bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Groundwater and river water interaction to solve water shortage: a case from Tasikmalaya, Indonesia
Authors: Irawan Dasapta E , Rachmi Cut N , Pratama Aditya , Tulak Gusti P , Rochman Achmad D
Published: January 2018

Water shortage is a common problem in the high density settlement along the riverbank of Ciromban and Cibeureum River, Tasikmalaya, as the quality of the water also decreases. One of the solution is to maximize the use of river water. This study aims to investigate the interaction between river and groundwater along the riverbank as a function of land use impact. A river water and unconfined groundwater level mapping has been conducted to make water flow map, assuming both waters are in the same flow system. Physical parameters, temperature, TDS, and pH were measured at each stations to understand water characteristics. Based on observations at 50 dug wells and 12 river stations on July-August 2014, a close interaction between both water bodies has been identified with two flow systems: effluent flow (or gaining stream) at Cibereum river segment and influent flow (losing stream) at Ciromban river segment. Physical parameters show a high correlation in temperature, pH, and TDS. Hence, further evaluation from health point of view should be taken before using river water as raw water supply in Tasikmalaya area.
Phosphoproteins with stability against all urinary phosphatases as potential biomarkers
Authors: Zhao Mindi , Liu Kehui , Gao Youhe
Published: January 2018

Urine, by accumulating all kinds of changes, was proposed to be a better source for biomarker discovery. As one of the most common post-translational modifications, phosphorylation plays a vital role in many biological activities. However, the urine phosphoproteome has been largely neglected due to the low abundance of phosphoproteins and the presence of various phosphatases in urine. The low level of background phosphorylation in urine is actually advantageous, as urinary phosphopeptides/proteins that are stable to the phosphatases present in urine have the potential to serve as valuable disease biomarkers. Using a TiO2 enrichment strategy, this study aimed to create a comprehensive proteomic profile of human urinary phosphoproteins and to characterize the changes in the urine phosphoproteome after incubation of urine with cell lysates. In total, 106 urine phosphorylation sites corresponding to 64 proteins, including 80 previously unidentified human urine protein phosphorylation sites, were identified by mass spectrometry. Fifteen phosphopeptides, together averaging 47% of the total phosphopeptides, were found in samples from three individuals. Addition of cellular proteins to urine did not significantly change the phosphorylation level of urine proteins. But there were still a few phosphopeptides from cell lysates survived urinary phosphatases; such phosphopeptides represent potential biomarkers in urine.
Found in transition: Applying milestones to three unique discharge curricula
Authors: Meade Lauren , Todd Christine Y , Walsh Meghan M
Published: January 2018

Introduction: A safe and effective transition from hospital to post acute care is a complex and important physician competency. Milestones and Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA) form the new educational rubric in Graduate Medical Education Training. ‘A safe and effective discharge from the hospital’ is an EPA ripe for educational innovation. Methods: The authors collaborated in a qualitative process called, mapping, to develop a Q-sort exercise to be distributed to participants at an Association for Program Directors in Internal Medicine (APDIM) workshop on milestones for transition of care. We analyzed the Q-sort results to rank the milestones in order of priority. We then applied this ranking to 3 innovative transitions of care curricula: Simulation (S), Discharge Clinic Feedback (DCF) and TRACER (T). Results: We collected 55 game boards from faculty units at the APDIM workshop. We report the prioritized milestones by Q-sort from the APDIM workshop. From the total 22 milestones, the simulation innovation identified 5/22 milestones, discharge clinic 9/22 milestones and tracer 7/22 milestones related to the EPA. Milestones identified in each innovation related back to one of the top eight prioritized milestones 75% of the time; thus more frequently than the milestones with lower priority. Discussion: We demonstrated that three unique innovations in transitions of care map to the top prioritized Q-sort milestones related to that EPA. Milestones for competency based assessment can be used to guide the development of innovative curricula in transition of care medicine.
Coral community bleaching response on a highly urbanised reef
Authors: Guest James R , Low Jeffrey , Tun Karenne , Tanzil Jani I , Todd Peter A , Toh Tai Chong , Chou Loke Ming , Steinberg Peter D
Published: January 2018

