bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mesenchymal stem cells promote cell invasion and migration and autophagy‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Luo Dan , Hu Shiyuan , Tang Chunlan , Liu Guoxiang
Published: January 2018

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recruited into the tumour microenvironment and promote tumour growth and metastasis. Tumour microenvironment‐induced autophagy is considered to suppress primary tumour formation by impairing migration and invasion. Whether these recruited MSCs regulate tumour autophagy and whether autophagy affects tumour growth are controversial. Our data showed that MSCs promote autophagy activation, reactive oxygen species production, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) as well as increased migration and invasion in A549 cells. Decreased expression of E‐cadherin and increased expression of vimentin and Snail were observed in A549 cells cocultured with MSCs. Conversely, MSC coculture‐mediated autophagy positively promoted tumour EMT. Autophagy inhibition suppressed MSC coculture‐mediated EMT and reduced A549 cell migration and invasion slightly. Furthermore, the migratory and invasive abilities of A549 cells were additional increased when autophagy was further enhanced by rapamycin treatment. Taken together, this work suggests that microenvironments containing MSCs can promote autophagy activation for enhancing EMT; MSCs also increase the migratory and invasive abilities of A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. Mesenchymal stem cell‐containing microenvironments and MSC‐induced autophagy signalling may be potential targets for blocking lung cancer cell migration and invasion.
Iatrogenic seeding of osteosarcoma in a tracheotomy tract – a case report
Authors: Duek Irit , Lopchinsky Richard , Akrish Sharon , Gil Ziv
Published: January 2018

Key Clinical Message

Here, we describe the first reported case of osteosarcoma occurring postsurgically in a tracheotomy tract, highlighting the possibility of osteosarcoma seeding during head and neck surgery. Preventative measures such as performing the tracheostomy after the tumor resection while walling off the tracheostomy site from the operative field should be considered.
Self‐Assembling of Fmoc‐GC Peptide Nucleic Acid Dimers into Highly Fluorescent Aggregates
Authors: Avitabile Concetta , Diaferia Carlo , Della Ventura Bartolomeo , Mercurio Flavia Anna , Leone Marilisa , Roviello Valentina , Saviano Michele , Velotta Raffaele , Morelli Giancarlo , Accardo Antonella , Romanelli Alessandra
Published: January 2018

The study of molecules that self‐assemble through noncovalent interactions is one of the most attractive topics in supramolecular chemistry. The use of short peptides or modified nucleotides as building blocks for the aggregates is particularly intriguing because these are very easy to synthesize; moreover, subtle changes in the chemical structure of such building blocks may drastically affect the properties of the aggregates. The ability of peptide nucleic acids (PNA) to aggregate has been very little explored, despite its practical applications. In this work we investigated the self‐assembling properties of a PNA dimer, conjugated at the N‐terminus to a fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl group. This PNA dimer forms nano‐aggregates at low concentration in CHCl3/CH3OH mixtures. The aggregates retain very interesting fluorescent properties (high quantum yield in the visible region with lifetimes on the nanosecond scale), which make them promising materials for applications in optoelectronics.
Catalytic Dearomative Spirocyclization via Gold Carbene Species Derived from Ynamides: Efficient Synthesis of 2‐Azaspiro[4.5]decan‐3‐ones
Authors: Ito Mamoru , Kawasaki Ryosuke , Kanyiva Kyalo Stephen , Shibata Takanori
Published: January 2018

An intramolecular catalytic dearomatization of phenols via gold carbene species proceeded to provide 2‐azaspiro[4.5]decan‐3‐ones. The use of NHC ligand and water as a co‐solvent was critical for achieving high reactivity. This reaction did not require hazardous diazo compounds as carbene sources and proceeded even under air. The obtained spirocyclic product could be readily transformed into a gabapentin derivative by hydrogenation and deprotection.
Characterizing the Effects of a “Switchable Water” Additive on the Aqueous Solubility of Small Molecules
Authors: Vanderveen Jesse R. , Burra Sarika , Geng Jialing , Goyon Alexandre , Jardine Alexander , Shin Hyejin E. , Andrea Tamer , Dyson Paul J. , Jessop Philip G.
Published: January 2018

“Switchable water” is an aqueous solution containing a water‐soluble amine additive that exhibits CO2‐switchable properties, such as large changes in ionic strength, by forming an ammonium bicarbonate salt. Switchable water has been used to reversibly “salt‐out” organic compounds from water. This study explores the salting out of several compounds in switchable water when CO2 is present and also explores the solubility of small molecules in switchable water, compared to pure water, when CO2 is absent. The results show that organic compounds are generally more soluble in switchable water than pure water in the absence of CO2, but less soluble in the presence of 1 atm CO2. Exceptions include carboxylic acids and phenols which, presumably due to their acidity, are more soluble in switchable water than in pure water, even when CO2 is applied. Kirkwood–Buff solvation theory was applied to gain insights into the effects of the amine additive on the aqueous solubility of caffeine. Furthermore, the switchable properties of the additives allow for the preparation of switchable aqueous two‐phase systems.
Towards Dual‐Functionality Spin‐Crossover Complexes
Authors: Feltham Humphrey L. C. , Dankhoff Katja , Meledandri Carla J. , Brooker Sally
Published: January 2018

