bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functionally Driven Modulation of Sarcomeric Structure and Membrane Systems in the Fast Muscles of a Copepod (Gaussia princeps)
Authors: Glaser Nosta , Iyer Ramesh , Gilly William , Franzini‐Armstrong Clara
Published: October 2018

Muscles of the mesopelagic copepod Gaussia princeps (Arthropoda, Crustacea, Calanoida) are responsible for repetitive movements of feeding and swimming appendages that are too fast to be followed by eye. This article provides a comparative functional and ultrastructural description of five muscles that have different contraction speeds and are located within different anatomical sites. All are very fast, as indicated by a thick:thin filament ratio of 3:1 and sarcomere lengths that vary between 1 and 3 μm. Measured lengths of thin and thick filaments indicate classification of the muscles into three distinct groups (short, medium, and long) and predict a difference in speed of up to threefold between fibers with the shortest and longest sarcomeres. Indeed, the kicking movement of the posterior legs (with the shortest sarcomere length) is approximately threefold faster than the simultaneous back‐folding of the antennae (with the longest length). Thus, a specific relationship between speed of movement and sarcomere length is established, and we can use the latter to predict the former. Regulatory systems of contraction (sarcoplasmic reticulum [SR] and transverse [T] tubules) match the different contractile properties, varying in frequency of distribution and overall content in parallel to sarcomere variations. All muscles from appendages and body musculature show a unique disposition of contractile material, SR, and T tubules found only in copepod muscles; muscle filaments are grouped in large supermyofibrils that are riddled with frequent cylindrical shafts containing SR and T tubules. This arrangement insures a high spatial frequency of regulatory components. Anat Rec, 301:2164–2176, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recipient‐Derived Allo‐iTregs Induced by Donor DCs Effectively Inhibit the Proliferation of Donor T Cells and Reduce GVHD
Authors: Yang Zhi‐Gang , Wen Rui‐Ting , Feng Jin‐Shan , Cao Pei‐Jie , Zhou Hai‐Tao , Liu Wen‐Xin
Published: October 2018

To compare the potency of recipient‐derived, antigen‐specific regulatory T cells induced by different dendritic cells (DCs; iTregs) and freshly isolated natural regulatory T cells (nTregs) in preventing mouse graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). CD4+T cells from recipient BALB/c mice were stimulated with DCs from recipient BALB/c (syn‐DCs), donor B6 (allo‐DCs), and third‐party C3H (third‐party‐DCs) mice to induce different iTregs. In parallel, nTregs were isolated from spleen cells of recipient BALB/c (syn‐nTregs) and donor B6 (allo‐nTregs) mice using magnetic‐activated cell sorting. Mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assays were performed to evaluate the suppressive ability of these various regulatory T cells (Tregs). Both the iTregs and nTregs were transfused to GVHD mice on Days 0, 1, 3, and 5. Body weight, GVHD score, and survival time were monitored. Peripheral Tregs were subsequently examined on Days 7, 14, 21, and 28 after BMT, while chimerism was evaluated on Days 14 and 60. Histopathology of colon, liver, and spleen were also performed. DCs markedly induced CD25+and Foxp3+expression on CD4+T cells. The allo‐DC‐induced Tregs (allo‐iTregs) suppressed the proliferation of alloreactive T cells better than the other iTregs/nTregs in MLR assays (P< 0.05). Meanwhile, transfusion of the allo‐iTregs reduced the severity of GVHD (P< 0.05), increased survival time compared with the GVHD group (P< 0.05), and enhanced the chimerism proportion. On Day 28 after BMT, the allo‐iTregs group had the highest frequency of peripheral Tregs (P< 0.05). Recipient‐derived allo‐iTregs induced by donor DCs included predominant clones that specifically recognized donor antigens. These allo‐iTregs not only prevented GVHD by suppressing the proliferation of donor‐alloreactive T cells, but also promoted engraftment, and prolonged the survival of GVHD mice. Anat Rec, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 302:825–836, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Photo‐ and pH‐ Dual‐Responsive β‐Cyclodextrin‐Based Supramolecular Prodrug Complex Self‐Assemblies for Programmed Drug Delivery
Authors: Bai Yang , Liu Cai Ping , Song Xin , Zhuo Longhai , Bu Huaitian , Tian Wei
Published: October 2018

Despite the fact that progress has been made in the application of supramolecular prodrug self‐assemblies to enhance the functionality of drug‐delivery systems, corresponding research on multi‐responsive supramolecular prodrug self‐assemblies for programmed drug delivery is still limited. In this paper, the synthesis and self‐assembly behavior of supramolecular prodrug complexes (SPCs) with β‐cyclodextrin–acylhydrazone–doxorubicin (β‐CD‐hydrazone‐DOX) and the targeting of azobenzene‐terminated poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (Azo‐PDMA‐FA) as a building block were investigated. The obtained SPCs could also form self‐assemblies on the basis of their amphiphilic nature. Next, SPC‐based multi‐compartment vesicles and complex micelles, which were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic/static light scattering, were obtained with good reversibility under alternative visible light or UV irradiation. Furthermore, three‐stage programmed drug‐delivery behavior was observed from dual‐responsive SPC‐based self‐assemblies by utilizing UV and pH stimuli. Specifically, the SPCs first self‐assembled into multicompartmental vesicles, which was accompanied by a slow release of DOX. Next, UV‐light irradiation induced the dissociation of β‐CD/Azo, which led to morphology transition and a slight increase in the rate of release of DOX. Upon transferring the self‐assemblies to phosphate‐buffer solution (pH 5.0), the release rates increased notably as a result of the broken acylhydrazone bond. Finally, basic cell experiments further demonstrated that the SPC‐based self‐assemblies could be internalized into cancer cells, which suggests their promise for applications in cancer therapy.
Adaptation‐Enhanced Model‐Based Control with Charge Feedback for Piezo‐Actuated Stage
Authors: Yeh Yi‐Liang , Yen Jia‐Yush , Wu Chi‐Ju
Published: October 2018

