bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atypical sensory reactivity influences auditory attentional control in adults with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Karhson Debra S. , Golob Edward J.
Published: January 2016

Frequent observations of atypical sensory reactivity in people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) suggest that the perceptual experience of those on the Spectrum is dissimilar to neurotypicals. Moreover, variable attention abilities in people with ASD, ranging from good control to periods of high distractibility, may be related to atypical sensory reactivity. This study used auditory event‐related potential (ERP) measures to evaluate top‐down and bottom‐up attentional processes as a function of perceptual load, and examined these factors with respect to sensory reactivity. Twenty‐five age and IQ‐matched participants (ASD: 22.5 year, SD = 4.1 year; Controls: 22.8 year, SD = 5.1 year) completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile prior to performing a modified 3‐stimulus (target, non‐target, and distractor) auditory oddball target detection task EEG was recorded during task completion. ERP analysis assessed early sensory processing (P50, ∼50 ms latency; N100, ∼100 ms latency), cognitive control (N200, ∼200 ms latency), and attentional processing (P3a and P3b, ∼300 ms latency). Behavioral data demonstrates participants with ASD and neurotypical performed similarly on auditory target detection, but diverged on sensory profiles. Target ERP measures associated with top‐down control (P3b latency) significantly increased under greater load in controls, but not in participants with ASD. Early ERP responses associated with bottom‐up attention (P50 amplitude) were positively correlated to increased sensory sensitivity. Findings suggest specific neural mechanisms for increased perceptual capacity and enhanced bottom‐up processing of sensory stimuli in people with autism. Results from participants with ASD are consistent with load theory and enhanced perceptual functioning. Autism Res 2016, 9: 1079–1092. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Randomized clinical trial of chemoembolization plus radiofrequency ablation versus partial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma within the Milan criteria
Authors: Liu H , Wang Z-G , Fu S-Y , Li A-J , Pan Z-Y , Zhou W-P , Lau W-Y , Wu M-C
Published: January 2016

Background

This study aimed to compare sequential treatment by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with partial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within the Milan criteria.

Methods

In a randomized clinical trial, patients with HCC within the Milan criteria were included and randomized 1 : 1 to the partial hepatectomy group or the TACE + RFA group. The primary outcome was overall survival and the secondary outcome was recurrence-free survival.

Results

Two hundred patients were enrolled. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 97·0, 83·7 and 61·9 per cent for the partial hepatectomy group, and 96·0, 67·2 and 45·7 per cent for the TACE + RFA group (P = 0·007). The 1-, 3- and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 94·0, 68·2 and 48·4 per cent, and 83·0, 44·9 and 35·5 per cent respectively (P = 0·026). On Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, HBV-DNA (hazard ratio (HR) 1·76; P = 0·006), platelet count (HR 1·00; P = 0·017) and tumour size (HR 1·90; P < 0·001) were independent prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival, and HBV-DNA (HR 1·61; P = 0·036) was a risk factor for overall survival. The incidence of complications in the partial hepatectomy group was higher than in the TACE + RFA group (23·0 versus 11·0 per cent respectively; P = 0·024).

Conclusion

For patients with HCC within the Milan criteria, partial hepatectomy was associated with better overall and recurrence-free survival than sequential treatment with TACE and RFA. Registration number: ACTRN12611000770965 (http://www.anzctr.org.au/).
Extraction, chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods for lipid analysis
Authors: Pati Sumitra , Nie Ben , Arnold Robert D. , Cummings Brian S.
Published: January 2016

Lipids make up a diverse subset of biomolecules that are responsible for mediating a variety of structural and functional properties as well as modulating cellular functions such as trafficking, regulation of membrane proteins and subcellular compartmentalization. In particular, phospholipids are the main constituents of biological membranes and play major roles in cellular processes like transmembrane signaling and structural dynamics. The chemical and structural variety of lipids makes analysis using a single experimental approach quite challenging. Research in the field relies on the use of multiple techniques to detect and quantify components of cellular lipidomes as well as determine structural features and cellular organization. Understanding these features can allow researchers to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms by which lipid–lipid and/or lipid–protein interactions take place within the conditions of study. Herein, we provide an overview of essential methods for the examination of lipids, including extraction methods, chromatographic techniques and approaches for mass spectrometric analysis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dispersive solid‐phase extraction procedure coupled to UPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis for the simultaneous determination of thirteen cytotoxic drugs in human urine
Authors: Fabrizi Giovanni , Fioretti Marzia , Mainero Rocca Lucia
Published: January 2016

A fast and easy tailored dispersive solid‐phase extraction (d‐SPE) procedure has been developed for the determination of 13 cytostatic drugs. Combined with a rapid and simultaneous ultra performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for residue identification and quantification in urine, it has been fully validated and tested to study a realistic situation in working environment. The target compounds were chosen from the most common classes used in hospitals. The d‐SPE adsorbent was obtained mixing Oasis HLB® with C18 and applied to a large volume of sample (10 mL). The electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry acquisition was conducted in a mixed period mode: six acquisition windows were in positive ionization and one in negative (for 5‐fluorouracil). The lowest limit of quantification was found at 0.04 μg/L urine for methotrexate. The absolute recovery of cytotoxic drugs was assessed at two concentrations levels and ranged from 67.1% (cytarabine) to 102.3% (etoposide) and from 65.3% (cytarabine) to 101.2% (methotrexate) for the lower and higher levels, respectively, with the relative standard deviation always <12%. This method gives the opportunity to analyze drugs in a wide molecular weight range (from 130 to 853 a.m.u.) and in a complex matrix, such as urine, without losing any of the features that a method intended for trace quantification must have. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Minimize legal risks by adopting preventive approach to employment law
Authors: Walton Kelley
Published: January 2016