Projected increases in the magnitude and frequency of sea surface temperature anomalies present a significant threat to the persistence of tropical coral reefs, however, detailed studies of community level responses to thermal stress are needed if its effect on reef resilience are to be understood. While many studies report on broad, regional scale responses to thermal stress (e.g., proportion of corals bleached), far fewer examine variation in susceptibility among taxa and change in coral community structure, before, during and after bleaching on individual reefs. Furthermore, relatively few studies of bleaching response come from highly urbanised reefs that experience chronic disturbances such as elevated sedimentation and turbidity. Here we report in detail on the bleaching response of corals at a highly urbanised reef site south of mainland Singapore during (June, July) and immediately after (October) a major thermal coral bleaching event in 2010. To estimate the capacity for resistance and resilience to thermal stress, we report on a) the overall bleaching severity during and after the event, b) differences in bleaching susceptibility among taxa during the event and c) the response of the reef in terms of taxonomic community structure before (2009) and after (2012) bleaching. Despite severe bleaching in 2010 (66% of colonies bleached), post-bleaching recovery appeared to be relatively rapid and coral taxa that are usually highly susceptible (e.g., Acropora and Pocillopora) were relatively unaffected, i.e., either they did not bleach or they bleached and recovered. Although there was no significant change in coral taxonomic community structure among years, taxa that bleached most severely tended to have the greatest reductions in relative cover. Several factors may have contributed to the overall high resistance of this site to bleaching including turbidity, symbiont affiliation and heterotrophy. A parsimonious explanation for the reversed pattern of bleaching susceptibility among taxa is that these coral populations have adapted and/or acclimatised to thermal stress. Despite ongoing chronic anthropogenic impacts, we suggest that this site has potential for rapid recovery of coral cover due to the dominant coral taxa and growth forms being capable of rapid regrowth from remnant colonies.
A variant nerve that mimics the left recurrent laryngeal nerve: a case study in human anatomy
Authors: Altounian Dickran , Tran Cathy M , Tran Christina , Spencer Allison , Shendrik Alexandra , Kraatz Brian P , Wedel Mathew J
Published: January 2018

We describe a variant nerve in a human cadaver patient that parallels the course of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). Like the normal left RLN, the variant nerve branches from the vagus nerve and wraps around the arch of the aorta, but it passes anterior and medial to the ligamentum arteriosum (= fetal ductus arteriosus) instead of behind it like the normal RLN. After recurring around the aorta, the variant nerve joins the esophageal plexus and also appears to connect to the cervical sympathetic chain. The bilaterally paired RLNs supply innervation not only to the larynx but also to the upper parts of the trachea and esophagus, in particular those parts derived from the 4th and 6th pharyngeal arches. We hypothesize that in this case, some of the nerve fibers to the trachea and esophagus were pulled down into the torso by the 4th embryonic aortic arch (= the arch of the aorta in adults), but passed cranial to the 6th embryonic aortic arch (= fetal ductus arteriosus). From where it recurs around the aorta to join the esophageal plexus, the variant nerve is very similar to the pararecurrent nerve in dogs, so there is at least a partial precedent in another placental mammal. Understanding the relationships of the embryonic pharyngeal and aortic arches and their adult derivatives is crucial for correctly identifying the RLN, especially when imposter nerves, like the one documented here, are present.
Effects of anesthetics pentobarbital sodium and chloral hydrate on urine proteome
Authors: Zhao Mindi , Gao Youhe
Published: January 2018

Background. Urine can be a better source than blood for biomarker discovery since it accumulates many changes. The urine proteome is susceptible to many factors including anesthesia. Pentobarbital sodium and chloral hydrate are commonly used anesthetics in animal experiments.

Methods. This study demonstrated effects of these two anesthetics on the rat urine proteome using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Results. With anesthesia, the urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio of all rats increased two fold. The relative abundance of 22 and 23 urinary proteins were changed with pentobarbital sodium or chloral hydrate anesthesia, respectively, as determined by label-free quantification. Among these changed proteins, fifteen had been considered as candidate biomarkers such as uromodulin, sixteen had been considered stable in healthy human urine, which are more likely to be considered as potential biomarkers when changed, such as transferrin.

Discussion. The pattern of changed urinary proteins provides clues to the discovery of urinary proteins regulatory mechanisms. When determining candidate biomarker, anesthetic-related effects can be excluded in future biomarker discovery studies. Since anesthetics take effects via nervous system, this study is the first to provide clues that protein handling function of kidney may possibly be regulated by nervous system.
Honey bee success predicted by landscape composition in Ohio, USA
Authors: Sponsler Douglas B , Johnson Reed M
Published: January 2018

Foraging honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) routinely travel as far as several kilometers from their hive in the process of collecting nectar and pollen from floral patches within the surrounding landscape. Since the availability of floral resources at the landscape scale is a function of landscape composition, apiculturists have long recognized that landscape composition is a critical determinant of honey bee colony success. Nevertheless, we are aware of no published studies that present quantitative data relating colony success metrics to local landscape composition. We employed a beekeeper survey in conjunction with GIS-based landscape analysis to model colony success as a function of landscape composition in the State of Ohio, USA, a region characterized by intensive cropland, urban development, deciduous forest, and grassland. We found that colony food accumulation and wax production were positively related to cropland and negatively related to forest and grassland, a pattern that may be driven by the abundance of dandelion and clovers in agricultural areas compared to forest or mature grassland. Colony food accumulation was also negatively correlated with the ratio of urban:crop area in sites dominated by urban and agricultural land cover, which does not support the popular opinion that the urban environment is more favorable to honey bees than cropland.
An examination of disparities in cancer incidence in Texas using Bayesian random coefficient models
Authors: Sparks Corey
Published: January 2018

