bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconfigurable routing protocol with optical sphere in FSO MANET
Authors: Balamurugan Kavitha , K Chitra , A Jawahar
Published: August 2018

In Free Space Optic Mobile Ad hoc Networks (FSO MANET), during data transmission through hierarchical routing protocol, the route failure may either occur if the node has expired due to energy drain or if the node is not positioned with the succeeding hop node owing to mobility. To circumvent these obstacles, in this work, a cross layered reconfigurable protocol for routing with multiple transceivers called as optical sphere in FSO MANET is developed in NS‐2. In this protocol, the nodes are clustered, and the cluster head is selected using network source connector. If any of the cluster member expire due to energy drain and if the alternate path is not available in the routing table, then the source will perform route reconfiguration to change the orientation and transmission radius of the node resulting in direct transmission of packet to cluster head. During data transmission through re‐configured route, if the node interface is positioned with respect to the succeeding hop node, then the packet can be delivered. Otherwise, per‐flow buffer algorithm is used for re alignment. Results simulated show that the proposed protocol surpasses the existing works in terms of delay, delivery ratio, and residual energy.
Avoiding resource misallocations in business processes
Authors: Bellaaj Elloumi Farah , Sellami Mohamed , Bhiri Sami
Published: August 2018

This paper presents an approach for avoiding resource misallocations in Business Processes (BPs). We consider a resource misallocation as an improper combination of resources in a BP and we introduce a decision tree‐based approach to minimize these misallocations likelihoods. The approach uses a BP's event log that tracks past misallocations along with their undesirable impacts in terms of time, cost, and quality on BP instances. These impacts are identified by mining resource allocation rules, which provide a concise summary of a BP's event log and thus are also used to generate decision trees. A system demonstrating the feasibility and efficiency of the approach through experiments is presented in this paper as well.
Discovered and disappearing? Conservation genetics of a recently named Australian carnivorous marsupial
Authors: Mutton Thomas Y. , Fuller Susan J. , Tucker David , Baker Andrew M.
Published: August 2018

Five new species within the Australian carnivorous marsupial genus Antechinus have recently been named, at least two of which are threatened. Important facets of the habitat use and extinction risk of one of these new species, the buff‐footed antechinus, A. mysticus, are not well understood. Previous research has suggested that the species utilizes a broad range of inter‐connected forest habitats in southeast Queensland (Qld), Australia. Based on this potentially connected habitat, we predicted that A. mysticus should have low population genetic structure, particularly in relation to its congener, the spatially restricted, high altitude, closed‐forest A. subtropicus. We genotyped nine microsatellite loci for six populations of A. mysticus, sampled throughout their known range in eastern Australia, and compared them with four proximate populations of A. subtropicus. Surprisingly, genetic structuring among southeast Qld populations of A. mysticus was moderate to high and similar to that between A. subtropicus populations. We postulate that all A. mysticus populations have declined recently (<100 generations), particularly the northernmost southeast Qld population, which may be at risk of extinction. Our results suggest that A. mysticus is limited to a more scattered and fragmented distribution than previously thought and may be in decline. The identification of population decline in this study and recently in other Antechinus suggests the extinction risk of many Australian mammals should be reassessed.
Substantial changes in the depth distributions of benthic invertebrates in the eastern Kattegat since the 1880s
Authors: Josefson Alf B. , Loo Lars‐Ove , Blomqvist Mats , Rolandsson Johan
Published: August 2018

Bottom trawling and eutrophication are well known for their impacts on the marine benthic environment in the last decades. Evaluating the effects of these pressures is often restricted to contemporary benthic data, limiting the potential to observe change from an earlier (preimpact) state. In this study, we compared benthic species records from 1884 to 1886 by CGJ Petersen with recent data to investigate how benthic invertebrate species in the eastern Kattegat have changed since preimpact time. The study shows that species turnover between old and recent times was high, ca. 50%, and the species richness in the investigation area was either unchanged or higher in recent times, suggesting no net loss of species. Elements of metacommunity structure analysis of datasets from the 1880s, 1990s, and 2000s revealed a clear change in the depth distribution structure since the 1880s. The system changed from a Quasi‐nested/Random pattern unrelated to depth in the 1880s with many species depth ranges over a major part of the studied depth interval, to a Clementsian pattern in recent times strongly positively correlated with depth. Around 30% of the 117 species recorded both in old and in recent times, including most trawling‐sensitive species, that is large, semiemergent species, showed a decrease in maximal depth of occurrence from the deeper zone fished today to the shallower unfished zone, with on average 20 m. Concurrently, the species category remaining in the fished zone was dominated by species less sensitive to bottom trawling like infauna polychaetes and small‐sized Peracarida crustaceans, most likely with short longevity. The depth interval and magnitude of the changes in depth distribution and the changes in species composition indicate impacts from bottom trawling rather than eutrophication. Furthermore, the high similarity of results from the recent datasets 10 years apart suggests chronic impact keeping the system in an altered state.
Female ornamentation and the fecundity trade‐off in a sex‐role reversed pipefish
Authors: Mobley Kenyon B. , Morrongiello John R. , Warr Matthew , Bray Dianne J. , Wong Bob B. M.
Published: August 2018