Higher ed professionals find themselves pulled in so many different directions. It's no wonder that duties related to employment law might not receive much preventive attention until a pressing need calls for an immediate response. However, preventing legal risk is much easier, less expensive and less damaging than reacting to a situation after it occurs.
Understand how Clery Act, FERPA, FOIA impact privacy of student records
Authors: Conway Caroline A.
Published: January 2016

Privacy is a major concern on college campuses, and with changing technology and frequent requests for access to records, it can be hard to know when it's permissible to disclose information and what type of authorization is required for different situations.
Sp1‐mediated ectopic expression of T‐cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 2 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yen Wei‐Hsuan , Ke Wu‐Sian , Hung Jan‐Jong , Chen Tsung‐Ming , Chen Jia‐Shing , Sun H. S.
Published: January 2016

T‐cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 2 (TIAM2) is a neuron‐specific protein that has been found ectopically expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Results from clinical specimens and cellular and animal models have shown that the short form of TIAM2 (TIAM2S) functions as an oncogene in the tumorigenesis of liver cancer. However, the regulation of TIAM2S ectopic expression in HCC cells remains largely unknown. This study aimed to identify the mechanism underlying the ectopic expression of TIAM2S in liver cancer cells. In this report, we provide evidence illustrating that Sp1 binds directly to the GC box located in the TIAM2S core promoter. We further demonstrated that overexpression of Sp1 in HepaRG cells promotes endogenous TIAM2S mRNA and protein expressions, and knockdown of Sp1 in 2 HCC cell lines, HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5, led to a substantial reduction in TIAM2S mRNA and protein in these cells. Of 60 paired HCC samples, 70% showed a significant increase (from 1.1‐ to 3.6‐fold) in Sp1 protein expression in the tumor cells. The elevated Sp1 expression was highly correlated with both TIAM2S mRNA and protein expressions in these samples. Together, these results illustrate that Sp1 positively controls TIAM2S transcription and that Sp1‐mediated transcriptional activation is essential for TIAM2S ectopic expression in liver cancer cells.
Triage of patients with AUS/FLUS on thyroid cytopathology: effectiveness of the multimodal diagnostic techniques
Authors: Kim Tae Hyuk , Jeong Dae Joon , Hahn Soo Yeon , Shin Jung Hee , Oh Young Lyun , Ki Chang‐Seok , Kim Jong‐Won , Jang Ju Young , Cho Yoon Young , Chung Jae Hoon , Kim Sun Wook
Published: January 2016

The management of patients with thyroid cytopathologic diagnosis of atypia (or follicular lesion) of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) is a complex clinical problem. The purpose of this study was to develop a practical triage scheme based on multiple diagnostic tests in general use. We performed a retrospective cohort study involving 15,335 consecutive patients with a referral diagnosis of thyroid nodule between April 2011 and March 2015 using an institutional database. We obtained 904 patients with an initial cytopathologic diagnosis of AUS/FLUS who underwent repeat fine‐needle aspiration or core needle biopsy, 388 of whom had a corresponding histopathological diagnosis for excised index lesions. The diagnostic performance of ultrasound (US) findings, repeat biopsy, and BRAFV600E mutation in cytopathologic specimens were evaluated individually or as a set. Of the 388 resected AUS/FLUS cases, 338 (87.1%) were thyroid cancer. The positive likelihood ratios (LRs) for BRAFV600E mutation and repeat biopsy result of suspicious for malignant cell (SMC) or worse were 11.6 (95% CI = 1.7–77.8) and 13.7 (95% CI = 4.6–41.0), respectively. The absence of suspicious findings on US combined with cytologic result of less than SMC or negative BRAFV600E mutation produced negative LRs ranging from 0.06 to 0.15, corresponding to negative predictive values of over 90% in both primary and referral settings. For patients with AUS/FLUS cytopathology, clinical decision making can be guided by a simple triage scheme based on US findings, repeat biopsy, or BRAFV600E mutation.
Phytotoxic Effects and Phytochemical Fingerprinting of Hydrodistilled Oil, Enriched Fractions, and Isolated Compounds Obtained from Cryptocarya massoy (Oken) Kosterm. Bark
Authors: Rolli Enrico , Marieschi Matteo , Maietti Silvia , Guerrini Alessandra , Grandini Alessandro , Sacchetti Gianni , Bruni Renato
Published: January 2016

