bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Speicherung erneuerbarer Energien: Power‐to‐Gas
Authors: Rubner Isabel , Grofe Theodor , Oetken Marco
Published: July 2018

Aus dem Bereich der elektrochemischen bzw. chemischen Speicher kann besonders das Power‐to‐Gas‐Projekt einen zentralen Beitrag zur bedarfsgerechten Stromversorgung liefern. Im Hinblick auf die Aktualität dieses Themas und seiner zukünftigen Tragweite kann das Ziel eines zeitgemäßen und modernen naturwissenschaftlichen Unterrichts nur darin bestehen, dieses Themenfeld der erneuerbaren Energien konzeptionell und vor allem experimentell in die Curricula der Schule und in die Studienordnungen der Hochschule zu integrieren. Derartige Simulationsexperimente zur Energiespeicherung regenerativer Energiequellen sollten in einem aktuellen und motivierenden naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht nicht fehlen, sodass mit den Schülerinnen und Schülern eine kritische Auseinandersetzung mit den Perspektiven einer nachhaltigen Energieversorgung möglich ist.
Research progress on novel solar steam generation system based on black nanomaterials
Authors: Xu Chao , Yang Qian , Wang Fuxian , Fang Xiaoming , Zhang Zhengguo
Published: July 2018

Among all the renewable energy sources, solar irradiation has the greatest potential to meet the world's future energy demands. The solar‐driven generation of water steam has emerged as a promising route for solar energy utilization in the fields of global water cycle, seawater desalination, high‐temperature sterilization, and wastewater treatment. A typical solar thermal energy converting process involves heat harvesting by solar thermal absorber and heat stimulating the evaporation of water via sensible heat and latent heat. In this review, the novel direct solar steam generation systems based on black nanomaterials are presented. These direct solar steam production systems can be categorized into the following two types: nanofluid‐based evaporation systems and suspended interface evaporation systems. We describe the physical model and experimental results of these systems, as well as the determination of optimal evaporation system design according to excellent evaporation performance. Finally, we elucidate the dominant factors influencing the evaporation efficiency and propose improved approaches to further increase solar steam production efficiency for the discovery of practical applications.
Component‐Tunable Rutile‐Anatase TiO2/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites for Enhancement of Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Hu Yiwei , Ding Tao , Zhang Kailong , Li Biao , Zhu Baichuan , Tang Kaibin
Published: July 2018

As an earth‐abundant and environment‐friendly material, the potential of TiO2 in many field, including oxygen evolution reaction (OER), has not yet been fully developed. Here, we fabricate component tunable rutile‐anatase TiO2/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites with high OER activity which exhibit a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 283 mV. The performance is superior to the previous reported TiO2 (600 mV) and comparable with the leading results of other active materials. The catalytic mechanism is suggested according to our experimental results that the interactions between rutile and anatase, as well as RGO and TiO2 result in the enhancement of adsorption of hydroxyl. Such an adsorption is advantageous to provide a surface reaction environment and reduce the activation energy of the electrochemical process, resulting in the best OER performance. This work should stimulate the design of more materials for the improvement of OER activity.
Amenamevir: Studies of Potential CYP3A‐Mediated Pharmacokinetic Interactions With Midazolam, Cyclosporine, and Ritonavir in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Adeloye Temitope , Sahgal Omair , Puri Adeep , Warrington Steve , Endo Takamasa , Dennison Jeremy , Johnston Atholl
Published: July 2018

Amenamevir (formerly ASP2151) is a helicase‐primase inhibitor being developed for the treatment of herpesvirus infection. Amenamevir is both a substrate and inducer of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4. Three studies were done in healthy volunteers to investigate potential CYP3A pharmacokinetic interactions with the following drugs: (1) Midazolam (probe substrate for CYP3A): After 10 days’ pretreatment with amenamevir 400 mg daily, geometric mean maximum concentration of drug in blood plasma (Cmax) and area under the plasma drug concentration‐time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC0‐∞) of midazolam 7.5 mg were about 68% and 51%, respectively, of those after midazolam alone. (2) Cyclosporine (substrate and inhibitor of CYP3A): After 5 days’ pretreatment with cyclosporine 100 mg twice daily, geometric mean Cmax of amenamevir after 400‐mg and 1200‐mg single doses was, respectively, about 66% and 69%, and AUC0‐∞ about 82% and 79%, of those after amenamevir alone. (3) Ritonavir (inhibitor of CYP3A): When given with single doses of ritonavir 600 mg, geometric mean Cmax of amenamevir after 400‐mg and 1200‐mg single doses was, respectively, about 1.4 and 1.6 times higher, and geometric mean AUC0‐∞ about 2.6 and 3.3 times higher, than after amenamevir alone. Amenamevir has the potential to be involved in CYP3A‐mediated pharmacokinetic interactions in clinical practice.
LED dimming technique without frequency and pulse width modulations
Authors: Borekci Selim , Acar Nihal C. , Kircay Ali
Published: July 2018

