bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reproductive plasticity and landscape heterogeneity benefit a ground‐nesting bird in a fire‐prone ecosystem
Authors: Carroll J. Matthew , Hovick Torre J. , Davis Craig A. , Elmore Robert Dwayne , Fuhlendorf Samuel D.
Published: July 2017

Disturbance is critical for the conservation of rangeland ecosystems worldwide and many of these systems are fire dependent. Although it is well established that restoring fire as an ecological process can lead to increased biodiversity in grasslands and shrublands, the underlying mechanisms driving community patterns are poorly understood for fauna in fire‐prone landscapes. Much of this uncertainty stems from the paucity of studies that examine the effects of fire at scales relevant to organism life histories. We assessed the response of a non‐migratory ground‐dwelling bird to disturbance (i.e., prescribed fire) and environmental stochasticity over the course of a 4‐yr period, which spanned years of historic drought and record rainfall. Specifically, we investigated the nesting ecology of Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter Bobwhite) to illuminate possible avenues by which individuals respond to dynamic landscape patterns during a critical reproductive stage (i.e., nesting) in a mixed‐grass shrubland in western Oklahoma,USA. We found that Bobwhites exhibited extreme plasticity in nest substrate use among time since fire categories (TSF) and subsequently maintained high nest survival (e.g., 57–70%). Bobwhites were opportunistic in nest substrate use amongTSFcategories (i.e., 72% of nest sites in shrubs in 0–12 months post fire compared to 71% in herbaceous vegetation in >36 months post fire), yet nesting decisions were first filtered by similar structural components (i.e., vertical and horizontal cover) within the vicinity of nest sites regardless ofTSFcategory. Despite being a non‐migratory and comparatively less mobile ground‐nesting bird species, Bobwhites adjusted to dynamic vegetation mosaics on a fire‐prone landscape under stochastic climatic conditions that culminated in stable and high nest survival. Broadly, our findings provide a unique depiction of organism response strategies to fire at scales relevant to a critical life‐stage, a topic that has been previously understudied and poorly understood. We also demonstrate how doing so can better inform conservation practices aimed at restoring fire regimes on grassland and shrubland landscapes.
High prevalence of subclinical cerebral infarction in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Cogswell Rebecca J. , Norby Faye L. , Gottesman Rebecca F. , Chen Lin Y. , Solomon Scott , Shah Amil , Alonso Alvaro
Published: July 2017

Aims

Undetected atrial fibrillation (AF) may be common in the heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) population, and failure to detect this may lead to the missing of opportunities to prevent associated subclinical cerebral infarctions (SCIs) and cognitive decline.

Methods and results

We studied 1527 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, who underwent echocardiography, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and detailed cognitive assessment during 2011–13. Prevalences of SCI as detected by brain MRI were compared among the following groups: participants with no HFpEF/no AF; those with no HFpEF/AF; those with HFpEF/no AF, and those with HFpEF/AF. Cognitive scores were also compared. Prevalences of HFpEF and AF in this sample were 13.2% and 5.7%, respectively. Participants with HFpEF but no prior diagnosis of AF had a high prevalence of SCI by brain MRI (29.3%), which was similar to those in the no HFpEF/AF (24.5%) and HFpEF/AF (23.5%) groups, but higher than that in the no HFpEF/no AF subjects (17.3%). The odds of having SCI were higher in participants with HFpEF/no AF than in the no HFpEF/no AF group even after adjustment for potential confounders (odds ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval 1.06–2.30). Individuals with HFpEF and SCI had lower cognitive scores than the reference (no HFpEF/no SCI) and HFpEF/no SCI groups.

Conclusions

Subclinical cerebral infarctions were prevalent in subjects in the ARIC cohort with HFpEF and no prior AF diagnosis and are associated with measurable cognitive deficits. Although other sources of emboli may be possible, these data suggest that paroxysmal AF may be underdiagnosed in this population. There may be a role for earlier anticoagulation in patients with HFpEF.
In vivo neutralization of α4 and β7 integrins inhibits eosinophil trafficking and prevents lung injury during tropical pulmonary eosinophilia in mice
Authors: Sharma Pankaj , Sharma Aditi , Srivastava Mrigank
Published: July 2017

Integrins regulate leukocyte trafficking during homeostasis and inflammatory conditions. However, the role of α4 and β7 integrins in guiding eosinophil transmigration into the lungs during filarial manifestation of Tropical Pulmonary Eosinophilia (TPE) has not been explored. In this study, mice exhibiting TPE manifestations were administered with in vivo neutralizing antibodies against integrins α4 and β7 or their combination and immuno‐pathological parameters were evaluated. Results show an intact lung barrier, significantly lower lung inflammation and reduced eosinophil counts in the Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lungs of mice receiving anti‐α4+β7 treatment. Reduced eosinophil peroxidase and β‐hexosaminidase activity, downregulation of inflammatory genes, lower production of inflammatory lipid intermediates like prostaglandins E2 and D2, leukotriene B4 and cysteinyl leukotrienes were also noted in anti‐α4+β7 treated mice. Reduced accumulation of central memory, effector memory, regulatory T cells and lower production of IL‐4, IL‐5, and TGF‐β were other cardinal features of anti‐α4+β7 treated mice lungs. Flow cytometry‐sorted lung eosinophils from anti‐α4+β7 treated mice showed higher apoptotic potential, downregulated anti‐apoptotic gene Bcl‐2, and exhibited reduced F‐actin polymerization and calcium influx as compared to IgG controls. In summary, neutralization of α4+β7 integrins impairs the transmigration, activation and survival of eosinophils and reduces TPE induced pathology in mice lungs.
Design and Synthesis of Spirocycles
Authors: Kotha Sambasivarao , Panguluri Nageswara Rao , Ali Rashid
Published: July 2017