Disparities in cancer risk exist between ethnic groups in the United States. These disparities often result from differential access to healthcare, differences in socioeconomic status and differential exposure to carcinogens. This study uses cancer incidence data from the population based Texas Cancer Registry to investigate the disparities in digestive and respiratory cancers from 2000 to 2008. A Bayesian hierarchical regression approach is used. All models are fit using the INLA method of Bayesian model estimation. Specifically, a spatially varying coefficient model of the disparity between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic incidence is used. Results suggest that a spatio-temporal heterogeneity model best accounts for the observed Hispanic disparity in cancer risk. Overall, there is a significant disadvantage for the Hispanic population of Texas with respect to both of these cancers, and this disparity varies significantly over space. The greatest disparities between Hispanics and Non-Hispanics in digestive and respiratory cancers occur in eastern Texas, with patterns emerging as early as 2000 and continuing until 2008.
Co-father relationships among the Suruí (Paiter) of Brazil
Authors: Walker Robert S , Yvinec Cédric , Ellsworth Ryan M , Bailey Drew H
Published: January 2018

Partible paternity refers to the conception belief that children can have multiple fathers (“co-fathers”) and is common to indigenous cultures of lowland South America. The nature of social relationships observed between co-fathers reveals information about the reproductive strategies underlying partible paternity. Here we analyze clan, genealogical, and social relationships between co-fathers for the Suruí, an indigenous horticultural population in Brazil. We show that co-fathers roughly assort into two separate categories. In the affiliative category, co-father relationships are amicable when they are between close kin, namely brothers and father-son. In the competitive category, relationships are more likely of avoidance or open hostility when between more distant kin such as cousins or unrelated men of different clans. Results therefore imply multiple types of relationships, including both cooperative and competitive contexts, under the rubric of partible paternity. These complexities of partible paternity institutions add to our knowledge of the full range of cross-cultural variation in human mating/marriage arrangements and speak to the debate on whether or not humans should be classified as cooperative breeders.
Protein and mRNA levels support the notion that a genetic regulatory circuit controls growth phases in E. coli populations
Authors: Martínez-Antonio Agustino
Published: January 2018

Bacterial populations transition between growing and non-growing phases, based on nutrient availability and stress conditions. The hallmark of a growing state is anabolism, including DNA replication and cell division. In contrast, bacteria in a growth-arrested state acquire a resistant physiology and diminished metabolism. However, there is little knowledge on how this transition occurs at the molecular level. Here, we provide new evidence that a multi-element genetic regulatory circuit might work to maintain genetic control among growth-phase transitions in Escherichia coli. This work contributes to the discovering of design principles behind the performance of biological functions, which could be of relevance on the new disciplines of biological engineering and synthetic biology.
The “Rosetta Stone” for deciphering the anatomy of the stem turtle Condorchelys antiqua (Early-Middle Jurassic; Chubut, Argentina)
Authors: Sterli Juliana , de la Fuente Marcelo , Rougier Guillermo
Published: January 2018

Background. Condorchelys antiqua is a stem turtle previously described from the Queso Rallado Locality, Cañadón Asfalto Formation (Early-Middle Jurassic), Chubut, Argentina. In 2014 a skull (MPEF-PV 10900) and an articulated shell with associated postcranial remains (MPEF-PV 10884) of C. antiqua were discovered in the mentioned locality.

Methods. The new specimens have been prepared by L. Reiner (technician at the Museo Egidio Feruglio) and then studied using the regular paleontological methodology (e.g., direct observations and under the microscope, photography, and drawings). The new data provided by these two specimens, plus some other isolated remains that were re-prepared, allowed us to score a 25% more of the characters of C. antiqua in the most complete up to date matrix for Mesozoic turtles. The matrix was build in Mesquite and analyzed under maximum parsimony in TNT. We performed two rounds of Tree Bisection Reconnection and calculated a strict consensus. Branch supports were provided using bootstrap, jackknife, and Bremer support.

Results. We regard the specimen MPEF-PV 10900 as represented by the basicranium and some previously unknown skull bones like the maxilla, frontal, parietal, and postorbital. This specimen also shows that there were no teeth in the pterygoid of C. antiqua. On the other hand, specimen MPEF-PV 10884 is an almost complete carapace and plastron with 4 thoracic vertebrae and ribs, scapular and pelvic girdles, humerus, left radius, femur, tibia, fibula, 2 metatarsal/carpals, 2 phalanges, 1 ungual phalanx and 1 chevron bone. The preliminary cladistic analysis resulted in 750 most parsimonious trees of 893 steps. The result of the analysis corroborates the position of C. antiqua as a stem turtle more derived than the Triassic and Australochelys africanus. Condorchelys antiqua is recovered in a polytomy together with other early-middle Jurassic turtles (e.g., Kayentachelys aprix and Indochelys spatulata) and the clade formed by the remaining turtles.

