bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Latin American protected areas: Protected from chemical pollution?
Authors: Rodríguez-Jorquera Ignacio A , Siroski Pablo , Espejo Winfred , Nimptsch Jorge , Choueri Paloma Gusso , Choueri Rodrigo Brasil , Moraga Claudio A , Mora Miguel , Toor Gurpal S
Published: August 2016

Protected areas (PAs) are critically important means to preserve species and maintain natural ecosystems. However, the potential impacts of chemical pollution on PAs are seldom mentioned in the scientific literature. Research on the extent of the occurrence of chemical pollution inside PAs and in-depth assessments of how chemical contaminants may adversely affect the maintenance of species abundance, species survival, and ecosystem functions are scarce to nonexistent. We investigated 1) the occurrence of chemical contaminants inside 119 PAs in Latin America from publically available databases, and 2) reviewed case studies of chemical contaminants and pollution in 4 Latin American PAs. Cases of chemical pollution and contamination inside Latin American PAs mostly originated from sources such as mining, oil, and gas extraction. To date, the focus of the research on chemical pollution research inside Latin American PAs has been primarily on the detection of contamination, typically limited to trace metals. Where management actions have occurred, they have been reactive rather than proactive. Protected areas established in wetlands are the most affected by chemical pollution. Based on the information from the pollution and/or contamination occurrence and the case studies analyzed, Latin American PAs are not well safeguarded from chemical pollution, resulting in both challenges and opportunities to conserve biodiversity and ecosystems. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:360–370. © 2016 SETAC

Key Points

Despite the fact that chemical pollution can harm free-range organism populations, research on the impact of chemical pollution inside protected areas (PAs) is rarely considered. Our database review and case studies showed that Latin American PAs are not necessarily safeguarded from chemical pollution. Chemical pollution had affected biodiversity inside Latin American PAs, but management actions to avoid the damage have rarely occurred, and when present, they have been reactive rather than proactive, which is inadequate and inefficient. Aquatic environments might be the most threatened habitats within PAs in Latin America as shown in these database analyses and case studies, thus, PAs established in wetlands are the most vulnerable to chemical pollution.
Anti‐Inflammatory and Anti‐Oxidant Effects of p‐Chloro‐phenyl‐selenoesterol on TNBS‐Induced Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Mice
Authors: Zarzecki Micheli Stéfani , Bortolotto Vandreza Cardoso , Poetini Márcia Rósula , Araujo Stífani Machado , de Paula Mariane Trindade , Roman Silvane Souza , Spiazzi Cristiano , Cibin Franciele Weber Santos , Rodrigues Oscar Endrigo Dorneles , Jesse Cristiano Ricardo , Prigol Marina
Published: August 2016

This study aims to investigate the protective effect of p‐chloro‐phenyl‐selenoesterol [PCS; 0,2 mg/kg; 10 ml/kg i.g.) in colitis induced by 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid [TNBS; 2 mg/100 µl 50% ethanol; intrarectally) in mice. Several parameters including weight, length, histological analyses determination, thiobarbituric acid reactive species, reactive species levels, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of colon were evaluated. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF‐α) and interleukin 6 [IL‐6) were also assessed. Treatment with PCS reduced the clinical and histopathologic severity of TNBS‐induced colitis, characterized by colon length reduction and increased colon weight and microscopic intestinal inflammation. The therapeutic effects of PCS in this model were associated with significant decrease in proinflammatory cytokines TNF‐α and IL‐6 and decrease in MPO activity. Furthermore, combined with improvements in inflammatory parameters, treatment with the PCS was able to decrease oxidative stress and to prevent the decrease in antioxidant defenses in animals with TNBS‐induced colitis. This finding suggests that PCS can improve experimental colitis in mice and it could be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of patients with IBD. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 709–717, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Partial hessian fitting for determining force constant parameters in molecular mechanics
Authors: Wang Ruixing , Ozhgibesov Mikhail , Hirao Hajime
Published: August 2016

We present a new protocol for deriving force constant parameters that are used in molecular mechanics (MM) force fields to describe the bond‐stretching, angle‐bending, and dihedral terms. A 3 × 3 partial matrix is chosen from the MM Hessian matrix in Cartesian coordinates according to a simple rule and made as close as possible to the corresponding partial Hessian matrix computed using quantum mechanics (QM). This partial Hessian fitting (PHF) is done analytically and thus rapidly in a least‐squares sense, yielding force constant parameters as the output. We herein apply this approach to derive force constant parameters for the AMBER‐type energy expression. Test calculations on several different molecules show good performance of the PHF parameter sets in terms of how well they can reproduce QM‐calculated frequencies. When soft bonds are involved in the target molecule as in the case of secondary building units of metal‐organic frameworks, the MM‐optimized geometry sometimes deviates significantly from the QM‐optimized one. We show that this problem is rectified effectively by use of a simple procedure called Katachi that modifies the equilibrium bond distances and angles in bond‐stretching and angle‐bending terms. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cross‐hairs: a scatterplot for meta‐analysis in R
Authors: Brannick Michael T. , Gültaş Mehmet
Published: August 2016