In this paper, a novel dimmable light‐emitting diode (LED) driver is implemented by a series‐parallel resonant converter. Variable resonant inductor is used for dimming purposes. This technique is not requiring switching frequency variation or pulse width modulation, unlike commonly used techniques. The proposed technique is implemented on 40 one‐watt series connected power LEDs at 60‐kHz constant switching frequency. The experimental results show that LEDs can be dimmed to a desired power level within the range of nominal and low power.
Ultralow power, noise immune stacked‐double stage clocked‐inverter domino technique for ultradeep submicron technology
Authors: Ghimiray Sapna Rani , Meher Preetisudha , Dutta Pranab Kishore
Published: July 2018

High‐performance system widely uses domino gates due to their high speed and low power. Everlasting demand of technology scaling increases leakage current in domino gates. These make domino circuit less immune to noise. This paper present a new energy efficient circuit technique for ultralow power consumption and higher noise immunity design for wide fan‐in gates. The proposed circuit techniques reduce leakage from the evaluation network of the domino circuit with help of stacked footer approach involving clocked inverter in double stage domino. This approach has an added advantage of circuit robustness. The proposed circuit exerts less power dissipation and improved unity noise gain compared with a conventional domino circuit. The immunity is demonstrated with the help of average noise threshold energy, energy normalized ANTE (ANTE, ANTE/Energy). The simulation of the circuit is carried out by using 90 nm technology in Cadence TCAD tools.
Early‐life stress leads to sex‐dependent changes in pubertal timing in rats that are reversed by a probiotic formulation
Authors: Cowan Caitlin S. M. , Richardson Rick
Published: July 2018

Puberty marks the beginning of a period of dramatic physical, hormonal, and social change. This instability has made adolescence infamous as a time of “storm and stress” and it is well‐established that stress during adolescence can be particularly damaging. However, prior stress may also shape the adolescent experience. In the present series of experiments, we observed sex‐specific effects of early‐life maternal separation stress on the timing of puberty onset in the rat. Specifically, stressed females exhibited earlier pubertal onset compared to standard‐reared females, whereas stressed males matured later than their standard‐reared counterparts. Further, we demonstrated that a probiotic treatment restores the normative timing of puberty onset in rodents of both sexes. These results are in keeping with previous findings that probiotics reverse stress‐induced changes in learned fear behaviors and stress hormone levels, highlighting the remarkable and wide‐ranging restorative effects of probiotics in the context of early‐life stress.
Executive function in teen and adult women: Association with maternal status and early adversity
Authors: Almanza‐Sepulveda Mayra L. , Chico Elsie , Gonzalez Andrea , Hall Geoffrey B. , Steiner Meir , Fleming Alison S.
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of maternal age on executive function and the moderating effects of women's maternal status and early‐life experiences. Four groups of women were assessed as a function of their age (teens vs. adults) and maternal status (mothers vs. nonmothers). Participants completed executive function tests, including Spatial Working Memory (SWM), Intra‐Extra‐Dimensional‐Set‐Shift (IED), and Stockings of Cambridge (SOC). Women also completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire to assess their experiences of early adversity. Results showed that for the IED‐task, there were main effects of age and maternal status and an interaction between the two; adults performed better than teens, mothers performed better than nonmothers, and teen nonmothers performed the least well of all groups. For the SWM‐task, adults performed better than teens. Our results indicate that although age is an important factor for proper executive functioning, different tasks are affected differently and other factors such as maternity and adverse childhood experiences moderate this functioning.
Strain sensors and pressure sensors using Cr─N thin films for high‐pressure hydrogen gas
Authors: Niwa Eiji , Mikami Hiroshi
Published: July 2018

The authors investigated the influence of hydrogen on Cr–N strain‐sensitive thin films, which have a gauge factor of about 14, to develop a high‐sensitive strain sensor for high‐pressure hydrogen gas. As a result, it was found that the thin film was not affected by hydrogen and the specimen of Cr–N thin film on Zirconia substrate showed a sensitive and linear output to the pressure. It was considered that the Cr–N thin films were able to be expected as not only high‐sensitive strain sensors but also diaphragm‐less pressure sensors in high‐pressure hydrogen gas.
Design of neural network PID controller based on E‐FRIT
Authors: Kinoshita Kento , Wakitani Shin , Ohno Shuichi
Published: July 2018

Proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers have been widely used for process systems. However, a good control result is not always obtained with fixed PID gains when a controlled object has nonlinearity. This paper proposes a design method for a nonlinear PID controller that utilizes a neural network to overcome the problem. In the proposed controller, PID gains are tuned online by a neural network and a controlled object is manipulated by the PID controller with the tuned PID gains. The neural network is learned by an offline learning algorithm based on the Extended Fictitious Reference Iterative Tuning (E‐FRIT) and the backpropagation. E‐FRIT is a method that tunes control parameters directly by using operating data and evaluates not only a controlled output but also the difference of manipulated variable. Simulation examples are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed method. Moreover, the experimental result of a level control of a tank system is also given to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method.
Sensitive Voltammetric Amoxicillin Sensor Based on TiO2 Sol Modified by CMK‐3‐type Mesoporous Carbon and Gold Ganoparticles
Authors: Pollap Aleksandra , Knihnicki Paweł , Kuśtrowski Piotr , Kozak Joanna , Gołda‐Cępa Monika , Kotarba Andrzej , Kochana Jolanta
Published: July 2018