The hydrodistilled oil of Cryptocarya massoy bark was characterized by GC‐FID and GC/MS analyses, allowing the identification of unusual C10 massoia lactone (3, 56.2%), C12 massoia lactone (4, 16.5%), benzyl benzoate (1, 12.7%), C8 massoia lactone (3.4%), δ‐decalactone (5, 1.5%), and benzyl salicylate (2, 1.8%) as main constituents. The phytotoxic activities of the oil, three enriched fractions (lactone‐rich, ester‐rich, and sesquiterpene‐rich), and four constituents (compounds 1, 2, 5, and δ‐dodecalactone (6)) against Lycopersicon esculentum and Cucumis sativus seeds and seedlings were screened. At a concentration of 1000 μl/l, the essential oil and the massoia lactone‐rich fraction caused a complete inhibition of the germination of both seeds, and, when applied on tomato plantlets, they induced an 85 and 100% dieback, respectively. These performances exceeded those of the well‐known phytotoxic essential oils of Syzygium aromaticum and Cymbopogon citratus, already used in commercial products for the weed and pest management. The same substances were also evaluated against four phytopathogenic bacteria and ten phytopathogenic fungi, providing EC50 values against the most susceptible strains in the 100–500 μl/l range for the essential oil and in the 10–50 μl/l range for compound 6 and the lactone‐rich fraction. The phytotoxic behavior was related mainly to massoia lactones and benzyl esters, while a greater amount of 6 may infer a good activity against some phytopathogenic fungi. Further investigations of these secondary metabolites are warranted, to evaluate their use as natural herbicides.
Antifungal and Herbicidal Effects of Fruit Essential Oils of Four Myrtus communis Genotypes
Authors: Kordali Saban , Usanmaz Ayse , Cakir Ahmet , Komaki Amanmohammad , Ercisli Sezai
Published: January 2016

The chemical composition of the essential oils isolated by hydrodistillation from the fruits of four selected Myrtus communis L. genotypes from Turkey was characterized by GC‐FID and GC/MS analyses. 1,8‐Cineole (29.20–31.40%), linalool (15.67–19.13%), α‐terpineol (8.40–18.43%), α‐pinene (6.04–20.71%), and geranyl acetate (3.98–7.54%) were found to be the major constituents of the fruit essential oils of all M. communis genotypes investigated. The oils were characterized by high amounts of oxygenated monoterpenes, representing 73.02–83.83% of the total oil compositions. The results of the fungal growth inhibition assays showed that the oils inhibited the growth of 19 phytopathogenic fungi. However, their antifungal activity was generally lower than that of the commercial pesticide benomyl. The herbicidal effects of the oils on the seed germination and seedling growth of Amaranthus retroflexus L., Chenopodium album L., Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., Lactuca serriola L., and Rumex crispus L. were also determined. The oils completely or partly inhibited the seed germinations and seedling growths of the plants. The findings of the present study suggest that the M. communis essential oils might have potential to be used as natural herbicides as well as fungicides.
En Route to New Therapeutic Options for Iron Overload Diseases: Matriptase‐2 as a Target for Kunitz‐Type Inhibitors
Authors: Beckmann Anna‐Madeleine , Maurer Eva , Lülsdorff Verena , Wilms Annika , Furtmann Norbert , Bajorath Jürgen , Gütschow Michael , Stirnberg Marit
Published: January 2016

The cell‐surface serine protease matriptase‐2 is a critical stimulator of iron absorption by negatively regulating hepcidin, the key hormone of iron homeostasis. Thus, it has attracted much attention as a target in primary and secondary iron overload diseases. Here, we have characterised Kunitz‐type inhibitors hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor 1 (HAI‐1) and HAI‐2 as powerful, slow‐binding matriptase‐2 inhibitors. The binding modes of the matriptase‐2–HAI complexes were suggested by molecular modelling. Different assays, including cell‐free and cell‐based measurements of matriptase‐2 activity, determination of inhibition constants and evaluation of matriptase‐2 inhibition by analysis of downstream effects in human liver cells, demonstrated that matriptase‐2 is an excellent target for Kunitz inhibitors. In particular, HAI‐2 is considered a promising scaffold for the design of potent and selective matriptase‐2 inhibitors.
Template‐Directed Ordered Mesoporous Silica@Palladium‐Containing Zinc Metal–Organic Framework Composites as Highly Efficient Suzuki Coupling Catalysts
Authors: Yang Ying , Cong Daoyong , Hao Shijie
Published: January 2016

We report a new type of ordered mesoporous silica@Pd‐containing Zn metal–organic framework composites (OMS@Pd‐ZnMOF) synthesized directly by cooperative template‐directed self‐assembly. The growth of Pd‐ZnMOF crystals on the bare surface of in situ generated silica spheres is achieved based on a surface‐charge‐induced epitaxial growth mechanism. The catalytic properties of the resulting OMS@Pd‐ZnMOF composites can be tailored by the variation of the Pd/(Pd+Zn) molar ratio in the synthetic gel, and OMS@Pd‐ZnMOF‐5 % (which corresponds to 1.2 wt % Pd) shows a wide substrate scope and is highly active and stable in Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions.
State‐of‐the‐Art of Advanced Distillation Technologies in China
Authors: Li Hong , Wu Yan , Li Xingang , Gao Xin
Published: January 2016

Focusing on energy conservation and process intensification, a comprehensive overview of advanced distillation technologies in the past four decades in China is presented. Novel trays, packings, and gas and liquid distributors based on the fundamentals of such technologies are described. Hybrid distillation and distillation assisted by an external force field on the basis of process intensification principles like reactive distillation, extractive distillation, Higee technology, microwave‐assisted distillation, etc. are reported. Energy‐saving technologies such as dividing‐wall column and internally heat integrated distillation column together with some important examples regarding the industrial application of advanced distillation technologies are evaluated. As a guide to develop distillation processes, a green distillation concept is proposed. Future perspectives of distillation techniques in China are indicated.
Highly Luminescent Linear Complex Arrays of up to Eight Cuprous Centers
Authors: Stollenz Michael , Raymond Jeffery E. , Pérez Lisa M. , Wiederkehr Jessica , Bhuvanesh Nattamai
Published: January 2016

