bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to Translate the [LCu2(H)]+‐Catalysed Selective Decomposition of Formic Acid into H2and CO2from the Gas Phase into a Zeolite.
Authors: Krstić Marjan , Jin Qiuyan , Khairallah George N. , O'Hair Richard A. J. , Bonačić‐Koutecký Vlasta
Published: November 2017

Translating a homogenous catalyst into a heterogeneous catalyst requires a fundamental understanding of how the catalyst “fits” into the zeolite and how the reaction is influenced. Previous studies of bimetallic catalyst design identified a potent copper homobinuclear catalyst, [(L)Cu2(H)]+for the selective decomposition of formic acid. Here, a close interplay between theory and experiment shows how to preserve this selective reactivity within zeolites. Gas‐phase experiments and DFT calculations showed that switching from 1,1‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐methane ligand to the 1,8‐naphthyridine ligand produced an equally potent catalyst. DFT calculations show that this new catalyst neatly fits into a zeolite which does not perturb reactivity, thus providing a unique example on how “heterogenization” of a homogenous catalyst for the selective catalysed extrusion of carbon dioxide from formic acid can be achieved, with important application in hydrogen storage and in situ generation of H2.
Gross total resection and adjuvant radiotherapy most significant predictors of improved survival in patients with atypical meningioma
Authors: Rydzewski Nicholas R. , Lesniak Maciej S. , Chandler James P. , Kalapurakal John A. , Pollom Erqi , Tate Matthew C. , Bloch Orin , Kruser Timothy , Dalal Prarthana , Sachdev Sean
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Atypical and malignant meningiomas are far less common than benign meningiomas. As aggressive lesions, they are prone to local recurrence and may lead to decreased survival. Although malignant meningiomas typically are treated with maximal surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), to the authors’ knowledge the optimal treatment for atypical lesions remains to be defined. There are limited prospective data in this setting.

METHODS

The National Cancer Data Base was queried to investigate cases of histologically confirmed meningiomas diagnosed from 2004 to 2014. This included 7811 patients with atypical meningiomas (World Health Organization grade 2) and 1936 patients with malignant meningiomas (World Health Organization grade 3); during the same period, a total of 60,345 patients were diagnosed with benign meningiomas (World Health Organization grade 1). Data collected included patient and tumor characteristics, extent of surgical resection, and use of RT. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan‐Meier estimates with the log‐rank test of significance and Cox univariate and multivariate regression. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with use of RT.

RESULTS

The 5‐year overall survival rate was 85.5% in patients with benign meningiomas, 75.9% in patients with atypical meningiomas, and 55.4% in patients with malignant meningiomas (P<.0001). In patients with atypical meningiomas, gross (macroscopic) total resection (GTR) and adjuvant RT were found to be associated with significantly improved survival, independently and especially in unison (GTR plus RT: hazard ratio, 0.47; P = .002). On multivariate analysis, the combination of GTR plus RT was found to be the most important factor for improved survival. However, GTR was associated with significantly lower rates of RT use.

CONCLUSIONS

GTR and adjuvant RT appear to be highly associated with improved survival, independent of other factors, in patients with atypical meningiomas. Cancer 2018;124:734‐42. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Salinity tolerance of three competing rangeland plant species: Studies in hydroponic culture
Authors: Sagers Joseph K. , Waldron Blair L. , Creech Joseph Earl , Mott Ivan W. , Bugbee Bruce
Published: November 2017

Halogeton (Halogeton glomeratus) is an invasive species that displaces Gardner's saltbush (Atriplex gardneri) on saline rangelands, whereas, forage kochia (Bassia prostrata) potentially can rehabilitate these ecosystems. Salinity tolerance has been hypothesized as the predominant factor affecting frequency of these species. This study compared relative salinity tolerance of these species, and tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Plants were evaluated in hydroponics, eliminating the confounding effects of drought, for 28 days at 0, 150, 200, 300, 400, 600, and 800 mmol/L NaCl. Survival, growth, and ion accumulation were determined. Alfalfa and tall wheatgrass shoot mass were reduced to 32% of the control at 150 mmol/L. Forage kochia survived to 600 mmol/L, but mass was reduced at all salinity levels. Halogeton and Gardner's saltbush increased or maintained shoot mass up to 400 mmol/L. Furthermore, both actively accumulated sodium in shoots, indicating that Na+ was the principle ion in osmotic adjustment, whereas, forage kochia exhibited passive (linear) Na+ accumulation as salinity increased. This study confirmed the halophytic nature of these three species, but, moreover, discovered that Gardner's saltbush was as saline tolerant as halogeton, whereas, forage kochia was less tolerant. Therefore, factors other than salinity tolerance drive these species’ differential persistence in saline‐desert ecosystems.
The roles of environment, space, and phylogeny in determining functional dispersion of rodents (Rodentia) in the Hengduan Mountains, China
Authors: Du Yuanbao , Wen Zhixin , Zhang Jinlong , Lv Xue , Cheng Jilong , Ge Deyan , Xia Lin , Yang Qisen
Published: November 2017

