bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minimale Krümmungsradien interner Spannglieder mit nachträglichem Verbund
Authors: Lindorf Alexander , Hannoun Jamil
Published: November 2017

Mit der Einführung des EAD 160004 als neue Grundlage für die Erteilung von Europäischen Technischen Bewertungen im Bereich Spannverfahren erfolgt auf europäischer Ebene erstmalig eine Festlegung von minimalen Krümmungsradien für Umlenkungen von internen Spanngliedern mit nachträglichem Verbund. Diese Festlegung weicht von den bisher in Deutschland national zugelassenen Mindestkrümmungsradien deutlich ab. Neben der Erläuterung einiger Hintergründe kann im Beitrag anhand einer differenzierenden Vergleichsbetrachtung ein Zusammenhang zwischen den bisherigen und den neuen Mindestradien hergestellt werden. Mit der Wahl einer geeigneten zulässigen Querpressung der am stärksten belasteten Spannstahllitze ist es möglich, die bisherigen Werte in das neue Format auf Basis eines nunmehr eindeutigen Akzeptanzkriteriums zu überführen. Bei Einhaltung des Grenzwerts für den Krümmungsradius von 2,50 m ist die Spannstahlbiegung infolge der Spanngliedumlenkung nicht maßgebend.
Fabrication of nitrogen‐ and phosphorous‐doped carbon dots by the pyrolysis method for iodide and iron(III) sensing
Authors: Chandra Soumen , Chowdhuri Angshuman Ray , Laha Dipranjan , Sahu Sumanta Kumar
Published: November 2017

A facile and novel strategy to synthesize nitrogen‐ and phosphorous‐doped carbon dots (NPCDs) by single step pyrolysis method is described here. Citric acid is used as carbon source and di‐ammonium hydrogen phosphate is used as both nitrogen and phosphorous sources, respectively. Through the extensive study on optical properties, morphology and chemical structures of the synthesized NPCDs, it is found that as‐synthesized NPCDs exhibited good excitation‐dependent luminescence property, spherical morphology and high stability. The obtained NPCDs are stable in aqueous medium and possess a quantum yield of 10.58%. In this work, a new assay method is developed to detect iodide ions using the synthesized NPCDs. Here, the inner filter effect is applied to detect the iodide ion and exhibited a wide linear response concentration range (10–60 μM) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.32 μM. Furthermore, the synthesized NPCDs are used for the selective detection of iron(III) (Fe3+) ions and cell imaging. Fe3+ ions sensing assay shows a detection range from 0.2 to 30 μM with a LOD of 72 nM. As an efficient photoluminescence sensor, the developed NPCDs have an excellent biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity, allowing Fe3+ ion detection in HeLa cells.
Optimal extent of completion lymphadenectomy for patients with melanoma and a positive sentinel node in the groin
Authors: Verver D , Madu M F , Oude Ophuis C M C , Faut M , de Wilt J H W , Bonenkamp J J , Grünhagen D J , van Akkooi A C J , Verhoef C , van Leeuwen B L
Published: November 2017

Background

The optimal extent of groin completion lymph node dissection (CLND) (inguinal or ilioinguinal dissection) in patients with melanoma is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the extent of groin CLND after a positive sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is associated with improved outcome.

Methods

Data from all sentinel node-positive patients who underwent groin CLND at four tertiary melanoma referral centres were retrieved retrospectively. Baseline patient and tumour characteristics were collected for descriptive statistics, survival analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses.

Results

In total, 255 patients were included, of whom 137 (53·7 per cent) underwent inguinal dissection and 118 (46·3 per cent) ilioinguinal dissection. The overall CLND positivity rate was 18·8 per cent; the inguinal positivity rate was 15·5 per cent and the pelvic positivity rate was 9·3 per cent. The pattern of recurrence, and 5-year melanoma-specific survival, disease-free survival and distant-metastasis free survival rates were similar for both dissection types, even for patients with a positive CLND result. Cox regression analysis showed that type of CLND was not associated with disease-free or melanoma-specific survival.

Conclusion

There was no significant difference in recurrence pattern and survival rates between patients undergoing inguinal or ilioinguinal dissection after a positive SNB, even after stratification for a positive CLND result. An inguinal dissection is a safe first approach as CLND in patients with a positive SNB.
Evolving the N‐Terminal Domain of Pyrrolysyl‐tRNA Synthetase for Improved Incorporation of Noncanonical Amino Acids
Authors: Sharma Vangmayee , Zeng Yu , Wang W. Wesley , Qiao Yuchen , Kurra Yadagiri , Liu Wenshe R.
Published: November 2017

