bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Scalp Arteries for the Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis: Results of a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Rhéaume Maxime , Rebello Ryan , Pagnoux Christian , Carette Simon , Clements‐Baker Marie , Cohen‐Hallaleh Violette , Doucette‐Preville David , Stanley Jackson B. , Salama Sargious Salama Samih , Ioannidis George , Khalidi Nader A.
Published: August 2016

Objective

To examine the concordance between high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the scalp arteries and temporal artery biopsy for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients with suspected GCA. Participants underwent high‐field 3T MRI of the scalp arteries followed by temporal artery biopsy. Arterial wall thickness and enhancement on multiplanar postcontrast T1‐weighted spin‐echo images were graded according to a published severity scale (range 0–3). MRI findings were compared with temporal artery biopsy results and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for GCA.

Results

One hundred seventy‐one patients were included in the study. Temporal artery biopsy findings were positive in 31 patients (18.1%), and MRI findings were abnormal in 60 patients (35.1%). ACR criteria were met in 137 patients (80.1%). With temporal artery biopsy as the reference test, MRI had a sensitivity of 93.6% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 78.6–99.2) and a specificity of 77.9% (95% CI 70.1–84.4). The corresponding negative predictive value of MRI was 98.2% (95% CI 93.6–99.8) and positive predictive value was 48.3% (95% CI 35.2–61.6).

Conclusion

In patients with suspected GCA, normal findings on scalp artery MRI are very strongly associated with negative temporal artery biopsy findings. This suggests that MRI could be used as the initial diagnostic procedure in GCA, with temporal artery biopsy being reserved for patients with abnormal MRI findings.
Histone Deacetylase 5 Is Overexpressed in Scleroderma Endothelial Cells and Impairs Angiogenesis via Repression of Proangiogenic Factors
Authors: Tsou Pei‐Suen , Wren Jonathan D. , Amin M. Asif , Schiopu Elena , Fox David A. , Khanna Dinesh , Sawalha Amr H.
Published: August 2016

Objective

Vascular dysfunction represents a disease‐initiating event in systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma). Results of recent studies suggest that epigenetic dysregulation impairs normal angiogenesis and can result in abnormal patterns of blood vessel growth. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) control endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and regulate EC migration. Specifically, HDAC‐5 appears to be antiangiogenic. This study was undertaken to test whether HDAC‐5 contributes to impaired angiogenesis in SSc by repressing proangiogenic factors in ECs.

Methods

Dermal ECs were isolated from patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc and healthy controls. Angiogenesis was assessed using an in vitro Matrigel tube formation assay. An assay for transposase‐accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC‐seq) was performed to assess and localize the genome‐wide effects of HDAC5 knockdown on chromatin accessibility.

Results

The expression of HDAC5 was significantly increased in ECs from patients with SSc compared to healthy control ECs. Silencing of HDAC5 in SSc ECs restored normal angiogenesis. HDAC5 knockdown followed by ATAC‐seq assay in SSc ECs identified key HDAC5‐regulated genes involved in angiogenesis and fibrosis, such as CYR61, PVRL2, and FSTL1. Simultaneous knockdown of HDAC5 in conjunction with either CYR61, PVRL2, or FSTL1 inhibited angiogenesis in SSc ECs. Conversely, overexpression of these genes individually led to an increase in tube formation as assessed by Matrigel assay, suggesting that these genes play functional roles in the impairment of angiogenesis in SSc.

Conclusion

Several novel HDAC5‐regulated target genes associated with impaired angiogenesis were identified in SSc ECs by ATAC‐seq. The results of this study provide a potential link between epigenetic regulation and impaired angiogenesis in SSc, and identify a novel mechanism for the dysregulated angiogenesis that characterizes this disease.
User‐level microblogging recommendation incorporating social influence
Authors: Li Daifeng , Luo Zhipeng , Ding Ying , Tang Jie , Guo‐Zheng Sun Gordon , Dai Xiaowen , Du John , Zhang Jingwei , Kong Shoubin
Published: August 2016

With the information overload of user‐generated content in microblogging, users find it extremely challenging to browse and find valuable information in their first attempt. In this paper we propose a microblogging recommendation algorithm, TSI‐MR (Topic‐Level Social Influence‐based Microblogging Recommendation), which can significantly improve users' microblogging experiences. The main innovation of this proposed algorithm is that we consider social influences and their indirect structural relationships, which are largely based on social status theory, from the topic level. The primary advantage of this approach is that it can build an accurate description of latent relationships between two users with weak connections, which can improve the performance of the model; furthermore, it can solve sparsity problems of training data to a certain extent. The realization of the model is mainly based on Factor Graph. We also applied a distributed strategy to further improve the efficiency of the model. Finally, we use data from Tencent Weibo, one of the most popular microblogging services in China, to evaluate our methods. The results show that incorporating social influence can improve microblogging performance considerably, and outperform the baseline methods.
Mapping science through bibliometric triangulation: An experimental approach applied to water research
Authors: Wen Bei , Horlings Edwin , van der Zouwen Mariëlle , van den Besselaar Peter
Published: August 2016

