bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental changes in a Mediterranean river: implications for the fish assemblage
Authors: Sánchez‐Hernández Javier , Nunn Andy D.
Published: March 2016

This study examined the impacts of climate change on hydrology and fish population dynamics in a river in central Spain. The objectives were to (i) contextualize long‐term trends in the hydrology (1943–2012) and climate (1985–2011) of the study area and (ii) identify the environmental factors driving fish population dynamics (1998–2012). Air and water temperatures progressively increased over the study period, whereas there were substantial reductions in mean spring river discharges but increases in peak‐flow discharges during the spawning and early larval period of endemic cyprinids in recent decades. In particular, the changes in spring river discharges could have fundamental implications for the future status of the endemic cyprinids because this study revealed a positive influence of stable and low‐flow conditions during the spawning and early larval period (in late spring) on recruitment success (young‐of‐the‐year densities). The density of young‐of‐the‐yearSalmo truttaappeared most influenced by flow conditions during fry emergence and the early larval period (in early spring), with the highest densities associated with low peak‐flow hydrological pulses. Overall, fish abundances were significantly influenced by the frequency and duration of high and low hydrological pulses, but there were interspecific and ontogenetic differences in their influence. We conclude that although it is widely accepted that global warming should favour cyprinid over salmonid species, future shifts in hydrology due to climate change could negatively affect some cyprinids, including endemic species. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Renal denervation in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (RDT‐PEF): a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Patel Hitesh C. , Rosen Stuart D. , Hayward Carl , Vassiliou Vassilios , Smith Gillian C. , Wage Ricardo R. , Bailey James , Rajani Ronak , Lindsay Alistair C. , Pennell Dudley J. , Underwood S. Richard , Prasad Sanjay K. , Mohiaddin Raad , Gibbs J. Simon R. , Lyon Alexander R. , Di Mario Carlo
Published: March 2016

Aim

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) tone. Attenuating the SNS with renal denervation (RDT) might be helpful and there are no data currently in humans with HFpEF.

Methods and results

In this single‐centre, randomized, open‐controlled study we included 25 patients with HFpEF [preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, left atrial (LA) dilatation or LV hypertrophy and raised B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or echocardiographic assessment of filling pressures]. Patients were randomized (2:1) to RDT with the Symplicity™ catheter or continuing medical therapy. The primary success criterion was not met in that there were no differences between groups at 12 months for Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire score, peak oxygen uptake (VO2) on exercise, BNP, E/e′, LA volume index or LV mass index. A greater proportion of patients improved at 3 months in the RDT group with respect to VO2 peak (56% vs. 13%, P = 0.025) and E/e′ (31% vs. 13%, P = 0.04). Change in estimated glomerular filtration rate was comparable between groups. Two patients required plain balloon angioplasty during the RDT procedure to treat renal artery wall oedema.

Conclusion

This study was terminated early because of difficulties in recruitment and was underpowered to detect whether RD improved the endpoints of quality of life, exercise function, biomarkers, and left heart remodelling. The procedure was safe in patients with HFpEF, although two patients did require intraprocedure renal artery dilatation.
Antioxidant ability of potato (Solanum tuberosum) peel extracts to inhibit soybean oil oxidation
Authors: Franco Daniel , Pateiro Mirian , Rodríguez Amado Isabel , López Pedrouso María , Zapata Carlos , Vázquez José Antonio , Lorenzo José Manuel
Published: March 2016

Potato peels are an agro industrial waste of one of the major crops worldwide. However, the potential of potato peels as source of antioxidants in the food industry is not yet sufficiently known. In this work, the antioxidant effect of potato peel extract (PPE) on oxidative stability of soybean oil was evaluated. We found that the addition of low PPE concentrations to soybean oil at four different levels, expressed as chlorogenic acid concentrations (14.01, 20.37, and 31.94 ppm), affected lipid oxidation indices (peroxide, anisidine, and conjugated dienes values), fatty acid composition, and volatile compounds. Antioxidant effect increased with increasing dose extract. Inhibition percentages of hexanal production increased with the PPE concentration. In addition, low concentrations of PPE showed higher oxidation stability than control untreated samples. Overall, our study shows that low concentrations of PPE exhibited promising antioxidant activity to be applied over a wider range of products in the food industry.

Practical applications: The prevention of lipid oxidation during processing and storage of food products is of great concern in order to obtain products of high quality and health. Together with the fact that synthetic antioxidants may constitute a potential health hazard for consumers, interest in natural antioxidants and search on naturally occurring compounds with antioxidant activity has increased dramatically. The study of the antioxidant capacity of potato peel extracts to inhibit soybean oil oxidation provides information about an alternative antioxidant further are by‐products of agro‐industries and their use could represent a significant step toward maintaining an environmental balance.