Sexual ornaments found only in females are a rare occurrence in nature. One explanation for this is that female ornaments are costly to produce and maintain and, therefore, females must trade‐off resources related to reproduction to promote ornament expression. Here, we investigate whether a trade‐off exists between female ornamentation and fecundity in the sex‐role reversed, wide‐bodied pipefish, Stigmatopora nigra. We measured two components of the disk‐shaped, ventral‐striped female ornament, body width, and stripe thickness. After controlling for the influence of body size, we found no evidence of a cost of belly width or stripe thickness on female fecundity. Rather, females that have larger ornaments have higher fecundity and thus accurately advertise their reproductive value to males without incurring a cost to fecundity. We also investigated the relationship between female body size and egg size and found that larger females suffer a slight decrease in egg size and fecundity, although this decrease was independent of female ornamentation. More broadly, considered in light of similar findings in other taxa, lack of an apparent fecundity cost of ornamentation in female pipefish underscores the need to revisit theoretical assumptions concerning the evolution of female ornamentation.
Breath rate of passerines across an urbanization gradient supports the pace‐of‐life hypothesis and suggests diet‐mediated responses to handling stress
Authors: Liang Dan , He Chao , Luo Xu , Liu Yang , Goodale Eben , Pagani‐Núñez Emilio
Published: August 2018

The pace‐of‐life hypothesis predicts no impact of urbanization on stress responses. Accordingly, several studies have been inconsistent in showing differences in breath rate (BR), a proxy of acute stress responses to handling in passerines, between rural and urban areas. However, this evidence is limited to a single bird species and a limited geographic region (SW Europe). No study addressed whether this pattern is also apparent in other species or regions, such as in tropical environments, or whether it is dependent on the level of diet specialization, given that diet restriction and change influence stress responses. Here, we tested whether there were differences in BR between habitats and diet groups using eight highly diverse passerine assemblages experiencing different levels of anthropogenic disturbance (i.e., natural, rural, and urban locations) in SW China. We predicted that insectivores and herbivores (frugivores, nectarivores, and seed‐eating species) would show higher BR than omnivores. We also predicted no differences in BR among habitat types. BR was a moderately repeatable trait, which showed a negative relationship with body mass and a positive relationship with the time of the day. We also recorded a relatively strong phylogenetic bias in the expression of this trait. Confirming our predictions, our results showed no differences in BR among natural, rural, and urban locations. Similarly, within species, there were no differences in BR between rural and urban locations. However, we also found that herbivores showed higher BR than omnivores. Overall, our results provide support to the pace‐of‐life hypothesis, but suggest acute stress responses can be diet‐mediated, which may help to explain the marked decline of specialized trophic guilds around the world in response to anthropogenic disturbance.
Aspen recruitment in the Yellowstone region linked to reduced herbivory after large carnivore restoration
Authors: Painter Luke E. , Beschta Robert L. , Larsen Eric J. , Ripple William J.
Published: August 2018

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) recruitment during the 1980s–90s was suppressed by Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis) herbivory on winter ranges in the Yellowstone region, and saplings (young aspen taller than 2 m) were rare. Following the 1995–96 reintroduction of gray wolves (Canis lupus), browsing decreased and sapling recruitment increased in Yellowstone National Park. We compared aspen data from inside the park to data collected in three winter ranges outside the park. For most areas, the percentage of young aspen browsed annually was 80–100% in 1997–98, decreasing to 30–60% in 2011–15. Sapling recruitment was inversely correlated with browsing intensity, and increased despite climate trends unfavorable for aspen. Browsing decreased with decreasing elk density, a relationship suggesting that densities greater than about 4 elk/km2 resulted in consistently strong browsing effects likely to suppress aspen recruitment. Changes in elk density and distribution were influenced by predators, as well as human hunters. Most evidence for trophic cascades involving large terrestrial mammals has been from protected areas within national parks. This study provides evidence of widespread changes in plant communities resulting from large carnivore restoration, extending outside a protected national park to areas with hunting, livestock grazing, and other human activities.
Comparison of sarcopenia and cachexia in men with chronic heart failure: results from the Studies Investigating Co‐morbidities Aggravating Heart Failure (SICA‐HF)
Authors: Emami Amir , Saitoh Masakazu , Valentova Miroslava , Sandek Anja , Evertz Ruben , Ebner Nicole , Loncar Goran , Springer Jochen , Doehner Wolfram , Lainscak Mitja , Hasenfuß Gerd , Anker Stefan D. , von Haehling Stephan
Published: August 2018

Aims

Changes in heart failure (HF) patients' body composition may be associated with reduced exercise capacity. The aim of the present study was to determine the overlap in wasting syndromes in HF (cachexia and sarcopenia) and to compare their functional impact.