The idea of constructing science maps based on bibliographic data has intrigued researchers for decades, and various techniques have been developed to map the structure of research disciplines. Most science mapping studies use a single method. However, as research fields have various properties, a valid map of a field should actually be composed of a set of maps derived from a series of investigations using different methods. That leads to the question of what can be learned from a combination—triangulation—of these different science maps. In this paper we propose a method for triangulation, using the example of water science. We combine three different mapping approaches: journal–journal citation relations (JJCR), shared author keywords (SAK), and title word‐cited reference co‐occurrence (TWRC). Our results demonstrate that triangulation of JJCR, SAK, and TWRC produces a more comprehensive picture than each method applied individually. The outcomes from the three different approaches can be associated with each other and systematically interpreted to provide insights into the complex multidisciplinary structure of the field of water research.
Evaluation of context‐aware recommendation systems for information re‐finding
Authors: Sappelli Maya , Verberne Suzan , Kraaij Wessel
Published: August 2016

In this article we evaluate context‐aware recommendation systems for information re‐finding by knowledge workers. We identify 4 criteria that are relevant for evaluating the quality of knowledge worker support: context relevance, document relevance, prediction of user action, and diversity of the suggestions. We compare 3 different context‐aware recommendation methods for information re‐finding in a writing support task. The first method uses contextual prefiltering and content‐based recommendation (CBR), the second uses the just‐in‐time information retrieval paradigm (JITIR), and the third is a novel network‐based recommendation system where context is part of the recommendation model (CIA). We found that each method has its own strengths: CBR is strong at context relevance, JITIR captures document relevance well, and CIA achieves the best result at predicting user action. Weaknesses include that CBR depends on a manual source to determine the context and in JITIR the context query can fail when the textual content is not sufficient. We conclude that to truly support a knowledge worker, all 4 evaluation criteria are important. In light of that conclusion, we argue that the network‐based approach the CIA offers has the highest robustness and flexibility for context‐aware information recommendation.
Comparative Study of Bifunctional Mononuclear and Dinuclear Amidoiridium Complexes with Chiral C−N Chelating Ligands for the Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones
Authors: Sato Yasuhiro , Kayaki Yoshihito , Ikariya Takao
Published: August 2016

A series of new bifunctional C−N chelating Ir complexes possessing a metal/NH group was synthesized by cyclometalation of optically active primary benzylic amines such as O‐silylated (S)‐2‐amino‐2‐phenylethanols (1 a and 1 a’), (R)‐5‐amino‐6,7,8,9‐tetrahydro‐5H‐benzocycloheptene (1 b), and (R)‐1‐phenyl‐2,2‐dimethylpropylamine (1 c). Although treatment of KOtBu with the amine complexes originating from 1 a and 1 a’ afforded amido‐bridged dinuclear complexes (3 a and 3 a’), more sterically hindered complexes were solely transformed into the coordinatively unsaturated mononuclear amido complexes (3 b and 3 c), which can serve as real catalyst species in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation. The structural difference in the C−N chelate framework markedly affected the catalytic performance. Among them, amido complex 3 c showed a pronounced ability to catalyze the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone in 2‐propanol, even at a low temperature of −30 °C. A hydridoiridium complex (4 c) was also identified in the reaction of 3 c in 2‐propanol, which provides mechanistic insights into the enantiodiscriminating step in the hydrogen transfer to prochiral ketones.
Modeling and solving discrete network design problem with stochastic user equilibrium
Authors: Liu Haoxiang , Wang David Z. W.
Published: August 2016

In this paper, we address the discrete network design problem, which determines the addition of new roads to existing transportation network to optimize the transportation system performance. Road users are assumed to follow the traffic assignment principle of stochastic user equilibrium. A mixed‐integer nonlinear nonconvex problem is developed to model this discrete network design problem with stochastic user equilibrium. The original problem is relaxed into a convex mixed‐integer nonlinear program, whose solution provides a lower bound of the original problem. The relaxed problem is then embedded into two proposed global optimization solution algorithms to obtain the global optimal solution of the problem. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Context processing in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: How complex could it be?
Authors: Ben‐Yosef Dekel , Anaki David , Golan Ofer
Published: August 2016

The ability of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to process context has long been debated: According to the Weak Central Coherence theory, ASD is characterized by poor global processing, and consequently—poor context processing. In contrast, the Social Cognition theory argues individuals with ASD will present difficulties only in social context processing. The complexity theory of autism suggests context processing in ASD will depend on task complexity. The current study examined this controversy through two priming tasks, one presenting human stimuli (facial expressions) and the other presenting non‐human stimuli (animal faces). Both tasks presented visual targets, preceded by congruent, incongruent, or neutral auditory primes. Local and global processing were examined by presenting the visual targets in three spatial frequency conditions: High frequency, low frequency, and broadband. Tasks were administered to 16 adolescents with high functioning ASD and 16 matched typically developing adolescents. Reaction time and accuracy were measured for each task in each condition. Results indicated that individuals with ASD processed context for both human and non‐human stimuli, except in one condition, in which human stimuli had to be processed globally (i.e., target presented in low frequency). The task demands presented in this condition, and the performance deficit shown in the ASD group as a result, could be understood in terms of cognitive overload. These findings provide support for the complexity theory of autism and extend it. Our results also demonstrate how associative priming could support intact context processing of human and non‐human stimuli in individuals with ASD. Autism Res 2017, 10: 520–530. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Ionic Liquid Containing L‐Proline Moiety as Highly Efficient and Recyclable Chiral Organocatalyst for Michael Addition
Authors: Li Jiang , Li Xia Bing , Ma Sha Sha , Liu Juan , Li Ben Hao , Li Bao Lin
Published: August 2016