The recently described trait‐based approach is becoming widely popular for a mechanistic understanding of species coexistence. However, the greatest challenge in functional analyses is decomposing the contributions of different ecological and evolutionary processes (e.g., niche‐based process, neutral process, and evolutionary process) in determining trait structure. Taking rodents (Rodentia) in the Hengduan Mountains as our study model, we aim to (1) quantify the vertical patterns of functional structure for head–body length (HL), tail/body ratio (TR), animal component in diet (ACD), and all traits; (2) disentangle the relative importance of different assembly processes (environment, space, and phylogeny) in structuring trait dispersion; and (3) assess the feasibility of Bergmann's rule and Allen's rule along elevational gradient. Our results have suggested that the vertical functional structure pattern varied across these three traits, indicating distinct functional roles in the community assembly process. These nonrandom vertical patterns of HL, TR, and terminal ACD have demonstrated these traits were dominated by different ecological process along environmental gradient. In variance partitioning, high proportion of the spatial variations in trait dispersion was explained by environmental and spatial models, which have provided supporting strong evidence for niche‐based and neutral processes in leading species coexistence. Although the three traits all exhibited apparent phylogenetic signals, phylogenetic relationship within community failed to predict the spatial variations of functional dispersion, confirming the enormous inference of phylogenetic signals in predicting trait structure. By assessing the vertical patterns of HL and TR at order and family levels, we argued that functional adaptation along an environmental gradient is a surrogate of series of complex processes (e.g., environmental filtering, interspecific interaction, and neutral dispersal) acting on multiple functional axes, which results in inconsistence with the empirical rules along elevational gradient.
Design‐ and model‐based recommendations for detecting and quantifying an amphibian pathogen in environmental samples
Authors: Mosher Brittany A. , Huyvaert Kathryn P. , Chestnut Tara , Kerby Jacob L. , Madison Joseph D. , Bailey Larissa L.
Published: November 2017

Accurate pathogen detection is essential for developing management strategies to address emerging infectious diseases, an increasingly prominent threat to wildlife. Sampling for free‐living pathogens outside of their hosts has benefits for inference and study efficiency, but is still uncommon. We used a laboratory experiment to evaluate the influences of pathogen concentration, water type, and qPCR inhibitors on the detection and quantification of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) using water filtration. We compared results pre‐ and post‐inhibitor removal, and assessed inferential differences when single versus multiple samples were collected across space or time. We found that qPCR inhibition influenced both Bd detection and quantification in natural water samples, resulting in biased inferences about Bd occurrence and abundance. Biases in occurrence could be mitigated by collecting multiple samples in space or time, but biases in Bd quantification were persistent. Differences in Bd concentration resulted in variation in detection probability, indicating that occupancy modeling could be used to explore factors influencing heterogeneity in Bd abundance among samples, sites, or over time. Our work will influence the design of studies involving amphibian disease dynamics and studies utilizing environmental DNA (eDNA) to understand species distributions.
Does forest extent affect salamander survival? Evidence from a long‐term demographic study of a tropical newt
Authors: Lau Anthony , Karraker Nancy E. , Dudgeon David
Published: November 2017

Forest loss has been associated with reduced survival in many vertebrates, and previous research on amphibians has mostly focused on effects at early life stages. Paramesotriton hongkongensis is a tropical newt that breeds in streams but spends up to 10 months per year in terrestrial habitats. Populations are threatened by habitat degradation and collection for the pet trade, but the cryptic terrestrial lifestyle of this newt has limited our understanding of its population ecology, which inhibits development of a species‐specific conservation plan. We conducted an eight‐year (2007–2014) mark–recapture study on four P. hongkongensis populations in Hong Kong and used these data to evaluate relationships between forest cover, body size, and rainfall on survival and to estimate population sizes. Hong Kong has been subjected to repeated historic territory‐wide deforestation, and thus, we wanted to determine whether there was a link between forest extent as a proxy of habitat quality and newt demography. Annual survival was positively associated with forest cover within core habitat of all populations and negatively related to body size. Mean annual survival (~60%) was similar to that of other stream‐dwelling amphibians, but varied among years and declined substantially in 2012–2013, perhaps due to illegal collection. Despite the link between forest extent and survival, population sizes declined at the most forested site by 40% and increased by 104% and 134% at two others. Forest protection and consequential secondary succession during recent decades in Hong Kong may have been responsible for persistence of P. hongkongensis populations.
Drought effect on plant biomass allocation: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Eziz Anwar , Yan Zhengbing , Tian Di , Han Wenxuan , Tang Zhiyao , Fang Jingyun
Published: November 2017