Linearly arranged metal atoms that are embedded in discrete molecules have fascinated scientists across various disciplines for decades; this is attributed to their potential use in microelectronic devices on a submicroscopic scale. Luminescent oligonuclear Group 11 metal complexes are of particular interest for applications in molecular light‐emitting devices. Herein, we describe the synthesis and characterization of a rare, homoleptic, and neutral linearly arranged tetranuclear CuIcomplex that is helically bent, thus representing a molecular coil in the solid state. This tetracuprous arrangement dimerizes into a unique octanuclear assembly bearing a linear array of six CuIcenters with two additional bridging cuprous ions that constitute a central pseudo‐rhombic CuI4cluster. The crystal structure determinations of both complexes reveal close d10⋅⋅⋅d10contacts between all cuprous ions that are adjacent to each other. The dynamic behavior in solution, DFT calculations, and the luminescence properties of these remarkable complexes are also discussed.
Unusual Fragmentation and Transformation of an N‐Heterocyclic Carbene by a Stable Phosphonium–Borane peri‐Functionalized Naphthalene
Authors: Li Yufei , Mellerup Soren K. , Sauriol Francoise , Schatte Gabriele , Wang Suning
Published: January 2016

A 1‐phosphonium‐8‐borane‐decorated naphthalene molecule 2 has been found to react with N,N′‐dimethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene (IMe), a popular member of the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) family, which converts it into two vinyl‐amine fragments one of which is trapped between the phosphonium and borane unit by the formation of a C−C and a B−N bond. The same reactivity was not observed for larger NHC molecules. Control experiments and mechanistic studies have established the involvement of an ylide–borane molecule and an imidazolium salt in addition to IMe carbene in this new transformation of an NHC.
Neuropeptide Y input to the rat basolateral amygdala complex and modulation by conditioned fear
Authors: Leitermann Randy J. , Rostkowski Amanda B. , Urban Janice H.
Published: January 2016

Within the basolateral amygdaloid complex (BLA), neuropeptide Y (NPY) buffers against protracted anxiety and fear. Although the importance of NPY's actions in the BLA is well documented, little is known about the source(s) of NPY fibers to this region. The current studies identified sources of NPY projections to the BLA by using a combination of anatomical and neurochemical approaches. NPY innervation of the BLA was assessed in rats by examining the degree of NPY coexpression within interneurons or catecholaminergic fibers with somatostatin and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or dopamine β‐hydroxylase (DβH), respectively. Numerous NPY+/somatostatin+and NPY+/somatostatin–fibers were observed, suggesting at least two populations of NPY fibers within the BLA. No colocalization was noted between NPY and TH or DβH immunoreactivities. Additionally, Fluorogold (FG) retrograde tracing with immunohistochemistry was used to identify the precise origin of NPY projections to the BLA. FG+/NPY+cells were identified within the amygdalostriatal transition area (AStr) and stria terminalis and scattered throughout the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. The subpopulation of NPY neurons in the AStr also coexpressed somatostatin. Subjecting animals to a conditioned fear paradigm increased NPY gene expression within the AStr, whereas no changes were observed within the BLA or stria terminalis. Overall, these studies identified limbic regions associated with stress circuits providing NPY input to the BLA and demonstrated that a unique NPY projection from the AStr may participate in the regulation of conditioned fear. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2418–2439, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Topographic organization of the basal forebrain projections to the perirhinal, postrhinal, and entorhinal cortex in rats
Authors: Kondo Hideki , Zaborszky Laszlo
Published: January 2016

Previous studies have shown that the basal forebrain (BF) modulates cortical activation via its projections to the entire cortical mantle. However, the organization of these projections is only partially understood or, for certain areas, unknown. In this study, we examined the topographic organization of cholinergic and noncholinergic projections from the BF to the perirhinal, postrhinal, and entorhinal cortex by using retrograde tracing combined with choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunohistochemistry in rats. The perirhinal and postrhinal cortex receives major cholinergic and noncholinergic input from the caudal BF, including the caudal globus pallidus and substantia innominata and moderate input from the horizontal limb of the diagonal band, whereas the entorhinal cortex receives major input from the rostral BF, including the medial septum and the vertical and horizontal limbs of the diagonal band. In the perirhinal cases, cholinergic projection neurons are distributed more caudally in the caudal globus pallidus than noncholinergic projection neurons. Compared with the perirhinal cases, the distribution of cholinergic and noncholinergic neurons projecting to the postrhinal cortex shifts slightly caudally in the caudal globus pallidus. The distribution of cholinergic and noncholinergic neurons projecting to the lateral entorhinal cortex extends more caudally in the BF than to the medial entorhinal cortex. The ratio of ChAT‐positive projection neurons to total projection neurons is higher in the perirhinal/postrhinal cases (26–48%) than in the entorhinal cases (13–30%). These results indicate that the organization of cholinergic and noncholinergic projections from the BF to the parahippocampal cortex is more complex than previously described. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2503–2515, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Complex impure systems: Sheaves, freeways, and chains
Authors: Usó‐Doménech JOSEP LLUIS , Nescolarde‐Selva Josué antonio , Lloret‐Climent Miguel
Published: January 2016