This paper proposes a new control design to compensate for the residual control error from charge feedback control. A part of the applied voltage is consumed by the hysteresis effect because of the nature of the piezoelectric material; moreover, this effect is difficult to overcome because it is rate dependent. This work utilizes a piezoelectric electromechanical model to propose a precompensation algorithm for a piezoelectric actuator. A nonlinear compensator can be used to treat both the hysteresis nonlinearity and the rate dependency of the system, and the adjustable parameters are specified through adaptive identification with only basic system information. The proposed design can position a piezoelectric stage with a magnifying mechanism within a few nanometers of a target, and the leftover hysteresis phenomenon is negligible.
Alternatives stochastisches Nachweisverfahren für den Spannungsrisskorrosionsnachweis von Straßenbrücken
Authors: Rauert Tim , Zehetmaier Gerhard
Published: October 2018

Die Handlungsanweisung Spannungsrisskorrosion [1] bietet bei Straßenbrücken die Möglichkeit eines vereinfachten stochastischen Nachweises auf Systemebene, um das Ankündigungsverhalten nach dem „Riss‐vor‐Bruch‐Kriterium“ nachzuweisen. Die Anwendung dieses Verfahrens ist allerdings aufgrund der vorgegebenen Anwendungsgrenzen eingeschränkt. Werden sie eingehalten, so liefert das Verfahren in der Regel auf der sicheren Seite liegende Ergebnisse.

Im vorliegenden Aufsatz wird ein alternatives Nachweisverfahren vorgestellt, das sich eng an der Nachweismethodik der Handlungsanweisung Spannungsrisskorrosion orientiert und auf der Monte‐Carlo‐Methode basiert. Der große Vorteil des vorgestellten Verfahrens besteht darin, dass zum einen eine höhere Genauigkeit als mit dem vereinfachten Verfahren gemäß Handlungsanweisung erzielt werden kann und zum anderen die Anwendungsgrenzen weitestgehend entfallen, die beim vereinfachten Verfahren eingehalten werden müssen.
Finding Wealth in Waste: Irreplicability Re‐Examined
Authors: Penders Bart , Janssens A. Cecile J. W.
Published: October 2018

Irreplicability is framed as crisis, blamed on sloppy science motivated by perverse stimuli in research. Structural changes to the organization of science, targeting sloppy science (e.g., open data, pre‐registration), are proposed to prevent irreplicability. While there is an unquestionable link between sloppy science and failures to replicate/reproduce scientific studies, they are currently conflated. This position can be understood as a result of the erosion of the role of theory in science. The history, sociology, and philosophy of science reveal alternative explanations for irreplicability to show it is part of proper, informative and valuable science. Irreplicability need not equate research waste. Sloppy science is the problem, also when results do replicate. Hence, the solution should focus on opposing sloppy research.
CRISPR Gene Editing in Yeast: An Experimental Protocol for an Upper‐Division Undergraduate Laboratory Course
Authors: Sehgal Nitasha , Sylves M. Eileen , Sahoo Ansuman , Chow Jacky , Walker Sarah E. , Cullen Paul J. , Berry James O.
Published: October 2018

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) are a revolutionary tool based on a bacterial acquired immune response system. CRISPR has gained widespread use for gene editing in a variety of organisms and is an increasingly valuable tool for basic genetic research, with far‐reaching implications for medicine, agriculture, and industry. This lab is based on the premise that upper division undergraduate students enrolled in a Life Sciences curriculum must become familiar with cutting edge advances in biotechnology that have significant impact on society. Toward this goal, we developed a new hands‐on laboratory exercise incorporating the use of CRISPR‐Cas9 and homology directed repair (HDR) to edit two well‐characterized genes in the budding yeast,Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The two genes edited in this exercise, Adenine2 (ADE2) and Sterile12 (STE12) affect metabolic and developmental processes, respectively. Editing the premature stop codons in these genes results in clearly identifiable phenotypes that can be assessed by students in a standard laboratory course setting. Making use of this basic eukaryotic model organism facilitates a laboratory exercise that is inexpensive, simple to organize, set up, and present to students. This exercise enables undergraduate students to initiate and follow‐up on all stages of the CRISPR gene editing process, from identification of guide RNAs, amplification of an appropriate HDR fragment, and analysis of mutant phenotypes. The organization of this protocol also allows for easy modification, providing additional options for editing any expressed genes within the yeast genome to produce new mutations, or recovery of existing mutants to wild type. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(6):592–601, 2018.
Clinical and imaging characteristics of PFO‐related stroke with different amounts of right‐to‐left shunt
Authors: He Dan , Li Qian , Xu Guangjin , Hu Zheng , Li Xuefei , Guo Yinping , Xu Shabei , Wang Wei , Luo Xiang
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Right‐to‐left shunt (RLS) induced by a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with an increased risk of cryptogenic stroke (CS). However, little is known about the relationship between the amount of RLS and the stroke pattern. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the distinct clinical features of PFO‐related CS in different RLS degrees resulting from PFO.