A novel chiral ionic liquid containing proline moiety was synthesized. It can be used as a highly efficient and recyclable chiral organocatalyst for Michael addition of cyclohexanone with (E)‐β‐nitroalkenes in methanol at room temperature. The Michael addition affords the corresponding products in satisfactory yields of isolated products (78–98%) with high diastereoselectivities and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% dr and up to 99% ee). The catalyst can be recycled up to five times without any decrease in yields and stereoselectivities.
Metallocorroles as Non‐Precious Metal Electrocatalysts for Highly Efficient Oxygen Reduction in Alkaline Media
Authors: Levy Naomi , Mahammed Atif , Friedman Ariel , Gavriel Bar , Gross Zeev , Elbaz Lior
Published: August 2016

A series of non‐precious metal complexes, composed of five first‐row transition‐metal complexes with β‐pyrrole‐brominated 5,10,15‐tris(pentafluorophenyl)corroles [M(tpfcBr8), M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu], was investigated as catalysts for oxygen reduction in an alkaline solution (0.1 m KOH). The corroles were adsorbed on a high surface area carbon powder (BP2000) prior to electrochemical measurements to create a unique composite material. The comparison between the different metal complexes revealed a high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic performance in the case of the Fe‐ and Co‐corroles. These complexes reduce oxygen at very low overpotentials (with E1/2=0.79 V and 0.77 V vs. RHE, respectively), which is better than other well‐defined molecular catalysts and comparable to that of Pt on carbon (XC‐72). The mechanism by which the most active complexes catalyze the ORR in alkaline solutions was also studied, disclosing that the dominant reaction path is a four‐electron reduction of molecular oxygen to hydroxide.
Catalyst Decomposition during Olefin Metathesis Yields Isomerization‐Active Ruthenium Nanoparticles
Authors: Higman Carolyn S. , Lanterna Anabel E. , Marin M. Luisa , Scaiano Juan C. , Fogg Deryn E.
Published: August 2016

The front cover artwork for Issue 15/2016 is provided by the Fogg and Scaiano groups at the University of Ottawa (Canada). The image shows a well‐defined, homogeneous catalyst entering the active cycle for olefin metathesis, and exit of the decomposed catalyst in the form of ruthenium nanoparticles. See the Communication itself at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201600738.
Spectroscopic and Theoretical Identification of Two Thermal Isomerization Pathways for Bistable Chiral Overcrowded Alkenes
Authors: Kistemaker Jos C. M. , Pizzolato Stefano F. , van Leeuwen Thomas , Pijper Thomas C. , Feringa Ben L.
Published: August 2016

Chiroptical molecular switches play an important role in responsive materials and dynamic molecular systems. Here we present the synthesis of four chiral overcrowded alkenes and the experimental and computational study of their photochemical and thermal behavior. By irradiation with UV light, metastable diastereoisomers with opposite helicity were generated through high yielding E–Z isomerizations. Kinetic studies on metastable 1–4 using CD spectroscopy and HPLC analysis revealed two pathways at higher temperatures for the thermal isomerization, namely a thermal E–Z isomerization (TEZI) and a thermal helix inversion (THI). These processes were also studied computationally whereby a new strategy was developed for calculating the TEZI barrier for second‐generation overcrowded alkenes. To demonstrate that these overcrowded alkenes can be employed as bistable switches, photochromic cycling was performed, which showed that the alkenes display good selectivity and fatigue resistance over multiple irradiation cycles. In particular, switch 3 displayed the best performance in forward and backward photoswitching, while 1 excelled in thermal stability of the photogenerated metastable form. Overall, the alkenes studied showed a remarkable and unprecedented combination of switching properties including dynamic helicity, reversibility, selectivity, fatigue resistance, and thermal stability.
Alkyltelluro Substitution Improves the Radical‐Trapping Capacity of Aromatic Amines
Authors: Poon Jia‐fei , Yan Jiajie , Singh Vijay P. , Gates Paul J. , Engman Lars
Published: August 2016

The synthesis of a variety of aromatic amines carrying an ortho‐alkyltelluro group is described. The new antioxidants quenched lipidperoxyl radicals much more efficiently than α‐tocopherol and were regenerable by aqueous‐phase N‐acetylcysteine in a two‐phase peroxidation system. The inhibition time for diaryl amine 9 b was four‐fold longer than recorded with α‐tocopherol. Thiol consumption in the aqueous phase was found to correlate inversely to the inhibition time and the availability of thiol is the limiting factor for the duration of antioxidant protection. The proposed mechanism for quenching of peroxyl radicals involves O‐atom transfer from peroxyl to Te followed by H‐atom transfer from amine to alkoxyl radical in a solvent cage.
Shell Biorefinery: Dream or Reality?
Authors: Chen Xi , Yang Huiying , Yan Ning
Published: August 2016