Fundamental to the approach of Complex Impure Systems is the definition of the concept of an s‐impure set as a set of perceptual beliefs or denotative significances (relative beings) of material and/or energetic real objects (absolute beings). But any Subject not only the subject S perceives objects O as significances, and he perceives the existing relations between these significances or, alternatively, he infers them. The study of these relations, conceived not as a singular relation between singular objects, but as sheaves of relations in both directions and forming relational freeways, will be studied here. In this work, we approach the structure of the system, from a synchronous point of view, as a first approach to this class of systems. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 387–400, 2016
Disability decisions by committee: An increase in risk and decrease in student well‐being
Authors: Laird‐Metke Elisa
Published: January 2016

When reviewing student accommodation requests, schools — particularly specialized graduate programs such as medical or other health science schools — sometimes rely on a committee consisting of faculty, deans, administrators, learning or disability specialists, and legal counsel. Committees are often used to ensure faculty are involved in the accommodations decision‐making, due to the specialized nature of the curriculum. However, there are numerous drawbacks to the use of a committee.
Conservation genetics in Chinese sheep: diversity of fourteen indigenous sheep (Ovis aries) using microsatellite markers
Authors: E Guang‐Xin , Zhong Tao , Ma Yue‐Hui , Gao Hui‐Jiang , He Jian‐Ning , Liu Nan , Zhao Yong‐Ju , Zhang Jia‐Hua , Huang Yong‐Fu
Published: January 2016

The domestic sheep (Ovis aries) has been an economically and culturally important farm animal species since its domestication around the world. A wide array of sheep breeds with abundant phenotypic diversity exists including domestication and selection as well as the indigenous breeds may harbor specific features as a result of adaptation to their environment. The objective of this study was to investigate the population structure of indigenous sheep in a large geographic location of the Chinese mainland. Six microsatellites were genotyped for 611 individuals from 14 populations. The mean number of alleles (±SD) ranged from 7.00 ± 3.69 in Gangba sheep to 10.50 ± 4.23 in Tibetan sheep. The observed heterozygote frequency (±SD) within a population ranged from 0.58 ± 0.03 in Gangba sheep to 0.71 ± 0.03 in Zazakh sheep and Minxian black fur sheep. In addition, there was a low pairwise difference among the Minxian black fur sheep, Mongolian sheep, Gansu alpine merino, and Lanzhou fat‐tailed sheep. Bayesian analysis with the program STRUCTURE showed support for 3 clusters, revealing a vague genetic clustering pattern with geographic location. The results of the current study inferred high genetic diversity within these native sheep in the Chinese mainland.
Tree species richness decreases while species evenness increases with disturbance frequency in a natural boreal forest landscape
Authors: Yeboah Daniel , Chen Han Y.H. , Kingston Steve
Published: January 2016

Understanding species diversity and disturbance relationships is important for biodiversity conservation in disturbance‐driven boreal forests. Species richness and evenness may respond differently with stand development following fire. Furthermore, few studies have simultaneously accounted for the influences of climate and local site conditions on species diversity. Using forest inventory data, we examined the relationships between species richness, Shannon's index, evenness, and time since last stand‐replacing fire (TSF) in a large landscape of disturbance‐driven boreal forest. TSF has negative effect on species richness and Shannon's index, and a positive effect on species evenness. Path analysis revealed that the environmental variables affect richness and Shannon's index only through their effects on TSF while affecting evenness directly as well as through their effects on TSF. Synthesis and applications. Our results demonstrate that species richness and Shannon's index decrease while species evenness increases with TSF in a boreal forest landscape. Furthermore, we show that disturbance frequency, local site conditions, and climate simultaneously influence tree species diversity through complex direct and indirect effects in the studied boreal forest.
A Family of Double Cubanes {CrIII2LnIII4O6} (Ln = Tb, Ho, Er, Yb, Y) Based on Sulfate: Single‐Molecule Magnet Behavior in the Terbium and Erbium Analogues
Authors: Xiang Hua , Lu Wen‐Guan , Jiang Long , Zhang Wei‐Xiong , Lan Yanhua
Published: January 2016

The synthesis and characterization of a family of compounds (pipzH2)[CrIII2LnIII4(µ4‐O)2(µ3‐OH)4(H2O)10(µ3‐SO4)4(SO4)2]·2H2O [hereafter abbreviated as Cr2Ln4; Ln = Tb (1), Ho (2), Er (3), Yb (4), and Y (5); pipz = piperazine] are reported. The compounds were obtained from hydrothermal reactions of Ln(NO3)3·6H2O (Ln = Tb, Ho, Er, Yb, and Y), Cr(NO3)3·9H2O, Na2SO4, and pipz in a 2:1:3:4 molar ratio. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies revealed that 1–5 crystallize isomorphously in the space group P21/c with Z = 2. The metallic core is composed of a rare face‐fused double‐cubane [CrIII2LnIII4(µ4‐O2–)2(µ3‐OH–)4]10+ unit. The temperature dependence of bulk magnetic susceptibilities is indicative of antiferromagnetic interactions dominant in the Tb, Ho, and Er compounds. In fitting with the data of the diamagnetic YIII analogue, the interactions of Cr–Cr in this system are determined to be ferromagnetic with a coupling strength of 3.61(11) cm–1, but the type of Cr–Ln could be antiferromagnetic. The dynamic magnetic properties revealed the presence of slow magnetic relaxation in the Tb and Er analogues, which represent two rare examples of CrIII‐containing clusters that exhibit single‐molecule magnet (SMM) behavior.
Stereoselective Synthesis of β‐(5‐Arylthiazolyl) α‐Amino Acids and Use in Neurotensin Analogues
Authors: Hapău Denisa , Rémond Emmanuelle , Fanelli Roberto , Vivancos Mélanie , René Adeline , Côté Jérôme , Besserer‐Offroy Élie , Longpré Jean‐Michel , Martinez Jean , Zaharia Valentin , Sarret Philippe , Cavelier Florine
Published: January 2016