Methods

This is a cohort study of 222 CS patients admitted to the Tongji Hospital from 1st May 2014 to 31st April 2017. All patients underwent contrast transcranial Doppler examination. And then, 121 (54.5%) were classified as non‐RLS group, while 76 (34.2%) were classified as mild RLS group and 25 (11.3%) were large RLS group according to the number of micro‐emboli signals. The groups were compared with respect to their clinical and neuroimaging characteristics.

Results

In terms of risk factors of stroke, the prevalence of hypertension was lower in mild group (p = 0.002). Regarding the infarct patterns in different CS patients, we found that the multiple cortical lesions were more frequently observed (p<0.001) with increasing RLS in DWI. Moreover, there was a rising trend in the proportion of small lesions (≤1 cm) with an increasing RLS (p < 0.01). And as RLS increased, the posterior circulation was more likely to be influenced (p < 0.05). In addition, the serum cholesterol concentration was lower in the large RLS group, compared to the non‐RLS group (p = 0.003) and mild RLS group (p = 0.008). While the mean platelet volume (MPV) in mild group was significantly higher than that of non‐RLS group (p = 0.013).

Conclusion

Patients with larger RLS show more infarction in posterior circulation, higher frequency of small lesions or multiple cortical lesions. The results of our study indicate that the infarct patterns might be a clue of PFO‐related stroke.
Severe cholestatic jaundice associated with Graves’ disease
Authors: Abebe Abebe , Eck Leigh M. , Holyoak Michael
Published: October 2018

Key Clinical Message

We describe a rare case of Graves’ disease presenting with atrial fibrillation and severe cholestasis. An extensive evaluation for hepatobiliary causes of cholestasis, including hepatic biopsy, was entirely negative. He was successfully treated with methimazole and eventual thyroidectomy. With caution, thionamides can be utilized successfully for such patients.
N‐Boc‐Amides in Cross‐Coupling Reactions
Authors: Bourne‐Branchu Yann , Gosmini Corinne , Danoun Grégory
Published: October 2018

Since 2015, the use of amides as electrophilic partners in cross‐coupling reactions has experienced exponential growth. Diverse amide derivatives have been studied and among them N‐Boc‐amides have shown good activities towards various cross‐coupling reactions and presents, in our view, an important synthetic usefulness. This review describes the recent developments of these chemical transformations involving N‐Boc‐amides.
Rural/urban residence and childhood and adolescent cancer survival in the United States
Authors: Delavar Arash , Feng Qianxi , Johnson Kimberly J.
Published: October 2018

Background

To the authors’ knowledge, no previous study has examined the relationship between rural/urban residence and childhood or adolescent cancer survival in the United States. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 registries database, the authors examined childhood and adolescent cancer survival by rural/urban residence as defined by Rural‐Urban Continuum Codes (RUCCs).

Methods

The authors obtained data from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 registries for individuals diagnosed at ages birth to 19 years with a first primary malignant cancer from 2000 through 2010. Rural/urban residence at the time of diagnosis was defined using both metropolitan/nonmetropolitan county classifications and individual RUCC categories. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to compute adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the association between rural/urban residence and cancer survival. The authors also examined effect modification by age group, sex, race/ethnicity, and cancer type.

Results

Among 41,879 cancer cases, approximately 54.7% were non‐Hispanic white, 54.3% were male, and 90.4% lived in a metropolitan county. Individuals living in nonmetropolitan counties versus metropolitan counties had a similar risk of cancer death (HR,  1.03; 95% CI, 0.94‐1.13) as did those living in nonmetropolitan rural counties with <2500 individuals nonadjacent to a metropolitan area versus those living in metropolitan counties of ≥1 million individuals (HR,  0.98; 95% CI, 0.71‐1.37). Evidence for effect modification largely was absent.

Conclusions

The results of the current study suggest that childhood and adolescent cancer survival in the United States does not vary by rural/urban residence at the time of diagnosis as defined by RUCCs. The widespread availability of public health insurance for children and adolescents and a nationwide network of pediatric cancer providers may explain this finding.
Nodular fasciitis of the parotid gland: A challenging diagnosis on FNA
Authors: Allison Derek B. , VandenBussche Christopher J. , Rooper Lisa M. , Wakely Paul E. , Rossi Esther D. , Faquin William C. , Ali Syed Z.
Published: October 2018

Background

Nodular fasciitis (NF) is a clonal, self‐limited proliferation that has only rarely been described in the parotid gland. Because of its potential to mimic benign and malignant parotid neoplasms clinically, radiographically, and cytomorphologically, NF is often managed with unnecessary surgery, which is associated with a risk for significant surgical complications. The purpose of this study is to present the clinical and cytomorphologic findings for NF of the parotid gland by fine‐needle aspiration (FNA).