Drought is one of the abiotic stresses controlling plant function and ecological stability. In the context of climate change, drought is predicted to occur more frequently in the future. Despite numerous attempts to clarify the overall effects of drought stress on the growth and physiological processes of plants, a comprehensive evaluation on the impacts of drought stress on biomass allocation, especially on reproductive tissues, remains elusive. We conducted a meta‐analysis by synthesizing 164 published studies to elucidate patterns of plant biomass allocation in relation to drought stress. Results showed that drought significantly increased the fraction of root mass but decreased that of stem, leaf, and reproductive mass. Roots of herbaceous plants were more sensitive to drought than woody plants that reduced reproductive allocation more sharply than the former. Relative to herbaceous plants, drought had a more negative impact on leaf mass fraction of woody plants. Among the herbaceous plants, roots of annuals responded to drought stress more strongly than perennial herbs, but their reproductive allocation was less sensitive to drought than the perennial herbs. In addition, cultivated and wild plants seemed to respond to drought stress in a similar way. Drought stress did not change the scaling exponents of the allometric relationship between different plant tissues. These findings suggest that the allometric partitioning theory, rather than the optimal partitioning theory, better explains the drought‐induced changes in biomass allocation strategies.
2,4,4,8,8‐Pentanitro‐2‐Azaadamantane: A High‐Density Energetic Compound
Authors: Hou Tianjiao , Ruan Hongwei , Wang Guixiang , Luo Jun
Published: November 2017

Polynitroazaadamantanes have a broad application prospect in the field of energetic materials. Herein, the synthesis of 2,4,4,8,8‐pentanitro‐2‐azaadamantane, a new member of the polynitroazaadamantane family, is described in detail. It was prepared through eleven steps in an overall yield of 8.8 %, starting from easily accessible compounds. It shows high thermal stability, an onset decomposition at 254 °C and high density (1.813 g·cm–3).
A Simplificative Approach‐based Modeling of SOFC Power Systems Fed by Natural Gas
Authors: Beigzadeh M. , Pourfayaz F. , Ahmadi M. H. , Pourkiaei S. M. , Beigzadeh M.
Published: November 2017

The fuel cell system is modeled to investigate output factors including voltage, power, and system efficiency for various input elements including different fuel composition, the air and fuel temperature and their utilization ratios. The purpose of this study is to examine the proficiency of a tubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) by simplification in modeling calculation which results in the minimum required data. An electrochemical model is defined at first, and different current losses types were calculated in the next step. In further papers the amount of air and fuel is known and in some of them operating temperature must be known. But in this study it is enough to know the current density and required generated power of the SOFC. Since the amount of reacted methane is almost equal to input value, after performing this calculation for several fuel cells and validating it, the most optimal value for methane output is evaluated and output parameters of SOFC are calculated, then results are validated. The effect of main factors, including system temperature, pressure, current density, air and fuel flow rates and air to fuel ratio on the SOFC efficiency, were studied. Modeling method of current study provides optimum air and fuel flow rate.
An Analysis of the Optimal Mix of Global Energy Resources and the Potential Need for Geoengineering Using the CEAGOM Model
Authors: Anasis John G. , Khalil Mohammad Aslam Khan , Lendaris George G. , Butenhoff Christopher L. , Bluffstone Randall
Published: November 2017

Humanity faces tremendous challenges as a result of anthropogenic climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions. The mix of resources deployed in order to meet the energy needs of a growing global population is key to addressing the climate change issue. The goal of this research is to examine the optimal mix of energy resources that should be deployed to meet a forecast global energy demand while still meeting desired climate targets. The research includes the unique feature of examining the role that geoengineering can play in this optimization. The results show that some form of geoengineering is likely to be needed by the middle of the 21st century as part of the optimal energy strategy in order to meet a specified climate goal of 580 ppm CO2‐eq greenhouse gas concentration (or ≈2 °C average global temperature rise). The optimal energy mix would need to rely on energy efficiency, nuclear, geothermal, hydro, and wind energy for over 50% of global energy needs. In addition, the overall cost of the optimal energy mix is sensitive to the assumed amount of achievable energy efficiency, carbon taxes, deployment of electric vehicles, and the assumed discount rate.
Upregulation of PRMT6 by LPS suppresses Klotho expression through interaction with NF‐κB in glomerular mesangial cells
Authors: Tsai Kuen‐Daw , Lee Wen‐Xi , Chen Wei , Chen Bo‐Yu , Chen Kuan‐Lin , Hsiao Tzu‐Chia , Wang Sue‐Hong , Lee Yi‐Ju , Liang Shan‐Yuan , Shieh Jia‐Ching , Lin Ting‐Hui
Published: November 2017

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) released from gram‐negative bacteria stimulates immune responses in infected cells. Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation and protein methylation modulate LPS‐induced innate immune gene expressions. Expression of the Klotho protein decreased with LPS treatment in rats. In a cellular model, information regarding the effect of LPS on Klotho expression was meager. In the present study, we demonstrated that LPS triggered global DNA and protein methylation in glomerular mesangial MES‐13 cells. LPS upregulated protein expressions of enzymes central to cellular methylation reactions, especially protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6) in MES‐13 cells. Expression of the Klotho protein was diminished by LPS and was restored by 5‐Aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (5‐Aza‐2′‐dc), AMI‐1, and ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC), but not adenosine aldehyde (AdOx). NF‐κB was identified as a substrate for arginine methylation and interacted with PRMT6 in MES‐13 cells. Inhibition of PRMT activity by AMI‐1 blocked LPS‐induced NF‐κB nuclear translocation in MES‐13 cells. Our data indicate that NF‐κB negatively regulated Klotho expression with an interaction with PRMT6, which was upregulated by LPS in MES‐13 cells.
Serum ferritin as a non‐invasive marker in the prediction of hepatic fibrosis among Egyptian patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: El Nakeeb Noha , Saleh Shereen A , Massoud Yasmine M , Hussein Ahmed , Hamed Rana
Published: November 2017

Background and Aim

Many studies have found a relationship between hepatic iron, serum ferritin, and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or its progress. The aim of this study is to assess the value of serum ferritin as a non‐invasive marker in the prediction of hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD.