A series of new unnatural amino acids bearing a β‐arylthiazole side chain was synthesized by exploiting a diastereoselective alkylation starting from glycine tert‐butyl ester Schiff base with hydroxypinanone as the chiral inducer. This strategy afforded β‐arylthiazole alanines in good chemical yields and with 98 % ee. Due to their aromatic properties, these newly generated amino acids were used to prepare neurotensin (NT)[8–13] analogues by serving as replacements for the native Tyr11 residue. Incorporation of the (L)‐(+)‐(β‐phenylthiazol‐4‐yl)alanine residue at NT[8–13] position 11 improved plasma stability and selectivity towards NTS1, while also preserving native receptor binding affinity and biological activity.
Sources and consequences of oxidative damage from mitochondria and neurotransmitter signaling
Authors: Brennan‐Minnella Angela M. , Arron Sarah T. , Chou Kai‐ming , Cunningham Eric , Cleaver James E.
Published: January 2016

Cancer and neurodegeneration represent the extreme responses of growing and terminally differentiated cells to cellular and genomic damage. The damage recognition mechanisms of nucleotide excision repair, epitomized by xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), and Cockayne syndrome (CS), lie at these extremes. Patients with mutations in the DDB2 and XPC damage recognition steps of global genome repair exhibit almost exclusively actinic skin cancer. Patients with mutations in the RNA pol II cofactors CSA and CSB, that regulate transcription coupled repair, exhibit developmental and neurological symptoms, but not cancer. The absence of skin cancer despite increased photosensitivity in CS implies that the DNA repair deficiency is not associated with increased ultraviolet (UV)‐induced mutagenesis, unlike DNA repair deficiency in XP that leads to high levels of UV‐induced mutagenesis. One attempt to explain the pathology of CS is to attribute genomic damage to endogenously generated reactive oxygen species (ROS). We show that inhibition of complex I of the mitochondria generates increased ROS, above an already elevated level in CSB cells, but without nuclear DNA damage. CSB, but not CSA, quenches ROS liberated from complex I by rotenone. Extracellular signaling by N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid in neurons, however, generates ROS enzymatically through oxidase that does lead to oxidative damage to nuclear DNA. The pathology of CS may therefore be caused by impaired oxidative phosphorylation or nuclear damage from neurotransmitters, but without damage‐specific mutagenesis. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 57:322–330, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Horvitz–Thompson whale abundance estimation adjusting for uncertain recapture, temporal availability variation, and intermittent effort
Authors: Givens Geof H. , Edmondson Stacy L. , George J. Craig , Suydam Robert , Charif Russ A. , Rahaman Ashakur , Hawthorne Dean , Tudor Barbara , DeLong Robert A. , Clark Christopher W.
Published: January 2016

A Horvitz–Thompson‐type estimator is introduced to estimate total abundance of the Bering–Chukchi–Beaufort Seas population of bowhead whales using combined visual and acoustic location data. The estimator divides sightings counts by three correction factors that are themselves estimated from various portions of the data. The first correction models how detection probabilities depend on covariates like offshore distance and visibility. The second correction adjusts for availability using the acoustic location data to estimate a time‐varying smooth function of the probability that animals pass within visual range of the observation stations. The third correction accounts for whales passing during periods when one or both sighting stations were temporarily closed down. We derive an asymptotically unbiased estimator of abundance incorporating all these components and a corresponding variance estimate. Correcting the count of 4011 observed whales yields a 2011 abundance estimate of 16,820 with a 95% confidence interval of (15,176, 18,643) and an estimated annual rate of population increase of 3.7% (2.9%, 4.6%). These results are indicative of very low conservation risk for this population under the current low levels of aboriginal hunting permitted by the International Whaling Commission. Although few other capture–recapture surveys will confront exactly the same set of challenges addressed here, many studies face one or more issues that could be resolved by adapting portions of our approach or relevant underlying concepts thereof. Moreover, the generic estimator we derive represents an improved way to handle random correction factors rather than assuming fixed values. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New control chart for monitoring and classification of environmental data
Authors: Paroissin Christian , Penalva Laura , Pétrau Agnès , Verdier Ghislain
Published: January 2016

The on‐line monitoring of water quality is of crucial interest. Control charts are well suited to perform this monitoring. However, these statistical methods need to be adapted to the particularity of the environmental data studies. In this paper, new control charts are developed to treat the case of a French river for which the parameter of interest, the Dissolved Oxygen Concentration (DOC), is characterized by a non‐stationary and seasonal time evolution. The principle is to construct a test statistic, not directly based on the variable of interest, but rather on its seasonal regularity when the system is under control. The methods are studied through numerical simulation and is applied on real data. The ability of the control chart to be used as a classifier in a retrospective way is also studied. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anaerobic digestion of microalgal (Chlorella vulgaris) biomass as a source of biogas and biofertilizer
Authors: Doğan‐Subaşı Eylem , Demirer Göksel N.
Published: January 2016