Methods and results

We prospectively enrolled 207 ambulatory male patients with clinically stable chronic HF. All patients underwent a standardized protocol examining functional capacity, body composition, and quality of life (QoL). Cachexia was present in 39 (18.8%) of 207 patients, 14 of whom also fulfilled the characteristics of sarcopenia (sarcopenia + cachexia group, 6.7%), whereas 25 did not (cachectic HF group, 12.1%). Sarcopenia without cachexia was present in 30 patients (sarcopenic HF group, 14.4%). A total of 44 patients (21.3%) presented with sarcopenia; however, 138 patients showed no signs of wasting (no wasting group, 66%). Patients with sarcopenia had lower strength and exercise capacity than both the no wasting and the cachectic HF group. Handgrip strength, quadriceps strength, peak oxygen uptake (VO2), distance in the 6‐minute walk test (6MWT), and QoL results were lowest in the sarcopenia + cachexia group vs. the no wasting group (P < 0.05 for all). Likewise, the sarcopenic HF group showed lower handgrip strength, quadriceps strength, 6MWT, peak VO2, and QoL results vs. the no wasting group (P < 0.05 for all).

Conclusion

Losing muscle with or without weight loss appears to have a more pronounced role than weight loss alone with regard to functional capacity and QoL among male patients with chronic HF.

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01872299.
The macrophage migration inhibitory factor pathway in human B cells is tightly controlled and dysregulated in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Rijvers Liza , Melief Marie‐José , van der Vuurst de Vries Roos M. , Stéphant Maeva , van Langelaar Jamie , Wierenga‐Wolf Annet F. , Hogervorst Jeanet M. , Geurts‐Moespot Anneke J. , Sweep Fred C. G. J. , Hintzen Rogier Q. , van Luijn Marvin M.
Published: August 2018

In MS, B cells survive peripheral tolerance checkpoints to mediate local inflammation, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are relatively underexplored. In mice, the MIF pathway controls B‐cell development and the induction of EAE. Here, we found that MIF and MIF receptor CD74 are downregulated, while MIF receptor CXCR4 is upregulated in B cells from early onset MS patients. B cells were identified as the main immune subset in blood expressing MIF. Blocking of MIF and CD74 signaling in B cells triggered CXCR4 expression, and vice versa, with separate effects on their proinflammatory activity, proliferation, and sensitivity to Fas‐mediated apoptosis. This study reveals a new reciprocal negative regulation loop between CD74 and CXCR4 in human B cells. The disturbance of this loop during MS onset provides further insights into how pathogenic B cells survive peripheral tolerance checkpoints to mediate disease activity in MS.
Revisiting O–O Bond Formation through Outer‐Sphere Water Molecules versus Bimolecular Mechanisms in Water‐Oxidation Catalysis (WOC) by Cp*Ir Based Complexes
Authors: Pasha Farhan A. , Poater Albert , Vummaleti Sai V. C. , de Bruin Theodorus , Basset Jean M. , Cavallo Luigi
Published: August 2018

Herein, we present a detailed computational investigation of the mechanistic aspects of the water‐oxidation catalysis (WOC) for iridium‐based catalysts, Cp*Ir–Lx = 1–4, (where Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadiene; L1 = bph = bi‐phenyl; L2 = phpy = 2‐phenylpyridine; L3 = bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridyl; and L4 = bnql = benzo[n]quinoline). Our density functional theory (DFT) calculations not only confirm that the O–O coupling step is the rate‐limiting step, as expected, but also provide useful insights about the number of water molecules involved in the catalytic cycle, which is under immense debate from a kinetic stand point. To test the effect of the metal environment, we tune the ligands, choosing four ligands (L1–L4) holding four kinds of chelation: C–C, N–C, N–N, and C–N′, respectively. A screening analysis of the potential‐energy surface reveals the water‐oxidation mechanism, together with the optimum number of water molecules, concluding that three water molecules are optimal, and that a highly positive iridium oxo center with a predicted high oxidation state (IrV) pulls the electron density from the lone pair of the oxo oxygen and the O center shows positive density. Moreover, the bimolecular mechanism for the O–O bond step is also calculated, for comparison. This study reveals that high cationic character of the metal is helpful for O···O coupling.
Synthesis of trans‐β‐Elemene
Authors: Benito Iglesias D. , Herrero Teijón P. , Rubio González Rosa , Fernández‐Mateos A.
Published: August 2018

Highly efficient syntheses of the anti‐cancer agent trans‐β‐elemene have been achieved by using the readily available (±)‐limonene as starting material. The syntheses were achieved in only nine to eleven steps with good overall yields. The key step in these reaction sequences is a stereoselective radical cyclization, induced by titanocene chloride.
Brønsted Acid Tuned, Lewis Base Promoted [4 + 2] Annulation Reactions of Allenoates with Electron‐Deficient Olefins
Authors: Xi Qiu‐Zhen , Gan Zhen‐Jie , Li Er‐Qing , Duan Zheng
Published: August 2018

The selective formation of an annulated 4H‐pyran from an allenoate and an olefin demonstrated the dual roles of triethylenediamine (DABCO) in both Lewis base promoted [4 + 2] annulation and Brønsted base mediated C=C isomerization. Interestingly, the role of the Brønsted base could be quenched selectively with the presence of a Brønsted acid (PhCO2H), and annulated 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran was obtained as the major product.
Graphene‐based Electrochemical Glucose Sensors: Fabrication and Sensing Properties
Authors: Zhang Chunmei , Zhang Ziwei , Yang Qin , Chen Wei
Published: August 2018

