bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic structure and diversity of natural and domesticated populations of Citrus medica L. in the Eastern Himalayan region of Northeast India
Authors: Barbhuiya Atiqur R. , Khan Mohammed L. , Dayanandan Selvadurai
Published: May 2016

Citron (Citrus medica L.) is a medicinally important species of citrus native to India and occurs in natural forests and home gardens in the foothills of the eastern Himalayan region of northeast India. The wild populations of citron in the region have undergone rapid decline due to natural and anthropogenic disturbances and most of the remaining individuals of citron are found in fragmented natural forests and home gardens in the region. In order to assess the genetic structure and diversity of citron in wild and domesticated populations, we analyzed 219 individuals of C. medica collected from four wild and eight domesticated populations using microsatellite markers. The genetic analysis based on five polymorphic microsatellite loci revealed an average of 13.40 allele per locus. The mean observed and expected heterozygosity values ranged between 0.220–0.540 and 0.438–0.733 respectively among the wild and domesticated populations. Domesticated populations showed close genetic relationships as compared to wild populations and pairwise Nei's genetic distance ranged from 0.062 to 2.091 among wild and domesticated populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed higher genetic diversity among‐ than within populations. The analysis of population structure revealed five groups. Mixed ancestry of few individuals of different populations revealed exchange of genetic materials among farmers in the region. Citron populations in the region show high genetic variation. The knowledge gained through this study is invaluable for devising genetically sound strategies for conservation of citron genetic resources in the region.
A meta‐analytic review of brief guided self‐help education for chronic pain
Authors: Liegl G. , Boeckle M. , Leitner A. , Pieh C.
Published: May 2016

Up to 30% of the population in Western countries suffer from chronic pain. The treatment of chronic pain causes medical and socioeconomic problems. Guided self‐help (GSH) might be an effective supplementary treatment, however, the size of this effect is unclear. This meta‐analysis quantifies the effect of GSH on chronic pain. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane, Psyndex, Psycinfo and Scopus. Studies that investigated GSH in chronic pain conditions (children and adults) were included. Disability, quality of life and pain severity were defined as main outcomes. We conducted random effects models to calculate standardized mean differences (SMDs). By applying mixed models and subgroup analyses, we examined the moderating effects of sample characteristics (age; pain region), GSH format (online; face‐to‐face contact) and study characteristics (study quality; control condition). We identified 16 eligible studies, including 739 subjects. Between‐group analyses resulted in a medium, but heterogeneous effect size for pain severity (SMD = 0.51; CI95: 0.21, 0.81). After excluding two samples suggesting small study bias, the effect on pain severity was small but homogeneous (SMD = 0.34; CI95: 0.13, 0.54). We found a small effect size for disability (SMD = 0.30; CI95: 0.10, 0.50). The pooled effect size for quality of life did not reach significance (SMD = 0.24; CI95: −0.07, 0.54). We conclude that GSH has a small but robust effect on pain severity and disability in chronic pain patients. This applies to various GSH formats and patient populations. It seems reasonable to integrate GSH into clinical practice as a supplemental treatment option.

What does this review add?

The present meta‐analytic review found small but robust effects of guided self‐help interventions for the treatment of chronic pain.
The acute toxicity of major ion salts to Ceriodaphnia dubia: I. influence of background water chemistry
Authors: Mount David R. , Erickson Russell J. , Highland Terry L. , Hockett J. Russell , Hoff Dale J. , Jenson Correne T. , Norberg-King Teresa J. , Peterson Kira N. , Polaske Zachary M. , Wisniewski Stephanie
Published: May 2016

The ions Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, SO42−, and HCO3−/CO32− (referred to in the present study as “major ions”) are present in all freshwaters and physiologically required by aquatic organisms but can increase to harmful levels from a variety of anthropogenic activities. It is also known that the toxicities of major ion salts can vary depending on the concentrations of other ions, and understanding these relationships is key to establishing appropriate environmental limits. The authors present a series of experiments with Ceriodaphnia dubia to evaluate the acute toxicity of 12 major ion salts and to determine how toxicity of these salts varies as a function of background water chemistry. All salts except CaSO4 and CaCO3 were acutely toxic below saturation, with the lowest median lethal concentrations found for K salts. All 10 salts that showed toxicity also showed some degree of reduced toxicity as the ionic content of the background water increased. Experiments that independently varied Ca:Mg ratio, Na:K ratio, Cl:SO4 ratio, and alkalinity/pH demonstrated that Ca concentration was the primary factor influencing the toxicities of Na and Mg salts, whereas the toxicities of K salts were primarily influenced by the concentration of Na. These experiments also indicated multiple mechanisms of toxicity and suggested important aspects of dosimetry; the toxicities of K, Mg, and Ca salts were best related to the chemical activity of the cation, whereas the toxicities of Na salts also reflected an influence of the anions and were well correlated with osmolarity. Understanding these relationships between major ion toxicity and background water chemistry should aid in the development of sensible risk-assessments and regulatory standards. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:3039–3057. Published 2016 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Forecast Combinations in a DSGE‐VAR Lab
Authors: Costantini Mauro , Gunter Ulrich , M. Kunst Robert
Published: May 2016