Methods

This study included 113 subjects who were classified into three groups. Group I included 30 healthy subjects as control with no clinical, radiological, and histological features of NAFLD. Group II included 31 NAFLD patients without hepatic fibrosis. Group III included 52 patients with hepatic fibrosis on top of NAFLD.

Results

Serum ferritin was determined using ferritin ELISA kit. Fibrosis 4 score was calculated. Liver biopsy was conducted for included patients. Significantly higher levels of serum ferritin were found in patients with hepatic fibrosis on top of NAFLD than controls. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that an optimum cutoff level of 51.95 ng/mL was the best to predict fibrosis on top of NAFLD with diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 65% and 60%, respectively, and area under the curve = 0.658.

Conclusion

Higher serum ferritin was found in patients with hepatic fibrosis on top of NAFLD. Serum ferritin was found to be a predictor of fibrosis on top of NAFLD with moderate sensitivity and specificity.
Functionalized Diphenyl‐Imidazolo‐Pyrimidines
Authors: Lyubashov Pavel P. , Povstyanoy Vyacheslav M. , Krysko Andrey A. , Plotkin Alexander , Lovett Ilene , Povstyaniy Mykhailo V. , Lebedyeva Iryna O.
Published: November 2017

Synthesis of novel imidazopyrimidines has been reported. These systems contain carbethoxy group at C5 of pyrimidine and bromine at C2 of imidazole. Reactivity of these two groups was studied, and the mobility of the carbethoxy group was confirmed by tracing the formation of the amide product and also with isolation of alkyl analogs while bromine did not react with N‐nucleophiles under various reaction conditions employed. New conjugates combine the properties of dihydropyrimidine and imidazole and therefore lead to the expansion of original properties of each heterocyclic moiety within the system.
Root development of winter wheat in erosion‐affected soils depending on the position in a hummocky ground moraine soil landscape
Authors: Herbrich Marcus , Gerke Horst H. , Sommer Michael
Published: November 2017

Agricultural soil landscapes of hummocky ground moraines are characterized by 3D spatial patterns of soil types that result from profile modifications due to the combined effect of water and tillage erosion. We hypothesize that crops reflect such soil landscape patterns by increased or reduced plant and root growth. Root development may depend on the thickness and vertical sequence of soil horizons as well as on the structural development state of these horizons at different landscape positions. The hypotheses were tested using field data of the root density (RD) and the root lengths (RL) of winter wheat using the minirhizotron technique. We compared data from plots at the CarboZALF‐D site (NE Germany) that are representing a non‐eroded reference soil profile (Albic Luvisol) at a plateau position, a strongly eroded profile at steep slope (Calcaric Regosol), and a depositional profile at the footslope (Anocolluvic Regosol). At each of these plots, three Plexiglas access tubes were installed down to approx. 1.5 m soil depth. Root measurements were carried out during the growing season of winter wheat (September 2014–August 2015) on six dates. The root length density (RLD) and the root biomass density were derived from RD values assuming a mean specific root length of 100 m g−1. Values of RD and RLD were highest for the Anocolluvic Regosol and lowest for the Calcaric Regosol. The maximum root penetration depth was lower in the Anocolluvic Regosol because of a relatively high and fluctuating water table at this landscape position. Results revealed positive relations between below‐ground (root) and above‐ground crop parameters (i.e., leaf area index, plant height, biomass, and yield) for the three soil types. Observed root densities and root lengths in soils at the three landscape positions corroborated the hypothesis that the root system was reflecting erosion‐induced soil profile modifications. Soil landscape position dependent root growth should be considered when attempting to quantify landscape scale water and element balances as well as agricultural productivity.
Free amino acids, biogenic amines, and ammonium profiling in tobacco from different geographical origins using microwave‐assisted extraction followed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Cai Kai , Xiang Zhangmin , Li Hongqin , Zhao Huina , Lin Yechun , Pan Wenjie , Lei Bo
Published: November 2017

This work describes a rapid, stable, and accurate method for determining the free amino acids, biogenic amines, and ammonium in tobacco. The target analytes were extracted with microwave‐assisted extraction and then derivatized with diethyl ethoxymethylenemalonate, followed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography analysis. The experimental design used to optimize the microwave‐assisted extraction conditions showed that the optimal extraction time was 10 min with a temperature of 60°C. The stability of aminoenone derivatives was improved by keeping the pH near 9.0, and there was no obvious degradation during the 80°C heating and room temperature storage. Under optimal conditions, this method showed good linearity (R2 > 0.999) and sensitivity (limits of detection 0.010–0.081 μg/mL). The extraction recoveries were between 88.4 and 106.5%, while the repeatability and reproducibility ranged from 0.48 to 5.12% and from 1.56 to 6.52%, respectively. The newly developed method was employed to analyze the tobacco from different geographical origins. Principal component analysis showed that four geographical origins of tobacco could be clearly distinguished and that each had their characteristic components. The proposed method also showed great potential for further investigations on nitrogen metabolism in plants.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Gender, and Risk Factors: World Trade Center Tower Survivors 10 to 11 Years After the September 11, 2001 Attacks
Authors: Bowler Rosemarie M. , Adams Shane W. , Gocheva Vihra V. , Li Jiehui , Mergler Donna , Brackbill Robert , Cone James E.
Published: November 2017