Shell biorefinery, referring to the fractionation of crustacean shells into their major components and the transformation of each component into value‐added chemicals and materials, has attracted growing attention in recent years. Since the large quantities of waste shells remain underexploited, their valorization can potentially bring both ecological and economic benefits. This Review provides an overview of the current status of shell biorefinery. It first describes the structural features of crustacean shells, including their composition and their interactions. Then, various fractionation methods for the shells are introduced. The last section is dedicated to the valorization of chitin and its derivatives for chemicals, porous carbon materials and functional polymers.
Fluor im Fokus der Forschung
Authors: Wagner Victoria , Matheis Christian
Published: August 2016

Eine neue Strategie zur Einführung pharmazeutisch wertvoller Fluorgruppen.
Near‐Infrared Intraoperative Chemiluminescence Imaging
Authors: Büchel Gabriel E. , Carney Brandon , Shaffer Travis M. , Tang Jun , Austin Christine , Arora Manish , Zeglis Brian M. , Grimm Jan , Eppinger Jörg , Reiner Thomas
Published: August 2016

Intraoperative imaging technologies recently entered the operating room, and their implementation is revolutionizing how physicians plan, monitor, and perform surgical interventions. In this work, we present a novel surgical imaging reporter system: intraoperative chemiluminescence imaging (ICI). To this end, we have leveraged the ability of a chemiluminescent metal complex to generate near‐infrared light upon exposure to an aqueous solution of Ce4+ in the presence of reducing tissue or blood components. An optical camera spatially resolves the resulting photon flux. We describe the construction and application of a prototype imaging setup, which achieves a detection limit as low as 6.9 pmol cm−2 of the transition‐metal‐based ICI agent. As a proof of concept, we use ICI for the in vivo detection of our transition metal tracer following both systemic and subdermal injections. The very high signal‐to‐noise ratios make ICI an interesting candidate for the development of new intraoperative imaging technologies.
Performance analysis of the Kahan‐enhanced scalar product on current multi‐core and many‐core processors
Authors: Hofmann Johannes , Fey Dietmar , Riedmann Michael , Eitzinger Jan , Hager Georg , Wellein Gerhard
Published: August 2016

We investigate the performance characteristics of a numerically enhanced scalar product (dot) kernel loop that uses the Kahan algorithm to compensate for numerical errors, and describe efficient single instruction multiple data‐vectorized implementations on recent multi‐core and many‐core processors. Using low‐level instruction analysis and the execution‐cache‐memory performance model, we pinpoint the relevant performance bottlenecks for single‐core and thread‐parallel execution and predict performance and saturation behavior. We show that the Kahan‐enhanced scalar product comes at almost no additional cost compared with the naive (non‐Kahan) scalar product if appropriate low‐level optimizations, notably single instruction multiple data vectorization and unrolling, are applied. The execution‐cache‐memory model is extended appropriately to accommodate not only modern Intel multicore chips but also the Intel Xeon Phi ‘Knights Corner’ coprocessor and an IBM POWER8 CPU. This allows us to discuss the impact of processor features on the performance across four modern architectures that are relevant for high performance computing. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Misclassification of Self‐Directed Violence
Authors: Cwik Jan Christopher , Teismann Tobias
Published: August 2016

Background

Inconsistent nomenclature and classification of suicidal behaviour have plagued the field of suicidology for a long time. Recently, the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advocated for the usage of a specific classification system. Aim of the current study was to determine the extent of misdiagnosed acts of self‐directed violence—controlling for the level of expertise in psychology/psychotherapy. Additionally, the effect of gender and diagnosis on misclassifications was assessed.

Method

A total of 426 participants (laypersons, psychology students, psychotherapists‐in‐training, licensed psychotherapists) were presented with an array of case vignettes describing different acts of self‐directed violence (e.g., non‐suicidal self‐directed violence, suicide attempt, suicide ideation) and were asked to make a classification. Gender and given diagnosis were varied systematically in two vignettes.

Results

Overall 51.6% of the cases were misclassified (according to the Self‐Directed Violence Classification System). The level of expertise was almost unrelated to classification correctness. Yet, psychotherapists were more confident about their judgments. Female gender of the character described in the vignette and an ascribed diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder were associated with higher misclassification rates.

Limitations

The validity of case vignettes is discussible.

Conclusions

The results highlight the importance of more methodological and diagnostic training of psychologists regarding suicidal issues. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

Misclassification of non‐suicidal and suicidal events is common.

Expertise is only weakly associated with classification correctness.

Misclassification of suicide attempts occurs more often in women.

Misclassification of suicide attempts occurs more often in Borderline Personality Disorder.