Methods

The pathology archives of the authors’ respective institutions were searched for salivary gland FNA cytology specimens with a confirmed diagnosis of NF. The clinical history, pathologic diagnosis, cytomorphologic findings, and immunocytochemical results were recorded.

Results

A total of 15 cases were identified; the average age was 37 years, and 10 patients (66.7%) were female. Five cases (33.3%), all treated surgically, showed recurrence within an average timeframe of 1.6 months. Only 3 cases (20.0%) were classified as definitive, probable, or suggestive of NF. On average, smears were composed of predominantly single (69.2%), spindled cells (100.0%) with short unipolar (76.9%) and/or bipolar processes (38.5%), round (61.5%) or elongated (84.6%) nuclei, and inconspicuous nucleoli (53.8%). In 69.2%, a tissue‐culture appearance was shown, and 76.9% contained myxoid stroma. In 46.2%, a minimal amount of cytologic atypia was shown.

Conclusions

Keeping NF in the differential for any bland, single, spindled cell proliferation with elongated cytoplasmic processes and bland nuclei may prompt the clinician to consider more conservative management in the correct clinical context.
Midline thalamic inputs to the amygdala: Ultrastructure and synaptic targets
Authors: Amir Alon , Paré Jean‐Francois , Smith Yoland , Paré Denis
Published: October 2018

One of the main subcortical inputs to the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BL) originates from a group of dorsal thalamic nuclei located at or near the midline, mainly from the central medial (CMT), and paraventricular (PVT) nuclei. Although similarities among the responsiveness of BL, CMT, and PVT neurons to emotionally arousing stimuli suggest that these thalamic inputs exert a significant influence over BL activity, little is known about the synaptic relationships that mediate these effects. Thus, the present study usedPhaseolus vulgaris‐leucoagglutinin (PHAL) anterograde tracing and electron microscopy to shed light on the ultrastructural properties and synaptic targets of CMT and PVT axon terminals in the rat BL. Virtually all PHAL‐positive CMT and PVT axon terminals formed asymmetric synapses. Although CMT and PVT axon terminals generally contacted dendritic spines, a substantial number ended on dendritic shafts. To determine whether these dendritic shafts belonged to principal or local‐circuit cells, calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CAMKIIα) immunoreactivity was used as a selective marker of principal BL neurons. In most cases, dendritic shafts postsynaptic to PHAL‐labeled CMT and PVT terminals were immunopositive for CaMKIIα. Overall, these results suggest that CMT and PVT inputs mostly target principal BL neurons such that when CMT or PVT neurons fire, little feed‐forward inhibition counters their excitatory influence over principal cells. These results are consistent with the possibility that CMT and PVT inputs constitute major determinants of BL activity.
Proteome‐Wide Analysis of Cysteine S‐Sulfenylation Using a Benzothiazine‐Based Probe
Authors: Fu Ling , Liu Keke , Ferreira Renan B. , Carroll Kate S. , Yang Jing
Published: October 2018

Oxidation of a protein cysteinyl thiol (Cys‐SH) to S‐sulfenic acid (Cys‐SOH) by a reactive oxygen species (e.g., hydrogen peroxide), which is termed protein S‐sulfenylation, is a reversible post‐translational modification that plays a crucial role in redox regulation of protein function in various biological processes. Due to its intrinsically labile nature, protein S‐sulfenylation cannot be directly detected or analyzed. Chemoselective probing has been the method of choice for analyzing S‐sulfenylated proteins either in vitro or in situ, as it allows stabilization and direct detection of this transient oxidative intermediate. However, it remains challenging to globally pinpoint the specific S‐sulfenylated cysteine sites on complex proteomes and to quantify their dynamic changes upon oxidative stress. This unit describes how a benzothiazine‐based chemoselective probe called BTD and mass spectrometry based chemoproteomics can be used to globally and site‐specifically identify and quantify protein S‐sulfenylation. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Anomaly‐based DoS detection and prevention in SIP networks by modeling SIP normal traffic
Authors: Hosseinpour Mahsa , Yaghmaee Mohammad Hossein , Hosseini Seno Seyed Amin , Khosravi Roshkhari Hossein , Asadi Mohsen
Published: October 2018

Due to the various features of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), this technology has attracted the attention of many users in comparison with the traditional telephony system. However, with the growth of this technology, the security issues and protection of its users against different kinds of threats have been raised as an essential requirement. Session Initiation Protocol is a predominant protocol to initiate and terminate multimedia sessions in VoIP networks that provide simplicity and text‐based features. Despite its mentioned advantages, these features impose several vulnerabilities on VoIP networks. Denial of Service attack, as one of the most common attacks against VoIP networks, is also a noted security issue in the Internet Protocol platforms. In such attacks, the attacker tries to prevent service from authorized users by consuming server resources. These attacks can be launched by sending out‐of‐sequence messages, malformed messages, and flooding different kinds of messages. In this study, a new anomaly‐based method is presented for detection and prevention of these attacks. Normal traffic of a VoIP network is modeled by making a finite state machine, which is used for attack detection besides other proposed modules. Furthermore, a whitelist method is implemented using Bloom data structure for attack prevention. The proposed method is completely implemented and tested using different test scenarios. The obtained results show that by using proposed method, attacks can be detected more accurately with lower false ratios and delay in comparison with the existing methods.
Impact of multiple system diversity on throughput in heterogeneous cellular networks
Authors: Wang Hanho
Published: October 2018