In this work, a novel voltammetric sensor was developed to determine amoxicillin (AMX). The electrode modification layer consisted of titanium dioxide sol (TiO2) modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), CMK‐3‐type mesoporous carbon and Nafion. The morphology of the electrode composite was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrochemical behaviour of AMX at proposed electrode was studied. Effects of parameters comprising the amount of CMK‐3 and AuNPs in matrix composite, pH of supporting electrolyte and incubation time on the sensitivity of developed sensor were examined. The analytical characteristics of the proposed sensor were assessed. The developed sensor exhibited linear response in two AMX concentration ranges: from 0.5 to 2.5 μM and from 2.5 to 133.0 μM, with sensitivity of 1420 μA mM−1 (5071 μA mM−1 cm−2) and 832 μA mM−1 (2971 μA mM−1 cm−2), respectively. The detection limit was evaluated as 0.3 μM. For verification purposes the sensor was successfully employed in determination of AMX in pharmaceutical product, mineral and environmental water using a flow‐batch monosegmented sequential injection approach.
Integrating Ultrathin Polypyrrole Framework on Nickel‐Cobalt Layered Double Hydroxide as an Amperometric Sensor for Non‐enzymatic Glucose Determination
Authors: Ni Gang , Cheng Jun , Dai Xin , Guo Zehao , Ling Xiang , Yu Tao , Sun Zhenjie
Published: July 2018

We prepared a novel amperometric sensor based on nickel cobalt layered double hydroxide (NiCo‐LDH) coupling with ultrathin polypyrrole shell (LDH@PPy) for enzyme‐free determination of glucose. Using a simple vapor polymerization route, PPy forms an internal conductive framework surrounding the LDH lamellas, leading to improved electronic conductivity as well as mitigated electrochemical impedance. As a consequence, the LDH@PPy sensor endows excellent electrocatalytic performance for glucose determination. High sensitivity (46.04 μA mM−1 cm−2 and 292.84 μA mM−1 cm−2), wide linear range (5–50 μM and 0.05–8.2 mM), and a low detection limit of 0.80 μM (S/N=3) could be implemented. The optimization of operation potential, reproducibility, and anti‐interference properties of the sensor were also conducted. The LDH@PPy composite presents a promising candidate for rapid and accurate determination of glucose in practical applications.
Intracellular Electrochemical Sensing
Authors: Ino Kosuke , Nashimoto Yuji , Taira Noriko , Azcon Javier Ramon , Shiku Hitoshi
Published: July 2018

Observing biochemical processes within living cell is imperative for biological and medical research. Fluoresce imaging is widely used for intracellular sensing of cell membranes, nuclei, lysosomes, and pH. Electrochemical assays have been proposed as an alternative to fluorescence‐based assays because of excellent analytical features of electrochemical devices. Notably, thanks to the rapid progress of micro/nanotechnologies and electrochemical techniques, intracellular electrochemical sensing is making rapid progress, leading to a successful detection of intracellular components. Such insight can provide a deep understanding of cellular biological processes and, ultimately, define the human healthy and diseased states. In this review, we present an overview of recent research progress in intracellular electrochemical sensing. We focus on two main topics, electrochemical extraction of cytosolic contents from cells and intracellular electrochemical sensing in situ.
Immobilized microbial biosorbents for heavy metals removal
Authors: Velkova Zdravka , Kirova Gergana , Stoytcheva Margarita , Kostadinova Sonia , Todorova Kostadinka , Gochev Velizar
Published: July 2018

Intensive industrial and urban growth has led to the release of increasing amounts of environmental pollutants. Contamination by metals, in particular, deserves special attention due to their toxicity and potential to bioaccumulate via the food chain. Conventional techniques for the removal of toxic metals, radionuclides and precious metals from wastewater all have a number of drawbacks, such as incomplete metal extraction, high cost and risk of generating hazardous by‐products. Biosorption is a cost‐effective and environment‐friendly technology, an alternative to conventional wastewater treatment methods. Biosorption is a metabolically independent process, in which dead microbial biomass is capable of removal and concentrating metal ions from aqueous solutions. Free microbial biosorbents are of small size and low density, insufficient mechanical stability and low elasticity, which causes problems with metal ion desorption, separation of the sorbent from the medium and its regeneration. Hence, the possibilities for the implementation of continuous biosorbent processes for metal removal in flow‐type reactor systems are reduced and the practical application of biosorption in industrial conditions is limited. By immobilizing microbial biomass on suitable carriers the disadvantages of free biosorbents are eliminated and more opportunities for practical use of biosorption become available. This review examines different immobilization techniques and carriers, certain basic features and possibilities of using immobilized microbial biosorbents for the removal and concentration of metals from aqueous solutions.
Seismic performance evaluation of single damped‐outrigger system incorporating buckling‐restrained braces
Authors: Lin Pao‐Chun , Takeuchi Toru , Matsui Ryota
Published: July 2018