With the increasing demand for highly sensitive and selective glucose sensors in industrial, clinical and pharmaceutical sectors, sensing materials for glucose detection have attracted much attention worldwide. Due to the large surface area, fascinating physical and electrochemical properties, graphene‐based materials have been widely used as a unique class of promising electrode materials in electrochemical sensing applications, with the continuously growing academic and technological developments. In this review, we summarize the different preparation strategies for the synthesis of graphene‐based materials and the application in electrochemical detection of glucose, including enzymatic and nonenzymatic glucose sensors.
Moment analysis for reaction kinetics of intermolecular interactions
Authors: Miyabe Kanji
Published: August 2018

Moment equations were developed on the basis of the principle of relativity for analyzing elution peak profiles measured by ACE to analytically determine the association (ka) and dissociation (kd) rate constants of intermolecular interactions. Basic equations representing the mass balance, mass transfer rate, and reaction kinetics in ACE system in a Galilean coordinate system S were transformed to those in another coordinate system S′, which imaginarily moved with respect to S. Moment equations for ACE peaks in S′ in the time domain were derived from the analytical solution of the modified basic equations in the Laplace domain. Moment equations for ACE peaks in S were derived from those in S’ by the inverse Galilean transformation. The moment equations were used for analyzing some ACE data previously published to determine ka and kd values. It was demonstrated that the moment equations were effective for extracting the information about affinity kinetics of intermolecular interactions from the elution peak profiles measured by ACE. The moment equations were also used to discuss the influence of mass transfer and reaction kinetics on ACE peak profiles. Some results of the numerical calculations are also indicated in Supporting Information.
Separation and determination of alpha‐synuclein monomeric and oligomeric species using two electrophoretic approaches
Authors: Napp Aurore , Houbart Virginie , Demelenne Alice , Merville Marie‐Paule , Crommen Jacques , Dumoulin Mireille , Garraux Gaëtan , Servais Anne‐Catherine , Fillet Marianne
Published: August 2018

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a frequent degenerative disorder that is diagnosed based on clinical symptoms. When the first symptoms appear, more than 70% of the dopaminergic cells are already lost. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to have reliable biomarkers to diagnose much earlier PD. In this context, alpha‐synuclein (aSyn) is a protein of high interest because of its tendency to form oligomers and amyloid fibrils. The oligomeric forms seem to play a critical pathological role in PD. To date, most of studies aiming at detecting and quantifying aSyn oligomers were performed by immunoassays, mainly by ELISA using specific antibodies. In this study a capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) coupled with fluorescence detection method was developed to detect and quantify the oligomeric forms of aSyn formed in vitro. All the results obtained were supported by SDS–PAGE analysis, a widely used and well‐known technique but exhibiting a main drawback since it is not an automated technique. The repeatability and the intermediate precision of the method were evaluated, as well as the stability of the labeled and non‐labeled aSyn samples. After careful screening and optimization of various labeling reagents, 4‐fluoro‐7‐nitrobenzofurazan (NBD‐F) was selected and used to establish a calibration curve with monomeric fluorescently‐labeled aSyn. Finally, the method was used to study the effect of doxycycline on the oligomerization process. Altogether, our results show that CGE is a very promising automated technique to analyze aSyn monomers, as well as small oligomers.
Predicting efficiency of NECEEM‐based partitioning of protein binders from nonbinders in DNA‐encoded libraries
Authors: Kochmann Sven , Le An T. H. , Hili Ryan , Krylov Sergey N.
Published: August 2018

Nonequilibrium capillary electrophoresis of equilibrium mixtures (NECEEM) is an affinity method for separating binder‐target complexes from nonbinders by gel‐free CE. NECEEM is a promising high‐efficiency method for partitioning protein binders from nonbinders in DNA‐encoded libraries (DEL), such binders are used as “hits” in drug development. It is important to be able to predict the efficiency of NECEEM‐based partitioning, which is the efficiency of collecting binders while removing nonbinders for a specific protein and a specific DEL with a minimum of empirical information. Here, we derive and study the dependence of efficiency of NECEEM‐based partitioning on electrophoretic mobilities of the protein and the DNA moiety in DEL compounds. Our derivation is based upon a previously found relation between the electrophoretic mobility of protein‐binder complex and measured electrophoretic mobilities of the protein and unbound DEL and their estimated sizes. The derivation utilizes the assumption of Gaussian shapes of electrophoretic peaks and the approximation of the efficiency of partitioning by the background of nonbinders – a fraction of nonbinders, which elutes along with protein‐binder complexes. Our results will serve as a guiding tool for planning the NECEEM‐based partitioning of protein binders from non‐binders in DELs. In particular, it can be used to estimate a minimum number of rounds of partitioning required for the desired level of DEL enrichment.
Polyurethane coatings based on linseed oil phosphate ester polyols with intumescent flame retardants
Authors: Yakushin Vladimir , Abolins Arnis , Vilsone Dzintra , Sevastyanova Irina
Published: August 2018