The prevention of lipid oxidation during processing and storage of food products is of great concern in order to obtain products of high quality and health. Together with the fact that synthetic antioxidants may constitute a potential health hazard for consumers, interest in natural antioxidants and search on naturally occurring compounds with antioxidant activity has increased dramatically. The study of the antioxidant capacity of potato peel extracts to inhibit soybean oil oxidation provides information about an alternative antioxidant further are by‐products of agro‐industries and their use could represent a significant step toward maintaining an environmental balance.
Novel method of propyl gallate determination in rapeseed oil using CdSe/ZnS quantum dots
Authors: Dwiecki Krzysztof , Tomczyk Łukasz , Nogala‐Kałucka Małgorzata , Polewski Krzysztof
Published: March 2016

The objective of the study was to develop a CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QD) based fluorescence method for the determination of synthetic antioxidant propyl gallate in rapeseed oil. The method is based on the CdSe/ZnS fluorescence quenching as a result of effective formation of host‐guest inclusion complexes between analyte and β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) coating quantum dots. The developed method was successfully applied to determine PG in rapeseed oil followed by SPE extraction of phenolic compounds. The average recovery was in the range 100.87–104.87%, what confirms the accuracy of the method. The technique developed was selective in the presence of sinapic acid, gallic acid, albumin, glucose, and methanol. The limit of detection of propyl gallate was 63 μM and quantification limit amounted to 184 μM, what allows detecting PG in rapeseed oil at the level 3.15 mg/kg in combination with proposed solid phase extraction.

Practical applications: The developed method of propyl gallate in rapeseed oil determination thanks to simplicity of the measurement and relatively short time of analysis may be beneficial alternative for HPLC assay. The application of described technique includes the determination of PG in oils for the professional manufacture of heat‐treated foods, where Maximum Permitted Level is established on 200 mg/kg (according to EC regulation No 1333/2008) as well as screening detection in vegetable oils for household use, in which the use of this synthetic antioxidant is prohibited. The assay is easy to use both in industry labs as well as in research and development.

The method of the determination of propyl gallate in rapeseed oil is based on the CdSe/ZnS fluorescence quenching as a result of effective formation of host‐guest inclusion complexes between analyte and β‐cyclodextrin coating quantum dots.
Solvent‐Free Buchwald–Hartwig (Hetero)arylation of Anilines, Diarylamines, and Dialkylamines Mediated by Expanded‐Ring N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Palladium Complexes
Authors: Topchiy Maxim A. , Dzhevakov Pavel B. , Rubina Margarita S. , Morozov Oleg S. , Asachenko Andrey F. , Nechaev Mikhail S.
Published: March 2016

A highly efficient solvent‐free protocol for the Buchwald–Hartwig (hetero)arylation of anilines, diarylamines, and dialkylamines mediated by the expanded‐ring N‐heterocyclic carbene palladium complex (THP‐Dipp)Pd(cinn)Cl [THP‐Dipp = 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidin‐2‐ylidene; cinn = cinnamyl, 3‐phenylallyl] was developed. The catalytic protocol was efficient for the coupling of amines and (hetero)aryl chlorides and bromides bearing donor, acceptor, and bulky substituents.
A Palladium‐Catalyzed Double Carbonylation Approach to Isatins from 2‐Iodoanilines
Authors: Laursen Simon R. , Jensen Mikkel T. , Lindhardt Anders T. , Jacobsen Mikkel F. , Skrydstrup Troels
Published: March 2016

A high‐yielding procedure for the synthesis of isatins has been developed. Sequential Pd‐catalyzed double carbonylation of 2‐iodoanilines with near stoichiometric amounts of CO followed by acid‐promoted cyclization readily affords an array of isatins. The conversion of 2‐iodoanilines to isatins in good to excellent yields was found to proceed with good functional group tolerance. This protocol proved adaptable to 13C‐isotope labeling of isatins, which was extended to the synthesis of the 13C‐isotope labeled antiviral drug metisazone and the experimental anti‐schizophrenia drug ML137.
Preoperative preemptive drug administration for acute postoperative pain: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Nir R.‐R. , Nahman‐Averbuch H. , Moont R. , Sprecher E. , Yarnitsky D.
Published: March 2016

Preoperative administration of pharmacological substances, such as non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs or opioids, has been gaining acclaim as a preemptive measure to minimize postoperative pain. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of this approach in adults undergoing surgical procedures. MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register were searched from inception through January 2015. Data from randomized placebo‐controlled trials were screened, extracted and assessed for risk of bias according to The Cochrane Collaboration's Tool by two independent authors. The primary outcome measure was reduction in postoperative analgesic consumption during 24 h post surgery; effects were described as mean differences between the drug and placebo arms with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and were pooled using random‐effects models. Potential publication bias was tested using funnel plots and Egger's regression test for funnel plot asymmetry. Screened were 511 records, of which 39 were included in the final synthesis with data from 3172 patients. A significant reduction in postoperative analgesic consumption was observed using preoperative administration of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; 95% CI, −0.61 to −0.14; 31 comparisons), chiefly by the COX‐2 inhibitors class (95% CI, −0.95 to −0.33; 13 comparisons). Significant reduction was also observed for gabapentin (95% CI, −1.60 to −0.38; 6 comparisons). No significant effects were observed using opioids, propionic acids or oxicam derivatives.

What does this review add?

Current analyses endorse the effectiveness of COX‐2 inhibitors and gabapentin in reducing acute postoperative pain when administered preemptively presurgery.

