bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of antithrombotic agents during urgent percutaneous coronary intervention following thrombolytic therapy: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Mallidi Jaya R. , Robinson Peter , Visintainer Paul F. , Lotfi Amir S. , Mulvey Scott , Giugliano Gregory R.
Published: April 2017

Background

The optimal antithrombotic regimen for urgent percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) following thrombolytic therapy for ST segment myocardial infarction (STEMI) is currently unknown.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients referred to our institution from January 2005 to July 2014 who underwent urgent PCI within 24 hr after receiving thrombolytic therapy. The patients were divided into three cohorts based on the anticoagulation strategy during PCI‐bivalirudin, heparin alone or heparin plus Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (GPI). The primary end point of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was defined as a composite of inpatient death, myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. Net adverse clinical events (NACE) were defined as a combination of MACE plus major bleeding complications. Univariable, multivariable and propensity‐weighted modeling were used to compare MACE and NACE between the three treatment groups.

Results

A total of 695 patients met the inclusion criteria during the study period. In the univariable analysis, there was no significant difference treatment in MACE between the three groups (Bivalirudin: 1.2% vs. Heparin + GPI: 4.4%; Heparin alone: 2.7%,P = 0.11). In the reduced logistic regression model, compared to bivalirudin, the odds of NACE was significantly higher with heparin alone (OR: 3.58, 95% CI: 1.21, 10.54,P = 0.02) or with heparin plus GPI (OR: 9.0, 95% CI: 2.83, 28.64,P<0.001).

Conclusion

In STEMI patients undergoing PCI within 24 hr after thrombolytic therapy, bivalirudin was associated with a strong trend toward reduced bleeding complications as compared to heparin alone or heparin plus GPI.

The optimal antithrombotic regiment for urgent PCI following thrombolytic therapy is currently unknown. Our study demonstrated that use of bivalirudin during PCI following thrombolytic therapy is associated with a trend toward reduced bleeding complications compared to heparin alone or heparin plus GPI. Large randomized trials of adjunctive anticoagulation during PCI in this complex post‐thrombolytic population are warranted. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Italian stallions of CLI “value care” delivery
Authors: Ansel Gary M. , Jaff Michael R.
Published: April 2017

Key Points

Critical Limb ischemia with long segment occlusive disease typically reserved for surgery can be treated with a high degree of success in expert centers via an endovascular approach

Nitinol woven stents appear to have high patency with proper deployment in all PAD groups

Increased early expense that is associated with decreased re‐intervention can be cost effective
The role of rotational atherectomy in contemporary chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Sandoval Yader , Brilakis Emmanouil S.
Published: April 2017

Key Points

Rotational atherectomy is performed infrequently (∼3.5%) during chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for two indications: treatment of balloon uncrossable and balloon undilatable lesions.

Use of rotational atherectomy in CTO PCI was associated with high success and acceptable complication rates.

Rotational atherectomy remains a “must have” device for interventional cardiologists performing complex PCI.
Novel use of perfusion balloon inflation to avoid outflow tract obstruction during transcatheter mitral valve‐in‐valve replacement
Authors: Herrmann Howard C. , Szeto Wilson Y. , Litt Harold , Vernick William
Published: April 2017

Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction is a recognized complication of transcatheter mitral valve‐in‐valve replacement in previous surgical prostheses. We describe a patient who was high risk for repeat open surgery in whom the LVOT was compromised by a surgical strut and the potential for LVOT obstruction. A novel approach to avoiding this complication was utilized. A perfusion balloon was inflated in the outflow tract to provide an opposing force during mitral valve deployment resulting in less flaring of the strut into the outflow tract thereby improving the neo‐LVOT area. No outflow tract obstruction occurred. The advantages of this approach as well as other alternative solutions to this problem are discussed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma mimicking cardiac amyloidosis
Authors: Lau Lawrence , Mozolevska Viktoriya , Kirkpatrick Iain D. C. , Jassal Davinder S. , Kansara Roopesh
Published: April 2017

Key Clinical Message

Our case highlights that cardiac lymphoma may mimic amyloid infiltration of the myocardium on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and is a particularly challenging diagnosis in the setting of transformed Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. Heightened suspicion and early diagnosis of cardiac lymphoma is paramount as chemotherapy has been demonstrated to portent an increased survival rate.
Importance of Ligand Effects Breaking the Scaling Relation for Core–Shell Oxygen Reduction Catalysts
Authors: Back Seoin , Jung Yousung
Published: April 2017