In this account we disclose a variety of simple strategies demonstrated in our laboratory in the last two decades for the assembly of diverse and intricate molecular frameworks containing spiro linkage(s) by using various metathesis protocols such as ring‐closing metathesis (RCM), ring‐opening cross‐metathesis (ROCM), ring‐closing enyne metathesis (RCEM) and ring‐rearrangement metathesis (RRM). Also, cycloaddition reactions ([2+2], [4+2] and [2+2+2]) and other key processes such as Claisen rearrangement (CR), Grignard addition, Fischer indolization (FI), Suzuki–Miyaura (SM) cross‐coupling and the retro‐Diels–Alder (rDA) reaction have been used as key steps to construct spirocycles.
Numerical investigation of Lower Tuscaloosa Sandstone and Selma Chalk caprock under geological CO2 sequestration conditions: mineral precipitation and permeability evolution
Authors: Zhang Liwei , Soong Yee , Dilmore Robert M.
Published: July 2017

A numerical model was developed using CrunchFlow to simulate reactive transport and porosity and permeability changes of sandstone and carbonate rock samples taken from the Lower Tuscaloosa Formation and the Selma Chalk Formation, Jackson County, MS, USA. The model predicted a permeability decrease from 2190 mD to 2038 mD for the Lower Tuscaloosa Sandstone sample in a static batch reactor after 180 days of exposure to CO2‐saturated brine, which is consistent with measured permeability results. The model predicted a negligible permeability change from 2.00 mD to 2.08 mD for the Selma Chalk carbonate sample after 180 days of exposure to CO2‐saturated brine. Based on model prediction, key mineral dissolution and precipitation reactions in the Lower Tuscaloosa Sandstone sample include dissolution of quartz, chlorite, and feldspar, as well as precipitation of amorphous silica and kaolinite. For the Selma Chalk carbonate sample, key predicted reactions include dissolution of calcite, quartz and chlorite, and precipitation of kaolinite and amorphous silica. Initial porosity, initial feldspar content and the exponent n value (related to pore structure and tortuosity) used in permeability calculations were three important factors affecting permeability evolution of sandstone samples under CO2 sequestration conditions. The small permeability change predicted for both the Lower Tuscaloosa Sandstone and the Selma Chalk caprock after exposure to CO2‐saturated brine suggests that poro‐permeability changes during CO2 injection into the Lower Tuscaloosa Formation are not likely to significantly affect reservoir and seal quality. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐resolution integrated calcareous plankton biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy at the Oligocene–Miocene transition in Southwestern Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Gennari Rocco , Persico Davide , Turco Elena , Villa Giuliana , Iaccarino Silvia Maria , Florindo Fabio , Lurcock Pontus C. , de Santana dos Anjos Zerfass Geise
Published: July 2017

After the formalization of the base of the Miocene in the Lemme‐Carrosio section (Italy) at the base of Subchron C6Cn.2n, the calcareous plankton biostratigraphy was refined in several open ocean Deep Sea Drilling Project/Ocean Drilling Program sites. However, high‐resolution quantitative biostratigraphic studies, integrating planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils, are still lacking for the time interval spanning the Oligocene–Miocene transition. Here, we present a reinvestigation of Deep Sea Drilling Project Hole 516F (Rio Grande Rise) and 4 oil wells drilled by Petróbras Brasileiro SA in the Campos Basin (SW Atlantic Ocean). We identified 12 planktonic foraminiferal and 18 calcareous nannofossil bioevents that have been integrated with an updated magnetostratigraphy of Hole 516F allowing the correlation with the GPTS and the identification of the Oligocene/Miocene boundary (base of Subchron C6Cn.2n) between the Top ofSphenolithus delphixand the Base of commonParagloborotalia kugleri. Furthermore, our results give new insights on the reliability of major calcareous plankton events across the Oligocene–Miocene transition: (a) theSphenolithus ciperoensisTop, theS. delphixBase and Top, and theSphenolithus cometaBase are reliable events at a global scale; (b) the Bases ofGloboquadrina dehiscensandSphenolithus disbelemnos > 4 μm are correlatable events only within the study sector of the SW Atlantic Ocean; and (c) theGloboturborotalita ciperoensisTop,Globoturborotalita angulisuturalisTop, andSphenolithus procerusBase are diachronous. Finally, previously unreported biostratigraphic data, such as the distribution range ofS. disbelemnos < 4 μm andSphenolithuscf.S. pseudoheteromorphus, theTenuitellinata praestainforthiacme interval, and the Top of commonGlobigerinoides primordiuswere identified in the Campos Basin.
Symptom burden as a driver of decisional regret in long‐term oropharyngeal carcinoma survivors
Authors: Goepfert Ryan P. , Fuller C. David , Gunn G. Brandon , Hanna Ehab Y. , Lewin Jan S. , Zaveri Jhankruti S. , Hubbard Rachel M. , Barrow Martha P. , Hutcheson Katherine A.
Published: July 2017

Background

The purpose of this study was to characterize decisional regret and its association with symptom burden in a large cohort of oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) survivors.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was administered to 1729 OPC survivors. Survey items included a multisymptom inventory and a validated decisional regret inventory. Associations between regret and symptom scores were analyzed to determine and rank symptom drivers of decisional regret.