By evolving the N‐terminal domain of Methanosarcina mazei pyrrolysyl‐tRNA synthetase (PylRS) that directly interacts with tRNAPyl, a mutant clone displaying improved amber‐suppression efficiency for the genetic incorporation of Nϵ‐(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)‐l‐lysine threefold more than the wild type was identified. The identified mutations were R19H/H29R/T122S. Direct transfer of these mutations to two other PylRS mutants that were previously evolved for the genetic incorporation of Nϵ‐acetyl‐l‐lysine and Nϵ‐(4‐azidobenzoxycarbonyl)‐l‐δ,ϵ‐dehydrolysine also improved the incorporation efficiency of these two noncanonical amino acids. As the three identified mutations were found in the N‐terminal domain of PylRS that was separated from its catalytic domain for charging tRNAPyl with a noncanonical amino acid, they could potentially be introduced to all other PylRS mutants to improve the incorporation efficiency of their corresponding noncanonical amino acids. Therefore, it represents a general strategy to optimize the pyrrolysine incorporation system‐based noncanonical amino‐acid mutagenesis.
A clinical picture of pulmonary embolism revealing light‐chain myeloma
Authors: Belarj Badia , El Alaoui Amine , Dahraoui Souhail , Uwingabiye Jean , Owusu Emmanuel Millbank , Rochdi Anas , Biaz Asmaa , Dami Abdellah , Bouhsain Sanae , Ouzzif Zohra , Doghmi Nawfel , El Machtani Idrissi Samira
Published: November 2017

Key Clinical Message

We are highlighting on the particularity of a clinical picture of pulmonary embolism revealing light‐chain myeloma in a 56‐year‐old male patient. Myeloma remains a rare affection. Even though its revelation through pulmonary embolism remains rare, it can be explained by hyperviscosity syndrome accompanying it.
Severe piperacillin–tazobactam‐induced hemolysis in a cystic fibrosis patient
Authors: Kerkhoff Andrew D. , Patrick Lauren , Cornett Patricia , Kleinhenz Mary‐Ellen , Brondfield Sam
Published: November 2017

Key Clinical Message

Piperacillin–tazobactam is one of the most common causes of drug‐induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) and is frequently utilized, especially in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Here, we report a case of life‐threatening piperacillin–tazobactam‐associated DIIHA in a 30‐year‐old woman with CF and propose management recommendations for piperacillin–tazobactam‐associated DIIHA in CF patients.
Earth‐Abundant Alkali Iron Phosphates (AFePO4) as Efficient Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Solution
Authors: Murugesan Chinnasamy , Lochab Shubham , Senthilkumar Baskar , Barpanda Prabeer
Published: November 2017

Water‐splitting systems are essential for clean energy production. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a key reaction involved in water splitting, which requires a catalyst. The current work explores the possible application of sodium and potassium iron phosphates (AFePO4, A=Na and K) as electrocatalysts for ORR activity. These earth‐abundant iron phosphates were synthesized by the solution combustion synthesis (SCS) technique by using ascorbic acid both as fuel and reducing agent for Fe. The crystal structure was analyzed by Rietveld refinement. The formation of carbon coating was identified by thermogravimetric analysis and Raman spectroscopy. Electrocatalytic properties of AFePO4 were investigated in alkali electrolytes for the first time by using linear sweep voltammetry with a rotating disk electrode (RDE). The ORR activities of these alkali iron phosphates are comparable to that of the Pt/C system. The Tafel slope and electron transfer number of the alkali iron phosphates were calculated. The ORR activity of NaFePO4 was found to be better than KFePO4 and FePO4. This work demonstrates alkali iron phosphates as alternate cost‐effective, novel electrocatalysts for productive ORR activity in alkaline solution.
Photoswitchable Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonds in 5‐Phenylazopyrimidines Revealed By In Situ Irradiation NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Procházková Eliška , Čechová Lucie , Kind Jonas , Janeba Zlatko , Thiele Christina M. , Dračínský Martin
Published: November 2017

NMR spectroscopy with in situ irradiation uncovered unique photoswitchable intramolecular hydrogen bonds (IMHBs) in 5‐phenylazopyrimidines with two hydrogen bond donors. These compounds form two stable rotamers, each with one IMHB, and the rotamer ratio changes reversibly upon UV or visible light irradiation. Strong substituent dependence of photoinduced structural changes was observed; using suitable substituents, orthogonal photoswitching can be achieved. For example, whereas UV irradiation caused switching between the two rotamers of the trans isomer of a compound with electron‐donating methoxy substituent, visible light enabled to obtain the cis photoisomer. No cis isomer was detected for compounds with electro‐neutral or electron‐accepting substituents, but photoswitching between the two trans isomers was observed. On the other hand, compounds without hydrogen‐bond donors or with one donor only formed stable cis isomers. A mechanism of the photoswitching was proposed by DFT computations.
L'effet des récompenses sur l'état de santé psychologique des travailleurs: les mécanismes sous‐jacents
Authors: Pellerin Sabrina , Cloutier Julie
Published: November 2017

The effort‐reward imbalance (ERI) model in the workplace (Siegrist, ) suggests that inequity of rewards contributes to a degradation of mental health through a process of devaluation. The objective of our study is to test this hypothesis empirically. Data were collected from 659 agents in three call centres located in the province of Quebec. A bootstrap mediation test show that perceived inequity with respect to rewards (recognition, promotion, job security) affects the level of psychological distress through the perception of being valued by the organization. Perceived inequity affects mental health because it signals to workers the extent to which they are valued by their organization. Our correlational study provides evidence of the internal validity of the ERI model. Copyright © 2017 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CF2‐Bridged C60 Fullerene Dimers and their Optical Transitions
Authors: Dallas Panagiotis , Zhou Shen , Cornes Stuart , Niwa Hiroyuki , Nakanishi Yusuke , Kino Yasuhiro , Puchtler Tim , Taylor Robert A. , Briggs G. Andrew. D. , Shinohara Hisanori , Porfyrakis Kyriakos
Published: November 2017