The effect of intumescent flame retardants on the properties of polyurethane (PU) coatings based on 2 kinds of phosphate ester polyol was studied. Synthesizing polyols, phosphorylation of epoxidized linseed oil with phosphoric acid was performed in the presence of isopropyl alcohol (IPA polyol) or diethylene glycol butyl ether (DGBE polyol). The obtained polyols were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The properties of neat PU coatings based on 2 polyols and those filled with different content (up to 25 wt%) of melamine (Mel), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and expandable graphite (EG) were studied using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile and cone calorimeter tests. It was found that IPA polyol contained not only phosphate monoesters and diesters, as DGBE polyol, but also phosphate triester and pyrophosphate monoester. Due to this difference, IPA neat and filled coatings had higher tensile characteristics and char residue in a TGA test. Also, the flame retardancy of IPA coatings, compared with that of DGBE coatings, was higher. In a cone calorimeter test, coatings filled with Mel showed a small increase of flame retardancy, but the total smoke release (TSR) of wood samples with coatings decreased noticeably. The effect of APP on the flame retardancy of coatings was higher, but in contrast, the TSR of samples increased with increasing APP content. Even greater decrease of flammability parameters and a simultaneous significant decrease of TSR were shown by the samples with IPA coatings filled with EG.
Pesticides in essential oils and selected fragrance extracts. Some examples. A review
Authors: Nikolic Nikola , Höferl Martina , Buchbauer Gerhard
Published: August 2018

The use of essential oils (EOs) worldwide continues to rise, and EOs are already established in folk and western medicine as remedies against inflammation, respiratory diseases, and infections, and are used for aromatherapy, insect repellents, food preservatives, and in the perfume and cosmetics industries. Pesticide residues are already present in the environment, however, and are thus also found in the aromatic plants used for EO production. The control of pesticides in EOs is therefore essential, especially with the recent trends in EO consumption. This paper is an overview on possible methods used for the determination of pesticide residues in EOs, covering the work of the scientific community in the last 20–25 years.
Effect of gamma radiation on storability and functional properties of sorghum grains (Sorghum bicolor L.)
Authors: Ahmed Manahel Mohammed , Abdalla Ismat G. , Salih A. M. , Hassan Amro B.
Published: August 2018

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of gamma irradiation at dose levels of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 kGy on fungal growth, free fatty acids, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), protein solubility, and functional properties of sorghum grains. Results indicated that radiation process enhanced the storability properties. It eliminates the fungal incidence particularly at the higher doses 4.0 and 5.0 kGy, and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the content of the free fatty acids to the level 3.4–3.2 mg/g. Moreover, a significant increase in IVPD and soluble protein was noticed in irradiated grains as compared to non‐irradiated sample and this increased with the increase in dose; however, maximum IVPD (17.6%) and protein solubility (11.7%) were observed in sorghum grains irradiated at 2.0 kGy. On the other hand, a significant reduction in emulsion capacity was observed after radiation of grains, however, the emulsion activity and stability were stable up to 1.0 kGy. The foaming properties of the radiated sample show no significant change particular at low doses up to 2.0 kGy when they are compared to untreated samples. It can be concluded that low doses of gamma irradiation might improve the storability and quality characteristics of sorghum grains and can be used as an effective alternative postharvest method for preserving and extending the shelf life of sorghum and its products.
Frequency specific resting state functional abnormalities in psychosis
Authors: Gohel Suril , Gallego Juan A. , Robinson Delbert G. , DeRosse Pamela , Biswal Bharat , Szeszko Philip R.
Published: August 2018

Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of psychosis have focused primarily on the amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations in the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal ranging from .01 to 0.1 Hz. Few studies, however, have investigated the amplitude of frequency fluctuations within discrete frequency bands and higher than 0.1 Hz in patients with psychosis at different illness stages. We investigated BOLD signal within three frequency ranges including slow‐4 (.027–.073 Hz), slow‐3 (.074–0.198 Hz) and slow‐2 (0.199–0.25 Hz) in 89 patients with either first‐episode or chronic psychosis and 119 healthy volunteers. We investigated the amplitude of frequency fluctuations within three frequency bands using 47 regions‐of‐interest placed within 14 known resting state networks derived using group independent component analysis. There were significant group x frequency interactions for the visual and motor cortex networks, with the largest significant group differences (patients < healthy volunteers) evident in slow‐4 and slow‐3, respectively. Also, healthy volunteers had an overall higher amplitude of frequency fluctuations compared to patients across the three frequency ranges in the visual cortex, dorsal attention and motor cortex networks with the opposite effect (patients > healthy volunteers) evident within the salience and frontal gyrus networks. Subsequent analyses indicated that these effects were evident in both first‐episode and chronic patients. Our study provides new data regarding the importance of BOLD signal fluctuations within different frequency bands in the neurobiology of psychosis.
A novel concurrent TMS‐fMRI method to reveal propagation patterns of prefrontal magnetic brain stimulation
Authors: Vink Jord J. T. , Mandija Stefano , Petrov Petar I. , van den Berg Cornells A. T. , Sommer Iris E. C. , Neggers Sebastiaan F. W.
Published: August 2018