Discussion. Although many new characters have been scored for C. antiqua in the phylogenetic analysis, this new information did not resolved the phylogenetic position for this taxon. We consider that more information about I. spatulata and K. aprix could help to better understand the relationships among these basal taxa. On the other hand, these new specimens of C. antiqua bring valuable information to decipher the anatomy of the poorly known non-shell postcranial elements of these Early to Middle Jurassic stem turtles. In light of the recently suggested aquatic preferences of C. antiqua, the next step on this research would be to explore other adaptations to the aquatic environment using postcranial elements, particularly the limb bones.
Closed-Form Estimation of Multiple Change-Point Models
Authors: Jensen Greg
Published: January 2018

Identifying discontinuities (or change-points) in otherwise stationary time series is a powerful analytic tool. This paper outlines a general strategy for identifying an unknown number of change-points using elementary principles of Bayesian statistics. Using a strategy of binary partitioning by marginal likelihood, a time series is recursively subdivided on the basis of whether adding divisions (and thus increasing model complexity) yields a justified improvement in the marginal model likelihood. When this approach is combined with the use of conjugate priors, it yields the Conjugate Partitioned Recursion (CPR) algorithm, which identifies change-points without computationally intensive numerical integration. Using the CPR algorithm, methods are described for specifying change-point models drawn from a host of familiar distributions, both discrete (binomial, geometric, Poisson) and continuous (exponential, Gaussian, uniform, and multiple linear regression), as well as multivariate distribution (multinomial, multivariate normal, and multivariate linear regression). Methods by which the CPR algorithm could be extended or modified are discussed, and several detailed applications to data published in psychology and biomedical engineering are described.
Spatial analysis of phylogenetic community structure: New version of a classical method
Authors: Ricotta Carlo , Ari Eszter EA , Bonanomi Giuliano , Giannino Francesco , Heathfield Duncan , Mazzoleni Stefano , Podani Janos
Published: January 2018

The increasing availability of phylogenetic information facilitates the use of evolutionary methods in community ecology to reveal the importance of evolution in the species assembly process. However, while several methods have been applied to a wide range of communities across different spatial scales with the purpose of detecting non-random phylogenetic patterns, the spatial aspects of phylogenetic community structure have received far less attention. Accordingly, the question for this study is: can point pattern analysis be used for revealing the phylogenetic structure of multi-species assemblages? We introduce a new individual-centered procedure for analyzing the scale-dependent phylogenetic structure of multi-species point patterns based on digitized field data. The method uses nested circular plots with increasing radii drawn around each individual plant and calculates the mean phylogenetic distance between the focal individual and all individuals located in the circular ring delimited by two successive radii. This scale-dependent value is then averaged over all individuals of the same species and the observed mean is compared to a null expectation with permutation procedures. The method detects particular radius values at which the point pattern of a single species exhibits maximum deviation from the expectation towards either phylogenetic aggregation or segregation. Its performance is illustrated using data from a grassland community in Hungary and simulated point patterns. The proposed method can be extended to virtually any distance function for species pairs, such as functional distances.
Mapping the collaboration networks of biomedical research in Southeast Asia
Authors: Malbas Vincent Schubert R
Published: January 2018

Collaboration forms an integral aspect of global research endeavors, where co-authorship derived from bibliographic records provides the building block for mapping research collaboration networks. Bibliometric techniques and social network analysis tools were applied to measure the scope and depth of collaboration in biomedical research in Southeast Asia during the period 2005-2009. In particular, centrality scores and draw network maps were calculated for both country and institutional levels of aggregation. In the field of biomedical research, Thailand and Singapore are the most productive and collaborative countries in Southeast Asia during the period studied. Using network analysis, there was strong correlation of research productivity by a country or institution with the number of collaboration and its group influence, and weak correlation with maximal data flow within the research network. There were specific clusters of connected institutions in subnetworks for neoplasm, diabetes, and tuberculosis research. Given the observed frequency of regional collaboration in Southeast Asia, in comparison to foreign collaboration, it is argued that increasing the number of collaborations within Southeast Asia will help advance the region’s efforts on domestic and regional health issues.
Sex differences in beliefs and attitudes towards mental illness: An examination of mental health literacy in a community sample
Authors: Gibbons Ray J , Thorsteinsson Einar B , Loi Natasha M
Published: January 2018

Objectives: The current study investigated mental health literacy in an Australian sample to examine the influence sex has in the identification of and attitudes towards various aspects of mental illness.

Method: An online questionnaire was completed by 373 participants (267 female, M = 34.87). Participants were randomly assigned a vignette depicting an individual exhibiting the symptoms of one of three types of mental illness and asked to answer questions relating to aspects of mental health literacy.

Results: Males exhibited poorer mental health literacy skills compared to females. Males were less likely to correctly identify the type of mental illness, more likely to rate symptoms as less serious and to perceive the individual as having greater personal control over such symptoms.

Conclusion: Generally, the sample was relatively proficient at correctly identifying mental illness but overall males displayed poorer mental health literacy skills than females.
Biological Activities of East Indian Sandalwood Tree, Santalum album
Authors: Misra Biswapriya B , Dey Satyahari
Published: January 2018

The East Indian Sandalwood tree, Santalum album L. has been widely used in folk medicine for treatment of common colds, bronchitis, skin disorders, heart ailments, general weakness, fever, infection of the urinary tract, inflammation of the mouth and pharynx, liver and gallbladder complaints and other maladies. With more than 200 constituents, the essential oil is emerging as a biologically valuable active source of phytochemicals. Therapeutic potentials associated with this oil and its constituents promise future health care applications, as shown by recent pharmacological investigations, such as the roles of santalols in combating cancer, tumor, viral diseases, microbes, oxidants, as well as neuroleptic, skin nourishing agent and as dietary factors, thus supporting its traditional uses. The aim of this review is to comprehend and put forth, available information on biological activities of this plant from a pharmacological point of view for future directions in clinical applications.
Crustacean amphipods from marsh ponds: a nutritious feed resource with potential for application in Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture
Authors: Jiménez-Prada Pablo , Hachero-Cruzado Ismael , Giráldez Inmaculada , Fernández-Diaz Catalina , Vilas César , Cañavate José Pedro , Guerra-García José Manuel
Published: January 2018