The multistep synthesis of a versatile new 4‐substituted 3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole (Rdpt) ligand, 4‐[4‐(2‐aminomethyl)phenyl]‐3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐4 H‐1,2,4‐triazole (apdpt), is reported, which features a reactive aminomethyl para‐substituent on the phenyl group that points “out of the back” of the triazole. This enables further functionalisation under mild conditions by using a range of esters to form an amide link. Specifically, this proof of principle study demonstrates the synthesis of apdpt successfully appended with gold‐binding thioctic acid (tpdpt), graphene‐binding/emissive pyrene/propylpyrene (prdpt/pbdpt), and a Langmuir–Blodgett film‐forming polyethylene glycol (PEG) tail (pgdpt). These ligands are subsequently reacted with [Fe(pyridine)4(NCBH3)2] to give the mononuclear iron(II) complexes [Fe(Rdpt)2(NCBH3)2]⋅solvent, in which Rdpt/solvent is tpdpt/2.5 H2O (1), prdpt/0.5 CHCl3⋅H2O (2), and pbdpt/0.5 CHCl3⋅2 H2O  (3), as red powders. Magnetic studies on these powders indicate that the complexes undergo only very gradual and incomplete spin crossover, from completely or mostly high spin at 300 K, to half or three‐quarters high spin at 50 K. Gold nanoparticles are successfully functionalised with the thioctic acid tpdpt ligand to give tpdpt@Au with an average diameter (as determined by TEM) of (3.1±0.7) nm. Preliminary studies on the two pyrene systems in dimethylformamide show that upon excitation at λ=345 nm the blue fluorescence observed for the free ligands is retained, essentially unaffected, in the respective complexes.
Design of Copper‐Based Bimetallic Nanoparticles for Carbon Dioxide Adsorption and Activation
Authors: Dean James , Yang Yahui , Austin Natalie , Veser Götz , Mpourmpakis Giannis
Published: January 2018

Cu‐based nanoparticles (NPs) are promising candidates for the catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 to useful chemicals because of their low cost. However, CO2 adsorption and activation on Cu is not feasible. In this work we demonstrate a computational framework that identifies Cu‐based bimetallic NPs able to adsorb and activate CO2 based on DFT calculations. We screen a series of heteroatoms on Cu‐based NPs based on their preference to occupy a surface site on the NP and to adsorb and activate CO2. We revealed two descriptors for CO2 adsorption on the bimetallic NPs, the heteroatom (i) local d‐band center and (ii) electropositivity, which both drive an effective charge transfer from the NP to CO2. We identified the CuZr bimetallic NP as a candidate nanostructure for CO2 adsorption and showed that although the Zr sites can be oxidized because of their high oxophilicity, they are still able to adsorb and activate CO2 strongly. Importantly, our computational results are verified by targeted synthesis, characterization, and CO2 adsorption experiments that demonstrate that i) Zr segregates on the surface of Cu, ii) Zr is oxidized to form a bimetallic mixed CuZr oxide catalyst, which iii) can strongly adsorb CO2, whereas Cu NPs cannot. Overall our work highlights the importance of the generation of binding sites on a NP surface based on (catalyst) stability and electronic structure properties, which can lead to the design of more effective CO2 reduction catalysts.
Influence of damming on anuran species richness in riparian areas: A test of the serial discontinuity concept
Authors: Guzy Jacquelyn C. , Eskew Evan A. , Halstead Brian J. , Price Steven J.
Published: January 2018

Almost all large rivers worldwide are fragmented by dams, and their impacts have been modeled using the serial discontinuity concept (SDC), a series of predictions regarding responses of key biotic and abiotic variables. We evaluated the effects of damming on anuran communities along a 245‐km river corridor by conducting repeated, time‐constrained anuran calling surveys at 42 locations along the Broad and Pacolet Rivers in South Carolina, USA. Using a hierarchical Bayesian analysis, we test the biodiversity prediction of the SDC (modified for floodplain rivers) by evaluating anuran occupancy and species diversity relative to dams and degree of urbanized land use. The mean response of the anuran community indicated that occupancy and species richness were maximized when sites were farther downstream from dams. Sites at the farthest distances downstream of dams (47.5 km) had an estimated ~3 more species than those just below dams. Similarly, species‐specific occupancy estimates showed a trend of higher occupancy downstream from dams. Therefore, using empirical estimation within the context of a 245‐km river riparian landscape, our study supports SDC predictions for a meandering river. We demonstrate that with increasing distance downstream from dams, riparian anuran communities have higher species richness. Reduced species richness immediately downstream of dams is likely driven by alterations in flow regime that reduce or eliminate flows which sustain riparian wetlands that serve as anuran breeding habitat. Therefore, to maintain anuran biodiversity, we suggest that flow regulation should be managed to ensure water releases inundate riparian wetlands during amphibian breeding seasons and aseasonal releases, which can displace adults, larvae, and eggs, are avoided. These outcomes could be achieved by emulating pre‐dam seasonal discharge data, mirroring discharge of an undammed tributary within the focal watershed, or by basing real‐time flow releases on current environmental conditions.
The strength of negative plant–soil feedback increases from the intraspecific to the interspecific and the functional group level
Authors: Bukowski Alexandra R. , Schittko Conrad , Petermann Jana S.
Published: January 2018