Increased energy demand of the world poses risk because of the limitation of fossil fuel resources. Moreover, global warming has been reached to an alarming level because of carbon dioxide emissions originated from different anthropogenic activities. Therefore, alternative energy sources are needed, and in this sense, anaerobic digestion of microalgal biomass for biomethane production might be one attractive approach. In this study, biogas production from biomass of Chlorella vulgaris grown on wastewater with air as nutrient was investigated at mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. Moreover, the digestate of anaerobic reactors was tested for its biofertilizer potential. Experimental results indicated that the average biogas and biomethane production per gram of volatile solids (VSs) was 238 and 99 mL/g VS, respectively. The removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was 59% and 46% for mesophilic and thermophilic reactors, respectively. Acetic and isobutyric acids were the main volatile fatty acids detected in the reactor effluent. They ranged between 2.5–5.0 and 5–15 mM, respectively. When the fertilizer quality of the digestate of the anaerobic reactors fed with microalgal biomass is considered, it was observed that it does not correspond to any significant value as a fertilizer and soil conditioner. However, the fertilizer potential of the digestate of the reactors can be improved by increasing the influent COD concentration and the loading rate. Then, it can be used as an ingredient to produce commercial fertilizers. Coupling wastewater treatment with renewable energy production from the produced microalgal biomass not only decreases the sludge to be handled and associated costs but also provides a sustainable means of wastewater treatment. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 936–941, 2016
Effects of phosphate and citric acid on Pb adsorption by red soil colloids
Authors: Zuo Jichao , Fu Qingling , Su Xiaojuan , Liu Yonghong , Zhu Jun , Hu Hongqing , Deng Youjun
Published: January 2016

There are abundant organic acids in rhizospheric soil, which may interfere in the reaction between phosphate and heavy metals. Effects of phosphate on Pb2+ adsorption by red soil colloids(Ultisol) were studied in the presence of citric acid (Cit) through batch equilibrium experiments, Zeta potential and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Results showed that in the presence of different concentrations of phosphate (P), the peak‐like curves of Pb2+ sorption was moved up even disappeared. When the Langmuir equation was used to model isothermal adsorption curve of Pb2+, the adsorption reaction constant (K), the maximum adsorption quantity (Xm) of several treatments were both in a decreasing order of 1.0 mmol/L P > 1.0 mmol/L P + 0.5 mmol/L Cit > 0.5 mmol/L Cit. Under the influence of citric acid, the Pb2+ adsorption amount increased at pH < 4.5, and then decreased gradually with pH increase. The order of Zeta potential reduction was: 1 mmol/L P + 0.5 mmol/L Cit > 0.5 mmol/L Cit > 1 mmol/L P, which were different from that of the Pb2+ adsorption amount, suggesting that the adsorption of Pb2+ was not only an electrical adsorption in the presence of P. XRD patterns proved that occurrence of pyromorphite for the treatment with 1.0 mmol/L P addition, whereas no lead phosphate peak was detected in other treatments. The mechanism of Pb2+ adsorbed in red soil colloids with addition of phosphate was primary formation of pyromorphite‐like compounds. However, 0.5 mmol/L Cit inhibited the formation of pyromorphite. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 969–974, 2016
Sub/supercritical water oxidation of high concentration wastewater from tall oil rosin production base
Authors: Miao Rongrong , Wang Minli , Shen Junjun , Ning Ping , Gu Junjie , Guan Qingqing , Chen Qiuling , Chai Xinsheng
Published: January 2016

The sub/supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) of wastewater with high concentrations of pollutants from tall oil rosin production base was studied under the temperature range of 320°C–420°C and the pressure range of 11–25 MPa. The results showed that after pretreatment with Ca(OH)2 for
ions removal, around 385 mg/L
remained which inhibited the oxidation activity by reducing the concentration of hydroxyl radicals (•OH). Since the wastewater compounds were mainly cyclic organic materials, higher O2 contents (stoichiometric ratio over 2.5) and temperatures (over 380°C) are favorable for TOC removal. With O2 SR = 2.5 and T = 420°C, the TOC removal reached almost 100% (99.89%) in 30 min. A global kinetic model for TOC removal during SCWO treatment was built during the research. The kinetic data acquired through the model were fitted to a power‐law function, and the data correlated well with the experimental data. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 975–981, 2016
Wavelet analysis for relating soil amplification and liquefaction effects with seismic performance of precast structures
Authors: Smyrou Eleni , Bal İhsan Engin , Tasiopoulou Panagiota , Gazetas George
Published: January 2016

Precast concrete structures are preferred for facilities with large open areas due to easiness in construction. Such structures are typically composed of individual columns and long‐span beams, and are quite flexible and of limited redundancy. In this paper, nonlinear dynamic analyses of a typical such structure are conducted using as excitation 54 ground motions recorded on top of a variety of soils (hard, soft, and liquefied soil sites). The results show that liquefaction‐affected level‐ground motions systematically impose a greater threat to precast‐concrete structures in terms of seismic demand, even when low values of elastic spectral acceleration prevail, as opposed to soft‐soil records and even more to hard‐soil ones. Thus, elastic spectral acceleration appears to be an insufficient engineering demand parameter for design. Soil effects, the “signature” of which is born on ground motions, are first uncovered using wavelet analysis to detect the evolution of the energy and frequency content of the ground motion in the time domain. From this, the changes in effective (“dominant”) excitation period are noted, persuasively attributed to the nature of the soil, and finally correlated with the observed structural behavior. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Streambank sediment loading rates at the watershed scale and the benefit of riparian protection
Authors: Purvis Rebecca A. , Fox Garey A.
Published: January 2016