The use of standardized diagnostic tools in relation to self-directed violence is highly recommended.
Early‐Stage Capital Cost Estimation of Biorefinery Processes: A Comparative Study of Heuristic Techniques
Authors: Tsagkari Mirela , Couturier Jean‐Luc , Kokossis Antonis , Dubois Jean‐Luc
Published: August 2016

Biorefineries offer a promising alternative to fossil‐based processing industries and have undergone rapid development in recent years. Limited financial resources and stringent company budgets necessitate quick capital estimation of pioneering biorefinery projects at the early stages of their conception to screen process alternatives, decide on project viability, and allocate resources to the most promising cases. Biorefineries are capital‐intensive projects that involve state‐of‐the‐art technologies for which there is no prior experience or sufficient historical data. This work reviews existing rapid cost estimation practices, which can be used by researchers with no previous cost estimating experience. It also comprises a comparative study of six cost methods on three well‐documented biorefinery processes to evaluate their accuracy and precision. The results illustrate discrepancies among the methods because their extrapolation on biorefinery data often violates inherent assumptions. This study recommends the most appropriate rapid cost methods and urges the development of an improved early‐stage capital cost estimation tool suitable for biorefinery processes.
A Unique Hybrid Quasi‐Solid‐State Electrolyte for Li–O2 Batteries with Improved Cycle Life and Safety
Authors: Yi Jin , Zhou Haoshen
Published: August 2016

In the context of the development of electric vehicle to solve the contemporary energy and environmental issues, the possibility of pushing future application of Li–O2 batteries as a power source for electric vehicles is particularly attractive. However, safety concerns, mainly derived from the use of flammable organic liquid electrolytes, become a major bottleneck for the strategically crucial applications of Li–O2 batteries. To overcome this issue, rechargeable solid‐state Li–O2 batteries with enhanced safety is regarded as an appealing candidate. In this study, a hybrid quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte combing a polymer electrolyte with a ceramic electrolyte is first designed and explored for Li–O2 batteries. The proposed rechargeable solid‐state Li–O2 battery delivers improved cycle life (>100 cycles) and safety. The feasibility study demonstrates that the hybrid quasi‐solid‐state electrolytes could be employed as a promising alternative strategy for the development of rechargeable Li–O2 batteries, hence encouraging more efforts devoted to explore other hybrid solid‐state electrolytes for Li–O2 batteries upon future application.
Solar‐Driven H2O2 Generation From H2O and O2 Using Earth‐Abundant Mixed‐Metal Oxide@Carbon Nitride Photocatalysts
Authors: Wang Ruirui , Pan Kecheng , Han Dandan , Jiang Jingjing , Xiang Chengxiang , Huang Zhuangqun , Zhang Lu , Xiang Xu
Published: August 2016

Light‐driven generation of H2O2 only from water and molecular oxygen could be an ideal pathway for clean production of solar fuels. In this work, a mixed metal oxide/graphitic‐C3N4 (MMO@C3N4) composite was synthesized as a dual‐functional photocatalyst for both water oxidation and oxygen reduction to generate H2O2. The MMO was derived from a NiFe‐layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursor for obtaining a high dispersion of metal oxides on the surface of the C3N4 matrix. The C3N4 is in the graphitic phase and the main crystalline phase in MMO is cubic NiO. The XPS analyses revealed the doping of Fe3+ in the dominant NiO phase and the existence of surface defects in the C3N4 matrix. The formation and decomposition kinetics of H2O2 on the MMO@C3N4 and the control samples, including bare MMO, C3N4 matrix, Ni‐ or Fe‐loaded C3N4 and a simple mixture of MMO and C3N4, were investigated. The MMO@C3N4 composite produced 63 μmol L−1 of H2O2 in 90 min in acidic solution (pH 3) and exhibited a significantly higher rate of production for H2O2 relative to the control samples. The positive shift of the valence band in the composite and the enhanced water oxidation catalysis by incorporating the MMO improved the light‐induced hole collection relative to the bare C3N4 and resulted in the enhanced H2O2 formation. The positively shifted conduction band in the composite also improved the selectivity of the two‐electron reduction of molecular oxygen to H2O2.
Assessing mechanisms of climate change impact on the upland forest water balance of the Willamette River Basin, Oregon
Authors: Turner David P. , Conklin David R. , Vache Kellie B. , Schwartz Cynthia , Nolin Anne W. , Chang Heejun , Watson Eric , Bolte John P.
Published: August 2016

Projected changes in air temperature, precipitation, and vapor pressure for the Willamette River Basin (Oregon, USA) over the next century will have significant impacts on the river basin water balance, notably on the amount of evapotranspiration (ET). Mechanisms of impact on ET will be both direct and indirect, but there is limited understanding of their absolute and relative magnitudes. Here, we developed a spatially explicit, daily time‐step, modeling infrastructure to simulate the basin‐wide water balance that accounts for meteorological influences, as well as effects mediated by changing vegetation cover type, leaf area, and ecophysiology. Three CMIP5 climate scenarios (Lowclim, Reference, and HighClim) were run for the 2010–2100 period. Besides warmer temperatures, the climate scenarios were characterized by wetter winters and increasing vapor pressure deficits. In the mid‐range Reference scenario, our landscape simulation model (Envision) projected a continuation of forest cover on the uplands but a threefold increase in area burned per year. A decline (12–30%) in basin‐wide mean leaf area index (LAI) in forests was projected in all scenarios. The lower LAIs drove a corresponding decline in ET. In a sensitivity test, the effect of increasing CO2 on stomatal conductance induced a further substantial decrease (11–18%) in basin‐wide mean ET. The net effect of decreases in ET and increases in winter precipitation was an increase in annual streamflow. These results support the inclusion of changes in land cover, land use, LAI, and ecophysiology in efforts to anticipate impacts of climate change on basin‐scale water balances.
The Governance of Climate Change Adaptation Through Urban Policy Experiments
Authors: Chu Eric K.
Published: August 2016