We describe a meta‐analytic scatterplot that indicates precision of points for two variables paired within studies; this is equivalent in form to a ‘cross‐hairs’ plot used to portray specificity and sensitivity in diagnostic testing. At the user's discretion, the plot also displays boxplots for each of the X and Y variable distributions, means for each of the variables, and the correlation between the two. The cross‐hairs may be suppressed for dense point clouds. The program is written in R, so it can be modified by the user and can serve as a companion to existing meta‐analysis programs. Some of the program's novel uses are described and illustrated with (1) independent effect sizes, (2) dependent effect sizes, and (3) shrunken estimates. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pediatric salivary gland carcinomas: Diagnostic and therapeutic management
Authors: Rebours Céleste , Couloigner Vincent , Galmiche Louise , Casiraghi Odile , Badoual Cécile , Boudjemaa Sabah , Chauvin Anthony , Elmaleh Monique , Fresneau Brice , Fasola Sylvie , Garabédian Erea‐Noël , Van Den Abeele Thierry , Orbach Daniel ,   for the Pediatric French Rare Tumor Group
Published: August 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

To analyze clinical presentations, treatment modalities, and evolution of pediatric cases of salivary gland carcinomas to standardize care for these rare diseases.

Study Design

Multicentric, retrospective study.

Methods

We included in this retrospective study all children and adolescents (aged ≤18 years) treated from 1992 to 2012 in six pediatric centers in Paris, France. Pathological tumor specimens of these cases were reviewed.

Results

Forty‐three children were included (sex ratio male/female = 19/24, median age = 13 years). The parotid gland was the most common (37 cases) location for tumors. Histological subtypes were mucoepidermoid carcinomas (n = 20), acinic cell carcinomas (n = 14), and other (n = 9). Initial fine‐needle aspiration was performed in 15 cases (33%), and was concordant to final diagnosis in three cases (20%). Primary surgery was performed in 42 patients, leading to a complete microscopic resection in 80%. Associated lymph node dissection was performed in 28 patients (homolateral: 27, bilateral: 1) and showed lymph node metastases in only two patients. One patient had distant metastases. Adjuvant irradiation was delivered to 11 patients (median: 60 Gy; range: 50–65) and chemotherapy in five cases. After a median follow‐up of 5 years, six tumors relapsed, but no deaths occurred.

Conclusions

Childhood salivary gland carcinomas have a good prognosis despite possible recurrences. Treatment is mainly based on surgery, with simultaneous node dissection in cases of clinical or radiologic node enlargement. Radiation therapy seems to be restricted to inoperable high‐grade tumors or after recurrence.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 127:140–147, 2017
Guaranteed error bounds in homogenisation: an optimum stochastic approach to preserve the numerical separation of scales
Authors: Paladim D. A. , Moitinho de Almeida J. P. , Bordas S. P. A. , Kerfriden P.
Published: August 2016

This paper proposes a new methodology to guarantee the accuracy of the homogenisation schemes that are traditionally employed to approximate the solution of PDEs with random, fast evolving diffusion coefficients. More precisely, in the context of linear elliptic diffusion problems in randomly packed particulate composites, we develop an approach to strictly bound the error in the expectation and second moment of quantities of interest, without ever solving the fine‐scale, intractable stochastic problem. The most attractive feature of our approach is that the error bounds are computed without any integration of the fine‐scale features. Our computations are purely macroscopic, deterministic and remain tractable even for small scale ratios. The second contribution of the paper is an alternative derivation of modelling error bounds through the Prager–Synge hypercircle theorem. We show that this approach allows us to fully characterise and optimally tighten the interval in which predicted quantities of interest are guaranteed to lie. We interpret our optimum result as an extension of Reuss–Voigt approaches, which are classically used to estimate the homogenised diffusion coefficients of composites, to the estimation of macroscopic engineering quantities of interest. Finally, we make use of these derivations to obtain an efficient procedure for multiscale model verification and adaptation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The First Record of a Pre‐Columbian Domestic Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) in Brazil
Authors: Guedes Milheira R. , Loponte D. M. , García Esponda C. , Acosta A. , Ulguim P.
Published: August 2016

Archaeological excavations of the PSG‐07 earthen mound at Pontal da Barra in Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil have revealed the earliest known evidence for the presence of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) in Brazil. This is the first reported pre‐Columbian example in the country. Analysis of morphology, morphometry, and dental enamel laminae identified a left maxillary molar 1, left maxillary molar 2 and attached fragments of the maxilla of C. l. familiaris. A direct radiocarbon date on a fragment of the maxilla provided an age range between 1701 and 1526 cal BP (2σ). This is within the range of other dates for the site, which indicate intermittent occupation between 2024 and 1027 cal BP (2σ). Data from carbon isotope analysis indicates a potential marine diet. However, nitrogen isotope analysis values are lower than expected for a marine diet. The sparse records of pre‐Columbian C.  l. familiaris in the region emphasise the importance of the present work. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Remimazolam: Pharmacologic Considerations and Clinical Role in Anesthesiology
Authors: Wesolowski Alexandra M. , Zaccagnino Michael P. , Malapero Raymond J. , Kaye Alan D. , Urman Richard D.
Published: August 2016