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a severe mental disorder associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, which remains difficult to treat, as both resistance and recurrence rates are high. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) provides a safe and effective treatment for selected patients with treatment‐resistant MDD. Little is known about the mechanisms of action of TMS provided to the left DLPFC in MDD and we can currently not predict who will respond to this type of treatment, precluding effective patient selection. In order to shed some light on the mechanism of action, we applied single pulse TMS to the left DLPFC in 10 healthy participants using a unique TMS‐fMRI set‐up, in which we could record the direct effects of TMS. Stimulation of the DLPFC triggered activity in a number of connected brain regions, including the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) in four out of nine participants. The sgACC is of particular interest, because normalization of activity in this region has been associated with relief of depressive symptoms in MDD patients. This is the first direct evidence that TMS pulses delivered to the DLPFC can propagate to the sgACC. The propagation of TMS‐induced activity from the DLPFC to sgACC may be an accurate biomarker for rTMS efficacy. Further research is required to determine whether this method can contribute to the selection of patients with treatment resistant MDD who will respond to rTMS treatment.
Intrinsic connectivity networks underlying individual differences in control‐averse behavior
Authors: Rudorf Sarah , Baumgartner Thomas , Markett Sebastian , Schmelz Katrin , Wiest Roland , Fischbacher Urs , Knoch Daria
Published: August 2018

When people sense that another person tries to control their decisions, some people will act against the control, whereas others will not. This individual tendency to control‐averse behavior can have far‐reaching consequences, such as engagement in illegal activities or noncompliance with medical treatments. Although individual differences in control‐averse behavior have been well documented in behavioral studies, their neurological basis is less well understood. Here, we use a neural trait approach to examine whether individual differences in control‐averse behavior might be linked to stable brain‐based characteristics. To do so, we analyze the association between intrinsic connectivity networks as measured by resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging and control‐averse behavior in an economic exchange game. In this game, subjects make choices that are either free or controlled by another person, with real consequences to both interaction partners. We find that the individual level of control‐averse behavior can be positively predicted by intrinsic connectivity within the salience network, but not the central executive network or the default mode network. Specifically, subjects with a more prominent connectivity hub in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex show greater levels of control‐averse behavior. This finding provides the first evidence that the heterogeneity in control‐averse behavior might originate in systematic differences of the stable functional brain organization.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase‐7 for Biliary Atresia
Authors: Yang Li , Zhou Ying , Xu Pei‐pei , Mourya Reena , Lei Hai‐yan , Cao Guo‐qing , Xiong Xiao‐li , Xu Hui , Duan Xu‐fei , Wang Na , Fei Lin , Chang Xiao‐pan , Zhang Xi , Jiang Meng , Bezerra Jorge A. , Tang Shao‐tao
Published: August 2018

The diagnosis of biliary atresia (BA) remains a clinical challenge because affected infants have signs, symptoms, and serum liver biochemistry that are also seen in those with other causes of neonatal cholestasis (non‐BA). However, an early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment are required to improve clinical outcome. Recently, the relative abundance of serum matrix metalloproteinase‐7 (MMP‐7) was suggested to have discriminatory features for infants with BA. To test the hypothesis that elevated serum concentration of MMP‐7 is highly diagnostic for BA, we determined the normal serum concentration of MMP‐7 in healthy control infants, and then in 135 consecutive infants being evaluated for cholestasis. The median concentration for MMP‐7 was 2.86 ng/mL (interquartile range, IQR: 1.32‐5.32) in normal controls, 11.47 ng/mL (IQR: 8.54‐24.55) for non‐BA, and 121.1 ng/mL (IQR: 85.42‐224.4) for BA (P < 0.0001). The area under the curve of MMP‐7 for the diagnosis of BA was 0.9900 with a cutoff value of 52.85 ng/mL; the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 98.67% and 95.00%, respectively, with a negative predictive value of 98.28%. Conclusion: Serum MMP‐7 assay has high sensitivity and specificity to differentiate BA from other neonatal cholestasis, and may be a reliable biomarker for BA.
Deficient Natural Killer Cell NKp30‐Mediated Function and Altered NCR3 Splice Variants in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Mantovani Stefania , Oliviero Barbara , Lombardi Andrea , Varchetta Stefania , Mele Dalila , Sangiovanni Angelo , Rossi Giorgio , Donadon Matteo , Torzilli Guido , Soldani Cristiana , Porta Camillo , Pedrazzoli Paolo , Chiellino Silvia , Santambrogio Roberto , Opocher Enrico , Maestri Marcello , Bernuzzi Stefano , Rossello Armando , Clément Sophie , De Vito Claudio , Rubbia‐Brandt Laura , Negro Francesco , Mondelli Mario U.
Published: August 2018