Climate change is increasingly posing risks to infrastructure and public services in cities across the global South. Building on ideas of policy experimentation at the nexus of institutional and transition theories, this paper assesses six climate change adaptation experiments across the cities of Surat, Indore and Bhubaneswar in India to uncover the politics behind how experiments are conceived of, implemented, and supported in light of local development needs. Through employing both embedded and cross‐case comparative methods, I argue that policy experiments are often framed around achieving tangible urban economic benefits and maximizing specific project complementarities, which allow emerging adaptation priorities access to established policy directives and funding streams. However, I conclude that despite being arenas for testing new ideas, quantifying climate and development co‐benefits, and engaging private and civil society actors, adaptation policy experiments must be coherent with urban political economic contexts in order for them to affect sustained, equitable and transformative programmatic change. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
‘Frame Conflicts’ in Natural Resource Use: Exploring Framings Around Arctic Offshore Petroleum Using Q‐Methodology
Authors: Davies William , Van Alstine James , Lovett Jon C.
Published: August 2016

Environmental and natural resource issues are often framed in multiple ways by different stakeholders. Given their complexity, how these issues are framed can diverge significantly, leading to ‘frame conflicts’. Frame conflicts have implications for decision makers when addressing socio‐ecological problems; this is especially the case for Arctic offshore petroleum. Q‐methodology is used to explore framings found across a group of stakeholders on the issue of Arctic offshore petroleum development, to empirically demonstrate the extent of frame conflicts and to explore possible bridges for consensus between these framings. The issue was framed in various ways: a global sustainability concern, a development panacea for Arctic communities, an issue where economic reality clashes with environmental idealism and an issue centred on local sustainability concerns. Despite significant divergence across framings, some potential bridges of consensus were evident, centring on ideas of traditional livelihoods, the importance of emphasizing ‘human’ aspects of the debate and the inherent risks involved in Arctic offshore petroleum. The implications and challenges of frame conflicts around Arctic offshore petroleum are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Heart failure epidemiology and novel treatments in Japan: facts and numbers
Authors: Konishi Masaaki , Ishida Junichi , Springer Jochen , von Haehling Stephan , Akashi Yoshihiro J. , Shimokawa Hiroaki , Anker Stefan D.
Published: August 2016

Japan has the highest proportion of older people in the world, 25.9% of the population were aged 65 or above in 2014. Although there have been no population‐based studies that precisely examined the prevalence of heart failure in Japan, one report estimated the number of Japanese outpatients with left ventricular dysfunction was 979, 000 (0.8% of total population), which was projected to increase gradually as the population ages, reaching 1.3 million by 2030. Ischemic etiology was less frequently observed in Japan (31–47%) than in western population (54–57%). The prevalence of HF with preserved ejection fraction was similar between Japan (34–68%) and western countries (34–51%). Non‐cardiac co‐morbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and anemia were observed in 6–9% in Japan and 19–31% in western countries, and 35–58% in Japan and 37–56% in western countries, respectively. The definition of chronic kidney disease widely differed among studies. A relatively good survival prognosis in Japanese patients has been discussed. One‐year mortality after discharge from initial hospitalization was 9–12%, which seems to be better than the western cohort. Although length of stay was remarkably longer in Japan (15–21 days) than western countries (4–9 days), it will have to be shortened, as Japan is now being faced with an upcoming HF pandemic. Some treatments in Japan are not approved outside Japan. Such treatments include carperitide infusion (used in 58% of hospitalized HF), nicorandil infusion (9.6%), and oral pimobendan (5%). More recently, landiolol and tolvaptan have been approved. Although these drugs might have a potential to be an effective therapeutic option, lack of corroborating evidence in many of such treatments would emphasize the need for larger clinical trials.
HMGB1 facilitates hypoxia‐induced vWF upregulation through TLR2‐MYD88‐SP1 pathway
Authors: Singh Bandana , Biswas Indranil , Bhagat Saumya , Surya Kumari Sarada , Khan Gausal A.
Published: August 2016

Increased plasma level of von Willebrand Factor (vWF) is associated with major cardiovascular diseases. We previously reported that multimeric vWF binds to NO synthase and inhibits insulin‐induced production of NO, thus promoting insulin resistance during acute hypoxia (AH). However, the transcriptional regulation of vWF during AH is not clearly understood. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the upregulation of vwf in mice. AH significantly upregulates the tlr2, tlr3, myd88, and vwf expression and phosphorylation of specificity protein 1 (SP1). Furthermore, AH significantly upregulates high mobility group box‐1 (HMGB1) in a time‐dependent manner. Moreover, a TLR2 agonist upregulates vWF but a TLR3 agonist does not. Pretreatment with an HMGB1 inhibitor, TLR2‐immunoneutralizing antibody, or SP1 inhibitor significantly inhibits vWF expression. Furthermore, Tlr2 silencing completely inhibited MYD88, vWF expression, and SP1 phosphorylation. However, pretreatment with glycyrrhizic acid or silencing of Tlr2 completely blocks binding of Sp1 to the Vwf promoter, thus inhibiting its expression, and enhances insulin resistance during AH. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus also showed significantly elevated levels of HMGB1, TLR2, SP1, and vWF, thereby supporting the results of the murine model of AH. Taken together, HMGB1 upregulates vWF in vivo through the TLR2‐MYD88‐SP1 pathway in mice.
Electroanalytical Approach for Quantification of Pesticide Maneb
Authors: Stanković Dalibor M.
Published: August 2016