Midazolam, fentanyl, and propofol are commonly used for sedation in modern anesthesia practice. These agents possess characteristics that have afforded various anesthetics to be delivered and produce relatively safe and effective outcomes. However, each agent has certain drawbacks in clinical practice. Remimazolam, a novel benzodiazepine created out of so‐called soft drug development, is an ultrashort‐acting intravenous sedative‐hypnotic currently being investigated in clinical trials. In this review, we evaluate the recent literature on the use of remimazolam in clinical practice as compared with current sedative agents, and we describe its potential roles for use in sedation. A literature search of the Medline database (2012–May 2016) was performed. Additional references were identified from a review of literature citations, manufacturer reports, and professional meeting abstracts. All premarket studies involving remimazolam as the primary study drug were evaluated. Literature describing the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of remimazolam, propofol, and midazolam was also included. Phase I and II studies in the United States have shown remimazolam to be a safe and effective option for procedural sedation. Unlike midazolam and propofol, remimazolam undergoes organ‐independent metabolism to an inactive metabolite. Because remimazolam follows first‐order pharmacokinetics, prolonged infusions or higher doses are unlikely to result in accumulation and extended effect, making it favorable for use as an intravenous anesthetic and for sedation in the intensive care unit. It is expected that phase III trials will further describe the niche that remimazolam may be able to occupy in clinical practice. Postmarket cost‐benefit analyses will need to be performed.
Pharmacokinetics of Cefepime in Patients with Cancer and Febrile Neutropenia in the Setting of Hematologic Malignancies or Hematopoeitic Cell Transplantation
Authors: Whited Laura , Grove Meagan , Rose Dusten , Rhodes Nathaniel J. , Scheetz Marc H. , O'Donnell J. Nicholas , Neeb Jessica , Thoele Kelli , Jones David R. , Lowe Christopher , Moore Dawn , Kiel Patrick J.
Published: August 2016

Study Objective

To evaluate the steady‐state pharmacokinetic parameters of standard cefepime dosing regimens in a hematologic malignancy and hematopoietic cell transplant patient population with febrile neutropenia.

Design

Open‐label, single‐center, prospective pharmacokinetic study.

Setting

National Cancer Institute–designated cancer center.

Patients

Nine adults with hematologic malignancies or hematopoietic cell transplants who had febrile neutropenia and were admitted to a hematology‐oncology service between January and July 2014.

Intervention

Patients received empirical cefepime 2 g every 8 hours, administered as a 30‐minute intravenous infusion, for febrile neutropenia.

Measurements and Main Results

Steady‐state cefepime serum concentrations were measured after at least 2 days of continuous therapy. Venous blood samples were intensively sampled between 0 and 8 hours after the start of the 30‐minute infusion at steady state. Seven of the nine patients had a hematologic malignancy diagnosis of acute leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma, and two patients had a germ cell tumor diagnosis. Noncompartmental analysis revealed mean ± SD parameters as follows at steady state: area under the plasma concentration–time curve from 0–8 hours 222.9 ± 72.9 mg hour/L, maximum concentration 120.9 ± 21.8 mg/L, clearance 9.7 ± 3.7 L/hour, apparent volume of distribution 19.2 ± 4.65 L, and elimination half‐life 1.4 ± 0.3 hours. A one‐compartment pharmacokinetic model identified a mean ± SD volume of distribution of 20.9 ± 1.3 L and an elimination rate constant of 0.39 ± 0.03 hour−1. The mean estimated percentage of time that drug concentration remains above the pathogen minimum inhibitory concentration (fT>MIC) in serum was 55%, 77%, and 99% at MICs of 16, 8, and 4 mg/L, respectively.

Conclusion

Patients with hematologic malignancies or hematopoietic cell transplants who had febrile neutropenia demonstrated homogeneous calculated cefepime volumes and clearances. The population parameters presented in this study may aid in the calculation of patient‐specific fT>MIC for similar patients.
Mapping insulin non‐covalent interactions with natural polysaccharides by hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry
Authors: Elviri Lisa , Bergonzi Carlo , Bianchera Annalisa , Bettini Ruggero
Published: August 2016

Rationale

Drug development efforts involving therapeutic peptides or proteins strongly lead optimization of drug delivery, drug stability, solubility and functionality. The key feature of controlled drug delivery is the use of biocompatible polymers able to interact via non‐covalent bonds with an active principle through multiple functional groups. Here amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) mass spectrometry was employed to localize insulin dynamics induced by interactions with three natural polysaccharides, i.e. chitosan (CH), sodium alginate (ALG) and chondroitin sulfate (CS).

Methods

LTQ‐Orbitap continuous‐labelling mass spectra were collected by diluting insulin stock solution (10 mM in 0.1% formic acid) to a final concentration of 0.1 mM in D2O containing 1 mM deuterated ammonium acetate (final pH .6) (insulin:polysaccharide ratio 1:2, w/w). For peptide mapping, deuterated samples were quenched after 0.5, 30, 60, 120 minutes exchange by adding HCl (pH ) and digested with pepsin before LC–MS/MS analysis.

Results

Differences in the insulin backbone dynamics in the presence of the three polysaccharides were highlighted by monitoring peptic peptides at different time points. No significant differences were observed in the presence of CH, whereas the negatively charged ALG and CS were able to induce significant conformational variations at the B‐chain level resulting in more protection against H/D exchange. The A‐chain interacted only with CS reducing the protein mobility on a long time scale (120 min). HDX data evidenced heterogeneous insulin dynamics in the presence of ALG and CS.