We explore the benefits of forecast combinations based on forecast‐encompassing tests compared to simple averages and to Bates–Granger combinations. We also consider a new combination algorithm that fuses test‐based and Bates–Granger weighting. For a realistic simulation design, we generate multivariate time series samples from a macroeconomic DSGE‐VAR (dynamic stochastic general equilibrium–vector autoregressive) model. Results generally support Bates–Granger over uniform weighting, whereas benefits of test‐based weights depend on the sample size and on the prediction horizon. In a corresponding application to real‐world data, simple averaging performs best. Uniform averages may be the weighting scheme that is most robust to empirically observed irregularities. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevention of microbial hazard on fresh‐cut lettuce through adoption of food safety and hygienic practices by lettuce farmers
Authors: Oyinlola Lateefah A. , Obadina Adewale O. , Omemu Adebukunola M. , Oyewole Olusola B.
Published: May 2016

Lettuce is consumed raw in salads and is susceptible to microbial contamination through environment, agricultural practices, and its morphology, thus, a potential vehicle for food‐borne illness. This study investigated the effect of adoption of food safety and hygienic practices by lettuce farmers on the microbial safety of field sourced lettuce in Lagos State, Nigeria. Ten structured questionnaires were administered randomly to 10 lettuce farmers to assess food safety and hygienic practices (FSH). Two farmers who practice FSH and two farmers who do not practice NFSH were finally used for this study. Samples of ready‐to‐harvest lettuce, manure applied, and irrigation water were obtained for a period of five months (August – December 2013) and analyzed for total plate count (TPC), total coliform count (TCC), Escherichia coli, Listeria spp., Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp. counts. Result of microbial analyses of lettuce samples was compared with international microbiological specification for ready‐to‐eat foods. Results showed that the range of TPC on lettuce was 6.00 to 8.11 LogCFU/g from FSH farms and TPC of lettuce samples from NFSH farms ranged from 6.66 to 13.64 LogCFU/g. 1.49 to 4.85LogCFU/g were TCC ranges from lettuce samples obtained from FSH farms while NFSH farms had TCC ranging between 3.95 and 10.86 LogCFU/g, respectively. The range of isolated pathogen count on lettuce from FSH and NFSH farms exceeded the international safety standard; there was a significant difference in the microbial count of lettuce from FSH farms and NFSH farms. This study concludes that the lettuce samples obtained did not pass the international microbial safety standards. FSH compliance is a major determinant of the microbial safety of lettuce. Hence, the institution of FSH on farm to improve microbial safety of lettuce produced for public consumption is emphasized.
Numerical modelling of the relationship between the present tectonic stress field and the earthquakes in the Western Pacific Subduction Zone
Authors: Dai L. M. , Li S. Z. , Guo L. L. , Suo Y. H. , Zhang J. , Hu M. Y. , Li Q. W.
Published: May 2016

The tectonic stress field of the Western Pacific Subduction Zone (WPSZ) has been affected by the interaction among the Euro‐Asian, Philippine and Pacific Plates, and the effect is manifested by the occurrence of huge earthquakes in this region. Here, using numerical simulation of the finite element method, attempts were made to evaluate the NW‐directed subduction of the Western Pacific Plate on the three secondary subduction zones, namely the Japan Subduction Zone, the Izu‐Bonin Subduction Zone and the Mariana Subduction Zone. In these zones, the structural geometry and viscoelastic property of the model were determined, as well as two main megathrust fault planes identified, by means of a comprehensive structural analysis of tomography and Crustal 2.0 data. This study shows that the tectonic stress field and earthquakes in the three secondary subduction zones have different distribution features under continuous NW‐directed subduction of the Western Pacific Plate; i.e. (1) the strong coupling area in the Japan Subduction Zone reflected subducted seamounts, ocean ridges or other topographic highs that control the frequent occurrence of historical large earthquakes and stress concentration; (2) in Izu‐Bonin Subduction Zone, there were fewer earthquakes compared with the Japan Subduction Zone, the reason for this kind of distribution is that the contact area and properties have been changed between the subducting Pacific Oceanic Plate and the overlying Philippine Oceanic Plate; and (3) earthquakes that happened in the Mariana Subduction Zone have complicated types, including thrust‐type, normal‐type and strike‐slip‐type earthquakes, which are triggered by the subducting and retreating of the Pacific Oceanic Plate, and an angular difference between the subducting direction of the Pacific Oceanic Plate and the strike of the Mariana Trench. In summary, formation of differences among the tectonic stress field and earthquake distribution of the three subduction zones are correlated not only to the geometrical structures of the major faults but also to the subducted seamounts and the strike directions of the trenches. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Loneliness, depression and cognitive function in older U.S. adults
Authors: Donovan Nancy J. , Wu Qiong , Rentz Dorene M. , Sperling Reisa A. , Marshall Gad A. , Glymour M. Maria
Published: May 2016

Objective

To examine reciprocal relations of loneliness and cognitive function in older adults.