Such corroboration is not found for opioids and other NSAID classes.
The effects of a recalled injustice on the experience of experimentally induced pain and anxiety in relation to just‐world beliefs
Authors: McParland J.L. , Knussen C. , Murray J.
Published: March 2016

Background

A growing field of investigation into social justice cognitions and pain suggests perceived injustice has a negative impact on pain, but little is known about individual variation in the impact of a perceived injustice. One published study found that individuals with a strong rather than a weak just‐world belief reported greater pain from the cold pressor task after experiencing a perceived injustice, but an overt measure of perceived unfairness is needed to investigate this relationship.

Methods

Following the completion of just‐world belief and state anxiety scales, and the cold pressor task, 114 healthy participants were interviewed about either an experienced injustice or the characteristics of their home, before repeating the cold pressor task. Pain and anxiety measures were completed following each cold pressor task.

Results

Opposing the hypotheses, no differences were found on pain and anxiety between the two interview conditions, and individuals with a strong just‐world belief did not report higher pain and anxiety levels following a recalled injustice. However, within the recalled injustice condition, unfairness ratings were associated with significantly increased pain and anxiety.

Conclusions

Recalled personal injustice unrelated to one's current pain experience had a negative impact on pain and anxiety associated with the cold pressor task. These findings indicate that intervention development should be cognizant of the role of everyday injustices and not just those related to pain, on the pain experience.

What does this study add?

This study shows that, independent of just‐world beliefs, perceived unfairness associated with a recalled injustice unrelated to pain has a negative impact on the experience of acute pain.
Ultrasound‐assisted temperature‐controlled ionic liquid emulsification microextraction coupled with capillary electrophoresis for the determination of parabens in personal care products
Authors: Ma Teng , Li Zheng , Jia Qiong , Zhou Weihong
Published: March 2016

We developed a CE and ultrasound‐assisted temperature‐controlled ionic liquid emulsification microextraction method for the determination of four parabens (methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, and butyl paraben) in personal care products including mouthwash and toning lotion. In the proposed extraction procedure, ionic liquid (IL, 1‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate) was used as extraction solvent, moreover, no disperser solvent was needed. Parameters affecting the extraction efficiency including volume of IL, heating temperature, ultrasonic time, extraction time, sample pH, ionic strength, and centrifugation time were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the method was found to be linear over the range of 3–500 ng/mL with coefficient of determination (R2) in the range of 0.9990–0.9998. The LODs and LOQs for the four parabens were 0.45–0.72 ng/mL and 1.50–2.40 ng/mL, respectively. Intraday and interday precisions (RSDs, n = 5) were in the range of 5.4–6.8% and 7.0–8.7%, respectively. The recoveries of parabens at different spiked levels ranged from 71.9 to 119.2% with RSDs less than 9.5%.
Donor–Acceptor‐Type Heptazine‐Based Polymer Networks for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Kailasam Kamalakannan , Mesch Maria B. , Möhlmann Lennart , Baar Moritz , Blechert Siegfried , Schwarze Michael , Schröder Marc , Schomäcker Reinhard , Senker Jürgen , Thomas Arne
Published: March 2016

A heptazine‐based polymer network (HMP‐3) with a donor–acceptor (D–A) structure was prepared and tested as catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water. Compared to other heptazine‐based materials, which are typically prepared at high temperatures and have recently received much interest as metal‐free photocatalysts, the low‐temperature protocol applied here allows the defined introduction of organic functional groups within the polymer backbone. The structure of HMP‐3 contains alternating heptazine and benzothiadiazole moieties as electron acceptors connected by aminobenzene bridges as electron donors. The resulting material leads to enhanced hydrogen evolution compared to graphitic carbon nitride materials prepared at high temperatures (>500 °C) most probably because of the stabilization of photogenerated charge carriers in the D–A structure.
Putting a spin on palaeotsunami deposits
Authors: Goff James , McFadgen Bruce , Chagué‐Goff Catherine , Goto Kazuhisa , Nichol Scott
Published: March 2016

Palaeotsunami research is a relatively young discipline and while considerable progress has been made in identifying the evidence of past events there are still difficulties on occasion in differentiating between palaeotsunami and palaeostorm deposits. This has tended to focus debate on the similarities and differences between deposits laid down by the two differing processes at the expense of alternative hypotheses. Although coastal research in New Zealand a decade ago drew attention to high elevation coarse sediment deposits laid down by waterspouts, it was largely ignored by the research community. Re‐analysis of a possible palaeotsunami deposit on a nearshore island in New Zealand, however, highlights the likelihood that this deposit, and perhaps many similar coastal ones, may have been laid down by waterspouts. In essence, the palaeotsunami–palaeostorm debate can no longer ignore waterspouts as an alternative hypothesis, but only time will tell how significant a contribution waterspouts have made to catastrophic coastal sedimentation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Topographic correlations with soil and regolith thickness from shallow‐seismic refraction constraints across upland hillslopes in the Valles Caldera, New Mexico
Authors: Olyphant Jared , Pelletier Jon D. , Johnson Roy
Published: March 2016