Coastal protection, nutrient cycling, erosion control, water purification, and carbon sequestration are ecosystem services provided by salt marshes. Additionally, salt ponds offer coastal breeding and a nursery habitat for fishes and they provide abundant invertebrates, such as amphipods, which are potentially useful as a resource in aquaculture. Fishmeal and fish oil are necessary food resources to support aquaculture of carnivorous species due to their omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA). Currently, aquaculture depends on limited fisheries and feed with elevated n-3 LC-PUFA levels, but the development of more sustainable food sources is necessary. Amphipods appear to be a potential high quality alternative feed resource for aquaculture. Hence, a nutritional study was carried out for several main amphipod species—Microdeutopus gryllotalpa,Monocorophium acherusicum,Gammarus insensibilis,Melita palmataandCymadusa filosa—in terrestrial ponds in the South of Spain. These species showed high protein content (up to 40%), high n-3 PUFA and phospholipid levels, and high levels of phophatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and triacylglycerols (TAG), the latter being significantly high forM. acherusicum.M. gryllotalpaandM. acherusicumshowed the highest proportion of lipids (19.15% and 18.35%, respectively). Isoleucine, glycine and alanine were the dominant amino acids in all species. In addition, amphipods collected from ponds showed low levels of heavy metals. Furthermore, the biochemical profiles of the five species of amphipods have been compared with other studied alternative prey. Therefore, pond amphipods are good candidates to be used as feed, and are proposed as a new sustainable economic resource to be used in aquaculture.G. insensibilismay be the best for intensive culture as an alternative feed resource because it shows: (1) adequate n-3 PUFA and PL composition; (2) high levels of glycine, alanine, tyrosine, isoleucine and lysine; (3) high natural densities; (4) large body size (≥1 cm), and (5) high concentration of calcium. Moreover, a combined culture of amphipods and fishes in these marsh ponds seems a promising and environmentally sustainable way to develop Integrate Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) in these ecosystems.
Achilles heel of a powerful invader: restrictions on distribution and disappearance of feral pigs from a protected area in Northern Pantanal, Western Brazil
Authors: Cordeiro Jose L.P. , Hofmann Gabriel S. , Fonseca Carlos , Oliveira Luiz Flamarion B.
Published: January 2018

This paper focuses on a rare case of natural disappearance of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in an extensive area without using traditional methods of eradication programs. The study was conducted both in the Private Reserve of Natural Heritage (PRNH) Sesc Pantanal and in an adjacent traditional private cattle ranch. In 1998, feral pigs were abundant and widely distributed in the PRNH. However, the feral pigs gradually disappeared from the area and currently, the absence of pigs in the PRNH contrasts with the adjacent cattle ranch where the species is abundant. To understand the current distribution of the species in the region we partitioned the effects of variation of feral pigs’ presence considering the habitat structure (local), landscape composition and the occurrence of potential predators. Additionally, we modeled the distributions of the species in Northern Pantanal, projecting into the past using the classes of vegetation cover before the PRNH implementation (year 1988). Our results show areas with more suitability for feral pigs in regions where the landscape is dominated by pastures and permeated by patches of Seasonal Dry Forest. The species tends to avoid predominantly forested areas. Additionally, we recorded that the environmental suitability decreases exponentially as the distance from water bodies increases. The disappearance of feral pigs in the PRNH area seems to be associated with changes in the landscape and vegetation structure after the removal of the cattle. In the Brazilian Pantanal, the feral pigs’ occurrence seems strongly conditioned to environmental changes associated to livestock activity.
Risk factors for osteoporosis in male patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Chu-Hsu , Chen Kai-Hua , Chen Chien-Min , Chang Chia-Hao , Huang Tung-Jung , Lin Chia-Hung
Published: January 2018

Objective

To investigate the risk factors for osteoporosis in male Taiwanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

This cross-sectional study evaluated male COPD outpatients and age-matched male subjects at a regional teaching hospital. The following data were obtained and analyzed: bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and hip on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, demographic characteristics, questionnaire interview results, pulmonary function test results, chest posterior–anterior radiographic findings, and biochemical and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels.

Results

Fifty-nine male COPD patients and 36 age-matched male subjects were enrolled. COPD patients had lower body mass index (BMI) (23.6 ± 4.1 vs. 25.2 ± 3.0 kg/m2) and higher total prevalence for osteoporosis and osteopenia than controls. Among COPD patients, patients with osteoporosis had lower BMI, body weight, waist circumference, and triglyceride level but higher hs-CRP level, and tended to have lower creatinine level. Binary logistic regression analysis for factors including age, BMI, creatinine, hs-CRP, smoking, steroid use, and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) revealed that an hs-CRP level ≥5 and decreased creatinine level were independent risk factors for osteoporosis in COPD patients. Lower BMI tended to be associated with osteoporosis development, although it did not reach statistical significance, and hs-CRP was associated with COPD severity and steroid use history.