Ten to eleven years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was evaluated in 1,755 World Trade Center (WTC) evacuees based on data from the WTC Health Registry. Characteristics of men and women were compared and factors associated with PTSD symptom severity were examined using the PTSD Checklist (PCL). Compared with men (n = 1,015, 57.8%), women (n = 740, 42.2%) were younger and of lower socioeconomic status. Ten to eleven years after September 11, 2001, 13.7% of men and 24.1% of women met criteria for PTSD. Results indicated that when considered with all other variables (i.e., demographic, socioeconomic and social resources, exposure to the attacks, life events), gender was not a significant predictor of PTSD symptom severity. Being younger on September 11, 2001, unemployed, less educated, and/or having higher exposure to the attacks, unmet mental health care needs, and less social support predicted higher PCL scores for both genders (βs = .077 to .239). Demographic characteristics and socioeconomic resources (ΔR2 = .113) accounted for the largest amount of variance in PCL scores over and above exposure/evacuation, mental healthcare needs, and social support variables (ΔR2 = .093 to .102). When trends of unmet mental healthcare needs were analyzed, the most prevalent response for men was that they preferred to manage their own symptoms (15.1%), whereas the most prevalent response for women was that they could not afford to pay for mental health care (14.7%). Although the prevalence of probable PTSD in women tower survivors was approximately twice as high as it was for men, this is attributable largely to demographic and socioeconomic resource factors and not gender alone. Implications for treatment and interventions are discussed.
Response to Cognitive Processing Therapy in Veterans With and Without Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Mesa Franklin , Dickstein Benjamin D. , Wooten Virgil D. , Chard Kathleen M.
Published: November 2017

Recent studies have called attention to the need for enhancing treatment outcome in trauma‐focused psychotherapies, such as cognitive processing therapy (CPT), with veterans. Given the prevalence of posttraumatic‐related sleep disturbances, and the role of sleep in emotional learning and processing, sleep quality may be a target for improving CPT outcome. Elevated rates of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been reported in samples of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, the impact of OSA on response to CPT is unclear. In this study, CPT outcome was examined in veterans with and without a diagnosis of OSA. Following chart review, 68 OSA‐positive and 276 OSA‐negative veterans were identified. Generalized estimating equations were used to compare between‐group differences in weekly self‐reported PTSD symptomatology. The OSA‐positive veterans reported greater PTSD severity over the course of treatment and at posttreatment compared with veterans without OSA (B = −0.657). Additionally, OSA‐positive veterans with access to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy reported less PTSD severity relative to OSA‐positive veterans without access to CPAP (B = −0.421). Apnea appears to be a contributing factor to the reduced effectiveness of evidence‐based psychotherapy for veterans with PTSD; however, preliminary evidence indicates that CPAP therapy may help mitigate the impact of OSA on treatment outcome.
Antimicrobial Emulsifier–Glycerol Monolaurate Induces Metabolic Syndrome, Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis, and Systemic Low‐Grade Inflammation in Low‐Fat Diet Fed Mice
Authors: Jiang Zengliang , Zhao Minjie , Zhang Hui , Li Yang , Liu Mengyun , Feng Fengqin
Published: November 2017

Scope

Glycerol monolaurate (GML) is widely consumed worldwide in the food industry and is considered safe, but for chronic diseases, supporting scientific data remain sparse. This study investigates whether dietary GML induces metabolic syndrome, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and systemic low‐grade inflammation.

Methods and results

GML‐induced occurrence of metabolic syndrome, gut microbiota alterations, and systemic low‐grade inflammation are investigated. The results demonstrate that GML induced metabolic syndrome by significantly increasing the body weight, weight gain, food intake, body fat, fat droplet size and percentage of epididymal fat, serum triglycerides (TG), LDL, and atherogenic index, and decreasing the body muscle ratio, liver weight, and HDL, compared to the control (CON) group. Meanwhile, GML significantly changed the β‐diversity and composition of gut microbiota and upregulated the circulating levels of serum LPS, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α. Importantly, GML significantly decreased Akkermansia muciniphila and Lupinus luteus, and increased Bacteroides acidifaciens, Escherichia coli and the microbial DNA abundance of the ten predicated metabolism pathways involved in carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolism.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that relatively low‐dose GML consumption promotes metabolic syndrome, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and systemic low‐grade inflammation, thereby calling for a reassessment of GML usage.
Technical Note: Evaluation of the latency and the beam characteristics of a respiratory gating system using an Elekta linear accelerator and a respiratory indicator device, Abches
Authors: Saito Masahide , Sano Naoki , Ueda Koji , Shibata Yuki , Kuriyama Kengo , Komiyama Takafumi , Marino Kan , Aoki Shinichi , Onishi Hiroshi
Published: November 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the basic performance of a respiratory gating system using an Elekta linac and an Abches respiratory‐monitoring device.