How rock is weathered physically and chemically into transportable material is a fundamental question in critical‐zone science. In addition, the distribution of weathered material (soil and intact regolith) across upland landscapes exerts a first‐order control on the hydrology of watersheds. In this paper we present the results of six shallow seismic‐refraction surveys in the Redondo Mountain region of the Valles Caldera, New Mexico. The P‐wave velocities corresponding to soil (≤ 0.6 km s−1) were inferred from a seventh seismic survey where soil‐thickness data were determined by pit excavation. Using multivariable regression, we quantified the relationships among slope gradient, aspect, and topographic wetness index (TWI) on soil and regolith (soil plus intact regolith) thicknesses. Our results show that both soil and regolith thicknesses vary inversely with TWI in all six survey areas while varying directly with slope aspect (i.e. thicker beneath north‐facing slopes) and inversely with slope gradient (i.e. thinner beneath steep slopes) in the majority of the survey areas. An empirical model based on power‐law relationships between regolith thickness and its correlative variables can fit our inferred thicknesses with R2‐values up to 0.880 for soil and 0.831 for regolith in areas with significant topographic variations. These results further demonstrate the efficacy of shallow seismic refraction for mapping and determining how soil and regolith variations correlate with topography across upland landscapes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Environmental and socioeconomic factors contributing to elevated blood lead levels in children from an industrial area of Upper Silesia
Authors: Pelc Wojciech , Pawlas Natalia , Dobrakowski Michał , Kasperczyk Sławomir
Published: March 2016

The present study concentrated on a cross-sectional analysis of recent exposure to lead (Pb) and the socioeconomic factors behind increased Pb exposure in Polish children. Lead is one of the most widespread toxic heavy metals in the industrial region of Upper Silesia (Poland). Elevated blood Pb levels in children continue to be a matter of serious concern. The present study involved 4882 children from the Upper Silesia region, aged from 3 yr to 18 yr, over the calendar years 1999 to 2013. The concentration of Pb in blood was determined in each child. The children's parents were asked to answer survey questions about the child's environmental exposure to Pb as well as the socioeconomic condition of the family. Factors that correspond with increased exposure to Pb included: lower level of education of parents, unemployment, parents' occupational Pb exposure, poor socioeconomic status of the family, smoking at home, living on the ground floor of buildings, consumption of locally grown vegetables and fruits, longer outdoor playing periods in a polluted environment, and male gender. Environmental exposure to Pb is the most important factor behind chronic poisoning of children in Upper Silesia. The most important socioeconomic factor associated with concentrations of Pb in children's blood is a lower level of education of a child's mother and father. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2597–2603. © 2016 SETAC
Comparing the sensitivity of chlorophytes, cyanobacteria, and diatoms to major-use antibiotics
Authors: Guo Jiahua , Selby Katherine , Boxall Alistair B.A.
Published: March 2016

The occurrence of antibiotic residues in the aquatic environment is an emerging concern. In contrast to daphnia and fish, algae are known to be particularly sensitive to antibiotic exposure. However, to date, a systematic evaluation of the sensitivity of different algal species to antibiotics has not been performed. The aim of the present study was therefore to explore the sensitivity of a battery of algal species toward antibiotic exposures. The present study investigated the growth inhibition effects of 3 major-use antibiotics, tylosin, lincomycin, and trimethoprim, on 7 algal species from the chlorophyte, cyanobacteria, and diatom groups. Based on median effective concentration (EC50) values, cyanobacteria (EC50 = 0.095–0.13 μmol/L) were found to be the most sensitive group to lincomycin followed by chlorophytes (EC50 = 7.36–225.73 μmol/L) and diatoms (EC50 > 225.73 μmol/L). Cyanobacteria were also the most sensitive group to tylosin (EC50 = 0.09–0.092 μmol/L), but, for this compound, diatoms (EC50 = 1.33–5.7 μmol/L) were more sensitive than chlorophytes (EC50 = 4.14–81.2 μmol/L). Diatoms were most sensitive to trimethoprim (EC50 = 7.36–74.61 μmol/L), followed by cyanobacteria (EC50 = 315.78–344.45 μmol/L), and chlorophytes (EC50 > 344.45 μmol/L) for trimethoprim. Although these results partly support the current approach to regulatory environmental risk assessment (whereby cyanobacterial species are recommended for use with antibiotic compounds), they indicate that for some antibiotics this group might not be the most appropriate test organism. It is therefore suggested that environmental risk assessments consider data on 3 algal groups (chlorophytes, cyanobacteria, and diatoms) and use test species from these groups, which are consistently found to be the most sensitive (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Anabaena flos-aquae, and Navicula pelliculosa). Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2587–2596. © 2016 SETAC
Splenic immunotoxicity in developing cane toads (Rhinella marina) from Bermuda
Authors: Fort Douglas J. , Mathis Michael , Fort Chelsea E. , Fort Hayley M. , Fort Troy D. , Linzey Donald W. , Bacon Jamie P.
Published: March 2016