Tremendous recent efforts have been made toward developing highly active oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts with a minimized usage of noble metal Pt by using Pt alloys and core–Pt shell structures. A main computational framework for such a goal has been the search for a new material with the *OH binding slightly weaker than Pt based on the conventional volcano relation of ORR activity versus *OH binding energy. In this work, by using carbides and nitrides as core materials, we demonstrate that the conventional scaling relation between *OH and *O can be completely broken owing to a significant ligand–Pt orbital interactions in the core–Pt shell structure, and in such cases, the usual catalyst design strategy of tuning the *OH binding energy of Pt to a weaker leg of the volcano can mislead the prediction. In these cases, one needs to consider all reaction intermediates to appropriately predict the activity of ORR catalysts. We additionally show that, although the transition metal nitrides and carbides studied here as core materials all induce an undesired tensile strain to the Pt overlayers with a stronger *OH binding, a proper tuning of the ligand (core) effects in the Pt1 and Pt2 overlayers core–shell configurations can lead to an activity comparable to or slightly better than Pt.
Catalyst Optimisation for Asymmetric Synthesis by Ligand Chirality Element Addition: A Perspective on Stereochemical Cooperativity
Authors: Richards Christopher J. , Arthurs Ross A.
Published: April 2017

The concept of matched and mismatched stereochemical pairings has been utilised extensively in organic synthesis, with the cooperativity resulting from the former enabling many reactions to proceed with high stereoselectivity. This approach was first developed to improve the diastereoselectivity of a reaction by matching the configuration of an enantiopure reagent or catalyst with the configuration of an enantiopure substrate. It has been extended to the asymmetric transformation of prochiral substrates controlled by reagents and catalysts containing two or more stereogenic centres. Matched and mismatched pairings may again be identified, with the former resulting in higher product enantioselectivity. This Minireview examines stereochemical pairings within catalysts generated from the combination of a metal with an enantiopure ligand; specifically examples in which the ligand diastereoisomers examined for cooperativity are formally the result of the addition of a chiral element to an existing enantiopure ligand. Comparison of all three ligands in each of the fifty‐six examples examined reveals that, in the majority of cases, the added element of chirality increases and decreases the enantioselectivity with respect to the parent ligand. The iterative application of this effect offers a potentially powerful method for catalyst optimisation for use in asymmetric synthesis.
An efficient and enantioselective Michael addition of aromatic oximes to α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes promoted by a chiral diamine catalyst derived from α,α‐diphenyl prolinol
Authors: Chen Feng , Ren Hong‐Xia , Yang Yu , Ji Shan‐Ping , Zhang Zheng‐Bing , Tian Fang , Peng Lin , Wang Li‐Xin
Published: April 2017

Chiral diamine catalysts 11a–e derived from α,α‐diphenyl prolinol were prepared and successfully applied to the Michael addition of aromatic oximes to α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes in mediocre to good yields (up to 78%) and good to high enantioselectivities (up to 93% ee).
CORRELATION BETWEEN EMISSION INTENSITIES IN DAYSIDE AURORAL ARCS AND PRECIPITATING ELECTRON SPECTRA
Authors: Qi QIU , Hui‐Gen YANG , Quan‐Ming LU , Ze‐Jun HU
Published: April 2017

More than 20000 dayside auroral arcs of the 557.7 and 630.0 nm emission intensities have been statistically studied, and the dependences of the I557.7/I630.0 ratio on the I557.7 emission intensity have been determined. The 557.7 nm emission intensity has two maximum values in the hot spot and warm spot regions, with average values of 2.2 and 2.9 kR, respectively. But there is a maximum near magnetic noon for 630.0 nm emission intensity, with an average value of 1.5 kR. In the I557.7 emission range 0.1∼10 kR, the I557.7/I630.0 ratio tends to increase from 0.2 to 9. The correlation between emission intensity and precipitating electron spectra has been investigated using 17 cases of DMSP passing through 40 auroral arcs above Chinese Arctic Yellow River Station (YRS). We obtain the equations that the average energy of the electrons is proportional to the I557.7/I630.0 ratio. There is a positive correlation between the total energy flux of the electrons and the I557.7 emission intensity. The typical region of electron precipitation, where the auroral arcs were observed, was the boundary plasma sheet (BPS) in the prenoon and postnoon sectors. We also found some low‐energy precipitating electrons from the region of mantle, where the arcs are located poleward of dayside auroral oval. The magnetic source region of the precipitating electrons with low energy was identified as the low latitude boundary layer (LLBL) adjacent to magnetic noon. Arcs are located in the lower latitude in this region.
Cannabinoid Type 1 Receptor (CB1) Ligands with Therapeutic Potential for Withdrawal Syndrome in Chemical Dependents of Cannabis sativa
Authors: Ferreira Jaderson V. , Chaves Gisele A. , Marino Bianca L. B. , Sousa Kessia P. A. , Souza Lucilene R. , Brito Maiara F. B. , Teixeira Hueldem R. C. , da Silva Carlos H. T. P. , Santos Cleydson B. R. , Hage‐Melim Lorane I. S.
Published: April 2017