Methods

The gating system was comprised of an Elekta Synergy linac equipped with a ResponseTM gating interface module and an Abches respiratory‐monitoring device. The latencies from a reference respiratory signal to the resulting Abches gating output signal and the resulting monitor‐ion‐chamber output signal were measured. Then, the flatness and symmetry of the gated beams were measured using a two‐dimensional ionization chamber array for fixed and arc beams, respectively. Furthermore, the beam quality, TPR20,10, and the output of the fixed gated beams were also measured using a Farmer chamber. Each of the beam characteristics was compared with each of those for nongated irradiation.

Results

The full latencies at beam‐on and beam‐off for 6‐MV gated beams were 336.4 ± 23.4 ms and 87.6 ± 7.1 ms, respectively. The differences in flatness between the gated and nongated beams were within 0.91% and 0.87% for the gun‐target and left‐right directions, respectively. In the same manner, the beam symmetries were within 0.68% and 0.82%, respectively. The percentage differences in beam quality and beam output were below 1% for a beam‐on time range of 1.1–7 s.

Conclusion

The latency of the Elekta gating system combined with Abches was found to be acceptable using our measurement method. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the beam characteristics of the gating system using our respiratory indicator were comparable with the nongated beams for a single‐arc gated beam delivery.
Field‐size correction factors of a radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeter for small‐field and intensity‐modulated radiation therapy beams
Authors: Hashimoto Shimpei , Fujita Yukio , Katayose Tetsurou , Mizuno Hideyuki , Saitoh Hidetoshi , Karasawa Katsuyuki
Published: November 2017

Purpose

We evaluated the energy responses of a radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeter (RPLD) to variations in small‐field and intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) conditions using experimental measurements and Monte Carlo simulation.

Methods

Several sizes of the jaw and multileaf collimator fields and various plan‐class IMRT‐beam measurements were performed using the RPLD and an ionization chamber. The field‐size correction factor for the RPLD was determined for 6‐ and 10‐MV x rays. This correction factor, together with the perturbation factor, was also calculated using Monte Carlo simulation with the EGSnrc/egs_chamber user code. In addition, to evaluate the response of the RPLD to clinical‐class‐specific reference fields, the field‐size correction factor for the clinical IMRT plan was measured.

Results

The calculated field‐size correction factor ranged from 1.007 to 0.981 (for 6‐MV x rays) and from 1.012 to 0.990 (for 10‐MV x rays) as the jaw‐field size ranged from 1 × 1 cm2 to 20 × 20 cm2. The atomic composition perturbation factor for these jaw fields decreased by 3.2% and 1.9% for the 6‐ and 10‐MV fields, respectively. The density perturbation factor was unity for field sizes ranging from 3 × 3 cm2 to 20 × 20 cm2, whereas that for field sizes ranging from 3 × 3 cm2 to 1 × 1 cm2 decreased by 3.2% (for 6‐MV x rays) and 4.3% (for 10‐MV x rays). The volume‐averaging factor rapidly increased for field sizes below 1.6 × 1.6 cm2. The results for the MLC fields were similar to those for the jaw fields. For plan‐class IMRT beams, the field‐size correction and perturbation factors were almost unity. The difference between the doses measured using the RPLD and ionization chamber was within 1.2% for the clinical IMRT plan at the planning‐target volume (PTV) region.

Conclusions

For small fields of size 1.6 × 1.6 cm2 or less, it was clarified that the volume averaging and density perturbation were the dominant effects responsible for the variation in the RPLD response. Moreover, perturbation correction is required when measuring a field size 1.0 × 1.0 cm2 or less. Under the IMRT conditions, the difference in the responses of the RPLD between the reference conditions and the PTV region calculated by Monte Carlo simulation did not exceed 0.8%. These results indicate that it is feasible to measure IMRT dosage using an RPLD at the PTV region.
Sources of systematic error in proton density fat fraction (PDFF) quantification in the liver evaluated from magnitude images with different numbers of echoes
Authors: Bydder Mark , Hamilton Gavin , de Rochefort Ludovic , Desai Ajinkya , Heba Elhamy R. , Loomba Rohit , Schwimmer Jeffrey B. , Szeverenyi Nikolaus M. , Sirlin Claude B.
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this work was to investigate sources of bias in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) liver fat quantification that lead to a dependence of the proton density fat fraction (PDFF) on the number of echoes. This was a retrospective analysis of liver MRI data from 463 subjects. The magnitude signal variation with TE from spoiled gradient echo images was curve fitted to estimate the PDFF using a model that included monoexponential R2* decay and a multi‐peak fat spectrum. Additional corrections for non‐exponential decay (Gaussian), bi‐exponential decay, degree of fat saturation, water frequency shift and noise bias were introduced. The fitting error was minimized with respect to 463 × 3 = 1389 subject‐specific parameters and seven additional parameters associated with these corrections. The effect on PDFF was analyzed, notably the dependence on the number of echoes. The effects on R2* were also analyzed. The results showed that the inclusion of bias corrections resulted in an increase in the quality of fit (r2) in 427 of 463 subjects (i.e. 92.2%) and a reduction in the total fitting error (residual norm) of 43.6%. This was largely a result of the Gaussian decay (57.8% of the reduction), fat spectrum (31.0%) and biexponential decay (8.8%) terms. The inclusion of corrections was also accompanied by a decrease in the dependence of PDFF on the number of echoes. Similar analysis of R2* showed a decrease in the dependence on the number of echoes. Comparison of PDFF with spectroscopy indicated excellent agreement before and after correction, but the latter exhibited lower bias on a Bland–Altman plot (1.35% versus 0.41%). In conclusion, correction for known and expected biases in PDFF quantification in liver reduces the fitting error, decreases the dependence on the number of echoes and increases the accuracy.
Evaluation of renal metabolic response to partial ureteral obstruction with hyperpolarized 13C MRI
Authors: Niles David J. , Gordon Jeremy W. , Huang Gengwen , Reese Shannon , Adamson Erin B. , Djamali Arjang , Fain Sean B.
Published: November 2017