Fullerene dyads bridged with perfluorinated linking groups have been synthesized through a modified arc‐discharge procedure. The addition of Teflon inside an arc‐discharge reactor leads to the formation of dyads, consisting of two C60 fullerenes bridged by CF2 groups. The incorporation of bridging groups containing electronegative atoms lead to different energy levels and to new features in the photoluminescence spectrum. A suppression of the singlet oxygen photosensitization indicated that the radiative decay from singlet‐to‐singlet state is favoured against the intersystem crossing singlet‐to‐triplet transition.
A Zn(II)‐Containing Coordination Polymer: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and pH Fluorescent Sensing
Authors: Wen Shi‐Zheng , Kan Wei‐Qiu , Zhang Li‐Li , He Yuan‐Chun
Published: November 2017

In this work, a Zn(II)‐containing coordination polymer, [Zn2(2,4′‐tmbpt)2(o‐bdc)2]·5H2O (1) [2,4′‐tmbpt = 1‐((1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)methyl)‐3‐(4‐pyridyl)‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole and o‐H2bdc = 1,2‐benzenedicarboxylic acid] has been synthesized hydrothermally. The structure of the compound has been characterized by single crystal X‐ray crystallography, elemental analysis, infrared spectra, thermogravimetric analysis and powder X‐ray diffraction analysis. Compound 1 features a 2D layer structure formed by the cross‐link of the wave‐like chains and helical chains. Because the uncoordinated nitrogen atoms in compound 1 can bind H+, the luminescent spectra of compound 1 in aqueous solutions of different pH from 1 to 7 have been investigated. The result indicates that this compound can be used as a sensitive and efficient pH fluorescent sensor, which can be further used for the design of molecular logic gate in the narrow pH range of 2–3. The pH response mechanism of compound 1 may be the disturbance of the conjugated system resulting from the protonation of the 2,4′‐tmbpt ligand in the compound, which has been proved by the UV‐vis absorption spectra and density functional theory (DFT) calculation.
Snowflake Like ZnCo2O4‐xF2x/Polypyrrole Composites as High Performance Anode for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Guihua , Jin Rencheng , Zhai Qinghe , Zhang Shaohua
Published: November 2017

In this work, we develop a facile solvothermal method, sintering process as well as an in situ chemical polymerization route to efficiently fabricate hierarchical snowflake like ZnCo2O4‐xF2x/polypyrrole composite. According to the electron microscope observations, the formation mechanism is proposed as an aggregation process and anisotropic growth mechanism. In favor of the element doping and the structural advantages, the ZnCo2O4‐xF2x/polypyrrole composites display excellent electrochemical performance including a high reversible capacity, excellent cyclic ability, and good rate behavior. The excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of the mesoporous structure, F anions doping and coating of PPy layer, which shortens the diffusion path for the Li+ ions, improves the kinetic process, promotes the electron transfer on the electrode/electrolyte interface and buffers the volume change during Li+ ion insertion/extraction process.
Encapsulation of Barium Ferrite and Reduced Graphene Oxide in poly(o‐toluidine) as a Barrier for Electromagnetic Radiations
Authors: Gairola Preeti , Ohlan Anil , Gairola S. P. , Verma Vivek , Dhawan S. K. , Purohit L. P.
Published: November 2017

The present paper reports the synthesis and characterization of poly (o‐toluidine) (POT) embedded with barium ferrite and reduced graphene oxide. Barium ferrite nanoparticles (BF) were prepared by citrate precursor technique. Synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) from graphite powder was carried out by improved Hummer's method. Composite of poly (o‐toluidine) with barium ferrite and reduced graphene oxide (POT/BF/RGO) was synthesized by in‐situ polymerization method. The formulation shows total shielding effectiveness of 12.07 dB in the X‐band (8.4‐12.4 GHz) frequency range. Permeability and dielectric parameters have been calculated from the measured scattering parameters (S11, S22, S12, S21) using the Nicolson–Ross–Weir algorithm. The synthesized formulations were characterized using x‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy TEM, Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV‐Vis) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM).
Preparation and Properties of (Ce0.4La0.2Pr0.2Nd0.2)B6 Single‐Crystal by the Optical Float‐Zone Traveling Solvent Technique
Authors: Wang Pan , Zhang Jiuxing , Yang Xinyu , Ning Shuyu , Zhang Jingwen , Wang Yan , Li Zhi
Published: November 2017