Methods

Data were analyzed from 8382 men and women, age 65 and older, participating in the US Health and Retirement Study from 1998 to 2010. Participants underwent biennial assessments of loneliness and depression (classified as no, low or high depression) determined by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (8‐item version), cognition (a derived memory score based on a word list memory task and proxy‐rated memory and global cognitive function), health status and social and demographic characteristics from 1998 to 2010. We used repeated measures analysis to examine the reciprocal relations of loneliness and cognitive function in separate models controlling sequentially and cumulatively for socio‐demographic factors, social network, health conditions and depression.

Results

Loneliness at baseline predicted accelerated cognitive decline over 12 years independent of baseline socio‐demographic factors, social network, health conditions and depression (β = −0.2, p = 0.002). After adjustment for depression interacting with time, both low and high depression categories were related to faster cognitive decline and the estimated effect of loneliness became marginally significant. Reciprocally, poorer cognition at baseline was associated with greater odds of loneliness over time in adjusted analyses (OR 1.3, 95% CI (1.1–1.5) p = 0.005), but not when controlling for baseline depression. Furthermore, cognition did not predict change in loneliness over time.

Conclusion

Examining longitudinal data across a broad range of cognitive abilities, loneliness and depressive symptoms appear to be related risk factors for worsening cognition but low cognitive function does not lead to worsening loneliness over time. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inflammatory Osteoclasts Prime TNFα-Producing CD4+ T Cells and Express CX3CR1
Authors: Ibáñez Lidia , Abou-Ezzi Grazia , Ciucci Thomas , Amiot Vanessa , Belaïd Nourhène , Obino Dorian , Mansour Anna , Rouleau Matthieu , Wakkach Abdelilah , Blin-Wakkach Claudine
Published: May 2016

Bone destruction is a hallmark of chronic rheumatic diseases. Although the role of osteoclasts in bone loss is clearly established, their implication in the inflammatory response has not been investigated despite their monocytic origin. Moreover, specific markers are lacking to characterize osteoclasts generated in inflammatory conditions. Here, we have explored the phenotype of inflammatory osteoclasts and their effect on CD4+ T cell responses in the context of bone destruction associated with inflammatory bowel disease. We used the well-characterized model of colitis induced by transfer of naive CD4+ T cells into Rag1–/– mice, which is associated with severe bone destruction. We set up a novel procedure to sort pure osteoclasts generated in vitro to analyze their phenotype and specific immune responses by FACS and qPCR. We demonstrated that osteoclasts generated from colitic mice induced the emergence of TNFα-producing CD4+ T cells, whereas those generated from healthy mice induced CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells, in an antigen-dependent manner. This difference is related to the osteoclast origin from monocytes or dendritic cells, to their cytokine expression pattern, and their environment. We identified CX3CR1 as a marker of inflammatory osteoclasts and we demonstrated that the differentiation of CX3CR1+ osteoclasts is controlled by IL-17 in vitro. This work is the first demonstration that, in addition to participating to bone destruction, osteoclasts also induce immunogenic CD4+ T cell responses upon inflammation. They highlight CX3CR1 as a novel dual target for antiresorptive and anti-inflammatory treatment in inflammatory chronic diseases. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
TP53 Mutations in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Their Impact on Disease Progression and Treatment Response
Authors: Zhou Ge , Liu Zhiyi , Myers Jeffrey N.
Published: May 2016

Recent studies describing the mutational landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) on a genomic scale by our group and others, including The Cancer Genome Atlas, have provided unprecedented perspective for understanding the molecular pathogenesis of HNSCC progression and response to treatment. These studies confirmed that mutations of the TP53 tumor suppressor gene were the most frequent of all somatic genomic alterations in HNSCC, alluding to the importance of the TP53 gene in suppressing the development and progression of this disease. Clinically, TP53 mutations are significantly associated with short survival time and tumor resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy in HNSCC patients, which makes the TP53 mutation status a potentially useful molecular factor for risk stratification and predictor of clinical response in these patients. In addition to loss of wild‐type p53 function and the dominant‐negative effect on the remaining wild‐type p53, some p53 mutants often gain oncogenic functions to promote tumorigenesis and progression. Different p53 mutants may possess different gain‐of‐function properties. Herein, we review the most up‐to‐date information about TP53 mutations available via The Cancer Genome Atlas‐based analysis of HNSCC and discuss our current understanding of the potential tumor‐suppressive role of p53, focusing on gain‐of‐function activities of p53 mutations. We also summarize our knowledge regarding the use of the TP53 mutation status as a potential evaluation or stratification biomarker for prognosis and a predictor of clinical response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy in HNSCC patients. Finally, we discuss possible strategies for targeting HNSCCs bearing TP53 mutations. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2682–2692, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular Profiling and Malignant Behavior Define Two Rat Mammary Tumor Cell Lines as a Relevant Experimental Model
Authors: Vela Elena , Escrich Eduard
Published: May 2016