Cannabis sativa withdrawal syndrome is characterized mainly by psychological symptoms. By using computational tools, the aim of this study was to propose drug candidates for treating withdrawal syndrome based on the natural ligands of the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1). One compound in particular, 2‐n‐butyl‐5‐n‐pentylbenzene‐1,3‐diol (ZINC1730183, also known as stemphol), showed positive predictions as a human CB1 ligand and for facile synthetic accessibility. Therefore, ZINC1730183 is a favorable candidate scaffold for further research into pharmacotherapeutic alternatives to treat C. sativa withdrawal syndrome.
A Multitarget Approach toward the Development of 8‐Substituted Purines for Photoprotection and Prevention of UV‐Related Damage
Authors: Djuidje Ernestine N. , Dissette Valeria , Bino Alessia , Benetti Simonetta , Balzarini Jan , Liekens Sandra , Manfredini Stefano , Vertuani Silvia , Baldisserotto Anna
Published: April 2017

Ultraviolet (UV) light is the most abundant and significant modifiable risk factor for skin cancer and many other skin diseases such as early photo‐aging. Across the solar radiation spectrum, UV light is the main cause behind skin problems. In the search for novel photoprotective compounds, a new series of 8‐substituted purines were synthesized from commercially available 6‐hydroxy‐4,5‐diaminopyrimidine hemisulfate or 4,5‐diaminopyrimidine. All title compounds were investigated for their UV filtering, antioxidant, antifungal, and antiproliferative activities. For the photoprotection assays we used a diffuse transmittance technique to determine the sun protection factor (SPF) in vitro, and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests for evaluating the antioxidant activity of the more potent compounds. Among them, 8‐(2,5‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐7H‐purin‐6‐ol (compound 26) proved to be a good radical scavenger and is also endowed with broad‐spectrum UVA filtering capabilities, suitable for further development as a protective molecule.
Influence of Divalent Counterions on the Dynamics in DNA as Probed by Using a Minor‐Groove Binder
Authors: Paul Sneha , Ahmed Tasnim , Samanta Anunay
Published: April 2017

DNA dynamics, to which water, counterions, and DNA motions contribute, is a topic of considerable interest because it is closely related to the efficiency of biological functions performed by it. Simulation studies and experiments suggest that the counterion dynamics in DNA probed by a minor‐groove binder are similar for various monovalent counterions. To date, the influence on DNA dynamics of higher‐valence counterions, which are also present around DNA and are known to bind more strongly to it than monovalent ions, has not been studied. Herein we investigated DNA dynamics in the presence of Mg2+ and Ca2+, chosen for their relative abundance in cells, by using minor‐groove binder 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) as a fluorescence probe. The dynamics, as measured from the time‐resolved fluorescence Stokes shifts of DAPI bound to calf thymus DNA on a subpicosecond‐to‐nanosecond timescale, were found to be very similar in the presence of both the divalent ions and Na+ ions. The observation is explained by considering the screening of the electric field of the divalent ion by its hydration shell, preferential binding of the ions to the phosphate groups, and displacement of ions from the minor groove by DAPI due to the stronger binding interaction of the latter. Furthermore, the similarity of our results in the presence of Na+ to those reported for smaller oligonucleotides suggests that the chain length of DNA does not influence the DNA dynamics.
The Significance of Corporate Social Disclosure for High‐Tech Manufacturing Companies: Focus on Employee and Community Aspects of Sustainable Development
Authors: Lawal Emmanuel , May Gökan , Stahl Bojan
Published: April 2017

Addressing a global key sector area – the high technology manufacturing sector – we examine if there is truly a benefit of corporate social disclosure to the bottom line of organizations within this sector and if stakeholders should devote more attention to this strategic topic. Accordingly, we assess the potential effects of corporate social disclosure on financial performance, with a particular focus on employee and community aspects. This effect is examined for a sample of 405 companies operating within the sector. Additionally, we posit that the innovative nature of the sector adds a sub‐plot and possibly exaggerates the effect of corporate social disclosure on financial performance. The study offers guidance to stakeholders on how actions in the CSR realm may potentially affect company performance within this sector, as well as providing direction on the impact improved disclosure can have on financial performance. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Board Structure to Enhance Social Responsibility Development: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of US Companies
Authors: Cuadrado‐Ballesteros Beatriz , Martínez‐Ferrero Jennifer , García‐Sánchez Isabel M.
Published: April 2017

This study adds clarity to inconclusive results in previous literature about the link between board characteristics and the level of social responsibility performance by using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis. Specifically, we propose a new holistic framework based on the complexity theory. From a sample of 471 non‐financial companies from the USA for the period 2008–2010, our findings support the four tenets of complexity theory: equifinality, complexity, asymmetry, and causal asymmetry. More concretely, they suggest that CSR performance depends on a complex configuration of some board characteristics, such as size, independency, diversity and activity, and other corporate attributes (i.e., company size, leverage, and growth opportunities). These factors play a key role as the ingredients of the recipe and, in a proper combination, contribute to obtaining high levels of social responsibility performance. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Host sympatry and body size influence parasite straggling rate in a highly connected multihost, multiparasite system
Authors: Rivera‐Parra Jose L. , Levin Iris I. , Johnson Kevin P. , Parker Patricia G.
Published: April 2017