Conclusion

The total prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in male Taiwanese COPD patients is higher than that in age-matched male subjects and systemic inflammation is an independent risk factors for osteoporosis. Low creatinine level in COPD patients should raise the suspicion of sarcopenia and associated increased risk of osteoporosis.
Effects of the visual-feedback-based force platform training with functional electric stimulation on the balance and prevention of falls in older adults: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li Zhen , Wang Xiu-Xia , Liang Yan-Yi , Chen Shu-Yan , Sheng Jing , Ma Shao-Jun
Published: January 2018

Background

Force platform training with functional electric stimulation aimed at improving balance may be effective in fall prevention for older adults. Aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of the visual-feedback-based force platform balance training with functional electric stimulation on balance and fall prevention in older adults.

Methods

A single-centre, unblinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted. One hundred and twenty older adults were randomly allocated to two groups: the control group (n = 60, one-leg standing balance exercise, 12 min/d) or the intervention group (n = 60, force platform training with functional electric stimulation, 12 min/d). The training was provided 15 days a month for 3 months by physical therapists. Medial–lateral and anterior–posterior maximal range of sway with eyes open and closed, the Berg Balance Scale, the Barthel Index, the Falls Efficacy scale-International were assessed at baseline and after the 3-month intervention. A fall diary was kept by each participant during the 6-month follow-up.

Results

On comparing the two groups, the intervention group showed significantly decreased (p < 0.01) medial–lateral and anterior–posterior maximal range of sway with eyes open and closed. There was significantly higher improvement in the Berg Balance Scale (p < 0.05), the Barthel Index (p < 0.05) and the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (p < 0.05), along with significantly lesser number of injurious fallers (p < 0.05), number of fallers (p < 0.05), and fall rates (p < 0.05) during the 6-month follow-up in the intervention group.

Conclusion

This study showed that the visual feedback-based force platform training with functional electric stimulation improved balance and prevented falls in older adults.
Habitat use in south-west European skinks (genusChalcides)
Authors: Escoriza Daniel , Pascual Guillem , Sánchez-Vialas Alberto
Published: January 2018

Background

Congeneric species of reptiles frequently exhibit partitioning in terms of their use of habitats or trophic resources in order to reduce competition. In this study, we investigated habitat use by two species of European skinks:Chalcides bedriagaiandChalcides striatus, based on 49 records from southern France, Spain, and Portugal.

Methods

We measured three levels of niche descriptors: macroscale (climate, topography, and substrate), mesoscale (plant associations), and microscale (vegetation cover and shelters). We assessed the associations between these environmental descriptors and the occurrence of the skinks.

Results

Our results showed that the two species occupied opposite extremes of the ecological gradient i.e.,C. bedriagaiin semi-arid environments andC. striatusin temperate-oceanic environments, but there was broad ecological overlap in transitional climates at all of the habitat scales examined. This overlap was demonstrated by the presence of syntopy in geographically distant sites with different environmental characteristics.

Discussion

The morphological differences between the two species, and possibly their different use of microhabitats, might favor this mesoscale overlap between congeneric species, which is relatively unusual in Mediterranean lizards.
Building Physics, Design, and the Collaborative Build: Sustainability and Resilience in Architectural Education
Authors: Stieldorf Karin
Published: January 2018

The earlier architectural students are encouraged to actively engage with environmental issues, the more likely they are to consider them as key in later professional practice. To this end, Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) has for over two decades been running courses which involve students in projects focused around the model of collaborative design‐build competitions that address such issues. Associate Professor Karin Stieldorf, a co‐founder of the university's Sustainable Building and Design Group, describes some of these initiatives – notably including her team's winning entry for the US Department of Energy's 2013 Solar Decathlon competition.
Mechanical Strain‐Tunable Microwave Magnetism in Flexible CuFe2O4 Epitaxial Thin Film for Wearable Sensors
Authors: Liu Wenlong , Liu Ming , Ma Rong , Zhang Ruyi , Zhang Wenqing , Yu Dapeng , Wang Qing , Wang Jiannong , Wang Hong
Published: January 2018

Purely mechanical strain‐tunable microwave magnetism device with lightweight, flexible, and wearable is crucial for passive sensing systems and spintronic devices (noncontact), such as flexible microwave detectors, flexible microwave signal processing devices, and wearable mechanics‐magnetic sensors. Here, a flexible microwave magnetic CuFe2O4 (CuFO) epitaxial thin film with tunable ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectra is demonstrated by purely mechanical strains, including tensile and compressive strains, on flexible fluorophlogopite (Mica) substrates. Tensile and compressive strains show remarkable tuning effects of up‐regulation and down‐regulation on in‐plane FMR resonance field (Hr), which can be used for flexible tunable resonators and filters. The out‐of‐plane FMR spectra can also be tuned by mechanical bending, including Hr and absorption peak. The change of out‐of‐plane FMR spectra has great potential for flexible mechanics‐magnetic deformation sensors. Furthermore, a superior microwave magnetic stability and mechanical antifatigue character are obtained in the CuFO/Mica thin films. These flexible epitaxial CuFO thin films with tunable microwave magnetism and excellent mechanical durability are promising for the applications in flexible spintronics, microwave detectors, and oscillators.
Well‐Balanced Ambipolar Conjugated Polymers Featuring Mild Glass Transition Temperatures Toward High‐Performance Flexible Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Shi Keli , Zhang Weifeng , Gao Dong , Zhang Shiying , Lin Zuzhang , Zou Ye , Wang Liping , Yu Gui
Published: January 2018