The outrigger system is an effective means of controlling the seismic response of core‐tube type tall buildings by mobilizing the axial stiffness of the perimeter columns. This study investigates the damped‐outrigger, incorporating the buckling‐restrained brace (BRB) as energy dissipation device (BRB‐outrigger system). The building's seismic responses are expected to be effectively reduced because of the high BRB elastic stiffness during minor earthquakes and through the stable energy dissipation mechanism of the BRB during large earthquakes. The seismic behavior of the BRB‐outrigger system was investigated by performing a spectral analysis considering the equivalent damping to incorporate the effects of BRB inelastic deformation. Nonlinear response history analyses were performed to verify the spectral analysis results. The analytical models with building heights of 64, 128, and 256 m were utilized to investigate the optimal outrigger elevation and the relationships between the outrigger truss flexural stiffness, BRB axial stiffness, and perimeter column axial stiffness to achieve the minimum roof drift and acceleration responses. The method of determining the BRB yield deformation and its effect on overall seismic performance were also investigated. The study concludes with a design recommendation for the single BRB‐outrigger system.
Carboniferous tectonic configuration of the Yining Massif in Western Tianshan, NW China
Authors: Li Yongjun , Xu Qian , Yang Gaoxue , Wang Ran , Tong Lili , Li Ganyu , Shen Rui , Li Zhao , Wang Zuopeng , Wang Zhenyu
Published: July 2018

The tectonic evolution and configuration of the Carboniferous trench‐arc‐basin system (TABS) in the Yining Massif (Western Tianshan, NW China) have long been controversial. The question of the existence of an ancient ocean basin and its subduction polarity is crucial to address this issue. In this study, we suggest that the Early Carboniferous calc‐alkaline volcano‐sedimentary rocks were formed in a fore‐arc/back‐arc basin system, whereas the Late Carboniferous bimodal volcanic rocks and their associated sedimentary rocks were formed under a continental rift setting after the Junggar‐Tarim collision. We propose that the Southern Tianshan ocean basin may have closed in the Late Early Carboniferous, terminating the TABS at Yining. Spatial–temporal distribution of volcanic‐sedimentary rock assemblages suggests that the Early Carboniferous Southern Tianshan ancient ocean basin was similar to the TABS system of the present‐day Japanese island arc.
Study on NDVI changes in Weihe Watershed based on CA–Markov model
Authors: Wang Lixia , Yu Dongyang , Liu Zhao , Yang Yun , Zhang Juan , Han Jichang , Mao Zhongan
Published: July 2018

The simulation and prediction of the NDVI are conducive to regional ecological restoration. In this research, the Weihe Watershed is selected as the study area, which is located on the eastern edge of the Tianshan tectonic belt. Firstly, according to NDVI characters, we divide the values into five grades, including very low (<0.3), lower (0.3–0.4), medium (0.4–0.5), higher (0.5–0.6), and very high (>0.6), and analyse the NDVI tempo‐spatial variations in Weihe Watershed from 2006 to 2015. Then, we use CA–Markov model with parameters adjustment to simulate and predict the NDVI distributions in 2015 and 2020, respectively. The results show that (a) at temporal scales, the NDVI in Weihe Watershed increase year by year from 2006 to 2015, indicating a better vegetation recovery. At spatial scales, the NDVI increase from north‐west to south‐east gradually, which is related with the main climate factors such as temperature and precipitation. (b) By adjusting the parameters of state transition suitability atlas in the Markov model, we get the model with higher accuracy to simulate NDVI changes. And the Kappa coefficient between the simulation results and the true values is 0.6123. (c) According to the predictions in 2020, the regions with very high NDVI and higher NDVI mainly locate in Qinling Mountains, Guanzhong Plain, Ziwu Mountains, Jinghe Valley, and Luohe Valley. And these regional area percentages occupying the whole watershed increased by 13.62% and 2.64%, respectively, compared with the area percentages in 2015. The regions with medium NDVI, lower NDVI, and very low NDVI mainly distribute at the north Loess Plateau of the watershed. And these regional area percentages occupying the whole watershed decreased by 7.40%, 6.59%, and 2.28%, respectively, compared with the area percentages in 2015. The above results illustrate that the ecological environment of Weihe Watershed is improving, which can provide scientific reference for assessing the regional ecological risk and formulating ecological protection measures.
The voltage‐gated potassium channel Kv1.3 is required for microglial pro‐inflammatory activation in vivo
Authors: Di Lucente Jacopo , Nguyen Hai M. , Wulff Heike , Jin Lee‐Way , Maezawa Izumi
Published: July 2018

Microglia show a rich repertoire of activation patterns regulated by a complex ensemble of surface ion channels, receptors, and transporters. We and others have investigated whether microglia vary their K+ channel expression as a means to achieve functional diversity. However, most of the prior studies were conducted using in vitro models such as BV2 cells, primary microglia, or brain slices in culture, which may not accurately reflect microglia physiology in adult individuals. Here we employed an in vivo mouse model of selective innate immune activation by intracerebroventricular injection of lipopolysaccharides (ICV‐LPS) to determine the role of the voltage‐gated Kv1.3 channel in LPS‐induced M1‐like microglial activation. Using microglia acutely isolated from adult brains, we detected Kv1.3 and Kir2.1 currents, and found that ICV‐LPS increased the current density and RNA expression of Kv1.3 but did not affect those of Kir2.1. Genetic knockout of Kv1.3 abolished LPS‐induced microglial activation exemplified by Iba‐1 immunoreactivity and expression of pro‐inflammatory mediators such as IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐6, and iNOS. Moreover, Kv1.3 knockout mitigated the LPS‐induced impairment of hippocampal long‐term potentiation (hLTP), suggesting that Kv1.3 activity regulates pro‐inflammatory microglial neurotoxicity. Pharmacological intervention using PAP‐1, a small molecule that selectively blocks homotetrameric Kv1.3 channels, achieved anti‐inflammatory and hLTP‐recovery effects similar to Kv1.3 knockout. We conclude that Kv1.3 is required for microglial M1‐like pro‐inflammatory activation in vivo. A significant implication of our in vivo data is that Kv1.3 blockers could be therapeutic candidates for neurological diseases where microglia‐mediated neurotoxicity is implicated in the pathogenesis.
Regional regulators in health care service under quality competition: A game theoretical model
Authors: Bisceglia Michele , Cellini Roberto , Grilli Luca
Published: July 2018