Results

Nine hundred seventy‐two patients responded reporting a low level of decisional regret overall, although 15.5% communicated “moderate to strong” regret. Overall symptom score and treatment group were statistically significant predictors of decisional regret. Relative to other symptoms, difficulty swallowing and feeling sad were the strongest drivers of decisional regret.

Conclusion

OPC survivors provide a robust description of their long‐term outcomes with 15.5% expressing “moderate to high” regret that was significantly associated with late symptom burden and multimodality treatment. Difficulty swallowing was the strongest driver of decisional regret.
Temporal bone chondroblastoma: Imaging characteristics with pathologic correlation
Authors: Park Sun‐Won , Kim Ji‐hoon , Park Ji Hoon , Moon Kyung Chul , Paeng Jin Chul , Choi Byung Se , Lee Younghen , Kim Jae Hyoung , Yoo Roh‐Eul , Kang Koung Mi , Kim Soo Chin , Choi Seung Hong , Yun Tae Jin , Sohn Chul Ho
Published: July 2017

Background

Chondroblastoma commonly involves the temporal bone in the craniofacial region, but its imaging features have not been elucidated. This study aimed to describe the imaging features of temporal bone chondroblastoma with their pathologic correlation.

Methods

Radiopathologic correlation was performed in 5 patients with temporal bone chondroblastoma from our database and in 11 patients identified through a PubMed search.

Results

The cases of temporal bone chondroblastoma commonly involve the squamous part, temporal and infratemporal fossae, temporomandibular joint, and tympanic cavity, with the following features: high attenuation with calcification; heterogeneity; low signal intensity on T2‐weighted imaging with enhancement; a smooth interface to the brain; and strong hypermetabolism on fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. The heterogeneous low signal intensity on T2‐weighted imaging was correlated with various histopathologic components, including calcification and hemosiderin deposition.

Conclusion

Temporal bone chondroblastoma usually forms as an expansile, heterogeneous, hypermetabolic mass in the middle cranial fossa, frequently with low signal intensity on T2‐weighted imaging, reflecting various degrees of calcification and hemosiderin deposition.
The impact of changes in China's family patterns on family pension functions
Authors: Su Zhongxin , Hu Z. , Peng Xizhe
Published: July 2017

Using data from the Chinese census and the China Statistical Yearbook, this paper will analyze the historical changes and future trends of family households in China over the past 30 years and explore the changes of family pension functions and corresponding policies. Our analysis yielded 3 notable results. First, in family size miniaturization and structural simplification, 1‐ and 2‐generation family households are the main body of contemporary China. Second, for family aging and changes in living patterns, which primarily manifest as an increase in; the proportion of elderly households and in middle‐aged and elderly people in the family, the elderly model and the “multigenerational model” have become the 2 major residence models for the elderly in China. Third, nontraditional families have emerged in large numbers, such as the exclusively elderly family, empty nest family, grandparents family, Double Income, No Kids (DINK) family, older single family, and single‐parent family. We argue that in the process of simplification, China's family structure is increasingly showing characteristics of networking. The change in family patterns entails the restoration of traditional functions and taking on new functions of the family by issuing relevant social policies. Only when these social policies are based on family functions and demands can they provide effective help to social members, particularly regarding the family's responsibilities to parent children and support the elderly.
Hydrologic response to future land use change in the Upper Mississippi River Basin by the end of 21st century
Authors: Rajib Adnan , Merwade Venkatesh
Published: July 2017

This study demonstrates the spatial variation in hydrologic processes across the Upper Mississippi River Basin (UMRB) by the end of 21st century, by ingesting FOREcasting Scenarios (FORE‐SCE) of Land‐use Change projections into a physics‐based hydrologic model—Soil and Water Assessment Tool. The model is created for UMRB (440,000 km2), using the National Landcover Database of year 2001 and climate data of 1991–2010. Considering 1991–2010 as the baseline reference period, FORE‐SCE projections of year 2091 under three scenarios (A1B, A2, and B1 from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) are separately assimilated into the calibrated model, whereas climate input is kept the same as in the baseline. Modeling results suggest an increase of 0.5% and 3.5% in the average annual streamflow at the basin outlet (Grafton, Illinois) during 2081–2100, respectively, for A1B and A2, whereas for B1, streamflow would decrease by 1.5%. Under the “worst case” A2 scenario, 6% and 133% increase, respectively, in agricultural and urban areas with 30% depletion of forest and grassland would result into 70% increase in surface runoff, 20% decrease in soil moisture, and 4% decrease in evapotranspiration in certain parts of the basin. Conversion of cropland, forest, or grassland to perennial hay/pasture areas would lower surface runoff by 25% especially in the central region, whereas persistent forest cover in the northern region would cause up to 7% increase in evapotranspiration. The ecosystem in the lower half of UMRB is likely to become adverse, as dictated by a composite water–energy balance indicator. Future land use change extents and resultant hydrologic responses are found significantly different under A2, A1B, and B1 scenarios, which resonates the need for multi‐scenario ensemble assessments towards characterizing a probable future. The spatial variation of hydrologic processes as shown here helps to identify potential “hot spots,” giving ways to adopt more effective policy alternatives at regional level.
Benchmarking density functional tight binding models for barrier heights and reaction energetics of organic molecules
Authors: Gruden Maja , Andjeklović Ljubica , Jissy Akkarapattiakal Kuriappan , Stepanović Stepan , Zlatar Matija , Cui Qiang , Elstner Marcus
Published: July 2017