As different generations of mobile communication systems are installed in the same area, a mobile terminal (MT) can utilize the multisystem diversity (MSD) by accessing the system providing the highest signal‐to‐interference‐and‐noise ratio (SINR). However, it is difficult to practically calculate the capacity gain obtained from the MSD environment by using conventional capacity analysis methodologies because each mobile communication system operates in different frequency and channel environments. In this paper, we propose a Poisson‐point process (PPP)‐based hybrid approach in order to analyze the MSD capacity gain. In the hybrid approach, the SINR interval probability is first derived considering the MSD order. Since SINR intervals are mapped to CQI‐MCS table values used in real‐world cellular systems, we can calculate a substantially valid system capacity in the MSD environment. In our result, the reliability of the proposed analysis tool is verified by confirming that the existing capacity analysis results can be benchmarked. Based on the reliability, the MSD capacity gain is quantitatively analyzed when heterogeneous cellular systems coexist and interact.
Resilience priming: Translational models for understanding resiliency and adaptation to early life adversity
Authors: Kentner Amanda C. , Cryan John F. , Brummelte Susanne
Published: October 2018

Despite the increasing attention to early life adversity and its long‐term consequences on health, behavior, and the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, our understanding of the adaptations and interventions that promote resiliency and rescue against such insults are underexplored. Specifically, investigations of the perinatal period often focus on negative events/outcomes. In contrast, positive experiences (i.e. enrichment/parental care//healthy nutrition) favorably influence development of the nervous and endocrine systems. Moreover, some stressors result in adaptations and demonstrations of later‐life resiliency. This review explores the underlying mechanisms of neuroplasticity that follow some of these early life experiences and translates them into ideas for interventions in pediatric settings. The emerging role of the gut microbiome in mediating stress susceptibility is also discussed. Since many negative outcomes of early experiences are known, it is time to identify mechanisms and mediators that promote resiliency against them. These range from enrichment, quality parental care, dietary interventions and those that target the gut microbiota.
Long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in the first year of life affects brain function, structure, and metabolism at age nine years
Authors: Lepping Rebecca J. , Honea Robyn A. , Martin Laura E. , Liao Ke , Choi In‐Young , Lee Phil , Papa Vlad B. , Brooks William M. , Shaddy D. Jill , Carlson Susan E. , Colombo John , Gustafson Kathleen M.
Published: October 2018

The present study sought to determine whether supplementation of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) during the first year of life influenced brain function, structure, and metabolism at 9 years of age. Newborns were randomly assigned to consume formula containing either no LCPUFA (control) or formula with 0.64% of total fatty acids as arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4n6) and variable amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n3) (0.32%, 0.64%, or 0.96% of total fatty acids) from birth to 12 months. At age 9 years (±0.6), 42 children enrolled in a follow‐up multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study including functional (fMRI, Flanker task), resting state (rsMRI), anatomic, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS). fMRI analysis using the Flanker task found that trials requiring greater inhibition elicited greater brain activation in LCPUFA‐supplemented children in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and parietal regions. rsMRI analysis showed that children in the 0.64% group exhibited greater connectivity between prefrontal and parietal regions compared to all other groups. In addition, voxel‐based analysis (VBM) revealed that the 0.32% and 0.64% groups had greater white matter volume in ACC and parietal regions compared to controls and the 0.96% group. Finally, 1H MRS data analysis identified that N‐acetylaspartate (NAA) and myo‐inositol (mI) were higher in LCPUFA groups compared to the control group. LCPUFA supplementation during infancy has lasting effects on brain structure, function, and neurochemical concentrations in regions associated with attention (parietal) and inhibition (ACC), as well as neurochemicals associated with neuronal integrity (NAA) and brain cell signaling (mI).
Does metabolic syndrome influence short and long term durability of carotid endarterectomy and stenting?
Authors: Casana Renato , Malloggi Chiara , Tolva Valerio Stefano , Odero Andrea , Bulbulia Richard , Halliday Alison , Silani Vincenzo
Published: October 2018

Aims

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is composed of a cluster of related cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of the present study was to determine how MetS contributes to short‐ (30‐day) and long‐term complications and restenosis after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or stenting (CAS).

Methods

A consecutive cohort of 752 patients undergoing CEA (n = 314) and CAS (n = 438) in a single institution was examined, of which 296 (39.4%) were identified as having MetS. All patients were followed‐up with carotid duplex ultrasound scan of the supraaortic vessels and a neurological assessment of symptoms status at 30‐day postprocedure and at 3, 6, and 12 months, with annual follow‐up thereafter for 3 years.