Hyperpolarized 13C magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to non‐invasively image the transport and chemical conversion of 13C–labeled compounds in vivo. In this study, we utilize hyperpolarized 13C MRI to evaluate metabolic markers in the kidneys longitudinally in a mouse model of partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (pUUO). Partial obstruction was surgically induced in the left ureter of nine adult mice, leaving the right ureter as a control. 1H and hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate MRI of the kidneys was performed 2 days prior to surgery (baseline) and at 3, 7 and 14 days post‐surgery. Images were evaluated for changes in renal pelvis volume, pyruvate, lactate and the lactate to pyruvate ratio. After 14 days, mice were sacrificed and immunohistological staining of both kidneys for collagen fibrosis (picrosirius red) and macrophage infiltration (F4/80) was performed. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed effects model. Significant kidney × time interaction effects were observed for both lactate and pyruvate, indicating that these markers changed differently between time points for the obstructed and unobstructed kidneys. Both kidneys showed an increase in the lactate to pyruvate ratio after obstruction, suggesting a shift towards glycolytic metabolism. These changes were accompanied by marked hydronephrosis, fibrosis and macrophage infiltration in the obstructed kidney, but not in the unobstructed kidney. Our results show that pUUO is associated with increased pyruvate to lactate metabolism in both kidneys, with injury and inflammation specific to the obstructed kidney. The work also demonstrates the feasibility of the use of hyperpolarized 13C MRI to study metabolism in renal disease.
Quantification of GABA, glutamate and glutamine in a single measurement at 3 T using GABA‐edited MEGA‐PRESS
Authors: Sanaei Nezhad Faezeh , Anton Adriana , Michou Emilia , Jung JeYoung , Parkes Laura M. , Williams Stephen R.
Published: November 2017

γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu), major neurotransmitters in the brain, are recycled through glutamine (Gln). All three metabolites can be measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy in vivo, although GABA measurement at 3 T requires an extra editing acquisition, such as Mescher–Garwood point‐resolved spectroscopy (MEGA‐PRESS). In a GABA‐edited MEGA‐PRESS spectrum, Glu and Gln co‐edit with GABA, providing the possibility to measure all three in one acquisition. In this study, we investigated the reliability of the composite Glu + Gln (Glx) peak estimation and the possibility of Glu and Gln separation in GABA‐edited MEGA‐PRESS spectra. The data acquired in vivo were used to develop a quality assessment framework which identified MEGA‐PRESS spectra in which Glu and Gln could be estimated reliably. Phantoms containing Glu, Gln, GABA and N‐acetylaspartate (NAA) at different concentrations were scanned using GABA‐edited MEGA‐PRESS at 3 T. Fifty‐six sets of spectra in five brain regions were acquired from 36 healthy volunteers. Based on the Glu/Gln ratio, data were classified as either within or outside the physiological range. A peak‐by‐peak quality assessment was performed on all data to investigate whether quality metrics can discriminate between these two classes of spectra. The quality metrics were as follows: the GABA signal‐to‐noise ratio, the NAA linewidth and the Glx Cramer–Rao lower bound (CRLB). The Glu and Gln concentrations were estimated with precision across all phantoms with a linear relationship between the measured and true concentrations: R1 = 0.95 for Glu and R1 = 0.91 for Gln. A quality assessment framework was set based on the criteria necessary for a good GABA‐edited MEGA‐PRESS spectrum. Simultaneous criteria of NAA linewidth <8 Hz and Glx CRLB <16% were defined as optimum features for reliable Glu and Gln quantification. Glu and Gln can be reliably quantified from GABA‐edited MEGA‐PRESS acquisitions. However, this reliability should be controlled using the quality assessment methods suggested in this work.
ONVisor: Towards a scalable and flexible SDN‐based network virtualization platform on ONOS
Authors: Han Yoonseon , Vachuska Thomas , Al‐Shabibi Ali , Li Jian , Huang Huibai , Snow William , Hong James Won‐Ki
Published: November 2017