Cancer cell lines have become a reliable tool in genetic and biochemical studies of breast cancer. Here, we described the behavior and novel molecular characterization of two cell lines derived from DMBA‐induced rat mammary tumor, LA7 and RBA. LA7 cells have been identified as myoepithelial cells with stem cell properties, whereas the RBA cell line are epithelial cells that present mutational activated H‐Ras, but are much less known. We evaluated the proliferation rate and molecular markers, several signaling pathways status related to proliferation, survival, inflammation, and apoptosis, as well as migration capacity, global DNA methylation levels, and stem cells populations. In fact, we found the A/T transversion in the c‐Ha‐Ras codon 61 as the activator mutation origin described in RBA cells. LA7 and RBA cells showed a high proliferation rate associated with overexpression of Cyclin D1, and resistance to apoptotic signals due to lack of expression of Bad. Moreover, neither of these two cell lines expressed steroid receptors, but they showed high migration capacity, all in accordance with an aggressive phenotype. We found global DNA methylation levels in LA7 and RBA cells lower than reference tissues analyzed, in addition to the presence of different stem cells populations in RBA cell line that differed in the expression of CD44 and CD24. These results revealed a malignant behavior associated with cancer stem cell phenotype. Since this profile is similar to a human triple‐negative basal‐like tumor, their extensive characterization presented herein increases their value as a good in vitro model. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2825–2834, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The ERK1/2 and mTORC1 Signaling Pathways Are Involved in the Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor‐Mediated Proliferation of SNU‐407 Colon Cancer Cells
Authors: Park Yang‐Seo , Liu Ziyu , Vasamsetti Bala Murali Krishna , Cho Nam Jeong
Published: May 2016

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) regulate diverse cellular functions, including cell growth and proliferation, via multiple signaling pathways. Previously, we showed that mAChRs stimulate the MEK1/2‐ERK1/2‐RSK pathway in SNU‐407 colon cancer cells and subsequently promote cell proliferation. In this study, we provide evidence that the PI3K‐Akt‐mTORC1‐S6K1 pathway is activated by mAChRs in SNU‐407 cells and that this pathway is associated with protein biosynthesis and cell proliferation. When the cells were treated with the cholinergic agonist carbachol, Akt was activated in a dose‐ and time‐dependent fashion. This carbachol effect was almost completely blocked by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002, implying that PI3K is responsible for the Akt activation. S6K1, a major downstream target of mTORC1, was also activated by carbachol in a temporal profile similar to that of the Akt activation. This carbachol‐stimulated S6K1 activation was abrogated by LY294002 or the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin, supporting the notion that mAChRs mediate S6K1 activation via the PI3K‐Akt‐mTORC1 pathway. We observed that global protein biosynthesis, monitored by puromycin incorporation, was strongly increased by carbachol in an atropine‐sensitive manner. Inhibition experiments indicated that the ERK1/2 and mTORC1 signaling pathways may be involved in carbachol‐stimulated global protein biosynthesis. We also found that treating SNU‐407 cells with LY294002 or rapamycin significantly suppressed carbachol‐stimulated cell proliferation. In the presence of the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126, cell proliferation was further reduced by rapamycin treatment. Our data thus suggest that both the MEK1/2‐ERK1/2 and mTORC1 pathways play important roles in mAChR‐mediated cell proliferation in SNU‐407 colon cancer cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2854–2863, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF)‐8 membrane and its process optimization study in separation ofCO2from natural gas
Authors: Lai Li Sze , Yeong Yin Fong , Lau Kok Keong , Shariff Azmi Mohd
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

In this work, well‐intergrown zeolitic imidazolate frameworks‐8 (ZIF‐8) membrane was synthesized through a microwave‐assisted secondary solvothermal growth method. A solvent evaporation seeding method was applied prior to membrane growth. Subsequently, process optimization for the separation ofCO2from natural gas through theZIF‐8 membrane was studied using response surface methodology. The process variables studied includedCO2feed composition (36–83%), total pressure difference (100–700kPa) and temperature (303–343 K). Three empirical models were generated using a central composite design in order to study the interaction between the process variables and the responses, includingCO2permeance,CH4permeance andCO2/CH4separation factor. The optimum condition was then determined for maximumCO2permeance andCO2/CH4separation factor and minimumCH4permeance.

RESULTS

Using this method,ZIF‐8 seeds of nano‐size were well distributed on the support due to high nucleation rate at the supersaturation condition. The presence of heavy hydrocarbons affectedCH4permeance, attributed to the molar mass and viscosity. An optimumCO2permeance of 2.76 × 10−8mol m−2s−1Pa−1andCO2/CH4separation factor of 3.72 was obtained at 312 K, 100kPaand 36%CO2feed composition. The experimental results were in agreement with the predicted values with an average error lower than ± 7%.

CONCLUSION

SelectiveZIF‐8 membrane was successfully synthesized using a feasible and reproducible solvent evaporation seeding method. The experimental data for the optimum condition were in good agreement with the predicted data, showing the accuracy of the empirical models. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
A qualitative analysis of patients' experience with hospitalist service handovers
Authors: Wray Charlie M. , Farnan Jeanne M. , Arora Vineet M. , Meltzer David O.
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

Inpatient service handoffs occur when physicians who care for hospitalized patients end a period of clinical service and handover a panel of patients to an oncoming physician. Despite the large amount of research on handoffs, none has described the patient perspective when cared for by a hospitalist physician during a service handoff.