Parasite lineages commonly diverge when host lineages diverge. However, when large clades of hosts and parasites are analyzed, some cases suggest host switching as another major diversification mechanism. The first step in host switching is the appearance of a parasite on an atypical host, or “straggling.” We analyze the conditions associated with straggling events. We use five species of colonially nesting seabirds from the Galapagos Archipelago and two genera of highly specific ectoparasitic lice to examine host switching. We use both genetic and morphological identification of lice, together with measurements of spatial distribution of hosts in mixed breeding colonies, to test: (1) effects of local host community composition on straggling parasite identity; (2) effects of relative host density within a mixed colony on straggling frequency and parasite species identity; and (3) how straggling rates are influenced by the specifics of louse attachment. Finally, we determine whether there is evidence of breeding in cases where straggling adult lice were found, which may indicate a shift from straggling to the initial stages of host switching. We analyzed more than 5,000 parasite individuals and found that only ~1% of lice could be considered stragglers, with ~5% of 436 host individuals having straggling parasites. We found that the presence of the typical host and recipient host in the same locality influenced straggling. Additionally, parasites most likely to be found on alternate hosts are those that are smaller than the typical parasite of that host, implying that the ability of lice to attach to the host might limit host switching. Given that lice generally follow Harrison's rule, with larger parasites on larger hosts, parasites infecting the larger host species are less likely to successfully colonize smaller host species. Moreover, our study supports the general perception that successful colonization of a novel host is extremely rare, as we found only one nymph of a straggling species, which may indicate successful reproduction.
Flowering time evolution is independent of serpentine tolerance in the California flora
Authors: Schneider Adam
Published: April 2017

Comparative phylogenetic tests have been only recently applied to the many hypotheses about the role ultramafic (serpentine) soils play in the evolution and ecology of regional floras. An association between serpentine tolerance and early flowering has been observed at microevolutionary scales but not yet tested broadly across angiosperms. I used both hypothesis testing (phylogenetically independent contrasts) and model‐selection approaches to compare published data of serpentine tolerance with flowering time using phylogenetic trees representing 24 clades of plants representing 27 genera and 17 families. A total of 126 independent contrasts revealed no significant difference in flowering times across all clades or within any one clade except for the Thelypodieae, in which flowering time of serpentine‐tolerant lineages was later. Similarly, an Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck model with one optimal flowering time was preferred over a model with separate optima depending on serpentine tolerance in nearly all genera. A phylogenetically un‐corrected ANOVA found that serpentine‐tolerant species have an earlier distribution of flowering times compared to both endemic and non‐tolerant species, and median flowering times of non‐tolerant species show a bimodal distribution. Therefore, I conclude that the long‐term evolutionary responses of flowering time in a lineage that becomes tolerant of serpentine are variable across genera, with no significant overall bias toward earlier or later flowering. However, given that close relatives of serpentine‐tolerant lineages tend to also flower relatively early, early flowering time may serve as an exaptation for serpentine tolerance. In combination with previously published ecotype studies, these results illustrate the eco‐evolutionary scale dependence of flowering time.
Taxonomic and functional assessment of mesopredator diversity across an estuarine habitat mosaic
Authors: Gross Collin , Donoghue Cinde , Pruitt Casey , Trimble Alan C. , Ruesink Jennifer L.
Published: April 2017

A long‐standing rule in ecology is that structural complexity increases abundance and diversity of organisms, but this paradigm glosses over potential trait‐specific benefits of habitat structure across different regional species pools. We tested this idea using multiple response variables emphasizing taxonomic and functional diversity in seagrass‐vegetated, edge, and unvegetated habitats across three estuaries in Washington State (USA). We also used these variables in tandem to evaluate functional redundancy as a proxy for ecosystem resistance and resilience. The estuaries spanned a twofold range in richness of mesopredatory fishes and decapods. Increases in per‐sample abundance with habitat structure were confined to three of seven functional groups, specifically those occupying the water column or directly associated with seagrass shoots. Consequently, seagrass reduced mesopredator diversity by reducing evenness. Habitats differed in mesopredator assemblages despite their spatial proximity (~3 m), supported by multivariate analyses performed at functional and taxonomic resolutions, but site differences were less apparent functionally than taxonomically. Functional redundancy did not differ by habitat, but increased with the richness of the regional species pool. Edge habitats were generally intermediate in community structure, per‐sample abundance, and diversity between seagrass and unvegetated habitats. Structural complexity provided a trait‐specific enhancement of abundance, and this pattern applied across species pools. Because seagrass benefits species with certain traits, management focused on the low‐intertidal estuarine habitat mosaic, rather than a particular habitat type, and on places where redundancy is already low, best supports mesopredator diversity and function.
A new approach to estimate fecundity rate from inter‐birth intervals
Authors: Arso Civil Mònica , Cheney Barbara , Quick Nicola J. , Thompson Paul M. , Hammond Philip S.
Published: April 2017