Network virtualization (NV) technologies have attracted a lot of attention as an essential solution for future networking infrastructure. The NV enables multiple tenants to share the same physical infrastructure and to create independent virtual networks (VNs) by decoupling the physical network in terms of topology, address, and control functions. One feasible way to realize full NV involves considering solutions based on the software‐defined networking (SDN) paradigm using its programmability. The SDN contributes many benefits to both network operations and management including programmability, agility, elasticity, and flexibility. There are several SDN‐based NV solutions; however, they suffered from a lack of scalability, high availability. Also, they have high latency between control and data plane because of proxy‐based architecture. In this thesis, we introduce a new NV platform, named Open Network Hypervisor (ONVisor). The design objectives include, among the features, (1) multitenancy, (2) scalability, (3) flexibility, (4) isolated VNs, and (5) VN federation. ONVisor was designed and implemented by extending Open Network Operating System, an open‐source SDN controller. The main features of ONVisor are (1) isolated control and data plane per VN, (2) support of distributed operations, (3) extensible translators, (4) on‐platform VN application development and execution, and (5) support of heterogenous SDN data‐plane implementations. Several experiments are conducted on various test scenarios in different test environments in terms of control and data plane performance compared to nonvirtualized SDN network. The results show that ONVisor can provide VNs a little bit lower control plane performance and similar data plane performance.
A Postmortem Study of Frontal and Temporal Gyri Thickness and Cell Number in Human Obesity
Authors: Gómez‐Apo Erick , García‐Sierra Adrián , Silva‐Pereyra Juan , Soto‐Abraham Virgilia , Mondragón‐Maya Alejandra , Velasco‐Vales Verónica , Pescatello Linda S.
Published: November 2017

Objective

This study aimed to compare cortex thickness and neuronal cell density in postmortem brain tissue from people with overweight or obesity and normal weight.

Methods

The cortex thickness and neuron density of eight donors with overweight or obesity (mean = 31.6 kg/m2; SD = 4.35; n = 8; 6 male) and eight donors with normal weight (mean = 21.8 kg/m2; SD = 1.5; n = 8; 5 male) were compared. All participants were Mexican and lived in Mexico City. Randomly selected thickness measures of different cortex areas from the frontal and temporal lobes were analyzed based on high‐resolution real‐size photographs. A histological analysis of systematic‐random fields was used to quantify the number of neurons in postmortem left and right of the first, second, and third gyri of frontal and temporal lobe brain samples.

Results

No statistical difference was found in cortical thickness between donors with overweight or obesity and individuals with normal weight. A smaller number of neurons was found among the donors with overweight or obesity than the donors with normal weight at different frontal and temporal areas.

Conclusions

A lower density of neurons is associated with overweight or obesity. The morphological basis for structural brain changes in obesity requires further investigation.
Sex discordance identification following non‐invasive prenatal testing
Authors: Richardson Ebony J. , Scott Fergus P. , McLennan Andrew C.
Published: November 2017

Objective

The objectives of this study were to characterise genotype‐phenotype discordance identified in the routine clinical setting and to explore the associated diagnostic and counselling challenges.

Method

Cases were derived from a cohort of pregnant women who attended a multisite specialist prenatal screening and ultrasound service for non‐invasive prenatal testing by cell‐free DNA analysis and midtrimester fetal morphology assessment.

Results

Seven cases of genotype‐phenotype discordance were identified from a cohort of 12 919 women between June 2013 and March 2017 (incidence 1/1845 pregnancies). A variety of disorders of sexual differentiation were subsequently diagnosed.

Conclusion

Sex chromosomes are the basis of sexual differentiation during embryonic development. Variations of the traditional XX or XY karyotype may result in conditions where the genotype is discordant with the phenotype. Detection of these conditions in the past typically occurred during adolescence, due to delayed puberty, or during adulthood, due to infertility. With the increasing availability of non‐invasive prenatal testing and high‐resolution ultrasound, more cases of genotype‐phenotype sex discordance are being identified in routine clinical practice during early pregnancy. These discordant results present significant diagnostic and counselling challenges, and their potential should be included in increasingly complex pre‐NIPT counselling.
Reduction of Dislocations in GaN on Silicon Substrate Using In Situ Etching
Authors: Matsumoto Koji , Ono Toshiaki , Honda Yoshio , Yamamoto Tetsuya , Usami Shigeyoshi , Kushimoto Maki , Murakami Satoshi , Amano Hiroshi
Published: November 2017

A gallium nitride (GaN) epitaxial layer with a low density of threading dislocations is successfully grown on a silicon substrate by using in situ gas etching. Silicon nitride (SiNx) film is used as a mask, and ammonia is intermittently supplied in hydrogen ambient during the etching. After etching, high‐density deep pits appeared on the surface of a GaN template layer and corresponded to the threading dislocations in the layer. In this novel method, before growing an additional GaN layer on the template GaN layer, a second SiNx layer is deposited after the etching process, and this layer prevents GaN nuclei from growing on the upper side‐walls of the pits. By using this method, the density of threading dislocations of the GaN surface is reduced to 6.7 × 107 cm−2. This method is cost effective, completing all the necessary processes in one growth run without taking samples out from a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) reactor.