Results

Patients with MetS had a significant increased risk in their 30‐day death, major adverse events (MAE), and restenosis rates, both after CEA and after CAS (death: 0.7% vs 0.0%; MAE: 5.3% vs 2.7%; and restenosis: 1.7% vs 0.2%; p < 0.05). The MAE and restenosis rates remained statistically different at 36 months, with both procedures (29.2% vs 24.2% and 9.5% vs 3.3%, p < 0.05, for patients with and without MetS, respectively). Among the components of MetS, high fasting serum glucose, low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and elevated body mass index were associated with increased risk of complications at 30 days and within 36 months.

Conclusions

The current study suggested that the presence of MetS is an important risk factor for morbidity and restenosis after CEA and CAS.
Predicting the potential distribution of the endangered red panda across its entire range using MaxEnt modeling
Authors: Thapa Arjun , Wu Ruidong , Hu Yibo , Nie Yonggang , Singh Paras B. , Khatiwada Janak R. , Yan Li , Gu Xiaodong , Wei Fuwen
Published: October 2018

An upsurge in anthropogenic impacts has hastened the decline of the red panda (Ailurus fulgens). The red panda is a global conservation icon, but holistic conservation management has been hampered by research being restricted to certain locations and population clusters. Building a comprehensive potential habitat map for the red panda is imperative to advance the conservation effort and ensure coordinated management across international boundaries. Here, we use occurrence records of both subspecies of red pandas from across their entire range to build a habitat model using the maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt 3.3.3k) and the least correlated bioclimatic variables. We found that the subspecies have separate climatic spaces dominated by temperature‐associated variables in the eastern geographic distribution limit and precipitation‐associated variables in the western distribution limit. Annual precipitation (BIO12) and maximum temperature in the warmest months (BIO5) were major predictors of habitat suitability for A. f. fulgens and A. f. styani, respectively. Our model predicted 134,975 km2 of red panda habitat based on 10 percentile thresholds in China (62% of total predicted habitat), Nepal (15%), Myanmar (9%), Bhutan (9%), and India (5%). Existing protected areas (PAs) encompass 28% of red panda habitat, meaning the PA network is currently insufficient and alternative conservation mechanisms are needed to protect the habitat. Bhutan's PAs provide good coverage for the red panda habitat. Furthermore, large areas of habitat were predicted in cross‐broader areas, and transboundary conservation will be necessary.
Pervasive moose browsing in boreal forests alters successional trajectories by severely suppressing keystone species
Authors: Lorentzen Kolstad Anders , Austrheim Gunnar , Solberg Erling J. , De Vriendt Laurent , Speed James D. M.
Published: October 2018

Large herbivores can shape young forest stands and determine the successional trajectory of forested ecosystems by selectively browsing palatable species at the sapling stage. Moose (Alces alces) is the dominant vertebrate herbivore in Fennoscandian boreal forests, and high population densities have raised concerns about potential negative effects on ecosystem functioning and properties including biological diversity and timber production. We used 31 herbivore exclosures in Norway to investigate how forests developed after clear‐cutting with or without moose present. We tested how tree demography, abundances of understory plant functional groups, community composition, and plant diversity (including bryophytes) across multiple scales varied with moose exclusion. After seven years, the exclosures were dominated by deciduous trees, including many large rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) individuals, a functionally important keystone species. In contrast, the open plots subject to moose impacts (browsing, trampling, defecation) were dominated by economically important coniferous trees and there was next to no rowan recruitment to taller height classes. The biomass of large herbs and ferns was much greater inside exclosures. This study emphasizes the large immediate effect of moose on early successional boreal forest stands. Landscape‐level alterations caused by reduced deciduous dominance, and a reduction in large flowering herbs is likely to lead to cascading effects on ecosystem functioning. The management of boreal production forests needs to account for the combined effects of silvicultural practices and ungulate herbivory to ensure ecosystem functioning, but this management goal may be jeopardized in our study regions due to drastically reduced abundance of keystone species.
Linking social–ecological knowledge with rural communities in Mexico: lessons and challenges toward sustainability
Authors: Castillo Alicia , Vega‐Rivera Jorge H. , Pérez‐Escobedo Marcela , Romo‐Díaz Gabriela , López‐Carapia Gabriela , Ayala‐Orozco Bárbara
Published: October 2018

For decades, ecologists have stressed the need to establish and strengthen the exchange of knowledge between scientists and different stakeholders in order to construct better management practices that mitigate or provide solutions to environmental problems. Using a framework that links knowledge generation with social appropriation processes, we present an 18 yr’ experience of social–ecological research and outreach activities carried out in a place where scientists have generated a great amount of knowledge: the Chamela Biological Research Station. This site was created in 1971 as a place for research, teaching, and to conserve tropical dry forests in Mexico, and it has played a relevant role in the advancement of tropical science as well as in undergraduate and graduate education. For many years, researchers and students from Mexico and many other countries have used the facility that is part of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Here, we measured the extent to which social–ecological knowledge responds to information needs of rural people and found that very little of it has been shared with the local inhabitants. Local needs regarding pasture and forest management are covered by local people's own knowledge. In order to help bridging the gap between social–ecological knowledge and rural inhabitants, we describe and evaluate ongoing communication and educational projects. We propose a model that shows how knowledge generation, exchange, and use processes can be linked to facilitate the work of scientists and their institutions. Our aim is that the experience contributes to promote and strengthen linkage processes between scientists and rural people around the world in order to better transit toward sustainable social–ecological systems.
(De‐)Constructing coherence? Strategic entrepreneurs, policy frames and the integration of climate and energy policies in the European Union
Authors: Bocquillon Pierre
Published: October 2018