Accurate estimates of fecundity rate are key to population assessments and effectively direct conservation efforts. We present a new approach to estimate fecundity rate based on the probability of a female giving birth, conditional on a previous birth t years ago, from which an expected inter‐birth interval (IBI) can be estimated. We use generalized linear mixed‐effects models to account for individual and temporal variability and apply the approach to individual reproductive histories of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the east coast of Scotland. We estimate a fecundity rate of 0.222 (95% CI = 0.218–0.253) and an expected IBI of 4.49 yr (95% CI = 3.94–4.93 yr). We use simulated data samples to show that the approach produces estimates with a minimum bias of <3%. Simulations are also used to investigate the effect of the most common data‐driven biases in the estimates of birth intervals and fecundity rate; we recommend longitudinal studies of at least 10 yr and capture probabilities of at least 0.3 when using this methodology. The approach may be modified to incorporate other parameters of interest and should be applicable to any population with comprehensive data on birth intervals.
Stress and subsidy effects of seagrass wrack duration, frequency, and magnitude on salt marsh community structure
Authors: Hanley Torrance C. , Kimbro David L. , Hughes Anne Randall
Published: April 2017

Environmental perturbations can strongly affect community processes and ecosystem functions by acting primarily as a subsidy that increases productivity, a stress that decreases productivity, or both, with the predominant effect potentially shifting from subsidy to stress as the overall intensity of the perturbation increases. While perturbations are often considered along a single axis of intensity, they consist of multiple components (e.g., magnitude, frequency, and duration) that may not have equivalent stress and/or subsidy effects. Thus, different combinations of perturbation components may elicit community and ecosystem responses that differ in strength and/or direction (i.e., stress or subsidy) even if they reflect a similar overall perturbation intensity. To assess the independent and interactive effects of perturbation components, we experimentally manipulated the magnitude, frequency, and duration of wrack deposition, a common stress‐subsidy in a variety of coastal systems. The effects of wrack perturbation on salt marsh community and ecosystem properties were assessed both in the short‐term (at the end of a 12‐week experimental manipulation) and long‐term (6 months after the end of the experiment). In the short‐term, plants and associated benthic invertebrates exhibited primarily stress‐based responses to wrack perturbation. The extent of these stress effects on density of the dominant plant Spartina alterniflora, total plant percent cover, invertebrate abundance, and sediment oxygen availability were largely determined by perturbation duration. Yet, higher nitrogen content of Spartina, which indicates a subsidy effect of wrack, was influenced primarily by perturbation magnitude in the short‐term. In the longer term, perturbation magnitude determined the extent of both stress and subsidy effects of wrack perturbation, with lower subordinate plant percent cover and snail density, and higher Spartina nitrogen content in high wrack biomass treatments. However, stress effects on the marsh community were generally less pronounced 6 months after the wrack perturbation, indicating capacity for recovery. Our results demonstrate that individual perturbation components can determine the degree to which its effects on the community elicit primarily stress‐ and/or subsidy‐based responses. Further, the nature and extent of stress‐subsidy effects can change over time, depending on species’ relative ability to tolerate and/or recover from perturbation.
Plant‐soil feedbacks in declining forests: implications for species coexistence
Authors: Gómez‐Aparicio Lorena , Domínguez‐Begines Jara , Kardol Paul , Ávila José M. , Ibáñez Beatriz , García Luis V.
Published: April 2017

Plant‐soil feedbacks (PSFs) play a relevant role as drivers of species abundance, coexistence, and succession in plant communities. However, the potential contribution of PSFs to community dynamics in changing forest ecosystems affected by global change drivers is still largely unexplored. We measured the direction, strength and nature (biological vs. chemical) of PSFs experienced by coexisting tree species in two types of declining Quercus suber forests of southwestern Spain (open woodland vs. closed forest) invaded by the exotic soil pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. To test PSFs in a realistic community context, we focused not only on individual PSFs (i.e., comparing the growth of a tree species on conspecific vs. heterospecific soil) but also calculated net‐pairwise PSFs by comparing performance of coexisting tree species on their own and each other's soils. We hypothesized that the decline and death of Q. suber would alter the direction and strength of individual and net‐pairwise PSFs due to the associated changes in soil nutrients and microbial communities, with implications for recruitment dynamics and species coexistence. In support of our hypothesis, we found that the decline of Q. suber translated into substantial alterations of individual and net‐pairwise PSFs, which shifted from mostly neutral to significantly positive or negative, depending on the forest type. In both cases however the identified PSFs benefited other species more than Q. suber (i.e., heterospecific positive PSF in the open woodland, conspecific negative PSF in the closed forest). Our results supported PSFs driven by changes in chemical soil properties (mainly phosphorus) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, but not in pathogen abundance. Overall, our study suggests that PSFs might reinforce the loss of dominance of Q. suber in declining forests invaded by P. cinnamomi by promoting the relative performance of non‐declining coexisting species. More generally, our results indicate an increase in the strength of net PSFs as natural forests become disturbed by global change drivers (e.g., invasive species), suggesting an increasingly important role of PSFs in forest community dynamics in the near future.
Development of Magnetic Levitation System for Science and Technology Education: Magnetic Levitation Control by Using a Hall Element Displacement Sensor with Neural Network
Authors: ASATO KENTARO , TERUYA KOHMEI , NAGADO TSUTOMU , TAMAKI SHIRO
Published: April 2017