The activating natural cytotoxicity receptor NKp30 is critical for natural killer (NK) cell function and tumor immune surveillance. The natural cytotoxicity receptor‐3 (NCR3) gene is transcribed into several splice variants whose physiological relevance is still incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the role of NKp30 and its major ligand B7 homolog 6 (B7‐H6) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Peripheral blood NK cell phenotype was skewed toward a defective/exhausted immune profile with decreased frequencies of cells expressing NKp30 and natural killer group 2, member D and an increased proportion of cells expressing T‐cell immunoglobulin and mucin‐domain containing‐3. Moreover, NKp30‐positive NK cells had a reduced expression of NCR3 immunostimulatory splice variants and an increased expression of the inhibitory variant in patients with advanced tumor, resulting in deficient NKp30‐mediated functionality. Tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes showed a prevalent inhibitory NKp30 isoform profile, consistent with decreased NKp30‐mediated function. Of note, there were significant differences in the cytokine milieu between the neoplastic and the surrounding non‐neoplastic tissue, which may have further influenced NKp30 function. Exposure of NK cells to B7‐H6‐expressing HCC cells significantly down‐modulated NKp30, that was prevented by small interfering RNA–mediated knockdown, suggesting a role for this ligand in inhibiting NKp30‐mediated responses. Interestingly, B7‐H6 expression was reduced in HCC tissue and simultaneously augmented as a soluble form in HCC patients, particularly those with advanced staging or larger nodule size. Conclusion: These findings provide evidence in support of a role of NKp30 and its major ligand in HCC development and evolution.
NGM282 for Treatment of Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial
Authors: Mayo Marlyn J. , Wigg Alan J. , Leggett Barbara A. , Arnold Hays , Thompson Alexander J. , Weltman Martin , Carey Elizabeth J. , Muir Andrew J. , Ling Lei , Rossi Stephen J. , DePaoli Alex M.
Published: August 2018

Patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) who had an inadequate response to ursodiol have few treatment options. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin levels correlate with the risk of liver transplant or death in PBC patients. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 19 is a hormone that acts directly in the liver to regulate bile acid synthesis. We evaluated NGM282, an engineered analogue of FGF19, for the treatment of PBC. In this 28‐day, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase 2 trial, 45 PBC patients who had an inadequate response to ursodiol were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to receive subcutaneous daily doses of either NGM282 at 0.3 mg (n = 14), 3 mg (n = 16), or placebo (n = 15). The primary endpoint was a change in ALP from baseline after 28 days of treatment. At day 28, ALP was significantly reduced with NGM282 treatment at both 0.3 mg (least‐squares mean –51.0 IU/L [standard error (SE) 15.4]) and 3 mg (–66.0 IU/L [SE 16.0]) versus placebo (3.3 IU/L [SE 14.8]), with least‐squares mean differences of –54.3 IU/L (95% confidence interval –104.2 to –4.5; P = 0.0149) and –69.3 IU/L (95% confidence interval –120.5 to –18.3; P = 0.0030), respectively. Fifty percent (7 of 14) of patients receiving NGM282 0.3 mg and 46% (6 of 13) of those receiving NGM282 3mg achieved 15% or greater reduction in ALP levels from baseline, compared with 7% (1 of 15) of patients receiving placebo. NGM282 also significantly reduced serum concentrations of transaminases and immunoglobulins. Most adverse events were grade 1 (mild) to grade 2 (moderate) in severity, with gastrointestinal disorders more frequent in the NGM282 treatment groups. No worsening of pruritus was observed with NGM282 treatment. Conclusion: NGM282 administered for 28 days resulted in significant improvements in ALP and transaminase levels compared with placebo, with an acceptable safety profile in patients with PBC. (Hepatology Communications 2018; 00:000‐000)
Barriers to reporting of patient safety incidents in tertiary hospitals: A qualitative study of nurses and resident physicians in South Korea
Authors: Lee Won , Kim So Yoon , Lee Sang‐il , Lee Sun Gyo , Kim Hyung Chul , Kim Insook
Published: August 2018

We explored the barriers to reporting patient safety incidents experienced by nurses and resident physicians while working in tertiary hospitals in South Korea. Sixteen in‐depth interviews with 10 nurses and 6 resident physicians, all of whom had experienced patient safety incidents, were conducted. The interviews were analyzed using directed content analysis in accordance with a coding scheme developed in this study, which contains 4 categories (incidents and reporters, reporting procedures and systems, feedbacks, and reporting culture) and 9 subcategories. The barriers to reporting near‐misses included the following: characteristics of the incident (eg, nonhazardous and high frequency), reporters' lack of knowledge, uncertainty, fear of blame, lack of role model, and inappropriate responses. Reporting adverse/sentinel events was also prevented by feelings of pressure or guilt, the fact that reporting was nonmandatory, and a belief that reporting was not part of the job. Some other barriers included lack of education, review process after reporting, lack of confidentiality when reporting, absence of feedback for reporting, unfair reporting based on work experience, perception of potential blame, and stigmatization resulting from it. In South Korea, a national system for reporting and learning of patient safety accidents has been operating since July 2016. To fully implement this system, it is necessary to encourage reporting at the institutional level. Our results might help reduce the barriers to patient safety incident reporting among nurses and resident physicians in tertiary hospitals in Korea through informing the development of improvement plans.
The extent of workaholism in a group of polish nurses
Authors: Kunecka Danuta , Hundert Marcin
Published: August 2018

Objective

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of workaholism among Polish nurses. Changes in the work process in Poland have resulted in the expectation of excessive work commitment from employees. Unfortunately, such expectations can contribute to workaholism. The study involved 975 economically active Polish nurses.

Method

The study was conducted by means of a diagnostic survey, in which we used a standardized questionnaire—the Multidimensional Workaholism Assessment Questionnaire by Malwina Szpitalak.

Results

The data obtained show that there is a high risk of workaholism in the study group; almost 6% of all respondents are affected by workaholism, and 40% of all respondents may develop it. The risk is related to the age, seniority, and education level of the nurses.