In several countries, health care services are provided by public and/or private subjects, and they are reimbursed by the government, on the basis of regulated prices (in most countries, diagnosis‐related group). Providers take prices as given and compete on quality to attract patients. In some countries, regulated prices differ across regions. This paper focuses on the interdependence between regional regulators within a country: It studies how price setters of different regions interact, in a simple but realistic framework. Specifically, we model a circular city as divided in two administrative regions. Each region has two providers and one regulator, who sets the local price. Patients are mobile and make their choice on the basis of provider location and service quality. Interregional mobility occurs in the presence of asymmetries in providers' cost efficiency, regulated prices, and service quality. We show that the optimal regulated price is higher in the region with the more efficient providers; we also show that decentralisation of price regulation implies higher expenditure but higher patients' welfare.
Validity of asthma diagnoses and patterns of anti‐asthmatic drug use in a cohort of 2053 Danish children
Authors: Rubak Sune , Høst Arne , Christensen Lotte Brix , Langfrits Mette Sørensen , Thomsen Reimar Wernich
Published: July 2018

Background and Aims

When investigating and treating asthma in children, diagnosing must be precise and valid. There is a need for studies researching asthma in children showing how to use registry‐based, epidemiological data. We examined the feasibility and validity of using anti‐asthmatic drug prescription data to identify children with asthma and assessed medication patterns in children with and without confirmed asthma.

Methods

We used population‐based Danish prescription data and hospital discharge registries to identify all children aged 0 to 14 years who had redeemed at least one prescription for an inhaled anti‐asthmatic drug. Individual asthma cases were validated by hospital discharge information and by their treating general practitioners according to international asthma guidelines.

Results

In total, 2053 children, out of a population of 20181, had redeemed at least one prescription of any inhaled anti‐asthmatic drug. The positive predictive value (PPV) of having two different asthma medications prescribed in 1 year was 80.2% for presence of true asthma, with a sensitivity of 59%. Corresponding estimates of PPV/sensitivity of at least one prescription for an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) were 79% and 58%, respectively, while the true asthma PPV with at least one LABA prescription increased to 97%. Among children with confirmed asthma, one‐third had not used Beta2‐agonist therapy as part of their treatment. Conversely, among children without confirmed asthma, 40% were prescribed a minimum of two prescriptions for any kind of inhaled anti‐asthmatic drug, and 12% and 9% used an ICS or Leukotriene receptor antagonist, respectively.

Conclusions

Anti‐asthmatic drug prescription data could be used to identify children with true asthma, with reasonable accuracy. The observed pattern of anti‐asthmatic medication usage among children with and without confirmed asthma suggests that there is room for therapeutic improvement.
Consistency of two major data sources for exchange rates in the interwar period and further evidence on the behaviour of exchange rates during hyperinflations
Authors: Peel David , Spiru Alina
Published: July 2018

We exploit a rich but rather neglected source of data, The Commercial and Financial Chronicle, to shed light on the behaviour of daily and weekly exchange rates throughout several interwar hyperinflation episodes, paying special attention to the case of Germany. The purpose of our analysis is fourfold: First, we investigate the consistency of exchange rate data by comparing the rates available from The Commercial and Financial Chronicle at daily frequency with those provided by Einzig (1937). Although Einzig is a widely used source, the daily rates of the currencies of countries that witnessed episodes of hyperinflation during the interwar period, reported in The Chronicle, have not been examined previously. Second, we scrutinize the commentaries offered by The Chronicle to shed light on the impact of news on the behaviour of the German mark–U.S. dollar exchange rate over the interwar German hyperinflation and to check whether the narrative analysis provided therein is consistent with formal econometric analyses in dating when the probability of monetary reform became salient. This is crucial for the interpretation of the findings reported by previous studies of the German hyperinflation. Third, we focus on the commentaries that provide evidence on the volume of trade in German marks and on whether the quotations of the exchange rate of the mark against the U.S. dollar were purely notional in the final stages of the hyperinflation. Fourth, for the first time, we examine the behaviour of the real exchange rate of the German mark after the 1923 stabilization episode using data at weekly frequency.
Stock price effects of bank rating announcements: An application to European Union countries
Authors: Lobão Júlio , Pacheco Luís , Campos Susana
Published: July 2018