In this study, we developed a magnetic levitation system using a Hall element displacement sensor with neural network for science and technology education. The sensor configured with three Hall elements was devised in order to measure displacement from an electromagnet to a levitated object with a permanent magnet. Use of the Hall element displacement sensor achieves a lower cost magnetic levitation system. Furthermore, three‐layered feedforward neural network was utilized in order to improve the precision of the Hall element displacement sensor. Finally, operation verification of the developed magnetic levitation system was conducted by designing state feedback regulator with observer.
Conservation and sustainable development in a VUCA world: the need for a systemic and ecosystem‐based approach
Authors: Schick Axel , Hobson Peter R. , Ibisch Pierre L.
Published: April 2017

Targeting the maintenance of functional ecosystems that provide the significant basis for human well‐being is an integral part of an ecosystem‐based sustainable development. Underlying causes of ecosystem degradation such as global climate change and ever‐growing human demands that rapidly shift socioeconomic and political baselines are often unmanageable at a local scale and require a new approach to planning and action in ecosystem management. The framework conditions that challenge sustainable development are shaped by increasing Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA concept). Using the MARISCO method (adaptive management of vulnerability and risks at conservation sites), we analyzed 22 conservation sites, covering 26 protected areas and six administrative areas on four different continents and involving 524 participants. VUCA conditions were present across cultures and biomes, yet the responses in planning and management varied among conservation sites. The findings of both the qualitative and quantitative analyses confirm that participants understand how far human well‐being heavily depends on the functionality of ecosystems that were seen to suffer from a wide range of stresses and threats of varying criticality. Worldwide, local stakeholders and experts rated impacts of global climate change as most critical. In attempts to achieve ecosystem‐based sustainable development, most management teams strive for more risk‐robust and adaptive strategies by advocating for active risk management. A common factor identified among all case studies was the need for cooperative management between smaller conservation sites in order to address large‐scale challenges.
Asymmetric Allylic Amination of Morita–Baylis–Hillman Carbonates with Silylated tert‐Butylhydroxycarbamate Derivatives
Authors: Kamlar Martin , Císařová Ivana , Hybelbauerová Simona , Veselý Jan
Published: April 2017

The enantioselective amination of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with silylated derivatives of tert‐butylhydroxycarbamates using β‐isocupreidine as an organocatalyst was investigated. The corresponding products were obtained in good yields with high enantioselectivities. The scope and limitations of the reported protocol were explored, and representative transformations of the adducts toward heterocyclic compounds were highlighted.
Earthquake‐induced loss assessment of steel frame buildings with special moment frames designed in highly seismic regions
Authors: Hwang Seong‐Hoon , Lignos Dimitrios G.
Published: April 2017

This paper discusses an analytical study that quantifies the expected earthquake‐induced losses in typical office steel frame buildings designed with perimeter special moment frames in highly seismic regions. It is shown that for seismic events associated with low probabilities of occurrence, losses due to demolition and collapse may be significantly overestimated when the expected loss computations are based on analytical models that ignore the composite beam effects and the interior gravity framing system of a steel frame building. For frequently occurring seismic events building losses are dominated by non‐structural content repairs. In this case, the choice of the analytical model representation of the steel frame building becomes less important. Losses due to demolition and collapse in steel frame buildings with special moment frames designed with strong‐column/weak‐beam ratio larger than 2.0 are reduced by a factor of two compared with those in the same frames designed with a strong‐column/weak‐beam ratio larger than 1.0 as recommended in ANSI/AISC‐341‐10. The expected annual losses (EALs) of steel frame buildings with SMFs vary from 0.38% to 0.74% over the building life expectancy. The EALs are dominated by repairs of acceleration‐sensitive non‐structural content followed by repairs of drift‐sensitive non‐structural components. It is found that the effect of strong‐column/weak‐beam ratio on EALs is negligible. This is not the case when the present value of life‐cycle costs is selected as a loss‐metric. It is advisable to employ a combination of loss‐metrics to assess the earthquake‐induced losses in steel frame buildings with special moment frames depending on the seismic performance level of interest. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phototoxic potential of undispersed and dispersed fresh and weathered Macondo crude oils to Gulf of Mexico Marine Organisms
Authors: Finch Bryson E. , Marzooghi Solmaz , Di Toro Dominic M. , Stubblefield William A.
Published: April 2017