One of the processes that may play a key role in plant species coexistence and ecosystem functioning is plant–soil feedback, the effect of plants on associated soil communities and the resulting feedback on plant performance. Plant–soil feedback at the interspecific level (comparing growth on own soil with growth on soil from different species) has been studied extensively, while plant–soil feedback at the intraspecific level (comparing growth on own soil with growth on soil from different accessions within a species) has only recently gained attention. Very few studies have investigated the direction and strength of feedback among different taxonomic levels, and initial results have been inconclusive, discussing phylogeny, and morphology as possible determinants. To test our hypotheses that the strength of negative feedback on plant performance increases with increasing taxonomic level and that this relationship is explained by morphological similarities, we conducted a greenhouse experiment using species assigned to three taxonomic levels (intraspecific, interspecific, and functional group level). We measured certain fitness‐related aboveground traits and used them along literature‐derived traits to determine the influence of morphological similarities on the strength and direction of the feedback. We found that the average strength of negative feedback increased from the intraspecific over the interspecific to the functional group level. However, individual accessions and species differed in the direction and strength of the feedback. None of our results could be explained by morphological dissimilarities or individual traits. Synthesis. Our results indicate that negative plant–soil feedback is stronger if the involved plants belong to more distantly related species. We conclude that the taxonomic level is an important factor in the maintenance of plant coexistence with plant–soil feedback as a potential stabilizing mechanism and should be addressed explicitly in coexistence research, while the traits considered here seem to play a minor role.
Gold(I), Phosphanes, and Alkynyls: The Perfect Allies in the Search for Luminescent Compounds
Authors: Blanco M. Carmen , Cámara Jéssica , Fernández‐Moreira Vanesa , Laguna Antonio , Gimeno M. Concepción
Published: January 2018

A family of mixed phosphane/alkynyl gold(I) complexes was prepared by addition of PPh3 or PPh2py to suspensions of the polymeric species [Au(C≡CR)n] [R = Ph, 2‐pyridyl (py)] and [Au2{C≡C(CH2)3C≡C}]n. The resulting complexes are luminescent both at room and low temperature, in solution and in the solid state. The emissions are assigned to intraligand transitions associated with the C≡C moieties or related to 3[σ(Au–P)→π*(C≡Cpy)] transitions. The crystal structure of dinuclear complex [Au2{C≡C(CH2)3C≡C}(PPh2py)2] shows the presence of dimers stabilized by intermolecular aurophilic interactions.
A Rapid and Highly Efficient Method for the Synthesis of Benzofulvenes via CsOH‐Catalyzed Condensation of Indene and Aldehydes
Authors: Yi Rongnan , Chen Jinyang , Wang Xueyan , Liang Zhiwu , Xu Xinhua
Published: January 2018

A fast condensation of indene with a wide range of aldehydes catalyzed by cesium hydroxide monohydrate (CsOH·H2O) for the synthesis of benzofulvenes with good to excellent yields was demonstrated. The condensation can be completed within a few minutes under room temperature and air atmosphere without the use of special ligands or phase‐transfer catalysts. In addition, the ratio of indene to aldehydes played an important role in this reaction. The single condensation products 3 can be obtained as main products with a ratio of 1.2:1, whereas the double condensation products 4 can be obtained by changing the ratio to 1:2.2. This protocol provides an efficient, simple and general method for the synthesis of benzofulvenes 3 and double condensation products 4, which are important intermediates in the synthesis of numerous drugs and natural products.
Copper(II) Triflate Catalyzed Regioselective and Enantioselective Propargylation of Isatin Derivatives by Using Allenylboronic Acid Pinacol Ester
Authors: Gupta Naveen , Tak Rajkumar , Nazish Mohd , Jakhar Ajay , Khan Noor‐ul H. , Kureshy Rukhsana I.
Published: January 2018

We report a simple protocol for the synthesis of homopropargyl alcohols with isatin derivatives under milder conditions for the first time. The excellent regioselectivity and yields were observed with copper triflate as a Lewis‐acid catalyst and allenylboronic acid pinacol ester as a nucleophile in aqueous media. A gram‐scale synthesis was done to check the efficiency of the protocol with retention in selectivity. Further one‐step functionalization of these homopropargyl alcohols was established as the synthetic application of these alkynes. The enantioselective synthesis of these chiral propargyl alcohols has also been explored for the first time with an enantiomeric ratio up to 12:88.
Preclinical characterization of three transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 antagonists for early use in human intradermal microdose analgesic studies
Authors: Sjögren E. , Halldin M.M. , Stålberg O. , Sundgren‐Andersson A.K.
Published: January 2018

Background

The transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) is a nonselective cation channel involved in the mediation of peripheral pain to the central nervous system. As such, the TRPV1 is an accessible molecular target that lends itself well to the understanding of nociceptive signalling. This study encompasses preclinical investigations of three molecules with the prospect to establish them as suitable analgesic model compounds in human intradermal pain relief studies.