For the first time, in this study electrochemical oxidation behavior of pesticide maneb is evaluated. Due to the structure electroanalytical quantification of maneb has not been exploited enough. Maneb electrochemical behavior was investigated using glassy carbon (GC), graphene modified glassy carbon (GR/GC) and boron doped diamond (BDD) electrodes. It is shown that only BDD shows satisfactory results toward maneb detection. Based on this, a simple, sensitive and selective electroanalytical method for determination of pesticide maneb using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) is proposed, with a working linear range of 80–3000 nM and the limit of detection of 24 nM. The developed methodology has been applied for the determination of maneb in river water samples with satisfactory recovery. Additionally, this green method, being simple, fast, and free of chemical‐reduction reagents, offers several advantages over modified electrodes and expands the scope of BDD based electrochemical sensing devices, with promise for wider applications in environmental analysis.
Konjac glucomannan hydrolysate: A potential natural coating material for bioactive compounds in spray drying encapsulation
Authors: Wattanaprasert Supichar , Borompichaichartkul Chaleeda , Vaithanomsat Pilanee , Srzednicki George
Published: August 2016

This research aimed to develop a suitable coating material for encapsulating a plant bioactive compound via spray drying. A suitable process for modifying the rheological property of konjac glucomannan (KGM) solution by enzymatic treatment was developed. A plant bioactive compound, andrographolide, was selected to use as core material. Mannanase (1500 units of enzyme) was used in the treatment of KGM solution. The concentration of KGM solution was varied from 9 to 18% (w/w). It was found that 12% (w/w) was the optimum KGM concentration that could be hydrolyzed to a viscosity of <100 mPa·s. HPLC analysis of hydrolyzed solution found a fair amount of DP4–DP7 oligosaccharides (where DP is degree of polymerization) were obtained. The solution was then used as coating material in spray drying with inlet air temperature of 170°C and outlet air temperature of 85°C. It was found that 12% (w/w) konjac glucomannan hydrolysate (KGMH) was suitable for coating 2% (w/w) andrographolide. Its efficiency of encapsulation was also higher than that of KGMH combined with gamma‐cyclodextrin or beta‐cyclodextrin. This study revealed a great potential of using KGMH solution for pharmaceutical and food industries in the spray drying encapsulation process.
Cyclical hydrogen storage and retention in polyaniline
Authors: Ebrahim Rabi , Zomorrodian Ali , Attia Nour , Geckeler Kurt , Ignatiev Alex
Published: August 2016

Hydrogen adsorption in porous nanostructured polyaniline (PANI) has been investigated to determine its potential as a hydrogen storage media. Residual gas analysis and thermogravimetric analysis were used to investigate the cyclical hydrogen adsorption in PANI. A hydrogen storage capacity of up to 3 wt % was obtained by charging the polymers at up to 3.0 × 106 Pa hydrogen at elevated temperature. Multiple charge and discharge cycles have been shown, with good retention beyond 106 sec.
Patch‐scale representation of vegetation within hydraulic models
Authors: Marjoribanks Timothy I. , Hardy Richard J. , Lane Stuart N. , Tancock Matthew J.
Published: August 2016

Submerged aquatic vegetation affects flow, sediment and ecological processes within rivers. Quantifying these effects is key to effective river management. Despite a wealth of research into vegetated flows, the detailed flow characteristics around real plants in natural channels are still poorly understood. Here we present a new methodology for representing vegetation patches within computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of vegetated channels. Vegetation is represented using a Mass Flux Scaling Algorithm (MFSA) and drag term within the Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes Equations, which account for the mass and momentum effects of the vegetation, respectively. The model is applied using three different grid resolutions (0.2, 0.1 and 0.05 m) using time‐averaged solution methods and compared to field data. The results show that the model reproduces the complex spatial flow heterogeneity within the channel and that increasing the resolution leads to enhanced model accuracy. Future applications of the model to the prediction of channel roughness, sedimentation and key eco‐hydraulic variables are presented, likely to be valuable for informing effective river management. © 2016 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Quantitative study of a rapidly weathering overhang developed in an artificially wetted sandstone cliff
Authors: Bruthans Jiří , Filippi Michal , Schweigstillová Jana , Řihošek Jaroslav
Published: August 2016