The high quality (Ce0.4La0.2Pr0.2Nd0.2)B6 single‐crystal has been successfully prepared by the optical float‐zone traveling solvent technique. The crystal structure and performance of the (Ce0.4La0.2Pr0.2Nd0.2)B6 single‐crystal obtained at different rates are characterized by using XRD, X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction, rotating target X‐ray Diffractometer, X‐ray Laue diffraction, SEM and thermionic emission equipment etc.. The results show that the as‐grown single‐crystal with the uniform composition has a cubic structure with the lattice size of 4.143 Å. The optimal mechanical and thermionic emission properties belong to the (Ce0.4La0.2Pr0.2Nd0.2)B6 single‐crystal prepared at growth rate V = 7 mm/h. The values of 53.3 A/cm2 in the current density at 1873 K under the applied voltage of 4 kV and 29.26 GPa in Vickers hardness indicate that (Ce0.4La0.2Pr0.2Nd0.2)B6 single‐crystal is a promisingly thermionic emission material.
Determination of Nucleation Kinetics of Cephradine in 0.5% Sodium Bisulfate (W/V) Solution
Authors: Sun Hua , Jiang Cuiyuan , Liu Baoshu
Published: November 2017

The metastable zone width of cephradine in a 0.5% sodium bisulfate (W/V) solution was determined at different values of pH and temperatures by using dynamic laser monitoring under atmospheric pressure. As the pH increased, the metastable zone width of cephradine decreased before increasing, with a minimum value at the isoelectric point. The effect of temperature was less pronounced. The induction periods of cephradine in the 0.5% sodium bisulfate (W/V) solution were investigated as a function of the supersaturation ratio. By applying classical homogeneous nucleation theory, we deduced the crystal‐liquid interfacial tension and the following fundamental nucleation parameters: the Gibbs free energy change for the formation of the critical nucleus, the radius of the critical nucleus, and the number of molecules in the critical nucleus.
Optimal joint load balancing and EDCA configuration of IEEE 802.11 wireless hotspots
Authors: Erturk Mehmet Ali , Vollero Luca , Aydin Muhammed Ali
Published: November 2017

Wireless hotspots, ie, infrastructures composed of several IEEE 802.11 access points (APs), are today the most common solution in providing Internet access to a wide and rapidly changing population of users. According to common device implementation, stations establish associations with APs based on the measured strongest Received Signal Strength Indicator level. This usually leads to an uneven distribution of users to APs, increasing the chances of local network congestion. Load balancing (LB) solutions aim at mitigating this problem controlling the distribution of users. The LB algorithms enforce stations to associate with APs that manage a low number of users and/or that have a low traffic load. Usually, LB solutions do not consider traffic priorities or they assume some a priori quality of service (QoS) configuration for users.

In this study, we propose a QoS‐LB solution based on the cell breathing technique with the goal of balancing the load in IEEE 802.11e Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) Hotspots. The proposed algorithm explores the space of possible power/EDCA configurations by using a branch and bound approach that reduces the number of analyzed configurations and, hence, the time required to find the global optimal solution. The algorithm has been analytically defined and its performance evaluated through simulations and tests in a real test bed. The results prove that the proposed solution is effective in solving the optimal QoS‐LB configuration problem in WiFi hotspots of average size.
Developmental, genetic, and genomic insights into the evolutionary loss of limbs in snakes
Authors: Leal Francisca , Cohn Martin J.
Published: November 2017

The evolution of snakes involved dramatic modifications to the ancestral lizard body plan. Limb loss and elongation of the trunk are hallmarks of snakes, although convergent evolution of limb‐reduced and trunk‐elongated forms occurred multiple times in snake‐like lizards. Advanced snakes are completely limbless, but intermediate and basal snakes have retained rudiments of hindlimbs and pelvic girdles. Moreover, the snake fossil record indicates that complete legs were re‐acquired at least once, suggesting that the potential for limb development was retained in some limb‐reduced taxa. Recent work has shown that python embryos initiate development of a transitory distal leg skeleton, including a footplate, and that the limb‐specific enhancer of the Sonic hedgehog gene, known as the zone of polarizing activity regulatory sequence (ZRS), underwent gradual degeneration during snake evolution. In this article, we review historical and recent investigations into squamate limblessness, and we discuss how new genomic and functional genetic experiments have improved our understanding of the evolution of limblessness in snakes. Finally, we explore the idea that pleiotropy of cis‐regulatory elements may illuminate the convergent genetic changes that occurred in snake‐like lizards, and we discuss a number of challenges that remain to be addressed in future studies.
Mating status correlates with dorsal brightness in some but not all poison frog populations
Authors: Dreher Corinna E. , Rodríguez Ariel , Cummings Molly E. , Pröhl Heike
Published: November 2017

Sexual signals are important for intraspecific communication and mate selection, but their evolution may be driven by both natural and sexual selection, and stochastic processes. Strawberry poison frogs (Oophaga pumilio) show strong color divergence among populations, but coloration also varies among individuals of the same population. The importance of coloration for female mate choice has been studied intensely, and sexual selection seems to affect color divergence in strawberry poison frogs. However, the effect of coloration on mating success under field conditions has received very little attention. Furthermore, few studies examined how phenotypic variation among individuals of the same color morph affects mate selection under natural conditions. We measured the spectral reflectance of courting and noncourting individuals and their background substrates in three geographically separated populations. In one population (Sarapiquí, Costa Rica), we found that naturally occurring courting pairs of males and females had significantly brighter dorsal coloration than individual males and females not engaged in courtship interactions. Our field observations suggest that, in the wild, females prefer brighter males while the reason for the higher courtship activity of brighter females remains unclear. Overall our results imply that brightness differences among individuals of the same color morph may actually affect reproductive success in some populations of strawberry poison frogs.
Relative importance of the land‐use composition and intensity for the bird community composition in anthropogenic landscapes
Authors: Pellissier Vincent , Mimet Anne , Fontaine Colin , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Couvet Denis
Published: November 2017

