAV, P < 0.05) than dNAV and c‐iNAV methods.

Conclusion

For free‐breathing cine DENSE, the proposed method addresses both types of breathing‐induced artifacts and provides better quality images than conventional dNAV and iNAV methods.
Coupling investigation on tensile and acoustic absorption properties of lightweight porous LGF/PP composite
Authors: Mo Fuhao , Zhang Haiyang , Yang Xujing , Duan Shuyong , Xiao Zhi
Published: April 2018

Long glass fiber‐reinforced polypropylene (LGF/PP) foaming composite has been increasingly used in automotive components regarding its good mechanical and acoustic properties. However, the balance of its mechanical property and acoustic property is far from being understood. The objective of this study is to investigate the influences of molding thickness or foaming degree on both mechanical and acoustic properties of LGF/PP foaming composite by experimental tests. First, LGF/PP foaming composite felts with consistent surface density were fabricated, then specimens with a series of molding thicknesses were prepared by compression molding. Tensile and acoustic tests were conducted and a scanning electron microscopy was also used for analyzing microscopic characteristics. The results indicate that tensile strength and tensile modulus of the present LGF/PP composite decrease in exponential formats, whereas sound absorption coefficients of them increase in logarithmic formats, when molding thickness vary from 1.5 to 8 mm. The above curves intersect around 3 mm. Thus, both mechanical and acoustic properties should be balanced regarding structural size when designing a multi‐purpose vehicle component using the present composite. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:1315–1321, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Vinyl/Vinylene functionalized highly branched polyethylene waxes obtained using electronically controlled cyclohexyl‐fused pyridinylimine‐nickel precatalysts
Authors: Guo Jingjing , Zhang Wenjuan , Mahmood Qaiser , Zhang Randi , Sun Yang , Sun Wen‐Hua
Published: April 2018

A series of 8‐(2,6‐dibenzhydryl‐4‐R‐phenylimino)‐5,6,7‐trihydroquinoline ligands have been prepared in which the nature of 4‐R substitutions vary from electron withdrawing to electron donating. The treatment with NiCl2.6H2O or (DME)NiBr2 afforded the corresponding complexes of nickel chloride (4‐R = Me Ni1, Et Ni2, tBu Ni3, CHPh2 Ni4, Cl Ni5, and F Ni6) and nickel bromide (4‐R = Me Ni7, Et Ni8, tBu Ni9, CHPh2 Ni10, Cl Ni11, and F Ni12). X‐ray diffraction study of complexes Ni3, Ni6, and Ni10, revealed that Ni3.1/2H2O and Ni6.H2O adopted unsymmetrical and symmetrical chloride‐bridged dinuclear structures respectively, while Ni10.H2O is found as mononuclear specie forming distorted‐square planer geometry. In the presence of either diethylaluminum chloride (Et2AlCl) or modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), all the nickel complexes (Ni1–Ni12) displayed high activities (up to 1.91 × 106 g(PE) mol (Ni)−1h−1. Highly branched polyethylene waxes with low molecular weights (Mw ≤ 2.6 kg/mol) and narrow molecular weights distributions (Mw/Mn ≤ 1.96) incorporated with vinylene and vinyl groups were obtained. The effects of 4‐R substitutions to the nickel chloride and bromide pre‐catalysts and reaction conditions on the catalytic performance and the properties of the resulting polyethylene were the subject of a detail investigation. The positive influences of using electron‐withdrawing 4‐R substitutions and bromides were observed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1269–1281
John Kendrew and myoglobin: Protein structure determination in the 1950s
Authors: de Chadarevian Soraya
Published: April 2018

The essay reviews John Kendrew's pioneering work on the structure of myoglobin for which he shared the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1962. It reconstructs the status of protein X‐ray crystallography at the time Kendrew entered the field in 1945, after distinctive service in operational research during the war. It reflects on the choice of sperm whale myoglobin as research material. In particular, it highlights Kendrew's early use of digital electronic computers for crystallographic computations and the marshaling of other tools and approaches that made it possible to solve the structure at increasing resolution. The essay further discusses the role of models in structure resolution and their broader reception. It ends by briefly reviewing Kendrew's other contributions in the formation and institutionalization of molecular biology.