Methods

The inhibitory effectiveness was evaluated by means of in vitro assays, TRPV1 expressing Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO‐K1) and rat dorsal root ganglion cultures in fluorescent imaging plate reader and whole cell patch clamp systems, as well as in vivo by capsaicin‐evoked pain‐related behavioural response studies in rat. Secondary pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and preclinical safety were also assessed.

Results

In vitro, all three compounds were effective at inhibiting capsaicin‐activated TRPV1. The concentration producing 50% inhibition (IC50) determined was in the range of 3–32 nmol/L and 10–501 nmol/L using CHO‐K1 and dorsal root ganglion cultures, respectively. In vivo, all compounds showed dose‐dependent reduction in capsaicin‐evoked pain‐related behavioural responses in rat. None of the three compounds displayed any significant activity on any of the secondary targets tested. The compounds were also shown to be safe from a toxicological, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic perspective, for usage in microgram doses in the human skin.

Conclusion

The investigated model compounds displayed ideal compound characteristics as pharmacological and translational tools to address efficacy on the human native TRPV1 target in human skin in situ.

Significance

This work details the pharmaceutical work‐up of three TRPV1‐active investigational compounds, to obtain regulatory approval, for subsequent use in humans. This fast and cost‐effective preclinical development path may impact research beyond the pain management area, as it allows human target engagement information gathering early in drug development.
A qualitative analysis of patient‐identified adaptive behaviour changes following interdisciplinary Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for chronic pain
Authors: Thompson M. , Vowles K.E. , Sowden G. , Ashworth J. , Levell J.
Published: January 2018

Background

Interdisciplinary treatment programmes for chronic pain have strong evidence of treatment effect both immediately after treatment and at follow‐up. However, despite strong outcome evidence, it is less clear which specific changes in behaviour are most relevant to patients or to outcomes. Indeed, it is not unknown for clinicians and patients to have different views with regard to goals of treatment. This study sought to evaluate the patients’ perspective regarding important behavioural changes that occurred while they were enrolled in a 4‐week interdisciplinary programme of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for chronic pain.

Methods

Qualitative data were collected during a treatment session towards the end of treatment. In total, 104 completers from 16 consecutive treatment groups contributed to a data set consisting of 315 unique qualitative comments.

Results

Thematic analysis resulted in a theme hierarchy including overarching themes, midlevel themes and subthemes. Three overarching themes were identified as follows: (1) interacting with self – describing an interplay between various aspects of the individual, (2) activity – concerning how individuals practically and sustainably undertook activities and (3) interacting with others – exploring relationships with other people. The results section further describes the midlevel and subthemes that cluster under the overarching themes.

Conclusions

These data provide initial insights into the patient's perspective of adaptive behavioural changes gained as part of an interdisciplinary programme of chronic pain rehabilitation. Overall, the data suggest the importance of a mix of both ACT‐specific and more universal coping/pain rehabilitation elements. Future research may examine how these processes relate more directly to treatment outcome.

Significance

This study provides new qualitative insights into the patient's perspective of adaptive behavioural changes gained as part of interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation. This and future work may help provide a more detailed understanding of the processes and behaviours that result in successful rehabilitation outcomes.
Prussian Blue Modified Submicron Structured Gold Electrodes for Amperometric Hydrogen Peroxide Sensing
Authors: Lu Si‐Yuan , Chen Yihao , Fang Xufei , Feng Xue
Published: January 2018

In this work, we present a simple and effective approach for fabricating sub‐micron structured gold (SM−Au) electrodes by chemically etching the magnetron co‐sputtered gold film in KI solution for certain time. Such electrodes with a large surface area to volume ratio were used as the matrix for electrochemical deposition of Prussian blue (PB) to develop an electrochemical hydrogen peroxide sensor. Experimental characterization using scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope shows that the thickness of PB layer on SM−Au electrode is around 140 nm, and is composited with cubic PB nanocrystals. The electrochemical performance of the designed sensor, studied using cyclic voltammograms and chronoamperometry methods, suggests that the sensor based on SM−Au/PB electrode presents the direct electron transfer of PB particle towards SM−Au film, and exhibits fast response, wide linearity, low detection limit and high stability. Under the optimized conditions, the sensitivity of the developed sensor for the detection of H2O2 reaches the value of 512 mA cm−2 M−1 with a linear range from 1 μM to 4.5 mM.
Ancient genomic variation underlies repeated ecological adaptation in young stickleback populations
Authors: Nelson Thomas C. , Cresko William A.
Published: January 2018