Humans are changing the biosphere by exerting pressure on land via different land uses with variable intensities. Quantifying the relative importance of the land‐use composition and intensity for communities may provide valuable insights for understanding community dynamics in human‐dominated landscapes. Here, we evaluate the relative importance of the land‐use composition versus land‐use intensity on the bird community structure in the highly human‐dominated region surrounding Paris, France. The land‐use composition was calculated from a land cover map, whereas the land‐use intensity (reverse intensity) was represented by the primary productivity remaining after human appropriation (NPPremaining), which was estimated using remote sensing imagery. We used variance partitioning to evaluate the relative importance of the land‐use composition versus intensity for explaining bird community species richness, total abundance, trophic levels, and habitat specialization in urban, farmland, and woodland habitats. The land‐use composition and intensity affected specialization and richness more than trophic levels and abundance. The importance of the land‐use intensity was slightly higher than that of the composition for richness, specialization, and trophic levels in farmland and urban areas, while the land‐use composition was a stronger predictor of abundance. The intensity contributed more to the community indices in anthropogenic habitats (farmland and urban areas) than to those in woodlands. Richness, trophic levels, and specialization in woodlands tended to increase with the NPPremaining value. The heterogeneity of land uses and intensity levels in the landscape consistently promoted species richness but reduced habitat specialization and trophic levels. This study demonstrates the complementarity of NPPremaining to the land‐use composition for understanding community structure in anthropogenic landscapes. Our results show, for the first time, that the productivity remaining after human appropriation is a determinant driver of animal community patterns, independent of the type of land use.
The role of habitat choice in micro‐evolutionary dynamics: An experimental study on the Mediterranean killifish Aphanius fasciatus (Cyprinodontidae)
Authors: Angeletti Dario , Sebbio Claudia , Carlini Alessandro , Strinati Claudia , Nascetti Giuseppe , Carere Claudio , Cimmaruta Roberta
Published: November 2017

Habitat choice is defined as a nonrandom distribution of genotypes in different microhabitats. Therefore, it could exert a great impact on the genetic variance of natural populations by promoting genetic divergence, local adaptation, and may even lead to sympatric speciation. Despite this potential role in micro‐ and macro‐evolutionary processes, there is little empirical evidence that the various genotypes within a population may differ in habitat choice‐related behaviors. Here, we tested whether habitat choice may have contributed to genetic divergence within a local population of the Mediterranean killifish Aphanius fasciatus, which emerged between groups inhabiting microhabitats with different oxygen concentrations during previous field studies. In a first experiment, we studied the distribution of individuals in conditions of hypoxia and normoxia to test whether they had a different ability to shy away from a hypoxic environment; in a second experiment, we analyzed the individual behavior of fish separately in the two conditions, to verify whether they showed peculiar behavioral responses linked to a possible differential distribution. We then analyzed the six allozyme loci, whose allelic and genotypic frequencies were significantly divergent in the previous studies. In the first test, we found that the distribution of the two homozygote genotypes of the glucose‐6‐phosphate isomerase‐1 locus (GPI‐1) was significantly different between the hypoxic and the normoxic conditions. During the second test, all individuals were more active in hypoxic conditions, but the two GPI‐1 homozygotes showed a significant difference in time spent performing surface breathing, which was consistent with their distribution observed in the first experiment. These results provide evidence that individual behavioral traits, related to genetic features, may lead to a nonrandom distribution of genotypes in heterogeneous although contiguous microhabitats and, consequently, that habitat choice can play a significant role in driving the micro‐evolutionary dynamics of this species.
Rapid assessment of forest canopy and light regime using smartphone hemispherical photography
Authors: Bianchi Simone , Cahalan Christine , Hale Sophie , Gibbons James Michael
Published: November 2017

Hemispherical photography (HP), implemented with cameras equipped with “fisheye” lenses, is a widely used method for describing forest canopies and light regimes. A promising technological advance is the availability of low‐cost fisheye lenses for smartphone cameras. However, smartphone camera sensors cannot record a full hemisphere. We investigate whether smartphone HP is a cheaper and faster but still adequate operational alternative to traditional cameras for describing forest canopies and light regimes.

We collected hemispherical pictures with both smartphone and traditional cameras in 223 forest sample points, across different overstory species and canopy densities. The smartphone image acquisition followed a faster and simpler protocol than that for the traditional camera. We automatically thresholded all images. We processed the traditional camera images for Canopy Openness (CO) and Site Factor estimation. For smartphone images, we took two pictures with different orientations per point and used two processing protocols: (i) we estimated and averaged total canopy gap from the two single pictures, and (ii) merging the two pictures together, we formed images closer to full hemispheres and estimated from them CO and Site Factors. We compared the same parameters obtained from different cameras and estimated generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) between them.