The impacts of contaminated sediment from 2 ponds in Bermuda on immune function in newly metamorphosed cane toads were examined. In the present study, a partial life-cycle experiment exposing Gosner stage 20 cane toad tadpoles to pond sediment and laboratory culture water through metamorphosis and into a juvenile state was performed. A basic immunology battery, including general necropsy, spleen somatic index, spleen white pulp content, splenocyte tissue density, and splenocyte viability, was conducted in newly metamorphosed Rhinella marina exposed to Bermuda freshwater sediment and baseline specimens collected from 2 separate populations in south Texas and south Florida, USA. Immune function was evaluated using a lymphocyte proliferation assay with subset specimens infected with Mycobacterium chelonae. In the Bermuda population exposed to pond sediment, splenocyte tissue density was markedly lower and lymphocyte proliferation substantially less relative to cohorts exposed to control sediment and to the North American populations. Considerable increases in spleen weight and liver and spleen lesions related to M. chelonae infection were recorded in challenged Bermuda R. marina compared with unchallenged specimens. Overall, immune function in Bermuda R. marina was compromised compared with North American mainland R. marina regardless of treatment but more dramatically in specimens exposed to Bermuda pond sediments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2604–2612. © 2016 SETAC
Optimal energy allocation policies for a high altitude flying wireless access point
Authors: Ceran Elif Tugce , Erkilic Tugce , Uysal‐Biyikoglu Elif , Girici Tolga , Leblebicioglu Kemal
Published: March 2016

Inspired by recent industrial efforts towards high altitude flying wireless access points powered by renewable energy, an online resource allocation problem for a mobile access point travelling at high altitude is formulated. The access point allocates its resources (available energy) to maximise the total utility (reward) provided to a sequentially observed set of users demanding service. The problem is formulated as a 0/1 dynamic knapsack problem with incremental capacity over a finite time horizon, and the solution of which is quite open in the literature. We address the problem through deterministic and stochastic formulations followed by a model where the statistics of the underlying processes are not known and learned through rule‐based and neural network approaches. For the deterministic problem, several online approximations including optimisation via genetic algorithm and rule‐based approach are proposed based on an instantaneous threshold that can adapt to short‐time‐scale dynamics. For the stochastic model, after showing the optimality of a threshold‐based solution on a dynamic programming formulation, an approximate threshold‐based policy is obtained. The performances of proposed policies are compared with that of the optimal solution obtained through dynamic programming. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrochemical Performance of Cobalt‐free Nd0.5Ba0.5Fe1–xNixO3–δ Cathode Materials for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Shi H. , Ding Z. , Ma G.
Published: March 2016

A new series of cobalt‐free perovskite‐type oxides, Nd0.5Ba0.5Fe1–xNixO3–δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15), have been prepared by a citric acid‐nitrate process and investigated as cathode materials for proton conducting intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT‐SOFCs). The conductivity of the oxides was measured at 300–800 °C in air. It is discovered that partial substitution of Ni for Fe‐sites in Nd0.5Ba0.5Fe1–xNixO3–δ obviously enhances the conductivity of the oxides. Among the series of oxides, the Nd0.5Ba0.5Fe0.9Ni0.1O3–δ (NBFNi10) exhibits the highest conductivity of 140 S cm−1 in air at 550 °C. A single H2/air fuel cell with proton‐conducting BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3–δ (BZCY) electrolyte membrane (ca. 40 μm thickness) and NBFNi10‐BZCY composite cathode and NiO‐BZCY composite anode was fabricated and tested at 600–700 °C. The peak power density and the interfacial polarization resistance (Rp) of the cell are 490 mW cm−2 and 0.15 Ω cm2 at 700 °C, respectively. The experimental results indicate that NBFNi10 is a promising cathode material for the proton‐conducting IT‐SOFCs.
Spillovers and Directional Predictability with a Cross‐Quantilogram Analysis: The Case of U.S. and Chinese Agricultural Futures
Authors: Jiang Huayun , Su Jen‐Je , Todorova Neda , Roca Eduardo
Published: March 2016

This paper examines the daily, overnight, intraday, and rolling return spillovers of four key agricultural commodities—soybeans, wheat, corn, and sugar, between the U.S. and Chinese futures markets via a newly developed quantile dependence measure called quantilogram. The results reveal significant bi‐directional dependence between the two markets across commodities which is greater in extreme quantiles and moderately stronger from the United States to China. These findings offer valuable insights into investors’ behavior, market integration, dissimilarity, and market efficiency in both countries. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 36:1231–1255, 2016
Impacts of CO2 leakage on plants and microorganisms: A review of results from CO2 release experiments and storage sites
Authors: Ko Daegeun , Yoo Gayoung , Yun Seong‐Taek , Chung Haegeun
Published: March 2016

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, a process consisting of the separation and capture of CO2 from point sources and injection into deep geological reservoirs for long‐term isolation from the atmosphere, is considered to be a promising technology that can mitigate global climate change. However, the risk of CO2 leakage from storage sites exists, and thus its impact on ecosystem functions needs to be understood for safe implementation of CCS. Plant and microbial parameters were monitored in artificial CO2 release experiments in the field and in greenhouses. In addition, plants and microorganisms were monitored in CO2 storage sites. We review the findings from these studies and suggest directions of future research for determining the impact of potential CO2 leakage from CCS sites on plants and microorganisms. Our review showed that under high levels of soil CO2, (i) plant stress response was visible within short period of time; (ii) dicots were more sensitive than monocots in most studies; and (iii) the responses of microorganisms were more diverse and harder to generalize than those of plants. Only a limited number of field and greenhouse experimental studies have been conducted so far, and thus more field and greenhouse experimental studies are needed to better understand the plant and microbial response to elevated soil CO2 levels and elucidate specific mechanisms underlying these responses. Determining the ecological impacts of geological CO2 storage and ensuring its environmental safety via such research will make CCS a more viable technology. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Impacts of stratum dip angle on CO2 geological storage amount and security
Authors: Wang Fugang , Jing Jing , Xu Tianfu , Yang Yanlin , Jin Guangrong
Published: March 2016