OBJECTIVE

To describe hospitalized patients' experiences regarding inpatient service changes, and develop a conceptual framework to inform future efforts to improve service‐level handoffs.

METHODS

Interview‐based qualitative analysis using in‐depth, semistructured interviews of hospitalized patients on a nonteaching hospitalist service. Patients were interviewed between October 2014 and December 2014 at an academic medical center whose inpatient stay spanned a weekly service change. We utilized an inductive approach with no a priori hypotheses and used a constant comparative method to generate emerging themes to develop a conceptual model that captured the patient experience during the transition.

RESULTS

Of patients who agreed to participate (40/43), most (85%) were unaware that a transition had occurred between their hospitalists. Six major themes emerged related to patients' experiences with hospitalist service handoffs: (1) importance of physician‐patient communication, (2) desire for transparency in transitions, (3) an indifference toward transitions, (4) importance of hospitalist‐specialist communication, (5) formation of new opportunities from a transition, and (6) effects of bedside manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospitalized patients desire improved communication and a more formalized transition process between hospitalists during service handoffs. Hospitalists should recognize that this transition may represent an opportunity to improve the hospitalized patient's experience and satisfaction. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:675–681. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine
Regulation of Vibrio mimicus metalloprotease (VMP) production by the quorum‐sensing master regulatory protein, LuxR
Authors: Abdel‐Sattar El‐Shaymaa , Miyoshi Shin‐ichi , Elgaml Abdelaziz
Published: May 2016

Vibrio mimicus is an estuarine bacterium, while it can cause severe diarrhea, wound infection, and otitis media in humans. This pathogen secretes a relatively important toxin named V. mimicus metalloprotease (VMP). In this study, we clarified regulation of the VMP production according to the quorum‐sensing master regulatory protein named LuxR. First, the full length of luxR gene, encoding LuxR, was detected in V. mimicus strain E‐37, an environmental isolate. Next, the putative consensus binding sequence of LuxR protein could be detected in the upstream (promoter) region of VMP encoding gene, vmp. Finally, the effect of disruption of luxR gene on the expression of vmp and production of VMP was evaluated. Namely, the expression of vmp was significantly diminished by luxR disruption and the production of VMP was severely altered. Taken together, here we report that VMP production is under the positive regulation of the quorum‐sensing master regulatory protein, LuxR.
Simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of flavonoids and alkaloids from the leaves of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. using high‐performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Guo Yujie , Chen Xi , Qi Jin , Yu Boyang
Published: May 2016

A reliable method, combining qualitative analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and quantitative assessment by high‐performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection, has been developed to simultaneously analyze flavonoids and alkaloids in lotus leaf extracts. In the qualitative analysis, a total of 30 compounds, including 12 flavonoids, 16 alkaloids, and two proanthocyanidins, were identified. The fragmentation behaviors of four types of flavone glycoside and three types of alkaloid are summarized. The mass spectra of four representative components, quercetin 3‐O‐glucuronide, norcoclaurine, nuciferine, and neferine, are shown to illustrate their fragmentation pathways. Five pairs of isomers were detected and three of them were distinguished by comparing the elution order with reference substances and the mass spectrometry data with reported data. In the quantitative analysis, 30 lotus leaf samples from different regions were analyzed to investigate the proportion of eight representative compounds. Quercetin 3‐O‐glucuronide was found to be the predominant constituent of lotus leaf extracts. For further discrimination among the samples, hierarchical cluster analysis, and principal component analysis, based on the areas of the eight quantitative peaks, were carried out.
Directional fluorescence emission from a compact plasmonic‐diamond hybrid nanostructure
Authors: Shen Hongming , Chou R. Y. , Hui Yuen Yung , He Yingbo , Cheng Yuqing , Chang Huan‐Cheng , Tong Limin , Gong Qihuang , Lu Guowei
Published: May 2016

Ultracompact directional optical nanoantennas are rapidly gaining popularity yet still challenging tasks to construct at the nanoscale. Here, we experimentally demonstrate unidirectional emission from a fluorescent nanodiamond coupled with a single gold nanorod. Different configurations of the assembled hybrid nanostructures were realized via step‐by‐step atomic force microscope nanomanipulation. The emission patterns can be controlled by adjusting the configurations, i.e., the gold nanorod orientation and separation with respect to the nanodiamond. Numerical simulation results reveal that the unidirectional emission can be ascribed to the interference between the electromagnetic fields produced by the dipole‐like source and the out‐of‐phase dipole induced in the gold nanorod. The proposed hybrid nanostructures remarkably exhibit highly unidirectional emission even when the emitter is positioned up to 50 nm away from the nanorod antenna and present a broad working spectral bandwidth of ∼200 nm. The distinct features of this hybrid structure suggest potential applications for novel nanoscale light sources, sensing, and quantum information.