This paper uses daily stock prices data surrounding credit rating announcement dates to examine abnormal returns of stocks of the European Union banks experiencing debt rating announcements, during the period 2004–2015. The results of the event studies suggest that rating agencies, by issuing downgrades and upgrades, provide relevant information to capital markets. The results also indicate that rating agencies contribute to enhance the transparency and efficiency in capital markets by standardizing information for all investors. The large positive preupgrade returns we observe are consistent with the view that upgrades are of most interest to market investors. There is no significant evidence of abnormal returns on announcements of rating watches.
Environmental attitudes in China: The roles of the Dark Triad, future orientation and place attachment
Authors: Huang Niwen , Zuo Shijiang , Wang Fang , Cai Pan , Wang Fengxiang
Published: July 2018

Given the current environmental situation and social change in China, we explored the relationships between the Dark Triad traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy) and environmental attitudes (beliefs regarding environmentally related issues), and the mediating roles of future orientation (the tendency to plan for meeting long‐term objectives) and place attachment (the emotional connection with the place of residence) in these relationships. Using a national sample from all 31 provinces of mainland China (N = 998), we found that the psychometric structure of the Dark Triad was well confirmed under Chinese culture. The Dark Triad as a whole was negatively related to environmental attitudes, but narcissism was not significantly associated with environmental attitudes when the three Dark Triad traits were considered as the predictors simultaneously. Future orientation and place attachment mediated the association between the Dark Triad and environmental attitudes. These findings enrich our understanding of the relevant variables of environmental attitudes and provide references for China's government and other developing countries to improve environmental issues. The uniqueness of narcissism could expand the understanding of the commonality and diversity among the Dark Triad traits, and an efficient tool of the Dark Triad was provided under Chinese culture.
Axial resolution enhancement of light‐sheet microscopy by double scanning of Bessel beam and its complementary beam
Authors: Jia Hao , Yu Xianghua , Yang Yanlong , Zhou Xing , Yan Shaohui , Liu Chao , Lei Ming , Yao Baoli
Published: July 2018

The side lobes of Bessel beam will create significant out‐of‐focus background when scanned in light‐sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM), limiting the axial resolution of the imaging system. Here, we propose to overcome this issue by scanning the sample twice with zeroth‐order Bessel beam and another type of propagation‐invariant beam, complementary to the zeroth‐order Bessel beam, which greatly reduces the out‐of‐focus background created in the first scan. The axial resolution can be improved from 1.68 μm of the Bessel light‐sheet to 1.07 μm by subtraction of the two scanned images across a whole field‐of‐view of up to 300 μm × 200 μm × 200 μm. The optimization procedure to create the complementary beam is described in detail and it is experimentally generated with a spatial light modulator. The imaging performance is validated experimentally with fluorescent beads as well as eGFP‐labeled mouse brain neurons.
Small ubiquitin‐like modifier/sentrin‐specific peptidase 1 associates with chemotherapy and is a risk factor for poor prognosis of non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Liu Keyuan , Zhang Jing , Wang Hao
Published: July 2018

Background

SUMO/sentrin‐specific peptidase 1 (SENP1) was associated with radioresistance of cancer cells and was upregulated in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study was to investigate the association of SENP1 with resistance of NSCLC tumor to chemoradiotherapy.

Methods

Sentrin‐specific peptidase 1 expression profile was detected using the immunohistochemistry and quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) analyses. The relative expression level of SENP1 mRNA was detected using qRT‐PCR. The response to chemoradiotherapy was evaluated according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.

Results and Conclusion

When compared with adjacent non‐tumor tissues, the overexpression of SENP1 mRNA and protein in NSCLC tumor tissues was determined using qRT‐PCR and immunochemistry. Based on the chemoradiotherapy response rate, we found that NSCLC patients with higher SENP1 expression showed lower rates of complete response and higher partial and non‐response rate to chemoradiotherapy. In the overall survival analysis, we found patients with high SENP1 expression showed significant shorter survival time compared with those with low SENP1 expression. In the multivariate Cox regression model, we found SENP1 overexpression, TNM stage, and lymph metastasis were independent risk factors for poor prognosis of NSCLC. SENP1 overexpression contributed to chemoradiotherapy resistance of NSCLC. The overexpression of SENP1 could be used as a risk factor for the poor prognosis of NSCLC.
EBV up-regulates PD-L1 on the surface of primary monocytes by increasing ROS and activating TLR signaling and STAT3
Authors: Gilardini Montani Maria Saveria , Santarelli Roberta , Falcinelli Luca , Gonnella Roberta , Granato Marisa , Di Renzo Livia , Cuomo Laura , Vitillo Marina , Faggioni Alberto , Cirone Mara
Published: July 2018

Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) (also called B7-H1) is a membrane immune-modulatory protein whose overexpression on the surface of tumor cells as well as APCs impairs T-cell-mediated killing. Viruses that establish chronic infections have developed a number of strategies to escape from immune recognition including the up-regulation of PD-L1. This study shows for the first time that the human oncovirus EBV infects human primary monocytes using HLA-DR and induced a strong up-regulation of PD-L1 expression on their surface. Searching for the underlying mechanism/s leading to this immune suppressive effect, we found that EBV activated TLR signaling, increased intracellular ROS, and phosphorylated STAT3. Targeting these molecules partially reverted PD-L1 up-regulation that correlated with an altered cytokine production and a reduction of monocyte cell survival, strongly impairing the antiviral immune response.