Streambank erosion is a pathway for sediment and nutrient loading to streams, but insufficient data exist on the magnitude of this source. Riparian protection can significantly decrease streambank erosion in some locations, but estimates of actual sediment load reductions are limited. The objective of this research was to quantify watershed‐scale streambank erosion and estimate the benefits of riparian protection. The research focused on Spavinaw Creek within the Eucha‐Spavinaw watershed in eastern Oklahoma, where composite streambanks consist of a small cohesive topsoil layer underlain by non‐cohesive gravel. Fine sediment erosion from 2003 to 2013 was derived using aerial photography and processed in ArcMap to quantify eroded area. ArcMap was also utilized in determining the bank retreat rate at various locations in relation to the riparian vegetation buffer width. Box and whisker plots clearly showed that sites with riparian vegetation had on average three times less bank retreat than unprotected banks, statistically significant based on non‐parametric t‐tests. The total soil mass eroded from 2003 to 2013 was estimated at 7.27 × 107 kg yr.−1, and the average bank retreat was 2.5 m yr.−1. Many current erosion models assume that fluvial erosion is the dominant stream erosion process. Bank retreat was positively correlated with stream discharge and/or stream power, but with considerable variability, suggesting that mass wasting plays an important role in streambank erosion within this watershed. Finally, watershed monitoring programs commonly characterize erosion at only a few sites and may scale results to the entire watershed. Selection of random sites and scaling to the watershed scale greatly underestimated the actual erosion and loading rates. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationships between polybrominated diphenyl ethers and transcription and activity of type 1 deiodinase in a gull highly exposed to flame retardants
Authors: François Anthony , Técher Romy , Houde Magali , Spear Philip , Verreault Jonathan
Published: January 2016

Deca-brominated diphenyl ether (deca-BDE), composed mainly of BDE-209, is subject to usage restrictions in North America and Europe, although global action on its continued use has yet to be undertaken. Relatively large concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), especially BDE-209 and its higher brominated degradation products, have been reported in tissues of ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) breeding near the densely populated city of Montreal (QC, Canada). There is limited knowledge of BDE-209 biotransformation and toxicokinetics in birds. Deiodinases, a class of enzymes catalyzing thyroid hormone conversion, have been suggested to be involved in BDE-209 debromination in birds. The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationships between PBDE concentrations and type 1 deiodinase (D1) transcription and in vitro activity (microsomes) in livers of Montreal-breeding ring-billed gulls. The ring-billed gulls exhibiting the highest D1 activity in liver microsomes accumulated the greatest liver concentrations of hepta-BDEs and octa-BDEs. Activity of D1 was inversely related to concentration ratios of BDE-209 to octa-BDEs and ∑hepta-BDE. An even stronger inverse relation was found between D1 activity and BDE-209 to ∑nona + octa + hepta-BDE concentration ratios. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of D1 in gull livers were inversely associated with liver concentrations of ∑octa-BDE. The present study's findings suggest that D1 is potentially involved in BDE-209 biotransformation and accumulation of higher brominated PBDEs in livers of ring-billed gulls. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2215–2222. © 2016 SETAC
Antioxidant activities of essential oil of Bidens pilosa (Linn. Var. Radita) used for the preservation of food qualities in North Cameroon
Authors: Goudoum Augustin , Abdou Armand B. , Ngamo Léonard Simon T. , Ngassoum Martin Benoît , Mbofung Carl M. F.
Published: January 2016

This study aimed to determine the total antioxidant capacity of the essential oil (EO) of leaves of Bidens pilosa (Linn. Var. Radita) used as protectant of stored grains in Northern Cameroon. EO was characterized by GC‐FID, antioxidant activity (AA) was determined by combining: evaluation of radical‐scavenging activity, reducing power (RP) and co‐oxidation of β‐carotene methods. Tests were carried out on crude and stored EO kept for two weeks at 31.48 ± 2.88°C and 58.56 ± 6.78% relative humidity. These conditions are the same as those of grain storage. GC analyses enabled the identification of 27 compounds, representing around 97.57% of the total oil contents. The major constituents of the EO were α‐pinene (14.7%), ε‐caryophyllene (13.5), and β‐ocimene (12.8%). The AA of the crude and stored EO are proportional to the concentrations and time of exposition. Exposed at the day light, this EO inhibit 77.4–18.69% for the DPPH system, 59.55–19.14% for RP method and 91.88–21.8% for β‐carotene‐linoleate model system, respectively, from crude and 15 days storage EO at 20 mg L−1. For the EC50 values, β‐carotene method is excellent and in the decreasing order of DPPH method, PR with 2.52 mg L−1, 2.77 mg L−1 and 4.13 mg L−1, respectively, for the crude oil. The ET50 were 1.59 days for the RP method and 2.88 days DPPH system and β‐carotene‐linoleate model system at 20 mg L−1. These results showed that the EO of B. pilosa leaves exhibits AA that might be an added value for this EO preventing stored products from pest attacks.