Conclusions

The studies reported here demonstrated the capabilities of mass spectrometry techniques and HDX methods to obtain useful information toward the flexibility and the behavior of native insulin in the presence of natural polysaccharides, and could provide insights to study the behavior of pharmaceutical formulations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance assessment of a portable mass spectrometer using a linear ion trap operated in non‐scanning mode
Authors: Janulyte Aurika , Zerega Yves , Andre Jacques , Brkic Boris , Taylor Stephen
Published: August 2016

Rationale

The desire for mass spectrometer portability provides the motivation for simpler, lighter electronics to deliver switched potentials applied to the electrodes of the linear ion trap operated in non‐scanning mode. Using a novel method of modelling and theoretical analysis, we simulate the mass analyser performance under these unfavourable operating conditions.

Methods

The electrical fields are simulated using the Charge Particle Optics software which employs the boundary element method. The ion trajectories are computed from the ion cage of the EI source to the interior of the trap where the ions are confined. The spatial/temporal ion distributions during injection are calculated from the individual ion trajectories computed with constant time‐steps. Due to geometric non‐linearities, βy = 0 lines close to the apex of the stability diagram have been computed for different initial positions with zero initial velocities in order to define the acceptable maximum axial extension.

Results

The DC potential well depth has been estimated at about 15 eV from the axial velocity distribution, and the minimum time of ion injection at 120 μs from the temporal ion distribution. To ensure a mass separation of one unit and the confinement of the whole of the injected ions, buffer gas cooling is necessary to reduce the trajectory excursion amplitudes to 0.1 and 15 mm in the radial and axial directions, respectively.

Conclusions

The portable mass spectrometer is predicted to achieve a mass resolution of better than one mass unit providing that helium buffer gas is used. An additional cooling sequence has to be added prior to moving the operating point toward the apex. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamics of Rural Communities Under Climate Change
Authors: Lugo‐Morin Diosey Ramon
Published: August 2016

This paper is a critical analysis with two main objectives: to reflect on climate change and demonstrate the importance of adaptive capacities of social actors in rural areas; and to establish how ethnocompetitiveness is fundamental in the mentioned adaptive process. The analysis highlights two key elements that are part of a functional ethnocompetitiveness: local knowledge and management of land resources, allowing for the generation of adaptive capacities to address the inherent biophysical changes associated with climatic variations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
A potential contribution of the less negatively charged cell wall to the high aluminum tolerance of Rhodotorula taiwanensis RS1
Authors: Hu Zhen Min , Zhao Xue Qiang , Bao Xue Min , Wang Chao , Wang Wei , Zheng Lu , Lan Ping , Shen Ren Fang
Published: August 2016

Rhodotorula taiwanensis RS1 (Rt) is a high‐aluminum (Al)‐tolerant yeast that can survive Al at concentrations up to 200 mM. In this study, we compared Rt with an Al‐sensitive congeneric strain, R. mucilaginosa AKU 4812 (Rm) and Al sensitive mutant 1 (alsm1) of Rt, to explore the Al tolerance mechanisms of Rt. The growth of Rm was completely inhibited by 1 mM Al, but that of Rt was not inhibited until Al concentration was more than 70 mM. The growth of alsm1 was inhibited much more by 70 mM and 100 mM Al than that of Rt. Compared with Rm cells, Rt cells accumulated less Al in the cell wall and cytoplasm. A time‐course analysis showed that Al was absorbed by Rm cells much more rapidly than by Rt cells when exposed to the same Al concentration. Meanwhile, the Al content of alsm1 was higher than that of Rt. Although the cell wall of Rt was thicker than that of alsm1 and Rm under control and 0.1 mM Al, that of Rt was thinner than that of alsm1 under 70 mM Al despite that their cell walls were thickened. The alcian blue adsorption was lower and cell wall zeta‐potential was higher in Rt and alsm1 than in Rm, indicating a less negative charge of cell wall of Rt and alsm1 than that of Rm. Taken together, the less negatively charged cell wall of Rt may restrict the adsorption of cationic Al in cells, potentially contributing to its high Al tolerance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid Quantification of Low‐Viscosity Acetyl‐Triacylglycerols Using Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Bansal Sunil , Durrett Timothy P.
Published: August 2016

Acetyl‐triacylglycerols (acetyl‐TAG) possess an sn‐3 acetate group, which confers useful chemical and physical properties to these unusual triacylglycerols (TAG). Current methods for quantification of acetyl‐TAG are time consuming and do not provide any information on the molecular species profile. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI–MS)‐based methods can overcome these drawbacks. However, the ESI–MS signal intensity for TAG depends on the aliphatic chain length and unsaturation index of the molecule. Therefore response factors for different molecular species need to be determined before any quantification. The effects of the chain length and the number of double‐bonds of the sn‐1/2 acyl groups on the signal intensity for the neutral loss of short chain length sn‐3 groups were quantified using a series of synthesized sn‐3 specific structured TAG. The signal intensity for the neutral loss of the sn‐3 acyl group was found to negatively correlated with the aliphatic chain length and unsaturation index of the sn‐1/2 acyl groups. The signal intensity of the neutral loss of the sn‐3 acyl group was also negatively correlated with the size of that chain. Further, the position of the group undergoing neutral loss was also important, with the signal from an sn‐2 acyl group much lower than that from one located at sn‐3. Response factors obtained from these analyses were used to develop a method for the absolute quantification of acetyl‐TAG. The increased sensitivity of this ESI–MS‐based approach allowed successful quantification of acetyl‐TAG in various biological settings, including the products of in vitro enzyme activity assays.
An Analysis of Perceptions of Job Insecurity among White and Black Workers in the United States: 1977–2012
Authors: Kuroki Masanori
Published: August 2016