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Stereocomplex Crystallization of Star‐Shaped 4‐Armed Equimolar Stereo Diblock Poly(lactide)s with Different Molecular Weights: Isothermal Crystallization from the Melt
Authors: Tsuji Hideto , Matsumura Nobutsugu
Published: May 2016

The isothermal crystallization of star‐shaped four‐armed equimolar stereo diblock poly(lactide) (4‐LD) polymers with different molecular weights is investigated. Solely stereocomplex (SC) crystallites are formed in all equimolar 4‐LD polymers, irrespective of molecular weight and crystallization temperature (Tc). The wide‐angle X‐ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, and polarized optical microscopy results for crystalline species, crystallinity, and maximum radial growth rate of spherulites values indicate that both branching and diblock architectures disturb the SC crystallization and spherulites growth of equimolar 4‐LD polymers, and the disturbance effect is larger for branching architecture than for diblock architecture. The equilibrium melting temperature (Tm0) values are 181.9–266.0 °C, which are comparable with or lower than the value reported earlier (279 °C). The crystallite growth geometries of equimolar of 4‐LD polymers are independent of molecular weight and Tc.

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Being True to Oneself: Investigating Celebrity Brand Authenticity
Authors: Ilicic Jasmina , Webster Cynthia M.
Published: May 2016

Celebrity brand authenticity is introduced as a construct that represents consumer perceptions of celebrities being “true to oneself” in their behaviors and interactions with consumers. A scale is developed through two purification stages and the scale's predictive validity is assessed. First, the meaning of celebrity brand authenticity to consumers is explored. Second, the Authenticity Inventory from the psychology literature is adapted to develop a scale for consumer perceptions of celebrity brand authenticity. Celebrity brands are perceived as true to self when they appear genuine in their relationships with consumers and behave in accordance with their perceived held values. Evidence of the convergent and discriminant validity of the celebrity brand authenticity scale is provided, which confirms celebrity brand authenticity as distinct from celebrity attachment, despite containing relational items. Finally, the predictive power of celebrity brand authenticity is confirmed through positively influencing consumer intentions to purchase an endorsed brand. Brand managers can use celebrity brand authenticity to position or develop celebrity brands, as well as in the selection of celebrity endorsers.
Nonexistence results for some nonlinear nonlocal elliptic inequalities with variable exponents
Authors: Jleli Mohamed , Kirane Mokhtar , Samet Bessem
Published: May 2016

We provide sufficient conditions for the nonexistence of nontrivial nonnegative solutions for some nonlinear elliptic inequalities involving the fractional Laplace operator and variable exponents. The used techniques are based on the test function method. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hartman–Wintner‐type inequalities for a class of nonlocal fractional boundary value problems
Authors: Cabrera I. , Sadarangani K. , Samet B.
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we establish new Hartman–Wintner‐type inequalities for a class of nonlocal fractional boundary value problems. As an application, we obtain a lower bound for the eigenvalues of corresponding equations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surgical readmissions: results of integrating pre‐, peri‐ and postsurgical care
Authors: Noyes Katia , Baack‐Kukreja Janet , Messing Edward M. , Schoeniger Luke , Galka Eva , Pan Wei , Xueya Cai , Fleming Fergal J. , Monson John RT , Mohile Supriya G. , Francone Todd
Published: May 2016

Aims

To explore the feasibility of recruiting surgical oncology patients and implementing a surgical integrated discharge (SID) programme led by advanced practice providers (APP).

Background

Burden of illness and complexity of treatment regimen makes it challenging for surgical oncology patients to participate in research. Surgical oncology nurses may have the necessary expertise to overcome this problem.

Design

Controlled longitudinal prospective observational study.

Methods

The SID programme included multidisciplinary care coordination, regular communication among APPs and proactive postdischarge follow‐up. Administrative databases were used to identify matching historical controls (n = 113) and evaluate programme outcomes.

Results

Patient enrolment was 84%. The main challenges for the programme implementation included incompatible health information systems among care settings, variation in care processes among hospital units and need for provider behaviour change.

Conclusions

Most surgical oncology patients are willing to participate in outcomes programmes when contacted by familiar clinical personnel but programme implementation requires leadership support, communication among care teams and training and infrastructure.
Controlling the degradation of dicalcium phosphate/calcium sulfate/poly(amino acid) biocomposites for bone regeneration
Authors: Wang Peng , Liu Pengzheng , Xu Fan , Fan Xiaoxia , Yuan Huipin , Li Hong , Yan Yonggang
Published: May 2016

Ternary biocomposites of dicalcium phosphate (DCP), calcium sulfate (CS), and poly(amino acid) copolymer (PAA) could be used as a promising degradable biomimic bone substitute. Using anin vitrodegradation model, we evaluated the influence of polymerization conditions, initial amino acids, and (DCP + CS)/PAA ratio on the degradation of the resulting materials. PAA degradation was affected by both the polymerization conditions and the initial amino acids, and the degradation of the DCP/CS/PAA composites was affected by the (DCP + CS)/PAA ratio. Using a certain initial amino acids (75% ε‐aminohexanoic acid, 19% γ‐aminobutanoic acid, 4%l‐proline, and 2%l‐lysine) and polymerization conditions (i.e., 210°C for 2.5 h) as the polymeric phase, (DCP + CS)/PAA biocomposites were prepared with 70%, 60%, and 40% PAA. All of the biocomposites were degradable, which resulted in the release of ions/amino acids and a slight pH fluctuation of 6.76 to 7.20. In addition, these biocomposites were biocompatible based on the proliferation of L929 but varied with the degradation rates. These results suggest the potential to control the degradation rates of (DCP + CS)/PAA biocomposites for bone regeneration. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E122–E131, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Spectral study and classification of worldwide locations considering several multijunction solar cell technologies
Authors: Núñez Rubén , Jin Chen , Victoria Marta , Domínguez César , Askins Stephen , Herrero Rebeca , Antón Ignacio , Sala Gabriel
Published: May 2016