Crude oils contain a mixture of hydrocarbons, including phototoxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that have the ability to absorb ultraviolet (UV) light. Absorption of UV light by PAHs can substantially increase their toxicity to marine organisms. The objective of the present study was to examine the potential for phototoxicity of fresh and naturally weathered Macondo crude oils alone and in combination with the dispersant Corexit 9500 to mysid shrimp (Americamysis bahia), inland silverside (Menidia beryllina), sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus), and Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis). Acute toxicity tests were conducted using combinations of natural or artificial sunlight and low-energy water-accommodated fractions (WAFs) of fresh and weathered Macondo crude oils collected from the Gulf of Mexico. Studies were also conducted to compare the phototoxicity resulting from natural and artificial sunlight. Fresh Macondo crude oil was more phototoxic than weathered crude oils, both in the presence and in the absence of UV light. Differences in toxicity between fresh and weathered crude oils were likely attributed to lighter-ringed PAHs in fresh crude oils. Phototoxic PAHs were relatively resistant to weathering compared with lighter-ringed PAHs. The addition of Corexit 9500 to crude oil increased toxicity compared with tests with crude oil alone, by increasing phototoxic PAH concentrations in WAFs. Macondo crude oils had the potential to be phototoxic to Gulf of Mexico marine organisms if specific light conditions and PAH concentrations were present during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2640–2650. © 2017 SETAC
Power allocation and cooperative jamming for enhancing physical layer security in opportunistic relay networks in the presence of interference
Authors: Abd El‐Malek Ahmed H. , Salhab Anas M. , Zummo Salam A. , Alouini Mohamed‐Slim
Published: April 2017

In this paper, the impact of cochannel interference on the secrecy performance of dual‐hop decode‐and‐forward relaying is investigated. In particular, the outage and intercept probabilities are obtained for the opportunistic relay selection (ORS) model in the presence of nonidentical interfering signals under a single/multiple passive eavesdropper(s) attack. Moreover, the proposed work enhances physical layer security performance of ORS model using cooperative jamming (CJ) techniques. Therefore, new closed‐form expressions are derived for the intercept and outage probabilities of the CJ‐ORS model in the presence of interference over Rayleigh fading channels. Moreover, the analyses are generalized to the case of multiple eavesdroppers where closed‐form expressions are derived for the intercept probability. To reveal more insights on the proposed work secrecy performance, asymptotic closed‐form expressions for the intercept and outage probabilities are obtained. Using these asymptotic expressions, a power allocation optimization problem is formulated and solved for enhancing the system security. The derived analytical formulas herein are supported by numerical and simulation results to clarify the main contributions of the paper. The results show that, although the cochannel interference increases the system outage probability, it might improve the system secrecy performance. Moreover, the proposed CJ‐ORS model is shown to enhance the system secrecy performance compared to ORS model.
Age‐specific function of α5β1 integrin in microglial migration during early colonization of the developing mouse cortex
Authors: Smolders Sophie Marie‐Thérèse , Swinnen Nina , Kessels Sofie , Arnauts Kaline , Smolders Silke , Le Bras Barbara , Rigo Jean‐Michel , Legendre Pascal , Brône Bert
Published: April 2017

Microglia, the immune cells of the central nervous system, take part in brain development and homeostasis. They derive from primitive myeloid progenitors that originate in the yolk sac and colonize the brain mainly through intensive migration. During development, microglial migration speed declines which suggests that their interaction with the microenvironment changes. However, the matrix–cell interactions allowing dispersion within the parenchyma are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to better characterize the migration behavior and to assess the role of matrix–integrin interactions during microglial migration in the embryonic brain ex vivo. We focused on microglia–fibronectin interactions mediated through the fibronectin receptor α5β1 integrin because in vitro work indirectly suggested a role for this ligand–receptor pair. Using 2‐photon time‐lapse microscopy on acute ex vivo embryonic brain slices, we found that migration occurs in a saltatory pattern and is developmentally regulated. Most importantly, there is an age‐specific function of the α5β1 integrin during microglial cortex colonization. At embryonic day (E) 13.5, α5β1 facilitates migration while from E15.5, it inhibits migration. These results indicate a developmentally regulated function of α5β1 integrin in microglial migration during colonization of the embryonic brain.
Treatment of tumor in lymph nodes using near‐infrared laser light‐activated thermosensitive liposome‐encapsulated doxorubicin and gold nanorods
Authors: Matsuki Daisuke , Adewale Oladipo , Horie Sachiko , Okajima Junnosuke , Komiya Atsuki , Oluwafemi Oluwatobi , Maruyama Shigenao , Mori Shiro , Kodama Tetsuya
Published: April 2017

Tumor metastasis to lymph nodes is an important contributory factor for cancer‐related deaths despite recent developments in cancer therapy. In this study, we demonstrate that tumor in the proper axillary lymph node (PALN) of the mouse can be treated by the application of external laser light to trigger the unloading of doxorubicin (DOX) encapsulated in thermosensitive liposomes (TSLs) administered together with gold nanorods (GNRs). GNRs + DOX‐TSLs were injected into a mouse lymph node containing cancer cells (malignant fibrous histiocytoma‐like cells) and intranodal DOX release was activated using near‐infrared (NIR) laser irradiation. The temperature changes arising from the laser‐irradiated GNRs triggered the release of DOX from the TSLs. A greater degree of inhibition of tumor growth was found in the co‐therapy group compared to the other groups. The treatment effect was achieved by a combination of chemotherapy and NIR‐activated hyperthermia. In vivo bioluminescence imaging and histological analysis confirmed tumor necrosis in response to combined treatment. This work presents a theranostic approach with excellent treatment results that has the potential to be developed into an alternative to surgery for the treatment of breast cancer metastasis.
IR‐spectroscopy of skin in vivo: Optimal skin sites and properties for non‐invasive glucose measurement by photoacoustic and photothermal spectroscopy
Authors: Bauer Alexander , Hertzberg Otto , Küderle Arne , Strobel Dominik , Pleitez Miguel A. , Mäntele Werner
Published: April 2017