EBV induces PD-L1 expression on the surface of infected monocytes suggesting that targeting this molecule could help to prevent or treat viral-associated diseases.
The PD-L1- and IL6-mediated dampening of the IL27/STAT1 anticancer responses are prevented by α-PD-L1 or α-IL6 antibodies
Authors: Rolvering Catherine , Zimmer Andreas D , Ginolhac Aurélien , Margue Christiane , Kirchmeyer Mélanie , Servais Florence , Hermanns Heike M , Hergovits Sabine , Nazarov Petr V , Nicot Nathalie , Kreis Stephanie , Haan Serge , Behrmann Iris , Haan Claude
Published: July 2018

Interleukin-27 (IL27) is a type-I cytokine of the IL6/IL12 family and is predominantly secreted by activated macrophages and dendritic cells. We show that IL27 induces STAT factor phosphorylation in cancerous cell lines of different tissue origin. IL27 leads to STAT1 phosphorylation and recapitulates an IFN-γ-like response in the microarray analyses, with up-regulation of genes involved in antiviral defense, antigen presentation, and immune suppression. Like IFN-γ, IL27 leads to an up-regulation of TAP2 and MHC-I proteins, which mediate increased tumor immune clearance. However, both cytokines also upregulate proteins such as PD-L1 (CD274) and IDO-1, which are associated with immune escape of cancer. Interestingly, differential expression of these genes was observed within the different cell lines and when comparing IL27 to IFN-γ. In coculture experiments of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells with peripheral blood mononuclear cells, pre-treatment of the HCC cells with IL27 resulted in lowered IL2 production by anti-CD3/-CD28 activated T-lymphocytes. Addition of anti-PD-L1 antibody, however, restored IL2 secretion. The levels of other TH1 cytokines were also enhanced or restored upon administration of anti-PD-L1. In addition, we show that the suppression of IL27 signaling by IL6-type cytokine pre-stimulation—mimicking a situation occurring, for example, in IL6-secreting tumors or in tumor inflammation–induced cachexia—can be antagonized by antibodies against IL6-type cytokines or their receptors. Therapeutically, the antitumor effects of IL27 (mediated, e.g., by increased antigen presentation) might thus be increased by combining IL27 with blocking antibodies against PD-L1 or/and IL6-type cytokines.

Anti-IL6 or anti-PD-L1 influence IL27 signaling effects in HCC cells by preventing IL6 mediated inhibition of IL27 or by mediating an increase in immunogenicity, respectively.
Influence of dendrimer surface chemistry and pH on the binding and release pattern of chalcone studied by molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Badalkhani‐Khamseh Farideh , Ebrahim‐Habibi Azadeh , Hadipour Nasser L.
Published: July 2018

Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers are promising nanocarriers that can enhance the solubility of hydrophobic drugs. The surface chemistry of dendrimers is of great relevance as end groups of these nanocarriers can be easily modified to improve the bioavailability and sustained release of the cargo. Therefore, a molecular‐level understanding of the host‐guest interactions that can give both qualitative and quantitative information is particularly desirable. In this work, fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations were used to study the association of a bioactive natural product, ie, chalcone, with amine‐, acetyl‐, and carboxyl‐terminated PAMAM dendrimers at physiological and acidic pH environments. Amine‐ and carboxyl‐terminated PAMAM dendrimers have an open microstructure at low pH that is not able to hold the ligand tightly, resulting in an unfavorable encapsulation of the chalcone molecule. In the case of acetyl‐terminated dendrimer, chalcone molecule diffuses out of the dendritic cavities a few times during the simulation time and prefers to locate close to the surface of dendrimer. Average center of mass distance values at neutral pH showed that the chalcone molecule bounds firmly in the internal pockets of amine‐, acetyl‐, and carboxyl‐terminated dendrimers and forms stable complexes with these nanovectors. The potential of mean force calculations showed that the release of the ligand from the dendrimers occurs at a controlled rate in the body.
Exploring a broad spectrum nitrilase from moderately halophilic bacterium Halomonas sp. IIIMB2797 isolated from saline lake
Authors: Singh Rahul Vikram , Sharma Hitesh , Koul Anshela , Babu Vikash
Published: July 2018

Nitrile hydrolyzing moderate halophilic bacterium Halomonas sp. IIIMB2797 was isolated from Sambhar Lake, India. Maximum cell biomass and nitrilase production were observed at 60 g L−1 NaCl in the production media which confirms its moderate halophilic nature. Nitrilase of Halomonas sp. IIIMB2797 proved to be inducible in nature as maximum activity was observed when valeronitrile was added in the production media. Whole cells of Halomonas sp. IIIMB2797 exhibited broad substrate affinity towards aromatic and aliphatic nitriles. Optimum pH and temperature for nitrilase activity was observed at 7.0 and 45 °C, respectively. Effect of salinity on nitrilase activity was also studied and maximum activity was observed in presence of 50 g L−1NaCl in 0.1 M phosphate buffer of pH 7.0. The interesting feature of the study is that whole cells of Halomonas sp. IIIMB2797 exhibited higher nitrilase activities in presence of organic solvents which may be useful in biotransformation of nitriles to corresponding carboxylic acids for industrial applications.
Formulating a Treatment Plan in Suspected Lymphoma: Ultrasound‐Guided Core Needle Biopsy Versus Core Needle Biopsy and Fine‐Needle Aspiration of Peripheral Lymph Nodes
Authors: Drylewicz Monica R. , Watkins Marcus P. , Shetty Anup S. , Lin Michael F. , Salter Amber , Bartlett Nancy L. , Middleton William D. , Yano Motoyo
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Image‐guided tissue sampling in the workup of suspected lymphoma can be performed by core needle biopsy (CNB) or CNB with fine‐needle aspiration (FNA). We compared the yield of clinically actionable diagnoses between these methods of tissue sampling.