This paper looks at the way policy entrepreneurs construct horizontal coherence through problem definition and the promotion of policy frames that bond different objectives and instruments together. Building on the case of the 2009 climate and energy package, the paper analyses how the European Commission and successive European Union Presidencies exploited a growing climate change momentum to devise, assemble and facilitate the adoption in an exceptionally short period of an ambitious legislative package cutting across traditional sectoral boundaries. The recourse to a narrative presenting Europe at the vanguard of a green revolution and the framing of European internal policies as a tool for international climate leadership were instrumental in constructing the package as a coherent response to the joint energy and climate change challenges, and in rallying wide support. However, the paper shows that the institutionalization of this framing has been undermined by the economic crisis and stalled international negotiations.
Reversible Switched pH‐Responsive Hydroquinone Electrochemical Sensor Based on Composite Film of Polystyrene‐b‐Poly (Acrylic Acid) and Graphene Oxide
Authors: Yi Wei , Ji Cuihong , Fei Junjie , He Xiaohua
Published: October 2018

The detection of some environmental pollutants remains still a great challenge and the current methods suffer from low sensitivity, reproducibility and require sophisticated instruments. Here, a simple, sensitive and pH‐responsive electrochemical sensor for the detection of hydroquinone (HQ) was developed based on a pH‐responsive block copolymer polystyrene‐b‐poly(acrylic acid) (PS‐b‐PAA) and graphene oxide (GO) composite film (PG) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The electrochemical behaviors of HQ at the modified GCE (PG/GCE) electrode were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The peak current of the PG/GCE electrode toward HQ was significantly enhanced at pH 7.0 and greatly suppressed below pH 6.0, which are caused by swelling and shrinking of pH‐responsive block copolymer and the synergistic effect with GO. The PG/GCE exhibited a reversible “On/Off” switch for the HQ electrochemical behaviors between pH 4.0 and pH 7.0. When the pH of the medium is 7.0, the PG complex film on the PG/GCE is in the “On” state, the linear detection range of HQ is from 16 μM to 104 μM with a detection limit as low as 0.34 μM. Furthermore, the PG/GCE can also successfully detect the HQ concentration of the lake water sample with satisfactory recovery, indicating that the pH‐responsive block copolymer/GO‐functionalized sensor provided a powerful avenue for simple, sensitive and convenient detection of HQ, which can be translated into practical application.
Applications of python to evaluate the performance of bagging methods
Authors: Kadiyala Akhil , Kumar Ashok
Published: October 2018

The use of ensemble methods for obtaining scalable solutions on complex multi‐dimensional datasets has increased manifold in the field of advanced machine learning and analytics owing to the ensemble method's capabilities of combining multiple base estimators to generate a more robust estimator than any single estimator with a given algorithm. Bagging and boosting are the two widely used ensemble methods. This paper presents a step‐by‐step approach to the applications of python in evaluating the performance of three bagging ensemble methods, namely, bagging, random forest, and extremely randomized trees for predicting the in‐bus carbon dioxide concentrations. The bagging ensemble model evaluation results from this study were compared with the results obtained from a prior study that evaluated the performance of four boosting (gradient boosting machine, light gradient boosting machine, extreme gradient boosting, adaptive boosting) ensemble methods utilizing the same in‐bus database. Among the seven ensemble methods, the random forest ensemble method provided better results on the basis of predictive model evaluation with operational performance measures. The readers may adopt the bagging ensemble methods (inclusive of the python coding) discussed in this article to successfully address their own data science problems. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1555–1559, 2018
Soil erodibility as impacted by vegetation restoration strategies on the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Wang Hao , Zhang Guang‐hui , Li Ning‐ning , Zhang Bao‐jun , Yang Han‐yue
Published: October 2018

Near soil surface characteristics change significantly with vegetation restoration, and thus, restoration strategies likely affect soil erodibility. However, few studies have been conducted to quantify the effects of vegetation restoration strategies on soil erodibility in regions experiencing rapid vegetation restoration. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of vegetation restoration strategies on soil erodibility, reflected by soil cohesion (Coh), penetration resistance (PR), saturated conductivity (Ks), number of drop impacts (NDI), mean weight diameter of soil aggregates (MWD), and soil erodibility K factor on the Loess Plateau. One slope farmland and five 25‐year‐restored lands covered by old world bluestem, korshinsk peashrub, shrub sophora, sea‐buckthorn, and black locust were selected as test sites. The old world bluestem was restored via natural succession, while the other four lands were restored by artificial planting. A comprehensive soil erodibility index (CSEI) was produced by a weighted summation method to quantify the effects of vegetation restoration strategies on soil erodibility completely. The results showed that Coh, Ks, NDI, and MWD of the five restored lands were greater than those of the slope farmland. However, the PR and K of the five restored lands were less than those of the slope farmland. CSEI varied greatly under different restoration strategies, from 1 to 0.214. Compared with the control, these indices decreased on average by 68.2%, 78.6%, 72.7%, 75.8%, and 62.8% for old world bluestem, korshinsk peashrub, shrub sophora, sea‐buckthorn, and black locust, respectively. The variation in soil erodibility was significantly influenced by biological crust thickness, bulk density, organic matter content, plant litter density, and root mass density. Shrub‐lands via artificial planting, especially korshinsk peashrub, were considered the most effective restoration strategies to reduce soil erodibility on the Loess Plateau. The results are helpful for selecting vegetation restoration strategies and asking their benefits in controlling soil erosion. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the well‐posedness of a class of nonautonomous SPDEs: An operator‐theoretical perspective
Authors: Picard Rainer , Trostorff Sascha , Waurick Marcus
Published: October 2018