Storage strata are usually generalized as horizontal when using numerical simulation methods to analyze CO2 geological storage in saline aquifers. However, horizontal strata are not common in nature. Most strata have gradients, because of the effects of geological structure and diagenesis. Based on the actual strata dip angle variation range of two CO2 injection demonstration projects in China, five modeling schemes were designed to investigate the impact of formation dip on CO2 storage amount and space migration of gas‐phase CO2 in reservoir formation. The results show that the total CO2 storage amount is inversely proportional to formation dip, and after injection is halted, storage amounts of upper and lower parts of the same stratum reservoir have a reverse trend. Formation dip has a significant impact on the migration of CO2. The greater the formation dip, the more significant the effect on CO2 migration distance. Given the low porosity and permeability of the Shiqianfeng formation reservoir in the case study, when the stratum dip angle is 16°, at centennial time scale, CO2 migration distance is 47.06% greater than that in the horizontal reservoir. We expect that for storage reservoirs with high porosity and permeability, the influence of formation dip on CO2 migration will be more significant. Because non‐horizontal strata are predominant in deep saline aquifers in nature, regardless of the influence of formation dip, CO2 leakage risks in geological storage will be greatly underestimated. Therefore, in research related to CO2 geological storage, the stratum dip angle must be considered. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Soluble Adenylyl Cyclase Regulates Bile Salt‐Induced Apoptosis in Human Cholangiocytes
Authors: Chang Jung‐Chin , Go Simei , de Waart Dirk R. , Munoz‐Garrido Patricia , Beuers Ulrich , Paulusma Coen C. , Oude Elferink Ronald
Published: March 2016

Anion exchanger 2 (AE2), the principal bicarbonate secretor in the human biliary tree, is down‐regulated in primary biliary cholangitis. AE2 creates a “bicarbonate umbrella” that protects cholangiocytes from the proapoptotic effects of bile salts by maintaining them deprotonated. We observed that knockdown of AE2 sensitized immortalized H69 human cholangiocytes to not only bile salt‐induced apoptosis (BSIA) but also etoposide‐induced apoptosis. Because the toxicity of etoposide is pH‐independent, there could be a more general mechanism for sensitization of AE2‐depleted cholangiocytes to apoptotic stimuli. We found that AE2 deficiency led to intracellular bicarbonate accumulation and increased expression and activity of soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC), an evolutionarily conserved bicarbonate sensor. Thus, we hypothesized that sAC regulates BSIA. H69 cholangiocytes and primary mouse cholangiocytes were used as models. The sAC‐specific inhibitor KH7 not only reversed sensitization to BSIA in AE2‐depleted H69 cholangiocytes but even completely prevented BSIA. sAC knockdown by tetracycline‐inducible short hairpin RNA also prevented BSIA. In addition, sAC inhibition reversed BSIA membrane blebbing, nuclear condensation, and DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, sAC inhibition also prevented BSIA in primary mouse cholangiocytes. Mechanistically, sAC inhibition prevented Bax phosphorylation at Thr167 and mitochondrial translocation of Bax and cytochrome c release but not c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase activation during BSIA. Finally, BSIA in H69 cholangiocytes was inhibited by intracellular Ca2+ chelation, aggravated by thapsigargin, and unaffected by removal of extracellular calcium. Conclusions: BSIA is regulated by sAC, depends on intracellular Ca2+ stores, and is mediated by the intrinsic apoptotic pathway; down‐regulation of AE2 in primary biliary cholangitis sensitizes cholangiocytes to apoptotic insults by activating sAC, which may play a crucial role in disease pathogenesis. (Hepatology 2016;64:522‐534)
Reconstruction of multi‐decadal groundwater level time‐series using a lumped conceptual model
Authors: Jackson C. R. , Wang L. , Pachocka M. , Mackay J. D. , Bloomfield J. P.
Published: March 2016

Multi‐decadal groundwater level records, which provide information about long‐term variability and trends, are relatively rare. Whilst a number of studies have sought to reconstruct river flow records, there have been few attempts to reconstruct groundwater level time‐series over a number of decades. Using long rainfall and temperature records, we developed and applied a methodology to do this using a lumped conceptual model. We applied the model to six sites in the UK, in four different aquifers: Chalk, limestone, sandstone and Greensand. Acceptable models of observed monthly groundwater levels were generated at four of the sites, with maximum Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency scores of between 0.84 and 0.93 over the calibration and evaluation periods, respectively. These four models were then used to reconstruct the monthly groundwater level time‐series over approximately 60 years back to 1910. Uncertainty in the simulated levels associated with model parameters was assessed using the Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation method. Known historical droughts and wet period in the UK are clearly identifiable in the reconstructed levels, which were compared using the Standardized Groundwater Level Index. Such reconstructed records provide additional information with which to improve estimates of the frequency, severity and duration of groundwater level extremes and their spatial coherence, which for example is important for the assessment of the yield of boreholes during drought periods. Copyright © 2016 British Geological Survey. Hydrological Processes © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Hydrogeological response to climate change in alpine hillslopes
Authors: Markovich Katherine H. , Maxwell Reed M. , Fogg Graham E.
Published: March 2016