Adaptation in the wild often involves standing genetic variation (SGV), which allows rapid responses to selection on ecological timescales. However, we still know little about how the evolutionary histories and genomic distributions of SGV influence local adaptation in natural populations. Here, we address this knowledge gap using the threespine stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus) as a model. We extend restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) to produce phased haplotypes approaching 700 base pairs (bp) in length at each of over 50,000 loci across the stickleback genome. Parallel adaptation in two geographically isolated freshwater pond populations consistently involved fixation of haplotypes that are identical-by-descent. In these same genomic regions, sequence divergence between marine and freshwater stickleback, as measured by dXY, reaches tenfold higher than background levels and genomic variation is structured into distinct marine and freshwater haplogroups. By combining this dataset with a de novo genome assembly of a related species, the ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius), we find that this habitat-associated divergent variation averages six million years old, nearly twice the genome-wide average. The genomic variation that is involved in recent and rapid local adaptation in stickleback has therefore been evolving throughout the 15-million-year history since the two species lineages split. This long history of genomic divergence has maintained large genomic regions of ancient ancestry that include multiple chromosomal inversions and extensive linked variation. These discoveries of ancient genetic variation spread broadly across the genome in stickleback demonstrate how selection on ecological timescales is a result of genome evolution over geological timescales, and vice versa.
Genomic associations with bill length and disease reveal drift and selection across island bird populations
Authors: Armstrong Claire , Richardson David S. , Hipperson Helen , Horsburgh Gavin J. , Küpper Clemens , Percival-Alwyn Lawrence , Clark Matt , Burke Terry , Spurgin Lewis G.
Published: January 2018

Island species provide excellent models for investigating how selection and drift operate in wild populations, and for determining how these processes act to influence local adaptation and speciation. Here, we examine the role of selection and drift in shaping genomic and phenotypic variation across recently separated populations of Berthelot's pipit (Anthus berthelotii), a passerine bird endemic to three archipelagos in the Atlantic. We first characterized genetic diversity and population structuring that supported previous inferences of a history of recent colonizations and bottlenecks. We then tested for regions of the genome associated with the ecologically important traits of bill length and malaria infection, both of which vary substantially across populations in this species. We identified a SNP associated with variation in bill length among individuals, islands, and archipelagos; patterns of variation at this SNP suggest that both phenotypic and genotypic variation in bill length is largely shaped by founder effects. Malaria was associated with SNPs near/within genes involved in the immune response, but this relationship was not consistent among archipelagos, supporting the view that disease resistance is complex and rapidly evolving. Although we found little evidence for divergent selection at candidate loci for bill length and malaria resistance, genome scan analyses pointed to several genes related to immunity and metabolism as having important roles in divergence and adaptation. Our findings highlight the utility and challenges involved with combining association mapping and population genetic analysis in nonequilibrium populations, to disentangle the effects of drift and selection on shaping genotypes and phenotypes.
The evaluation of soil stability in loess hilly and gully region of Northern Shaanxi based on GIS
Authors: Yuan Xuefeng , Hou Rui , Liu Yansui , Wei Xindong , Wang Xiaofeng , Ying Yue , Zhao Yonghua , Yao Yichen , Chang Jinwei
Published: January 2018

Based on the previous research in loess hilly region of Northern Shaanxi, this paper takes the soil erosion degree as the main measure of soil stability and the soil utility, annual average rainfall in flood season (from June to September), and topography, as the main measure indexes of soil stability. After that, the evaluation system of soil stability in loess hilly region of Northern Shaanxi can be constructed, which can be done by special analysis of GIS. The results illustrate that the soil stability showed a trend of high south‐east and low north‐west. Soil with good stability is mainly distributed in Ganquan County, and Yanchuan County, where vegetation coverage is high, vegetation types are mostly forest land and grassland, ecological environment is good, and precipitation erosion effect is not significant. Soil with intermediate stability is mainly distributed in Baota district and its surrounding areas, where the main vegetation types are bush fallow and grassland, and the terrain is flat and gently rolling. Soil with the worst stability is mainly distributed in Suide County, and Wuqi County. The area is mostly sandy and desert, the terrain is fragmented, soil is loose, vegetation cover is not high, making the soil the worst soil stability, and strong rainfall conditions are prone to soil erosion. The prerequisite of the implementation of soil consolidation projects is having evaluation on soil stability. The research results can be the theoretical evidence, and implement guarantee of regional soil exploitation and reorganization, and the reference to enhancing the assurance of ecological safety.
The Central Canyon depositional patterns and filling process in east of Lingshui Depression, Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea
Authors: Wu Wei , Li Quan , Yu Jing , Lin Changsong , Li Dan , Yang Ting
Published: January 2018

Central canyons are considered to be important conduits for the transfer of sediment to the abyssal plains. High‐resolution 3D seismic data and logging data from the east of Lingshui Depression are used to investigate the depositional elements, patterns, and filling processes of central canyon in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea. The Central Canyon in this segment is 30 km wide and more than 1,000 m deep. It was found to be characterized by being subparallel to the continental shelf. In this study, 6 types of deep‐water gravity flow depositional elements were identified, including erosion surfaces, basal lags, turbidite channel complexes, mass transport deposits, lobe complex, and pelagic deposits. Each type of these depositional elements was found to have distinct external features, internal structures, and lateral characteristics in the seismic profiles. Meanwhile, these different assemblages of depositional elements could be composed of 5 depositional units. And in a vertical direction, the evolutionary history could be divided into 5 stages as follows: (a) a repeated cut and fill stage; (b) high net‐to‐gross channel complex dominated stage; (c) low high net‐to‐gross channel and pelagic shale dominated stage; (d) lobe complex deposition stage; and (e) mass transport deposit dominated stage. During Stage 3, the development of small‐scale turbidite channels is the indicators of northern sediment supply. During Stage 4, 7 lobes have been identified in the lobe complexes. The evolution and depositional processes in the study area were most likely controlled by the negative relief induced by the palaeo‐seafloor morphology, as well as the structural inversions of the Red River Fault and the basement faults. Additionally, the sediment supply, sea‐level fluctuations, and tectonic activities also controlled and influenced the depositional processes, along with the internal architecture of the canyon.