We further elaborate on the solvability of stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs). We shall discuss nonautonomous partial differential equations with an abstract realization of the stochastic integral on the right‐hand side. Our approach allows the treatment of equations with mixed type, where classical solution strategies fail to work. The approach extends prior observations in a previous study, where the respective results were obtained for linear autonomous equations and (multiplicative) white noise.
Napping characteristics and cognitive performance in older adults
Authors: Owusu Jocelynn T. , Wennberg Alexandra M.V. , Holingue Calliope B. , Tzuang Marian , Abeson Kylie D. , Spira Adam P.
Published: October 2018

Objectives

To determine the association of napping intention, frequency, and duration with cognition in a nationally‐representative sample of US older adults.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional analysis of community‐dwelling Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years from Rounds 3 or 4 (2013‐2014) of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (N = 2549). Participants reported past‐month napping intention (intentional/unintentional), napping frequency (rarely/never [non‐nappers], some days [infrequent nappers], most days/every day [frequent nappers]), and average nap duration (we categorized as ≤30 minutes [short]; 31‐60 minutes [moderate]; and > 60 minutes [long]). Cognitive outcomes were performance on immediate and delayed word recall tests (IWR and DWR, respectively), the Clock Drawing Test (CDT), and self‐rated memory (score: 1[excellent]‐5[very poor]).

Results

After adjustment for potential confounders, unintentional nappers had poorer immediate word recall test performance than non‐nappers (B = −0.23, P < 0.01) and intentional nappers (B = −0.26, P < 0.01). After further adjustment for daytime sleepiness, frequent nappers reported poorer self‐rated memory than non‐nappers (B = 0.14, P < 0.05). Compared with short nappers, long nappers had poorer IWR (B = −0.26, P < 0.05) and CDT scores (B = −0.17, P < 0.05). Except for the association of nap duration with IWR and CDT, these associations remained after excluding participants with dementia and/or proxy respondents. Among participants undiagnosed with dementia or proxies, moderate‐duration naps were associated with better DWR than short naps (B = 0.24, P < 0.05). Neither napping intentionality nor frequency was associated with CDT performance.

Conclusions

Among older adults, distinct aspects of napping are associated with cognitive performance. Prospective research, with objective measures of napping, is needed to elucidate the link between napping and cognitive trajectories.
At the Borders of Bioethics
Authors: Kaebnick Gregory E.
Published: October 2018

What are the boundaries of bioethics? Where does bioethics give way to other kinds of ethics—organizational ethics, environmental ethics, social ethics, or just ethics? According to one commonly cited account of the origin of bioethics, the field always had a relatively broad remit; it was supposed to be about the ethics of the life sciences in general. In the early days of bioethics, however, the topic that seemed most in need of critical attention was the encounter between experts in medicine and the laity—doctors or medical researchers on the one hand and patients or medical research subjects on the other. Even given the narrow focal point, however, bioethics very naturally expanded.

Much of the September‐October 2018 issue of the Hastings Center Report either argues or assumes that bioethics extends well beyond into social ethics. A special report published as a supplement to this issue pushes the point explicitly.
Defining Life and Regulating Reproductive Choice
Authors: Will Jonathan F.
Published: October 2018

If you blinked you may have missed it. The Department of Health and Human Services published its strategic plan for the 2018–2022 fiscal years, which includes the statement that HHS accomplishes its mission through programs and initiatives that serve and protect “Americans at every stage of life, from conception.” Of note, the “from conception” language is new and, depending on the direction President Trump's administration plans to go, could have profound implications for the regulation of reproductive services ranging from abortion to in vitro fertilization (IVF).
A Medical Pedagogy of Mutual Suffering
Authors: Frank Arthur W.
Published: October 2018

Who's afflicted? Early in Nicole Piemonte's book Afflicted: How Vulnerability Can Heal Medical Education and Practice, she quotes an email from a physician whose voice sets the problem and tone. He describes himself as someone “who has intended well” but then “nearly burned out because of the insidious process of physician formation that left me a mess at the threshold of the suffering of other human beings.” His confessional manifesto regrets “the sad things I have seen and done.” His narrative then turns to redemption: “I was—pardon the sentiment—loved back into a good medical practice as a form of growing wisdom and care” (pp. x–xi). Afflicted is written for those who hear this voice speaking for many others.