Climate change threatens water resources in snowmelt‐dependent regions by altering the fraction of snow and rain and spurring an earlier snowmelt season. The bulk of hydrological research has focused on forecasting response in streamflow volumes and timing to a shrinking snowpack; however, the degree to which subsurface storage offsets the loss of snow storage in various alpine geologic settings, i.e. the hydrogeologic buffering capacity, is still largely unknown. We address this research need by assessing the affects of climate change on storage and runoff generation for two distinct hydrogeologic settings present in alpine systems: a low storage granitic and a greater storage volcanic hillslope. We use a physically based integrated hydrologic model fully coupled to a land surface model to run a base scenario and then three progressive warming scenarios, and account for the shifts in each component of the water budget. For hillslopes with greater water retention, the larger storage volcanic hillslope buffered streamflow volumes and timing, but at the cost of greater reductions in groundwater storage relative to the low storage granite hillslope. We found that the results were highly sensitive to the unsaturated zone retention parameters, which in the case of alpine systems can be a mix of matrix or fracture flow. The presence of fractures and thus less retention in the unsaturated zone significantly decreased the reduction in recharge and runoff for the volcanic hillslope in climate warming scenarios. This approach highlights the importance of incorporating physically based subsurface flow in to alpine hydrology models, and our findings provide ways forward to arrive at a conceptual model that is both consistent with geology and hydrologic principles. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dose‐response association between hepatitis B surface antigen levels and liver cancer risk in Chinese men and women
Authors: Yang Yang , Gao Jing , Li Hong‐Lan , Zheng Wei , Yang Gong , Zhang Wei , Ma Xiao , Tan Yu‐Ting , Rothman Nathaniel , Gao Yu‐Tang , Chow Wong‐Ho , Shu Xiao‐Ou , Xiang Yong‐Bing
Published: March 2016

We aimed at evaluating the risk of liver cancer in different levels of HBsAg among Chinese men and women. We carried out a nested case‐control study including 363 cases and 3,511 controls in two population‐based cohorts in Shanghai. Plasma samples collected at enrollment were quantified for HBsAg levels using the Architect QT assay. Conditional logistic regression was performed to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for liver cancer, with adjustment for potential confounders. HBsAg was detected in 6.29% of control subjects overall (7.02% in men and 4.98% in women). HBsAg levels were positively associated with liver cancer risk in a dose‐response manner (ptrend < 0.001). Such association showed a significant gender disparity. With increasing levels of HBsAg, liver cancer risks rose more steeply in men than in women. In men, the adjusted ORs increased from 7.27 (95% CI: 3.49–15.15) at the lowest detectable level of HBsAg (5–9 IU/ml) to 7.16 (95% CI: 3.21–15.96), 34.30 (95% CI: 16.94–69.44), and 47.33 (95% CI: 23.50–95.34) at the highest level of HBsAg (≥1,000 IU/ml) compared to those negative for HBsAg. The corresponding ORs were much lower for women, from 1.37 (95% CI: 0.25–7.47), 3.81 (95% CI: 1.09–13.28), 7.36 (95% CI: 2.41–22.46) and 16.86 (95% CI: 7.24–39.27), respectively. HBsAg quantification has potential to distinguish individuals at different risks of liver cancer. Men with the lowest detectable level of HBsAg should still pay attention to their liver cancer risks, but those with a higher level may be given a higher priority in future liver cancer surveillance program.
ALDH1A3, a metabolic target for cancer diagnosis and therapy
Authors: Duan Jiang‐Jie , Cai Jiao , Guo Yu‐Feng , Bian Xiu‐Wu , Yu Shi‐Cang
Published: March 2016

Metabolism reprogramming has been linked with the initiation, metastasis, and recurrence of cancer. The aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) family is the most important enzyme system for aldehyde metabolism. The human ALDH family is composed of 19 members. ALDH1A3 participates in various physiological processes in human cells by oxidizing all‐trans‐retinal to retinoic acid. ALDH1A3 expression is regulated by many factors, and it is associated with the development, progression, and prognosis of cancers. In addition, ALDH1A3 influences a diverse range of biological characteristics within cancer stem cells and can act as a marker for these cells. Thus, growing evidence indicates that ALDH1A3 has the potential to be used as a target for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
Suppression of EC‐SOD by oxLDL During Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation
Authors: Makino Junya , Asai Rei , Hashimoto Mao , Kamiya Tetsuro , Hara Hirokazu , Ninomiya Masayuki , Koketsu Mamoru , Adachi Tetsuo
Published: March 2016