Density Functional Tight Binding (DFTB) models are two to three orders of magnitude faster than ab initio and Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods and therefore are particularly attractive in applications to large molecules and condensed phase systems. To establish the applicability of DFTB models to general chemical reactions, we conduct benchmark calculations for barrier heights and reaction energetics of organic molecules using existing databases and several new ones compiled in this study. Structures for the transition states and stable species have been fully optimized at the DFTB level, making it possible to characterize the reliability of DFTB models in a more thorough fashion compared to conducting single point energy calculations as done in previous benchmark studies. The encouraging results for the diverse sets of reactions studied here suggest that DFTB models, especially the most recent third‐order version (DFTB3/3OB augmented with dispersion correction), in most cases provide satisfactory description of organic chemical reactions with accuracy almost comparable to popular DFT methods with large basis sets, although larger errors are also seen for certain cases. Therefore, DFTB models can be effective for mechanistic analysis (e.g., transition state search) of large (bio)molecules, especially when coupled with single point energy calculations at higher levels of theory. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Demonstration of complete bacterial‐killing in water at a very high flow‐rate: use of a surface‐enhanced copper nanoparticle with activated carbon as a hybrid
Authors: Biswas Pritam , Bandyopadhyaya Rajdip
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

To address the objective of disinfecting water, copper nanoparticles (Cu‐NPs) have been synthesized and impregnated on activated carbon (AC). This material when packed in a continuous column can potentially satisfy the need of a household‐scale water disinfection unit.

RESULTS

Accordingly, Cu‐NPs of 6.11 nm mean diameter were deposited in the form of discrete NPs, on plasma treated AC, with a Cu loading of 2.1 wt%, in Cu‐AC. Selective impregnation of Cu‐NPs was achieved on the external surface of plasma treated AC, as plasma treatment generates surface function groups on the AC surface. The superior qualities of the hybrid achieved complete killing of 104 CFU mL‐1 of E. coli cells in only 10 min contact, on using 8 mg mL‐1 of Cu‐AC in batch mode. A flow‐column (8 cm diameter and 25 cm height) designed on the basis of this batch contact time achieved disinfected water at a high flow rate of 4.13 L h‐1, even when operated non‐stop, over 7 days. Simultaneously, it maintained a very low steady state Cu concentration (83.7 μg L‐1) in the disinfected water, much below the permissible limit of 1000 μg L‐1 for drinking water.

CONCLUSION

This study achieved: (i) selective impregnation of Cu‐NPs on AC with controlled degree of oxidation; (ii) maximum flow rate of E. coli‐free drinking water in a continuously operating column, packed with Cu‐AC granules; and (iii) complete E. coli cell‐killing and Cu concentration within the permissible limit for drinking water over a very long duration. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Control by past and present stimuli depends on the discriminated reinforcer differential
Authors: Cowie Sarah , Davison Michael , Elliffe Douglas
Published: July 2017

The extent to which a stimulus exerts control over behavior depends largely on its informativeness. However, when reinforcers have discriminative properties, they often exert less control over behavior than do other less reliable stimuli such as elapsed time. We investigated why less reliable cues in the present often overshadow stimulus control by more reliable cues presented in the recent past, by manipulating the reliability and duration of stimulus presentations. Five pigeons worked on a modified concurrent schedule in which the location of the response that produced the last reinforcer was a discriminative stimulus for the likely time and location of the next reinforcer. In some conditions, either the location of the previous reinforcer, or the location of the next reinforcer, was signaled by a red key light. This stimulus was either Brief, occurring for 10 s starting a fixed time after the most recent reinforcer, or Extended, being present at all times between food deliveries. Brief and Extended stimuli that signaled the same information had a similar effect on choice when they were present, but control by Brief stimuli weakened as time since stimulus offset elapsed. Control was divided among stimuli in the present and recent past according to the apparent reliability of the information signaled about the next reinforcer. More reliable stimuli in the present degraded, but did not erase, control by less reliable stimuli presented in the recent past. Thus, we conclude that less reliable stimuli in the present control behavior to a greater degree than do more reliable stimuli in the recent past because these more reliable stimuli are forgotten, and hence their relation to the likely availability of food cannot be discriminated.
Reasons for the preference of clinic visits to self‐medication by common cold patients in Japan
Authors: Tsutsumi Madoka , Shaku Fumio , Ozone Sachiko , Sakamoto Naoto , Maeno Tetsuhiro
Published: July 2017

Background

Many Japanese visit medical institutions for common cold treatment, which can cause congestion in these institutions and an increase in medical expenses, although the common cold can be treated sufficiently through self‐medication. Therefore, to elucidate the reasons individuals with common colds do not use over‐the‐counter (OTC) medication, we conducted an investigation using a self‐administered inquiry sheet to determine reasons for clinic visits and for the avoidance of OTC medication.