Conjugated polymers, which can be fabricated by simple processing techniques and possess excellent electrical performance, are key to the fabrication of flexible polymer field‐effect transistors (PFETs) and integrated circuits. Herein, two ambipolar conjugated polymers based on (3E,7E)‐3,7‐bis(2‐oxo‐1H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐b]pyridin‐3(2H)‐ylidene)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]difuran‐2,6(3H,7H)‐dione and dithienylbenzothiadiazole units, namely PNBDOPV‐DTBT and PNBDOPV‐DTF2BT, are developed. Both copolymers possess almost planar conjugated backbone conformations and suitable highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)/lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels (−5.64/−4.38 eV for PNBDOPV‐DTBT and −5.79/−4.48 eV for PNBDOPV‐DTF2BT). Note that PNBDOPV‐DTBT has a glass transition temperature (140 °C) lower than the deformation temperature of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), meaning well‐ordered molecular packing can be obtained on PET substrate before its deformation in mild thermal annealing process. Flexible PFETs based on PNBDOPV‐DTBT fabricated on PET substrates exhibit high and well‐balanced hole/electron mobilities of 4.68/4.72 cm2 V−1 s−1 under ambient conditions. After the further modification of Au source/drain electrodes with 1‐octanethiol self‐assembled monolayers, impressively high and well‐balanced hole/electron mobilities up to 5.97/7.07 cm2 V−1 s−1 are achieved in the flexible PFETs. Meanwhile, flexible complementary‐like inverters based on PNBDOPV‐DTBT on PET substrate also afford a much high gain of 148. The device performances of both the PFETs and inverters are among the highest values for ambipolar conjugated polymers reported to date.
Tuning the Activity of Carbon for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution via an Iridium‐Cobalt Alloy Core Encapsulated in Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Cages
Authors: Jiang Peng , Chen Jitang , Wang Changlai , Yang Kang , Gong Shipeng , Liu Shuai , Lin Zhiyu , Li Mengsi , Xia Guoliang , Yang Yang , Su Jianwei , Chen Qianwang
Published: January 2018

Graphene, a 2D material consisting of a single layer of sp2‐hybridized carbon, exhibits inert activity as an electrocatalyst, while the incorporation of heteroatoms (such as N) into the framework can tune its electronic properties. Because of the different electronegativity between N and C atoms, electrons will transfer from C to N in N‐doped graphene nanosheets, changing inert C atoms adjacent to the N‐dopants into active sites. Notwithstanding the achieved progress, its intrinsic activity in acidic media is still far from Pt/C. Here, a facile annealing strategy is adopted for Ir‐doped metal‐organic frameworks to synthesize IrCo nanoalloys encapsulated in N‐doped graphene layers. The highly active electrocatalyst, with remarkably reduced Ir loading (1.56 wt%), achieves an ultralow Tafel slope of 23 mV dec−1 and an overpotential of only 24 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in 0.5 m sulfuric acid solution. Such superior performance is even superior to the noble‐metal catalyst Pt. Surface structural and computational studies reveal that the superior behavior originates from the decreased ΔGH* for HER induced by the electrons transferred from the alloy core to the graphene layers, which is beneficial for enhancing CH binding.
Konfigurationsisomerie in Polyoxovanadaten
Authors: Mahnke Lisa K. , Kondinski Aleksandar , Warzok Ulrike , Näther Christian , van Leusen Jan , Schalley Christoph A. , Monakhov Kirill Yu. , Kögerler Paul , Bensch Wolfgang
Published: January 2018

Ein wasserlöslicher Abkömmling des Polyoxovanadat‐Archetyps {V15E6O42} (E=Halbmetall) ermöglicht die Untersuchung supramolekular induzierter Clusterschalen‐Umwandlungen. Eine für E=Sb spezifische Reaktion, die durch einen Ligandenaustausch in [Ni(ethylendiamin)3]2+‐Gegenionen eingeleitet wird, resultiert in der Bildung des metastabilen α1*‐Konfigurationsisomers des {V14Sb8O42}‐Clustertyps. Im Unterschied zu allen bisher bekannten Polyoxovanadat‐Schalenarchitekturen weist dieses Isomer eine nach innen ausgerichtete Vanadylgruppe auf und ist ca. 50 bzw. 12 kJ mol−1 energiereicher als die zuvor isolierten α‐ und β‐Isomere. Diese unerwartete Reaktion wird im Hinblick auf supramolekulare Sb‐O⋅⋅⋅V‐ und Sb‐O⋅⋅⋅Sb‐Bindungen diskutiert, die sich in {V14Sb8O42}2‐Dimeren im Festkörper manifestieren. ESI‐MS‐Experimente untermauern die Stabilität dieser Dimere auch in Lösung und in der Gasphase. DFT‐Rechnungen zufolge sollten so auch weitere, bislang noch nicht gefundene {V14Sb8}‐Isomere zugänglich sein.
A C=O⋅⋅⋅Isothiouronium Interaction Dictates Enantiodiscrimination in Acylative Kinetic Resolutions of Tertiary Heterocyclic Alcohols
Authors: Greenhalgh Mark D. , Smith Samuel M. , Walden Daniel M. , Taylor James E. , Brice Zamira , Robinson Emily R. T. , Fallan Charlene , Cordes David B. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Richardson H. Camille , Grove Markas A. , Cheong Paul Ha‐Yeon , Smith Andrew D.
Published: January 2018