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by endothelial cells and macrophages play important roles in atherogenesis because they promote the formation of oxidized low‐density lipoproteins (oxLDL). Extracellular‐superoxide dismutase (EC‐SOD) is mainly produced by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), is secreted into the extracellular space, and protects cells from the damaging effects of the superoxide anion. Thus, the expression of EC‐SOD in VSMCs is crucial for protecting cells against atherogenesis; however, oxLDL‐induced changes in the expression of EC‐SOD in VSMCs have not yet been examined. We herein showed that oxLDL decreased EC‐SOD mRNA and protein levels by binding to lectin‐like oxidized LDL receptor‐1 (LOX‐1). Moreover, we demonstrated the significant role of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular‐regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling in oxLDL‐elicited reductions in the expression of EC‐SOD and proliferation of VSMCs. The results obtained with the FCS treatment indicate that oxLDL‐elicited reductions in the expression of EC‐SOD are related to the proliferation of VSMCs. We herein showed for the first time that luteolin, a natural product, restored oxLDL‐induced decreases in the expression of EC‐SOD and proliferation of VSMCs. Collectively, the results of the present study suggest that oxLDL accelerates the development of atherosclerosis by suppressing the expression of EC‐SOD and also that luteolin has potential as a treatment for atherosclerosis. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2496–2505, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Generation of Directly Converted Human Osteoblasts That Are Free of Exogenous Gene and Xenogenic Protein
Authors: Yamamoto Kenta , Sato Yoshiki , Honjo Kenichi , Ichioka Hiroaki , Oseko Fumishige , Sowa Yoshihiro , Yamamoto Toshiro , Kanamura Narisato , Kishida Tsunao , Mazda Osam
Published: March 2016

Generation of osteoblasts from human somatic cells may be applicable in an effective transplantation therapy against bone diseases. Recently we established a procedure to directly convert human fibroblasts into osteoblasts by transducing some transcription factor genes via retroviral vectors. However, retroviral vector‐mediated transduction may potentially cause tumor formation from the infected cells, thus a non‐viral gene transfection method may be more preferable for preparation of osteoblasts to be used for transplantation therapy. Here, we constructed a plasmid vector encoding Oct4, Osterix, and L‐Myc that were an appropriate combination of transcription factors for this purpose. Osteoblast‐like phenotypes including high alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, bone matrix production and osteoblast‐specific gene expression were induced in normal human fibroblasts that were transfected with the plasmid followed by culturing in osteogenic medium. The plasmid‐driven directly converted osteoblasts (p‐dOBs) were obtained even in the absence of a xenogenic protein. The plasmid vector sequence had fallen out of the p‐dOBs. The cells formed deposition of calcified bodies in situ after transplantation into mice. These results strongly suggest that p‐dOBs can be put into practical use for a novel cell‐based therapy against bone diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2538–2545, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Generation of Human Lens Epithelial‐Like Cells From Patient‐Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Li Dan , Qiu Xiaodi , Yang Jin , Liu Tianjin , Luo Yi , Lu Yi
Published: March 2016

Cataractogenesis begins from the dynamic lens epithelial cells (LECs) and adjacent fiber cells. LECs derived from cell lines cannot maintain the crystalline expression as the primary LECs. The current study aimed to efficiently generate large numbers of human LECs from patient‐specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Anterior lens capsules were collected from cataract surgery and were used to culture primary hLECs. iPSCs were induced from these primary hLECs by lentiviral transduction of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c‐Myc. Then, the generated iPSCs were re‐differentiated into hLECs by the 3‐step addition of defined factor combinations (Noggin, BMP4/7, bFGF, and EGF) modified from an established method. During the re‐differentiation process, colonies of interest were isolated using a glass picking tool and cloning cylinders based on the colony morphology. After two steps of isolation, populations of LEC‐like cells (LLCs) were generated and identified by the expression of lens marker genes by qPCR, western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The study introduced a modified protocol to isolate LLCs from iPSCs by defined factors in a short time frame. This technique could be useful for mechanistic studies of lens‐related diseases. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2555–2562, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
XPO1 Inhibition Preferentially Disrupts the 3D Nuclear Organization of Telomeres in Tumor Cells
Authors: Taylor‐Kashton Cheryl , Lichtensztejn Daniel , Baloglu Erkan , Senapedis William , Shacham Sharon , Kauffman Michael G. , Kotb Rami , Mai Sabine
Published: March 2016

Previous work has shown that the three‐dimensional (3D) nuclear organization of telomeres is altered in cancer cells and the degree of alterations coincides with aggressiveness of disease. Nuclear pores are essential for spatial genome organization and gene regulation and XPO1 (exportin 1/CRM1) is the key nuclear export protein. The Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) compounds developed by Karyopharm Therapeutics (KPT‐185, KPT‐330/selinexor, and KPT‐8602) inhibit XPO1 nuclear export function. In this study, we investigated whether XPO1 inhibition has downstream effects on the 3D nuclear organization of the genome. This was assessed by measuring the 3D telomeric architecture of normal and tumor cells in vitro and ex vivo. Our data demonstrate for the first time a rapid and preferential disruption of the 3D nuclear organization of telomeres in tumor cell lines and in primary cells ex vivo derived from treatment‐naïve newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. Normal primary cells in culture as well as healthy lymphocyte control cells from the same patients were minimally affected. Using both lymphoid and non‐lymphoid tumor cell lines, we found that the downstream effects on the 3D nuclear telomere structure are independent of tumor type. We conclude that the 3D nuclear organization of telomeres is a sensitive indicator of cellular response when treated with XPO1 inhibitors. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2711–2719, 2016. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Cellular Physiology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.