Multi‐junction solar cells are widely used in high‐concentration photovoltaic systems (HCPV) attaining the highest efficiencies in photovoltaic energy generation. This technology is more dependent on the spectral variations of the impinging Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) than conventional photovoltaics based on silicon solar cells and consequently demands a deeper knowledge of the solar resource characteristics. This article explores the capabilities of spectral indexes, namely, spectral matching ratios (SMR), to spectrally characterize the annual irradiation reaching a particular location on the Earth and to provide the necessary information for the spectral optimization of a MJ solar cell in that location as a starting point for CPV module spectral tuning. Additionally, the relationship between such indexes and the atmosphere parameters, such as the aerosol optical depth (AOD), precipitable water (PW), and air mass (AM), is discussed using radiative transfer models such as SMARTS to generate the spectrally resolved DNI. The network of ground‐based sun and sky‐scanning radiometers AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) is exploited to obtain the atmosphere parameters for a selected bunch of 34 sites worldwide. Finally, the SMR indexes are obtained for every location, and a comparative analysis is carried out for four architectures of triple junction solar cells, covering both lattice match and metamorphic technologies. The differences found among cell technologies are much less significant than among locations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of circular permutations on transient partial unfolding in proteins
Authors: Chen Chen , Yun Jung‐Hun , Kim Jae‐Hoon , Park Chiwook
Published: May 2016

Under native conditions, proteins can undergo transient partial unfolding, which may cause proteins to misfold or aggregate. A change in sequence connectivity by circular permutation may affect the energetics of transient partial unfolding in proteins without altering the three‐dimensional structures. Using Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) as a model system, we investigated how circular permutation affects transient partial unfolding in proteins. We constructed three circular permutants, CP18, CP37, and CP87, with the new N‐termini at residue 18, 37, and 87, respectively, and probed transient partial unfolding by native‐state proteolysis. The new termini in CP18, CP37, and CP87 are within, near, and distal to the Met20 loop, which is known to be dynamic and also part of the region that undergoes transient unfolding in wild‐type DHFR. The stabilities of both native and partially unfolded forms of CP18 are similar to those of wild‐type DHFR, suggesting that the influence of introducing new termini in a dynamic region to the protein is minimal. CP37 has a significantly more accessible partially unfolded form than wild‐type DHFR, demonstrating that introducing new termini near a dynamic region may promote transient partial unfolding. CP87 has significantly destabilized native and partially unfolded forms, confirming that modification of the folded region in a partially unfolded form destabilizes the partially unfolded form similar to the native form. Our findings provide valuable guidelines to control transient partial unfolding in designing circular permutants in proteins.
Uniaxial dynamic mechanical responses of ferroelastic materials under temperature cycling via phase field modeling
Authors: Wang Yun‐Che , Shen Meng‐Wei
Published: May 2016

The dynamic mechanical responses of the ferroelastic materials under uniaxial straining and temperature cycling are studied via the Landau‐type phase field model in two dimensions. The model may exhibit a single‐well (double‐well) energy profile when temperature is greater (less) than the critical temperature. Effective negative stiffness in the vicinity of the temperature‐induced solid–solid phase transformation is numerically demonstrated through monotonic uniaxial straining on a single‐domain ferroelastic under temperature cycling around the Curie temperature. Under sinusoidal uniaxial straining, the effective Young's modulus and damping, as indicated by the enclosed area of the stress–strain curve, may be largely increased due to the phase transition. Our calculated responses here are consistent with experimental data reported in the literature, as well as theoretical results based on the composite theory with inclusions assumed to have negative modulus. No negative stiffness values are directly assigned in our phase field model as the underlying physics of the order parameters, i.e., spontaneous strains, provides effective negative stiffness into the systems.
DAT versus D2 receptor binding in the rat striatum: l‐DOPA‐induced motor activity is better predicted by reuptake than release of dopamine
Authors: Nikolaus Susanne , Beu Markus , Angelica De Souza Silva Maria , Huston Joseph P. , Hautzel Hubertus , Antke Christina , Müller Hans‐Wilhelm
Published: May 2016