Methods

All ultrasound‐guided percutaneous peripheral lymph node biopsies from 2010 to 2017 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed for biopsy type (CNB versus CNB + FNA), prior diagnosis of lymphoma, size of the target lymph node, number of cores, length of core specimens, and pathologic diagnosis. Lymphoma and lymphoid tissue were included; metastatic disease and nonlymphoid tissue were excluded. An oncologist specializing in lymphoma independently determined whether an actionable diagnosis could be made with the pathologic results in the context of the patient's medical record. χ2 analyses and univariable/multivariable logistic regression models were used for statistical analyses.

Results

Of 578 lymph node biopsies, 306 (53%) had a prior diagnosis of lymphoma; 273 (47%) were CNB, and 305 (53%) were CNB + FNA. There was no significant difference between biopsy types (CNB versus CNB + FNA) in the number of cores (median [25th, 75th percentiles], 3 [3, 4] versus 4 [3, 4]; P = .47) or total length of tissue (4.1 [2.5, 6.1] versus 3.7 [2.3, 6] cm; P = .09). There was no difference in obtaining an actionable diagnosis between biopsy types after controlling for a known history of lymphoma (P = .271) or after controlling for the number of core specimens (P = .826).

Conclusions

In cases of suspected lymphoma, CNB without FNA was sufficient to obtain an actionable diagnosis.
Prey perception mechanism determines maximum clearance rates of planktonic copepods
Authors: Almeda Rodrigo , van Someren Gréve Hans , Kiørboe Thomas
Published: July 2018

The ecological consequences of “sit‐and‐wait” (ambushing) vs. “searching” (active feeding) foraging strategies are not well‐understood in marine plankton food webs. We determined the maximum clearance rates of ambush and active feeders to evaluate the trade‐off between foraging gain and predation risk associated with the main foraging strategies in planktonic copepods. We show that maximum clearance rates are similar among feeding behaviors for motile prey but one order of magnitude lower for ambush than for active feeders toward nonmotile prey. The prey size spectrum is narrower and toward relatively larger prey in ambushers compared with active feeders. Prey detection in ambushers relies on the hydrodynamic disturbances and is inefficient toward nonmotile prey but highly efficient for large motile prey. The effective prey perception mechanism in ambushers compensates for the lower prey encounter velocity in ambush feeding copepods compared with active feeding copepods. Therefore, ambushers are more restricted in target prey than active feeders and prey perception mechanism determines the efficiency of planktonic copepod foraging strategies. The lower clearance rates of ambush feeders on nonmotile prey is compensated for by a lower predation risk, which can partially explain the coexistence of both “high‐gain & high‐risk” (active feeders) and “low‐gain & low‐risk” (ambush feeders) foraging strategies in marine plankton food webs.
The Reactive Oxygen Species–Mitophagy Signaling Pathway Regulates Liver Endothelial Cell Survival During Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Bhogal Ricky H. , Weston Christopher J. , Velduis Susanne , G. D. Leuvenink Henri , Reynolds Gary M. , Davies Scott , Nyguet‐Thin Luu , Alfaifi Mohammed , Shepard Emma L. , Boteon Yuri , Wallace Lorraine , Oo Ye H. , Adams David H. , Mirza Darius F. , Mergental Hynek , Muirhead Gillian , Stephenson Barnaby T. F. , Afford Simon C.
Published: July 2018

Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is the main cause of complications following liver transplantation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were thought to be the main regulators of IRI. However, recent studies demonstrate that ROS activate the cytoprotective mechanism of autophagy promoting cell survival. Liver IRI initially damages the liver endothelial cells (LEC), but whether ROS‐autophagy promotes cell survival in LEC during IRI is not known. Primary human LEC were isolated from human liver tissue and exposed to an in vitro model of IRI to assess the role of autophagy in LEC. The role of autophagy during liver IRI in vivo was assessed using a murine model of partial liver IRI. During IRI, ROS specifically activate autophagy‐related protein (ATG) 7 promoting autophagic flux and the formation of LC3B‐positive puncta around mitochondria in primary human LEC. Inhibition of ROS reduces autophagic flux in LEC during IRI inducing necrosis. In addition, small interfering RNA knockdown of ATG7 sensitized LEC to necrosis during IRI. In vivo murine livers in uninjured liver lobes demonstrate autophagy within LEC that is reduced following IRI with concomitant reduction in autophagic flux and increased cell death. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that during liver IRI ROS‐dependent autophagy promotes the survival of LEC, and therapeutic targeting of this signaling pathway may reduce liver IRI following transplantation.