The results of this study have potentially important implications for the improved understanding the vertical evolution of submarine canyons and also shed a new light on the reservoir potential of the Lingshui section of the Central Canyon.
Development and validation of a clinically applicable score to classify cachexia stages in advanced cancer patients
Authors: Zhou Ting , Wang Bangyan , Liu Huiquan , Yang Kaixiang , Thapa Sudip , Zhang Haowen , Li Lu , Yu Shiying
Published: January 2018

Background

Cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome that is highly prevalent in advanced cancer patients and leads to progressive functional impairments. The classification of cachexia stages is essential for diagnosing and treating cachexia. However, there is a lack of simple tools with good discrimination for classifying cachexia stages. Therefore, our study aimed to develop a clinically applicable cachexia staging score (CSS) and validate its discrimination of clinical outcomes for different cachexia stages.

Methods

Advanced cancer patients were enrolled in our study. A CSS comprising the following five components was developed: weight loss, a simple questionnaire of sarcopenia (SARC‐F), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, appetite loss, and abnormal biochemistry. According to the CSS, patients were classified into non‐cachexia, pre‐cachexia, cachexia, and refractory cachexia stages, and clinical outcomes were compared among the four groups.

Results

Of the 297 participating patients, data from 259 patients were ultimately included. Based on the CSS, patients were classified into non‐cachexia (n = 69), pre‐cachexia (n = 68), cachexia (n = 103), and refractory cachexia (n = 19) stages. Patients with more severe cachexia stages had lower skeletal muscle indexes (P = 0.002 and P = 0.004 in male and female patients, respectively), higher prevalence of sarcopenia (P = 0.017 and P = 0.027 in male and female patients, respectively), more severe symptom burden (P < 0.001), poorer quality of life (P < 0.001 for all subscales except social well‐being), and shorter survival times (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The CSS is a simple and clinically applicable tool with excellent discrimination for classifying cachexia stages. This score is extremely useful for the clinical treatment and prognosis of cachexia and for designing clinical trials.
Development of the Engineering Student Integration Instrument: Rethinking Measures of Integration
Authors: Lee Walter C. , Godwin Allison , Nave Amy L. Hermundstad
Published: January 2018

Background

There is a need for engineering‐specific theories and constructs to advance our understanding of student development. Student integration, widely used in educational research, is a suitable construct; however, it has also received some criticism. These critiques can be addressed by rethinking student integration and its use in the context of engineering education.

Purpose/Hypothesis

This article re‐conceptualizes student integration and describes the development of the Engineering Student Integration Instrument (ESII), which measures integration, as well as provides evidence of its validity.

Design/Method

Preliminary items for the ESII were developed using open‐ended survey responses from undergraduate engineering students about the impact of co‐curricular support. These items were reviewed by multiple researchers to assess question phrasing, formatting, and face validity. The resulting instrument was administered electronically to students in the College of Engineering at a large East Coast public university. Data from 586 students were used to develop evidence of validity by conducting an exploratory factor analysis on half of the data and a confirmatory factor analysis on the other half.

Results

Evidence of validity indicates the appropriateness of the ESII for measuring integration and operationalizes integration constructs from the model of co‐curricular support (MCCS) for undergraduate engineering students, including academic, social, professional, and university integration.

Conclusions

Grounded in the MCCS, the ESII begins to address several critiques of student integration as originally defined by Tinto's model of institutional departure, those related particularly to the measurement of the integration constructs.
Sensitivity analysis of the reduced forms of the one‐diode model for photovoltaic devices
Authors: Coco Salvatore , Laudani Antonino , Lozito Gabriele Maria , Riganti Fulginei Francesco , Salvini Alessandro
Published: January 2018

This work describes a sensitivity analysis for the one‐diode model used to represent photovoltaic devices. The parameters of the model can be found through an analytic and numeric procedure starting from the datasheet values given by the constructor. From this repeatable and pseud‐deterministic approach, a numerical study of the sensitivity of the model parameters against experimental datasheet values is proposed, along with a strategy to minimize the average error propagated in model identification.
Managing the self‐esteem, employment gaps, and employment quality process: The role of facilitation‐ and understanding‐based emotional intelligence
Authors: Dust Scott B. , Rode Joseph C. , Arthaud‐Day Marne L. , Howes Satoris S. , Ramaswami Aarti
Published: January 2018