The reuptake and release of dopamine (DA) can be estimated using in vivo imaging methods by assessing the competition between endogenous DA and an administered exogenous DA transporter (DAT) and D2 receptor (D2R) radioligand, respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the comparative roles of DA release vs DA reuptake in the rat striatum with small animal SPECT in relation to l‐DOPA‐induced behaviors. DAT and D2R binding, together with behavioral measures, were obtained in 99 rats in response to treatment with either 5 or 10 mg/kg l‐DOPA or vehicle. The behavioral parameters included the distance travelled, and durations and frequencies of ambulation, sitting, rearing, head‐shoulder motility, and grooming. Data were subjected to a cluster analysis and to a multivariate principal component analysis. The highest DAT binding (i.e., the lowest DA reuptake) was associated with the highest, and the lowest DAT binding (i.e., the highest DA reuptake) was associated with the lowest motor/exploratory activity. The highest and the lowest D2R binding (i.e., the lowest and the highest DA release, respectively) were merely associated with the second highest and second lowest levels of motor/exploratory activity. These findings indicate that changes in DA reuptake in response to fluctuating DA levels offer a better prediction of motor activity than the release of DA into the synaptic cleft. This dissociation, as reflected by in vivo DAT and D2R binding data, may be accounted for by the regulatory sensitization meachnisms that occur at D2R binding sites in response to altered levels of DA. Synapse 70:369–377, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cerebrolysin improves memory and ameliorates neuronal atrophy in spontaneously hypertensive, aged rats
Authors: Solis‐Gaspar Carlos , Vazquez‐Roque Ruben A. , De Jesús Gómez‐Villalobos Ma , Flores Gonzalo
Published: May 2016

The spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rat has been used as an animal model of vascular dementia (VD). Our previous report showed that, SH rats exhibited dendritic atrophy of pyramidal neurons of the CA1 dorsal hippocampus and layers 3 and 5 of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) at 8 months of age. In addition, we showed that cerebrolysin (Cbl), a neurotrophic peptide mixture, reduces the dendritic atrophy in aged animal models. This study aimed to determine whether Cbl was capable of reducing behavioral and neuronal alterations, in old female SH rats. The level of diastolic and systolic pressure was measured every month for the 6 first months and only animals with more than 160 mm Hg of systolic pressure were used. Female SH rats (6 months old) received 6 months of Cbl treatment. Immediately after the Cbl treatment, two behavioral tests were applied, the Morris water maze test for memory and learning and locomotor activity in novel environments. Immediately after the last behavioral test, dendritic morphology was studied with the Golgi‐Cox stain procedure followed by a Sholl analysis. Clearly, SH rats with Cbl showed an increase in the dendritic length and dendritic spine density of pyramidal neurons in the CA1 in the dorsal hippocampus and layers 3 and 5 of the PFC. Interestingly, Cbl improved memory of the old SH rats. Our results support the possibility that Cbl may have beneficial effects on the management of brain alterations in an animal model with VD. Synapse 70:378–389, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Drought indicators revisited: the need for a wider consideration of environment and society
Authors: Bachmair Sophie , Stahl Kerstin , Collins Kevin , Hannaford Jamie , Acreman Mike , Svoboda Mark , Knutson Cody , Smith Kelly Helm , Wall Nicole , Fuchs Brian , Crossman Neville D. , Overton Ian C.
Published: May 2016

Drought indicators are proliferating, but with little consideration of which are most meaningful for describing drought impacts. A number of recent reviews compare different drought indicators, but none assess which indicators are actually used in the many operational drought monitoring and early warning efforts, why they were selected, or whether they have been ‘ground‐truthed,’ i.e., compared with information representing local drought conditions and/or impacts. Also lacking is a comprehensive assessment of the state of monitoring drought impacts. To help fill this gap, we combine a review of drought indicators and impacts with a survey of 33 providers of operational drought monitoring and early warning systems from global to regional scales. Despite considerable variety in the indicators used operationally, certain patterns emerge. Both the literature review and the survey reveal that impact monitoring does exist but has rarely been systematized. Efforts to test drought indicators have mostly focused on agricultural drought. Our review points to a current trend towards the design and use of composite indicators, but with limited evaluation of the links between indicators and drought impacts. Overall, we find that much progress has been made both in research and practice on drought indicators, but monitoring and early warning systems are not yet strongly linked with the assessment of wider impacts on the environment and society. To understand drought impacts fully requires a better framing of drought as a coupled dynamic between the environment and society. WIREs Water 2016, 3:516–536. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1154

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Planning Water

Science of Water > Methods

Science of Water > Water Extremes
Exploring the longitudinal association between interventions to support the transition to secondary school and child anxiety
Authors: Neal S. , Rice F. , Ng‐Knight T. , Riglin L. , Frederickson N.
Published: May 2016

School transition at around 11‐years of age can be anxiety‐provoking for children, particularly those with special educational needs (SEN). The present study adopted a longitudinal design to consider how existing transition strategies, categorized into cognitive, behavioral or systemic approaches, were associated with post‐transition anxiety amongst 532 typically developing children and 89 children with SEN. Multiple regression analysis indicated that amongst typically developing pupils, systemic interventions were associated with lower school anxiety but not generalized anxiety, when controlling for prior anxiety. Results for children with SEN differed significantly, as illustrated by a Group × Intervention type interaction. Specifically, systemic strategies were associated with lower school anxiety amongst typically developing children and higher school anxiety amongst children with SEN. These findings highlight strategies that schools may find useful in supporting typically developing children over the transition period, whilst suggesting that children with SEN might need a more personalized approach.