A combination of experimental and computational studies have identified a C=O⋅⋅⋅isothiouronium interaction as key to efficient enantiodiscrimination in the kinetic resolution of tertiary heterocyclic alcohols bearing up to three potential recognition motifs at the stereogenic tertiary carbinol center. This discrimination was exploited in the isothiourea‐catalyzed acylative kinetic resolution of tertiary heterocyclic alcohols (38 examples, s factors up to >200). The reaction proceeds at low catalyst loadings (generally 1 mol %) with either isobutyric or acetic anhydride as the acylating agent under mild conditions.
Dielectric properties of thin films of Babassu‐based polymer and polyaniline blends
Authors: da Cunha Giovanni P. , de Matos Borges Fernando , Dognani Guilherme , Bacarin Giovani B. , Cabrera Flávio C. , Job Aldo E. , Matos José Milton E. , Vega Maria Letícia , da Cunha Helder N.
Published: January 2018

In the present work, we describe the preparation and subsequent characterization of polymeric blends consisting of a monoglyceride (MG) synthesized from the Babassu's oil and the already commonly employed polyaniline (PAni). By following changes in the complex impedance of capacitor‐like devices we observe that the presence of MG in the PAni/MG blends decreases electrical conductivity and that this decrease is a function of the content of MG in the blend, i.e., the blend with 30% of MG shows Z′ about seven times greater than the one with 10% of MG. Fourier transform infrared measurements prove the formation of MG and the presence of secondary amine groups (NH bonds) in the blends, which allow for the chemical doping of PAni by protonation, further studies are necessary to access the viability of employing this new material as active layer in electronic organic devices. Atomic force microscopy images show the formation of agglomerates due to the presence of MG. In addition, the polymeric mixture acts only as a blend, providing a physical interaction between different components. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46198.
Neuer Nachweis der Biegeschlankheit für Platten
Authors: Fischer Andreas
Published: January 2018

Der Nachweis der Durchbiegung für Stahlbetontragwerke ist und bleibt ein komplexer Nachweis. In numerischen Untersuchungen wurden erforderliche Plattendicken bestimmt und mit denen des Eurocode 2 verglichen. Es wird ein neuer Ansatz im Sinne des Nachweises der Biegeschlankheit zur Bestimmung von erforderlichen Plattendicken für die allgemeinen Anforderungen vorgestellt. Dieser Ansatz berücksichtigt alle wesentlichen Einflussgrößen, darunter auch die Größe der Belastung. Der Vergleich mit den Ergebnissen der numerischen Untersuchungen zeigt eine sehr gute Übereinstimmung.
Engineered Sulfur‐Resistant Catalyst System with an Assisted Regeneration Strategy for Lean‐Burn Methane Combustion
Authors: Kinnunen Niko M. , Keenan Matthew , Kallinen Kauko , Maunula Teuvo , Suvanto Mika
Published: January 2018

Catalytic combustion of methane, the main component of natural gas, is a challenge under lean‐burn conditions and at low temperatures owing to sulfur poisoning of the Pd‐rich catalyst. This paper introduces a more sulfur‐resistant catalyst system that can be regenerated during operation. The developed catalyst system lowers the barrier that has restrained the use of liquefied natural gas as a fuel in energy production.
Fault detection and diagnosis strategy based on a weighted and combined index in the residual subspace associated with PCA
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Gao Xianwen , Xu Tao , Li Yuan , Pang Yujun
Published: January 2018

Process monitoring and diagnosis are crucial for efficient and optimal operation of a chemical plant. Most multivariate statistical process monitoring strategies, such as principal component analysis, kernel principal component analysis, and dynamic principal component analysis, take advantage of the squared prediction error statistic to monitor the state of samples in a residual subspace (RS). Squared prediction error is defined as the square of the 2‐norm of a residual vector, and it is calculated as the squared norm of the residual components. When the distributions of variables in an RS are quite different from one another, the detection ability of squared prediction error visibly declines. To accurately monitor the faults occurring in the RS, a new fault detection index based on a weighted combination of Hotelling's T2 and squared Euclidean distance is developed in this paper. Principal component analysis is first introduced for dividing the original input space into a principal component subspace and an RS. Next, a weighted and combined index is implemented to monitor the variability of samples in the RS. In addition, a corresponding fault diagnosis strategy based on the contribution plot is also developed in this paper. The proposed method is tested on a numerical example and the Tennessee Eastman process. Simulation results show that the new index is effective in both fault detection and diagnosis.