Methods

The study was of patients with self‐diagnosed common cold symptoms using an anonymous self‐report questionnaire.

Results

Of the 471 patients administered the questionnaire, 442 responded. The analysis was focused on the 37 patients who responded that they had considered using OTC medication before coming to the clinic but decided against it and came to the clinic instead. The majority responded positively saying that they felt reassured when seen by a physician (91.9%) and that their common cold was cured more rapidly (89.2%).

Conclusions

It can be presumed that many patients with common colds visit medical institutions because they feel reassured and feel that their symptoms improve at a quicker rate. The findings of this study indicated that there is a need for accurate information and relief from anxiety for patients regarding the common cold.
Alterations in cortical thickness in nonmedicated premature ejaculation patients: A morphometric MRI study
Authors: Guo Fan , Xi Yi‐Bin , Gao Ming , Liu Lin , Fei Ning‐Bo , Qin Wei , Li Chen , Cui Long‐Biao , Yan Fei , Yu Lei , Yuan Jian‐Lin , Yin Hong
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most common sexual dysfunctions in men. However, there has been little research evaluating alterations in brain structure related to PE. We aimed to investigate the characteristics of nonmedicated PE patients in terms of brain morphometry.

Materials and Methods

The sample consisted with 32 medication‐naïve adult men with clinical diagnosed PE and matched 31 healthy controls. All participants received diagnostic interviews and 3.0 Tesla MRI scans. Automatic segmentation processing of MRI structure images was performed using FreeSurfer software and cerebral cortical thickness between groups was compared.

Results

The PE group had thicker cortex in widespread regions, including the frontal, parietal and occipital lobe, and limbic system, compared with the healthy control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the duration is negatively correlated with the mean cortical thickness of the right medial orbitofrontal cortex, right precentral gyrus and left superior frontal cortex (R2 = 0.29, P < 0.003; R2 = 0.163, P < 0.04; R2 = 0.2, P < 0.02), while the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool score is negatively correlated with the mean cortical thickness of the left caudal middle frontal cortex (R2 = 0.33, P < 0.005).

Conclusion

The result highlights the structural features of PE and suggests the relationship with the severity of impairment is related to the severity of anatomic abnormality with the relevant brain region. These results support the value of imaging measures as markers for understanding the physiopathology of PE.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:656–662.
Monthly climate variation over Korea in relation to the two types of ENSO evolution
Authors: Yeo Sae‐Rim , Yeh Sang‐Wook , Kim Yoojin , Yim So‐Young
Published: July 2017

This study documents monthly temperature and precipitation anomalies over Korea during the different phases of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) for the two types of ENSO evolution. The evolution process of ENSO can be classified into two groups based on whether El Niño turns into La Niña in the subsequent year. The first group involves the transition process from El Niño to La Niña, while the second group shows the prolonged El Niño or neutral conditions after the mature phase of El Niño. Because the mid‐latitude atmospheric responses as well as the equatorial heating anomalies for the two groups of ENSO are different each other, the ENSO‐related climate variation over Korea are investigated separately for the two ENSO evolution groups. In particular, this study focuses on the entire monthly evolution of the temperature and precipitation over Korea during the different phases of ENSO. The statistically robust signals can be found in several particular months, which provides statistical basis for predicting monthly climate over Korea. In addition to the observational data analyses, we further investigate the forecast skill of the Asia‐Pacific Economic Cooperation Climate Center (APCC) Multi‐Model Ensemble (MME) in simulating two groups of ENSO evolution and their impacts on Korean climate. The result shows that the MME reasonably predicts the two different evolution of ENSO as in observation but their prediction skills for the ENSO‐related Korean climate are diverse, which largely depends on the phase of ENSO.
Risk patterns, structural characteristics, and organizational configurations
Authors: Renzi Antonio , Sancetta Giuseppe , Orlando Beatrice
Published: July 2017

A firm’s structural characteristics are predictive of its risk pattern and attitude toward managing change over time. Idiosyncratic risk has its roots in the firm’s structure. This affects the firm’s volatility compared with the average volatility in the sector. Such characteristics and risk patterns affect the firm’s capability to manage change and capture the value from change.
Investigation of sensory profiles and hedonic drivers of emerging aquaculture fish species
Authors: Alexi Niki , Byrne Derek V , Nanou Evangelia , Grigorakis Kriton
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

The aquaculture sector needs to increase the diversity fish species and their processed products to cover rising consumer demands. Candidates for this diversification have been identified to be meagre, greater amberjack, pikeperch and wreckfish. Yet scientific knowledge on their sensory profiles and consumer hedonic responses is scarce. The aim of the current study was to investigate these aspects, since they are essential for product development and market targeting.