Conclusions

As there is a high risk of the respondents developing workaholism, it seems advisable to take actions directed at the study group to make them aware of how important it is to maintain a balance between their professional and private lives.
The impact of accreditation on nurses' perceptions of quality of care in Iran and its barriers and facilitators
Authors: Reisi Nahid , Raeissi Pouran , Sokhanvar Mobin , Kakemam Edris
Published: August 2018

Background

Iran national hospital accreditation was initiated as a government and mandatory program in 2012. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of accreditation on nurses' perceptions of quality of care and to determine those barriers and facilitators needed for effective implementation of accreditation.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey conducted in 43 tertiary public hospitals in 5 metropolises, Iran, which successfully passed national accreditation surveys. Participants included nurses with at least 5‐year work experience. Overall response rate was 76%, with 1312 of 1706 valid responses included in the data analysis. A questionnaire was applied using a 5‐point Likert scale ranging from 1 “strongly disagree” to 5 “strongly agree”. In addition, the questionnaire included 2 open‐ended questions allowing the respondent to identify barriers and facilitators to the process of for improving accreditation implementation. The relationship between the quality of results and the independent variables was tested using multiple regression analysis.

Results

The scales measuring benefits of accreditation had the highest mean score followed by strategic quality planning, education and training, and staff involvement. Regression analysis indicated that leadership, commitment, and support; education and training; rewards and recognition; and staff involvement were factors affecting quality results. Barriers encountered included financial and capital resources, staff, institutional, and patients. Hospital accreditation has a positive impact on quality of care.

Conclusions

The findings of this study provide valuable information to policymakers and hospital managers on which to base the process of accreditation and its requirements, and to help reap its benefits.
Identifying multiple deep aquifers in the Bengal Basin: Implications for resource management
Authors: Ravenscroft Peter , McArthur John M. , Rahman Muhammad Saifur
Published: August 2018

In the Bengal Basin of Bangladesh and West Bengal (India), where arsenic (As) and salinity adversely affect groundwater in shallow aquifers (<150 m deep), consumers increasingly turn to “the deep aquifer” as a source of low‐As and low‐salinity water. We show that “the deep aquifer,” which has traditionally been regarded as a single entity, can be divided into at least eight deep aquifer units each with distinctive chemical, isotopic, hydraulic, and piezometric characteristics. Except in the rapidly subsiding Sylhet Basin, the deep aquifers are largely As‐safe (<50 μg/L and mostly <10 μg/L) but differ in terms of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), salinity, stable isotopic composition, groundwater age, and in their piezometric response to pumping. We use isotopic data to identify recharge from five periods, of which two are quantitatively dominant: (a) from the Last Glacial Maximum, isotopically heavy water (δ18O >−3.5‰) with low As, Cl, and Fe concentrations occupies hydraulically trapped positions in the South‐Central, Southeast, Southwest, and Madhupur aquifer units and (b) terminal Pleistocene to Early Holocene recharge of isotopically lighter water (δ18O <−3.5‰) that has high Fe and slightly elevated Cl concentrations and was recharged along palaeochannels that facilitated deep circulation up to the mid‐Holocene. Piezometric responses to development change in style towards the coast. In the north, water levels at all depths tend to be coincident and transition through a seasonally divergent pattern to become parallel in the south with a near constant downward gradient. The delineation of the deep aquifer units provides a practical framework for the assessment and management of groundwater resources for water supply.
Distinct molecular pathways in ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinoma with concurrent endometriosis
Authors: Zhang Chi , Wang Xiyin , Anaya Yanett , Parodi Luca , Cheng Lijun , Anderson Matthew L. , Hawkins Shannon M.
Published: August 2018

Women with endometriosis, a benign growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, are at increased risk of specific histotypes of epithelial ovarian cancer, such as ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinoma (OEA). Women with OEA who have endometriosis at time of surgical staging demonstrate improved clinical prognosis compared to women with OEA without evidence of endometriosis. However, the molecular contributions of the endometriotic tumor microenvironment to these ovarian cancers remain poorly understood. As a starting point, we used a platform for genome‐wide transcriptomic profiling to compare specimens of OEA from women with and without concurrent endometriosis and benign reproductive tract tissues, including proliferative endometrium and typical and atypical endometrioma samples (n = 20). Principle component analysis revealed distinct clustering between benign and malignant samples as well as malignant samples with and without concurrent endometriosis. Examination of gene signatures revealed that OEA with concurrent endometriosis contained a unique molecular signature compared to OEA without concurrent endometriosis, distinguished by 682 unique genes differentially expressed (fold change < or >1.5, p < 0.01). Bioinformatic analysis of these differentially expressed gene products using ingenuity pathway analysis revealed activation of NFkB signaling, an inflammatory signaling pathway constitutively active in endometriosis. DAVID functional annotation clustering further revealed enrichment in RAS signaling as both cytoskeleton organization and GTPase regulator activity relied heavily on RAS protein signal transduction. Gene set enrichment analysis highlighted immune and inflammatory nodes involved in OEA with concurrent endometriosis. These observations provide novel resources for understanding molecular subtleties potentially involved in OEA within the context of the endometriotic tumor microenvironment.