Those factors controlling the weathering and erosion of sandstone on the field scale are still not well understood. In this study, a specific sandstone overhang (and its surroundings) with artificially induced and extremely high erosion rates was subjected to a complex investigation. Contrast between the erosion rate of the wet and dry portions of the same cliff enabled isolation of the factors responsible for rapid sandstone retreat. Erosion rates, moisture, and salt content, as well as suction were monitored in the field. Mineral phases and water chemistry were analyzed. The measurement of tensile strength, laboratory frost weathering tests, and numerical modeling of stress were performed. The acquired data show that an increase of moisture content in pores in the area of the studied overhang decreased tensile strength of the sandstone to 14% of its dry value, and increases the sandstone weathering and erosion rate, by nearly four orders of magnitude, compared to the same sandstone under natural moisture conditions outside of the cliff area. Consequently, frost weathering, in combination with wetting weakening was found to play a major role in weathering/erosion of the sandstone cliff and overhang. Frost weathering rate in both the laboratory and field increases up to 15 times with decreasing gravity‐induced stress. The results also indicate that sandstone landforms in temperate climates may potentially develop very rapidly if the pore space is nearly saturated with water, and will later remain relatively stable when the moisture content decreases. As a general implication, it is suggested that overhangs in Central Europe (and elsewhere) might be the result of rapid frost weathering of nearly saturated sandstone during the Last Glacial. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Systemic inflammation in decompensated cirrhosis: Characterization and role in acute‐on‐chronic liver failure
Authors: Clària Joan , Stauber Rudolf E. , Coenraad Minneke J. , Moreau Richard , Jalan Rajiv , Pavesi Marco , Amorós Àlex , Titos Esther , Alcaraz‐Quiles José , Oettl Karl , Morales‐Ruiz Manuel , Angeli Paolo , Domenicali Marco , Alessandria Carlo , Gerbes Alexander , Wendon Julia , Nevens Frederik , Trebicka Jonel , Laleman Wim , Saliba Faouzi , Welzel Tania M. , Albillos Agustin , Gustot Thierry , Benten Daniel , Durand François , Ginès Pere , Bernardi Mauro , Arroyo Vicente ,   for the CANONIC Study Investigators of the EASL‐CLIF Consortium and the European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF‐CLIF)
Published: August 2016

Acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) in cirrhosis is characterized by acute decompensation (AD), organ failure(s), and high short‐term mortality. Recently, we have proposed (systemic inflammation [SI] hypothesis) that ACLF is the expression of an acute exacerbation of the SI already present in decompensated cirrhosis. This study was aimed at testing this hypothesis and included 522 patients with decompensated cirrhosis (237 with ACLF) and 40 healthy subjects. SI was assessed by measuring 29 cytokines and the redox state of circulating albumin (HNA2), a marker of systemic oxidative stress. Systemic circulatory dysfunction (SCD) was estimated by plasma renin (PRC) and copeptin (PCC) concentrations. Measurements were performed at enrollment (baseline) in all patients and sequentially during hospitalization in 255. The main findings of this study were: (1) Patients with AD without ACLF showed very high baseline levels of inflammatory cytokines, HNA2, PRC, and PCC. Patients with ACLF showed significantly higher levels of these markers than those without ACLF; (2) different cytokine profiles were identified according to the type of ACLF precipitating event (active alcoholism/acute alcoholic hepatitis, bacterial infection, and others); (3) severity of SI and frequency and severity of ACLF at enrollment were strongly associated. The course of SI and the course of ACLF (improvement, no change, or worsening) during hospitalization and short‐term mortality were also strongly associated; and (4) the strength of association of ACLF with SI was higher than with SCD. Conclusion: These data support SI as the primary driver of ACLF in cirrhosis. (Hepatology 2016;64:1249‐1264).
Ferritin: Versatile Host, Nanoreactor, and Delivery Agent
Authors: Pulsipher Katherine W. , Dmochowski Ivan J.
Published: August 2016

The ferritin family of proteins can be thought of as natural, nano‐sized containers. Their native function is to oxidize and store iron as a hydrated ferric oxide mineral, which can be removed to give apoferritin. The hollow interior (D=5–8 nm) provides an excellent template for inorganic nanoparticle (NP) synthesis. In addition to preparing new cores in situ, apoferritins can be disassembled and reassembled around a NP of interest. Ferritin encapsulation increases NP biocompatibility and allows site‐specific functionalization. We and others have prepared many NP‐filled ferritins, as well as ferritins loaded with small molecules of interest. Uniquely, apoferritin serves as a model for a general anesthetic‐protein binding site, which has led to the discovery of the first fluorescent general anesthetic and improved understanding of anesthetic mechanisms. Finally, ferritin conjugates have exciting applications for targeted delivery, which we have explored in the vascular endothelium.
The Rise of Radicals in Bioinorganic Chemistry
Authors: Gray Harry B. , Winkler Jay R.
Published: August 2016

Prior to 1950, the consensus was that biological transformations occurred in two‐electron steps, thereby avoiding the generation of free radicals. Dramatic advances in spectroscopy, biochemistry, and molecular biology have led to the realization that protein‐based radicals participate in a vast array of vital biological mechanisms. Redox processes involving high‐potential intermediates formed in reactions with O2 are particularly susceptible to radical formation. Clusters of tyrosine (Tyr) and tryptophan (Trp) residues have been found in many O2‐reactive enzymes, raising the possibility that they play an antioxidant protective role. In blue copper proteins with plastocyanin‐like domains, Tyr/Trp clusters are uncommon in the low‐potential single‐domain electron‐transfer proteins and in the two‐domain copper nitrite reductases. The two‐domain muticopper oxidases, however, exhibit clusters of Tyr and Trp residues near the trinuclear copper active site where O2 is reduced. These clusters may play a protective role to ensure that reactive oxygen species are not liberated during O2 reduction.