Total canopy gap estimated from the first processing protocol for smartphone pictures was on average significantly higher than CO estimated from traditional camera images, although with a consistent bias. Canopy Openness and Site Factors estimated from merged smartphone pictures of the second processing protocol were on average significantly higher than those from traditional cameras images, although with relatively little absolute differences and scatter.

Smartphone HP is an acceptable alternative to HP using traditional cameras, providing similar results with a faster and cheaper methodology. Smartphone outputs can be directly used as they are for ecological studies, or converted with specific models for a better comparison to traditional cameras.
Life history traits and functional processes generate multiple pathways to ecological stability
Authors: DeLong John P. , Hanley Torrance C. , Gibert Jean P. , Puth Linda M. , Post David M.
Published: November 2017

Stability contributes to the persistence of ecological communities, yet the interactions among different stabilizing forces are poorly understood. We assembled mesocosms with an algal resource and one to eight different clones of the consumer Daphnia ambigua and tracked algal and Daphnia abundances through time. We then fitted coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) to the consumer–resource time series. We show that variation in different components of stability (local stability and the magnitude of population fluctuations) across mesocosms arises through variation in life history traits and the functional processes represented by ODE model parameters. Local stability was enhanced by increased algal growth rate and Daphnia mortality and foraging rate. Population fluctuations were dampened by high Daphnia conversion efficiency and lower interaction strengths, low algal growth rate, high Daphnia death rate, and low Daphnia foraging. These results indicate that (1) stability in consumer–resource systems may arise through the net effect of multiple related stabilizing pathways and (2) different aspects of stability can vary independently and may respond in opposite directions to the same forces.
Ambient‐Light‐Promoted Perfluoroalkylative Cyclization of β,γ‐Unsaturated Hydrazones: Synthesis of Perfluoroalkylated Pyrazolines
Authors: Yu Jing‐miao , Cai Chun
Published: November 2017

An ambient‐light‐promoted, metal‐free strategy for the direct perfluoroalkylative cyclization of β,γ‐unsaturated hydrazones was developed. The radical process allowed the multifunctionalization of β,γ‐unsaturated hydrazones and selectively yielded perfluoroalkylated pyrazolines in good to excellent yields. The reaction was performed in the presence of a wide range of functional groups under mild reaction conditions and was operationally simple.
Nostalgia for America's past can buffer collective guilt
Authors: Baldwin Matthew , White Mark H. , Sullivan Daniel
Published: November 2017

This research examined when, and for whom, American collective nostalgia can relieve feelings of collective guilt. In the Pilot Study, path analyses revealed that national glorification is associated with collective nostalgia, and collective nostalgia is associated with lower collective guilt. Our experimental studies test the role of these variables in determining responses to the elevated salience of past ingroup harm doing. Collective nostalgia was associated with lower collective guilt especially after reminders of America's harm doing in Study 1. In Study 2 we predicted and showed that reminders of American harm doing would evoke spontaneous collective nostalgia for participants high in national glorification. The remaining studies tested the hypothesis that collective nostalgia serves to buffer collective guilt. Collective guilt was lower after reminders of past harm doing for participants who engaged in collective nostalgia (Study 3), and this was especially pronounced for participants high in national glorification (Study 4).
Metallophthalocyanines Bearing Polymerizable {[5‐({(1E)‐[4‐(Diethylamino)phenyl]methylene}amino)‐ 1‐naphthy1]oxy} Groups as Electrochemical Pesticide Sensor
Authors: Akyüz Duygu , Keleş Turgut , Biyiklioglu Zekeriya , Koca Atıf
Published: November 2017

The synthesis and characterization of novel metallophthalocyanines (MPcs(ea)) carrying {[5‐({(1E)‐[4‐(diethylamino)phenyl]methylene}amino)‐1‐naphthyl]oxy} groups on four peripheral positions have been reported. These complexes have been characterized by a combination of FT‐IR, 1H and 13C NMR, mass and UV‐Vis spectroscopy techniques. Redox active metal centers in the core of the Pc rings (Co (II) [CoPc(ea)], Mn(III) [Cl–MnPc(ea)], and Ti(IV)O [TiOPc(ea)]) and electropolymerizable substituents on the peripheral positions of Pc rings were used to increase redox activity and electrochemically polymerization ability of the complexes. The redox properties of MPcs(ea) were determined with voltammetry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry techniques. Then, GCE/MPc(ea) electrodes were constructed with the electropolymerization of MPcs and these electrodes were tested as the pesticide sensors. Sensing studies indicated that type of the metal center of the complexes effectively influenced the sensing activities. While all complexes showed interaction abilities for the fenitrothion, parathion and eserine, GCE/CoPc(ea) electrode detected the parathion selectively with LOD value of 4.52×10−7 mol dm−3 among studied three pesticides. Moreover, GCE/MnClPc(ea) electrode selectively detected eserine with LOD value of 6.43×10−7 mol dm−3 and GCE/TiOPc(ea) electrode detected parathion with LOD value of 8.64×10−7 mol dm−3. All GCE/MPcs(ea) electrodes showed high sensitivity and wide linear ranges for those pesticides. These sensing data illustrated the usability of these modified electrodes in real samples such as seawater with good selectivity and sensitivity.
Antileishmanial Drug Miltefosine‐dsDNA Interaction in situ Evaluation with a DNA‐Electrochemical Biosensor
Authors: Machini W. B. S. , Oliveira‐Brett A. M.
Published: November 2017