RESULTS

Species exhibited different sensory profiles with the exception of the odor/flavor profiles of meagre and greater amberjack, which were similar. Texture was more important than odor/flavor in explaining interspecies differences. Yet the hedonic responses were equally related to texture and odor/flavor. None of the species received negative hedonic scores. Both positive and negative hedonic drivers were identified within the odor/flavor and texture modalities.

CONCLUSION

The distinct profiles of meagre, greater amberjack, pikeperch and wreckfish make these fish species valuable first materials for new product development and for covering markets with different sensory preferences. Differences in fish texture are more easily perceivable, yet small variations in fish odor/flavor can have a great impact on consumers' hedonic responses. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
In vitro characteristics of Lactobacillus spp. strains isolated from the chicken digestive tract and their role in the inhibition of Campylobacter colonization
Authors: Kobierecka Patrycja A. , Wyszyńska Agnieszka K. , Aleksandrzak‐Piekarczyk Tamara , Kuczkowski Maciej , Tuzimek Anna , Piotrowska Wioletta , Górecki Adrian , Adamska Iwona , Wieliczko Alina , Bardowski Jacek , Jagusztyn‐Krynicka Elżbieta K.
Published: July 2017

Campylobacter jejuni/coli infections are the leading cause of bacterial diarrheal illnesses in humans. Many epidemiological studies indicate that improperly prepared meat from chickens that carry a high load of Campylobacter in their intestinal tracts is the key source of human infections. LAB, mainly members of the Lactococcus and Lactobacillus genera, increasingly have been tested as vehicles for the delivery of heterologous bacterial or viral antigens to animal mucosal immune systems. Thus, the objective of this study was to isolate, identify, and characterize Lactobacillus spp. strains isolated from chickens bred in Poland. Their ability to decrease the level of bird gut colonization by C. jejuni strain was also analyzed. First, the influence of the different chicken rearing systems was evaluated, especially the effect of diets on the Lactobacillus species that colonize the gut of chickens. Next, selected strains were analyzed in terms of their anti‐Campylobacter activity in vitro; potential probiotic traits such as adhesion properties, bile and low pH tolerance; and their ability to grow on a defined carbon source. Given that improperly prepared chicken meat is the main source of human infection by Campylobacter, the selected strains were also assessed for their ability to inhibit Campylobacter colonization in the bird's intestine. These experiments revealed enormous physiological diversity among the Lactobacillus genus strains. Altogether, our results showed that L. plantarum strains isolated from the digestive tracts of chickens bred in Poland displayed some probiotic attributes in vitro and were able to decrease the level of bird gut colonization by C. jejuni strain. This suggests that they can be employed as vectors to deliver Campylobacter immunodominant proteins to the bird's immune system to strengthen the efficacy of in ovo vaccination.
Decision support for firm performance by real options analytics
Authors: Power Bernadette , Reid Gavin C.
Published: July 2017

This paper develops a real options decision support tool for raising the performance of the firm. It shows how entrepreneurs can use our intuitive tool quickly to assess the nature and type of action required for improved performance. This exploits our estimated econometric relationship between precipitators of entrepreneurial opportunities, time until exercise, and firm performance. Our 3D chromaticity plots show how staging investments, investment time, and firm performance support entrepreneurial decisions to embed, or to expedite, investments. Speedy entrepreneurial action is securely supported with this tool, without expertise in econometric estimation or in formulae for real options valuation.
Single‐stage versus two‐stage arteriovenous loop microsurgical reconstruction: A meta‐analysis of the literature
Authors: Knackstedt Rebecca , Aliotta Rachel , Gatherwright James , Djohan Risal , Gastman Brian , Schwarz Graham , Hendrickson Mark , Gurunluoglu Raffi
Published: July 2017

Background

Arteriovenous (AV) loops can be utilized in a single‐ or two‐stage approach in free flap reconstruction when proper vessels are not available. However, there exists no consensus on which method leads to superior microsurgical and patient outcomes. The purpose of this article was to review single‐ versus two‐stage AV loops utilized in free flap reconstruction with a focus on complications and overall outcomes.

Methods

A systematic review of AV loops for autologous free tissue transfer was conducted. Endpoints investigated included flap characteristics, timing to second stage, complications, and outcomes. A Student's t‐test and forest plots were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Thirty‐five unique papers discussed utilizing AV loops in a single‐ or two‐stage approach, yielding 260 and 98 single‐ and two‐stage AV loops, respectively. There was a statistically significant higher rate of major complications in two‐stage as compared to single‐stage AV loops. There was a non‐statistically significant difference in rate of minor complications in the single‐stage as compared to two‐stage AV loops. Overall, there was a statistically significant higher success rate in the single‐stage as compared to two‐stage AV loops

Conclusion

There was a statistically significant higher rate of major complications and failures in two‐stage AV loops. As well‐conducted randomized controlled studies are nearly impossible to perform in this population, the decision to pursue a single‐ versus two‐stage reconstruction should ultimately be determined based on individual patient co‐morbidities, the size and etiology of defect, and the type of free tissue transfer planned.
Microbiota, metabolome, and immune alterations in obese mice fed a high‐fat diet containing type 2 resistant starch
Authors: Barouei Javad , Bendiks Zach , Martinic Alice , Mishchuk Darya , Heeney Dustin , Hsieh Yu‐Hsin , Kieffer Dorothy , Zaragoza Jose , Martin Roy , Slupsky Carolyn , Marco Maria L
Published: July 2017

Scope

We examined the intestinal and systemic responses to incorporating a type 2 resistant starch (RS) into a high fat diet fed to obese mice.