While objective measures indicate that the risk of job loss is higher for black workers than for white workers, there is little research on how what workers’ expectations of job loss differ by race. This study looks at how secure black and white workers are feeling about their jobs and how their perceptions of job insecurity have been affected by time trends and regional unemployment rates. I find that perceptions of job security of black male workers, older black workers, and black high school graduates have deteriorated relative to their white counterparts during the period 1977–2012. Among those who attended college, white workers’ perceived job insecurity has increased. Black blue-collar workers’ and construction workers’ perceptions of job insecurity also have increased relative to their white counterparts. Moreover, perceptions of job insecurity among several black groups, such as high school dropouts and old workers, are more sensitive to regional unemployment rates than their white counterparts.
The costs and benefits of long-short investing: A perspective on the market efficiency literature✩
Authors: Beaver William , McNichols Maureen , Price Richard
Published: August 2016

We highlight key assumptions implicit in the models used by academics conducting research on market efficiency. Most notably, many academics assume that investors can borrow unlimited amounts and construct long-short portfolios at zero cost. We relax these assumptions and examine the attractiveness of long-short strategies as stand-alone investments and as a part of a diversified portfolio. Our analysis illustrates that the key benefit of long-short investing is adding diversification to a portfolio beyond what the market provides. We show that as stand-alone investments, nontrivial risk remains in the “hedge” strategies and that the returns generally do not beat the market in a head-to-head contest. Our findings raise questions about the degree of inefficiency in anomaly studies because plausible measures of costs generally offset strategy returns. The ability to achieve greater diversification may be, but is not necessarily, due to market inefficiency. We also highlight the key role of the generally ignored but critically important short interest rebate and show that absent this rebate, the long-short strategies we examine generally yield insignificant returns.
Relationship between occult hepatitis B virus infection and chronic kidney disease in a Chinese population‐based cohort
Authors: Kong Xiang‐Lei , Ma Xiao‐Jing , Su Hong , Xu Dong‐Mei
Published: August 2016

Objective

Previous studies have revealed inconsistent results regarding the association between occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate the association between occult HBV infection and CKD.

Methods

A total of 4329 adults, aged 46.2 ± 13.7 years, without CKD at baseline were enrolled while undergoing physical examinations. Occult HBV infection was defined as seropositivity for antibody to HBV core antigen. CKD was defined as decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR < 60 ml·min−1·1.73 m−2) or presence of proteinuria ≥1+, assessed using a repeated dipstick method. eGFR was computed using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD‐EPI) equation.

Results

The prevalence of occult HBV infection was 8.1% (352/4329). During 5 years of follow‐up, 165 patients (3.8%) developed CKD. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that occult HBV infection was positively associated with decreased eGFR, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.15 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05–4.11). In contrast, occult HBV infection was not associated with either proteinuria or CKD (P > 0.05). After adjustment for potential confounders in the multivariate Logistic regression analysis, age, hypertension, diabetes, and the highest quartile of uric acid were associated with CKD, with ORs of 1.04 (95% CI: 1.02–1.05), 2.1 (95% CI: 1.46–3.01), 2.02 (95% CI: 1.36–2.99), and 1.86 (95% CI: 1.17–2.95), respectively. However, occult HBV infection was not associated with CKD, with an OR of 1.12 (95% CI: 0.65–1.95).

Conclusions

This study did not find an association between occult HBV infection and CKD. However, high‐risk patients infected with HBV should still be targeted for monitoring for the development of CKD.
Severe Plasmodium vivax cerebral malaria complicated by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis treated with artesunate and doxycycline
Authors: Amireh Sawsan , Shaaban Hamid , Guron Gunwant
Published: August 2016

Malaria-related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare, potentially fatal, hyperinflammatory disease entity which can be challenging to diagnose and treat. It is usually associated with Plasmodium falciparum infection. It is less frequently associated with Plasmodium vivax. Here we report an unusual case of a 23-year-old healthy Nigerian man who presented with fever, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure, and confusion, and was diagnosed as having cerebral malaria-related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis caused by P. vivax infection. He was successfully treated with intravenous artesunate and doxycycline with dramatic clinical improvement.
The effects of hematopoietic stem cell transplant on splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm-associated myelofibrosis
Authors: Pizzi Marco , Gergis Usama , Chaviano Felicia , Orazi Attilio
Published: August 2016

Background/objective:

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is the only curative treatment for myeloproliferative neoplasm-associated myelofibrosis (MPN-MF). The main clinical manifestation of MPN-MF is splenomegaly secondary to extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH). The effects of HSCT on splenic EMH and associated vascular and stromal changes are unknown. This study compares the findings seen in spleens following HSCT with those of nontransplanted patients, normal controls, and matched bone marrow (BM) samples.

Methods:

This study included three transplanted MPN-MF spleens, three nontransplanted MPNMF spleens, and three normal controls. Spleens were assessed for: (a) presence/extent of EMH; (b) presence of Gamna-Gandy bodies; (c) splenic fibrosis; (d) CD34-positive microvessel density; (e) CD8-positive sinusoids; (f) frequency of smooth muscle actin-positive myoid cells; and (g) nerve growth factor receptor-positive adventitial reticulum cells. In two cases, matched BM samples were assessed for cellularity, presence of atypical megakaryocytes, and fibrosis.