The job search literature addresses characteristics that facilitate reemployment but does not address the management of employment gaps. Building upon prior job search research, we suggest that facilitation‐based emotional intelligence reduces employment gaps through self‐esteem. Further, understanding‐based emotional intelligence moderates the negative relationship between employment gaps and subsequent employment fit. We test these hypotheses employing a multiwave data collection of 157 workers. At Time 1, undergraduate students completed a measure of self‐esteem and a test of facilitation‐ and understanding‐based emotional intelligence using the Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test© V2.0. Ten years later (Time 2), the same individuals reported their employment gaps, person–organization fit, and person–job fit. Findings suggest that facilitation‐based emotional intelligence is associated with higher self‐esteem, which in turn leads to reduced employment gaps. Additionally, understanding‐based emotional intelligence moderates the relationship between employment gaps and person–job fit such that low understanding‐based emotional intelligence enhances the negative relationship and high understanding‐based emotional intelligence neutralizes the relationship. This study contributes to the emotional intelligence, career management, and job search literatures by illustrating that emotional intelligence plays a role in preventing employment gaps and managing the difficulties associated with subsequent reemployment.
Activity of the Southern Annular Mode during 2015–2016 El Niño event and its impact on Southern Hemisphere climate anomalies
Authors: Vera Carolina S. , Osman Marisol
Published: January 2018

Previous studies documented that El Niño (EN) events are in general associated with negative phases of the Southern Annular Mode (SAM). EN 2015–2016 (EN15–16) was one of the three strongest events ever recorded. However, it was associated with a SAM positive phase of extreme intensity. Furthermore, while the negative linear relationship between ENSO and SAM during the most recent period (1986–2014) was significant and associated with a narrow uncertainty band, the combined condition of both climate patterns in the EN15–16 event was an outlier. The EN15–16 influence on the austral summer circulation anomalies at the extratropical and polar regions of the Southern Hemisphere was considerably altered by the strong SAM positive phase, which was evident not only at the troposphere but also at the stratosphere. Such circulation changes resulted in unusual regional impacts, such as negative anomalies of surface air temperature in western Antarctic Peninsula and negative precipitation anomalies in southeastern South America, ever recorded for previous strong EN events. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms explaining the SAM behaviour during 2015–2016 and its implication for climate predictability on seasonal timescales.
Parameter optimization for carbon and water fluxes in two global land surface models based on surrogate modelling
Authors: Li Jianduo , Duan Qingyun , Wang Ying‐Ping , Gong Wei , Gan Yanjun , Wang Chen
Published: January 2018

Errors are quite large in the simulated carbon and water fluxes obtained by global models used for the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and reducing those errors is important for improving our confidence about these models and their projections. Errors in model parameter values are a major cause of those large modelling errors but can be significantly reduced if model parameter values are optimized. While parameter optimizations have been carried out at local sites or regional scales, parameter optimizations have been rarely conducted at the global scale because of the high computing costs required to optimize a large (>100) number of model parameters. In this study, we used an adaptive surrogate modelling based optimization (ASMO) method to maximize the match between simulated monthly global gross primary production (GPP) and latent heat flux (LE) derived by two global land surface models (LSMs) and the model‐data products for global GPP and LE from the 1982–2008 period generated by the Max Plank Institute. The ASMO method only required a few hundred model runs to find the optimal values of all optimized parameters for the two global LSMs [the Australian Community Atmosphere‐Biosphere‐Land Exchange (CABLE) and joint UK land environment simulator (JULES)]. Our results show that up to 65% of the model errors can be reduced by parameter optimization for most of the plant functional types (PFTs) and that the model performances of CABLE and JULES are significantly improved at 72 and 93% of the land points, respectively. At last, we discuss the limitations of this work and recommend that parameter optimization based on surrogate modelling using various observational data sets and acceptable prior information of uncertainties in model structure and observations should be considered as a key step in improving the performance of global LSMs or model intercomparisons.
Magnetic core micelles as a nanosorbent for the efficient removal and recovery of three organophosphorus pesticides from fruit juice and environmental water samples
Authors: Hamedi Raheleh , B.G. Aghaie Ali , Hadjmohammadi Mohammad Reza
Published: January 2018

Sodium dodecyl sulfate coated amino‐functionalized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were used as an efficient adsorbent for rapid removal and preconcentration of three important organophosphorus pesticides, chlorpyrifos, diazinon and phosalone, by ultrasound‐assisted dispersive magnetic solid‐phase microextraction. Fabrication of amino‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles was certified by characteristic analyses, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Affecting parameters on the removal efficiency were investigated and optimized through half‐fractional factorial design and Doehlert design, respectively. The analysis of analytes was performed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Under the optimum conditions, extraction recoveries for 20 ng/mL of organophosphorus pesticides were in the range of 84–97% with preconcentration factors in the range of 134–155. Replicating the experiment in above condition for five times gave the relative standard deviations <6%. The calibration curves showed high linearity in the range of 0.2–700 ng/mL and the limits of detection were in the range of 0.08–0.13 ng/mL. The proposed method was successfully applied for both removal and trace determination of these three organophosphorus pesticides in environmental water and fruit juice samples.
Automated solid‐phase extraction of phenolic acids using layered double hydroxide–alumina–polymer disks
Authors: Ghani Milad , Palomino Cabello Carlos , Saraji Mohammad , Manuel Estela Jose , Cerdà Víctor , Turnes Palomino Gemma , Maya Fernando
Published: January 2018