Methods and results

Diet‐induced obese, C57BL/6J male mice were fed an HF diet without or with 20% (by weight) high‐amylose maize resistant starch (HF‐RS) for 6 weeks. Serum adiponectin levels were higher with RS consumption, but there were no differences in weight gain and adiposity. With HF‐RS, the expression levels of ileal TLR2 and Reg3g and cecal occludin, TLR2, TLR4, NOD1 and NOD2 were induced; whereas colonic concentrations of the inflammatory cytokine IL‐17A declined. The intestinal, serum, liver, and urinary metabolomes were also altered. HF‐RS resulted in lower amino acid concentrations, including lower serum branched chain amino acids, and increased quantities of urinary di/trimethylamine, 3‐indoxylsulfate, and phenylacetylglycine. Corresponding to these changes were enrichments in Bacteroidetes (S24‐7 family) and certain Firmicutes taxa (Lactobacillales and Erysipelotrichaceae) with the HF‐RS diet. Parabacteroides and S24‐7 positively associated with cecal maltose concentrations. These taxa and Erysipelotrichaceae, Allobaculum, and Bifidobacterium were directly correlated with uremic metabolites.

Conclusion

Consumption of RS modified the intestinal microbiota, stimulated intestinal immunity and endocrine‐responses, and modified systemic metabolomes in obese mice consuming an otherwise obesogenic diet.
Technical Note: Mobile accelerator guidance using an optical tracker during docking in IOERT procedures
Authors: Marinetto Eugenio , Victores Juan González , García‐Sevilla Mónica , Muñoz Mercedes , Calvo Felipe Ángel , Balaguer Carlos , Desco Manuel , Pascau Javier
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT) involves the delivery of a high radiation dose during tumor resection in a shorter time than other radiation techniques, thus improving local control of tumors. However, a linear accelerator device is needed to produce the beam safely. Mobile linear accelerators have been designed as dedicated units that can be moved into the operating room and deliver radiation in situ. Correct and safe dose delivery is a key concern when using mobile accelerators. The applicator is commonly fixed to the patient's bed to ensure that the dose is delivered to the prescribed location, and the mobile accelerator is moved to dock the applicator to the radiation beam output (gantry). In a typical clinical set‐up, this task is time‐consuming because of safety requirements and the limited degree of freedom of the gantry. The objective of this study was to present a navigation solution based on optical tracking for guidance of docking to improve safety and reduce procedure time.

Method

We used an optical tracker attached to the mobile linear accelerator to track the prescribed localization of the radiation collimator inside the operating room. Using this information, the integrated navigation system developed computes the movements that the mobile linear accelerator needs to perform to align the applicator and the radiation gantry and warns the physician if docking is unrealizable according to the available degrees of freedom of the mobile linear accelerator. Furthermore, we coded a software application that connects all the necessary functioning elements and provides a user interface for the system calibration and the docking guidance.

Result

The system could safeguard against the spatial limitations of the operating room, calculate the optimal arrangement of the accelerator and reduce the docking time in computer simulations and experimental setups.

Conclusions

The system could be used to guide docking with any commercial linear accelerator. We believe that the docking navigator we present is a major contribution to IOERT, where docking is critical when attempting to reduce surgical time, ensure patient safety and guarantee that the treatment administered follows the radiation oncologist's prescription.
Distinct alignment of benzene derivatives in stretched polystyrene and polybutylacrylate gels: Specific polymer–solute interactions
Authors: Niklas T. , Steinmetzger C. , Rüttger F. , Stalke D. , John M.
Published: July 2017

We have measured the alignment of a range of benzene derivatives in cross‐linked polystyrene and poly(butyl acrylate) using a small number of residual dipolar couplings and simple geometric considerations. For apolar solutes in polystyrene and protic solutes in poly(butyl acrylate), the preferred molecular orientation does not coincide with the longest molecular axis (steric aligment). This behavior may be explained by specific π–π and hydrogen bonding interactions between solute and polymer, respectively, the latter being confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations.
Assessment of unilateral ureter obstruction with multi‐parametric MRI
Authors: Wang Feng , Takahashi Keiko , Li Hua , Zu Zhongliang , Li Ke , Xu Junzhong , Harris Raymond C. , Takahashi Takamune , Gore John C.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Quantitative multi‐parametric MRI (mpMRI) methods may allow the assessment of renal injury and function in a sensitive and objective manner. This study aimed to evaluate an array of MRI methods that exploit endogenous contrasts including relaxation rates, pool size ratio (PSR) derived from quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT), chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST), nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for their sensitivity and specificity in detecting abnormal features associated with kidney disease in a murine model of unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO).

Methods

MRI scans were performed in anesthetized C57BL/6N mice 1, 3, or 6 days after UUO at 7T. Paraffin tissue sections were stained with Masson trichrome following MRI.