We have reported two methods to analyze glucose in the interstitial fluid of skin based on mid‐infrared excitation with a tunable quantum cascade laser and photoacoustic or photothermal detection. These methods were evaluated for optimum skin locations to obtain reproducible glucose information. The lower part of the arm, the hypothenar, the tips of the index finger and the thumb were tested. The thumb appears to be the optimal skin location, followed by the index finger. Basic requirements for an optimum site are good capillary blood perfusion, low Stratum corneum thickness and the absence of fat layers. To obtain a correlation on such a site, spectra were recorded on volunteers continuously after blood glucose manipulation. However, continuous measurements on an in vivo sample such as the skin have to cope with physiological alterations such as the formation of sweat. We have used both detection schemes to investigate the acid mantle reformation after washing during time scales similar to continuous measurements for calibration spectra. We found that reconstitution of the acid mantle of skin may be seen in less than one hour. Precleaning of the measurement site may thus be useful for intermittent, but not for long term continuous measurements.

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Collagen barrier membranes do not adsorb hypoxia mimetic activity‐Activity of gingival fibroblasts cultured directly on collagen barrier membranes loaded with hypoxia mimetic agents
Authors: Al‐Habbal Diana , Janjić Klara , Edelmayer Michael , Moritz Andreas , Agis Hermann
Published: April 2017

Hypoxia‐based strategies for applications in oral surgery and periodontology have been proposed where collagen barrier membranes (CBM) are loaded with hypoxia mimetic agents (HMA) to induce a pro‐angiogenic response. While it was found that CBM release HMA, it remained unclear if CBM adsorb HMA activity. Here we evaluated the response of oral cells cultured on CBM, supplemented with the HMA dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG), desferrioxamine (DFO), and l‐mimosine (l‐MIM). Gingival fibroblasts (GF) were cultured on unwashed CBM as well as on CBM that had been washed with serum‐free medium for 48 hours. The pro‐angiogenic response was measured based on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production. Viability and proliferation were assessed based on MTT and BrdU assays. We found that GF seeded onto CBM loaded with DFO and l‐MIM, but not DMOG, showed an increase in VEGF to 6.1‐fold and 7.7‐fold compared to unloaded CBM, respectively. Cells remained vital, but a trend for decreased proliferation was observed on DMOG and DFO‐loaded CBM which did not reach the level of significance. Evaluation of washed CBM revealed no difference between the unloaded CBM and CBM supplemented with DMOG, DFO, or l‐MIM. In conclusion, our results suggest that CBM do not adsorb hypoxia mimetic activity but release HMA within the first hours. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 874–879, 2018.
A Concise [3 + 3] Heteroaromatization Synthetic Strategy Afford Dicarboxamide Functionalized Novel Pyrazolo[1,5‐a]Pyrimidines
Authors: Patel Anilkumar S. , Kapuriya Naval P. , Naliapara Yogesh T.
Published: April 2017

A concise and effective approach to dicarboxamide functionalized novel pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine has been developed. The method involves [3 + 3] hetroaromatization of oxoketene dithioacetals (16a–x) with 5‐amino‐N‐cyclohexyl‐3‐(methylthio)‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxamide (12) in the presence of K2CO3. This method has advantages of excellent yields, operational simplicity, and avoidance of hazardous base like piperidine.
2‐(3,4‐Dichlorophenylimino)‐5‐((3‐(p‐substitutedphenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)methylene)thiazolidin‐4‐one as an Antibacterial, Antifungal and Antimycobacterial Agent
Authors: Brahmbhatt Harshad , Bhatt Anjani K. , Das Arun K. , Paul Parimal , Sharma Sangita
Published: April 2017

2‐(3,4‐Dichlorophenylimino)‐5‐((3‐(p‐substitutedphenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)methylene) thiazolidin‐4‐one has been selected as a target bio‐active molecules. Newly synthesized compounds were screened with Eschericha coli (MTCC 443), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 1688), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96), Streptococcus pyogenes (MTCC 442) for antibacterial, Candida albicans (MTCC 227), Aspergillus niger (MTCC 282), Aspergillus clavatus (MTCC 1323) for antifungal activity and H37Rv for antimycobacterial activity. Compounds 3a, 3c, 3d, 3e, and 3h are potentially active against Staphylococcus aureus, while 3h is active against C. albicans. Compounds 3d and 3f are active against H37Rv for mycobacterium tuberculosis. Other possesses moderate to good activity. The structures of synthesized compounds were firmly established by well‐defined elemental analyses (C, H, N, S/O) and spectral analysis technique likes, IR, 1H NMR and GC–MS.