Results:

Compared with normal controls, all MPN-MF spleens were larger in size, had EMH, red pulp fibrosis, higher CD34-positive microvessel density, and decreased CD8-positive sinusoids. Compared with nontransplanted cases, post-HSCT spleens showed disappearance or reduction of EMH. Gamna-Gandy bodies were increased; no differences in the remaining parameters were found. A reduction of splenic EMH was associated with normalization of BM cellularity and megakaryopoiesis.

Conclusion:

HSCT reduces/abrogates splenic EMH and is associated with an increased number of Gamna-Gandy bodies, which may suggest vascular damage. The lack of stromal changes in spleens removed shortly after transplant is in line with similar observations in the BM, where a longer interval is often necessary for resolution of fibrosis.
Product co‐development in an emerging market: The role of buyer‐supplier compatibility and institutional environment
Authors: Wang Jeff Jianfeng , Li Julie Juan , Chang Jeanine
Published: August 2016

In emerging markets, supply chains increasingly serve as critical value chains through which ideas, practices and knowledge flow to and from suppliers and buyers. Drawing on buyer‐supplier collaboration literature and organizational learning theory, we examine the antecedents and underlying mechanisms of product co‐development. Due to emerging markets' unique institutional environments, we further investigate how government intervention and guanxi importance moderate supplier‐buyer collaborative outcomes. Dyadic data from 323 supplier‐buyer pairs in China largely support our theoretical framework. Partners' knowledge commonality has a curvilinear (inverted U‐shaped) relationship to product co‐development, whereas goal compatibility has a positive impact on product co‐development. Mutual learning partially mediates the main effect. Furthermore, government intervention weakens the positive effect of mutual learning on product co‐development whereas guanxi importance strengthens this relationship. This research provides fresh theoretical and managerial implications to supply chain collaboration in emerging markets.
Salvage urethroplasty using skin grafts for previously failed long‐segment urethral strictures
Authors: Sevinc Cuneyd , Balaban Muhsin , Ozkaptan Orkunt , Kutlu Necmettin , Karadeniz Tahir
Published: August 2016

The aim of this study was to describe a technique using full‐thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) from different parts of the body for salvage urethroplasties and the present outcomes. A total of 24 men underwent urethroplasties for strictures averaging 7.7 cm (range, 5–17 cm) in length, using FTSGs from the inner arm, inner thigh, or abdominal skin. Each of these cases had at least one failed urethroplasty. Twenty‐four patients underwent surgery for 26 urethral strictures, with a mean follow‐up period of 23.2 (5–44) months and a mean operation time of 140 (115–180) minutes. Reconstruction of the urethra with skin grafting was successful in 18 out of the 26 procedures during the first attempt (69%). A “redo” skin grafting was performed for the eight failed cases, with four successful procedures (50%). Overall, the success rate was 84% (22 out of 26 urethral strictures); however, the failed cases developed abscesses and later, ureterocutaneous fistulas. No hair formation from the skin grafts was seen. Skin grafts provide useful alternative graft sources for previously failed long‐segment urethral strictures in which the buccal mucosae are not available or are insufficient for salvage urethroplasties with an acceptable success rate.
A chronology of alluvial fan response to Late Quaternary sea level and climate change, Crete
Authors: Pope Richard J.J. , Candy Ian , Skourtsos Emmanuel
Published: August 2016

To better understand how fluvial systems respond to late Quaternary climatic forcing OSL and U-series dating was applied to stratigraphically significant sedimentary units within a small (<6.5 km2) alluvial fan system (the Sphakia fan) in southwest Crete. The resultant chronology (comprising 32 OSL and U-series ages) makes Sphakia fan one of the best dated systems in the Mediterranean and suggests that Cretan fans responded to climate in two ways. First, during the transitions between Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5a/4 and MIS 2/1 Sphakia fan was characterised by significant entrenchment and distal shift in the zone of deposition. It is proposed that the phases of entrenchment were driven by sea level induced base level fall during MIS 5a/4 and landscape stabilisation during the onset of the current interglacial (MIS 2/1). Second, with the exception of these two entrenchment episodes fan alluviation occurred across the entire last interglacial/glacial cycle in all climatic settings i.e. interglacials, interstadials and stadials. It is likely that the topographic setting of the catchment supplying sediment to Sphakia fan maintained high sediment transfer rates during most climatic settings enabling fan aggradation to occur except during major climatic driven transitions i.e. major sea level fall and postglacial vegetation development.
A NEW SPECIES OF FREZIERA (PENTAPHYLACACEAE) FROM ECUADOR, WITH LARGE LEAVES AND FLOWERS
Authors: Santamaría-Aguilar D. , Neill D. A. , Lagomarsino L. P.
Published: August 2016

Freziera grandiflora (Pentaphylacaceae), a new species from western Ecuador with relatively large leaves, flowers and fruits, is described and illustrated. Its distribution, phenology, habitat and relationship to allied species are discussed. Its conservation status is tentatively considered Vulnerable.
Minerals Hint at Liquid Groundwater, More Oxygen in Mars's Past
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: August 2016

Manganese deposits in Gale Crater fractures are similar to Earth features that usually require flowing water and highly oxidizing conditions.
Government OK's Moon Express Mission to the Moon
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: August 2016