Results

Compared to contralateral kidneys, the cortices of UUO kidneys showed decreases of relaxation rates R1 and R2, PSR, NOE, and ADC. No significant changes in CEST effects were observed for the cortical region of UUO kidneys. The MRI parametric changes in renal cortex are related to tubular cell death, tubular atrophy, tubular dilation, urine retention, and interstitial fibrosis in the cortex of UUO kidneys.

Conclusion

Measurements of multiple MRI parameters provide comprehensive information about the molecular and cellular changes produced by UUO. Magn Reson Med 79:2216–2227, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of talc‐ and glass microsphere‐Reinforced Cycloaliphatic epoxy composites
Authors: Tomasi Julie M. , King Julia A. , Krieg Aaron S. , Miskioglu Ibrahim , Odegard Gregory M.
Published: July 2017

Cycloaliphatic epoxy (CE) is used in high voltage and temperature applications because of its high glass transition temperature and resistance to ultraviolet, ozone, and hydrothermal aging mechanisms. Fillers can be used to increase the tensile modulus and thermal conductivity (TC) without a corresponding increase in electrical conductivity (1/electrical resistivity [ER]), which would be detrimental in a high voltage environment. In this study, two fillers were examined in a CE system: talc and glass microspheres (MS). Up to 20 wt% talc/CE and up to 40 wt% glass MS/CE composites were fabricated and tested for ER, TC, and tensile properties. As desired, all composites remained electrically resistive. Composite TC increased with increasing filler content from 0.15 W/m‐K for the neat epoxy to 0.25 W/m‐K for 20 wt% talc and for 40 wt% glass MS. This TC increase could be helpful to dissipate heat in high voltage and temperature applications. Tensile modulus increased from 2.7 GPa for the neat epoxy to 3.6 GPa for 20 wt% talc/CE and to 5.2 GPa for 40 wt% glass MS/CE composites. Increasing the tensile modulus is useful in the newly developed Polymer Core Composite Conductors that are used to transmit power. POLY COMPOS., 39:E1581–E1588, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastic Engineers
Optical simulation and experimental determination of the effect of subcell sequence in tetraphenyldibenzoperiflanthene‐ and phthalocyanine‐based tandem solar cells
Authors: Zhu Jun , Wang Chao , Yu Junle , Yang Fang , Zheng Yanqiong , Li Xifeng , Wei Bin
Published: July 2017

In this work, series‐connected double‐junction tandem solar cells were fabricated by employing the complementary absorbing donors of tetraphenyldibenzoperiflanthene (DBP) and chloroaluminum phthalocyanine (ClAlPc). The tandem cell shows a high open circuit voltage of 1.57 V, summing those of single cells. The optical simulation and experimental results both demonstrate that the subcell (SC) sequence plays an important role in photocurrent and fill factor for tandem cells. It is helpful for current matching to use ClAlPc as a donor in the bottom SC for the ClAlPc‐DBP system, because the power conversion efficiency (ηPCE) is increased by 7% in the ClAlPc‐DBP normal tandem cell relative to the DBP‐ClAlPc reverse tandem cell. The simulated external quantum efficiency (EQE) spectra of the SCs in the DBP‐ClAlPc reverse cell overlap with each other thus resulting in a current mismatch. Via optical modeling, an optimized ClAlPc‐DBP normal tandem cell exhibits a ηPCE of 3.24% by slightly tuning layer thickness.
Epigenetic regulation of the pathological process in endometriosis
Authors: Hsiao Kuei‐Yang , Wu Meng‐Hsing , Tsai Shaw‐Jenq
Published: July 2017

Background

Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases that greatly compromises the quality of life in affected individuals. A growing body of evidence shows that the remodeling of retrograde endometrial tissues to the ectopic endometriotic lesions involves multiple epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA expression.

Methods

This article retrospectively reviewed the studies that were related to the epigenetic regulatory factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of endometriosis. A literature search was performed in order to collect scientific articles that were written in English by using the key words of “endometriosis,” “epigenetics,” “DNA methylation,” “histone modification,” and “microRNA.”

Results

Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA expression, are involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. These epigenetic players are regulated or tuned by microenvironmental cues, such as locally produced estradiol, proinflammatory cytokines, and hypoxic stress, and reciprocally regulate the process or response to those stimuli.

Conclusion

Understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie these epigenetic regulatory processes would shed light on the etiology and/or progression of endometriosis and facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Hierarchical Porous Zeolite ZSM‐5/Graphene Nanosheets as Robust Heterogeneous Acid Catalysts
Authors: Zhang Huinian , Wang Junying , Liu Yongzhi , Chen Jialing , Wang Hao , Huang Jianlin , Wang Junzhong
Published: July 2017

Quasi‐2D hierarchical porous nanosheets of zeolite ZSM‐5/graphene were synthesized as a robust heterogeneous acid catalyst. Electrochemically exfoliated graphene has strong interfacial effects on forming featured quasi‐2D layer of irregular 2‐50 nm pore size of mesoporous ZSM‐5 interconnected with 2D layer of 0.7 nm microporous zeolite. Graphene could support structural, compositional and morphological modifications of ZSM‐5 with enhanced Brønsted acidic sites accessible as well as improved mass transfer and stability. The ZSM‐5/graphene catalyst with 24wt% graphene exhibited superior catalytic activity for several organic reactions including some bulky molecules, and it can be used repetitively over 15 times without a significant loss of activity.