Leishmaniasis is one of the most important parasitic neglected disease. The electrochemical evaluation of the antileishmanial drug miltefosine‐dsDNA interaction was investigated in incubated solutions and using dsDNA‐electrochemical biosensors, following the changes in the oxidation peaks of guanosine and adenosine residues, and the occurrence of the free guanine residues, electrochemical signal. The electrochemical behaviour of miltefosine was also investigated, at a glassy carbon electrode, using cyclic, differential pulse and square wave voltammetry and no electrochemical redox processes were observed. The interaction mechanism of miltefosine‐dsDNA occurs in two ways: independent of the dsDNA sequence, and leading to the condensation/aggregation of DNA strands, producing a rigid miltefosine‐dsDNA complex structure, and a preferential interaction between the guanine hydrogen atoms in the C−G base pair and miltefosine, causing the release of guanine residues detected on the electrode surface. Miltefosine did not induce oxidative damage to DNA in the experimental conditions used.
Predicting the geomorphological responses of gravel‐bed rivers to flow and sediment source perturbations at the watershed scale: an application in an Alpine watershed
Authors: Alcayaga Hernán A. , Mao Luca , Belleudy Philippe
Published: November 2017

Predicting morphological channel changes using physically‐based models requires extended data for the description of the river channel and for hydrological and sedimentological inputs. At the watershed scale, these data are usually scarce, and such a refined modeling is typically difficult to build. A simpler modeling of the morphological impacts due to the changes in the principal drivers that control channel shape and dynamics is more adaptable. In this study we focused on the morphological responses of gravel‐bed rivers to flow and sediment source perturbation at watershed scale. The aim is to develop and test a tool capable of semi‐quantitatively predicting the morphological river response at the watershed scale due to a set of spatially distributed perturbations. The model considers flow regime (Q) and sediment supply (S) as the two main factors controlling the fluvial morphology in alluvial rivers. Two indicators have been proposed to evaluate the alteration on Q and S, and they are illustrated as vectors on each reach of the river network. The magnitude of the vectors corresponds to the intensity of the perturbation and its direction represents the changing trend that nine selected morphological variables (bed elevation, slope, width, depth, wetted area, width to depth ratio, d50, terrace formation, and colonization of vegetation) are likely to follow from an initial state. The trends or trajectories of changes were assessed based on empirical relations, case studies, and conceptual models. This method was applied to the Isère watershed (5700 km2) at Grenoble (France), a river that hosts large and complex hydropower plant systems constructed during 50s ‐70s. The predictions over 23 river reaches and eight variables were evaluated in the range where the model was capable of predicting the morphological evolution of the river system. Its performance was verified and in the majority of the cases the results were coherent with field surveys and previous observations. The results indicate that this is a complex problem which needs more careful consideration of constraints that are difficult to assess, such as simultaneous and different sources of perturbations, hypotheses of initial dynamic equilibrium, and sediment supply quantification. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multifluid flows with weak and strong discontinuous interfaces using an elemental enriched space
Authors: Idelsohn Sergio R. , Gimenez Juan M. , Nigro Norberto M.
Published: November 2017

In a previous paper, the authors presented an elemental enriched space to be used in a finite‐element framework (EFEM) capable of reproducing kinks and jumps in an unknown function using a fixed mesh in which the jumps and kinks do not coincide with the interelement boundaries. In this previous publication, only scalar transport problems were solved (thermal problems). In the present work, these ideas are generalized to vectorial unknowns, in particular, the incompressible Navier‐Stokes equations for multifluid flows presenting internal moving interfaces. The advantage of the EFEM compared with global enrichment is the significant reduction in computing time when the internal interface is moving. In the EFEM, the matrix to be solved at each time step has not only the same amount of degrees of freedom (DOFs) but also the same connectivity between the DOFs. This frozen matrix graph enormously improves the efficiency of the solver. Another characteristic of the elemental enriched space presented here is that it allows a linear variation of the jump, thus improving the convergence rate, compared with other enriched spaces that have a constant variation of the jump. Furthermore, the implementation in any existing finite‐element code is extremely easy with the version presented here because the new shape functions are based on the usual finite‐element method shape functions for triangles or tetrahedrals, and once the internal DOFs are statically condensed, the resulting elements have exactly the same number of unknowns as the nonenriched finite elements.
Perinatal maternal depressive symptoms alter amygdala functional connectivity in girls
Authors: Soe Ni Ni , Wen Daniel J. , Poh Joann S. , Chong Yap‐Seng , Broekman Birit Fp , Chen Helen , Shek Lynette P. , Tan Kok Hian , Gluckman Peter D. , Fortier Marielle V. , Meaney Michael J. , Qiu Anqi
Published: November 2017