The company envisions the mission as a first step in bringing resources from the Moon back to the Earth.
Metal–semiconductor double shell hollow nanocubes for highly stable hydrogen generation photocatalysts
Authors: Choi Woong , Park Garam , Bae Kyung-Lyul , Choi Ji Yong , Nam Ki Min , Song Hyunjoon
Published: August 2016

Noble metal–CdS double shell hollow nanocubes showed strong metal-dependent activity with remarkable stability on photocatalytic H2 generation reactions.
Two transgenic mouse models for β-subunit components of succinate-CoA ligase yielding pleiotropic metabolic alterations
Authors: Kacso Gergely , Ravasz Dora , Doczi Judit , Németh Beáta , Madgar Ory , Saada Ann , Ilin Polina , Miller Chaya , Ostergaard Elsebet , Iordanov Iordan , Adams Daniel , Vargedo Zsuzsanna , Araki Masatake , Araki Kimi , Nakahara Mai , Ito Haruka , Gál Aniko , Molnár Mária J. , Nagy Zsolt , Patocs Attila , Adam-Vizi Vera , Chinopoulos Christos
Published: August 2016

Succinate-CoA ligase (SUCL) is a heterodimer enzyme composed of Suclg1 α-subunit and a substrate-specific Sucla2 or Suclg2 β-subunit yielding ATP or GTP, respectively. In humans, the deficiency of this enzyme leads to encephalomyopathy with or without methylmalonyl aciduria, in addition to resulting in mitochondrial DNA depletion. We generated mice lacking either one Sucla2 or Suclg2 allele. Sucla2 heterozygote mice exhibited tissue- and age-dependent decreases in Sucla2 expression associated with decreases in ATP-forming activity, but rebound increases in cardiac Suclg2 expression and GTP-forming activity. Bioenergetic parameters including substrate-level phosphorylation (SLP) were not different between wild-type and Sucla2 heterozygote mice unless a submaximal pharmacological inhibition of SUCL was concomitantly present. mtDNA contents were moderately decreased, but blood carnitine esters were significantly elevated. Suclg2 heterozygote mice exhibited decreases in Suclg2 expression but no rebound increases in Sucla2 expression or changes in bioenergetic parameters. Surprisingly, deletion of one Suclg2 allele in Sucla2 heterozygote mice still led to a rebound but protracted increase in Suclg2 expression, yielding double heterozygote mice with no alterations in GTP-forming activity or SLP, but more pronounced changes in mtDNA content and blood carnitine esters, and an increase in succinate dehydrogenase activity. We conclude that a partial reduction in Sucla2 elicits rebound increases in Suclg2 expression, which is sufficiently dominant to overcome even a concomitant deletion of one Suclg2 allele, pleiotropically affecting metabolic pathways associated with SUCL. These results as well as the availability of the transgenic mouse colonies will be of value in understanding SUCL deficiency.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α-dependent renoprotection of murine kidney by irbesartan
Authors: Harada Makoto , Kamijo Yuji , Nakajima Takero , Hashimoto Koji , Yamada Yosuke , Shimojo Hisashi , Gonzalez Frank J. , Aoyama Toshifumi
Published: August 2016

Activation of renal peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is renoprotective, but there is no safe PPARα activator for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Studies have reported that irbesartan (Irbe), an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) widely prescribed for CKD, activates hepatic PPARα. However, Irbe's renal PPARα-activating effects and the role of PPARα signalling in the renoprotective effects of Irbe are unknown. Herein, these aspects were investigated in healthy kidneys of wild-type (WT) and Ppara-null (KO) mice and in the murine protein-overload nephropathy (PON) model respectively. The results were compared with those of losartan (Los), another ARB that does not activate PPARα. PPARα and its target gene expression were significantly increased only in the kidneys of Irbe-treated WT mice and not in KO or Los-treated mice, suggesting that the renal PPARα-activating effect was Irbe-specific. Irbe-treated-PON-WT mice exhibited decreased urine protein excretion, tubular injury, oxidative stress (OS), and pro-inflammatory and apoptosis-stimulating responses, and they exhibited maintenance of fatty acid metabolism. Furthermore, the expression of PPARα and that of its target mRNAs encoding proteins involved in OS, pro-inflammatory responses, apoptosis and fatty acid metabolism was maintained upon Irbe treatment. These renoprotective effects of Irbe were reversed by the PPARα antagonist MK886 and were not detected in Irbe-treated-PON-KO mice. These results suggest that Irbe activates renal PPARα and that the resultant increased PPARα signalling mediates its renoprotective effects.
Sporadically‐driven clock‐less in‐pixel multi‐bit energy discriminator for X‐ray spectrometry CMOS PCD imagers
Authors: Kim H.‐S.
Published: August 2016

A compact size and low‐power multi‐bit energy discriminator circuit is presented for X‐ray spectrometry CMOS photon‐counting detector (PCD) pixels. Because the circuit design is based on an asynchronous linear search, the discriminator with only a single‐comparator classifies a sporadically incoming photon into multiple energy‐bins, resulting in high spatial resolution and functionality of material‐selective imaging. The proposed pixel power required to perform a minimal linear search is significantly less than the power of a conventional parallel search implemented in a flash‐type discriminator. A prototype is fabricated in a 130‐nm CMOS, and a 3‐bit discriminator occupies only 23 × 60 μm2. The circuit dissipates a static power of 1 μW with a power supply of 3.3 V (analogue) and 1.2 V (digital). The inaccuracy of energy‐binning is measured to be 2.6–3.3 mV rms.
Improvement on predicting employee behaviour through intelligent techniques
Authors: Rashid Tarik A. , Jabar Asia Latif
Published: August 2016