The application of layered double hydroxide–Al2O3–polymer mixed‐matrix disks for solid‐phase extraction is reported for the first time. Al2O3 is embedded in a polymer matrix followed by an in situ metal‐exchange process to obtain a layered double hydroxide–Al2O3–polymer mixed‐matrix disk with excellent flow‐through properties. The extraction performance of the prepared disks is evaluated as a proof of concept for the automated extraction using sequential injection analysis of organic acids (p‐hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid, gallic acid) following an anion‐exchange mechanism. After the solid‐phase extraction, phenolic acids were quantified by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection using a core–shell silica–C18 stationary phase and isocratic elution (acetonitrile/0.5% acetic acid in pure water, 5:95, v/v). High sensitivity and reproducibility were obtained with limits of detection in the range of 0.12–0.25 μg/L (sample volume, 4 mL), and relative standard deviations between 2.9 and 3.4% (10 μg/L, n = 6). Enrichment factors of 34–39 were obtained. Layered double hydroxide–Al2O3–polymer mixed‐matrix disks had an average lifetime of 50 extractions. Analyte recoveries ranged from 93 to 96% for grape juice and nonalcoholic beer samples.
Existence of solution to Korteweg‐de Vries equation in domains that can be transformed into rectangles
Authors: Benia Yassine , Sadallah Boubaker‐Khaled
Published: January 2018

We study the Korteweg‐de Vries equation
subject to boundary condition in nonrectangular domain
where
, with some assumptions on functions (φi(t))1≤i≤2 and the coefficients of equation. The right‐hand side and its derivative with respect to t are in the Lebesgue space L2(Ω). Our goal is to establish the existence, the uniqueness, and the regularity of the solution.
Explicit approximate analytical solutions of seepage‐deformation in unsaturated soils
Authors: Li Jiwei , Wei Changfu
Published: January 2018

An approximate analytical solution is presented for the coupled seepage and deformation problem of unsaturated soils. Because of the matric suction dependence of both saturation and permeability coefficient, the coupled governing equations are strongly nonlinear. To obtain an analytical solution, these coupled governing equations are linearized and analytically solved for a specified saturation using the eigenfunction method. Then, the obtained analytical solutions are extended to the entire saturation range. Comparison between the current solution and the previous theoretical solution indicates that the proposed solution yields excellent results. Due to its analytical nature, the proposed procedure can be effectively used to obtain the solution of the coupled seepage and deformation of unsaturated soils.
Differences in Prevalence of Muscle Weakness (Sarcopenia) in Haemodialysis Patients Determined by Hand Grip Strength Due to Variation in Guideline Definitions of Sarcopenia
Authors: Tangvoraphonkchai Kamonwan , Hung Rachel , Sadeghi‐Alavijeh Omid , Davenport Andrew
Published: January 2018

Background

Muscle weakness is associated with increased mortality, and hemodialysis (HD) patients are at an increased risk for muscle loss. There is no agreed definition for muscle weakness, so we determined whether using different cut‐off criteria recommended by guideline groups altered the prevalence in HD patients.

Methods

We measured hand grip strength (HGS) in HD outpatients, comparing HGS with clinical guideline cut‐offs (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People [EWGSOP] and North American Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Sarcopenia Project [FNIH]) used to define muscle wasting (sarcopenia) with age‐matched and gender‐matched normative data.

Results

We studied 459 patients, 61.4% male, 47.3% diabetic. The prevalence of muscle weakness was significantly different when measuring HGS; 84.5% using the EWGSOP cut‐off and 73.2% with FNIH criteria, and 75.2% using North American normative data and 56.6% U.K. normative data (P < .01). On logistic regression, muscle weakness was associated with age (odds ratio [OR] 1.05, P < .001), weight (OR 0.96, P < .001), serum albumin (OR 0.89, P = .007), and being nondiabetic (OR 0.31, P = .001). Of patients with no comorbidity, 66.7% were weak when compared with 93.8% with the highest comorbidity scores (P < .001).

Conclusion

There is currently no agreed universal definition for sarcopenia, but the EWGSOP and FNIH advocate HGS cut‐offs as part of their definition. The prevalence of muscle weakness varies according to cut‐off and whether age‐matched and gender‐matched normative data are used. In addition, patient characteristics in terms of age and comorbidity determine the prevalence of muscle weakness.
Better with coffee: Synergies and library patronage
Authors: Manley James , Garczynski Joyce
Published: January 2018

Agglomeration effects are a relatively well‐studied phenomenon in the marketing literature, but few works have attempted to quantify the benefits to a library of having another business nearby. Taking advantage of a closure for renovations, we quantify the causal effect of having an open Starbucks on the gate count at a nearby college library. We estimate about a 10% increase in foot traffic at the library associated with the coffee shop being open. At the same time, we see no increase in demand for other library services, implying that the appeal may be to a group of more casual users of the library as a “third place.”