Perinatal maternal depressive symptoms influence brain development of offspring. Such effects are particularly notable in the amygdala, a key structure involved in emotional processes. This study investigated whether the functional organization of the amygdala varies as a function of pre‐ and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms. The amygdala functional network was assessed using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) in 128 children at age of 4.4 to 4.8 years. Maternal depressive symptoms were obtained at 26 weeks of gestation, 3 months, 1, 2, 3, and 4.5 years after delivery. Linear regression was used to examine associations between maternal depressive symptoms and the amygdala functional network. Prenatal maternal depressive symptoms were significantly associated with the functional connectivity between the amygdala and the cortico‐striatal circuitry, especially the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), insula, subgenual anterior cingulate (ACC), temporal pole, and striatum. Interestingly, greater pre‐ than post‐natal depressive symptoms were associated with lower functional connectivity of the left amygdala with the bilateral subgenual ACC and left caudate and with lower functional connectivity of the right amygdala with the left OFC, insula, and temporal pole. These findings were only observed in girls but not in boys. Early exposure to maternal depressive symptoms influenced the functional organization of the cortico‐striato‐amygdala circuitry, which is intrinsic to emotional perception and regulation in girls. This suggests its roles in the transgenerational transmission of vulnerability for socio‐emotional problems and depression. Moreover, this study underscored the importance of gender‐dependent developmental pathways in defining the neural circuitry that underlies the risk for depression.
Exenatide induces carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule 1 expression to prevent hepatic steatosis
Authors: Ghadieh Hilda E. , Muturi Harrison T. , Russo Lucia , Marino Christopher C. , Ghanem Simona S. , Khuder Saja S. , Hanna Julie C. , Jash Sukanta , Puri Vishwajeet , Heinrich Garrett , Gatto‐Weis Cara , Lee Kevin Y. , Najjar Sonia M.
Published: November 2017

Exenatide, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist, induces insulin secretion. Its role in insulin clearance has not been adequately examined. Carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) promotes hepatic insulin clearance to maintain insulin sensitivity. Feeding C57BL/6J mice a high‐fat diet down‐regulates hepatic Ceacam1 transcription to cause hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis, as in Ceacam1 null mice (Cc1

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). Thus, we tested whether exenatide regulates Ceacam1 expression in high‐fat diet‐fed mice and whether this contributes to its insulin sensitizing effect. Exenatide (100 nM) induced the transcriptional activity of wild‐type Ceacam1 promoter but not the constructs harboring block mutations of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor response element and retinoid X receptor alpha, individually or collectively, in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated binding of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma to Ceacam1 promoter in response to rosiglitazone and exenatide. Consistently, exenatide induced Ceacam1 messenger RNA expression within 12 hours in the absence but not in the presence of the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor antagonist exendin 9‐39. Exenatide (20 ng/g body weight once daily intraperitoneal injection in the last 30 days of feeding) restored hepatic Ceacam1 expression and insulin clearance to curb diet‐induced metabolic abnormalities and steatohepatitis in wild‐type but not Cc1

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mice fed a high‐fat diet for 2 months. Conclusion: Exenatide promotes insulin clearance in parallel with insulin secretion to prevent chronic hyperinsulinemia and the resulting hepatic steatosis, and this contributes to its insulin sensitizing effect. Our data further highlight the relevance of physiologic insulin metabolism in maintaining insulin sensitivity and normal lipid metabolism. (Hepatology Communications 2018;2:35–47)
A multimethod approach to inform epikarst drip discharge modelling: Implications for palaeo‐climate reconstruction
Authors: Campbell Micheline , Callow John Nikolaus , McGrath Gavan , McGowan Hamish
Published: November 2017

Resolving the hydrological processes that form speleothems and the palaeo‐climate archives that they contain is difficult. Typical approaches to hydrological investigation are not suited to karst landscapes, geophysics are seldom applied, drip monitoring and modelling have limitations, and ignoring potential hydrological impacts can result in a proxy record that does not reflect the external environment. We aim to understand the processes and controls that have created a palaeo‐climate proxy record preserved in a speleothem (JC001) in the “Grotto of Oddities,” part of the Jersey Cave at the Yarrangobilly Caves, Australia, to infer the likely nature and resolution of this record. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), traditional surveying, and drip discharge monitoring (April 2013 to February 2015) were used to investigate the structure and hydrology of the epikarst overlying the Grotto of Oddities. Data collected through these methods were then used to construct a physically informed and parsimonious drip hydrology model. Geophysics showed that changes in hillslope above the Grotto of Oddities are collocated with a region of low resistivity, which forms an epikarstic reservoir acting to supply enhanced discharge to the speleothem. Drip monitoring showed hysteretic behaviour with a distinct threshold response, and a simple drip classification indicated that the speleothem associated with the drip has the potential to record palaeo‐seasonality or an annual–decadal signal. Discharge modelling indicated discharge was comprised of quick and slow flow, and that discharge is probably perennial. These multimethod results together indicate that the speleothem likely represents a palaeo‐climate record of a length and resolution unprecedented for nonglacial areas of the Southern Hemisphere and for Australia in particular and will significantly enhance current knowledge of the climate of southeast Australia. Although ERT methods have previously been applied in the karst landscape, to our knowledge, this represents the first application of these multiple methods in combination as an approach to assess the fidelity of a speleothem, based on an understanding of the hydrological processes for palaeo‐climate reconstruction.