In recent times, there has been increasing awareness of employee behaviour prediction in healthcare, trade, and industry systems worldwide and its value on returns and profits of these systems. Nevertheless, determining the top employees with capacities and endorsing them for promotion is depending more or less on features which are dynamic and serving these systems’ interest. The current structure in organising and academic firms in Kurdistan‐Iraq is non‐systematic and manually performed; thus, the evaluation of employees’ behaviours is carried out by the directors at different branches, sections, and subsections; as a result, in some cases the outcomes of employees’ performance cause a low level of acceptance among staffs who believe that most of these cases are falsely assessed. This study suggests an intelligent and vigorous structure to examine performance of employees. It aims at presenting a solution to employee behaviour prediction through a joint effective feature selection method, then fuzzy rough (FR) set theory is used to select relevant features, next the classification task is conducted via FR nearest neighbours (FRNNs), decision tree, Naïve Bayes, and convolution neural network (CNN). FRNN and CNN classifiers have the best classification accuracy rate.
Switched‐boost network‐based single‐phase boost DC–AC converter
Authors: Nguyen Minh‐Khai , Cho Geum‐Bae , Lim Young‐Cheol
Published: August 2016

This study proposes a new single‐phase boost DC–AC converter based on the switched‐boost network. The proposed converter has the following features: (i) the input current is continuous; (ii) the input and output share the same ground; and (iii) the output voltage waveform has only three levels (positive, zero, and negative levels). Compared with the conventional single‐phase half‐bridge Z‐source inverter (HB‐ZSI), the proposed converter uses one additional active switch, but fewer inductors and capacitors. In addition, the peak output voltage of the proposed converter is twice that of the HB‐ZSI for the same shoot‐through duty cycle. The operating principles, parameter design, small‐signal analysis, and comparison with the single‐phase HB‐ZSI are presented. The simulation and experimental results are shown to verify the operating theory of the proposed converter. Finally, an isolated boost DC–DC converter is developed in the experiment with 42 V input and 600 V output as an example for the application of the proposed converter.
Study on the chemical bond structure and chemical stability of N doped into TiO2 film by N ion beam implantation
Authors: Liu Jindong , Zhao Shiping , Wang Hualin , Cui Yunxian , Jiang Weiwei , Liu Shimin , Wang Nan , Liu Chaoqian , Chai Weiping , Ding Wanyu
Published: August 2016

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) film was deposited by DC pulse magnetron sputtering technique. The surface of TiO2 film was implanted by N ion beam at room temperature and N doped TiO2 (N‐TiO2) film was obtained. X‐ray diffractometer result showed that with the increase of sputtering power, the crystal structure of TiO2 film changed from amorphous to anatase polycrystalline structure. Transmission electron microscopy result revealed that nanoscale clusters existed in amorphous TiO2 film. The bandgap of TiO2 film was about 3.28 ± 0.05 eV. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results revealed that N ion was doped into TiO2 film as Ti–N and Ti–NO bonds. With increasing TiO2 film crystallinity, N atom‐percent and ratio of Ti–N to Ti–NO decreased and increased, respectively. TiO2 film deposited with 900 W in sputtering power, N atom‐percent decreased to 6.6 at.% and ratio of Ti–N to Ti–NO increased to 0.81:1. The bandgap of N‐TiO2 film was about 3.02 ± 0.07 eV. N atom‐percent and ratio of Ti–N to Ti–NO kept at 2.73 ± 0.26 at.% and (0.87 ± 0.03):1 for all annealed N‐TiO2 films. The bandgap of annealed N‐TiO2 film was about 3.16 ± 0.03 eV. So, the crystallinity of TiO2 film was one of most important parameters, which influenced the chemical bond structure and chemical stability of N in TiO2 films.
A high-precision instrument for analyzing nonlinear dynamic behavior of bearing cage
Authors: Yang Z. , Chen H. , Yu T. , Li B.
Published: August 2016

The high-precision ball bearing is fundamental to the performance of complex mechanical systems. As the speed increases, the cage behavior becomes a key factor in influencing the bearing performance, especially life and reliability. This paper develops a high-precision instrument for analyzing nonlinear dynamic behavior of the bearing cage. The trajectory of the rotational center and non-repetitive run-out (NRRO) of the cage are used to evaluate the instability of cage motion. This instrument applied an aerostatic spindle to support and spin test the bearing to decrease the influence of system error. Then, a high-speed camera is used to capture images when the bearing works at high speeds. A 3D trajectory tracking software tema Motion is used to track the spot which marked the cage surface. Finally, by developing the matlab program, a Lissajous’ figure was used to evaluate the nonlinear dynamic behavior of the cage with different speeds. The trajectory of rotational center and NRRO of the cage with various speeds are analyzed. The results can be used to predict the initial failure and optimize cage structural parameters. In addition, the repeatability precision of instrument is also validated. In the future, the motorized spindle will be applied to increase testing speed and image processing algorithms will be developed to analyze the trajectory of the cage.